Mock Newbery 2026 discussion

As we are discussing these books I have started to think about the fact that, while I have read the criteria for this award I don't know if I really know what that means. It might be a little different for each of us so I thought it would be interesting to share what we think makes a book "Newbery Worthy." Here is a link to the award terms and criteria. http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/als...

That is a very good question. I will look at the winners from the past few years and try to discern what the common thread might be. Then I will see how closely the winners seem to fulfill the Newbery requirements.

That is an interesting idea. For me the Newbery is dependent on a well written story, that introduced vocabulary, and with morals, or culture, that teaches children something in a creative way.

For example: A Single Shard by Linda Sue Park It has vocabulary, good values, and teaches a lot about culture and pottery. My dilemma with my theory is The Graveyard Book. While I like the story, it seems to fall into vocabulary only for me.

Every Newbery is so very different I have never really been able to place why one award was given from another.

I've thought about this a great deal and I'd really love to be a fly on the wall when the committee meets. I've heard many people say that often the Newbery is given to books adults like and think kids should like, but aren't usually the books kid would choose. I think this is an interesting argument and one of my motivations for starting a Mock Newbery at school, I am very interested in what the kids think of the books.

However as a librarian, teacher and mother I know that kids sometimes need to be persuaded to read (eat, watch, wear...) what is good for them even when it is not what they would choose for themselves.

I think it is very subjective and that the opinions and personal taste of the committee members are what ultimately determine what is selected.

It is a life goal of mine to be on the committee, but until then I will have to settle for my Mock Newbery clubs and groups.

To me, the Newbery is (our should be) awarded to a book that can stand the test of time. Books that can still hold relevancy 10, 15, 20 + years in the future. What makes that? I would say a strong plot, compelling characters, language that is readable, and a theme that kids (and adults) can identify with. I don't know if the Newbery committee always achieves this. I have to admit, I've been less than thrilled with the books that have won the Newbery in the last several years. I don't know if many of them have the staying power that books like "Holes" (1999), "The Westing Game" (1979), "The Island of the Blue Dolphins" (1961), or "The Witch of Blackbird Pond" (1959) and many many others, have had.

I've had a mock Newbery Club for several years now and I can say that my students have tried to interpret and understand the criteria as they are set forth when they read and make selections. Of the first six, not all need to be applied at once, but to me delineation of character and plot seem to be most important. I can see how The Graveyard Book fit several of those criteria like it or not. A child audience and contribution to literature are also elements to keep in mind. We've come pretty close some years, but so far haven't chosen the winner although many of the honor books. One area that is not part of the criteria, but one I think is worthy of discussion with my students is the beauty of the language--figures of speech, sentence construction, etc. It makes for a lively discussion. I do follow the ACPL Mock Newbery and also the Eva Perry Mock Newbery Club. Great lists.

I agree with you, Kathleen, about the beauty of language. Some prose can really be quite poetic. I think that is what is meant by "appropriateness of style" in the criteria.

I always took appropriateness of style as appropriate for the type of story that it is. Like for Homer P. Figg. The setting and language fit together.

Ah, so much to read so little time!

Kathleen,

Ah! That makes more sense. I took style to be synonymous with language because that's how Kathleen T. Horning describes style in her book "From Cover to Cover" (which I'm a bit of a devotee to). The "appropriateness" part of that phrase didn't quite fit though!

Please accept my apologies for posting to such an old thread, but as I've just joined the group I was reading through old posts. When I saw this topic, I had to add this URL which contains analysis on the newbery winners and it provides some insight into the selection over time.
http://cfbstaff.cfbisd.edu/paciottib/...

Pam wrote: "Please accept my apologies for posting to such an old thread, but as I've just joined the group I was reading through old posts. When I saw this topic, I had to add this URL which contains analysi..."

And now I am posting to a much older thread, but thanks for the link. I appreciated the breakdown of themes and authors. It amazes me how much the Newbery has changed over time - reflecting a vast improvement in both quantity and quality in children's literature!