Mock Newbery 2026 discussion

Rebecca Stead has written a modern story complete with love, friendship, betrayal and more. What did you think of Goodbye Stranger?

“Well, I got a brand-new pair of roller skates
You got a brand-new key.
I think that we should get together
And try them out, you see.”
-- Melanie Safka (1972)

“What Emily had decided to do was take a picture of herself in her new jeans, with no shirt on.
‘But wearing a bra, which is basically the same as a bathing suit,’ she told Bridge. ‘And I’ll do one of those photo filters, so it’s kind of fuzzy? You know, artsy.’
‘Tell me again why you’re doing this?’ Bridge said. ‘One more time.’
‘What if my boyfriend asked for a picture of me in my bathing suit?’
‘I’d say he was creepy. Is Patrick even your boyfriend?’
‘You promised not to be judgy. People walk around the city in less than a bathing suit!’
‘I’m not being judgy,’ Bridge said. I’m being--asky.’
Em started brushing her hair out in front of the mirror.
‘We want to, like--show ourselves. Be real. Do things for each other we wouldn’t do for anyone else.’
‘Why don’t you just talk to each other? Isn’t that more real, more you, than a fuzzy picture of your bra?’”

Emily, Bridget, and Tabitha have been inseparable since they were little kids. They maintain their friendship through a promise of No Fighting. But in seventh grade, little cracks are appearing in their friendship. Em has matured physically and she’s attracting attention from older boys. Bridge is becoming friends with a boy, too, though she’s not clear what her new friendship with Sherm Russo means. Tab is a budding feminist who is, otherwise, not yet thinking about boys.

Do you remember playing Punch buggy; Rock-Paper-Scissors; Telephone; and Duck, Duck, Goose?

GOODBYE STRANGER is a coming-of-age tale set in New York City. It is framed in terms of the many games children play, the little dares and bets with which they challenge one another, and the groups they form. It’s about how these innocent games, dares, bets, and groupings evolve into far more mature diversions as kids grow up.

GOODBYE STRANGER is told in alternating chapters from three different points of view.

The primary story follows Bridget Barsamian, who’s an accident survivor. When Bridge was eight, on roller skates, she turned to call back to Tab and accidentally skated into traffic. She underwent multiple operations and rehab.

A second narrative is told through Sherm’s letters, written to his absent grandfather but never sent.

The holder of the third perspective is mysterious: a slightly older, unnamed character who is only one or two degrees of separation from Bridge, her family, and her friends.

The character development of the five primary characters--the three girlfriends, Sherm, and Bridge’s big brother Jamie--is superb. We can feel the discomfort resulting from the changes each of the three girls is undergoing. I love the growing relationship between Bridge and Sherm, two relatively innocent kids who just know how much they look forward to seeing one another.

Holding hands and first kisses have been around for a long time. But plenty has changed in recent years. As today’s young people enter the grown-up world of texting, Facebook, and smart phones, it’s essential that kids watch out for one another because the games young people play can have irreversible consequences.

Filled with twists, surprises, and game-playing, GOODBYE STRANGER will be both captivating and instructive for tweens entering adolescence.

Richie Partington, MLIS
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In what it attempted to do (address these issues with today's lens of digital drama) I thought this easily was the best book is read all year. I fell into the twisting stories and changing narrators and how connections mean something. Very funny. Very serious. Very real. I'd be surprised if it didn't get hardware.

Goodbye Stranger deals with many important issues for middle schoolers: knowing who your friends are, sexting, grandparents divorce, post trauma anxiety. These ideas should resonate with contemporary students.

I have been trying to read Goodbye Stranger for a while now. First I got it from the library and started reading. It didn't grab me. Then I had to return it - long waiting list, I couldn't renew it. So I bought it. I tried reading it again. Still not loving it. I wonder why. It is getting such good reviews. Sigh.

I loved this book. It is a middle-grade book and unfortunately, it is not appropriate for readers below 7th or 8th grade. Darn. Stead writes really, really well and uses her writer's craft well with telling Bridge's story, Sherm's story through his letters to his grandfather and another mysterious person's story creatively. However, as a fifth grade teacher, who shares potential Newbery book winners with her class, I can not share this story to my class due to the part of the story that deals with making bad decisions as a pre-teen and the consequences of those decisions.

I do realize Stead attacks a very important subject that need to be addressed to today's tweens. I rated the book 5 stars because it deserves it. But to be honest, I hope it doesn't win the Newbery. I know the Newbery Award winning books span from ages 4th/5th grade all the way to 8th grade; however, I really don't want my fifth graders reading this book. I promote the Newbery a lot in my reading classes and wouldn't want the 4th and 5th graders to be exposed to this book. Does that sound weird?

Maybe that is one reason why I haven't been able to get into it much. I enjoy books that appeal to the younger side of the tween ages, the 4th through 6th graders. The YA books are a bit too "current" for me.

LauraW wrote: "I have been trying to read Goodbye Stranger for a while now. First I got it from the library and started reading. It didn't grab me. Then I had to return it - long waiting list, I couldn't renew..."

I am in the same boat you are. I love Stead and adored When You Reach Me. Goodbye Stranger isn't holding my attention. Maybe there are just too many great middle reader books this year. Sure not a terrible thing.

LauraW wrote: "I have been trying to read Goodbye Stranger for a while now. First I got it from the library and started reading. It didn't grab me. Then I had to return it - long waiting list, I couldn't renew..."

It's not just you. I had to force myself to finish it. I was unimpressed.

SPOILER ALERT !

Here's my personal review. (I have no idea what the Newbery committee will think):
I gave it 3 stars. The best aspect was how likable the main characters were. The three female best friends and two boys were sweet and I enjoyed reading about their growth. However, I found the "mystery" high school student element to be distracting. After realizing who she was, I didn't understand why this had to be a secret. I didn't see why the author didn't just name her from the start, really. Also, her infraction while serious wasn't really as awful as the whole let's-keep-her-identity-a-secret ploy led me to suspect. Further, I was disappointed in the ending. Too saccharine. I definitely could have done without the epilogue. Bleck! And finally - and this criticism may only be because I'm an adult and an educator - the photos were just too easily dismissed. I'm fine with Emily still liking herself, but let's think about this - a seventh grader in a lacy bra - that's a twelve or thirteen-year-old! I wish the author would have shown something of how she actually does regret this decision and that those photos will always exist!

I was distracted by the mystery narrator too! And I didn't care much for the epilogue.

I thought this one was really, really excellent. Stead has such a steady hand in her writing - it felt like every detail was important and necessary to the development of the story (plot, characters, setting, themes all felt well developed and believable). I also love the title, because I'm not sure exactly what it means, but it can be interpreted in many ways.

The Newbery criteria states "Children are defined as persons of ages up to and including fourteen, and books for this entire age range are to be considered." I personally love seeing books that reach those boundaries - it's rare but amazing to see a picture book or shorter work honored, and while I can understand that it's easier for people who work with 3-6th graders to share books appropriate for that age range, I don't think this pushes the upper boundary at all.

I love that the characters represent a variety of middle-school types - some that are ready to think about romance and are dealing with issues of sexuality, and others that aren't. I think this book would appeal to either kind of middle-schooler - the ones that are there, and the ones who are mystified by their peers that are trying out those things.

This is my top choice for Newbery so far - I haven't read very widely yet, but I think this would stand out no matter what else I read.

As someone who works with middle school age students I really liked the book. I struggle to find topical realistic fiction to which a middle schooler can relate but isn't too YA. This book fits that niche very well in my opinion. Unfortunately these cyber-citizenship issues are very real for students today. Great for conversation starter with students.

Czechgirl wrote: "I loved this book. It is a middle-grade book and unfortunately, it is not appropriate for readers below 7th or 8th grade. Darn. Stead writes really, really well and uses her writer's craft well wit..."

I'm with you. I hope it wins a Printz, but not a Newbery.

In fact, I am using it as an 8th grade read-aloud. Some students are really into it, but I have a couple of immature students who can't handle it.

Hillery wrote: "As someone who works with middle school age students I really liked the book. I struggle to find topical realistic fiction to which a middle schooler can relate but isn't too YA. This book fits tha..."

I agree with you, Hillery, that Stead does a great job handling cyber-citizenship issues very well.

Julie wrote: I found the "mystery" high school student element to be distracting. After realizing who she was, I didn't understand why this had to be a secret.

I think the author was trying to demonstrate with the anonymous character what it is like to be disconnected, since she did not have her cell phone with her all day.
The author showed another way of remaining unattached when Sherm refused to open voice mails or texts from his grandfather.
I did not interpret these episodes as preachy statements about the value of disengaging, but as counter-points to those characters who were so heavily reliant of their phones.

Kate wrote: "Julie wrote: I found the "mystery" high school student element to be distracting. After realizing who she was, I didn't understand why this had to be a secret.

I think the author was trying to de..."

It's Rebecca Stead- she does quirky things for smart reasons. In this case, though, I thought the gimmick overshadowed the storytelling.

I've been in a lot of sixth grade classrooms over the last year. I think I'd want every seventh grader I know to read this. It would be a great discussion about consent and electronics at a time kids are developing their understanding of the two.

It's funny, for me when you reach me was meh; but I couldn't put this one down. Different strokes.

I never finished it...and I do not think kids will find it genuine
I loved When You Reach Me and so did two adult and kid book clubs that I ran
This just didn't grab me and I did not care for the female characters...I was sorry not to love it

I liked this OK.

Not a strong Newbery contender in my opinion: one, this is a YA novel (I know it's set in sophisticated NYC, but these seventh graders act like ninth graders - or older), and two, the book kind of loses its way - due to an overabundance of characters and an unfairly tricky plot leading to a bit of unearned melodrama.

On the positive side, I loved reading about Bridge and Sherm - but they seemed to be in a different book than the rest of the characters.

I'm on page 114 and am editing for something to happen. I like the characters, but want something that makes me want to keep reading.

It took awhile to grab me, then I fell in love with the characters.

I read this earlier in the year and yes, I was really impressed with the writing and the characters. Their situations and actions were realistic, their decisions felt natural and believable. But, like many have said, it's truly about the nitty-gritty drama of middle-school. Not something I'm anxious for a fifth grader to delve into. I appreciate the writing and can see why it would get a Newbery nod, but I'm not pushing for it.

I really enjoyed this and could see it possibly winning and the award. but as some others have said. I think it almost borders on being a young adult book. writing and plot wise it was great. I think it may end up with a Newbery honor.

I thought this was really well-written and I enjoyed the characters. Rebecca Stead's "non-mystery mystery" style didn't grab me as much as it did with When You Reach Me, but I still enjoyed discovering new connections and layers of relationship as I read.

As others have pointed out, some of the issues that this book deals with seem to be too mature for a Newbery and make this a YA book. Unfortunately, I think that's just wishful thinking on the part of adults. Issues of sexting, cyberbullying, new relationships, etc. are definitely not confined to high school students. We have had to deal with these issues in the middle school that I work in, and unfortunately it seems to be trickling down to elementary schools as well. I think that Rebecca Stead deals with those issues in a way that middle schoolers can relate to without coming across as a preachy adult telling kids not to sext or cyberbully. Newflash: Kids know not to do it. They go to these seminars in the first week of school. And yet, kids still do it. Clearly that method isn't working, so I wouldn't want this book to have taken the same approach (by having Em show remorse, for example) but disguise it in a novel. I think Stead's approach of showing children's understanding of these issues makes for not only a more realistic story, but one that is much better written. For me, I would rather read this book with my middle schoolers and use it as a conversation starter about these issues--Why doesn't Em feel remorse? Is her reason perhaps legitimate in a world that has a bit more complexity and gray area than simply right and wrong? What about the reaction of the other kids, and Tab's misapplication of the Berperson's feminisim? If we shelve this book as YA out of fear that its too-mature-for-children themes (according to adults) would somehow corrupt younger students, I think we miss a valuable chance to discuss these issues before the ubiquitous corruption takes root from other, less gentle sources.

All that being said, is this worthy of a Newbery? To me, this book fits two important Newbery criteria: 1) The book displays respect for children’s understandings, abilities, and appreciations; and 2) The award is for literary quality and quality presentation for children. The award is not for didactic content.

It may not be my first choice for the Newbery, but I certainly don't think its supposedly mature themes eliminate it from contention.

Thanks for that great review and overview Emma.

I really enjoyed this the first time through. I found Bridge and Sherm very endearing and some of the dynamics of the friendships rang true. It took a little while until I got used to the mystery narrator and then I kind of liked the reveal in the end. I do think Rebecca Stead is very clever at interweaving plot lines in unexpected ways. It definitely made it to my possible contenders list.

However, I read the book through again recently and did not feel like it held up as much. The characters felt a little too much like caricatures of middle school students and the mystery narrator device felt a little too gimmicky.

That being said, it feels like a weak year to me, so I wouldn't be surprised to see it sneak in with an honor. I'd like to read it once more after the rest of this year's releases come out and see if it feels stronger again.

This is going to be harsh... And spoilers too

I agree with many of the things previously said, but my biggest concern with this book is truly the lack of remorse for sending the picture and the fact that she STAYED in a relationship where she was pressured into doing something she didn't really want to do at first. What WAS Rebecca Stead thinking?!? That was my deciding factor for not adding it to our school library. I know of a similar incident that happened in a school, and students, middle school students (!) were going to be prosecuted because of it...it's not a joke...it's very serious and I think she took it too lightly. Kids love her books...she could've made a difference with this one.

Agree 100% with you.

I finished the book yesterday. While I enjoyed the story and the characters very much, and found the book very readable, I did not think it was especially better than a lot of other coming of age stories that I have ever read.

I'm happy that I'm not the only one who didn't love this book. I really enjoyed the friendship aspect of it. I admire Stead for writing a story about friends who stick together through thick and thin, however, overall, I felt it wasn't a "perfect" book. I don't think this is a strong contender for the Newbery. I did not care for the mystery narrator and wasn't really satisfied with the ending of that story. I felt the picture taking wasn't handle correctly by the school administration or the parents. Overall, I thought it was a good coming of age story, but I don't think it had enough to make it a Newbery. I give it 2 stars, which is what I would call "okay".

I've been reading this bit by bit with my 8th grade class. We're just now getting to the picture taking part. My students all express frustration and disappointment with Em, but also anger at Tab for being so rigid. When I asked which character in the book was showing good "friend skills," my students' response was none of them. Yet they like the book, except for the guys in back who only read Mike Lupica.

I am struggling with the whole "showing what not to do" aspect of the book. I recently pulled Heaven from my class library because I thought it might accidentally encourage cutting.

There was a study done once in which group A of children were read the George Washington and the Cherry Tree fable and group B were read The Boy Who Cried Wolf. Group A became less likely to lie than a control group, and Group B became more likely to lie than the control group, even though the fable is supposed to discourage lying.

I think about that a lot and what it says about the way the human mind handles contradicting images and messages.

Tiffany wrote: "I felt the picture taking wasn't handled correctly by the school administration or the parents."

Here is a similar story from the news this week:

http://www.people.com/article/twenty-...

The 14 year old boy who participated in the sex act and the boy who shot the 10 second video were arrested for child pornography. There is no indication that the girl who participated in the sex act was arrested or disciplined.
Anyone who received the video on their phone was suspended from school. Those who forwarded the video to others received longer suspensions. Those who received the video and deleted it were suspended because they did not tell a school official. One boy who felt the suspension was unwarranted tried to attend school. He was arrested.
How do these actions differ from those in Goodbye Stranger? Are they more or less appropriate responses by school administration and local police?

I agree with most of the actions taken by the administration, but I am not so sure that the students who received the video and then deleted it (without informing administration) should have been suspended.

I echo others who have said the lack of remorse is a problem. I was super-glad to see a tween-friendly book about sexting, as this is definitely an issue - but the MC never showed enough remorse over what she had done.

I don't think this one is a Newbery contender, although I generally love Stead's writing.

I have a feeling most adult readers will find it unbelievable that a middle school boy who starts off suggesting an exchange of more & more revealing selfies turns out to be a good person and a warm, considerate, attentive, respectful boyfriend. Maybe we needed to hear more about his backstory or his transformation.

And yet, there is some truth in a girl feeling the power of her own beauty & attractiveness, and refusing to be shamed by it, that self-aware, thoughtful, stable girls would realistically feel.

The way Sherm

This book is on my TBR list! I appreciate the comments.

Erica wrote: "I have a feeling most adult readers will find it unbelievable that a middle school boy who starts off suggesting an exchange of more & more revealing selfies turns out to be a good person and a war..."

Agree!

Erica wrote: "I have a feeling most adult readers will find it unbelievable that a middle school boy who starts off suggesting an exchange of more & more revealing selfies turns out to be a good person and a war..."

The way Sherm what? Don't leave us hanging!

Not a fan. I don't mind the age group, I thought the subject of cyber bullying important. But how many things do we need to tackle in one book? Post traumatic stress, divorce, cyber stuff, I couldn't keep up. The mystery character was nonsense and I am still trying to figure out what went on there... I lost interest and glossed over it by the end. I just felt like it was trying too hard to be important. I agree she lost an opportunity here to have Em learn her lesson and the punishment of the boys was not enough. Her characters were great but lost in all of the chaos. I enjoyed Echo and the War that Saved my Life so much more.