Mock Newbery 2026 discussion

Amal Unbound by Aisha Saeed is a heart wrenching story, but is it distinguished?

This story was interesting and I appreciated how the author showed the injustice and horror of this type of servanthood without going too far. The character was developed and relatable.

I read this one several weeks ago as a recommendation from another discussion. I liked the depiction of something Americans can rarely identify with in our lives. I know the students in my school would be shocked an appalled to read this book. It was also well written. Newbery? I’m not sure if it needs that recognition or if a different recognition would be better. Im very interested in getting this book for my school library.

I absolutely loved this book.This is my favorite that our group has read thus far. I can see why it was chosen for the Global Read Aloud for 2018 school year. I have been in the worst reading slump. This book was a fantastic book to get me out of that slump. Amal is so brave. I love the character! This book better get a Newbery nod come 2019.

I loved this book. I liked Front Desk and Mason Buttle more but I definitely hugged this book when I was done. I found the writing very well suited for its audience and think it has a chance of being a contender.

It is one of my top five middle grade reads of the year. Quite distinguished!

My top favorites for this year are Front Desk, Amal Unbound, and the Benefits of Being an Octopus. Amal offered a glimpse into a world that I know little about and that makes me believe most children will not be familiar with it either. What I really liked about this book is how sensitively it was written for children. It is not too scary or harsh (even though as adults we know in real life this might result in different circumstances) and the ending resolved in a way that satisfied me for children. I just book talked this at a literacy meeting and renewed my passion for it all over again!

AMAL UNBOUND is a book that reminds us that slavery is not just a historical concept. In an era of computers, cell phones and email, there are still feudal communities where servitude is common.
The writing includes vivid descriptions of villages and landscapes. The characters, both good and bad, are authentic and believable . The storyline uniquely unfolds through gossip in various settings. Although change is positive, it can also be painful and disruptive.
One of my favorites for this year.

I think this is an important book and an excellent conversation starter for young thinkers. However, a few things were neatly wrapped up and a bit contrived so I'm not sure it's Newbery material. But I've certainly been wrong before! Like, every year.

This is a wonderful book. The author drew me in to really care about Amal and her family. I was expecting harsher treatment and was relieved as a 6th grade teacher that this would be appropriate for them to read. I did not know much about this topic in this area of the world. I do think it was tied up too neat at the end and would echo Jennifer's comments. It would be ok for a read aloud but with the read aloud award it won, I was expecting more from the writing style. Hope in the Holler- with similar themes- is a better read aloud choice. The cover is certainly distinguished- just not sure the story would be Newbery gold. I would not be disappointed if it was selected, but I have several titles that I have read this year that I would put ahead of this one.

Shella, this is my top choice this year so far. I’d be interested in knowing what books you consider more Newbery than this one.

Czechgirl, I sent you a message with some more detail- so far my picks are: Night Diary, Truth as Told by Mason Buttle, Miscalculations of Lightning Girl and Hope in the Holler

Loved this book. Along with Night Diary, Front Desk, The Truth as Told by Mason Buttle, The Journey of Little Charlie, and Harbor Me, there are many fresh perspectives and excellent reads for Newbery consideration in 2019.

Not my favorite to win the prize. A good book, but the ending added a feel of fantasy to the whole story. It is a great addition to the multicultural books in a classroom library. Students can safely read it and it is appropriate for younger children.

I liked Amal Unbound and while I thought that it it was interesting to read about a topic not very much talked about in middle grade, I felt like I never actually got to know any of the characters besides Amal. I also felt like everything was wrapped up way too nicely and simply to be realistic. Personally I think the best thing about this is that it only took me one day to read. It was a good book but I don't see it winning the Newberry.

I liked that the setting of this book, Pakistan, was somewhat unique to me, but I did not think the writing was very complex, and the resolution was a bit rushed. I just finished The Night Diary, also set in Pakistan, and found that story much more engaging, although its epistolary style was also somewhat limiting.

This was something else...and so far my top pick, after Ghost Boys. Left me without words it was that good! https://revingsblog.blogspot.com/2018...

Not my pick. I would like to have had an historical note at the end to put this story in context for young readers. One would want to have a nuanced discussion with young readers so they don’t make assumptions about Pakistan based on the story of involuntary servitude portrayed in this story. I was surprised the publisher’s discussion sheet only *referenced* an article about indentured servitude in brick factories.

AMAL UNBOUND includes characters with computers, cell phones and email, so I inferred the setting was contemporary, not historical. Would be interested in more information about the accuracy of the forced servitude described.

I read it over the summer to preview it as a potential read aloud for my reluctant 6th grade readers. We are currently 1/3 of the way through the book and they are riveted. It’s appealing to both the boys and girls in my classes. According to them “it totally needs to be a movie” and “this book needs to win an award”. A winning endorsement from a bunch of kids that claim to hate reading.

I enjoyed this book overall but agree with other comments that the ending felt rushed and was almost too neatly resolved. My son, who read this book with his fourth grade class, was very connected emotionally to the story and characters. I also appreciated the cultural elements and descriptions of Pakistan, and my son enjoyed 'teaching' me how to pronounce words and explaining traditions when we read passages together at home. I don't really see this as a runaway winner, but think it worked nicely as a classroom read aloud that is comprehensive and complex enough for younger readers.