Mock Newbery 2026 discussion

Shouting at the Rain by Lynda Mullaly Hunt, is it just the usual adjusted family and falling out friendship tale or is it "distinguished?"

What do you think?

This is a good book, but I didn’t find it distinguished. After reading it I was thinking, was there a climax to this book? It seemed very one note to me.

I read this book a couple of months ago, and I guess I don’t find it distinguished because I really don’t remember it too much about it. So I went to my review on it, and this is what I wrote: This was an okay book. I liked how the book ended. The story wasn’t interesting enough for me. I know this review doesn’t say much, but I guess I didn’t have much to say about the book. Apparently I liked how the book ended, but I can’t even remember what happened. I think her new friend got to stay in the town?

LS Johnson wrote: “...was there a climax to this book?”
I found the story to be very episodic and could not identify a climax.
The writing is straight forward. It is easy to tell the good from the bad characters. I can see why kids would love this book.

I read Shouting at the Rain back in May, and liked it enough to recommend it to my daughter (who loved Fish in a Tree, by the same author). She liked it, but thought Fish in a Tree was much better. I agree. This book was a good read, but not quite distinguished.

I agree with what others seem to be saying here--it was an ok/good story but it won't rush to the top of my Recommendations list for middle grade readers the way Fish in a Tree and One for the Murphysdid. I actually felt as if Delsie was more a conduit for the thoughts the author wanted to get across, rather than a fully developed individual character.

I think I thought more highly of this book than others. One distinguishing feature of the story is the evolution of friendships. I teach sixth grade and every year there is a struggle as some students mature faster than others and view certain activities beneath them while others still like what is deemed as “little kid stuff”. I think this story provides a great opening to discuss changing friendships, being passive when you witness bullying, prioritizing friendships, sensitivity to different socio-economic levels, and that family is more than blood relationships. I thought the sense of community was beautifully portrayed. Delsie’s and Ronan’s friendship was wonderfully developed. Both of those characters dealing with the devastation of a parent that is an addict and another that rejected her son could be very important for certain students. Both of these issues leave a wake of emotional destruction. There are many important themes for students to explore through this story. I liked the variety of characters and I think savvy readers could handle it. Since these issues are problems I see multiple times each year- it resonated with me. For some of us, maybe we have forgotten how important and hard friendships are at that age. Is it Newbery material? I don’t know. It is certainly a better story and has better characters than Hello, Universe in my humble opinion. There have been many recent winners that have been head-scratchers for me. I know this one does not click any PC boxes, so I would say it is not a contender based on that alone.

I absolutely agree with you on a couple of key points. I didn’t dislike the book—maybe expectations were too high (although I always try to be aware of that going into a read by an author I like)? I also work with middle schoolers (6th -8th). I agree that (1)Delsie’s journey to finding her voice in the Brandy/Tressa situation is brilliantly detailed and middle school readers will see their own feelings and confusion mirrored in Delsie—as well as hope and a road map to help navigate this all-too-common situation; and (2) Hunt succeeds in putting forward the idea of looking at a situation from a different perspective to change both attitude and behavior—although she does this—in my opinion—more by using her characters as conduits than letting it develop naturally.

I think the storyline of Ronan, his father, history of violence and need for anger management is not dealt with realistically. I felt more like Ronan needed his own story; it did him a disservice to tack his onto Delsie’s.

I totally agree with you re: Hello,Universe. Between the two I also prefer Shouting at the Rain

I would like another book to continue Ronan’s story. It may be too complex to include here. Maybe Hunt will do some books based on the characters introduced here.

I liked Shouting at the Rain better than Fish in a Tree. It read like some of Sharon Creech's best work--episodic, slow-paced, reflective...

One of the criteria to be considered by the Newbery committee is “delineation of setting.” I think SHOUTING AT THE RAIN is particularly strong in this regard. Cape Cod is really brought to life, and the dichotomy between year-round residents and summer visitors is well developed.

Fish in a Tree is currently one of the most popular realistic fiction books for middle school readers. I feel that a lot of people saw this as a must read summer book.

I understand the two major complaints of the story. One, the book has no big event. Two, Ronan’s story has issues.

Personally, I feel that Shouting at the Rain does have a shot at winning an Honor. Delsie has a good voice. The setting is excellent. The other characters have struggles that are real.

For me the test is going to be in the fall. Students who read Fish in a Tree will read Shouting at the Rain. Will they like it as much?

well said!

I was really looking forward to reading it based on Fish in a Tree and One for the Murphys.

I liked it. It was quirky and sufficiently so to peak middle grade reader’s interest. The relationship struggles of the main character would ring familiar to young readers. I agree as the book progresses the flavor and mood of Cape Cod is well delineated (my family used to rent one of the very cottages described and we ate at the Wee Packet and Sundae School (she gave them different names in the book).

That said, it was not as captivating a narrative as her previous two books, although the occasional insightful reflections were beautifully expressed.

Not quite Newbery, but maybe honor?

I thought it read like a Newbery book. I thought the ending was anti-climactic. I liked the author's other books more.

I enjoyed this middle grade novel. I loved the characters , the setting was beautifully detailed. I think here in Rhode Island students will find a strong connection to the location. I think these coming of age stories are so important for kids' social emotional learning. I do believe friendships get hard during these middle years. I loved how Delsie tried to compromise, but knew when to walk away. I loved the idea of a family story in the non-traditional concept. We need more stories like this. This book is definitely on my watch list.

I agree with everything said so far. The character's voice was clear and honest. The friend relationships ring very true and show a very good way to handle things. The more models on that, the better. I agree that the Ronan portion was not as well developed, but it helped us understand Delsie by providing her a view of what might have been. I am not sure if it is distinguished, but we can only guess as the individual member's opinions are the criteria.

Alison wrote: "I liked Shouting at the Rain better than Fish in a Tree. It read like some of Sharon Creech's best work--episodic, slow-paced, reflective..."

I agree. I read Fish In A Tree earlier this year and I didn't care for it so much that I was very wary about reading Shouting At The Rain, but I ended up loving it. I can also see the similarities between Sharon Creech's writing and this book very well, like in the slow pacing, which I think is why a lot of people don't believe that this is Newbery worthy. They're expecting something that's going to jump off the shelf and explode in their hands, while Shouting is more of a quiet book, and I think that's one of the things that I like about it. Because to me the Newbery is more about the characters and the quality of the writing than anything else.

Louie- I really like your summary of this book and completely agree!!

Louie wrote: "Alison wrote: "I liked Shouting at the Rain better than Fish in a Tree. It read like some of Sharon Creech's best work--episodic, slow-paced, reflective..."

I agree. I read Fish In A Tree earlier ..."

I do think this is why both books appeal more to teachers than to librarians. There is so much about the writing that I love the idea of kids both reading and hearing read aloud.

I didn't mind this one, but felt it was a bit too formulaic and reminded me of a lot of other books, especially Beyond the Bright Sea with it's themes of community as family. I do love a good melancholy New England book, though.

Overall, I agree with others that a climax was indeed missing from this book. I felt that Delsie's changing relationship with Brandy and finding new friends was the biggest plot point, but after Delsie's stand with Tressa and Brandy (a little over halfway through) I just didn't feel as connected to the book.

I also am going to go out on a limb and profess my opinion that just because a book stars a child with hardship (especially having a "lost" parent or family member) does not make it automatically a good book. It feels like so many books recently lean on tragedy as a driving force in character development, when I don't think that is a healthy way of understanding coming-of-age, or trauma in general. Just my opinion!

I liked the book and appreciated the anti-climax as life, family and community take the front seat. Unfortunately, I do not feel this has the impact of fish in a tree and it is a long way from the Newbery committee opinions regarding distinguished.