Mock Newbery 2026 discussion

I just read, well really, I devoured Nest. This is the author's first novel and wow it is powerful and moving. It is a coming of age story and touches on so many topics children face today: sick parents, drug use, loneliness, suicide, etc. I feel it is a contender and would like to heat others thoughts on this book.

It is so sad to read about children having to handle adult situations of epic proportions. The work has fine literary merit, but I can't say that I would recommend it to a child.

What a great review & a perfect summation of a brilliant book. At times, a painfully sad book, this is one that I would like MORE kids to read. For my two-cents' worth, I think that this is the kind of book that enables kids to bear witness to some of the complexities of life, hopefully making them more empathetic contributors to the big bad world out there. It is so well written that I'd be surprised if this isn't a major contender. I will end my gushing there!

I have recommended Nest already to some of my fifth grade students who love realistic fiction. I loved the book and feel that students are often experiencing difficult situations themselves. Also, even if their life is much more sheltered, seeing tough issues and how people deal with them successfully or not, can be a great way to learn and experience things in a safe way.

I feel the author dealt with the issues in a very mild way that students can understand and not be shocked. When dad showed up at school and took her away during her presentation . The reader knows what has happened and hopes against hope they are wrong.

I'm on the fence with this book. I rated it 4 stars. I would definitely put this book in my library and hope the right reader would find its way to this book. However, I can understand Gail's point-of-view. The mother's depression is so severe that it is even hard for me as a 46 year old to understand how the mother couldn't see all the blessings in front of her. The author does such a good job with the writing of the character, Chirp, and her being such a likable character. I just wanted to shake the mother and yell, "Do you even realize the precious gift in front of you?" It does make me wonder if a middle child could understand such things. But yet again, it's good that such books are available for those readers who need such a book.