Mock Newbery 2026 discussion

With so many publications each year it can be hard to find distinguished publications. What books have you read that are solid Newbery contenders? List them here and they will be added to our monthly reading.

The Enchanted Life of Valentina Mejía by Alexandra Alessandri is my current favorite read.

Finally Seen by Kelly Yang
Wild Bird by Diane Zahler

The only 2023 book I’ve read is World Made of Glass by Amy Polonsky. It’s also on the 2024 Mock Newbery list. For some reason, our library is slow at ordering books this year.

Czechgirl wrote: "The only 2023 book I’ve read is World Made of Glass by Amy Polonsky. It’s also on the 2024 Mock Newbery list. For some reason, our library is slow at ordering books this year."

What do you think of it? It is on my tbr list.

I liked it. I must like it more than I realized because I was just talking about the book yesterday. It’s set in 1987. It’s about a girl dealing with the death of her father who died of AIDS. The father didn’t confront with his homosexuality until after he was married and had a child. The same thing happened to me when I was a kid except it was my uncle. My uncle had married and had two kids before confronting his homosexuality. Then he got AIDS and died from it in 1985. I needed this book back then.

Czechgirl wrote: "I liked it. I must like it more than I realized because I was just talking about the book yesterday. It’s set in 1987. It’s about a girl dealing with the death of her father who died of AIDS. The f..."

Thanks for the info. I'm sorry you and your family had to go through that terrible situation. I remember those difficult times, too.

Thank you for sharing some of your family history regarding this book - it was a cruel time for those touched by AIDS in the face of ignorance, fear and discrimination, let alone the brutality of the disease. The book makes you realize it was everyone's problem and not enough realized that in the 80s. I read World Made of Glass in January and am sending it out with Reader's Advisory for all ages.

I received a copy of Just Jerry: How Drawing Shaped My Life by Jerry Pinkney, today. The iconic author and illustrator was working on this memoir before his death. I thought it was a picture book, when I first read about it. But it is around 140 pages long with lots of text. There is a myriad of incomplete sketches throughout. It sure would be nice if Mr. Pinkney won one or two more awards for his work.

Laura wrote: "I received a copy of Just Jerry: My Life in Pictures by Jerry Pinkney, today. The iconic author and illustrator was working on this memoir before his death. I thought it was a picture book, when I ..."

Is this Just Jerry: How Drawing Shaped My Life?

LauraW wrote: "Laura wrote: "I received a copy of Just Jerry: My Life in Pictures by Jerry Pinkney, today. The iconic author and illustrator was working on this memoir before his death. I thought it was a picture..."

Yes! I will correct that. Thanks!

I concur with JUST JERRY: HOW DRAWING SHAPED MY LIFE, by Jerry Pinkney, posthumously. And I'd like to add, also a graphic memoir, A FIRST TIME FOR EVERYTHING by Dan Santat, published by First Second

Thank you all!

Suggestions really shaped the poll this month.
Keep the fantastic notable titles coming!

I just finished reading Aniana Del Mar jumps in by Jasminne Mendez and really loved it!

My favorite middle grade release for March is A Bit of Earth by Karuna Riazi. It reminded me of The Secret Garden which I adore!

A Bit of Earth is getting some nice buzz; I'd love to read that next!

The Greatest Kid in the World by John David Anderson. My entire ribcage aches from laughing so hard and so often.

Robin wrote: "I concur with JUST JERRY: HOW DRAWING SHAPED MY LIFE, by Jerry Pinkney, posthumously. And I'd like to add, also a graphic memoir, A FIRST TIME FOR EVERYTHING by Dan Santat, published by First Second"

I just finished A FIRST TIME FOR EVERYTHING and loved it. It will be truly considered for the Newbery. Dan Santat at his very best.

I also loved A First Time for Everything -- a wonderful true story with lots of interesting things he experienced. Also hoping it gets Newbery recognition.

Thanks to all who voted late last month for Simon Sort of Says. That got my attention and I am now officially hooked. (Agate just showed up, fuscia red, with the puppy.)

I was probably one of them. Finished it last night -- it is one of my top books of the year so far. Somehow managed to successfully balance great comedy (wait til you meet her dog Todd, lol) with tragedy.

Richie wrote: "Thanks to all who voted late last month for Simon Sort of Says. That got my attention and I am now officially hooked. (Agate just showed up, fuscia red, with the puppy.)"

I’m so glad you are enjoying this. It’s such a unique storytelling perspective. It’s my favorite book of 2023 so far.

Stellar, stunning, nonfiction, prose poetry that made me want to go piss on George Washington's Tomb: A LONG TIME COMING: A LYRICAL BIOGRAPHY OF RACE IN AMERICA FROM ONA JUDGE TO BARACK OBAMA by Ray Anthony Shepard. Coming in August.

Thanks for sharing about this book. I hadn't heard of it. Sounds wonderful!

The Windeby Puzzle by Lois Lowry is just fantastic. I absolutely loved it. It’s really compelling, it lends itself to cross-curricular teaching, and it is about a time in history that doesn’t get much attention.

Rachel wrote: "The Windeby Puzzle by Lois Lowry is just fantastic. I absolutely loved it. It’s really compelling, it lends itself to cross-curricular teaching, and it is about a time in history that doesn’t get m..."

Thank you for sharing your thoughts! It flew under my radar, but I am so intrigued after looking at the descriptions. This is going on my list to read ASAP.

Has anybody else read The Mighty Bite by Nathan Hale? Graphic novel. I have loved his history based works but never felt his fantasy landed until now. The Mighty Bite manages to be both wacky fun and full of wisdom and character.

He always gets me right there. And he's done it again. THE LABORS OF HERCULES BEAL by Gary D. Schmidt

Richie wrote: "He always gets me right there. And he's done it again. THE LABORS OF HERCULES BEAL by Gary D. Schmidt"

I have been trying to score an arc of this title for months. It looks amazing. I am planning on reading this right after Remember Us by Jacqueline Woodson. It doesn't come out until October but I was lucky enough to get a proof copy.

I am being absolutely blown away by I Am Not Alone by Francisco X. Stork. It's toward the upper end of ALSC's up-to-and-including-14-years age range, but definitely well within it.

Anyone have suggestions that are joyful rather than realistic fiction with death? I am trying to lighten things up this year.

The Teacher's Funeral by Richard Peck (2004)

I would not consider The Line Tender joyful at all.

Shella wrote: "I would not consider The Line Tender joyful at all."

It is a beautiful, realistic fiction book dealing with death/grieving. Maybe I misunderstood what Brenda was looking for.

I saw a recommendation for The Eyes and the Impossible by Dave Eggers. It is my favorite middle grade book for 2023 so far and I have recommended it numerous times! Here is my review: This is an amazing middle grade novel that begs to be shared as a read-aloud! The pure animal relationships, the humor, the wisdom...it all makes such a compelling story that children and adults will love. The writing is beautiful and there are so many excerpts to treasure!

Pam wrote: "I saw a recommendation for The Eyes and the Impossible by Dave Eggers. It is my favorite middle grade book for 2023 so far and I have recommended it numerous times! Here is my review: This is an am..."

It is amazing! This title was created in two versions with art by Caldecott winner, Shawn Harris. I love it!

I'm a bit disappointed that The Greatest Kid in the World ended up on a poll against Gary Schmidt. I encourage everyone to read it anyway.

Brenda wrote: "Anyone have suggestions that are joyful rather than realistic fiction with death? I am trying to lighten things up this year."

I have not read this yet, but the reviews that I have read about it make it sound very joyful:
The Eyes & the Impossible

I've just spent the day on the Silk Road, during the late 11th century. I read The Many Assassinations of Samir, the Seller of Dreams by Daniel Nayeri. It received four starred reviews. Now I know why.

I don't see any obvious way to contact the moderators, so I will post my question here: Why is THE LINE TENDER, a 2019 publication, part of the current poll, and why the heck would anyone vote for it??????????????

Richie- I agree. Totally crazy. I think someone posted a request for a book and that title came up and it was mixed into the poll somehow. I’m not sure why Kristin did not catch that as it was in the poll a few years back when it was published.

I'm pretty upset at the moment. If you're fortunate enough to receive an ARC of ALL YOU HAVE TO DO by Autumn Allen (Penguin Random House/Kokila, August 2023), definitely add it to your TBR stack. The story alternates between two Black male students seeking change, one in high school in 1995 and the other at Columbia in 1968. My emotional reactions have me bouncing between wanting to somehow lash out at those who are still responsible for perpetuating the stuff I'm reading about, and the desire to go get really f-'d up, knowing--particularly after last week's Court decisions--how little things change, how little justice there is in America, and how much of the promise of the Sixties was bulldozed under. This is another one that is toward our upper end, age-level wise, but well within our purview.

I just requested it on netgally and I usually get the book.

The Probability of Everything by Sarah Everett is one of my favorites this year. If you read it, don't read about it first for maximum impact!

Edit: Just discovered that she lives in Canada -- too bad for Newbery, but a fantastic book.

Tamsyn wrote: "The Probability of Everything by Sarah Everett is one of my favorites this year. If you read it, don't read about it first for maximum impact!

Edit: Just discovered that she lives in Canada -- too..."
100% agree with you. One of my favorite books of 2023. I recommend it to every reader looking for a suggestion.

I highly recommend Lasagna Means I Love You and The Fire, The Water and Maudie McGinn. These two and The Probability of Everything and Hercules Beals are my favorite middle grades of the year!

It made me cry and shiver. It made me want to break something. As the grandson of hard-working immigrants, it got me right there. It's TETHERED TO OTHER STARS by Elisa Stone Leahy.

Please write in any 2024 Newbery contenders we may have missed.

We only have one month left!

Mexikid by Pedro Martin
A Work in Progress by Jarrett Lerner
Gather by Kenneth Cadow
Salsa Magic by Letisha Marrero
Alebrijes by Donna Barba Higuera