Mock Newbery 2026 discussion

Rebecca Stead has received very positive reviews for her latest publication, The Lost Library.


Is it distinguished?

Quite liked it, but as these are two of the best children's authors around, I did want a bit more from this read. Will be a good choice for fall Reader's Advisory for those ten year olds who are reading through the library shelves. I would hope they'd read When You Reach Me and The Candymakers first. There's the rub - Stead and Maas are really so excellent alone, they dilute themselves a bit when they collaborate. Still, they're better together than most everyone else, though I can't help but feel the publishers are getting a deal here, as every library and bookshop will order this. But a sweet read, if loaded with librarian cliches that this reader can't help but roll eyes over.

This one is a hard pass for me. Too many really exceptional Newbery candidates for 2024 to read. I am always wary when two great authors collaborate on one book. It is probably a nice, mediocre story for children and an easy book buy for bookstores and libraries.

My favorite read on my kid lit list so far this year - a delightful story told in multiple voices … including a cat… as the young protagonist tries to solve the town’s mystery of a library fire that occurred before he was born. A great read for 4th and 5th graders.

The Lost Library told through three book loving characters, Mortimer the cat, Al the ghost librarian, and Evan an 11-year-old boy, sparks ones investigative skills. Mysteries abound in this tale! The pacing reminds one of a spool of thread slowly unraveling, then accelerating as it creates a puzzling mystery impossible to predict. Rebecca Stead and Wendy Mass created another magical tale together, full of passion for great books, librarians, and the power of igniting ones imagination through surprising unusual characters. Although I enjoyed it I don't see it as a Newbery pick.

I wouldn't say "distinguished" on this one. I did find it cute and younger readers will enjoy the "plot twists" as the story wraps up. This felt like a good fit for more juvenile readers.

A little free library. Ghosts of library workers. A cat provides one point of view. A popular author uses a pseudonym. A padlocked tree house. A mysterious fire.
These story elements are playfully combined by accomplished authors Rebecca Stead and Wendy Mass to create THE LOST LIBRARY.
Martha correctly describes the pacing as a spool of thread slowly unraveling.
Enjoyable homage to libraries and reading for middle grade students.

A nice little story, but not distinguished.

Very cute story for the younger end of middle grade readers. A cat, a ghost librarian, mysteries...all elements kids really enjoy. While I enjoyed this one, it would not be my vote for the Newbery.

A lovely story with a bit of mystery, some non-scary ghosts, and a town that has been deprived of a library for two decades. Written with a lot of feeling, this story has an interesting plot, appealing characters, and speaks of the power of books to bring people together. I loved it! However, most of the reviewers above don't think it is distinguished enough to be a Newbery contender.