Mock Newbery 2026 discussion

Louder Than Hunger by John Schu was this month's winner in the poll.

What are your thoughts on it?

Eating disorders are often a hidden challenge. Jake, a young teen, is dealing with anorexia nervosa. Jake's voice seems authentic and it should as the book is somewhat autobiographical. Maybe someone living with an eating disorder would read this and know they are not alone in their challenges. But, not sure what audience this will find. Maybe adults, family members or friends of someone undergoing in-house treatment would find it worthwhile. But, the poetry isn't very good and it hasn't found an audience here in my library. From the reviews it sounds like another book adults admire more than the teen audience does.

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Just some thoughts as I reflect on the book: Tough topic. Transparent perspective. Intense situation. Patient caregivers. Scary voice. Rays of sunshine. Fabulous grandma.

This book might be best used as a group read, or a parent-guided discussion book.

I have no interest in reading this and won't purchase it for my elementary library. The library already owns A Work in Progress. Anyone care to compare/contrast the two novels as they both deal with a male with anorexia.

I would say this is for older students- Newbery goes up to age 14 I think. It would be geared for the upper tier of that age group- not for most 5th and under.

Some books are great to use as a guide or read with children. This story and characters are very layered- loved the grandmother. Newbery recognition is based on how it is written and anything distinguished with the writing- not how popular and how often it would be checked out. Louder Than Hunger was very authentic and I thought the POV was distinguished. I really felt in the shoes of the protagonist- which made me very uncomfortable. Would this have a narrow appeal?-probably. But for those readers it would be very impactful. I listened to the audio and the way it was narrated, I found the verse to be poignant. When evaluating for Newbery worthiness should we be considering popularity?

Since we are over half way- what are people’s top picks so far?
Mine are:
10th Mistake of Hank Hooperman
Light and Air
Somewhat in a lower tier:
Louder Than Hunger
And Then, Boom

I think this title has a better shot at winning a Printz award as opposed to a Newbery. Honestly, I am having a much better time reading and reviewing this year's picture books. There are a lot of middle grade ghost/supernatural/mystery books which have been fun to read. But the plethora of middle grade readers (and young adult books marketed as middle grade), with the darkest family situations and individuals with deep, complicated problems are a lot to take in. If they are too much for an adult, they are probably too much for a child. I'm sure there are children who are sadly dealing with some of these issues. Maybe the themes will resonate with these young people and help them. But dang- let's have some escapism and enjoyment for today's kids. It's one of the reasons the Harry Potter series was such a big success. Kids wanted a break from all the dogs dying, mom's dying and older sisters dying (I am still not over Newbery Gold winner Kira-Kira). I find myself longing for the feelings I had when I first read the Little House, Anne of Green Gables and All of a Kind Family books/series. There were problems but there was an abundance of love and hopefulness. Times change but I don't think children do. Not really. I think they want to feel love, security, excitement, adventure and happiness in between the pages. Not be bopped over the head with one crisis, illness and overwhelming situation after another. Just my opinion...

Shella wrote: "Some books are great to use as a guide or read with children. This story and characters are very layered- loved the grandmother. Newbery recognition is based on how it is written and anything disti..."

My favorites for the Newbery are Black Girl You Are Atlas. Light and Air and 10th Mistake.

I agree Laura- probably more for Printz- love that we have two titles in common for our favs!👍

Shella wrote: "I agree Laura- probably more for Printz- love that we have two titles in common for our favs!👍"

Yeah!

http://richiespicks.pbworks.com/LOUDE...

I found this powerful and upsetting, but also uplifting. I agree that it's not the sort of book that I would hand to just any patron, but I do have a core group of readers who want books where the protagonist struggles with a personal issue (abuse, physical diagnosis, mental diagnosis) and rises to the challenge. And as Richie said, if it reaches that one child who needs to read it, it's worth its weight in gold. I would consider it contender.

I would say this is definitely a tense book. It is upper age range. Some have already commented about it's appeal to kids. I have to agree I don't think this book will be as popular. That being said I do think it is well written and could benefit some kids. I was thinking back on previous winners and honor books and some have broad appeal and some don't. First and foremost they look to see if it's distinguished rather then popularity. I thought of Fighting Words from a few years ago an exceptionaly well written book but it can be intense and is defently for older kids. This limits it's appeal. On ther other hand you have picture books that have gotten honors and one to win. Those are defently for young kids. What I like about Newbery is it is so broad that you never know what might win. Sometimes it's an expected book other times your totally surprised. I think there is a place for mor escapism appealing books and more specific message books. I think what matters is that the books are well written and distinguished. Though not my top contender I wouldn't count out Louder then Hunger for Newbery. Tenth Mistake is still my favorite.

Lounder than Hunger is an impressive and strong story, but not one written for middle grade children. As mentioned above, it is more a Printz book than one for middle graders. I listened to the audio book where the text beautifully flows rather than displayed as a story in verse as in the print copy. I’m sure it will show up on many ALSC reading lists. Once I started listening to it, I didn’t want to stop.

This story of middle schooler Jake Stacey, told in achingly beautiful verse, shares an unusual account of how a 13-year-old boy deals with horrific abuse from his fellow students, who punish him daily at school. Jake processes this abuse through self loathing and a serious eating disorder, anorexia nervosa. I couldn't put this book down until it was finished. Knowing the author shares details from his own life as an adolescent, makes it even more powerful read! Middle School is a tough and vulnerable time for most kids, it certainly was for me. Louder than Hunger will speak to many, who might have the same or similar problems, yet don't know how to help themselves. This powerful book belongs in every middle, and high school library. A must read for people of all ages, especially for those experiencing turmoil and personal struggles in middle school. I loved the artistic way he formatted this poetic story. Although this story shared a rarely discussed eating disorder, I find the subject a bit too specific for a Newbery Award.

I went into the book a bit skeptical, not sure how graphic we were going to learn about his disease. I felt the story was well written and powerful with its story telling. I think students will see the many effects of bullying and learn the importance of standing up for yourself, fighting against that inner voice.

My review: When I was ten years old my then fifteen-year-old cousin was admitted to a lock-down facility for non-compliant youth because she would not treat her type 1 diabetes and seemed to be literally wasting away. I was terrified she was going to die. I vacillated between that terror and fury towards her, not understanding why she wouldn’t just take her meds correctly. I have no idea if her experience was anything like Jake’s, I’ve never asked her, but his story painfully illustrates how lonely and difficult that healing process must have been. I’m grateful for this look into how programs like this were run at the time and more so into the psyche of someone living with anorexia nervosa. The idea that it isn’t even really about food blew my mind. It’s all-ALL of it-about control.