Mock Newbery 2026 discussion

A Strange Thing Happened in Cherry Hall by Jasmine Warga was chosen as our book for October.

I love it when a write-in wins the vote.

What did you think of it?

Is anyone reading this book? I thought with a write-in title winning would mean a lot of you had read it already? I’m just asking because I’m not really motivated to read yet another book with a ghost storyline- seems very overdone these past few years.

A STRANGE THING HAPPENED IN CHERRY HALL by Jasmine Warga is a deceptively simple story. A painting disappears from a museum. Two children try to find it but instead encounter an apparition that resembles the girl in the painting. Suspenseful writing keeps readers engaged. A unique character is the turtle Agatha who helps solve the mystery. The value of art in human interactions is highlighted.
A good addition to spooky tales for children.

I agree that this is spooky without being too spooky. This is a solid book with likable characters and a good story. There is just enough magic, an animal artist, and new friendships to boot. This is a solid read for 4th grade and up.

From those of you that have read it-is this title worthy of Newbery consideration or just a good addition to the genre?

I liked this book, and think it is a good addition to the genre. I don't think it is Newbery worthy. The book was great but the ending was a bit weak. I think this would make a good read aloud for a 8-10 year old, it's just the right amount of spooky.

A light-hearted mystery reminiscent of The Lost Library. Rami is feeling alone. His single mom works at the local museum, his friends have begun ostracizing him at school, and when a painting is stolen from Cherry Hall, he is the only one who can see Blue, the ghost of a young girl who looks eerily similar to the subject of the painting. He teams up with Veda, a new friend from school, to discover the thief and the two end up on an adventure that will have long-lasting effects on their community. Throw in sporadic chapters narrated by Agatha, a turtle who knows more than you'd think, and you have a fun almost-ghost story about the beauty of friendship and the universal need to be accepted as we are.

I really enjoyed this one, but had to suspend my disbelief more than I expected in a ghost story when it came to Agatha's chapters.

Just finished this one. I agree that this one is good, and I like Jasmine Warga’s writing, but this one didn’t stand out as a Newbery to me. I agree the ending and reveal of the mystery was a bit predictable.

It reminded me a lot of The International House of Dereliction with the ghosts and slight mystery, but I preferred the message and reveals in that one more.

An absorbing read with several sympathetic characters in an interesting museum setting. It's a little light on developing the children's lives beyond their adventures solving a spooky art mystery but many a tale has gotten away with light exposition before. Warga is such a good writer and firmly in the school of satisfying reads for children and the adults who love their books. Not a Newbery contender but not all good books have to be.

A Strange Thing Happened in Cherry Hall is a quirky mystery. As I was reading it, I found the connection between art, mystery, and fantasy curious. However it is a fast read and the ending of the story is certainly a surprise. I had to read the ending twice to decide what occurred with one of the main characters. It is a mysterious tale that leaves one eager to learn even more about the mystery character.

Sorry, not Newbery worthy but good addition to library with Suspense genre. Not a Horror book.