From the Bookshelf of Mock Newbery 2026…

The Last Cuentista

Donna Barba Higuera

Start date: February 1, 2022

Finish date: February 28, 2022

Discussion: Newbery 2022

Why we're reading this: Winner of the John Newbery Medal
[close] Winner of the John Newbery Medal

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Showing 2 of 22 topics — 627 comments total

Newbery 2022

* 2022 ALA John Newbery Medal and Honors
By Kristen · 9 posts · 202 views

last updated Mar 30, 2022 12:00PM

* 2022 Mock Newbery Awards
By Kristen · 10 posts · 160 views

last updated Jan 25, 2022 12:24AM

What Members Thought

Mar 25, 2022 Becky rated it liked it

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

1 like · Like · see review

Mar 29, 2022 Beverly rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: jf-science-fiction

Interesting combination of the old with the new--traditional folklore in a science fiction setting. Sympathetic characters in a dangerous environment; well-paced, readable plot.

2 likes · Like · see review

Feb 01, 2022 Staciel rated it really liked it

Shelves: dystopian-p-a, newbery-winners-honor-books, favorite-newbery, 2022-newbery-reads, 2022-reading-challenge

4+ stars

2022 Newbery Winner

Ok- so, wow.. I haven't loved a Newbery winner this much probably since, 'The One and Only Ivan'

I am an enormous Newbery nerd-- I read blogs that make predictions on which book will win each year as well as watch the ceremony live.

I had this one in my hot little hands literally a few hours after it had been announced, and it was so good.

The one thing that I will note is that as far as middle grade goes, know who you are giving it to- can they handle the premise of Ea ...more

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Jan 30, 2022 Mary Louise Sanchez rated it it was amazing

Shelves: family, hispanic-authors, award-winning-authors, adventure, new-mexico, science-fiction

Fantasy and science fiction are not my genre of choice, but I loved the author's debut book, which won a Pura Belpre honor, and knew I wanted to read this one as well. The books are totally different and show how talented Ms. Higuera is.

Twelve-year-old Petra Pena, her younger brother Javier, and her scientist parents are chosen in the year 2061 to leave earth on a spaceship in order to escape Halley's comet, and to colonize the planet Sagan. Sadly, abuela decides she will stay in New Mexico, but ...more

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May 03, 2022 Brenda Kahn added it · review of another edition

Shelves: 2022-reading, sci-fi, dystopian, storytelling, 2022-audio, planetary-travel

I enjoyed this. The narration was particularly well-paced. Suspense was high, but the premise was familiar. The cover does not draw readers. Nicely crafted. Newbery-worthy?

1 like · Like · see review

Feb 26, 2023 Jennifer rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: middle-grade-read

4-1/2 Stars

I wasn’t sure sci-fi middle grade would be something I would enjoy but I can see why this book is so well-loved and why it won the Newberry. It took me a little bit to get into the story, but once I did, I was riveted.

Earth is about to be destroyed and a select few are chosen to leave earth to settle on a new planet far away. Petra Peña’s parents are scientists and her family is among the chosen few. They will be put in stasis for their hundreds of years long journey. But something t ...more

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