From the Bookshelf of Mock Newbery 2026

Will's Race for Home
by
Start date
March 1, 2025
Finish date
March 31, 2025
Discussion
Newbery 2026

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Showing 2 of 8 topics — 169 comments total
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What Members Thought

DaNae
Will’s father was born a slave. Will was born free. Will’s father does not feel the freedom of working the land as a share cropper. When he hears of the land stakes in Oklahoma he and Will leave Will’s mother and grandfather in Louisiana and set out with their mule on breakneck and dangerous adventure.

This book does a good job of keeping the action front and foremost in the narrative. And it is blessedly short, I don’t mean that in a negative way. I’m happy to see that more quality books seem to
...more
Chrissy
A really good addition to our historical perspectives of a time period, this novel does an excellent job of examining the impacts of slavery, including emotional, economic and social on three generations of a family. Using Will's perspective allows the author to present the issues in a simple enough way for child readers to understand, but the author also includes enough characters to show multiple experiences and perspectives. Some of the issues faced by Will, including the strained relationshi ...more
Amy
Not my favorite. The story takes place during the Oklahoma land rush. Will travels with his father who was a slave to claim property for his family. He is resilient and over comes hardship. They meet up with a former Black Civil War soldier who also becomes their friend and help each other.
Tamsyn
3.5 stars.
Beverly
Mar 25, 2025 rated it it was amazing
Mrs. Chatel
Dec 09, 2024 marked it as to-read
Shelves: 2024-pub-date
Margo Jantzi
Jan 04, 2025 rated it it was amazing
Jenna
Jul 28, 2025 rated it it was amazing
Dan
Mar 20, 2025 rated it really liked it
Shelves: middle-grade
Julie
Feb 23, 2025 rated it it was amazing
Debbie Jo
Feb 23, 2025 marked it as to-read
Wendy Garland
Jun 20, 2025 rated it really liked it
Melisa
Oct 10, 2025 rated it really liked it
Shelves: children-s, 2025
Annette
Aug 22, 2025 rated it liked it
Carolyn
Mar 15, 2025 rated it really liked it
Jessica
Apr 03, 2025 rated it liked it
Sara
May 16, 2025 marked it as to-read
Dana Jones
Aug 16, 2025 rated it really liked it
Shelves: childrensbooks
Jaclyn
Jun 11, 2025 rated it really liked it
Marie
Jul 11, 2025 rated it liked it
April Moody
Jul 09, 2025 rated it really liked it
Chris
Aug 05, 2025 marked it as to-read
Morgan
Aug 30, 2025 rated it liked it
Holly
Sep 12, 2025 marked it as to-read
Dest
Sep 23, 2025 marked it as to-read
Jenny
Oct 23, 2025 is currently reading it
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