From the Bookshelf of Mock Newbery 2026…

Graciela in the Abyss

Meg Medina,

Anna Balbusso (Illustrator)

Start date: October 1, 2025

Finish date: October 31, 2025

Discussion: What We Are Reading This Month

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What We Are Reading This Month

October 2026 - Graciela in the Abyss
By Kristen · 1 post · 16 views

last updated Oct 01, 2025 07:27PM

What Members Thought

Jul 15, 2025 DaNae rated it liked it

Shelves: 25r-new, 25-mg, fantasy, 25-connections-challenge

An underwater fantasy - less Little Mermaid, more Deadwood Forest, (although I found the fox book more engaging).

This was fine, I struggled with the world building, I think having a hardcopy with the illustrations might help. While the two protagonists where sympatric I lacked true empathy for them - more my failing. The side characters felt one note - really good or really bad - which I found unusual for Medina.

5 likes · Like · see review

Jun 06, 2025 Kim rated it it was amazing

Shelves: children-s-literature, middle-grade, fantasy, netgalley-edelweiss, fiction

Whether she’s creating stories for the youngest children, middle grade students, or teens, Meg Medina writes with compassion and respect, and creates such compelling characters. I loved getting to know Graciela and Jorge as they battled evil forces. The underwater world building was fantastic.

Thanks to Candlewick Press and Edelweiss for the digital ARC.

2 likes · Like · see review

Jul 20, 2025 Karen Arendt rated it really liked it

Shelves: fantasy, fairy-tales, middle-grade, friendship

An exciting story of Graciela, who died at age 13 and lives at the bottom of the sea with her friend Amina. Graciela grinds sea glass and accompanies Amina to awakenings- where Amina helps newly deceased people ease into life in the sea.

Jorge is the son of a blacksmith. His parents are greedy and cruel. Jorge learns about a harpoon his ancestors made that wreaks havoc in the sea. He is determined to out an end to it.

Graciela is selfish and her selfishness causes many problems for Amina and Jorg ...more

1 like · Like · see review