Mock Newbery 2026 discussion
Newbery 2014
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It's Never too Early to Start...
Jack Gantos spoke at our school five years ago and I can't say enough good things about him. He is a teacher, entertainer, and terrific writer who adjusted his talk from kindergarten to 12th grade. I highly recommend hearing him in person - you won't be disappointed. He also inspired me to start writing again after a hiatus.
I've seen Gantos live several times and agree that he is entertaining, however Dead End in Norvelt was not.I truly enjoyed Navigating Early.
Mod
People, get your hands on Linda Urban's The Center of Everything. It is, quite simply, breathtaking.
I am loving The Center of Everything by Linda Urban. I plan on reading A Tangle of Knots by Lisa Graff. I loved previous books by both Linda Urban and Lisa Graff so I am excited their new books are getting some love! And I listened to the audio of Dead End in Norvelt and I loved it! Jack Gantos reads the book for the audio and it is hilarious!!! I think if I would have read it myself it probably would have been a 4 star book. But Jack's reading made it 5 stars for me. Seriously worth a listen.
I also LOVED Navigating Early. Read it all in one day.
I loved Center of Everything, I agree that it's going to be a contender this year. It's got a very clear setting, the characters are strong, clearly individuals yet just as clearly people you could picture meeting in real life. The themes of connection are strong and wound throughout the book. In my own personal Newbery race Center of Everything is currently the book to beat.I'm only halfway through Navigating Early, and I'm just not feeling it. If the author refers to Early as "that strangest of boys" one more time I'm going to scream.
I loved Navigating Early - kind of sad, but a great story about an unusual friendship. I've started A Tangle of Knots - only a few chapters in but know it's going to be good, and just ordered The Center of Everything. Has anyone checked out The Runaway King yet? I liked it a lot once it got past the "previews of what happened in the False Prince." Not sure if it would be a contender, but I think students will enjoy it.
This was in School Library Journal and some of you have mentioned some of these title.Newbery/Caldecott 2014: The Spring Prediction Edition
Here is the link.
http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/
Mod
There have only been a couple of books that are contenders for me and Blue Baliett's Hold Fast is one of them! It showcases a social issue, captivates the reader with a mystery and celebrates the written word!I will read the Center of Everything as well and truly love Jennifer A. Nielsen's Runaway series.
Hold Fast did not work for me at all. I was unable to figure out what it was the father was doing that someone would pay him for -- accept books and deliver them to someone else? So the mystery aspect didn't work but I still would have been okay with that. I just never felt the characters were real -- I could see the author's hand behind everything they said and did and though I think the author's heart is very squarely in the right place, the story didn't amount to a convincing piece of writing.
Hold Fast was my favorite Balliett book to date. I felt that the characters were truly real and took many of us to a place we've never experienced, the shelter. I enjoyed the mystery of the father and figuring out his former teacher. I'd love to use it as a read aloud because of the rich discussions I feel it would bring.
I also have read Runaway King and thought Jennifer did a great job on book 2 !!Navigating Early is awesome, great read-aloud and discussion title.
Finished The Water Castle by Megan Frazer Blakemore last week and loved it! Has anyone else read it? Newbery potential?
I read The Water Castle last week. I'm sure "my kids" will like it. Not sure about Newbery potential yet. I just finished Center of Everything tonight. Interesting to "hear" her mind trying to figure things out.
I finished both Center of Everything and Tangle of Knots today. Both good, but Center beat over Tangle in my book. I could have been biased because I was reading an ARC of Tangle and there were quite a few mistakes. I hope they were cleaned up before going to print. Also just some awkwardness here and there, patches that just weren't as smooth as I wanted them to be. Urban definitely got into the character of Ruby as she always does with her main character. I look forward to more from her.
I loved Navigating Early. I am anxious for a book club here to read it...I enjoyed Hokey Pokey but think grownups will *get it * more than kids. Has held true with the few young patrons who've tried it and not enjoyed it. I really liked the Terrible Thing that Happened to Barnaby Brocket, though I don't know if it meets requirements for newbery, it was still great fun.Center of Everything and Hold Fast are next on my list!
Just finished Jinx (by Sage Blackwood) -- excellent read.
I am about half way through Jinx and I am enjoying it, but I have this strange feeling that I have almost had enough of it. I just want to read the ending to find out how it turns out and then move on.
LauraW wrote: "I am about half way through Jinx and I am enjoying it, but I have this strange feeling that I have almost had enough of it. I just want to read the ending to find out how it turns out and then mov..."Does it move a bit slow? Or does it seem like it's re-treading material? I never quite got that feeling; although on second glance at the writing, the simplicity of some of the structure, and the POV use might give me that feeling . . .
LauraW wrote: "I am about half way through Jinx and I am enjoying it, but I have this strange feeling that I have almost had enough of it. I just want to read the ending to find out how it turns out and then mov..."I agree, Laura! I eventually finished Jinx but only the beginning really kept my interest.
I know it just came out, but has anyone read Rump by Liesl Shurtliff, yet? I'm really enjoying it so far.
I have read a couple of reviews and the synopsis - it sounds really good.
I finished Jinx and I wasn't particularly impressed. I posted a review of the book on my own list. This one doesn't strike me as particularly Newbery worthy. I'm not sure how many will remember this one or still be talking about it at the end of this year.
I enjoyed Rump! Light and a bit of humour- and a fun interpretation of the (sometimes weird, I have always thought) details of the original fairy tale.
I liked Rump too. I didn't think it was as good as The Water Castle by Blakemore, though. That book is leading the race for me at the moment.
I just finished When the Butterflies Came. I like the setting and theme best, I guess. Has anyone else read this?
I am on page 52 of Hokey Pokey and am struggling to make any sense of the book. I understand the promise, but don't think students will stick with it. I a about done. I need encouragement if you liked the book.
Correction: promise should be premise.
I felt the same way about Hokey Pokey. I have abandoned that book for now. There are too many other good books for me to read right now. I think I'll get back to it this summer.
It's funny but after your reply, now I feel I can put on the bottom of the stack for now.
I also abandoned Hokey Pokey, which made me sad as I generally love Spinelli. Just couldn't "get it." I just picked up Hattie Ever After by Kirby Larson. I adored Hattie Big Sky, so have big hopes for it.
I didn't enjoy Hokey Pokey at all. It never seemed "kid friendly" to me. I know non of my fifth graders have read it.
I finished Hokey Pokey but did not really enjoy it. The ending made it more interesting, but definitely not a book I could sell to students. Just too little explanation for them. They would be frustrated and list.
I mean LOST. They wouldn't stick with it long enough to "get" it.
I agree... Hokey Pokey is just too esoteric and out there. Some of the journals gave it rave reviews, but I was kind of shaking my head the whole way through and wondering where the Jerry Spinelli we know and love had wandered off to.
I, on the other hand, was confused at first, but in the end I thought it was absolutely masterful. I didn't like Stargirl, but this one I REALLY enjoyed. I think this one would make a good discussing book with kids - looking for meanings.
I put Hokey Pokey down after 50 pages but a friend encouraged me to finish it. Glad I did. I found it both brilliant and problematic. Now to see what kids think of it.
I generally love Spinelli and Stargirl is one of my all time favorite books. I was so excited about Hokey Pokey but I gave up on it after about 20 pages.
I haven't been able to sell any of the kids at the library on Hokey Pokey. I have interested them in One Came Home and (my fave so far) Hold Fast. Who knows what will come out next month!
I've gotten a few kids to try Hokey Pokey, One Came Home and Hold Fast, but no one has finished them. The only 2013 books I've had luck with are Jenn Reese's Mirage and Rump.
Kim wrote: "There have only been a couple of books that are contenders for me and Blue Baliett's Hold Fast is one of them! It showcases a social issue, captivates the reader with a mystery and celebrates the ..."
I just finished Rump and loved it! Debut author with a wonderful writing style. Hope this turns into a series of "the real story of" fairy tale characters. I don't know if I would put it in the Newbery catagory but truly enjoyed the book.
Interesting that on Amazon the Kindle version only costs a dollar less than the hardcover. Seems like odd pricing.It isn't available at any of my libraries yet - and I am on a self-imposed book-buying ban.
Just finished Navigating Early today. What an amazing story. It is hard to imagine anything better written than that. I am about to begin The Center of Everything.
Mock Newbery 2026
Books mentioned in this topic
Fortunately, the Milk (other topics)Flora & Ulysses: The Illuminated Adventures (other topics)
Counting by 7s (other topics)
Paperboy (other topics)
Navigating Early (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Jonathan Stroud (other topics)Jennifer A. Nielsen (other topics)
Megan Whalen Turner (other topics)
Jessica Day George (other topics)
Totally agreed. Center of Everything was very well done. I felt like Urban was evoking Rebecca Stead level kid-observations until she clearly paid homage to her half way through. She definitely kept my eye on some magical happenings but the realistic nature was every bit as satisfying. This is one I'm pretty sure kids are going to fall head over heals for.