Mock Newbery 2026 discussion
Newbery 2014
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It's Never too Early to Start...
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Aug 06, 2013 06:46AM
I really liked What I Found In The Sofa. Liked but didn't love Doll Bones.
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I liked Doll Bones. I just finished it.
FYI kindle edition of doll bones is $1.99 all this month.
I just finished reading A Tangle of Knots. While I would not jump up and down about it being THE favorite so far, it somehow feels like a Newbery. Now how do I define that? The only drawback I see is the feeling of being jerked between chapters - intentioned or not, that doesn't feel like I prefer a neatly woven, seamless telling to be. But ah - all I've mentioned are feelings...
I'm afraid I was very disappointed in Navigating Early. The premise was fantastic and some of Van der Pool's writing is lovely. But... It really did not ring true for me. Characters: The narrator was forgettable, Pi wasn't entirely believable. Themes: The Pi concept seemed forced. And there were WAY too many poignant moments (usually hinging on coincidences) for my taste. Everything necessary and unnecessary was tied up too neatly. I hope someone else agrees with me, because I seem to be an outlier here.
I'm not a big fan of Navigating Early, either, for all the reasons you mentioned and more. My reaction after reading: meh. It reminded me a lot of Okay for Now: a too obvious parallel, the voice seemed flat and i just didn't care for the characters very much, and the plot in a way could be classified as complex - but to me felt overdone, just throw everything in and the kitchen sink while you're at it.
I know I'm in the minority, as well. But there's got to be something better, right?
I want to advocate for having one of our monthly reads be COUNTING BY 7s by Holly Goldberg Sloan.
Judith, I think I like the characters more than you, but I do agree with you opinion about contrived story/plot lines. I don't think you we alone. For me this story was interesting in one way, but I don't think many student readers would finish the book. They wouldn't buy into it.
Richie, I agree, Counting by 7s is in my top two of the year so far.
I guess one of us who loved Navigating Early should give it a go at defending it. First, let me say that I totally get the confusion you feel when everyone is raving about a book you think is just OK. That happened to me last year with Wonder. I really like Wonder, I was just sharing it with my students, Friday, but I never thought it was Newbery worthy. So yeah, I get it.
As to your objections. The narrator might have been unremarkable, but I think that's because he was eclipsed by Early. You can't really have a discussion of characters in this book, and totally leave Early out of it. I think he's the best character of kid's kit this year (so far). I genuinely missed him when the book was over. As for Pi, I don't think he's supposed to be believable. He's supposed to be a fictional character in Early's head.
As for coincidences, I think if Early thought like you or me, he would have tried to find the bear anyways because he saw Fisher in that picture, but since he's Early, and different, he thought he was following Pi's story. He was actually following a lead from the picture.
Now what I loved about it. The writing was beautiful from start to finish. I listened to a lot of Billie Holliday while reading this book (and yes it was raining all summer) and it was really a phenomenal reading experience. I hiked a bit of the AT last year, and Vanderpool's decriptions really broughht me back. But what I really loved most was Early. Plain and simple. He's a beautiful character and I'm never going to forget him.
I could go on forever, and probably will, when I'm defending this book on Heavy Medal (this is just a warm up :)) but that's pretty much why I love this book, and hope it wins. I understand the dislikes, but I just wanted to say that there are some of us who don't feel that way. Happy reading!
Martha wrote: "I just finished reading A Tangle of Knots. While I would not jump up and down about it being THE favorite so far, it somehow feels like a Newbery. Now how do I define that? The only drawback I s..."I enjoyed Tangle of Knots as well. Appealing characters. Those delicious cake recipes. (Just imagining the smell of those cakes baking made the experience of reading the book more pleasant!) But when do plot coincidences become plot contrivances? The reader knows everything is going to be tidied up neatly at the end (there's a reason why the book is called A Tangle of Knots...). The book is nicely enough written that the foreshadowing in the plot is not grating. But probably not a Newbery contender.
Moehee01 wrote: "So, I'm almost done with Water Castle, and though it was good, my top three in order so far are Navigating Early, Hatie Ever After, and Center of Everything. All three of these choices are based mo..."I'm kind of surprised Hattie Ever After is being discussed as Newbery-appropriate. I loved Hattie Big Sky and can understand the Newbery recognition - the character Hattie could have been any age from 14 on up and she was one heck of a spunky gal with lots of appeal to young readers. But in the sequel, Hattie is portrayed as a young adult dealing with a variety of adult issues. More Printz-appropriate to me (though not as "edgy" a book as Printz winners seem to be these days...)
Mary, I agree. While I loved Hattie Big Sky, I didn't see its sequel the same way. It was much more grown up. I don't see it appealing to the middle grades as much.
Kristine and Lisa - thanks for letting me know I'm not crazy! I've enjoyed, but am not rooting for, several this year (Hold Fast, Doll Bones, Center of Everything, The Thing About Luck.) My favorite so far is Paperboy - I'd love to see it get an honor - truly distinguished writing. I'm hoping to be floored by something soon! Could it be Counting by Sevens? Jinx? The "Sofa" one I can't remember the title of? I better get reading!
Has anyone read The Mouse with the Question Mark Tail by Richard Peck? The True Blue Scouts of Sugar Man Swamp by Kathi Appelt? I sure like those authors!
I am currently reading The House of the Scorpion which was both a Newbery and Printz Honor book. For me, Hatie Ever After falls into this category. It certainly deals with more adult themes, but I feel there are many middle grade kids, girls in particular who will fall in love with Hatie's quest to find herself. I personally feel this sequel doesn't quite hit the mark like Hatie Big Sky, but considering everything I've read thus far, it certainly deseves consideration.
I agree, I think the age of the main character doesn't determine if it's children's literature or not - the MC can be 17 and have it fall clearly in the age range of the Newbery Committee: up to and including the age 14. Likewise there are definitely books that have children as main characters that are adult literature (Room, The Ocean at the End of the Lane, etc).We can discuss whether we think the ASLC should adjust the guideline to twelve, so that YALSA is the only one taking care of teens - and thus would avoid the overlap (I'm in favor of this) but I'm not sure that's feasible..?
I did read The True Blue Scouts of Sugar Man Swamp and really like the writing, as well as the humor. I just finished The Saturday Boy, and I like all the characters and their interactions. I thought The WAter Castle was a good way to start the year (read it very early) but it has been eclipsed recently in my opinion.
I'm right there with you on Navigating Early. Kids know that the world does not tie up all it's strings in a nice neat package like this books does. It also gets boring to me to read a book where you begin to know everything that's coming along because it corresponds to the Pi story.
Kristine wrote: "I agree, I think the age of the main character doesn't determine if it's children's literature or not - the MC can be 17 and have it fall clearly in the age range of the Newbery Committee: up to an..."(sorry, this reply is a little longwinded!)
An interesting idea. At our (public) library, we divide our fiction collection into books of general interest to readers in grades 3 to 6 ("juvenile") and to readers in grades 6 to 12 (teen/adult). Books with youthful protagonists are likely to go into the older collection if the book has explicit sex/violence, is too romance-oriented for younger kids, or is full of cultural references that a typical middle grader would be unlikely to pick up on, and therefore would be less likely to fully understand or appreciate. (I do some after-the-fact reclassification if a book does not circulate in its initially-assigned category.)
I make these decisions based somewhat on my long experience with supervising two book discussion groups for the library, one for kids in grades 4 to 6, and one for kids in grades 7 and 8 (with some stragglers from grade 9). (10 - 15 kids in each group, avid readers all, who attend monthly meetings throughout the school year).There are no assigned books for these groups; I bring the newest juvenile and teen novels to the meetings of the respective groups.
And the one thing that these kids cannot - or will not - deal with - is an overemphasis on a romantic relationship in a book before they are developmentally ready for it. They blithely read and report on every Dashner/Horowitz/Colfer, (etc., etc.) book available with no comment whatsoever on the "action", but if a romance is too strong a feature of the book, they will note it and dismiss it as "adult"! (Of course, as the kids get older, the girls find the limited number of romantic books I bring to the 7th/8th grade meetings more appealing.)
I think that The House of the Scorpion appeals to a wide range of readers (as reflected in its receiving both the Newbery and Printz awards - and, in my town, being on both the middle and high school summer reading lists at various times) because the action in the plot could happen to a child of any age; Hattie Ever After, not so likely.
Ok, I see you're coming from a lot of experience and basing your opinion more on topic/theme/appeal of the book. I'm sure it's not going to have appeal to a wide range of readers, but I guess what I was saying is that isn't a criteria for the award. That's how we get The Whipping Boy and Sarah, Plain and Tall being awarded the same medal/honor as The House of the Scorpion. In a similar way I hope the committee considers "The President Has Been Shot!": The Assassination of John F. Kennedy, while published YA, I think could appeal to the upper end of the Newbery crowd. My daughter has long been fascinated with bodies and is interested in current events - I can see her liking this book a lot. I may have her wait until she's ten, but when I considered that I read How They Croaked: The Awful Ends of the Awfully Famous with her, which includes entertaining non-fic descriptions of death - including the guillotine - she would probably be able to handle a description of JFKs shooting and death. I certainly hope she knows and reads about the topic before age 15.
Just my two cents :-).
What I would give to be a fly in the room of the committee meetings.
Kristine wrote: "Ok, I see you're coming from a lot of experience and basing your opinion more on topic/theme/appeal of the book. I'm sure it's not going to have appeal to a wide range of readers, but I guess what..."Maybe the JFK book will be this year's BOMB!
A couple months ago, I thought that Doll Bones might be a strong Newbery contender this year, but then I read The Center of Everything, Navigating Early and The Real Boy, all of which I thought were stronger contenders. Then the school year started, a few weeks ago, and I'm seeing how much my fourth and fifth graders are loving it. One of my students is going as Eleanor for Halloween. A mom told me that her daughter is having to sleep with the lights on, but that she won't stop reading it. It has me wondering now. Is it a Newbery contender? I would love to see them jumping up and down with joy when I show them the awards ceremony in January, like they were last year for Ivan.
Judith, I just finished Paperboy this morning and I LOVED it. It's at the top of my list right now.
Meredith, Hooray for Paperboy! I loved the writing style - little fits and starts like someone who stutters. Although eloquent! Great themes, as well, but in child-size dollops. And the main character's voice is completely authentic, and lovable. Glad you liked it!
Any thoughts about Sheinkin's
? I haven't read it yet, but I have heard good things...
Mary wrote: "Moehee01 wrote: "So, I'm almost done with Water Castle, and though it was good, my top three in order so far are Navigating Early, Hatie Ever After, and Center of Everything. All three of these cho..."I think most of us would agree, we wish appeal was a factor during the awards consideration, but to our dismay it is not... However, I've been generally pleased with the committee's decisions since Gaiman's The Graveyard Book was awarded the medal. My opinion is stricltly based on the quality of the writing, the character development, theme, pacing etc. I felt the theme in Hattie Ever After was particularly strong, and for upper-grade girls who have that dreamer quality and perhaps grew up on the American Girl series or Dear America, this title would have an appeal. Just my opinion. So glad I could generate a little discussion about this book.
Another long shot is
. It is both non-fiction and a graphic novel written by civil rights icon and congressman John Lewis.
So far I have like "Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library" the most, and liked "Doll Bones" and "Navigating Early". Still to read..."Counting by 7's" and "The Paperboy".
LOVED Counting by 7's. It's my favorite for the Newbery so far. I was sold on Center of Everything until I read Sloan's story of Willow. On to The Water Castle today!
Recently finished The Paperboy and What we Found in the Sofa... Neither blew me away and in fact didn't really enjoy Sofa. Next on my list is Counting by 7's and Zebra Forest.
Hi Everyone, I got the book "Counting by 7's" and can't wait to join the discussion.
Judith wrote: "Has anyone read The Mouse with the Question Mark Tail by Richard Peck? The True Blue Scouts of Sugar Man Swamp by Kathi Appelt? I sure like those authors!"I have read The True Blue Scouts of Sugar Man Swamp and really enjoyed it, but my favorite so far is Counting by 7s. I also liked Navigating Early, A Tangle of Knots and Zebra Forest but was not impressed with The Real Boy
I thought the language and writing of Mouse With A Question Mark Tale are masterful. I can see this as a great 1-2-3 grade read aloud. It could even build vocabulary for older students. I loved the design of the book and see this as Newbery Honor material. It will appeal to fans of Despereaux and The Littles. also will appeal to those who since Harry Potter want anything with a British tilt."
Will put it on my list to read asap and Richard Peck will be @ our local indie the Book Stall Oct 3rd!
I have abandoned The Real Boy twice. I just can't get into it. So now I am reading Counting by 7's and so far I am loving it! I really loved The Year of Billy Miller and can't wait to hear what you think when it comes out soon. I really enjoyed Doll Bones, The Water Castle and The Center of Everything.
Counting by 7s Really liked this one, by my favorite by far this year has been Paperboy a unique voice, important topic about a boy who stutters and finds his voice in an important way. Awesome. Well written.
Ahh-- I just got caught up by reading (or skimming) these posts. I like that we are told which books will be discussed so we can read them ahead of time. On Heavy Medal, I seem to be way behind. A few comments:
Amy Timberlake also wrote the novel, THAT GIRL LUCY MOON.
Kids have individual tastes in books, just as adults do. I know, "Duh!" But I think we need to realize that if a book is published for that Newbery age range, then it probably will be the right book for some kids.
I had trouble dragging myself through Dead End in Norvelt but can see why some readers love it. And meeting and hearing certain authors (Jon Scieszka and Gary Paulsen, for example) would make most of us fans forever. If I listened to Jack G. read DEAD END, I might love it.
What I've read so far: A TANGLE OF KNOTS, COUNTING BY 7'S, HIDDEN SUMMER, THE THING ABOUT LUCK, THE YEAR OF BILLY MILLER, ONE CAME HOME, and RUMP. At this point, if I had to pick from those, LUCK and BILLY would be my top picks. But I'd need to reread to be sure.
Right Sheila! Jack Gantos came to my school and was just marvelous with my students. He explained the writing process to them with such enthusiasm and humor that they thought they were just being entertained. His adventures are even more hysterical when he tells them himself! So far Doll Bones, One Came Home, The Water Castle, and Navigating Early top my list. I got nothing out of The Thing About Luck but my top 5th grade reader has it at the top of his list! I just finished Better Nate than Ever, and while I'm not thinking Newbery, I truly enjoyed this book and feel it fill a niche where nothing exists for this age group.
Oh I didn't mean to leave out Paperboy!!
DOLL BONES was discussed on SLJ's Heavy Medal, so I'm reading it now but not getting excited. So far it doesn't have that unique feeling that I like in a book. Of course, my personal taste isn't everyone's. Interesting, Becky, how you got nothing from THE THING ABOUT LUCK when I thought it was really engaging. The characters were special but not over drawn, and Summer comes across as such a thoughtful kid. The only thing I thought was weak (and others liked this aspect) was the detailed information about harvesting that included a lot of statistics. That seemed to be off base since Summer stated that she didn't like math. Okay, I'll say more if we talk about this one later.
Has anyone already read Far Far Away by Tom McNeal? It was short-listed for the National Book Award. I am two-thirds of the way through it, and I see it being on the upper end of Newbery and on the lower end of Printz. I'm really impressed to this point.
Yes, it was one of the selected books for the Mock Printz Goodreads group, so you can check that discussion. I loved it, myself. (And once you finish the book, you may be reconsidering your Newbery/Printz classifications.)
Read an arc this spring and really liked it!
Just finished Far Far Away, and I believe it is definitely in the Newbery running. Not sure how "my kids" will deal with it yet. But typically I do NOT appreciate the narrator speaking directly to the reader, but this proved that it can be done right.
I just read Neil Gaiman's new "Fortunately, the Milk". WOW, WOW, WOW! Sort of a mash up of Roald Dahl, and Alice in Wonderland. Brilliant! I see a movie... Could this be a Newbery contender?
Has the November book to read been announced yet?
I just read Beholding Bee and was amazed. I think it has potential. Has anyone else read it?
Teresa wrote: "I just read Beholding Bee and was amazed. I think it has potential. Has anyone else read it?"Yes, I read it recently and really liked it. Ghost stories are not my favorites but this one is something special.
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)
