Mock Newbery 2026 discussion
Newbery 2019
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2019 Mock Newbery Watch List
I am an Independent Consultant who does a "New Book" workshop each year for elementary and middle school librarians and teachers. This group is so helpful for me in seeing what people like and providing me with ideas. Thank you all.
Until Tomorrow Mr. Marsworth by Shelia O’Connor has been my favorite read this year. The whole book is written in letters mostly between eleven year old Reenie Kelly and reclusive old mr. Marsworth. It is historical, somewhat humorous and sad as it is set in 1968 during the Vietnam War.
Jo wrote: "Until Tomorrow Mr. Marsworth by Shelia O’Connor has been my favorite read this year. The whole book is written in letters mostly between eleven year old Reenie Kelly and reclusive old mr. Marswort..."
This book is also in my top 5 books I have read so far this year. I think it combines "story" and "history" in such a creative way.
Jo wrote: "Until Tomorrow Mr. Marsworth by Shelia O’Connor has been my favorite read this year. The whole book is written in letters mostly between eleven year old Reenie Kelly and reclusive old mr. Marswort..."
I read Until Tomorrow Mr. Marsworth in June and I really liked it too.
About 2 minutes ago I got an email telling me that my reserve of Mr. Marsworth was ready. Then I clicked the next email that was from this Goodreads group and saw these comments. I guess that's a sign I should read it!
Susie wrote: "About 2 minutes ago I got an email telling me that my reserve of Mr. Marsworth was ready. Then I clicked the next email that was from this Goodreads group and saw these comments. I guess that's a s..."This is one of the year's best middle grade readers!
Susie wrote: "About 2 minutes ago I got an email telling me that my reserve of Mr. Marsworth was ready. Then I clicked the next email that was from this Goodreads group and saw these comments. I guess that's a s..."You should definitely read it! I think it presents the historical parts of the story in a way that will make kids want to find out more. But it's not so heavy or intense to be considered historical fiction. And the protagonist is humorous and still a child, and behaves like one. While reading it I thought - I wish I was like her when I was young. If you have teachers who use mainstream literature as a spine for learning, this is the perfect book for the Vietnam Era. That is what I'll be doing.
Loved "Until Tomorrow, Mr. Marsworth" ... it's in my top 5 Newberry contenders!
Is there a list somewhere of what has been read month by month so far?
The Newbery 2019 folder contains discussions of books from previous months:https://www.goodreads.com/topic/group...
The What We Are Reading This Month has the current discussion:
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/group...
Is there a poll for the book to read in October?
Kate wrote: "Is there a poll for the book to read in October?"I've been wondering the same thing.
Same here. Point me in the right direction, please and thank you!
Here's the link for the list of the group's polls https://www.goodreads.com/poll/list/1... but, no one has posted the poll for October's book of the month to it yet.
Mod
Shall we take three days to vote on a book for October?
Kristen wrote: "My apologies, I had a poll prepared but evidently I forgot to post it!Shall we take three days to vote on a book for October?"
Sure!
My top Newbery Contender reads so far this year - not sure which ones we've "officially" done, but here they are and I'd love others' opinions:The Journey of Little Charlie
The Truth as Told by Mason Buttle
Until Tomorrow, Mr. Marsworth
Bob
The Book of Boy
The Heart & Mind of Frances Pauley
The Parker Inheritance
Winterhouse
Just Like Jackie
Front Desk
Harbor Me is on the top of my list - followed closely by The Journey of Little Charlie for the gold. Right now I'd give honors to Sunny, Rebound, and Amal Unbound.
My top reads for the year so far are:Can I Touch Your Hair
The Miscalculations of Lightning Girl
Martin Rising
Rebound
Hunger: A Tale of Courage
The Length of a String
Until Tomorrow Mr. Marsworth
Breakout
What the Night Sings
My favorites for Newbery so far areLouisiana's Way Home (published today) - Kate DiCamillo
Until Tomorrow, Mr. Marsworth by Sheila O'Connor
Lifeboat 12 by Susan Hood
Echo's Sister by Paul Mosier
Rebound by Kwame Alexander
Front Desk by Kelly Yang
Ghost Boys by Jewell Parker Rhodes
Looking forward to these next:
24 Hours in Nowhere by Dusti Bowling
Copyboy by Vince Vawter
Merci Suarez Changes Gears by Meg Medina
The Assassination of Brangwain Spurge by M. T. Anderson and Eugene Yelchin
My top contender so far is The Unforgettable Guinevere St. Clair by Amy Makechnie. If you haven't seen this one yet, check it out. Once the word spread about how good it was, my students were arguing over who got to read it next, and we had to hold a lottery every time someone finished it. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3...
Mod
https://www.goodreads.com/poll/show/1...
Just read a phenomenal book! Squint by Chad Morris and Shelly Brown. My review https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...It and Louisiana's Way Home are my favorites.
If you haven't read The Benefits of Being an Octopus, I highly recommend it! It needs more attention!
I agree, Erin. It was really a story that tugs at your heart and makes you think.
Louisiana's Way Home is such a beautiful, sad, funny and sweet book. It may be my favorite Kate DiCamillo book. Ironic that it spun off of Raymie Nightingale which was just okay for me.
I agree with Travis. I adored Louisiana’s Way Home. It might be my favorite Kate DiCamillo book, too, but I do think it’s a richer experience if you’ve read Raymie Nightingale first. I can’t wait for Beverly’s story! 😊
Becky wrote: "but I do think it’s a richer experience if you’ve read Raymie Nightingale first. I can’t wait f..."I don't remember Raymie that well, I do remember cracking up at Louisiana's lines. It makes me want to reread Raymie for more Louisiana. I read that Kate was shocked at how easy it was for her to write from Louisiana's POV, probably one reason the book is 1st person POV. She said she had never had that experience with a character before.
I loved Raymie Nightingale. Still bummed that it didn't win a Newbery. Thrilled that DiCamillo wrote Louisiana's Way Home. I felt like it was a gift.
I agree wholeheartedly with the comments on Louisiana’s Way Home. It is beautifully written, and it rivals Because of Winn Dixie in the heart category. There is no doubt in my mind it’s distinguished.
I really enjoyed Louisiana's Way Home much more than Raymie Nightingale. She is such an innocent sweet character with a heart of gold even after everything that happened to her.She is the epitome of "glass half full" outlook.
Finally read “ Until Tomorrow Mr. Marnsworth” and it is one my favorites so far this year...loved the voice of Renn..
I just finished reading Willa of the Wood by Robert Beatty and it is one of the best books of 2018 I have read yet. It shows the importance of nature and family in a way that is understandable for kids, yet still interesting for older audiences. Beautiful and important.
Mod
https://www.goodreads.com/poll/show/1...
Kim wrote: "I really enjoyed Louisiana's Way Home much more than Raymie Nightingale. She is such an innocent sweet character with a heart of gold even after everything that happened to her.She is the epitome ..."
I was not a great fan of Raymie, but I loved Louisiana!
Virginia wrote: "Kim wrote: "I really enjoyed Louisiana's Way Home much more than Raymie Nightingale. She is such an innocent sweet character with a heart of gold even after everything that happened to her.She is ..."
Do you need to read Raymie Nightingale before you read Louisiana's way home or can you read Louisiana without reading Raymie?
In my opinion you do not need to read Raymie Nightingale prior to Louisiana's Way, however the background from Raymie may enhance the book slightly.
I agree, Travis. The references back to Raymie and Beverly May be annoying if you haven’t read Raymie, but the story does not depend on it.
Front Desk by Kelly Yang is my pull away favorite. The story and character development are distinguished. It is also a powerful story that highlights the many challenges people in our country face but adds an incredible amount of hope. It is one I could say all kids should read.
Probably not the 2019 Newbery, but Out of Left Field by Ellen Klages has a place in every middle school library. I loved the way the main character used the library to research her project and cause. It reminded me of how I had to research in college before technology.
Jo wrote: "Probably not the 2019 Newbery, but Out of Left Field by Ellen Klages has a place in every middle school library. I loved the way the main character used the library to research her project and caus..."It is a great book. I wouldn't count it out as a strong contender.
Anderson’s Book Store has Nowhere Boy listed in their Mock Newbery. When I read about the author, Katherine Marsh, her biography says she grew up in New York and now lives in Brussels, Belgium. Wouldn’t that make this book ineligible?
Newbery requires that authors be either U.S. citizens or residents. If Marsh was born in New York she's likely a U.S. citizen even if she lives elsewhere now.
Hello, I love the top ten books that are in round 3 of our Mock Newbery but still super surprised that there is little attention to the book The Science of Breakable Things by Tae Keller. I love the voice of the main character and I think it is the first middle grade novel that I have read that features a family member with severe depression and what this means to those involved. It's an important issue that is featured well in this well written book. Does anyone else feel the same way?
Celeste wrote: "Hello, I love the top ten books that are in round 3 of our Mock Newbery but still super surprised that there is little attention to the book The Science of Breakable Things by Tae Keller. I love th..."You are right. Important subject matter and very well written. It is a contender, in my opinion. There are so many wonderful 2018 titles. Some great books can fall by the wayside. It is possible that the subject matter may hinder some ppl from reading The Science of Breakable Things.
I had not heard ofThe Science Breakable Things, so I grabbed a copy and read it in two days. Wow! This was a sleeper for me. My heart hurt for this family. I have never personally experienced depression, but have certainly been close to those who have and are.
This book is a real look at “The most common mental illness in. The United States and is nothing to be ashamed of.”
Newbery? I am definitely not a good judge, I just love quality writing.
Faithful Spy is another title I've seen in many other lists- but not mentioned in this group.
Mock Newbery 2026
Books mentioned in this topic
Willa of the Wood (other topics)Harbor Me (other topics)
Bob (other topics)
Bob (other topics)
Bob (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Robert Beatty (other topics)Jacqueline Woodson (other topics)
Jacqueline Woodson (other topics)
Christopher Paul Curtis (other topics)
https://www.goodreads.com/poll/show/1...