Alisha’s Comments (group member since Apr 22, 2025)

Alisha’s comments from the Mock Newbery 2026 group.

Here’s what I’d select!

🏅 Busted (Dan Gemeinhart)

🥈Octopus Moon
🥈Undead Fox of Deadwood Forest
🥈Candace, the Universe, and Everything
🥈Max in the Land of Lies
🥈Candle Island

I agree with you, Whitney. I think everyone has a right to tell their own stories. It isn’t one author’s responsibility to give every layer of context for the story they tell. That said, I think Rhodes does a fantastic job of packing a lot of history into a young reader book.

I don’t know about everyone on this thread, but when I was in school, history lacked a lot of nuance. I entered adolescence with a lot of reductive characterizations of historical figures and time periods. It took me a long time to unlearn some of these stories and understand the tensions there. Now

The story of Will’s Race for Home struck me because I felt like it captured that nuance. It recognizes the opportunity that the land rush gave families like Will’s, while also acknowledging that the land was stolen in the first place. I loved how this book had so much contextual richness, and if I had read books like this as a kid my own schema of history would be richer too.

I really liked this one! The premise is really imaginative and I felt the themes carried through as all the pieces fell into place. I do wish the guide to the characters/terminology had been at the beginning because I was a little lost on the mythology. But it was a solid 5 stars for me.

This one is definitely a unique contribution to children’s lit. I came into it with no expectations and kept waiting for the plot to kick in. Over halfway through I caught the vibe. In terms of seeing it through a kid’s perspective, I think it could be good for reluctant readers as the chapters are short and fairly self contained. But all the characters did get overwhelming to me. I’m wiffly-waffly about this book. Part of me says “wow, what a bold storytelling approach!” and the other half is like “what is even going on?” My favorite part was the circularity and also the fake out moment with the kid finding his phone.

Has anyone read Somadina? I’d love to see this one on one of our monthly discussions. It’s both innovative and ancient, and I couldn’t get enough of the imagery. Really high quality storytelling.

Some recommendations I recently finished:

- An Encantadora’s Guide to Monstros and Magic
- The Enemy’s Daughter
- How to Draw a Secret

I agree with Heather above. I am just not seeing this fitting in relation to other Newbery winners. It’s a good read, very well researched and thoroughly presented. But there are a lot of details that seem to push the boundaries of “children’s” literature, placing this is the YA category. I see a lot of readers (here and on the Heavy Medal blog) justifying this one as meeting the criteria. I guess I just feel if a book is going to win the Newbery, there shouldn’t be debate on if it fits within the genre.

By contrast, Fleming’s other 2025 release, “Is it Real? The Loch Ness Monster” is a solid contender. This and so many other books I’ve read this year fit well within the parameters of a Newbery. I’d be disappointed to see this particular award ignore all those really good kids books in favor of something that to me is clearly YA.

Here’s some I recently finished that I think are great contenders:
-Racing the Clouds (was NOT prepared for how brilliant this one was!)
- Graciela in the Abyss
- At Last She Stood
- Radiant
- Please Pay Attention
- The Enemy’s Daughter

Can’t wait to read everyone’s thoughts on this one! I loved this story. The slow unfolding of the backstory along with the steady character growth gives this one an enduring quality that reminds me of some other Newbery favorites (Iveliz Explains it All, Because of Winn Dixie).

Also, I like the way Messner uses poetry in this book. Novels in verse are becoming increasingly popular, but does anyone else feel that the verse isn’t always purposeful? Anyway I don’t get that feeling with A Trouble With Heroes. I found the mixed media style to be innovative without being a cliche. I don’t think this one will feel outdated in a few years.

RE: Graphic Novels

I got Halfway to Somewhere by Jose Pimienta and Crumble by Meredith McClaren of the School Library Jornal’s Mock Newbery list. Halfway to Somewhere was a good read, but I don’t know that it had that stellar Newbery quality for me. I just started Crumble and so far am enchanted with the premise!

El Niño Pam Munoz Ryan

Oh dang, you’re right! I’m real good with the words but less good with the numbers 😅

Just finished it! This. Was. So. Good. It just unseated Undead Fox for the medal this year in my opinion. The mystery, the way I could actually see the story, hear the music, taste the salty sea air, the donuts- Candle Island grew more delightful with every page. Thanks to this group for the suggestion!

@Whitney

I don’t know, I immediately started recommending this to kids left and right. My creepy readers, animal loving readers, and cottagecore readers all seem drawn to it. As to the themes, I think one of the charms of this book is that if you’ve experienced loss, grief, or abandonment this book resonates; if you’ve not experienced it, you still get a taste of these feelings through the eyes of the character. I believe it’s the mark of a good story- the ability to create experiences that are a window for some and a mirror for others.

I definitely agree that the committee doesn’t always do the best job (Secret of the Andes whyyyy) but I wouldn’t be salty if Undead Fox got the gold this year.

I just started this and I already love it. I was rooting for Undead Fox to win it this year, but I’ll be shook if the medal doesn’t go to Candle Island.

I just read The Magician Next Door. It’s a really charming book that I think kids will love! I know a criticism of some Newbery picks is that language and themes are sometimes more appropriate for adults. This one really fits the ideal of a middle grade book in my opinion.

I think she meant Bad Badger?

This was cute but I don’t know that it’s a Newbery. I really loved reading it, but will kids instantly connect with it? I’m not sure. I’ll read it to my 7 year old and get back to you.

I’ve been reading The Garden just Beyond. Has anyone else tried this title yet? I’ve never read anything quite like it.

My review: I have never been so surprised by a book. I was throughly uninterested in this premise but read it out of a sense of obligation before adding it to a summer reading list. I read it in one sitting, starting up until all hours of the night. (This is, I believe, as the author intended.) Clare’s journey was contagious and I was swept along as all the little mysteries began to converge. As I read the final words, I breathed deeply and realized I had been holding my breath for several pages. The author’s note is just *chef’s kiss* and left me instantly compelled to turn back to the beginning and read the whole thing again.