Tessyohnka’s Comments (group member since Oct 11, 2013)

Tessyohnka’s comments from the Mock Newbery 2026 group.

Laura wrote: "I have to say I am mystified and saddened by the volume of people not embracing Raymie Nightingale 100%. I am not sure if you have to be a particular personality or reader to love it. The book is q..."

I've learned not to worry when others' literary opinions don't mesh with mine because it is all very personal. I'm with you -- I loved Raymie Nightingale --though I'm not certain the committee would give DiCamillo yet another medal, regardless of her genius.

The Thing About Jellyfish

Sorry, I started to post the question before looking it up. It is A Night Divided by Jennifer Nielsen

Is it A Night Divided?

I wasn't crazy for Fuzzy Mud either -- something in nature that can kill and disfigure is the stuff nightmares are made of! I read the possible Newbery contenders and then send them on to my niece who is a Reading Specialist with her public school -- and when I sent Fuzzy Mud, I told her that this was not reading material for her fifth grade daughter. Fuzzy Mud + a little OCD = no sleep.

Kristen wrote: "The War that Saved My Life is earning praise in reviews all over the country. Do you think it is distinguished enough for the Newbery?"
I don't feel it is a Newbery winner. It is a very sweet, if predictable book, but not a great book.
Though the author is an Anglophile, I felt there was a lot of London/England missing in tone of this book -- perhaps it was a choice given the book's audience but it felt weird to read about a "can" of peas.
The biggest problem, in my opinion, is the portrayal of Mam. She is horrible with no particular characterization to defend her brutal demeanor.