2026 Mock Newbery List (76 books)

Please only add books for children published in 2025 that meet the terms and criteria for the Newbery Award: https://www.ala.org/ala/alsc/awardssc...

Terms and Criteria include:
The book should... be a form of written text (fiction, non-fiction, poetry, graphic novel; picture book; etc.); have an intended audience of children up to and including age 14; have a publication date and/or was first available for purchase in the year 2025; be in English (though it may include words from other languages); and be a self-contained, original work that is distinguished and demonstrates excellence of quality among the following considerations: interpretation of theme or concept; accurate, clear, organized presentation of information; development of plot; delineation of characters and setting; and appropriateness of style for children.

Note: the criterion that most often excludes a work on this list is the requirement that the author(s), who receives the award, must reside in or maintain a residence in the US

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All Votes Add Books To This List

1	The Trouble with Heroes by Kate Messner (Goodreads Author) 4.55 avg rating — 2,745 ratings score: 2,366, and 24 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
2	The Undead Fox of Deadwood Forest by Aubrey Hartman 4.41 avg rating — 2,020 ratings score: 1,566, and 16 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
3	Bad Badger: A Love Story by Maryrose Wood (Goodreads Author) 4.10 avg rating — 936 ratings score: 1,165, and 12 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
4	Max in the Land of Lies: A Tale of World War II (Operation Kinderspion #2) by Adam Gidwitz (Goodreads Author) 4.53 avg rating — 810 ratings score: 1,161, and 12 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
5	Rebellion 1776 by Laurie Halse Anderson (Goodreads Author) 3.94 avg rating — 1,688 ratings score: 1,048, and 11 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
6	Will's Race for Home by Jewell Parker Rhodes (Goodreads Author) 4.12 avg rating — 882 ratings score: 969, and 10 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
7	All the Blues in the Sky by Renée Watson 4.44 avg rating — 1,413 ratings score: 881, and 9 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
8	Candle Island by Lauren Wolk 4.31 avg rating — 1,434 ratings score: 848, and 9 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
9	The Winter of the Dollhouse by Laura Amy Schlitz 4.44 avg rating — 352 ratings score: 761, and 8 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
10	Please Pay Attention by Jamie Sumner (Goodreads Author) 4.33 avg rating — 1,086 ratings score: 655, and 7 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
11	The Teacher of Nomad Land: A World War II Story by Daniel Nayeri 4.19 avg rating — 1,385 ratings score: 583, and 6 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
12	Whale Eyes: A Memoir About Seeing and Being Seen by James Robinson 4.30 avg rating — 574 ratings score: 572, and 6 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
13	Once for Yes by Allie Millington (Goodreads Author) 4.07 avg rating — 498 ratings score: 564, and 6 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
14	The Library of Unruly Treasures by Jeanne Birdsall 3.95 avg rating — 838 ratings score: 540, and 6 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
15	Pocket Bear by Katherine Applegate (Goodreads Author) 4.36 avg rating — 2,296 ratings score: 481, and 5 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
16	The Peach Thief by Linda Joan Smith 3.99 avg rating — 274 ratings score: 467, and 5 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
17	A World Without Summer: A Volcano Erupts, A Creature Awakens, and the Sun Goes Out by Nicholas Day (Goodreads Author) 4.29 avg rating — 383 ratings score: 381, and 4 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
18	The Incredibly Human Henson Blayze by Derrick Barnes 4.03 avg rating — 271 ratings score: 380, and 4 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
19	A World Worth Saving: (National Book Award Finalist) by Kyle Lukoff 3.87 avg rating — 601 ratings score: 358, and 4 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
20	Radiant by Vaunda Micheaux Nelson 4.34 avg rating — 440 ratings score: 349, and 4 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
21	The Gate, the Girl, and the Dragon by Grace Lin (Goodreads Author) 4.18 avg rating — 588 ratings score: 336, and 4 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
22	Scattergood by H.M. Bouwman (Goodreads Author) 4.11 avg rating — 491 ratings score: 325, and 4 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
23	A Hero's Guide to Summer Vacation by Pablo Cartaya (Goodreads Author) 4.15 avg rating — 337 ratings score: 294, and 3 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
24	The Nine Moons of Han Yu and Luli by Karina Yan Glaser (Goodreads Author) 4.42 avg rating — 353 ratings score: 277, and 3 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
25	The Boy Who Lived in a Shell: Snippets for Wandering Minds by John Himmelman 3.77 avg rating — 96 ratings score: 269, and 3 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
26	It's All or Nothing, Vale by Andrea Beatriz Arango (Goodreads Author) 4.07 avg rating — 883 ratings score: 253, and 3 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
27	The Experiment by Rebecca Stead 3.85 avg rating — 649 ratings score: 250, and 3 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
28	Safe Harbor by Padma Venkatraman (Goodreads Author) 4.07 avg rating — 801 ratings score: 248, and 3 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
29	Lost Evangeline by Kate DiCamillo (Goodreads Author) 4.13 avg rating — 785 ratings score: 247, and 3 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
30	Zarina Divided by Reem Faruqi (Goodreads Author) 4.32 avg rating — 141 ratings score: 243, and 3 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
31	El Niño by Pam Muñoz Ryan 3.79 avg rating — 384 ratings score: 238, and 3 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
32	Love Wars: Clash of the Parents by Matthew A. Tower (Goodreads Author) 4.55 avg rating — 33 ratings score: 200, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
33	One Wrong Step by Jennifer A. Nielsen (Goodreads Author) 4.06 avg rating — 1,365 ratings score: 193, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
34	The Blossoming Summer by Anna Rose Johnson (Goodreads Author) 3.90 avg rating — 216 ratings score: 187, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
35	The Poetry of Car Mechanics by Heidi E.Y. Stemple (Goodreads Author) 4.38 avg rating — 145 ratings score: 184, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
36	Holding on for Dear Life by Dusti Bowling (Goodreads Author) 4.53 avg rating — 229 ratings score: 177, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
37	Racing the Clouds by Sydney Dunlap (Goodreads Author) 4.37 avg rating — 183 ratings score: 175, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
38	The Secret of Honeycake by Kimberly Newton Fusco (Goodreads Author) 4.39 avg rating — 242 ratings score: 164, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
39	Spark by Chris Baron (Goodreads Author) 4.38 avg rating — 173 ratings score: 160, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
40	What Fell from the Sky by Adrianna Cuevas (Goodreads Author) 3.88 avg rating — 401 ratings score: 148, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
40	Return to Sender by Vera Brosgol (Goodreads Author) 3.86 avg rating — 545 ratings score: 148, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
42	Old School by Gordon Korman 4.26 avg rating — 1,678 ratings score: 147, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
43	The Forgotten Magic of Zoey Turner by Erin Stewart (Goodreads Author) 4.25 avg rating — 142 ratings score: 145, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
44	Is It Real?: The Loch Ness Monster by Candace Fleming (Goodreads Author) 3.89 avg rating — 157 ratings score: 144, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
45	The Enemy's Daughter by Anne Blankman (Goodreads Author) 3.93 avg rating — 299 ratings score: 141, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
46	You Are My Rainbow by Michael Joosten 3.60 avg rating — 25 ratings score: 100, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
46	Unboxing Libby by Steph Cherrywell 4.04 avg rating — 119 ratings score: 100, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
46	Busted by Dan Gemeinhart (Goodreads Author) 4.53 avg rating — 493 ratings score: 100, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
46	The Girl in the Walls by Meg Eden Kuyatt (Goodreads Author) 3.84 avg rating — 402 ratings score: 100, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
50	The Guardians of Dreamdark: Windwitch (The Guardians of Dreamdark, #1) by Laini Taylor (Goodreads Author) 4.06 avg rating — 5,847 ratings score: 97, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
50	Death in the Jungle: Murder, Betrayal, and the Lost Dream of Jonestown by Candace Fleming (Goodreads Author) 4.31 avg rating — 1,517 ratings score: 97, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
52	The Metamorphosis of Bunny Baxter by Barbara Carroll Roberts 4.33 avg rating — 67 ratings score: 96, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
52	Runaways by E.L. Norry (Goodreads Author) 3.96 avg rating — 46 ratings score: 96, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
54	The Strongest Heart by Saadia Faruqi (Goodreads Author) 4.24 avg rating — 168 ratings score: 92, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
54	The Unexpected Lives of Ordinary Girls by J. Anderson Coats (Goodreads Author) 4.60 avg rating — 40 ratings score: 92, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
56	On Guard!: A Marshall Middle School Graphic Novel by Cassidy Wasserman (Goodreads Author) 4.18 avg rating — 315 ratings score: 91, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
56	The Burning Season by Caroline Starr Rose (Goodreads Author) 3.95 avg rating — 525 ratings score: 91, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
58	Away by Megan E. Freeman (Goodreads Author) 3.96 avg rating — 2,834 ratings score: 90, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
59	How to Say Goodbye in Cuban by Daniel Miyares 4.27 avg rating — 255 ratings score: 88, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
60	Lilac and the Switchback by Cordelia Jensen (Goodreads Author) 4.48 avg rating — 75 ratings score: 83, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
61	Malcolm Lives!: The Official Biography of Malcolm X for Young Readers by Ibram X. Kendi (Goodreads Author) 4.17 avg rating — 260 ratings score: 82, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
62	I Wish I Didn't Have to Tell You This: A Graphic Memoir by Eugene Yelchin (Goodreads Author) 4.20 avg rating — 200 ratings score: 78, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
63	Ollie in Between by Jess Callans (Goodreads Author) 4.34 avg rating — 273 ratings score: 77, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
64	Octopus Moon by Bobbie Pyron (Goodreads Author) 4.44 avg rating — 528 ratings score: 76, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
65	The Beat I Drum (Life of a Cactus #3) by Dusti Bowling (Goodreads Author) 4.41 avg rating — 977 ratings score: 72, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
66	Xolo by Donna Barba Higuera (Goodreads Author) 4.38 avg rating — 175 ratings score: 71, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
67	Danilo Was Here by Tamika Burgess (Goodreads Author) 4.10 avg rating — 144 ratings score: 68, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
68	Rick Kotani's 400 Million Dollar Summer: by Waka T. Brown (Goodreads Author) 3.94 avg rating — 71 ratings score: 65, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
69	Graciela in the Abyss by Meg Medina (Goodreads Author) 3.77 avg rating — 320 ratings score: 63, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
70	The Song of Orphan's Garden by Nicole M. Hewitt (Goodreads Author) 4.24 avg rating — 156 ratings score: 62, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
71	Tear This Down by Barbara Dee (Goodreads Author) 4.12 avg rating — 319 ratings score: 57, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
72	Same Page by Elly Swartz (Goodreads Author) 4.17 avg rating — 311 ratings score: 54, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
73	Candace, the Universe, and Everything by Sherri L. Smith (Goodreads Author) 3.80 avg rating — 90 ratings score: 47, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
74	Many Voices: Building Erie, The Canal That Changed America by Laurie Lawlor 3.87 avg rating — 15 ratings score: 43, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
75	The Curious Vanishing of Beatrice Willoughby by G.Z. Schmidt (Goodreads Author) 3.88 avg rating — 784 ratings score: 42, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
76	A Day at the Beach by Gary D. Schmidt 3.54 avg rating — 439 ratings score: 41, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars