2027 Mock Newbery List (67 books)

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Welcome to all lovers of children's literature! This is a serious book list intended for those wishing to explore new writing deserving of the Newbery Medal. I have begun the list with highly anticipated middle-grade books coming out in 2026 and invite your input. Please vote for any books on this list that you find to exhibit exemplary writing for children, and please also suggest other 2026 children's books that you love and that meet the award criteria. Happy reading!

Please only add books for children published in 2026 that meet the terms and criteria for the Newbery Award: https://www.ala.org/alsc/awardsgrants...

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 2026; 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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1	The Lions' Run by Sara Pennypacker 4.33 avg rating — 2,608 ratings score: 1,387, and 14 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 Moon Without Stars by Chanel Miller 4.23 avg rating — 1,438 ratings score: 1,190, 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
3	You Are Now Old Enough to Hear This by Aaron Starmer 3.74 avg rating — 420 ratings score: 776, 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
4	Birdy by N. West Moss (Goodreads Author) 4.39 avg rating — 553 ratings score: 773, 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
5	A Scar like a River by Lisa Graff 4.28 avg rating — 934 ratings score: 682, 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
6	Shook by Julian Randall 4.30 avg rating — 321 ratings score: 486, 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
7	When You're Brave Enough by Rebecca Bendheim (Goodreads Author) 4.40 avg rating — 263 ratings score: 482, 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
8	The Ordinary and Extraordinary Auden Greene by Corey Ann Haydu (Goodreads Author) 3.73 avg rating — 174 ratings score: 466, 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
9	Styx and Stones by Gary D. Schmidt 3.66 avg rating — 552 ratings score: 459, 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
10	The Ginghams by T.C. Kemper (Goodreads Author) 4.05 avg rating — 667 ratings score: 400, 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
11	One Word, Six Letters by Adib Khorram (Goodreads Author) 4.23 avg rating — 1,208 ratings score: 390, 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
12	The Unlikely Tale of Chase and Finnegan by Jasmine Warga (Goodreads Author) 4.09 avg rating — 1,622 ratings score: 385, 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
13	The Second Life of Snap by Erin Entrada Kelly (Goodreads Author) 3.93 avg rating — 922 ratings score: 376, 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
14	Bad Badger: A Family Story by Maryrose Wood (Goodreads Author) 4.39 avg rating — 232 ratings score: 350, 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
14	This Is a Door by Daniel Nayeri 4.45 avg rating — 82 ratings score: 350, 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
16	Each and Every Spark by Claire Swinarski (Goodreads Author) 4.23 avg rating — 512 ratings score: 288, 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
17	Phoenix by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley (Goodreads Author) 3.90 avg rating — 802 ratings score: 274, 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
18	Some of Us Are Brave by Saadia Faruqi (Goodreads Author) 4.08 avg rating — 383 ratings score: 268, 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
19	Building 903 by Lois Lowry (Goodreads Author) 3.58 avg rating — 1,872 ratings score: 261, 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
20	Perfect Enough (Good Different #2) by Meg Eden Kuyatt (Goodreads Author) 4.34 avg rating — 217 ratings score: 260, 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
21	The Forgotten War: A World War II Battle on American Soil by Candace Fleming (Goodreads Author) 4.43 avg rating — 23 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
22	Where Ella Went by Laurie Morrison (Goodreads Author) 4.26 avg rating — 246 ratings score: 198, 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
22	Calliope Callisto Clark and the Search for Wisdom by Claudia Mills (Goodreads Author) 4.14 avg rating — 122 ratings score: 198, 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
22	Absent by Rex Ogle (Goodreads Author) 4.32 avg rating — 515 ratings score: 198, 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
25	A Year Without Home by V.T. Bidania (Goodreads Author) 4.36 avg rating — 618 ratings score: 195, 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
25	Hijacked by Goats by Ann Braden (Goodreads Author) 4.54 avg rating — 107 ratings score: 195, 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
25	Busted by Dan Gemeinhart (Goodreads Author) 4.49 avg rating — 1,367 ratings score: 195, 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
28	Hail Mariam by Huda Al-Marashi (Goodreads Author) 4.06 avg rating — 317 ratings score: 189, 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
29	Eureka by Victoria Chang (Goodreads Author) 3.84 avg rating — 355 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
29	Listen to the Girls by Chrystal D. Giles (Goodreads Author) 4.43 avg rating — 374 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
31	Breakout by Christina Wyman (Goodreads Author) 4.05 avg rating — 165 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
32	The Queen's Granddaughter by Diane Zahler (Goodreads Author) 3.93 avg rating — 181 ratings score: 182, 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	Mythspeaker by Christopher Roubique (Goodreads Author) 4.22 avg rating — 106 ratings score: 178, 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	Red River Rose by Carole Lindstrom (Goodreads Author) 3.50 avg rating — 207 ratings score: 178, 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	X Marks the Haunt by Lindsay Currie (Goodreads Author) 4.14 avg rating — 423 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
36	A Wish with Wings by Sarah Guillory (Goodreads Author) 4.03 avg rating — 51 ratings score: 171, 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	Secrets of the Broken House by Taryn Souders (Goodreads Author) 4.13 avg rating — 424 ratings score: 170, 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	Queso, Just in Time by Ernesto Cisneros (Goodreads Author) 4.10 avg rating — 349 ratings score: 167, 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	All That Chandni Knows by Khushboo Patel 3.95 avg rating — 111 ratings score: 167, 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	Hattie Mae Begins Again by Sharon G. Flake 3.90 avg rating — 169 ratings score: 165, 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
41	No Place on Earth by Andrea Beatriz Arango (Goodreads Author) 4.14 avg rating — 130 ratings score: 161, 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	Orris and Timble: Star Stories by Kate DiCamillo (Goodreads Author) 4.43 avg rating — 251 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
42	Eva to the Max by Rebecca Caprara (Goodreads Author) 4.22 avg rating — 125 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
42	Life on the Moon by Matthew Swanson (Goodreads Author) 4.13 avg rating — 246 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
42	Mexikid Dreams: A Graphic Memoir by Pedro Martín 4.61 avg rating — 269 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 Sweet Spot by Elaine Vickers (Goodreads Author) 4.36 avg rating — 118 ratings score: 98, 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
47	Basket Ball: The Story of the All-American Game (American Sports Histories, 2) by Kadir Nelson 4.28 avg rating — 129 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
48	Licorice by Kara LaReau (Goodreads Author) 4.27 avg rating — 162 ratings score: 95, 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
48	Wolf's Belly by John August (Goodreads Author) 4.43 avg rating — 335 ratings score: 95, 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 Mighty Macy by Kwame Alexander 4.08 avg rating — 324 ratings score: 94, 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	My Brother Oliver by R.L. Toalson (Goodreads Author) 4.48 avg rating — 152 ratings score: 94, 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	When Tomorrow Burns by Tae Keller (Goodreads Author) 3.96 avg rating — 690 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
52	Rialto by Kate Milford (Goodreads Author) 3.96 avg rating — 370 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
54	Saber-Tooth: A Novel in Verse by Robin Gow (Goodreads Author) 3.38 avg rating — 164 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
54	Confessions of a Mango by Kate Lumsden 4.24 avg rating — 225 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
56	The Mysterious Magic of Lighthouse Lane by Erin Stewart (Goodreads Author) 4.06 avg rating — 143 ratings score: 86, 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
57	Landslide by Betty Culley (Goodreads Author) 4.06 avg rating — 95 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
58	Nell O'Dell Hates Quests (The Golden Crossroads #1) by Emily B. Martin 4.24 avg rating — 229 ratings score: 79, 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	Wilderness Hacks by Joslin Brorsen (Goodreads Author) 4.22 avg rating — 336 ratings score: 74, 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	A Tale of Plagues and Perfumes by Jake Halpern 4.15 avg rating — 281 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
61	The Eyes, the Fire & the Avalanche Kingdom by Dave Eggers it was amazing 5.00 avg rating — 5 ratings score: 67, 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	Wombat Waiting by Katherine Applegate (Goodreads Author) 4.19 avg rating — 2,107 ratings score: 66, 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	Mind vs. Machine: The Chess Match That Changed the World by Steve Sheinkin 4.32 avg rating — 172 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
64	Ida B. Wells and the Untold Truth of a Country by Lesa Cline-Ransome (Goodreads Author) 4.20 avg rating — 5 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
65	Kestrel Takes Flight by Joy McCullough (Goodreads Author) 4.36 avg rating — 136 ratings score: 58, 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	Sleepless by Gordon Korman 3.92 avg rating — 611 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
67	The Write Thing: Kwame Alexander Engages Students in Writing Workshop by Kwame Alexander 4.37 avg rating — 134 ratings score: 56, 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