Mock Newbery 2026 discussion

Now that things are really rolling, please introduce yourself. What are you reading and what has impressed you the most this year?

I love books and for awhile my goal was to read all the Newbery medal books. I have only about 10 left, not counting the honors. My latest passion has been following Mock Newberys held by libraries around the country. When the Newberys were announced last January I was surprised and pleased, for the most part. So I wanted to find others that I could talk about the books with, hence the beauty of Goodreads.

I am a stay at home mom, but grew up in a family of librarians and hope to join their ranks someday. In the meantime, I have extra time to read. My favorites so far are:

The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate
All the Broken Pieces
Anything But Typical
and Mostly True Adventures of Homer P. Figg

I have so much more to read though and anything is possible. I'm anxious to read:

When You Reach Me
Catching Fire
Al Capone Shines My Shoes
and The Magician's Elephant

I have always been a reader and lover of books. I've worked in publishing and as a publicist for authors and recently went back to school to get my MLIS, so I could become a school librarian and have a better schedule for my kids (aged 6 and 8.)

Since becoming a librarian I have worked as a youth services librarian in a small public library, one year in an elementary school and this past year I took a job in a middle school and I have found my calling! I love getting kids excited about books and really worry about how many educators and school administrators believe books can be replaced by technology!

I began a book club this year and it went well, but I really would like to try a Mock Newbery in the fall - so I have my work cut out for me. I plan to read a lot this summer.

I had Wendy Mass come to my school because Jeremy Fink and the Meaning of Life is one of my all time favorite books and I liked Every Soul a Star, but was not crazy about 11 Birthdays. She was fantastic and the kids loved her and her books.

In the fall I am doing a One School One Book program where every teacher, custodian, bus driver and student in grades 5-8 will read Rules and then Cynthia Lord will be coming to our school the first week in Nov. So I am also always on the look out for a book that will also fit that program.

I am looking forward to reading:
The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate
The Year I Turned Pretty
Catching Fire
Al Capone Shines my Shoes
Watching Jimmy
Neil Armstrong Is My Uncle & Other Lies Muscle Man McGinty Told Me
Earthgirl

I am a big fan and reader of all types of youth literature. I went back to school a couple of years ago to work towards becoming a youth librarian. I still have a few years ahead of me. I am also in a family of librarians. I am trying to stay current with what literature is current, as well as catching up on the books I may have overlooked over the years. I have taken the summer off from school, and just want to read as much as possible while I can, and also this Mock Newbery looked like a lot of fun.

I am currently reading The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate.

Some of the things that I have read that I am pretty excited about.

Charles and Emma (I am not sure if this is Newbery or Ptintz, but I thought that it was great)
When You Reach Me (It took some pleading, some groveling, and some postage, but my sister was able to get an advanced copy.)
Scat
Anything but Typical
Peace Locomotion
Almost Astronauts: 13 Women Who Dared to Dream

Things I am looking forward to-
Catching Fire
Forest Born
The Magician's Elephant
The Rock and the River
Tropical Secrets
Jumped

I work as the school liaison in a public library in Illinois. We are working with a group of other libraries to put together a mock Newbery for our communities. In the past that title has turned people off so there has not be a ton of participation so this year we are going to call it: Best Books of 2009-Will one win the 2010 Newbery Award?
My favorite so far has been Mostly True Adventures of Homer P. Figg
I am currently reading
The Best Bad Luck I Ever Had and really enjoying it.
I am really excited for The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate.
When we get our list together in October I will be sure to post it here!

It's good to get a lot of opinions about the books coming out. I could never find the time to read them all so it's nice when you can find out in advance which books are the most spectacular. I would love to see the lists that you all put together so, please, keep us updated.

Hi, I am the host of Bookwink.com, a video booktalk website whose mission is to get kids excited about reading.

I am currently reading Oracles of Delphi Keep.
I read a teaser chapter for The Magician's Elephant and I can't wait for the rest!

My favorites so far this year have been:
Mostly True Adventures of Homer P. Figg
Charles and Emma The Darwins' Leap of Faith
The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate

Although, I'm curious to hear kids' reactions to Charles and Emma. Are they loving it as much as adults are?

Hi! I am a Youth Services Librarian, serving kids birth through grade 12. Our library will be participating in a Mock Newbery-type program with some other local libraries this fall, so I'm soaking up all of the information and recommendations to bring back to my co-workers. Right now we are making our way through the Abraham Lincoln list for teens, I'm currently reading 19 minutes by Jodi Picoult, and then we'll be focusing on potential picks for our Best Books of '09 list. I've barely dipped a toe into the pool of potential candidates so far, and it seems like my to-read list grows daily!

On my pile right now are:
Mostly True Adventures of Homer P. Figg
The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate
Happenstance Found
I, Lorelei
The Girl Who Threw Butterflies
The Locked Garden

I'm excited to be able to really get going with these books, and to hear everyone else's comments about what they have been reading!

I'm a little late on the introduction...
I'm a youth services librarian in a suburb of Chicago. We serve primarily birth-grade 8, but our "teen section" (consisting of one shelf and a spinner) sits right outside of our department, so I get a little interaction with teens as well. I'm really excited to be part of this discussion. I've never participated in a mock Newbery before, but I love to talk about books. Currently I'm reading "Magyk" by Angie Sage (I know, I'm a little late on that...)
Currently, on my pile:
Masterpiece
The Redheaded Princess A Novel
The Year the Swallows Came Early
The Story of Edgar Sawtelle

And like everyone else, I'm really looking forward to "Catching Fire". I'm hoping I'll be able to make it to ALA exhibits and that Scholastic will have ARC's!

I just got a bunch of ARCs from Candlewick, including several copies of The Magician's Elephant - which I am about to start. I'm willing to share with anyone who can send it back by the time school starts...send me a message if interested.

Hi--I just joined this group and look forward to talking with all of you about the 2009 intermediate books. I teach children's literature for Washington State University in Vancouver. Probably my favorite book so far this year is Aligator Bayou by Napoli and All of the Broken Pieces.

Right now I am reading:
Secret Keeper (Perkins) I will finish this today
Hannah's Winter (Meehan)
The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate (Kelly) I keep starting this book but one of these days will sit down and finish it.
Sahwira (Marsden)
Soldier's Secret (Klass)
Return to Sender (Alvarez)

I really want to read:
Catching Fire
When you reach me (I missed out on getting arcs for both of these!)

Hi, I am a middle school librarian and want to get a mock Newbery group started at my school. We have a blog where I make suggestions and students and teachers will comment.

I am currently reading The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate and am loving it.

I just got done with Escape Under the Forever Sky by Eve Yohalem. it's an excellent blend of adventure, coming of age, African life, and an insightful look at what makes us different and how we are all the same. I loved this book.

I look forward to lots of great suggestions from this group.

Hi! I am a new member. I am an educator and a book geek. I especially love Children's and YA literature. Are there certain guidelines for how things work in this group? Just checking?! Thanks, - Aly

Welcome Aly, glad to have you with us. Things are always a little slow at first but, basically, there are two threads. One for books that are to be watched as future Newbery’s and another for those that are not. Of course it is all personal but as the lists grow its fun to watch the favorites come up more and more. Then in June we will start a book of the month (in hopes that the libraries will be better stocked) based on the published dates of the books.
Finally we will have a vote and decide which books we think are the most Newbery worthy.

Everyone has been great to review the books published in 2010. It makes the task much less daunting and really helps find the gems that are currently being published.

Kristen wrote: "Welcome Aly, glad to have you with us. Things are always a little slow at first but, basically, there are two threads. One for books that are to be watched as future Newbery’s and another for thos..."

Thanks Kristen - I have read a few MG novels that have been published in 2010 and quite a few YA especially debut authors. Do we ever make comments about other ALA categories or only the Newbery?

You are welcome to start any threads you would like. It would be fun.

I have read a few MG novels ..."

Just to clarify: MG=Middle Grade?

Jamie wrote: "I have read a few MG novels ..."

Just to clarify: MG=Middle Grade?"

Yes, sorry MG=Middle Gray (4th to 7th grade or 9 to 12 years).