Mock Newbery 2026 discussion

I think I'll only have time to read one book during December (usually I read 3-4 per week). I'm looking for that one-of-a-kind jewel I might have missed this year. Maybe something that has been overlooked in all the discussions so far. It still has to be a book eligible for the 2018 Newbery. I have read all of the group's monthly reads and many that have made the surveys. This has to be a book that hasn't received much discussion, but that you thought was priceless. Thanks for your time! I'm excited to see the titles. This group is so well read I'm sure there will be some great ones.

The standouts for me that we have not discussed yet include

The War I Finally Won by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley

Train I Ride by Paul Mosier

Bravo! Poems about Amazing Hispanics Margarita Engle

My Brigadista Year by Katherine Paterson is an important story, but not sure I see it as a winner for Newbery.

Also, One Last Word by Nikki Grimes -- amazing poetry, premise and technique.

LS wrote: "I think I'll only have time to read one book during December (usually I read 3-4 per week). I'm looking for that one-of-a-kind jewel I might have missed this year. Maybe something that has been ove..."

I really liked Karma Khullar's Mustache by Kristi Wientger. It did well at my bookstore since it was released. With virtually no buzz. The kids seem to be recommending it to each other which I absolutely adore. The cover art is absolutely hilarious. Completely draws you to it.

I might have mentioned these books in earlier posts. I love One Last Word by Nikki Grimes tremendously. Pablo and Birdy by Alison McGhee, I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter by Erika Sanchez (young adult title but quite remarkable) Spinning (also ya), All's Faire by Victoria Jamieson, Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds, The Unlikely Story of a Pig in the City by Kendall and Unicorn in the Barn. Sorry I can't remember all of the author's names. I have way too many bunched in my head :) Also check out the poetry book I'm Just No Good at Rhyming: And Other Nonsense for Mischievous Kids and Immature Grown-Ups by Chris Harris and illustrated by Lane Smith. It is incredible!

Laura wrote: "LS wrote: "I think I'll only have time to read one book during December (usually I read 3-4 per week). I'm looking for that one-of-a-kind jewel I might have missed this year. Maybe something that h..."

What a great list. I have only read 2 of those titles so far. Thanks for taking the time to reply. And I agree that books recommended between kids are always best!

LS wrote: "Laura wrote: "LS wrote: "I think I'll only have time to read one book during December (usually I read 3-4 per week). I'm looking for that one-of-a-kind jewel I might have missed this year. Maybe so..."

My pleasure!

Tamsyn wrote: "The standouts for me that we have not discussed yet include

The War I Finally Won by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley

Train I Ride by Paul Mosier

Bravo! Poems about Amazing Hispanics Margarita Engle

M..."

Thank you for your recommendations. I have read 2 of the books you recommended. I should have time this weekend to look over your other suggestions. Thank you so much!

I really love Princess Cora and the Crocodile (plus it's short, so it's easy to squeeze in ;).

Katrina wrote: "I really love Princess Cora and the Crocodile (plus it's short, so it's easy to squeeze in ;)."

Thank you Katrina. I have seen that one on the shelf and passed it by. I may need to reconsider

Something we did not read as a group this year was Midnight Without a Moon, Lucky Broken Girl and Forget Me Not. All these are in my top list for Newbery. Forget Me Not is extra special because my students responded to this book unbelievably. It really brought us together as a class.

LS wrote: "Tamsyn wrote: "The standouts for me that we have not discussed yet include

The War I Finally Won by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley

Train I Ride by Paul Mosier

Bravo! Poems about Amazing Hispanics Mar..."

I am picking up a copy of Train I Ride at the library today. I heard this was a good one.

I just finished Train I Ride (after reading about it through many posts here) and I loved it. I did not want it to end and really wanted to be with Rydr longer! I also loved The War I Finally Won and The Ethan I was Before. The Way to BEA was a good one for me also.

Who is Forget Me Not by? Thanks

Forget Me Not is by Ellie Terry.

Thanks- lots of books with the same title! 😊

Czechgirl wrote: "Something we did not read as a group this year was Midnight Without a Moon, Lucky Broken Girl and Forget Me Not. All these are in my top list for Newbery. Forget Me Not is extra special because my ..."

Thank you for the suggestions! I have read all 3 of those incredible books! I have suggested Midnight Without a Moon and Forget Me not multiple times. Both worthy of some kind of recognition!

Pam wrote: "I just finished Train I Ride (after reading about it through many posts here) and I loved it. I did not want it to end and really wanted to be with Rydr longer! I also loved The War I Finally Won a..."

Pam I also loved Train I Ride!! So many good books this year. I have read The War I Finally won and have re-read The Ethan I was before. I was so engrossed in that book I couldn't put it down. I had to read it immediately after I finished it the first time through.

Thank you for the recommendation of The Way to Bea. I had not heard of that book. I will pick that one up on Monday. Thank you!

One suggestion I would have for people in this group would be Three Pennies by Melanie Crowder. I have not seen much discussion about it and I don't know why. The story is beautifully written. The characters captured my heart and the "wisdom" of the story captured my mind. I love reading, and recommending, books that can do both.

LS wrote: "One suggestion I would have for people in this group would be Three Pennies by Melanie Crowder. The characters captured my heart and the "wisdom" of the story captured my mind. I love reading, and ..."

I agree 100%! Fantastic book!

Auma’s Long Run!!