Mock Newbery 2026 discussion

Front Desk by Kelly Yang Kelly Yang has written other notable books, could this one be her first Newbery?
Did you think it was distinguished?

When people on Twitter first started tweeting about this book, I didn't take it seriously because the cover on the book really did not scream "great book" to me. I know. I know. You can't judge a book by its cover. But the tweets just kept coming over and over, so I took the chance and bought it.
This is a stunningly beautiful-written story. The character, Mia, has such a great sense of humor. I love how the author wrote this book that carried such an important message about immigrants coming into America, but yet wrote it to where any middle-grade reader would find it as an entertaining story. I do think it has a chance at Newbery.

Czechgirl wrote: "When people on Twitter first started tweeting about this book, I didn't take it seriously because the cover on the book really did not scream "great book" to me. I know. I know. You can't judge a b..."

I agree with you. The cover art is cute but Front Desk is so much more. Most ppl do judge a book by its cover. Unfortunately, Front Desk will be overlooked initially. Word of mouth and recommendations can change that.

I don't mind the cover. I am worried that a more serious cover would not attract the audience that would enjoy the book.

I enjoyed the story. I am sometimes worried when a book tries to take on too many problems at one time, but all of the different side problems in this instance are tied together neatly into one whole. Rather than distracting, they show different aspects of the same problem and how they differently effect each person. It could easily have slipped into tokenism (one black man, one white woman, one Latino friend, etc.), but it didn't feel like that.

OK, this is hands down the best children's book that I've read this year. In my Mock Newbery reading, it is the book to beat.

I love so many things about Front Desk by Kelly Yang!
1. Diverse book about an immigrant by an immigrant.
2. Boldly confronts racism toward Blacks by community and police.
3. Honest look at child hunger and poverty and class.
4. Presents the writing/editing process within the story.
5. Real life math situations.
6. Friendship, annoying boys, clothes-your-mother-picks-and-why-the-perfect-pair-of-jeans-is-a-very-important-thing-for-a-kid, and plenty of other relatable topics, and here's the kicker -- KIDS WILL ACTUALLY READ THIS BOOK (unlike plenty of other Newberys and contenders).

Bottom line, the voice in this book is authentic and character development is superb. The book is a pleasure to read.

Karen wrote: "I love so many things about Front Desk by Kelly Yang!
1. Diverse book about an immigrant by an immigrant.
2. Boldly confronts racism toward Blacks by community and police.
3. Honest look at child..."

You are spot on. Kids will actually enjoy Front Desk. It is also incredibly well written. I work for a major bookstore in NY. My days and nights are spent reading, promoting, hand-selling and merchandising children's books. Front Desk hasn't been heavily promoted by the publisher. This one deserves it. I am asking fellow booksellers, librarians, teachers, parents, whoever is in this group and involved with children/literature in some way, to promote and recommend Front Desk. The kids deserve a high quality, enjoyable children's book. We are the people who can bring it to them.

My assistant principal and I are hosting a summer family book club for students and their parents in August, and Front Desk is the title we will be discussing.

Loved Front Desk. Written in an authentic voice raising valid issues/concerns/struggles from a child‘s untainted perspective. Powerful messages, subtly revealed. A worthwhile read as well as a Newbery contender.

Melanie wrote: "My assistant principal and I are hosting a summer family book club for students and their parents in August, and Front Desk is the title we will be discussing."

How wonderful! Thrilled to hear it!

I really enjoyed Front Desk. I thought it brought up some often overlooked issues of immigration, poverty, and class. I thought it handled these issues really well for the young audience. I can definitely see this book being a very good "window" and especially "mirror." However... I was disappointed with the ending. I think it felt too idealistic, even for a children's book. I'm still getting a feel for the type of books that win Newbery awards, so I'm not sure I can speak to its Newbery potential very well.

I rarely take the time to finish a book if I reach a point where I realize that I'm not going to write positively about it. I was so excited by FRONT DESK that, halfway through, I let a tween reader buddy across the country know that he should read it. (He loved it.) I eagerly finished it, myself. But I was really disappointed by the ending. I need to be persuaded that the ending makes sense: People send thousands of dollars to make Mia's dream come true without the involvement of contracts or lawyers. Tell me why I should buy this happy ending.

Agreed! Believability was an issue all the way through for me. The too-perfect ending removed this from my school Newbery club reading list.

We have to look at it from a child's point of view. The book is written with a child in mind unlike so many former award winners. That fact thrills me to no end.

I really liked Kelly Yang's response on Twitter about the ending of Front Desk. https://twitter.com/kellyyanghk/statu...
I love this book for the honest, spirited voice and the opportunity to see a way of life so different from my own.

I liked the happy ending and her response was great. Kids know "real life" doesn't always work out- but isn't a book the perfect place to read about one that does? Where the good guys win? What would have been the point if everything fell apart, none of her plans worked and all the good guys lost? I really enjoyed the book. It hit many current issues but I never felt it was the point of the book. (Which I have in a number of recent books- ) I don't know if I would say Newbery, but very worth any kid's time.

Richie wrote: “I was really disappointed by the ending. I need to be persuaded that the ending makes sense.”

In this era of crowd-funding, I find the ending completely believable.

Kate wrote: "Richie wrote: “I was really disappointed by the ending. I need to be persuaded that the ending makes sense.”

In this era of crowd-funding, I find the ending completely believable."

I think the children will love it. Hope it gets an honor or better.

I really like her response about the ending. It's redeeming. I don't like the ending myself, but I respect it and it is good for children. I will definitely be recommending this book.

Thanks for all this discussion and being a half full glass teacher, the ending is what I want kids to experience. Also thumbs up to Richie whose reviews and discussions always make reading these threads thought promoting.

Love this discussion and loved the ending. It is tiresome seeing the good guys lose time and again. Crowd funding could certainly allow this ending to exist. If we rob our children of hope that the good guys can win, how will they go out there and be the good guys?

Wow, what a great story. Mia is a strong character that many immigrant children can receive inspiration from as well as someone to commiserate with. The book is full of wonderful characters: Mia's parents who provide a look at parents who sacrifice to provide a better future for their children. the weeklies and their amazing bonds with each other, the bullies, and those who treated immigrants and minorities poorly (while I did not like them, they portrayed an accurate look at those who are ignorant to immigrants and minorities). The story made me laugh, made me ache for Mia's comfort, and made me fearful for Mia's family. I really enjoyed reading about the author at the end of the story. This book offers so much to all children to understand what immigrants endure coming to America. I feel this stands a good chance for a Newbery!

Pam wrote: "Wow, what a great story. Mia is a strong character that many immigrant children can receive inspiration from as well as someone to commiserate with. The book is full of wonderful characters: Mia's ..."

I completely love it as well!

I thoroughly enjoyed this story. I was rooting for Mia and her parents every step of the way. I found the relation between them and Mr. Yao interesting. I also loved the inclusion of other cultures; Mexican and African American. I loved the ending. I loved the writing. I felt Kelly Yang did an amazing job tapping into the mind and thought process of a 5th grader. When Mia and her dad were talking about the $40,000 penny all Mia could think of was the amount of Honey Nut Cheerios she could buy.
Yang also did an amazing job unfolding the friendship between Mia and Lupe.
I definitely feel this book is a strong contender. I think it's a great contribution to children's literature.

I enjoyed Front Desk by Kelly Yang! It was an easy, yet entertaining read kids will pick up and enjoy!! Moreover, it included a lot of great issues and topics. However, personally, I thought the ending was a little too “perfect” …, and I cannot decide if this is a good thing or a bad thing. Unfortunately, while I liked it a lot, I do not see it receiving Newbery recognition. However, if it did, I would not mind!

I enjoyed Front Desk by Kelly Yang! It was an easy, yet entertaining read kids will pick up and enjoy!! Moreover, it included a lot of great issues and topics. However, personally, I thought the ending was a little too “perfect” …, and I cannot decide if this is a good thing or a bad thing. Unfortunately, while I liked it a lot, I do not see it receiving Newbery recognition. However, if it did, I would not mind!

Mia is the best character I have read about since Ada is “The War That Saved My Life”

Yes! I love such resourceful characters. Neither really felt she had an adult to go to for answers, so reached inside themselves and found a solution to what was happening. Bit by bit.

I read it by accident! I was going to return my copy to the library because I didn't fit it in during July. I said, well, I'll check out just a few pages so I know whether I'll want to come back to it someday. I got into it right away and finished it today.

I appreciate Yang's sense of hook and pacing. She gives the story urgency right from the first chapter by introducing the topics of unfairness and poverty. She keeps the story clipping along with lots of little obstacles and puzzles for Mia to solve.

Way too many MG books, such as Hello, Universe, are made up of meandering chapters and plots that don't appear until after 30 pages or so of exposition. The tightness of Yang's craft made the 286 pages seem faster.

I agree that the ending was too Hollywood. I would have liked to see a more plausible happy ending. True, some students don't care about plausible endings, but there are some who will feel cheated by a "fake" happy ending.

I would love to see this book pick up some awards this year. I still prefer Harbor Me for the Newbery Medal, though.

Digressing from this book to say I agree about Hello Universe. I book talked it to my students, but not good enough, in my mind, to add to my Battle of the Books.

I can’t seem to find the Watch List... again. I’d like to suggest Float by Laura Martin

The 2019 Mock Newbery Watch List is in the general folder:

https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

I finally got the chance to read this one. It is worthy of recognition but I’m not sure if it is a Newbery contender. I loved it and do plan to have a copy in my school library soon. Great story!

Such a delightful book. I love the voice of the main character. She is so genuine and kind in the midst of difficult circumstances- a character kids can model after. Her tenacity was my favorite trait. Keeping at problem solving without hurting other people- refreshing given our current culture. I also liked how it all fit together without having token characters. I felt that is what happened with last year's winner. Great themes, writing- the whole package- I agree- this is a book kids will read at all reading levels. A strong contender!

Shella wrote: "Such a delightful book. I love the voice of the main character. She is so genuine and kind in the midst of difficult circumstances- a character kids can model after. Her tenacity was my favorite tr..."

I'm enjoying your comments, Shella. I was also underwhelmed by last year's winner, and I think this one has much more potential.

Came out on Tuesday on audio and I was so happy! Finally got to read! I loved this! https://revingsblog.blogspot.com/2018...