Mock Newbery 2026 discussion

We have our Mock Newbery totals

Mock Newbery Award goes to:
Front Desk by Kelly Yang With 68 points!

Here is how the other titles ranked:

Sweep: The Story of a Girl and Her Monster by Jonathan Auxier... 66
The Truth as Told by Mason Buttle by Leslie Connor... 59
The Parker Inheritance by Varian Johnson... 42
Louisiana's Way Home by Kate DiCamillo... 41
The Night Diary by Veera Hiranandani... 37
The Journey of Little Charlie by Christopher Paul Curtis... 35
The Miscalculations of Lightning Girl by Stacy McAnulty... 34
Ghost Boys by Jewell Parker Rhodes... 31
Until Tomorrow, Mr. Marsworth by Sheila O'Connor... 15

Do you agree with our choice? Is it distinguished?

Do you think the Newbery committee will give Front Desk an award?

How many Honors would you give?

I am happy with the choice. I would like to give 3 honors. From this list I would choose The Miscalculations of Lightning Girl, The Truth as Told by Mason Buttle and Sweep. I wish The Season of Styx Malone made it to this list. It is a fantastic book.

I think that there is such a drop from the 3rd and fourth titles that Sweep and Mason Buttle should be the only honors.

I did not vote for Front Desk, but really like the book. I gave it 5 stars. I think if this book actually won the Newbery, the majority of the public would be ecstatic about the winner. I would even if my favorite didn’t win. I think Sweep and Little Charlie should be our honors.

I meant Sweep and Mason Buttle should be our honors.

Sweep and Mason should receive honors.

Agree that Sweep and Mason Buttle should be honors; there is a steep dropoff after that. FYI, in RI, Mason Buttle was our winner, with Sweep and Lousiana's Way Home as honors.

I think that Front Desk is very good, but I personally think that The Parker Inheritance deserves the medal with Front Desk, Until Tomorrow Mr. Marsworth, and Where The Watermelons Grow by Cindy Bladwin as Honors.

I would be so happy if Front Desk wins! It is definitely the type of book all students should read. The action along with the heart are fantastic. @kellyyang is great about responding too! Does anyone know how to let her know she won our poll:)

How does the honor selection work with the committee? I thought I had read earlier that the honor books had to have so many points close to the winning title, but I can't find it now. Six of our ten titles are so close and that is why I suggested Sweep and Mason- not necessarily my preference- just because those 2 had significant votes from the rest of the titles. I'm happy with Front Desk- the protagonist is wonderfully developed- I understand why the author had a happy ending (thanks to the person that posted the link to explain it). The story was not agenda driven and showed "good" and "bad people of all races. I gave it a 5 star- just wasn't the most distinguished for me of the 2018 books that I read. Glad to see it is a four dollar book in Scholastic orders so if it does win- will be easy to get into kid's hands for a teacher like me that can only use classroom points to order books. I would be pleased to see any of our top 3 titles take the win.

I didn't vote in round 2 because I wanted to read Mason Buttle, since it was getting so much late love. My top 3 would be Until Tomorrow, Mr. Marsworth - The Truth as Told by Mason Buttle - The Parker Inheritance. I'm planning to go to the YMA on next Monday, can't wait to see!

Karen wrote: "I didn't vote in round 2 because I wanted to read Mason Buttle, since it was getting so much late love. My top 3 would be Until Tomorrow, Mr. Marsworth - The Truth as Told by Mason Buttle - The Par..."

You are so lucky! Have a great time!

Each committee is given the option to determine how many honor books to choose. In my experience, on one Newbery and two Caldecott Committees, there seemed to be an obvious separation in point totals between book #2 through #4 or #5, so this maybe why sometimes three or four honors are named. The cream does seem to rise to the top when 15 people share their perspectives.

Could someone post a link that would show the announcement live?

http://ala.unikron.com/?fbclid=IwAR01...

I will be there in the morning. Anyone else on this list? I will be happy to share reactions from the room. It is somewhat hard to tell on the broadcast other than cheering.

That would be wonderful- any buzz that you have heard since you have been there?

Susie wrote: "I will be there in the morning. Anyone else on this list? I will be happy to share reactions from the room. It is somewhat hard to tell on the broadcast other than cheering."

That would be terrific! It would be great if the awards were televised on booktv etc. The webcast only shows the presenters. I am always curious about who is in the audience and their reactions to the winners.

http://ala.unikron.com/

Please share. I would love to be in attendance.

Shella wrote: "That would be wonderful- any buzz that you have heard since you have been there?"
I have not really heard that much, but so much of Midwinter is different committee meetings, and the award committees are sequestered away each day.

I did not mean officially- just other avid readers like in our group. Thanks so much for sharing your experience.

Shella-I understand what you mean. It seems like people have been so busy snatching up ARCs in the exhibit hall that I haven't heard much talk about the YMAs!

I am finally reading Sweep and boy do I love it!!!

I loved it, too. Great blend of historical fiction and mild fantasy. My students will love it. Making it a Battle book next year!