Mock Newbery 2026 discussion

Linda Sue Park won the Newbery before. Could Prairie Lotus give her another Newbery?

What did you think of it?

I'm a historical fiction fan...I liked this one. It's a westward expansion story the kids can identify with. I won't say it knocked my socks off, but it was very readable. It's a stand out in the category of "Little House" type novels, but I wouldn't characterize it as extraordinary overall. It's a new and needed perspective and a nice alternative to the Wilder books. There's some school bullying, a little sexual harassment, marginalizing of other but also acceptance, hard work and connection.

In PRAIRIE LOTUS, Linda Sue Park undertakes a daunting task. She re-imagines the Dakota Territory of the LITTLE HOUSE books with contemporary perspectives. She incorporates ethnic racism, displacement of Native Americans and sexual harassment that blames the victim.
This story of multi-racial Hanna presents a sad tale of one child facing discrimination and ostracism as a result of her ethnic heritage. A few characters demonstrate bravery by defying the bigotry of the majority. The compromises that are made by adults are not satisfying to Hanna’s sense of what is fair.
This title provides additional perspectives for adults who are currently sharing Wilder’s books with children. Does it have sufficient plot, setting and character development to be considered on its own merits?

Great book. So far, it’s my favorite middle-grade read published this year. Echo Mountain was a great read also, but I felt that Echo Mountain would lose many of my middle-grade readers. Whereas, this book would hold their attention for the duration of the book.

I struggled getting through this book. I typically live Linda Sue Park’s books; this one seemed too contrived and inconceivable for me to wrap my head around. Wonder if I’m alone in this? I stopped about 1/2 way through and gave it to my daughter to read.... her response was “Meh”. (At least she & I have similar tastes. Ha!)

I really enjoyed reading it but it was no Long Walk to Water or A Single Shard.

This is a different viewpoint to the Little House on the Prairie. Short, sweet story. I feel like Linda Sue Park wrote it for those kids who like that series but wanted to point out some flaws in those books that you wouldn't get away with if they were written now. It was a burr in her bonnett. Not a Newbery.

I agree with everyone who said it’s not distinguished enough for Newbery. I appreciated the multicultural approach to a prairie story, fighting back against the stereotypes from the time, but I didn’t feel like the writing or character development were exemplary.

I’m in agreement with pretty much everyone else. I liked it more than I thought I would, a Little House style with an enlightened awareness—just as the author says she intended. I thought BLACK BROTHER, BLACK BROTHER, HERE IN THE REAL WORLD, A HOME FOR GODDESSES AND DOGS and PARKED all had more highly developed characters and tighter plots.

I am always a fan of historical fiction and of Linda Sue Park---but as everyone has already said, this is not a Newbery level story---while I appreciated her notes at the end that explained her rational for writing the story, this book will become a good example of why authors should tell a story, not teach a point. I think a wonderful writer who is telling exciting stories from the Chineses/American perspective in history is Stacey Lee. Her 'Under a Painted Sky' is a big winner for me as well as her more recent 'Downstairs Girl'. More on the YA level than middle grade though.

It took several chapters for me to really get invested in Prairie Lotus by Linda Sue Park.

Overall, I liked it well enough, but it didn't feel "award winning" to me...

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4...

I was disappointed in this book- I had hoped it would have more history. It is good, but I also agree- not distinguished.

I loved parts of this book. I love Linda Sue Park. I don't want to be a biased reviewer, but I declare up front I'm white. Like Park, I also loved the Little House books.

I wanted more dimension from the secondary characters in this book. Why was Hanna's father so cold and angry? Her relationship with him was mostly sad, and I wanted that to develop or to be acknowledged in a way that young readers could identify with and register for making useful changes in their own parental relationships.

Hanna seemed to ponder some things like hiding her face in her bonnet for pages and pages, but other important topics like the assault felt short-shifted and unexplored. Again, I wanted to know more about these two-dimensional characters that assaulted her. I think readers needed to see more justice on this topic in order to make this Newbery-worthy.

I loved this book, and I gave it five stars. I will recommend it without reservation to my middle school readers at my library. The book has not just provided a window for readers to see through, it has opened a window so they can feel the breeze and it lets the acrid odor of racism in for all to smell.

The cover and room for stickers on the book jacket is never part of the consideration for Newbery. The cover may be a bonus to draw in readers, but has nothing to do with this award.

I'm surprised that no one in the group who posted before me feels this book is Newbery-worthy. I loved it! I thought it was engrossing and the characters were well fleshed out. I'm not normally a big fan of historical fiction, but this one was great in my opinion.

Hi Julie,
I did not post but loved this story and have been selling it at the bookstore. Great characters and a unique look at history!

I so totally agree with Julie about Prairie Lotus! I think it's really well done. Definitely distinguished in many ways. Setting, characters, plot. This was a deep dive for children into what it was like to be different back then and the incredible prejudice they endured. I absolutely loved it.

I also enjoyed the book. I am not sure it is a Newberry book this year but it was well done.