Mock Newbery 2026 discussion

Voting is complete!

Our Mock Newbery award goes to:


Echo Mountain by Lauren Wolk

With Mock Honor awards to:


Fighting Words by Kimberly BrubakerBradley


When Stars Are Scattered by Victoria Jamieson nd Omar Mohamed


What do you think the Newbery committee will choose?

Fighting Words is such an important book. I hope it is recognized with the Gold medal. The prominence of the award will make the book more readily available. Fighting Words should inspire discussions about childhood sexual abuse world wide. Maybe even preventing or saving a child from abuse.

Hi Kristen, thanks for doing this every year! Do you contact the authors that won about the results?

Thanks for doing this Kristen. I just loved Echo Mountain.

For those yet to read Fighting Words the audio version is fantastic!

Thank you Kristen! I love reading the books all year and reading others' thoughts of them. It makes next Monday all that more exciting!

I think the Newbery Committtee will not choose Fighting Words because I am cursed and they never pick my favorite.

Travis wrote: "Hi Kristen, thanks for doing this every year! Do you contact the authors that won about the results?"


Hi Travis,
That's a good idea. No, I've never contacted them. Hopefully they know we love their books!

Pam wrote: "Thank you Kristen! I love reading the books all year and reading others' thoughts of them. It makes next Monday all that more exciting!"

It's does make it more exciting. I can't wait for Monday.

Thanks for this group! It's been great! I'm a new school librarian and just did a Mock Newbery with my 4th graders. They chose "A Wish in the Dark" as our winner, with honors to "When Stars are Scattered" and "King and the Dragonflies."

Thank you for hosting the Mock Newbery group.I really enjoyed the interaction amongst this group of readers, and everyone's opinions. My favorite is still From the Desk of Zoe Washington, but all of the title were inspiring and thought provoking.

It was definitely fun reading everyone's thoughts and opinions. I love when ppl are so passionate about books! Especially books for children!

I'm sorry to be such a lurker in this group, but I'm so very thankful for your collective wisdom and for the reading inspiration you give me. Great choices this year!

Gina wrote: "I'm sorry to be such a lurker in this group, but I'm so very thankful for your collective wisdom and for the reading inspiration you give me. Great choices this year!"

I couldn't agree more Gina! I enjoy reading what this group has to say.