Mock Newbery 2026 discussion

It's our light reading month to celebrate the start of summer!

Dan Santat takes his talent in illustration with his new book The Aquanaut: A Graphic Novel.

Is it distinguished? Do you think graphic novels are worthy of Newbery awards?

My review: I have greatly admired Dan Santat's artistic style for several years. Ten years in the making, this graphic novel is an excellent example of his artistry. A couple of octopuses, a hermit crab, and a sea turtle manage to repurpose a retro diving suit and drive it onto dry land (which they call space) in order to escape the dangers of the ocean. They meet up with a young girl, Sophia, who needs a science-fair project, and things get weirder from there on. This is a fun and fast-paced story, pitting money-hungry investors against those who value ocean creatures.

I would be very happy if this book was recognized with a Newbery award or honor.

I don't love graphic novels for Newbery, but if I were to pick one for this year it would be LITTLE MONARCHS by Jonathan Case. I think it is more distinguish than The Aquanaut.

The Aquanaut by Dan Santat is certainly a unique story and the graphic novel format works perfectly for it. I think it's worthy of recognition as a graphic novel published this year. Maybe it's not quite as distinguished as a Newbery should be, but it is worth your time to read and enjoy.

For those that love graphic novels, this will be a very popular title. Teachers should be reading it as I expect it to be quite popular for graphic novel enthusiasts. I did appreciate how the graphics and the theme of the story. I too thought the plot went off the rails and became too strange to be distinguished. As a teacher, I would point out to students how long it took the author to write this book and what he did to overcome the hurdles he was facing. Many students at upper elementary think writing is a first draft and that is all there is to it. If we could take only the words out and examine those- I don't think this book would fair well as distinguished. I spoke to a Newbery committee member and that person explained when evaluating books with high picture content, the words are taken out and then judged. If this is done with most graphic novels, I don't understand how they are considered for Newbery. A good graphic novel uses the graphics as much as the words to drive the story. So the criteria: "The committee is to make its decision primarily on the text." to me would eliminate many picture heavy books from Newbery recognition. I know this is probably an unpopular interpretation, but I go back to this criteria as well as the criteria: "The award is not for didactic intent or for popularity." Both of these statements seem to be weakening. Is there an award for only children's graphic novels? With the uniqueness of the graphic novel, I would be very much in favor of the creation of one or promoting it more if one exists. I am disappointed this was the only choice this month. I am not seeing the link to the poll to refer to other books that have been suggested- is it still available?

The Eisner Award (https://www.comic-con.org/awards/eisn... ) given out by Comic-Con International has a category for Best Publication for Kids. El Deafo by Cece Bell, which received a Newbery Honor, won the Eisner for Kids. New Kid by Jerry Craft, which won the Newbery Medal, was a nominee for the Eisner for Kids.
Librarians interested in identifying award winning graphic novels may find relevant titles among these awards.

The ALA should have created a separate award for graphic novels years ago. I truly don't understand their hesitancy. The graphic novel isn't a fad or trend. Its writers/artists are often extraordinary. The graphic novel is usually given a separate area in bookstores and libraries. Booksellers, librarians and publishers all seem to consider it a separate category. Graphic novels for children should have its own distinguished award. Perhaps some reluctant parents, teachers etc. would take this book form seriously if more than just a very fortunate occasional graphic novel winner won an ALA award.

THE AQUANAUT by Dan Santat begins with the sad and tragic drowning of Michel Revoy. Daughter Sophia is left in the care of the grief-stricken brother. In this graphic novel a group of sea animals use a diving suit to travel to a marine amusement park in San Diego, where Sophia and her uncle live.
Shella wrote: “If we could take only the words out and examine those — I don’t think this book would fare well as distinguished.”
I agree that the story would not make sense without the illustrations of the endangered marine creatures and the diver’s suit they inhabit. Large sections of the story are told with no text at all.
Although I think this makes it an unlikely Newbery winner, the graphic novel format is ideal for this story.

I thought this was a fun unique book but I'm not sure it's Newbery worthy. I think this is the kind of book kids will love but awards comitys won't favor. Overall fun quick read.

Cute story but not Newbery worthy

Quick read, interesting concept, fun illustrations. Not Newbery worthy imo.

This is a fast pace mysterious adventure that readers need to read carefully, to grasp the subtle messages in the pictures and plots. Dan Santat's illustrations are outstanding! Those who love sophisticated adventures about underwater explorations involving sea creatures will be inspired to learn more, after studying Santat's meticulous back matter. This tale involves a subplot, about a niece named Sophia, whose life revolves around Aqualand. I did find the story somewhat confusing because of the changes in setting and meandering twists and turns in this tale.

I'm glad to see that this book is being discussed. I looked at it initially because I wanted to see how Santat would approach longer narrative titles after his picture books and early readers. The illustrations are outstanding, and certainly carry the action. I don't know if the writing itself and by itself is Newbery-worthy but I now want to look at it again.

The plot did not really come together for me and the resolution was anticlimactic.

My 10yo voraciously reads graphic novels but wanted nothing to do with this one.

Dan Santat is one of today's best and most prolific children's book illustrators. I have been a fan of his picture book work for years. It is clear Santat put a lot of effort in The Aquanaut. I really couldn't get into it, however and firmly believe there should be a new ALA award category for graphic novels. I do think Santat has a great chance at winning a Caldecott for the picture book Endlessly Ever After by Laurel Snyder. Check it out, folks. It's terrific!

I have a soft spot for Dan Santat, and I know this novel came from a place of love. That being said, it wasn't my favorite of his books. I've noticed a trend of books with an environmental or justice theme, which I appreciate as a teacher, since I encourage my students to research topics related to justice. I thought of The Aquanaut while visiting Sea World this month. Yikes. I don't think it's a Newbery title, but I do think it will be a hit in my class this fall.

I love Santat's work, and The Aquanaut is no exception, but I don't feel it is Newbery worthy.