Mock Newbery 2026 discussion

What's the rule on eligibility for a ex-pat? Anybody know? I know Ness was born in ... Virginia, I think, but he's been living in London for quite a while. Isn't this the same set of circumstances under which Neil Gaiman operates (American-born, England-based?) Because I just finished A Monster Calls and it is so far above and beyond any other middle-grade book in excellence I've read this year that I would be really disappointed if it wasn't eligible for Newbery consideration.

It depends whether Ness has retained his American citizenship. To be eligible for Newbery consideration an author needs to be an American citizen or a permanent resident of the US. I adored Ness's Chaos Walking series for teens. I'm looking forward to reading this one.

It is completely different than the Chaos Walking books but equally well done.