Mock Newbery 2026 discussion

Junonia has had some pretty mixed reviews. What did you think of it?

I am a huge fan of Junonia and Kevin Henkes in general.

Kevin Henkes has a remarkable ability to write like a child in the 1st person, but have poetic prose at the same time. I can picture Alice- a fun loving, spunky 10 year old who is creative and all around friendly. I know Alice is like this based on the voice that Kevin give her. Although filled with figurative language, it is used a way that a 10 year old, so Alice never lost her voice AND the descriptions are so perfect, you can picture yourself there with Alice. The similes throughout the book are such pieces of beauty: clouds like shredded rages; fire like a snarl of orange scarves caught in a frantic wind; toenails think and yellow like jingle shells.

This book would be a great summery read aloud for upper elementary school students and specifically those here in Florida, often visit a beach, or are studying a shell unit.

This is my review about the book just after I finished it: "This is the book you don't want to read when you are feeling a little depressed. It is a sweet, peaceful book about disappointment."

Since then, I have let the book sit a bit in my mind and I might rate it slightly more favorably. I gave it 3 stars. I might bump that up to 3 1/2 or 4 now. The reason: the fascination with the different types of shells has stayed with me. My adult book group read Tracy Chevalier's Remarkable Creatures (and enjoyed it immensely) and now I am thinking that a girl, who is fascinated by different shells makes the book more worthy. She is also an interesting observer of different grownups.

Eh, this one didn't move me. I had problems with Okay for Now but in many ways I become extra-critical of its flaws because the book was otherwise so strong that I was disappointed that it didn't transcend into fabulous. With Junonia, I was just disappointed. I like Kevin Henkes as a writer (Olive's Ocean is amazing) and I was not expecting something so....bland.

I feel like this is the kind of book that reviewers like to call "quiet" or "thoughtful" or "for a special kind of reader" and it is all of those things, but not in a manner that I found interesting or compelling. Nothing really happens, and there are no true resolutions. I kept waiting for the book to build to some sort of climax, and it never really did (for me at least. I suppose the climax is supposed to be the false junonia shell? Or finding the spoon maybe? I'm not even sure what the climax was supposed to be.)

This was a good book, don't get me wrong. I enjoyed reading it. I identified with Alice and felt comfortable with her voice. I just didn't care very much.

I like LauraW's assessment that it's a "sweet, peaceful book about disappointment." That's a perfect description of the book, and also a good description of my reaction to it: peacefully disappointed. When Okay for Now disappointed me, I was angry because I wanted it to be a better book. With this one, I just sort of shrugged, closed the cover, and wandered off.

Absolutely beautiful insight into the emotional experiences of children. Once again, Henkes presents adults and children in a realistic narrative of their lives, this time centered around the birthday of Alice, who is turning 10. There is so much honesty and insight in this story about the natural self-centeredness of children, about development and developing self awareness, about the impact of parenting, and of how adults relate to children depending on relationship and their own stage in the aging process. The coming and going of emotional states is metaphorically portrayed in the naturally changing setting: the oceanside. The lapping of the waves, the deposit of natural treasures on the shoreline, the subtle waming and cooling breezes lace the story harmoniously as symbols of ever changing landscape of human feelings.

Like other novels by Henkes, this one may be more appreciated by adults than children. Excellent discussion about what is means to grow-up could spring from this book.

Agree with Laura W and Ann... Sweet book for a special reader but don't think it will appeal to the masses. Definitely was a "girl" book. I enjoyed it but it has little action. It does make me wonder about the relationships of the characters. I cared about them, but am not sure how kids might relate to all that I see the story from a different perspective of being a parent, grandparent, aunt, little girl.

I was fascinated by the info about junonia shells. It spring boarded me into doing a bit of research on the shells. Hopefully it will do the same for kids.

I loved the book, but I don't think it will be on any Newbery list.

This book is long on disappointment. I don't see it as a great book to recommend for reluctant readers or for most children as they like action and this book has little. Henkes does a remarkable job as others have noted on exploring and explaining how children feel as well as adults and grandparents.

I found the main character self-centered and spoiled. Without any action in the book to spur the development of more redeeming traits I was happy to leave this particular overindulged character.

Kellee wrote:

Kevin Henkes has a remarkable ability to write like a child in the 1st person, but have poetic prose at the same time."

I wrote pretty much this exact thing in my review. I, like others, found Alice to be a bit selfish at the beginning of the book, but as it progressed I felt that it wasn't so much that she is selfish, but she's 10, and a bit ego-centric in the way that all kids are. Empathy is a trait that is learned, and to me, that is much what this book is about - Alice learning about other peoples issues and figuring out to a small extent that her issues aren't always the ones that are most important. I also agree with Laura that it is largely a book about dealing with disappointment.
I am having a hard time deciding if I think Junonia is a Newbery contender, so I revisited the criteria. To me it fits the criteria well (strong theme, great characters and setting), although I can see the argument that it isn't the greatest plot. As Ann said, she wasn't sure what the climax is. I kept waiting for something "bigger" to happen as well - a broken arm, or a scare at the beach while alone - and it never came, but when it was all said and done, I felt the climax (which I felt was the false Junonia shell) fit with the overall telling of the story and any larger, more exciting, events would have contradicted the rest of the story. Sooo, I guess I'm saying that I do feel this is a Newbery contender, although not a strong one, and it could easily get pushed out of the ring by something else.

I agree that Junonia is distinguished in the areas of character and theme (especially theme!), and I would add style to that as well. Perhaps not plot, but I don't think it's intended to be a plot-driven book.

Personally, I'm glad that there was no larger than life climax to drive home the message. Henkes writes so masterfully about inner transformation, and he leaves so much unsaid. Beautiful, multi-layered book. I hope the committee gives it a nod.

I too have recently re-read the Newbery criteria and feel that Junonia is a strong contender for a Newbery Award. For one, throughout the book the writing is consistenly
beautiful. It has a simplicity and lull that is very harmonious with the ocean setting. The plot does not have a stormy center and for me that was appropriate for the story. It was just a short time, a birthday time, for an ordinary sort of child who has lots of feelings, all of which were normal for a ten year old. Like the coming and going of tides, the plot of Junonia unfolds with occasional splashes and beach combing gems. Overall the reader is left with a nice stretch of resolution. I don’t think writing for children has to feed popular demand for excitement, drama or a huge happening. That is what I love about Henkes’ fiction – he is true to himself as a writer and person and shares his insight and talent generously. This is what I tell kids about him – he really understands people from the inside and can show that in writing. In writing for children. It is a rare gift.

I can say a lot more about this book … should I go on.? I could go on and on about the ocean and the pictures of the impact of parenting shared in this book. Much is subtle, but there is much.

Fewer words may be better.

Subtle beauty
Salty emotions
Seniors show their colors
Children can be stingy, but also learn to give.
Nature inspires.

I read this one as a galley back in April. I read these glowing reviews and wonder what I missed. Here is the review I wrote in April:

First, let me start out by saying I love Kevin Henkes picture books. I had never read one of his longer works, so I looked forward to this one, the story of a young girl's yearly trip to the ocean with her family. Unfortunately, I was bored to tears. None of the lightness and humor that accomponies Henkes shorter works was in this one. It was very boring, and I would be hard-pressed to find a reader for this one in my library, as I think others would be, too. Perhaps there is a young girl who likes books without excitement, humor, or endearing characters, but I don't care to find her. I have no doubt there will be some adults who read this one and will appreciate the storytelling or the descriptive writing, but I dare someone to show me the child who enjoys it.

Henkes is long on description here - and, yes, they are beautiful. But this isn't going to appeal to my average reader. Knowing that the Newbery panel often seems to forget to take children's tastes into account, however, it probably has an excellant shot.

Karen wrote: "Knowing that the Newbery panel often seems to forget to take children's tastes into account, however, it probably has an excellant shot. "

I agree.

I'm almost done with this one and really enjoying - like others, I think the setting, characters and language make it stand out. I'm relishing the fact that the plot centers around details - that it's the little shifts in mood and circumstances that have such a great effect on Alice. To me, Henkes really gets the essence of being a kid, and I don't think Alice is any more selfish or self-centered than anyone her age.

Sure, this won't have a wide appeal with kids, and yes, that does make it seem very typically Newbery-ish, but I'm a firm believer that the Newbery is NOT about wide appeal. It's a plus when the books do have wide appeal, but it's not part of the criteria.

I do agree with Karen that more of Henkes characteristic humor would have lightened the book a little and not sacrificed any of the other themes.

I thought it was a sweet and lovely book, but probably not a Newbery contender.

I agree with a lot of what Andrea says above. Isn't part of the Newbery criteria that the book is written for an audience age 14 and below? I understand it is not necessary to be popular or full of action. But reading about the emotions and thought processes of a 10 year old girl seems more to be for the audience of parents who identify these very real and descriptive feelings. However, I have to agree that the beautiful writing and realistic characters fit the other Newbery criteria.

How was Kevin Henkes able to create such a realistic 9-year-old girl? I'm thinking that the more I think and write about this book, the more stars I'll give it. I think it's got a lot of layers to it that aren't immediately apparent. This book won't be for every kid, but I think it will be very special for just the right reader. The cover is GORGEOUS, and I love the whole craftsmanship of the book itself. I also see glimpses of Chrysanthemum and Lily in Alice, which make her so endearing: the flashes of anger, jealousy, insecurity, lovableness, forgiveness, insight, triumph - all wrapped up in a little girl. It's a quiet, resonating story. I don't think it should necessarily win the Newbery, but I think it definitely belongs in a classroom library.

Hi!

I am a big fan of Henkes and was pleased with this book. I agree with Andrea's and Holly's comments although I can understand those who think kids won't like it. No doubt about it -- this is a quiet book. But not all kids need adventure and wild stories. Junonia presents a small slice of what seems to be a real child's life. Nothing earth shattering happens, yet Alice grows and learns during those few special days. As far as Alice being spoiled -- she is obviously a child who has a lot of advantages. Most of Henkes' books feature children from families who can afford trips, birthday rooms, etc. Yet, I feel that his main characters almost always are contemplative kids, trying to understand the adults in their lives, attempting to fathom life itself. Children who are like Alice, and I believe there are quite a few out there, will appreciate Junonia -- and I hope the Newbery committee does too.

I just "kid-tested" Junonia this week. The fifth grade girl I gave it to loved it! That's always the ultimate test!

I loved it...but don't think it will be a contender. I gave it to one of my favorite patrons, a home schooled 11 year old girl who is an avid reader and I will be interested to see if she likes it. I suspect adults will appreciate Henkes more than kids.

It is hard to describe the book to children in a way that will interest them in checking it out, unless of course they are avid readers and will take anything a librarian hands them.

Overall, I enjoyed Junonia. It is a slow, quiet, well written book, but I am just not sure how wide of an audience it will have. The readers that enjoy Penderwicks maybe and those types of sweet reads may go for it, but otherwise I think a lot of kids will find it a yawner.

Holly wrote: "I just "kid-tested" Junonia this week. The fifth grade girl I gave it to loved it! That's always the ultimate test!"
I am seeing the same response with the students that are reading it. The ultimate test. I am so pleased that a quiet book like this can still appeal to kids.