2019 Heavy Medal: June Suggestions
It’s time for June Mock Newbery suggestions from our readers.
Please suggest:
- books that you think could be possible Newbery contenders.
- only eligible books. Check the Terms and Criteria for details. Basic rules: written by an American citizen/resident; original work; published in the US, in 2018, for children up to age 14.
- 1 to 5 titles: title/author, no justification needed.
- only books that have been published.
- only books that you have read.
- a book that you believe could be a contender even if it has already been suggested by someone else.
- only books that you haven’t already suggested.
The suggestions are due on June 6th. On the 7th (or shortly after) we’ll post a cumulated list.
Filed under: Process

About Steven Engelfried
Steven Engelfried retired from full-time library work a couple years ago and now works as a part-time Youth Librarian at the West Linn Public Library in Oregon. He served on the 2010 Newbery committee, chaired the 2013 Newbery Committee, and also served on the 2002 Caldecott committee. You can reach him at sengelfried@yahoo.com.
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The Penderwicks at Last, by Jane Penderwick (aka Jeanne Birdsall)
Boots on the Ground: America’s War in Vietnam, by Elizabeth Partridge
Thunderhead by Neal Shusterman
Ghost Boys by Jewell Parker Rhodes
The Parker Inheritance by Varian Johnson
Hope in the Holler by Lisa Lewis Tyre. I have not yet read a children’s book that explores so beautifully and painfully the different types of poverty that currently afflict children, nor the struggles of the Appalachian people who still live back in the hollers.
A Problematic Paradox by Eliot Sappingfield
The Penderwicks at Last by Jeanne Birdsall
Rebound by Kwame Alexander
Give Me Some Truth by Eric Gansworth
PENDERWICKS AT LAST
REBOUND
(and if Roxanne is putting it in, I will follow)
THUNDERHEAD
Oops, I already nominated REBOUND.
Let’s go with: THE LAST by Katherine Applegate.
I’m awash in series titles.
CHECKED by Cynthia Kadohata
Bob by wendy mass & rebecca stead
Be Prepared by Vera Brosgol
Boots on the Ground by Elizabeth Partridge
The Last by Katherine Applegate
Boots on the Ground: America’s War in Vietnam
Be Prepared
these have probably already been suggested, but they made me sigh with delight when I finished them!
Parker Inheritance / Varian Johnson.
The Heart and Mind of Frances Pauley / April Stevens
The Miscalculations of Lightning Girl / Stacey McAnulty
The Mad Wolf’s Daughter / Diane Magras
Like Vanessa / Tami Charles
Love by Matt de la Pena
They Say Blue by Jillian Tamaki
Be Prepared by Vera Brosgol
THE PENDERWICKS AT LAST
AMAL UNBOUND
The Book of Boy by Catherine Gilbert Murdock
The Hyena Scientist by Sy Montgomery
Made for Each Other: Why Dogs and People Are Perfect Partners by Dorothy Hinshaw Patent
I’m also adding Boots on the Ground by Elizabeth Partridge.
I was thinking it was too sophisticated for Newbery, but I see that other folks have suggested it, so maybe I’m wrong.
Amal Unbound by Aisha Saeed
Bob by Wendy Mass and Rebecca Stead
One more I just finished yesterday: Kelly Yang’s Front Desk.
THE SERPENT’S SECRET by Sayantani DasGupta