More Mock-Newbery Titles Needed: Share June Suggestions Now
It’s once again time to put forward suggestions for the Heavy Medal Mock Newbery list. I’ve read some really strong books in the past month, and I bet others have too. You can share up to five Newbery-eligible titles in the comments below…you don’t have to add five, but that’s the most we allow. You can also let us know why you feel any of the books on your list might be Medal-worthy (though just giving titles and authors is also fine).
You can see more details about our suggestion process on this post from March. And check out our cumulated list of suggestions so far here. It’s fine to suggest books that are already on our list, of course.
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Please add your June suggestions below from now through Saturday, June 10th. We’ll post the updated list shortly after that…
Filed under: Suggestions
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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Leonard Kim says
EB & FLOW by Kelly Baptist
Steven Engelfried says
My five for June:
BUFFALO FLATS by Martine Leavitt
Beautifully written historical fiction (and funny). Possibly too old for Newbery, but maybe not.
THE EYES AND THE IMPOSSIBLE by David Eggers
A different kind of animal story; funny, exciting, and moving.
THE LABORS OF HERCULES BEAL by Gary Schmidt
Another highly entertaining book from the world of THE WEDNESDAY WARS (but a few decades later).
RACE AGAINST DEATH: THE GREATEST POW RESCUE OF WORLD WAR II by Deborah Hopkinson
Well-rounded, intense nonfiction set in the Philippines.
WHEN CLOUDS TOUCH US by Thanh Ha Lai
Excellent sequel to her Newbery Honor book, INSIDE OUT AND BACK AGAIN; stands on its own fine.
Kate Todd says
SUPERTEACHER PROJECT by Gordon Korman
Straight from today’s headlines comes this story about artificial intelligence. A robot teacher is being field-tested in a middle school. However, the A.I. generates unexpected behavior. Can the students, teachers and government scientists accept its unique solutions?
Meredith Burton says
It has been a rather strange reading year for me so far. Here are three suggestions:
1. The Labors of Hercules Beal, by Gary D. Schmidt.
2. The Many Assassinations of Samir, the Seller of Dreams, by Daniel Nayeri.
3. Crowned, by Kahran Bethencourt.
Thu Nguyen says
Nearer my Freedom by Lesley Younge and Monica Edinger
Emily Mroczek says
SUPERTEACHER and LABORS were both titles I didn’t get to the end of… better open them up again and see what I missed!
Mari Allen says
IT HAPPENED ON SATURDAY by Sydney Dunlap
GOOD DIFFERENT by Meg Eden Kuyatt
GROUNDED by Aisha Saeed, S. K. Ali, Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow and Huda Al-Marashi
PARACHUTE KIDS (graphic novel) by Betty C. Tang
WHEN CLOUDS TOUCH US by By Thanhhà Lai
Rox Anne Close says
SUNSHINE by Jarrett J. Krosoczka
An awesome graphic novel about students and counselors at a camp for seriously ill kids and their families. It deals with cancer, death and the hope and determination that gets people through the most troubled of times. It has well developed characters and is a unique and emotional read. I am still thinking about the book. I read it a month ago. Maybe the theme is more geared to middle and high school?
Lynne Johnson says
1. Blood Brothers by Rob Sanders. Historical fiction about 3 brothers with hemophilia at the start of the AIDS crisis in the 1980s. Novel in verse.
2. The Ghosts of Rancho Espanto by Adrianna Cuevas. A genuine middle grade sci-fi book that deals with grief, sickness and trauma with a dose of humor. Broaden your idea of “ghost” before reading this one.
3. A Bit of Earth by Karuna Riazi. A re-Storying of The Secret Garden with a prickly MC that you’ll cheer for.
4. When Sea Becomes Sky by Gillian McDunn. This looks like brother and sister effort to save their beloved island. The ending caught me off guard with a punch to the gut.
5. Hands by Torrey Maldonado. A powerful story told in an authentic voice. This book is proof that all middle grade books don’t always have a happy ending. But this one was hopeful.
Katrina says
Big Tree
The Eyes and the Impossible
The One and Only Ruby
The Lost Year
No Matter the Distance by Cindy Baldwin
Lynne Johnson says
I’m glad you have The Lost Year on your list. I wanted to include it but I had already listed five. But I agree it is worthy of consideration.
Dana Alyson Tignor says
“Nearer My Freedom: The Interesting Life of Olaudah Equiano by Himself” by Monica Edinger and Lesley Younge
by Himself! The firsthand source text is so important and the story is captivating. This book is powerful by two world class educators and authors.
Emily Mroczek says
THE LOST YEAR
THE LAST PLASTIC STRAW
PUSH PULL MORNING
THE HUMAN KABOOM
ANINIA DEL MAR JUMPS IN