It’s Time for More Mock Newbery Suggestions
It’s already time for our third round of 2025 Mock Newbery suggestions. Heavy Medal readers have put forward 21 titles of possible Newbery contenders so far. Now’s your chance to add new titles to the list and/or to add support to books that have already been suggested.
To submit your suggestions, share titles and authors of any Newbery-eligible books you think might be worth considering for the award in the comments section below. You can suggest up to five titles per month and they must be titles that have already been published. Check this post from last month for a bit more information about our suggestions process. May suggestions will be accepted through Saturday, May 11th. We’ll post an updated list of all suggestions so far a couple days after that…
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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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With Twice the Love, Dessie Mei
Forgot the author – Justina Chen
Mid-Air by Alicia D. Williams
Tree. Table. Book. by Lois Lowry
The Wrong Way Home by Kate O’Shaughnessy
Ferris by Kate DiCamillo
Not the Worst Friend in the World by Anne Rellihan
Mid-Air by Alicia D. Williams
Olivetti by Allie Millington
So far, my top pick of the year. Loved it!
THE FIRST STATE OF BEING by Erin Entrada Kelly
MAX IN THE HOUSE OF SPIES by Adam Gidwitz
COYOTE LOST AND FOUND by Dan Gemeinhart
AMERICAN WINGS, Smith and Wein
Usually I wait until the end of the week so I can squeeze in any last minute books, but I’ve got a solid five, so why wait (though still not thinking of anything as a clear favorite…):
THE COLOR OF SOUND by Emily Barth Isler
KYRA JUST FOR TODAY by Sara Zarr
LOUDER THAN HUNGER by John Schu
THE NIGHT WAR by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley
TREE TABLE BOOK by Lois Lowry
The Color of Sound was so unique. Top 3 of the year for me so far! I always like to see what books you choose.
Not Quite a Ghost – Anne Ursu
Max in the House of Spies – Adam Gidwitz
Louder than Hunger by John Schu
Also Light and Air by Mindy Nichols Wendell
Ferris by Kate DiCamillo
The First State of Being by Erin Entrada Kelly
Plain Jane and the Mermaid by Vera Brosgol
Whoops! I forgot to include Tree. Table. Book. by Lois Lowry, too.
Just finished Not Quite A Ghost by Anne Ursu and have to nominate that one, as well!
The First State of Being by Erin Entrada Kelly
Louder than Hunger by John Schu
Adding votes for: Not Quite a Ghost, Max in the House of Spies, Ferris and adding The Library of Secrets by Kekla Magoon
Sona and the Golden Beasts – Rajani LaRocca
I appreciate the initiative to gather Mock Newbery suggestions early! I’ve noticed a couple of outstanding titles this year that seem to resonate with young readers due to their innovative storytelling and compelling characters. It’s wonderful to see such community engagement in the literary selection process. Looking forward to seeing the updated list and adding more suggestions next month!
Youth Reviewer suggestions for May.
1. Force of Nature: A Novel of Rachel Carson. They were written by Ann E. Burg with art by Sophie Blackall. Written in free verse poetry, this book honors the legacy of Rachel Carson and the importance of the global environmental movement. Unique, timely, and memorable.
2. The Girl Who Sang : A Holocaust Memoir of Hope and Survival. This graphic novel, written by Estelle Nadel with art by Sammy Savos, is a deeply moving testament to hope and survival during the Holocaust. The powerful narrative, combined with the evocative visuals, makes it a compelling choice for visual learners and a strong advocate for the increasing popularity of graphic novels in students’ reading lists. It is a truly heart-wrenching and inspiring read.
3. Tree. Table. Book. By Lois Lowry. Mrs. Lowry is an icon of MG literature. She’s Awesome. Much like Ferris by Kate DiCamillo, this felt authentic. The intergenerational friendship frameworks incredible vocabulary while gently touching on powerful issues of aging (dementia) and the Holocaust. She also includes some incredible references to storytelling devices and grammar that help to educate and entertain. Thanks, Mrs. Lowry, for your special gifts to young readers!
4. The Secret Language of Birds by Lynne Kelley. I recommend that readers check out Song for A Whale first. This is a companion book, and while they each stand alone, they are even more powerful together- (Like Amil and the After by Veera Hiranandani, Coyote Lost and Found by Dan Gemeinhart, and highly anticipated Black Star by Kwame Alexander.) This book stands alone, and I loved the tie between deaf culture and environmentalism.
5. Leafy Landmarks: Travels With Trees by Michelle Schaub, Illustrated by Anne Lambelet. For Children’s Book Week, I wanted to include a picture book that hit the Newbury Criteria and would appeal to all readers. Great poetry (multiple formats) combined with historical notes and fun facts. Reading Roadtrip for everyone!
Always love your suggestions Quade!
TREE. TABLE. BOOK by Lois Lowry
DEEP WATER by Jamie Sumner
FERRIS by Kate DiCamillo
(I think I put forward THE COLOR OF SOUND and NOT QUITE A GHOST in an earlier round)
Louder than Hunger by John Shu
My suggestions for the month are
OLIVETTI by Allie Millington
and
NOT QUITE A GHOST by Anne Ursu.
I absolutely loved Olivetti and will need to reread The First State of Being at some point to see which I think is more Newbery.
Not Quite a Ghost – Anne Ursu