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September 5, 2022 by Steven Engelfried

85 Books to Consider: Mock Newbery Suggestions Updated

Here's our updated list of possible contenders for the 2023 Newbery Medal, compiled from monthly suggestions from Heavy Medal readers. In the coming weeks and months we'll look closer at many of these titles, along with the best fall releases, during out Heavy Medal Mock Newbery process.

June 13, 2022 by Steven Engelfried

Mock Newbery Update – Our List of First Half Suggestions

Here’s our newly updated list of suggestions. These are the children’s books that Heavy Medal readers have put forward as potential contenders for the 2023 Newbery Medal. Since we only include books that have been officially published, there’s still six months worth of forthcoming titles that we haven’t seen, but the list already looks very […]

January 16, 2022 by Emily Mroczek-Bayci

THE FINAL FIVE: Heavy Medal Mock Newbery 2022 Contenders

The votes were tight and the discussion was strong, but we finally have a final five Heavy Medal Book List. They are, in alphabetical order: AMBER AND CLAY JUST LIKE THAT OPHIE’S GHOSTS STARFISH WATERCRESS These are the five we will discuss in our live Zoom conversation on Friday, January 21 at 1 p.m. EST. […]

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Last hours to submit your opinions and applications!

December 11, 2021 by Emily Mroczek-Bayci

I wanted to do a final call for our two forms that are closing at 5pm today. If you want to make your voice heard on what titles should make our final list of 12-15, fill out this form. If you want to take a bigger part in our discussions and join the Heavy Medal […]

Heavy Medal Mock Newbery Finalist: SHOW ME A SIGN by Ann Clare LeZotte

January 9, 2021 by Steven Engelfried

SHOW ME A SIGN by Ann Clare LeZotte joins our Mock Newbery Discussion today. Heavy Medal Award Committee member Aud Hogan notes that "Lezotte's ability to capture a time, place, community, and individual in writing make this book distinguished."

Heavy Medal Mock Newbery Finalist: PRAIRIE LOTUS by Linda Sue Park

January 7, 2021 by Steven Engelfried

Next up in our Mock Newbery discussion: PRAIRIE LOTUS by Linda Sue Park. Heavy Medal Award Committee member Courtney Hague finds this historical novel "distinguished in many ways...from the development of the plot and delineation of the characters to appropriateness of the style."

Mock Newbery LIVE on Zoom: Registration now open for this free event on January 22

January 6, 2021 by Steven Engelfried

Registration is now open for the Mock Newbery LIVE Zoom Event on January 22nd at 1:00 pm (EST). Check out the details and click on the link to register for this free event sponsored by School Library Journal.

September Suggestions now open for Heavy Medal’s Mock Newbery

August 31, 2020 by Steven Engelfried

Children's books readers are invited to contribute "Suggestions" to Heavy Medal's list of potential contenders for the 2021 Newbery Medal.

Nathan Hale’s Hazardous Tales: Major Impossible

December 4, 2019 by Annisha Jeffries

This action-packed adventure graphic novel is book 9 in the series. It revolves around adventurer John Wesley Powell, who would come to be known as one of the most heroic adventurers in American History. As a young man, he wandered all over the United States exploring. In 1869 he organized the Colorado River Exploring Expedition, […]

Rick Riordan Presents: Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky by Kwame Mbalia

November 27, 2019 by Annisha Jeffries

When I found out bestselling author Rick Riordan was creating his unique imprint for middle-grade readers; I was very excited. Since the imprint’s launch, one of these latest debut novels: Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky by Kwame Mbalia, is such a fantastic, remarkable story. It is a blend of African folklore, African […]