MORE '2023-NEWBERY' POSTS

Heavy Medal Mock Newbery Finalist: VIOLET AND JOBIE IN THE WILD by Lynn Rae Perkins

Emily Mroczek-Bayci, January 13, 2023 | Book Discussion, Heavy Medal Mock



Previous Newbery winner Lynne Rae Perkins is back with an animal adventure story about VIOLET AND JOBIE IN THE WILD.

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Heavy Medal Mock Newbery Finalist: THE DOOR OF NO RETURN by Kwame Alexander

Steven Engelfried, January 12, 2023 | Book Discussion, Heavy Medal Mock



Kwame Alexander won the 2015 Newbery Medal and a Newbery Honor in 2020. Today we discuss the Newbery potential of his powerful new book, THE DOOR OF NO RETURN,

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Heavy Medal Mock Newbery Finalist: MARSHMALLOW CLOUDS by Ted Kooser and Connie Wanek

Emily Mroczek-Bayci, January 11, 2023 | Book Discussion, Heavy Medal Mock



A poetical duo looks at figures of speech in Marshmallow Clouds in this years poetry potential Newbery winner.

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Heavy Medal Mock Newbery Finalist: THE OGRESS AND THE ORPHANS by Kelly Barnhill

Steven Engelfried, January 10, 2023 | Book Discussion, Heavy Medal Mock



Kelly Barnhill's THE OGRESS AND THE ORPHANS is a "delightful and thought-provoking read," says Heavy Medal Award Committee member Kerrie Lattari in her introduction. Barnhill won the 2017 Newbery Medal; will her latest book match that accomplishment?

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Heavy Medal Mock Newbery Finalist: HOW TO BUILD A HUMAN by Pamela S. Turner

Steven Engelfried, January 7, 2023 | Book Discussion, Heavy Medal Mock



Will the 2023 Newbery winner be a science book? Pamela S. Turner's HOW TO BUILD A HUMAN is "an outstanding work of narrative nonfiction," according to Heavy Medal Award Committee member Amanda Bishop. How will it measure up to the rest of our Mock Newbery titles?

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Heavy Medal Mock Newbery Finalist: A ROVER’S STORY by Jasmine Warga

Emily Mroczek-Bayci, January 6, 2023 | Book Discussion, Heavy Medal Mock



In this years science/ realistic fiction read, Peter Blenski introduced A ROVER'S STORY by Jasmine Warga as a "not only a crowd favorite but a mock favorite."

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Heavy Medal Mock Newbery Finalist: SWIM TEAM by Johnnie Christmas

Emily Mroczek-Bayci, January 5, 2023 | Book Discussion, Heavy Medal Mock



Today our Mock Newbery discussion shifts to the graphic novel getting the most love this year: SWIM TEAM by Johnnie Christmas.

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Heavy Medal Mock Newbery Finalist: I MUST BETRAY YOU by Ruta Sepetys

Steven Engelfried, January 4, 2023 | Book Discussion, Heavy Medal Mock



Ruta Sepetys' I MUST BETRAY YOU has been on our Mock Newbery radar since it came out last February. Heavy Medal Award Committee member Courtney Hague highlights the author's "masterful use of both setting and theme and her thorough descriptions and details" in her introduction. Will this historical fiction novel be a strong contender for the Newbery Medal?

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Heavy Medal Mock Newbery Finalist: BLUE: A HISTORY OF THE COLOR AS DEEP AS THE SEA AND AS WIDE AS THE SKY by Nana Ekua Brew-Hammond

Steven Engelfried, January 3, 2023 | Book Discussion, Heavy Medal Mock



Nana Ekua Brew Hammond's BLUE is a "valuable history of a beautiful color with a 'complicated history'" according to Heavy Medal Award Committee member Jenny Arch. How will this unique informational picture book fare in our Mock Newbery discussion?

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Heavy Medal Mock Newbery Finalist: BLACK BIRD, BLUE ROAD by Sofiya Pasternack

Emily Mroczek-Bayci, January 2, 2023 | Book Discussion, Heavy Medal Mock



A September publication that made the Early Six, Black Bird, Blue Road by Sofiya Pasternack features Jewish lore, angels, demons and sibling love. Heavy Medal committee member Aryssa Damron kicks off our official discussions.

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