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I will have no problem adding this to my middle school library. There are a few hells and damns, but that is the worst there is for language. There is no sex or graphic violence. I do see from reviews on Mackin that this being marketed as an adult book. I find it to be very odd. Maybe it’s an overreaction to two characters no being gay. It is not obvious at first that they are gay and their relationship is in no way graphic. I don’t want to give anything away. Honestly, it’s a very timely book about judging others and acceptance. Ok since it’s not marketed for children, let’s say not Newbery, but should be on your to read lists.

There are/were four books I looked most forward coming out this year. One has already come out: Echo Mountain, which we all know is excellent. However the other three have not come out: Has anyone read an advanced copy of these books?:

Quintessence by Jess Redman
Fighting Words by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley
One Time by Sharon Creech

Czechgirl wrote: "There are/were four books I looked most forward coming out this year. One has already come out: Echo Mountain, which we all know is excellent. However the other three have not come out: Has anyone ..."

I am reading Echo Mountain ( I don’t know if it’s excellent. I loathed Wolf Hollow. It was an adult book that was marketed and sold as a children’s fiction title. A trend I believe has ended), Efren Divided by Cisneros and Stand Up, Yumi Chung by Jessica Kim (loving this one). Quintessence and Fighting Words are next for me. I haven’t been able to obtain a galley of One Time by Sharon Creech yet. I am looking forward to it.

I read “All the Days Past, All the Days to Come��, and I found it too wordy, too boring, and its not a children’s book in my students world.
It is def YA.
Although the subject matter is important, no kid in my elementary school would read it voluntarily.

Fighting Words was amazing!

I'm surprised no one has mentioned Like Nothing Amazing Ever Happened by Emily Blejwas. I was completely blown away by this book and I was shocked to find it has only garnered one starred review. It's really an exceptional book filled with lots of heart, complex themes, and a nuanced protagonist. Has anyone else read this one?

Personally I am not too interested in the time period or subject matter. There seems to be an overload of children dealing with a parents death in this years middle grade novels. How many dead parents can you read about in one year? There have been some exceptionally good reviews about this title, however. I probably will read it.

25 Newbery Contenders read this summer, and I have 7 that I have rated 5/5. This is way more than my usual number of top ratings, so I don't know if this year is exceptional, or if I'm just getting a little soft. Whatever, I wouldn't mind in the least if any of these took the award:

Echo Mountain by Lauren Wolk
The Lonely Heart of Maybelle Lane by Kate O'Shaughnessy
The Blackbird Girls by Anne Blankman
The List of Things That Will Not Change by Rebecca Stead
Here in the Real World by Sara Pennypacker
Mañanaland by Pam Muñoz Ryan
Chirp by Kate Messner

Still haven't gotten my hands on a few highly rated contenders, so the list could grow!

I have also rated quite a few 5/5 stars this year. I think any of these would be worthy of consideration for an award:

When You Trap a Tiger by Keller
Cub by Copeland
On The Horizon by Lowry
A Home for Goddesses and Dogs by Connor
Echo Mountain by Wolk
Parked by Svetcov
The Space Between Lost and Found by Stark
Finally, Something Mysterious by Cornett
The Middler by Applebaum

I would love to see lists from other people as well.

Here's what I've rated 5/5 for this year so far (there are so many I still haven't read!):

When Stars Are Scattered by Victoria Jamieson
Ways to Make Sunshine by Renee Watson
Brave Like That by Lindsey Stoddard
Here in the Real World by Sara Pennypacker
The One and Only Bob by Katherine Applegate
The List of Things That Will Not Change by Rebecca Stead
Echo Mountain by Lauren Wolk
The Only Black Girls in Town by Brandy Colbert

Don't forget to vote for our September read.

Great list! Cara wrote: "Here's what I've rated 5/5 for this year so far (there are so many I still haven't read!):

When Stars Are Scattered by Victoria Jamieson
Ways to Make Sunshine by Renee Watson
Brave Like That by Li..."

I have some titles that probably will never make the cut because they are humorous books with great themes to explore:

Millionaires for the Month- Stacy McAnulty (Miscalculations of Lightning Girl) one of my top picks and I hope we will read by the end of the year.

My Life as a Potato- Arianne Costner- great friendship themes

Good-bye, Mr. Terupt- 4th in the series- Rob Buyea- since it is last in a series- no chance but was much better than #2 & #3 I liked it as much or more than the first book

Gold Rush Girl- I think this may be a series or trilogy- Avi

When you Trap a Tiger- Tae Keller

The Elephant's Girl- Celesta Remington -relationship in the story reminded me of Beyond the Bright Sea- I usually don't like magical realism- but she does a fantastic job.

Books not eligible by Canadian authors- but I really enjoyed- Bloom and Hatch by Oppel - I think this will be a very popular trilogy and love the fast tracked publication. Fantastic science fiction- great for reluctant readers.

Clan by Sigmund Brouwer- survival story in prehistoric times- amazing characterization- another one for reluctant readers.

I'm looking toward to Gail Jarrow's new book in October: Blood and Germs: The Civil War Battle Against Wounds and Disease

When I Hit the Road by Nancy Cavanaugh- is zany and hilarious- great for teaching figurative language but probably not a contender

I don't have too many colleagues to discuss books with- so thanks for letting me go off track a bit to talk in more general terms.

Thanks for the list, Shella—I’m always looking for recommendations of fun books (weirdly hard to find!).

Thank you! Did you get an advanced copy of Good-bye, Mr. Terupt? I can't wait to read it. Because of Mr. Terupt is the last book I read to my son. The series has a lot of sentimental value to me.

@ Diane- yes from NetGalley. I read the last three back- to-back- you will love it- perfect closure!!!

I really liked a When You Trap a Tiger for the humor.

Has anyone read Elatsoe by Darcie Little Badger?

Ana wrote: "Has anyone read Elatsoe by Darcie Little Badger?"

So thrilled you mentioned Elatsoe. I so anticipate it winning awards. It is unusual, creative and phenomenal! Rooting for it!

Shella wrote: "I have some titles that probably will never make the cut because they are humorous books with great themes to explore:

Millionaires for the Month- Stacy McAnulty (Miscalculations of Lightning Gir..."

thank you for this list I am buying several for my middle school!

Lucky you that you are in a district that allows money to by current books.

Shella wrote: "Lucky you that you are in a district that allows money to by current books."

Cara wrote: "Here's what I've rated 5/5 for this year so far (there are so many I still haven't read!)

Thank you Cara & Sheila for sharing your favorites this year even if we don't get to read them for Mock Newbery specifically! There is so little time for previewing books and I don't want to waste it on books that won't resonate with my readers.

In addition to many of the ones that you listed, I really liked, as do my 4th/5th graders, The Lonely Heart of Maybelle Lane by Kate O'Shaugnessy. It reminds me of Wish by Barbara O'Connor.

Thanks again for sharing!

“On the Horizon�� is the best book of the year.

So with the close of the year- what titles do you think are really great contenders that you are thinking-“Gosh- I can’t believe this title was not on our list!��

I’m almost done with Elatsoe, and I’ll be shocked if it doesn’t win something. I also really enjoyed Game of Fox and Squirrels. My favorite of the year is still We Dream of Space.

The Water Bears by Kim Baker, The Total Eclipse of Nestor Lopez by Adrianna Cuevas, Trowbridge Road by Marcella Pixley and The Boys in the Back Row by Mike Jung are some of my very favorite Newbery contenders of the year. A few received limited attention. It is too bad because they are all spectacular.

Ivy wrote: "I’m almost done with Elatsoe, and I’ll be shocked if it doesn’t win something. I also really enjoyed Game of Fox and Squirrels. My favorite of the year is still We Dream of Space."

Elatsoe will probably win the Printz award among others.

Has anyone else read The Canyon's Edge by Dusti Bowling? It is amazing. I also loved Fighting Words. And, I agree with Ivy - We Dream of Space was my favorite this year.

Yes, I loved The Canyon’s Edge. My club of avid readers will chat with Dusti Bowling next month. And I hope that Fighting Words wins the medal, or at least an honor an important story, well-told.

I finally had a chance to read The Lonely Heart of Maybelle Lane by Kate O'Shaughnessy and absolutely adored it. I began reading it when we were voting for our Mock Awards, and I liked the beginning enough to recommend it, but when it didn't make the finals, I put it aside and only now had a chance to finish it. I'm so glad I did. It has a wonderful mix of likable, dimensional characters, realistic dialogue, and both heart-wrenching and heart-warming events. Even though this sweet book did not garner any awards, I would still recommend it for those who like dogs or realistic fiction, or especially for children who might experience panic attacks.

I loved it!! Glad you finished it.