Mock Newbery 2026 - December Meeting

I didn't attend the first meeting of the season, because every book I started on the list - even if it was phenomenal writing - made me think "None of my students would read this." The second list has some slightly more kid-friendly titles, although none of them blew me away. Posted with results from the meeting. 

All the Blues in the Sky by Renée Watson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Excellent portrayal of grief and the guilt that can come with it.

Verdict: KEEP

 

The Experiment by Rebecca Stead
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

It was so good until it wasn't! I just reread a bunch to see if I had missed anything, but no, it doesn't seem clear at all as to why (view spoiler)[everyone ran out of the ship ... wouldn't they want to stay on it because they thought their mission was over and they were going home? (hide spoiler)]

I may still buy it for the library because kids ask for sci fi every so often and maybe they won't be as nitpicky about it. Because the first 75% or so was quite engrossing.

Verdict: KEEP

 

Is It Real?: The Loch Ness Monster by Candace Fleming
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I loved the setup and the way that Fleming walks the reader through assessing the evidence ... but after she asks you to make your decision 2/3 of the way through, she then presents decades more of research.

Verdict: KEEP

 

The Trouble with Heroes by Kate Messner
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

It was fine.

Some lovely turns of phrase.  
Even if I found the original premise a bit ridiculous.
And then rolled my eyes at the end.
I am jaded.

Verdict: KEEP

 

The Secret of Honeycake by Kimberly Newton Fusco
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

No real surprises, except for how they were able to afford so much sausage and so much sugar.

Verdict: DROP

Outside by Jennifer L. Holm
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Heart surgery? Dog memories? I kind of guessed the big twist, and wasn't going to mind it too much because the target audience hasn't encountered as many stories like this yet, but the Wind/Poppy subplot took me out of it. Just silliness.

Verdict: KEEP

 

Please Pay Attention by Jamie Sumner
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Too much going on, and it also suffers from the "stick some returns in the sentences to make it look like poetry" syndrome.

Verdict: DROP

Best Reads of Fall 2025

My favorites of the 66 books I read. Click on the titles to read plot summaries. If you'd like to see all of my books, you can follow me on Goodreads.

 

Picture Books

Everyday Bean by Stephanie Graegin
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

So stinking cute!
I can use in a fiction/nonfiction lesson re: hedgehogs.
And then slide into "Not a Box" the next week.

 

The Wombats Go Wild for Words by Beth Ferry
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

My students' vocabulary has become smaller every year. They need more words.

 

Aggie and the Ghost by Matthew Forsythe
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The ghost is a brat ... but he did come with the house. But then, most ghosts are content to just float around the attic rather than stealing socks and EATING THE CHEESE!! Unforgiveable.

My pedantic side questioned the tic tac toe game, but I think I will add this to the Mock Caldecott list and let the kids cut out their own game pieces from this printable from the publisher.

Go, Sloth, Go! by Toni Yuly
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Not sure that I will use for Mock Caldecott, but will definitely add to my sloth lessons. And it's short and rhyming and has a chorus, so a good PreK readaloud as well.

Early Readers

A Great Fall: Three-and-a-Half Stories by Ame Dyckman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

In the words of our characters, I love it! It's perfect! Exactly the kind of book I need more of in my library. A "chapter book" for early readers with repetition and sweet silliness. I want to buy them all.

 

Kat & Mouse: I Like Cheese! by Salina Yoon
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Early reader graphic novel with a sweet message about friendship. Lovely.

Chapter Book

 

Troubling Tonsils! by Aaron Reynolds
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Yes yes yes yes!!!! Exactly what we need!!!

Twilight Zone for the elementary set.

Fantastic vocabulary, tons of illustrations, creepiness and grossness and I cannot wait to get it and share with the students!

 

Nonfiction

  

When Tree Became a Tree by Rob Hodgson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Just as good as "When Cloud Became a Cloud."
Factual, adorable, love it.

 

This Book Bubbles Over: From the Ocean to Mars and Everywhere In Between by Nora Nickum
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

So much cool information!

 

Meanwhile Back on Earth by Oliver Jeffers
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Definitely for older kids or even adults ... could be a great kickoff to a history class. Sobering. I often say that I can't believe in this day and age, we are still killing each other as a way to decide who wins.



Rewriting the Rules: How Dr. Kathleen Friel Created New Possibilities for Brain Research and Disability by Danna Zeiger
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Really good portrayal of a person's life and purpose ... although I would like to know a little more detail about her experiments and discoveries.

 

Butt or Face? Volume 3: New York Times Bestselling Series by Kari Lavelle
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Pretty disgusting facts this time around - reminded me of Haiku, Ew! Like so disgusting I don't know that even I who laughs at poop jokes would be able to read it out loud. I did mention it to some 2nd graders as we kicked off our Mock Sibert unit, and they begged me to bring it in. I'll let them be the test readers. And will still definitely buy.

For Grownups

   

The Killer Question by Janice Hallett
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The easiest to follow of her books I've read so far, and the most believable conclusion. Fun read.

 

Now You See Us by Balli Kaur Jaswal
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

It always takes me aback when I realize just how many people have such shitty lives. The different rates of pay by nationality was WILD.

 

The Christmas Appeal by Janice Hallett
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Just don't overthink the details.






How to Raise an Elephant by Alexander McCall Smith
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

These books help my blood pressure.

 

The Regression Strain by Kevin Hwang
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Another reminder to never go on a cruise.

Best Reads of July - August 2025

I did read a lot of grown-up mysteries and thrillers this summer, but they all ended up being, in the words of Jamie Tartt, "poo peh." However, I loved a ton of nonfiction for kids. Click on the titles below to read publisher summaries. If you'd like to see all of 74 of my books, you can follow me on Goodreads.

Picture Books

We Are the Wibbly! by Sarah Tagholm
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

SO ADORABLE.

I will try to line up as a readaloud for when K is doing frogs as part of their animal unit.

 

 

Island Storm by Brian Floca
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Gorgeous illustrations.

Could tie in nicely to a weather-related lesson.





This Book Is Dangerous! by Ben Clanton
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

So the reader is kind of torturing Jelly, but I think the kids will love it. And it's a great example of a book where you need the illustrations to support the text, or else it doesn't make sense.

 

 

Fireworks by Matthew Burgess
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

BEAUTIFULLY written with exquisite onomatopoeia.

The History of We by Nikkolas Smith
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Lyrical text and stunning artwork.

 

 

Lefty: A Story That Is Not All Right by Mo Willems
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This reminds me that I need some lefty scissors ...

Will probably do as a readaloud during our schools' "Courage" unit of the Choose Love program. Sneaky way to get in some DEI.

 

Nonfiction

  

I'm a Dumbo Octopus!: A Graphic Guide to Cephalopods by Anne Lambelet
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I learned so many things, especially about Caribbean reef squids, cuttlefish, and blanket octopuses! It helped that the font was big enough for me to read easily.

Doing this as a readaloud will be a bit tough, but I definitely want to share it with students ... and find more quality nonfiction graphic novels. Hoping that Lambelet has another one in the works.



A Line Can Go Anywhere: The Brilliant, Resilient Life of Artist Ruth Asawa by Caroline McAlister
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Comprehensive, lyrically written. I had never heard of Ruth Asawa, but now I am fascinated.

I will plan to pair the RICBA nominee from George Takei with this, and then see if I can loop in the art teacher for a related activity.

 

 

Sleuth & Solve: History: 20+ Mind-Twisting Mysteries by Victor Escandell
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Ooh, I have been looking for riddles and escape room ideas, and this was great!

 


Toes, Teeth, and Tentacles: A Curious Counting Book by Steve Jenkins
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Fish with legs are my favorite! Get over here, tripod fish and red-lipped batfish!

OMG the sea pig just blew my mind.

So of course this is a good book, because Jenkins (RIP) and Page.

 


Zero! The Number That Almost Wasn't by Sarah Albee
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I can hear my kids now: "Ms. Moore, this is library, not math class!"
To which I always respond: "Library is about EVERYTHING!"

What a great jumping off point for historical research, geography, timelines, and languages.

 


Japanese American Internment Camps by Laura Hamilton Waxman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

George Takei's "My Lost Freedom" is on the 2026 RI Children's Book Award list, and I am considering expanding the readaloud into a research unit. Maybe. A colleague thinks it might be too much for 5th grade. But it happened. And internments and killings are happening now. I can't believe this is real life.

 

Revolutionary Mary: The True Story of One Woman, the Declaration of Independence, and America's Fight for Freedom by Karen Blumenthal
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

So timely.

Oh, no. The endnotes say she owned a slave. Gross. So much for freedom.



We Carry the Sun by Tae Keller
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

"Like false prophets
of profit,
oil companies prey
on human weakness
and pay politicians
to keep digging.
They bury truth deep
and bury us deeper."



What Fish Are Saying: Strange Sounds in the Ocean by Kirsten Pendreigh
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I wish Pendreigh were American, so I could use for Mock Sibert this year for the kids who were obsessed with the "bloop" last year. Extra star for decent rhyme/meter, especially in a nonfiction book.

 

Make a Pretty Sound: A Story of Ella Jenkins―The First Lady of Children's Music by Traci N. Todd
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Beautifully written.

Best Reads of May - June 2025

My favorites from the RICBA list and the quest for Mock Caldecotts. Click on the titles to read plot summaries. If you'd like to see all 50 of the books I read, you can follow me on Goodreads.

Picture Books

Little Freddie Two Pants: by Drew Daywalt
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Pure silliness. "No pants is not enough pants!"

 

Bearsuit Turtle Makes a Friend by Bob Shea
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Ridiculous silliness with a heart. Will definitely be using for Mock Caldecott.

 

Don't Trust Fish by Neil Sharpson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

"This is a whale shark.
It's the largest fish in the world.
It's the size of a bus.
That's not okay."

Another reviewer mentioned that this reads like a political attack ad, and that is brilliant ... will be using with 5th grade alongside Elise Gravel's "Killer Underwear Invasion."

 

The Hole by Lindsay Bonilla
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Wow. Excellent portrayal of grief that is understandable for kids and offers a bit of comfort.

 

Mistaco: A Tale of Tragedy y Tortillas by Eliza Kinkz
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Love the style, love the message, love the mistakes, laughed out loud at the tragedy that befell her at school.

 

Hope in a Jar by Deborah Marcero
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

One of those books that leaves you feeling calm with a smile on your face.

 

Let's Be Bees by Shawn Harris
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The fact that Harris did the illustrations in crayon alone is enough to score a place on my Mock Caldecott list. And all of the animal noises will make it a great addition to the preschool pantheon.


Every Monday Mabel by Jashar Awan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Skews young for my students, but there are so many little kids this would make a great gift for.

 

When Alexander Graced the Table by Alexander Smalls
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Dad is kind of a butt. At least he liked the pie.

Chapter Books / Graphic Novels

 

Magnolia Wu Unfolds It All by Chanel Miller
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved this! Fully plan to read it out loud to my students next year and have them create their own personal socks.

 

The Kids in Mrs. Z's Class: Emma McKenna, Full Out by Kate Messner
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Exactly the kind of books we need more of! Short, illustrated, relatable. Perfect for 3rd grade. I will be buying the entire series.

 

Jupiter Nettle and the Seven Schools of Magic: A Graphic Novel by Sangu Mandanna
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Extra star because I could read the lettering and the panels made sense. Kind of predictable story, but for kids who don't have decades of reading books behind them, they will be surprised. And I liked the point that without the earth magic, the rest of the students wouldn't have what they needed. Why did Grim have to be SUCH an a-hole, though?

Nonfiction

The Life-Changing Magic of Chess: A Beginner's Guide with Grandmaster Maurice Ashley by Maurice Ashley
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Life lessons sprinkled in among chess moves. Like "Losing is Learning." (To quote a former student, "Now you're a loser, just like me!")

 

Stranded!: A Mostly True Story from Iceland by Ævar Þór Benediktsson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I feel like Mitch Hedberg when he was concerned for the Dufresnes ... did the boatman die? Get kidnapped? Or should he be arrested for endangerment? I need closure! Fun story - near-death aside - with super fun illustrations. After reading for RICBA, I will have the kids do research on Iceland, volcanoes, and Norse mythology.

For Grownups   

Anxious People by Fredrik Backman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I laughed. I cried. I had thoughts.

 

The Sunset Years of Agnes Sharp by Leonie Swann
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Similar to Netflix' "The Residence," I was willing to accept any number of suspects as the killer(s) and was right there with Agnes as she considered and eliminated each one. While it was a bit long, I also appreciated being in the minds of elderly characters ... and felt a little better about my perimenopause brain fog. And a little apprehensive of what's to come. But maybe my friends and I will create a Sunset Manor pact!