A Sad, Sad Year: Themes of Grief and Loss in 2026 Newbery Potentials
The first of the six Newbery criteria is interpretation of theme or concept. Without a doubt, this year our most common thing is coping with grief and loss. Today Steven and Emily take a look at different titles addressing these themes and compare them.
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It’s Nomination Time: Share your top three 2026 Newbery contenders so far
The first round of our 2026 Mock Newbery nominations begins today. Let us know what your top three contenders are by October 4th.
Is OLD SCHOOL Gordon Korman’s Newbery title?
OLD SCHOOL by Gordon Korman is a realistic fiction title with strong description and rich characters. Guest blogger Elizabeth Johnson introduces the title.
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Book Discussion
A Sad, Sad Year: Themes of Grief and Loss in 2026 Newbery Potentials
The first of the six Newbery criteria is interpretation of theme or concept. Without a doubt, this year our most common thing is coping with grief and loss. Today Steven and Emily take a look at different titles addressing these themes and compare them.
Is OLD SCHOOL Gordon Korman’s Newbery title?
OLD SCHOOL by Gordon Korman is a realistic fiction title with strong description and rich characters. Guest blogger Elizabeth Johnson introduces the title.
Not Yet Suggested: Mock Newbery 2026 Sleeper Titles
There may be 96 suggested Mock Newbery 2026 titles on Heavy Medal, but there's still many more possibilities for Newbery gold.
More Recent Posts
Not Yet Suggested: Mock Newbery 2026 Sleeper Titles
There may be 96 suggested Mock Newbery 2026 titles on Heavy Medal, but there's still many more possibilities for Newbery gold.
Words on the Page: Looking at quotes from Newbery contenders
Today we'll look at direct quotes of passages from 2026 Newbery contenders to see how the author's actual words might merit Award consideration.
Bulldozer’s Big Newbery Contender: Can a short chapter book win the Medal?
BULLDOZER'S BIG RESCUE by Elisa Broach is shorter than most books in our Mock Newbery discussions, but the clever, concise, and funny text could make it a contender for the award.
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Fantasy week continues: four more fantastical Newbery 2026 contenders
2025 is a very strong year for fantasy and today we highlight FOUR more potential Newbery fantsy contenders.
Is This the Year for Fantasy? Four possible Newbery contenders from the genre
2025 looks like a particularly strong year for children's fantasy, with characters ranging from sentient dolls and fairy-like creatures to an undead fox and an assortment of ghosts. Will any of these be contenders for the 2026 Newbery Medal?
September check in: poll results
We asked readers to rank their favorite Newbery contenders so far and share observations about current trends in children's literature. Here are the results:
Guest Posters Wanted: Learn how you can volunteer to introduce a book for our Mock Newbery discussions
This season's Heavy Medal Mock Newbery process will include guest posts from readers. Learn more and consider applying to write about a 2026 Newbery contender.
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Oct 1, 2025
Kary Henry on It’s Nomination Time: Share your top three 2026 Newbery contenders so far
"THE UNDEAD FOX OF DEADWOOD FOREST by Aubrey Hartman THE TROUBLE WITH HEROES by Kate Messner THE WINTER OF THE DOLLHOUS ..."
Sep 30, 2025
Betsy Bird on It’s Nomination Time: Share your top three 2026 Newbery contenders so far
"THE TEACHER OF NOMAD LAND - Daniel Nayeri THE TROUBLE WITH HEROES - Kate Messner WILL'S RACE FOR HOME - Jewell Parker ..."
Sep 30, 2025
Alisha on It’s Nomination Time: Share your top three 2026 Newbery contenders so far
"- Blossoming Summer by Anna Rose Johnson: a lovely historical fiction that reminded me of Anne of Green Gables but with ..."
Sep 30, 2025
Dest on It’s Nomination Time: Share your top three 2026 Newbery contenders so far
"The Undead Fox of Deadwood Forest by Aubrey Hartman I have read so many books about tragic deaths this year. What a rel ..."
Sep 30, 2025
Jenna Friebel on It’s Nomination Time: Share your top three 2026 Newbery contenders so far
"The Trouble with Heroes by Kate Messner The Boy Who Lived in a Shell: Snippets for Wandering Minds by John Himmelman A ..."
Sep 30, 2025
Roben Closs on It’s Nomination Time: Share your top three 2026 Newbery contenders so far
"AMONG GHOSTS by Rachel Hartman THE UNDEAD FOX OF DEADWOOD FOREST by Aubrey Hartman BAND NERD by Sarah Clawson Willis ..."
Sep 30, 2025
Kate Todd on It’s Nomination Time: Share your top three 2026 Newbery contenders so far
"WILL’S RACE FOR HOME by Jewell Parker Rhodes TEACHER OF NOMAD LAND by Daniel Nayeri HERO’S GUIDE TO SUMMER VACATI ..."
Sep 30, 2025
Matt on It’s Nomination Time: Share your top three 2026 Newbery contenders so far
"REBELLION 1776 by Laurie Halse Anderson A HERO'S GUIDE TO SUMMER VACATION by Pablo Cartaya MAX IN THE LAND OF LIES by ..."
Sep 30, 2025
Brittin Clark on It’s Nomination Time: Share your top three 2026 Newbery contenders so far
"THE UNDEAD FOX OF DEADWOOD FOREST by Hartman THE TROUBLE WITH HEROES by Messner A WORLD WORTH SAVING by Lukoff ..."
Sep 30, 2025
Elizabeth Johnson on It’s Nomination Time: Share your top three 2026 Newbery contenders so far
"CANDLE ISLAND by Lauren Wolk WHALE EYES by James Robinson SCATTERGOOD by H.M. Bouwman ..."
Sep 30, 2025
Abbey on It’s Nomination Time: Share your top three 2026 Newbery contenders so far
"Candle Island by Lauren Wolk Whale Eyes by James Robinson The Teacher of Nomad Land by Daniel Nayeri ..."
Sep 30, 2025
Owen Ridings on It’s Nomination Time: Share your top three 2026 Newbery contenders so far
"THE WINTER OF THE DOLLHOUSE by Laura Amy Schlitz ONCE FOR YES by Allie Millington HOME by Matt De La Pena ..."
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