Last week I wrote a Mock Caldecott post, so it’s only fair to have a Mock Newbery one, as well. This is always harder for me because, well, it just is. But I will soldier on and make some predictions. 
(Elizabeth also plans to post her Newbery and Caldecott thoughts soon.)
The winner is, or should be (in my opinion, of course): Forge by Laurie Halse Anderson. I think she should have won for Chains (or at least gotten an Honor). This series is outstanding and it’s historical fiction at its best.
The honorees:
– The Keeper by Kathi Appelt
– Zora and Me by Victoria Bond and T.R. Simon
– One Crazy Summer by Rita Williams-Garcia
– Touch Blue by Cynthia Lord
– The Dreamer by Pam Muñoz Ryan
– Countdown by Deborah Wiles
Who do you think will win? What book is your favorite that you’d love to see win? As always, I’ll have a post-award post where I mention the person who got the most right – that person will get the coveted ShelfTalker Shout Out.
The Strange Case of Origami Yoda
I would love to see FORGE win. Like you, I thought CHAINS merited at least an honor medal, too. But if I had to bet, I think that MOCKINGBIRD will follow the NBA with a Newbery.
My Newbery picks:
ONE CRAZY SUMMER, by Rita Williams-Garcia
Honors:
THE DREAMER by Pam Munoz Ryan
CONSPIRACY OF KINGS, by Megan Whalen Turner
I haven’t read FORGE yet, but am planning to do so.
I picked these at the start of the year, and they haven’t been disrupted yet. Though I’ll definitely be reading during my Christmas break.
I am disappointed that you do not have OUT OF MY MIND on your list. i definitely agree with your other choices. This is a very interesting year with many possibilities.
One book I would add to the list is THE DANGER BOX by Blue Balliett. It is a remarkable book that introduces an often controversial subject in a very non-controversial manner. And the characters are unforgettable!
Can’t argue with the rest of your list, though I must say I will be heartbroken if THE DREAMER doesn’t receive at least an honor! It’s a remarkable achievement.
I’m glad to see somebody else mentioned Origami Yoda. Without question the fan favorite of my 4th and 5th graders and they all want to know if I think it will win.
I ask them in return, “Why do you think it’s distinguished?” I’d like to hear what people think. With all of the wonderful work out there this year, is Origami Yoda distinguished?
I’d like to make a case for it. The “case study” organization was original, clear and concise. For the amount of characters, every voice was authentic and charming and down right funny.
And above all else, it was a wonderfully poignant story of kids just trying to fit in.
With Kathi Appelt’s best work to date, a charming story about the Black Panthers, Wiles mix of fiction and fact, The Dreamer’s gorgeous poetry and all of the other wonderful stories of the year; do you think Origami Yoda will get little paper legs with the committee?
I LOVE DREAMER, it’s my favorite book this year hands down! Countdown is high on my list as well (both received 5 or 6 stars!) – both were on my HAND SELL list (I sold 75 of DREAMER and for me that is a lot in 9 month!) I really liked Forge, but Chains was defiitely “robbed” – it was the best! I also liked Danger Box and really liked Patricia Reilly Giff’s Storyteller. Always fun to guess, I usually do better on the Honor books than the Award.
Unfortunately, there’s no one book that definitely pulled ahead of the pack this year (like last year’s WHEN YOU REACH ME). But there are plenty of wonderful books that deserve at least an honor.
Oh, I’d love it if MOON OVER MANIFEST would get an honor. I adore that book. Most mock Newbery blogs don’t even mention it.
But I also love THE DREAMER and it definitely should win something, whether it wins the medal itself or just an honor.
ONE CRAZY SUMMER should get an honor too.
What about nonfiction? THE CROSSING? THE CANDY BOMBER?
I’m so glad to see someone else is recommending MOCKINGBIRD by Erskine. What a beautiful book. It is the type of powerful story that changes your heart.
Count me as another fan of THE STRANGE CASE OF ORIGAMI YODA by Tom Angleberger. It was fun, funny, clever, and had heart, without being overly sweet. I can see why 4th and 5th graders are such fans.
I also enjoyed HEART OF A SAMURAI by Margi Preus. It was a fascinating historical fiction based on a true story, which showed how one person, no matter their social status, can indeed achieve great things.
I really enjoyed Touch Blue by Cynthia Lord. I also think that Because of Mr. Terupt by Rob Buyea and Crunch by Leslie Connor deserve recognition. Each highlight the incredible human spirit and are books that I believe students will want to read. Crunch in particular is a “happy book”, a category that few books today seem to fit into.