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LARC Mocks: 2025 Chapter Books

Working list of starred reviews to be considered for the Mock Caldecott and Newbery Award

2025 Chapter Books

Alexander, Kwame.  How Sweet the Sound: A Soundtrack for America.  BL 11/1-15/24

Arango, Andrea Beatriz.  It's All or Nothing, Vale. K12/1/24

Bakes, Jules.  Sea Legs. K 12/15/24

Beckett-King, Alasdair. Murder at the Museum. PW 11/11/24

Blakewell, Catherine. Where Shadows Bloom. PW 11/4/24

Blankman, Anne.  The Enemy's Daughter.  SLJ 12/24

Braun-Arnold, Lily. The Last Bookstore on Earth. PW 10/14/24

Bouwman, H.M.  Scattergood.   K 11/1/24

Broach, Elise.  Bulldozer's Big Rescue.  K 11/1/14

Brown, Waka T.  Rick Kotani's 400 Million Dollar Summer.  K 12/15/24

Burgess, Tamika. Danilo Was Here. PW 10/14/24

Bussing, Kim. Cinderella and the Beast. PW 10/14/24

Button, Lana. Brianna Banana, Helper of the Day. PW 10/28/24

Bybee, Veeda and Joy McCullough. Jojo vs. Middle School. PW 11/11/24

Cavalancia, Kaitlyn. Mystery Royale. PW 9/30/24

Dee, Barbara. Tear This Down. PW 10/28/24

Diaz, Dani. Dreamover. PW 10/14/24

Doktorski, Jen. Finding Normal. PW 10/14/24

Fusco, Kimberly Newton.  The Secret of Honeycake.  K 11/15/24

Galligan, Gale.  Fresh Start.  K 11/1/24, SLJ 12/24

Godwin, Tate. Operation: Cover-Up. PW 10/14/24, K 12/15/24

Guojing. Oasis. PW 11/11/24

Hartman, Aubrey.  The Undead Fox of Deadwood Forest.  K 12/1/24

Healy, Kay. The Mysterious New Girl. PW 11/11/24

Korman, Gordon. Old School. PW 10/14/24

Lai, Remy.  Chickenpox.  K 11/15/24

Leathley, Philippa. Meticulous Jones and the Skull Tattoo. PW 10/14/24

Lukoff, Kyle.  A World Worth Saving.  PW 10/28/24, K 11/1/24, SLJ 12/24

Marianayagam, Maria.  No Purchase Necessary.  K 11/1/24, SLJ 12/24

McClaren, Meredith.  Crumble.  K 12/1/24

McCullough, Joy. Everything is Poison. PW 10/14/24

McDonald, Megan.  Flower Door Diaries: Eliza and the Flower Fairies.  BL 11/1-15/24

Monsef, Kiyash.  Bird of a Thousand Stories.  K 12/1/24

Mullarky, Alex.  The Edge of the Silver Sea.  K 12/15/24

Munoz, Gloria.  This Is the Year.  BL 11/1-15/24

Pinkney, Andea Davis.  And She Was Loved: Toni Morrison's Life in Stories.  BL 11/1-15/24

Rappaport, Doreen.  Beacon of Hope: The Life of Barack Obama.  BL 11/1-15/24

Rhodes, Jewell Parker.  Will's Race for Home.  PW 10/21/24, SLJ 11/24, K 12/15/24

Riordan, Rick.  Percy Jackson and the Olympians: Wrath of the Triple Goddess.  K 11/15/24

Robin, Taylor. Hunger's Bite. PW 10/28/24

Rubinstein, Elana.  The Secret of the Scent Map.  SLJ 12/24

Rundberg, Johan.  The Lost Ones. K 12/1/24

Sanders, Lee.  Under the Light of the Fireflies.  BL 11/1-15/24

Shusterman, Neal. All Better Now. PW 10/28/24

Skrypuch, Marsha Forchuk.  Under Attack.  K 11/15/24

Smith, Linda Joan.  The Peach Tree.  BL 11/1-15/24

Smith, Sasha Peyton. The Rose Bargain. PW 11/11/24

Stewart, Erin.  The Forgotten Magic of Zoey Turner.  K 11/15/24

Stuart, Dean.  Cassi and the House of Memories.  K 12/1/24

Taylor, Emily J. The Otherwhere Post. PW 10/28/24

Torres, Vanessa L. On the Wings of La Noche. PW 9/30/24

Stuart, Dean. Cassi and the House of Memories. PW 11/4/24

Venkatraman, Padma.  Safe Harbor.  SLJ 11/24

von Lieshout, Maria. Song of a Blackbird. PW 10/14/24

Watkins, Lala.  Hello, Sun!  SLJ 11/24

Wilkinson, Lili. Unhallowed Halls. PW 11/11/24

Witherspoon, Sujin.  Bingsu for Two.  BL 11/1-15/24

Wood, Maryrose.  Bad Badger: A Love Story.  K 12/1/24

Newbery Criteria

1. In identifying “distinguished contribution to American literature,” defined as text, in a book for children,

a. Committee members need to consider the following: Instructions for Paste and Spellcheck

  • Interpretation of the theme or concept
  • Presentation of information including accuracy, clarity, and organization
  • Development of a plot
  • Delineation of characters
  • Delineation of a setting
  • Appropriateness of style.

Note: Because the literary qualities to be considered will vary depending on content, the committee need not expect to find excellence in each of the named elements. The book should, however, have distinguished qualities in all of the elements pertinent to it.

b.Committee members must consider excellence of presentation for a child audience.

2. Each book is to be considered as a contribution to American literature. The committee is to make its decision primarily on the text. Other components of a book, such as illustrations, overall design of the book, etc., may be considered when they make the book less effective.

3. The book must be a self-contained entity, not dependent on other media (i.e., sound or film equipment) for its enjoyment.
 
Note: The committee should keep in mind that the award is for literary quality and quality presentation for children. The award is not for didactic content or popularity.