There are 96 suggested titles for SLJ’s Mock Newbery blog, Heavy Medal. Steven Engelfried challenged readers to find “words on the page” that demonstrated this year’s books’ excellence; here are some quotes I pulled from books eligible for the 2026 Newbery. Many are about grief, but they also touch on joy, friendship, and art.
From BAD BADGER by Maryrose Wood:
Perhaps friendship was like that. Perhaps a never-ending parade of misunderstandings was to be expected. Perhaps there was always a sense of mystery about the ones we care for, no matter how fond we are, or how well we imagine we know them. (page 29)
From THE TROUBLE WITH HEROES by Kate Messner:
The nightmares never leave. They never fade.
And heroes aren’t allowed to be afraid. (page 153)
From CANDLE ISLAND by Lauren Wolk:
Some things required solitude.
Some things could be strangled by the idea of an audience, even one on its feet, applauding. (page 62)
From DAN IN GREEN GABLES by Ray Terciero:
“How do you do that? Go from Depeche Mode-depression to total joy in a few seconds?”
“Happiness is a revolution, one that everyone has a right to enjoy. But sometimes? You have to work really hard at it. Especially if it doesn’t come naturally.” (page 73)
(This one’s also got some fantastically funny, snappy dialogue, like Mawmaw asking “What’s an ascot?” and Dan replying “What’s a succotash?”)
From WEIRD SAD AND SILENT by Alison McGhee:
Instead of visualizing, I’ve decided to call it futurizing. The future has not yet come. But I’m working on it. (page 3)
From INTO THE RAPIDS by Ann Braden:
How can I be so quick to understand that death can happen to anyone at any time, while simultaneously not being able to think about what it could have been like if someone hadn’t died? (pages 38-39)
From THE UNDEAD FOX OF DEADWOOD FOREST by Aubrey Hartman:
Mushrooms were not like animals or trees. They were soft and fragile, and they did not accept abuse: They stayed in the world only as long as it was gentle with them. (page 232)
From 13 WAYS TO SAY GOODBYE by Kate Fussner:
I’m afraid to move forward without her, to become someone she’ll never know. (page 200)
Jenny Arch 