John Newbery MedalAll the Blues in the SkyRenée WatsonSage’s best friend is dead. Analytical at heart, she struggles with the turbulent nature of grief. Watson mixes verse and prose to convey the aftermath of a 13-year-old trying to move forward after immeasurable loss. Experiencing shades of grief, Sage discovers that from the buds of sorrow, strength still blooms.All readersLexile NPATOS 5.0View book detailsJohn Newbery Medal and Honor Books 2026
The year's Newbery Medal winner and honor books.
2026 John Newbery Medal and Honor BooksSee the original list
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Published byAssociation for Library Service to Children (ALA)
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5 selections
John Newbery MedalAll the Blues in the SkyRenée WatsonSage’s best friend is dead. Analytical at heart, she struggles with the turbulent nature of grief. Watson mixes verse and prose to convey the aftermath of a 13-year-old trying to move forward after immeasurable loss. Experiencing shades of grief, Sage discovers that from the buds of sorrow, strength still blooms.All readersLexile NPATOS 5.0View book details
Newbery Honor BookThe Nine Moons of Han Yu and LuliKarina Yan GlaserIn dual timelines—731 Chang’an and 1931 New York Chinatown—Han Yu and Luli leave familiar lives to save their families from plague and financial crisis. Their adventures are linked by danger, art, and a touch of magic.All readersATOS 6.0AR interest Middle Grades (MG 4-8)View book details
Newbery Honor BookA Sea of Lemon Trees: The Corrido of Roberto AlvarezMaría Dolores ÁguilaA Sea of Lemon Trees is a 2025 children's novel in free verse about Roberto Alvarez and the Lemon Grove Incident, in which a Mexican American community successfully challenged school segregation in 1930s California.All readersLexile 800LATOS 5.1View book details
Newbery Honor BookThe Teacher of Nomad Land: A World War II StoryDaniel NayeriSet in 1941, The Teacher of Nomad Land follows orphaned siblings through occupied Iran as British and Soviet forces press in from opposite directions, revealing a lesser-known World War II history through a gentle adventure.All readersATOS 4.3AR interest MG 4–8View book details
Newbery Honor BookThe Undead Fox of Deadwood ForestAubrey HartmanThe Undead Fox of Deadwood Forest pairs Clare, a fox who guides animal souls to the afterlife, with the stubborn badger Gingersnipes on a dangerous mission that may change both of their destinies.All readersATOS 5.3AR interest MG 4–8View book details