As the ALA never fails to remind us, the John Newbery Award is the oldest children’s literature prize in the world. 2026 is the 104th anniversary, and as usual we’ll be tuning in to the live feed to hear all the announcements. Still, it’s fun to take a stab at predictions. Library blogs and websites… The post Out on a Limb: 2026 Newbery Predictions appeared first on Redeemed Reader.

A World Without Summer: A Volcano Erupts, a Creature Awakens, and the Sun Goes Out by Nicholas Day. Illustrated by Yas Imamura. Random House Studio, 2025, 304 pages. Reading Level: Middle Grades, ages 10-12 Recommended for: Ages 10-14 Indonesia, April 5, 1815: Mount Tambora, on the island of Sumbawa, had been rumbling for a couple… The post Newbery Roundup #2: A World without Summer, Scattergood, and Bad Badger appeared first on Redeemed Reader.

Links for content on Redeemed Reader that relates to the Spring, 2026 issue of The Redeemed Reader Quarterly: the Fantasy Books Issue. The post Fantasy Books Issue (Redeemed Reader Quarterly, Spring 2026) appeared first on Redeemed Reader.

The graphic novel Kindred Dragons introduces young fantasy-lovers to a plucky heroine and a classic setting. The post Kindred Dragons (Book 1) by Sarah Mensinga appeared first on Redeemed Reader.

Janie and Betsy discuss The Undead Fox of Deadwood Forest and evaluate its chances for a Newbery Award. The post Newbery Buzz 2026: The Undead Fox of Deadwood Forest appeared first on Redeemed Reader.

Cooper Dale wants to be radiant – but between bullies, racism, and a mean teacher, she’s not sure she’ll ever shine. The post *Radiant by Vaunda Micheaux Nelson appeared first on Redeemed Reader.

A sweet, cozy picture book, Tuesday’s Bear is a tale of lost and found. The post *Tuesday’s Bear by Alexandra Davis appeared first on Redeemed Reader.

Does it matter whether your child reads an easy reader adaptation of a picture book rather than the original? Among my family’s top all-time favorite picture books are the stories about Frances, a young badger who is truly childlike in her sensibilities. She and her little sister, Gloria, are loved by their wise and patient… The post The Frances Series by Russell Hoban: Picture Books or Easy Readers? appeared first on Redeemed Reader.

Newbery buzz among librarians begins early in the year, and all three of these books have appeared on speculation lists. All are worthy of some attention, but what kind of chance do they have? The Poetry of Car Mechanics by Heidi E. Y. Semple. Wordsong (Astra), May 2025, 248 pages. Reading Level: Middle Grades, ages10-12… The post Newbery Roundup #1: The Poetry of Car Mechanics, A Hero’s Guide to Summer Vacation, and Outside appeared first on Redeemed Reader.

They Battled in Blizzards introduces middle-graders to the complexity of World War II’s “Battle of the Bulge.” The post World War II Close Up: They Battled in Blizzards by Deborah Hopkinson appeared first on Redeemed Reader.