The 2026 Newbery Medal winners are here, and we have thoughts. In this episode, we each spotlight a different honored title and break down what makes it award-worthy (or not!). From unforgettable characters to powerful themes, we’re sharing our honest reactions, favorite moments, and a few surprises along the way. Come chat books with us!

Titles mentioned in this episode:

The Trouble With Heroes by Kate Messner

Because of Winn Dixie by Kate DiCamilo

Little House on The Prarie by Laura Ingalls Wilder

Ginger Pye by Eleanor Estes

From The Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil by E. Frankweiler

The Voyages of Doctor Dolittle by Hugh Lofting

Trumpeter of Krakow by Eric P. Kelly

Smokey The Cow Horse by Will James

On The Bank of Plum Creek by Laura Ingalls Wilder

Mr. Popper's Penguins by Richard and Florence Atwater

The Hundred Dresses by Eleanor Estes

The Teacher of Nomad Land by Daniel Nayeri

Refugee by Alan Gratz

Prisoner B-3087 by Alan Gratz

The Undead Fox of Deadwood Forest by Aubrey Hartman

Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte

A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman

The Nine Moons of Han Yu and Luli by Karina Yan Glaser

The Vanderbeekers Series by Karina Yan Glaser

All The Blues in The Sky by Renée Watson

A Sea of Lemon Trees: The Corrido of Roberto Alvarez by María Dolores Águila

Pax by Sara Pennypacker

Heartwood Hotel by Kallie George

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Divergent by Veronica Roth

Ready Player One by Ernest Cline

Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card