Each year the American Library Association honors books, videos, and other outstanding materials for children and teens. Recognized worldwide for the high quality they represent, the ALA Youth Media Awards – including the prestigious Newbery, Caldecott, Printz, and Coretta Scott King Book Awards – guide parents, educators, librarians, and others in selecting the best materials for youth.
The public announcement of the Medal-winning and Honor titles will be held on Monday, January 26 beginning at 10 a.m. CT. The announcement will take place at the Hilton Chicago hotel (720 S. Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60605). As we approach these announcements, libraries, schools, and book discussion groups around the globe offer Mock Election programs. We’d love to see which titles your Mock programs have selected!
To add your mock election results to this page, please use this form.
Mock YMA Election programs are a wonderful opportunity for children’s literature aficionados to learn more about some of the great, recently published books for kids. Below, you will find results from mock elections around the world. This page will be updated as results are received. (Because most Mock YMA Elections are held in December and January, keep checking back for more results.)
To add your mock election results to this page, please use this form. Please attach a copy of the ALSC Photo Release Form if you would like images of participants to be included.
Use these links to jump quickly to the results of the Mock Award in which you are most interested.
- Mock American Indian Youth Literature Award Results
- Mock Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature Results
- Mock Batchelder Results
- Mock Caldecott Results
- Mock Coretta Scott King Results
- Mock Geisel Results
- Mock Newbery Results
- Mock Printz Results
- Mock Pura Belpré Results
- Mock Schneider Results
- Mock Sibert Results
- Mock Stonewall Results
- Mock Sydney Taylor Results
Mock Caldecott Results
(For information about the Caldecott Award, visit the Caldecott Medal homepage.)Mock Caldecott Winner:
Three hundred students at Donald P. Sutherland Elementary School started their Mock Caldecott project in November 2025. Students in grades 3 to 5 read and graded over 63 books. Kindergarten through grade 2 students read one to two books each week. A week before the vote, 3-5 grade students voted on 16 books to go in a school wide graph where all students and staff voted for 4 titles, 1 winner and 3 honors. Their Instagram pages show photos of the project in process.
The students and staff selected one Mock Caldecott winner and 4 Honor titles.
Mock Caldecott Winner:
Fireworks, illustrated by Catia Chien and written by Matthew Burgess
Mock Caldecott Honor Books:
Stalactite and Stalagmite, illustrated and written by Drew Beckmeyer
Cranky, Crabby Crow (Saves the World), illustrated and written by Corey R. Tabor
Don’t Trust Fish, illustrated by Dan Santat and written by Neil Sharpson
Cat Nap, illustrated and written by Brian Lies
For more information about this program, contact Peggy O’Connor at oconnorma@egcsd.org.
Four hundred and two students in grades 5, 6, and 7 at Wellwood Middle School in Fayetteville, NY voted after evaluating ten 2025 picture books. This year was our school’s 3rd Mock Caldecott. They selected one winner and two Honor books.
Mock Caldecott Winner:
Don’t Trust Fish, illustrated by Dan Santat and written by Neil Sharpson
Mock Caldecott Honor Books:
Cat Nap, illustrated and written by Brian Lies
Cranky, Crabby Crow (Saves the World), illustrated and written by Corey R. Tabor
For more information, please contact Sarah M. Elliott at selliott@fmschools.org.
Though Winter Storm Fern prevented us from having our final meeting, these books were at the front of the first round of voting by 23 patrons and librarians at the Wood County District Public Library in Bowling Green, Ohio over the course of the month of January.
Mock Caldecott Winner:
Cat Nap, illustrated and written by Brian Lies
Mock Caldecott Honor Books:
Soy Sauce, illustrated and written by Laura G. Lee
Broken, illustrated and written by X. Fang
Dragonflies of Glass, illustrated by Susanna Chapman and written by Susan Goldman Rubin
Nunu and the Sea, illustrated and written by Isabella Kung
The History of We, illustrated and written by Nikkolas Smith
For more information about this program, please contact Cassie Greenlee at cassandragreenlee@wcdpl.org.
Six hundred twenty 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders at Garnet Valley Elementary School in Glen Mills, PA read 21 picture books from the beginning of December until January 23, 2026. Each student had a rubric and evaluation form based on the Caldecott requirements. Students read and evaluated weekly during their library class.. They selected one Mock winner and three Mock Honor books.
Mock Caldecott Winner:
Don’t Trust Fish, illustrated by Dan Santat and written by Neil Sharpson
Mock Caldecott Honor Books:
Cranky, Crabby Crow (Saves the World), illustrated and written by Corey R. Tabor
Cat Nap, illustrated and written by Brian Lies
Broken, illustrated and written by X. Fang
Fifteen adults who enjoy excellent picture books – the Caldecott Conjecturers in Fort Wayne, IN – shared 24 titles via a Google doc throughout the year. Nine of the group met and discussed the artistic merits of the selected titles. They selected one Mock winner and three Mock Honor books.
Mock Caldecott Winner:
Cat Nap, illustrated and written by Brian Lies
Mock Caldecott Honor Books:
Broken, illustrated and written by X. Fang
Fireworks, illustrated by Catia Chien and written by Matthew Burgess
Head Full of Clouds, Illustrated by Afsaneh Sanei and written by Joanne Schwartz
Three hundred students in Kindergarten through 2nd Grade at the Beliner Elementary School in Prairie Village, KS read a selection of 14 books throughout the month of January. Using a Google form, and with teacher guidance, students rated each book on the five Caldecott criteria. Book ratings were averaged using the linked Google sheet. They selected one Mock winner and three Mock Honor books.
Mock Caldecott Winner:
Every Monday Mable, illustrated and written by Jashar Awan
Mock Caldecott Honor Books:
Cat Nap, illustrated and written by Brian Lies
The Polar Bear and the Ballerina, written and illustrated by Eric Velasquez
Stalactite and Stalagmite, illustrated and written by Drew Beckmeyer
For more information about this program, please contact Wendy Oviatt at wendyoviatt@smsd.org.
Despite sub-zero wind chills, there were 36 teachers and librarians (and one child!) in attendance at the 53rd annual Caldecott Read-In at the Toledo Lucas County Public Library in Toledo, Ohio. Participants spent the morning browsing our top 100 picture books of 2025, then heard librarian reviews of our top 10 titles before discussing and selecting our winners.
Mock Caldecott Winner:
Cat Nap, illustrated and written by Brian Lies
Mock Caldecott Honor Books:
Every Monday Mable, illustrated and written by Jashar Awan
Fireworks, illustrated by Catia Chien and written by Matthew Burgess
Broken, illustrated and written by X. Fang
For more information about this program, please contact Nancy Eames at nancy.eames@toledolibrary.org.
In a Worlds of Words Center of Global Literacies and Literatures program, a range of forty K-12 and university educators, artists, and community members – including middle school and teen participants -met on a Saturday for a few hours. The facilitator has formerly served on Heavy Medal committees, is a children’s literature expert, and shared extensive resources.
The WOW Reads podcast bonus episode that features the middle school attendee voices can be found at https://www.buzzsprout.com/2080893/episodes/18559089 (or on your favorite platform, including Apple, Spotify, or iHeartRadio).
Mock Caldecott Winner:
Broken, illustrated and written by X. Fang
Mock Caldecott Honor Books:
The History of We, illustrated and written by Nikkolas Smith
Popo the Xolo, illustrated by Abraham Matias and written by Palmona Angelina Lopez,
Our Lake, illustrated and written by Angie Kang
For more information about this program, please contact Rebecca Ballenger at rklb@arizona.edu.
Children’s librarians from northeast Indiana met at the Wells County Public Library in Bluffton, IN to examine and discuss 60 outstanding picture books during an all-day workshop. The first ballot resulted in 30 books making the cut. After more examination, participants voted for five books in preferential order. Four finalists were discussed in small and large group settings. The winner had significantly more votes; however, the other three finalists were within two points of each other so the group decided to name those titles as honor books.
Mock Caldecott Winner:
Broken, illustrated and written by X. Fang
Mock Caldecott Honor Books:
Big Enough, illustrated and written by Regina Linke
Cat Nap, illustrated and written by Brian Lies
Nunu and the Sea, illustrated and written by Isabella Kung
For more information about this program, please contact Susan Dailey at sdailey@wellscolibrary.org.
Twenty one librarians from three different library systems throughout the Kansas City metro area (Kansas City Public Library, Johnson County Public Library, and Mid-Continent Public Library) spent 3 months reading award nominations and engaging in discussion (whether on the website, with friends, or with colleagues as part of professional development) before casting their votes for the 2026 Mock Caldecott, Newbery, and Printz Awards. The group selected one Mock Caldecott winner and two Mock Honor books.
Mock Caldecott Winner:
Cat Nap, illustrated and written by Brian Lies
Mock Caldecott Honor Books:
Broken, illustrated and written by X. Fang
All the Stars in the Sky, written by Art Coulson, illustrated by Winona Nelson
For more information about this program, please contact Josie Schneider at josetteschneider@kclibrary.org.
Thirty students in the 3rd-5th grade multi-age classroom at The Bloomington Project School in Bloomington, IN spent January reading picture books with a focus on Caldecott and Sibert contenders. Each student read approximately 36 books and the classroom teacher and art teacher shared an additional 12 titles. Students completed a judging packet to rate each book. They selected one Mock winner and three Mock Honor books.
Mock Caldecott Winner:
Don’t Trust Fish, illustrated by Dan Santat and written by Neil Sharpson
Mock Caldecott Honor Books:
Cee Cee Underground Railroad Cinderella Story illustrated by Laura Freeman and written by Shana Keller Illustrated by Laura Freeman
The Escape Artist illustrated by Galia Bernstein and written by Thor Hanson
Home by and illustrated by Loren Long and written by Matt de la Pena
For more information, contact Heather Rock at hrock@theprojectschool.org.
Continuing a 25 year old tradition in his classroom, the twenty-two students in Mr. Wright’s 3rd Grade Class at Kensico School in Valhalla, NY participated in a Mock Caldecott — one of Mr. Wright’s favorite things to do with the kids each year! They selected one Mock winner and three Mock Honor titles.
Mock Caldecott Winner:
Cat Nap, illustrated and written by Brian Lies
Mock Caldecott Honor Books:
Big Enough, illustrated and written by Regina Linke
Moon Song, illustrated and written by Michaela Goade
Papilio, illustrated and written by Ben Clanton, Corey R. Tabor, and Andy Chou Musser
In a partnership between the Brooks Free Library and the Harwich Elementary school in Harwich, MA, a librarian read a picture book to 200 second, third, and fourth graders each week from September to January, culminating in a vote in mid-January.
Mock Caldecott Winner:
Don’t Trust Fish, illustrated by Dan Santat and written by Neil Sharpson
Mock Caldecott Honor Books:
Cranky, Crabby Crow (Saves the World), illustrated and written by Corey R. Tabor
Every Monday Mable, illustrated and written by Jashar Awan
Our Lake, illustrated and written by Angie Kang
Cat Nap, illustrated and written by Brian Lies
For more information about this program, please contact Ann Carpenter at acarpenter@clamsnet.org.
The 2026 Takoma Park Mock Caldecott was held over four sessions in late fall and early winter, with the final meeting set aside for discussion and voting. Several community members of all ages joined us for each lively session, co-facilitated by Dave Burbank and Sylvie Shaffer, and with support from the Friends of the Takoma Park Maryland Library in Takoma Park, MD. Books were sourced through our partnership with local bookshop, People’s Book. Of the fifteen books selected to read and discuss, nine titles received votes during our balloting process, showcasing a wide diversity of opinions! Our first place winner was “If You Make a Call on a Banana Phone” and in second place, “A Gift of Dust” tied with “Aggie and the Ghost“. Third place also garnered a tie between Fireworks and Broken.
Mock Caldecott Winner:Mock Caldecott Winner:
If You Make a Call on a Banana Phone, illustrated by Emily Hughes and written by Gideon Sterer
Mock Caldecott Honor Books:
A Gift of Dust, illustrated by Juana Martinez-Neal and written by Martha Brockenbaugh
Aggie and the Ghost, illustrated and written by Matthew Forsyth
Broken, illustrated and written by X. Fang
Fireworks, illustrated by Catia Chien written by Matthew Burgess
For more information about this program, contact Sylvie Juliet Shaffer at sylvie.shaffer@gmail.com.
Jill Dodge read 9 potential winners to her third and fourth grade library classes at Grand Star Elementary School in Gardner, Kansas. One hundred twenty students used the Caldecott Criteria to evaluate the books. On the final day…voting day… the students reviewed the books and then voted. On Jill Dodge is bringing “Golden Oreos” (to replicate the Gold Medals) and they will all enjoy that treat while watching the YMA results.
Mock Caldecott Winner:
Cranky, Crabby Crow (Saves the World), illustrated and written by Corey R. Tabor
For more information about this program, contact Jill Dodge at dodgej@usd231.com.
Thirty members of the Youth Services Division of the Pennsylvania Library Association participated in its first Mock Caldecott. Discussing nominated books by peers was the agenda topic for both our November and December YSD meetings. The results were presented at our January monthly meeting. Meetings were held virtually, and a google voting poll was shared, along with a rubric for tools to guide discussions. We look forward to participating again next year. One winner and four Honor titles were selected.
Mock Caldecott Winner:
Stalactite and Stalagmite, illustrated and written by Drew Beckmeyer
Mock Caldecott Honor Books:
To See an Owl, illustrated and written by Matthew Cordell
Cat Nap, illustrated and written by Brian Lies
Fireworks, illustrated by Catia Chien written by Matthew Burgess
Don’t Trust Fish, illustrated by Dan Santat and written by Neil Sharpson
For more information about this program, contact Nina C White at nwhite@jvbrown.edu.
Eight 6th-8th graders – the Pizza and Pages Middle School Book Group – at Bowling Green Middle School in Bowling Green, Ohio met and discussed the merits of 12 different picture books before selecting their winning titles.
Mock Caldecott Winner:
A Gift of Dust, illustrated by Juana Martinez-Neal and written by Martha Brockenbaugh
Mock Caldecott Honor Books
Stalactite and Stalagmite, illustrated and written by Drew Beckmeyer
The History of We, illustrated and written by Nikkolas Smith
Five members of Chapter EJ of P.E.O. showed up on a cold and snowy Saturday morning of January 10th in Bowling Green, Ohio to participate in a Mock Caldecott program. They selected their winner and honor books over an hour-long discussion, considering 16 titles in total.
Mock Caldecott Winner:
Cat Nap, illustrated and written by Brian Lies
Mock Caldecott Honor Books:
Broken, illustrated and written by X. Fang
The Invisible Parade, illustrated by John Picacio and written by Leigh Bardugo
Nunu and the Sea, illustrated and written by Isabella Kung
For more information about this program, contact Cassie Greenlee at cassandragreenlee@wcdpl.org.
School librarians and teachers with the Central Indiana Literacy Council examined and discussed 32 great picture books in a half-day workshop in Westfield, IN. After an initial vote, the 8 participants critically discussed five finalists, ultimately selecting one Mock Caldecott Winner and three Honor titles.
Mock Caldecott Winner:
Nunu and the Sea, illustrated and written by Isabella Kung
Mock Caldecott Honor Books:
Cat Nap, illustrated and written by Brian Lies
Gift of Dust, illustrated by Juana Martinez-Neal and written by Martha Brockenbrough
In the World of Whales, illustrated by Jessica Lanan and written by Michelle Cusolito
For more information about this program, contact Susan Dailey at sdailey@wellscolibrary.org.
Forty eight children’s librarians from central Indiana spent the morning of January 16th examining 60+ wonderful picture books at the Carmel Clay Public Library in Carmel, Indiana. Participants cast their first ballot before lunch, which resulted in 32 books making the cut. After more examination, participants voted for their top five books in preferential order. The second ballot resulted in five finalists being examined and critically discussed before selecting a winner and one honor book.
Mock Caldecott Winner:
Broken illustrated and written by X. Fang
Mock Caldecott Honor Books:
Nunu and the Sea, illustrated and written by Isabella Kung
For more information about this program, contact Susan Dailey at sdailey@wellscolibrary.org.
Travis Jonker is an elementary school librarian in Michigan. Over a period of three weeks, his students read, compared, and discussed four books at his K-3 school and then voted (via Google Form) for a winner and three Honor Titles.
Mock Caldecott Winner:
Cranky, Crabby Crow (Saves the World), illustrated and written by Corey R. Tabor
Mock Caldecott Honor Books:
Fireworks, illustrated by Cátia Chien and written by Matthew Burgess
Every Monday Mable, illustrated and written by Jashar Awan
Broken illustrated and written by X. Fang
(Information about this program taken – with permission – from 100 Scope Notes.) For more information, contact Travis Jonker at scopenotes@gmail.com.
On January 15th, ten librarians from across the Harford County Public Library system in Harford County, Maryland, gathered for a morning of discussion of 6 preselected titles for a Mock Caldecott Award. Staff were also encouraged to bring their own selected title for the award, which provided a wonderful morning of discussion. They selected one winning title and one Honor title,
Mock Caldecott Winner:
Cat Nap, illustrated and written by Brian Lies
Mock Caldecott Honor Books:
Where the Deer Slip Through, illustrated by Beth Krommes and written by Katey Howes
Members of the Colorado Book Evaluation Group meet and discuss books in Denver, Colorado throughout the year. Seven members voted at their final meeting on January 11th for the winning Mock Caldecott titles. They selected one winner and two honor titles.
Mock Caldecott Winner:
Cat Nap, illustrated and written by Brian Lies
Mock Caldecott Honor Books:
Big Enough, illustrated and written by Regina Linke
Anything, illustrated by Gracey Zhang and written by Rebecca Stead
For more information about this program, contact Carol Edwards at edwarc48@gmail.com
The Mock Caldecott discussion at the Ramapo Catskill Library System in Middleton, New York includes youth services library staff from 46 member libraries. They review titles throughout the year and get a list of 40 titles to review on the day of the discussion. Small groups discuss 10 titles and then present their winner. From those, an overall winner is selected.
Mock Caldecott Winner:
Cat Nap, illustrated and written by Brian Lies
Mock Caldecott Honor Books:
The Peddler of Puddles, illustrated by Tom Lichtenheld and written by Beth Ferry
The Keeper of Stories, illustrated by Selina and written by Caroline Kusin Pritchard
For a Girl Becoming, illustrated by Adriana M. Garcia and written by Joy Harjo
For more information about this program, contact Michelle Muller at michelle.muller@rcls.org.
Fourteen members of the Beavercreek Library Teen Advisory Group in Beavercreek, Ohio met to read and discuss titles. The members of this volunteer group are 12 to 18 years old. They only met once, on January 7th, but they were able to fit in thoughtful discussion, reading, and voting. They selected one winning title and three Honor titles.
Mock Caldecott Winner:
Cat Nap, illustrated and written by Brian Lies
Mock Caldecott Honor Books:
No More Chairs, illustrated by Susan Gal and written by Dan Gil
History of We, illustrated and written by Nikkolas Smith
Don’t Trust Fish, illustrated by Dan Santat and written by Neil Sharpson
For more information about this program, contact Julie Gannon at jgannon@gcpl.lib.oh.us.
Thirty three participants — mostly public library children’s librarians and a few school librarians — of the North Central Indiana Children’s Services Round Table met all day on January 6. They participated in training, reading, and selecting a winning Mock Caldecott title and four Honor titles.
Mock Caldecott Winner:
Cat Nap, illustrated and written by Brian Lies
Mock Caldecott Honor Books:
Broken, illustrated and written by X. Fang
Moon Song, illustrated and written by Michaela Goade
Nunu and the Sea, illustrated and written by Isabella Kung
A Place for Us, illustrated by James Ransome
For more information about this program, contact Tina Ervin at tervin@goshenpl.org.
Twenty-one adults, members of the Bowling Green Exchange Club in Bowling Green, Ohio, selected their winning titles from a list of 15 books at their January meeting on January 6. They selected one winning title and four Honor titles.
Mock Caldecott Winner:
Cat Nap, illustrated and written by Brian Lies
Mock Caldecott Honor Books:
Moon Song, illustrated and written by Michaela Goade
The Invisible Parade, illustrated by John Picacio and written by Leigh Bardugo
Soy Sauce, illustrated and written by Laura G. Lee
Nunu and the Sea, illustrated and written by Isabella Kung
For more information about this program, contact Cassie Greenlee at cassandragreenlee@wcdpl.org.
Over a period of eleven months, 9 library staff members at the Austin Public Library in Austin, Texas nominated and met virtually to discuss eligible picture books, selecting 15 finalists. After a rousing in-person debate and four rounds of voting, they selected one medalist and four honor titles.
Mock Caldecott Winner:
Cat Nap, illustrated and written by Brian Lies
Mock Caldecott Honor Books:
Broken, illustrated and written by X. Fang
Fireworks, illustrated by Cátia Chien and written by Matthew Burgess
The Invisible Parade, illustrated by John Picacio and written by Leigh Bardugo
The Polar Bear and the Ballerina, written and illustrated by Eric Velasquez
For more information about this program, contact Heather L. Rowan at heather.rowan@austintexas.gov.
Beginning on November 7 through December 11, the nine staff members of the Wakarusa Public Library in Wakarusa, IN examined eligible picture books during a portion of their staff in-service day. Each staff member then nominated 1 title for the ballot. Over 3 rounds of voting, the winning title and three honor books were chosen. This is the seventh year that the staff has held a Mock Caldecott program.
Mock Caldecott Winner:
The Littlest Drop, illustrated by Jerry and Brian Pinkney and written by Sascha Alper
Mock Caldecott Honor Books:
Big Enough, illustrated and written by Regina Linke
Moon Song, illustrated and written by Michaela Goade
A Snow Day for Amos McGee, illustrated by Erin E. Stead and written by Philip C. Stead.
For more information about this program, contact Matt Bowers at mbowers@wakarusa.lib.in.us.
On December 5, 2025, staffmembers at the Springfield-Greene County Library in Springfield, MO had a great time debating a list of 10 finalists to select their Mock Caldecott Award winner and Honor books. The eight participants selected one winner and four Honor titles:
Mock Caldecott Winner:
Cat Nap, illustrated and written by Brian Lies
Mock Caldecott Honor Books:
Fireworks, illustrated by Cátia Chien and written by Matthew Burgess
Our Lake, illustrated and written by Angie Kang
Sunflower Seeds, illustrated and written by Ellen Heck
We Leap Together, illustrated and written by Christopher Silas Neal
For more information about this program, contact Sarah Bean Thompson at sarahbean@thelibrary.org.
Mock Newbery Results
(For information about the Newbery Award, visit the Newbery Medal homepage.)
Fifteen adults – Newbery Noodling in Fort Wayne, IN – selected 15 Mock Newbery titles via a Google doc throughout the year. Eight members of the group met and discussed the merits of those titles. They selected one Mock winner and one Mock Honor title.
Mock Newbery Winner:
The Strongest Heart by Saadia Faruqi
Mock Newbery Honor Book:
Will’s Race for Home by Jewell Parker Rhodes
Twenty-one librarians from three different library systems throughout the Kansas City metro area (Kansas City Public Library, Johnson County Public Library, and Mid-Continent Public Library) spent 3 months reading award nominations and engaging in discussion (whether on the website, with friends, or with colleagues as part of professional development) before casting their votes for the 2026 Mock Caldecott, Newbery, and Printz Awards. They selected one Mock Newbery winner and two Mock Honor titles.
Mock Newbery Winner:
Please Pay Attention by Jamie Sumner
Mock Newbery Honor Books:
The Incredibly Human Henson Blayze by Derrick Barnes
The Undead Fox of Deadwood Forest by Aubrey Hartman
For more information about this program, please contact Josie Schneider at josetteschneider@kclibrary.org.
Five people at the Springfield-Greene County Library in Springfield MO participated in a Mock Newbery program. They selected one Mock winner and two Mock Honor books.
Mock Newbery Winner:
The Poetry of Car Mechanics by Heidi E.Y. Stemple
Mock Newbery Honor Books:
The Undead Fox of Deadwood Forest by Aubrey Hartman
How to Say Goodbye in Cuban by Daniel Miyares
For more information about this program, please contact Sarah Thompson at sarahbean@thelibrary.org.
Ten Youth Services librarians from the Suffolk Cooperative Library System in Bellport, NY read six titles which were evaluated in a book discussion style on January 20th, 2026. We discussed merits while eating Cascade-and-Porter Cookies, a recipe from The Trouble With Heroes by Kate Messner!
Mock Newbery Winner:
Will’s Race for Home by Jewell Parker Rhodes
Mock Newbery Honor Books:
The Undead Fox of Deadwood Forest by Aubrey Hartman
The Trouble with Heroes by Kate Messner
For more information about this program, contact Joannie Lauria at joannie@suffolknet.org.
A group of ten Harford County Public Library (Harford County, Maryland) librarians gathered for an annual Mock Newbery Award discussion. This year there were 5 preselected titles and staff members were asked to bring one of their own choosing. They selected one winning title.
Mock Newbery Winner:
The Undead Fox of Deadwood Forest by Aubrey Hartman
Members of the Colorado Book Evaluation Group meet and discuss books in Denver, Colorado throughout the year. Seven members voted at their final meeting on January 11th for the winning Mock Newbery titles. They selected one winner and two honor titles.
Mock Newbery Winner:
Candle Island by Lauren Wolk
Mock Newbery Honor Books:
The Trouble with Heroes by Kate Messner
The Teacher of Nomad Land: A World War II Story by Daniel Nayeri
For more information about this program, contact Carol Edwards at edwarc48@gmail.com
The Ramapo Catskill Library System in Middleton, NY reads with the award in mind a year and begins to make recommendations to other committee members starting in September. The committee puts together a long list in November and meets to discuss those titles. They select awywhere from 4 to 6 titles to present to the youth services staff from our 46 member libraries to read. The group has an open Mock discussion in which committee members present the titles to the group and then invite discussion. After all titles are presented, everyone votes to select a winner and honor title(s).
Mock Newbery Winner:
The Trouble with Heroes by Kate Messner
Mock Newbery Honor Books:
The Undead Fox of Deadwood Forest by Aubrey Hartman
Radiant by Vaunda Micheaux Nelson
The Leaving Room by Amber McBride
For more information about this program, contact Michelle Muller at michelle.muller@rcls.org.
The DeKalb County Mock Newbery program is a collaboration between the four public libraries in DeKalb County, Indiana – Butler Public Library, Eckhart Public Library, Garrett Public Library, and Waterloo Grant Twp Public Library. The DeKalb County Mock Newbery is open to librarians, teachers, and the general public across Indiana. Twelve participants in the DeKalb County Mock Newbery meet monthly from June to December to learn about the Newbery award, discuss recently published children’s literature titles in light of the Newbery criteria, and vote for a potential Newbery winner.
Mock Newbery Winner:
Old School, written by Gordon Korman
Mock Newbery Honor Books:
Cincinnati Lee, Curse Breaker, written by Heidi Heilig
Opal Watson: Private Eye, written by Brittany J. Thurman
Mock Coretta Scott King Results
(For information about the Coretta Scott King Awards, visit the Coretta Scott King Book Awards homepage.)
Fifty students in the fifth grade at Marguerite Montgomery Elementary School in Davis, CA read books together during library classes over several weeks and voted for their CSK picks. They selected on mock winner and one mock Honor title.
Mock Coretta Scott King Winner:
Fish Fry Friday, illustrated by C.G. Esperanza and written by Winsome Bingham
Mock Coretta Scott King Honor Book:
History of We, illustrated and written by Nikkolas Smith
For more information about this program, contact Crystal Brunelle at cbrunelle@djusd.net.
Mock Geisel Results
(For information about the Theodor Seuss Geisel Award, visit the Geisel Awards homepage.)
Over the span of three weeks, approximately 75 students in our Kindergarten and Transitional Kindergarten classes at Patwin Elementary in Davis, CA read multiple eligible books and voted on the book that they felt should win the Geisel Award.
Mock Geisel Winner:
The Tunneler Tunnels in the Tunnel, illustrated and written by Michael Rex
Mock Geisel Honor Books:
Who’s Making All That Noise, written by Darrin Lund and illustrated by Erica J. Chen
I Like Cheese, written and illustrated by Salina Yoon
For more information about this program, contact Crystal Brunelle at cbrunelle@djusd.net.
Members of the Colorado Book Evaluation Group meet and discuss books in Denver, Colorado throughout the year. Seven members voted at their final meeting on January 11th for the winning Mock Geisel titles. They selected one winner and one honor title.
Mock Geisel Winner:
Night Light written and illustrated by Michael Emberley
Mock Geisel Honor Book:
George and Lenny Are Always Together, written and illustrated by Jon Agee
For more information about this program, contact Carol Edwards at edwarc48@gmail.com.
Mock Printz Results
(For information about the Printz Award, visit the Printz Award homepage.)
Twenty-one librarians from three different library systems throughout the Kansas City metro area (Kansas City Public Library, Johnson County Public Library, and Mid-Continent Public Library) spent 3 months reading award nominations and engaging in discussion (whether on the website, with friends, or with colleagues as part of professional development) before casting their votes for the 2026 Mock Caldecott, Newbery, and Printz Awards. These “Kansas City Mock Book Awards” resulted in one Mock Printz winner and one Mock Honor book.
Mock Printz Winner:
The Teacher of Nomad Land: A World War II Story by Daniel Nayeri
Mock Printz Honor Book:
Death in the Jungle: Murder, Betrayal, and the Lost Dream of Jonestown, written by Candice Fleming
For more information about this program, please contact Josie Schneider at josetteschneider@kclibrary.org.
Forty-five teens at the Shorewood Public Library in Shorewood, WI participated by voting weekly against a bracket to decide an overall winner. This was a self-directed activity that was left in the Teen Space and updated weekly to reflect the previous week’s voting results.
One winning Mock Printz title and three Mock Honor titles were selected.
Mock Printz Winner:
The Rose Bargain by Sasha Peyton Smith
Mock Printz Honor Books:
Legendary Frybread Drive-In: Intertribal Stories, edited by Cynthia Leitich Smith
Everything Is Poison, by Joy McCullough
And the River Drags Her Down, by Jihyun Yun
For more information about this program, contact Abigail Ott at abigail.ott@mcfls.org.
Members of the Colorado Book Evaluation Group meet and discuss books in Denver, Colorado throughout the year. Seven members voted at their final meeting on January 11th for the winning Mock Printz titles. Due to a tie, there were two winners selected.
Mock Printz Winner:
All Better Now by Neal Shusterman
Mock Printz Winner:
Under the Same Stars by Libba Bray
For more information about this program, contact Carol Edwards at edwarc48@gmail.com.
The Mock Printz committee of the Ramapo Catskill Library System in Middletown, NY reads books throughout the year and meets every other month to discuss the titles. In November, they create a short list of 5 to 6 titles to share with the YA library staff in the 46 member libraries. Those who wish to participate read the books and come together to discuss each title and vote to select a winner and honor titles.
Mock Printz Winner:
I Am the Swarm by Hayley Chewins
Mock Printz Honor Titles:
The Corruption of Hollis Brown by K. Ancrum
Death in the Jungle: Murder, Betrayal and the Lost Dream of Jonestown by Candace Fleming
The Leaving Room, by Amber McBride
For more information about this program, contact Michelle Muller at michelle.muller@rcls.org.
Over the course of 2025, the Austin Public Library team of 14 youth librarians and library staff considered and discussed over 50 titles at quarterly online meetings, finally creating a shortlist of 10 titles. Eight of the committee members met in person on January 8 to discuss this short list and vote on the books we considered most worthy of winning a Printz award. One winning Mock Printz title and 3 Honor titles were selected.
Mock Printz Winner:
The Corruption of Hollis Brown by K. Ancrum
Mock Printz Honor Titles:
Song of a Blackbird, written and drawn by Maria Van Lieshout
The Leaving Room, by Amber McBride
Death in the Jungle: Murder, Betrayal and the Lost Dream of Jonestown by Candace Fleming
For more information about this program, contact Leslie Flynn at leslie.flynn@austintexas.gov.
Teen Leadership Corps members read and reviewed books weekly from June 18 to August 20, 2025. Five teens at the Wake County Public Libraries in Cary, NC selected their own books to read and reported back on whether they met the criteria and should be included in the final discussion.
Mock Printz Winner:
The Underwood Tapes by Amanda DeWitt
Mock Printz Honor Books:
After Life by Gayle Forman
Best of All Worlds by Kenneth Oppel
They Bloom at Night by Trang Thanh Tran
For more information about this program, please contact Jenn Hartley at jennifer.hartley@wake.gov.
Mock Sibert Results
(For information about the Sibert Award, visit the Sibert Award homepage.)
Forty-five 4th grade students at the Pike School in Andover, Massachusetts applied Mock Sibert criteria to analyze illustrated informational texts in a joint library-classroom collaboration. In preparation for voting, they wrote a persuasive paragraph outlining the reason for their selection. They selected one winning title.
Mock Sibert Winner:
Extreme Places: The Most Remote Homes on Earth, written and illustrated by Giles Laroche.
For more information about this program, contact Francesca Mellin at library@pikeschool.org.
Students in Marguerite Montgomery Elementary School in Davis, CA learned about the Sibert Award in library classes. About 50 sixth grade students read nonfiction titles over several weeks in the library and voted. They selected one Mock Sibert winner and one Mock Sibert Honor title.
Mock Sibert Winner:
Zero: The Number That Almost Wasn’t by Sarah Albee, illustrated by Chris Hsu
Mock Sibert Honor Books:
The Black Mambas: The World’s First All-Woman Anti-Poaching Unit, by Kelly Krull
For more information about this program, please contact Crystal Brunelle at cbrunelle@djusd.net.
Thirty students in the third-fifth grade multi-age class at The Bloomington Project School in Bloomington, IN spent the month of January reading picture books published in 2025 that might win the Caldecott or Sibert Award. This coincided with our study of informational texts, so we used these as our mentor texts. We read and analyzed twelve books specifically for the Sibert Award and also considered some from our Caldecott list as well. They selected one Mock Sibert winner and two Mock Honor titles.
Mock Sibert Winner:
The History of We, illustrated and written by Nikkolas Smith
Mock Sibert Honor Books:
Magic in a Drop of Water: How Ruth Patrick Taught the World about Water Pollution, written by Julie Winterbottom and illustrated by Susan Reagan
A Gift of Dust, illustrated by Juana Martinez-Neal and written by Martha Brockenbaugh
For more information about this program, please contact Heather Rock at hrock@theprojectschool.org.
Members of the Colorado Book Evaluation Group meet and discuss books in Denver, Colorado throughout the year. Seven members voted at their final meeting on January 11th for the winning Mock Sibert titles. They selected one winner and four Honor titles.
Mock Sibert Winner:
Seeds of Discovery – How Barbara McClintock Used Corn and Curiosity to Solve a Science Mystery and Win a Nobel Prize by Lori Alexander with art by Rebecca Santo
Mock Sibert Honor Titles:
Alberto Salas Plays Paka Paka con la Papa, written by Sara Andrea Fajardo and illustrated by Juana Martinez-Neal
I’m a Dumbo Octopus: A Guide to Cephalopods by Anne Lambelet
A World Without Summer by Nicholas Day
Zero: The Number That Almost Wasn’t by Sarah Albee, illustrated by Chris Hsu
For more information about this program, contact Carol Edwards at edwarc48@gmail.com.
Mock Pura Belpré Results
(For information about the Pura Belpré Award, visit the Belpré Awards homepage.)
About 50 fourth grade students at Patwin Elementary in Davis, CA spent three weeks reading multiple eligible titles during library lessons before voting. They selected one winner and two Honor titles.
Mock Pura Belpré Winner:
Vida: The Mice, the Cat, and the Alebrije by Duncan Tonatiuh
Mock Pura Belpré Honor Books:
Mistaco: A Tale of Tragedy y Tortillas by Eliza Kinkz
Sundust by Zeke Peña
For more information about this program, contact Crystal Brunelle at cbrunelle@djusd.net.
Fifty-five fourth graders at Marguerite Montgomery Elementary School in Davis, CA read multiple eligible books over the span of three weeks in library classes before voting for a Mock Pura Belpré winner.
Mock Pura Belpré Winner:
Mistaco by Eliza Kinkz
For more information about this program, contact Crystal Brunelle at cbrunelle@djusd.net.
Mock (Mildred L.) Batchelder Results
(For information about the Batchelder Award, visit the (Mildred L.) Batchelder homepage.)
Members of the Colorado Book Evaluation Group meet and discuss books in Denver, Colorado throughout the year. Seven members voted at their final meeting on January 11th for the winning Mock Batchelder titles. They selected one winner and one honor title.
Mock Batchelder Winner:
Okchundang Candy by Jung-Soon Go, translated by Aerin Park
Mock Batchelder Honor Book:
Beasts by Ingvild Berkeland, translated by Rosie Hedger
For more information about this program, contact Carol Edwards at edwarc48@gmail.com.
Mock Sydney Taylor Results
(For information about the Sydney Taylor Book Award, visit the Sydney Taylor Book Award homepage.)
Mock Stonewall Results
(For more information about the Stonewall Book Awards – Mike Morgan & Larry Romans Children’s and Young Adult Literature Award, visit the Stonewall Book Awards homepage.)
Four adults met monthly at the Brooks Free Library in Harwich, MA to discuss Mock Stonewall contenders, alternating Young Adult and Children’s books. We read six YA titles and four children’s novels plus some picture books.
Children’s Selections
Mock Stonewall Winner:
Bea Mullins Takes a Shot by Emily Deibert
Mock Stonewall Honor Book:
Family Week by Sarah Moon
YA Selections
Mock Stonewall Winner:
Nav’s Foolproof Guide to Falling in Love by Jessica Lewis
Mock Stonewall Honor Books:
World Worth Saving by Kyle Lukoff
One of the Boys by Victoria Zeller
Recommended Reading by Paul Coccia
For more information about this program, please contact Ann Carpenter at acarpenter@clamsnet.org.
Mock Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature Results
(For more information about the Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature, visit the APALA Literature Awards homepage.)
Mock American Indian Youth Literature Award Results
(For more information about the American Indian Youth Literature Award, visit the American Indian Youth Literature Award homepage.)
Mock Schneider Family Book Award Results
(For more information about the Schneider Book Award, visit the Schneider Family Book Award homepage.)
The 2026 ALA Youth Media Awards will be held on Monday, January 26 beginning at 10 a.m. CT. The announcement will take place at the Hilton Chicago hotel (720 S. Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60605). For more information, visit the ALA Youth Media Awards Press Kit.
Award seals can be purchased in advance to place on 2026 award-winning books, just visit the ALA Store!
Results from previous mock YMA programs are available:
- 2016 mock elections
- 2017 mock elections
- 2018 mock elections
- 2019 mock elections
- 2020 mock elections
- 2021 mock elections
- 2022 mock elections
- 2023 mock elections
- 2024 mock elections
- 2025 mock elections
If you would like to add the mock election results from your school, library, bookstore, or book discussion group to this compilation, please use this form.
Everyone is welcome to submit their Mock Results!