Caldecott & Newbery Winners Prediction from Book Passage

This year has been a remarkable one for children’s literature. For the bibliophiles at Book Passage, narrowing down selections was no easy task, a true testament to the extraordinary talent and creativity of today’s authors and illustrators. We are incredibly fortunate to be living in a time when children’s literature is flourishing, offering such rich, diverse, and inspiring storytelling for young readers. Here’s to many more years of captivating books that spark imagination and curiosity.

The 2026 Caldecott, Newbery and other distinguished winners will be announced in early 2026 during the American Library Association’s Youth Media Awards.

CALDECOTT AWARDS

The Caldecott Medal is awarded to the artist of the most distinguished American picture book for children.

Book Passage Predicted Winners

Fireworks by Matthew Burgess

As a hot day sizzles into evening, everyone on stoops and sidewalks looks skyward on this special summer night—the Fourth of July! Words and art blossom into flowers of fire across the sky, making this a perfect read for firework enthusiasts in cities and suburbs everywhere.

Buy Now

Every Monday Mabel by Jashar Awan

Every Monday, Mabel wakes up early and peeks out her window to make sure she didn’t miss the one thing she’s been looking forward to the whole week. She drags her chair down the hallway, past her big sister and Mom and Dad, out the door, and waits.

What is Mabel waiting for every Monday? According to Mabel, it’s the best thing in the world. But no one else in her family seems to understand…until they see what’s honking down the street!

Buy Now

Broken by X Fang

When Mei Mei accidentally breaks her ama's favorite cup, she's convinced it's the end of the world. What if Ama is angry? What if she yells? What if she kicks Mei Mei out of her house? Mei Mei can't face it. But when Mimi, the innocent cat who witnesses her crime, ends up being blamed, the guilt is too much! Mimi's accusing eyes follow Mei Mei until she just can't take it anymore, and the truth comes spilling out.

Buy Now

Hurricane by Jason Chin

Hurricane is at once a fascinating view into a natural disaster and a reassuring survey of the tools we use to mitigate the damage. As climate change makes hurricanes ever more destructive, this engaging and rigorous book is perfect for classrooms, and for families making their own safety plans.

Buy Now

Cat Nap by Brian Lies

In the warm, late afternoon sunlight, a girl sits on the couch reading a book. Her kitten dozes nearby. But when Kitten notices a mouse and dives after it through a framed poster on the wall, an epic chase through time, art, and history ensues. Is it a dream? That’s up to the reader to decide, but for the kitten, every leap and bound is full of suspense and makes for a masterpiece.

Buy Now

If We Were Dogs by Sophie Blackall

Join two friends as they bark and growl, woof and howl—and maybe even quack—in a romp that makes room for everybody’s ideas.  

Buy Now

The Polar Bear and the Ballerina by Eric Velasquez

A wordless story of unlikely friendship that celebrates art and its ability to connect us. However, this picture book also opens a conversation about alienation and empathy. Who is kept out of the theater? How can we welcome them in? A deeply personal story, author Eric Valqueuez sees himself in this tale.

Buy Now

---

NEWBERY AWARDS

The Newbery Medal is awarded to the author of the most distinguished contribution to American literature for children.

Book Passage Predicted Winners

The Library of Unruly Treasures by Jeanne Birdsall 

Gwen MacKinnon's parents are dreadful. Truly, deeply, almost impressively dreadful. So Gwen's not upset at all when she's foisted onto her never-before-seen Uncle Matthew for two weeks. Especially when it turns out he has a very opinionated dog named Pumpkin.

Buy Now

The Undead Fox of Deadwood Forest by Aubrey Hartman

Clare is the undead fox of Deadwood Forest. Here, leaves grow in a perpetual state of fall: not quite dead, but not quite alive—just like Clare. Long ago, he was struck by a car, and, hovering between life and death, he was given the choice to either cross into the Afterlife or become an Usher of wandering souls. Clare chose the latter: a solitary life of guiding souls to their final resting place.

Buy Now

The Trouble with Heroes by Kate Messner

Finn Connelly is nothing like his dad, a star athlete and firefighter hero who always ran toward danger until he died two years ago. Finn is about to fail seventh grade and has never made headlines . . . until now.

Buy Now

The Teacher of Nomad Land by Daniel Nayeri

Against the backdrop of World War II comes an epic adventure in the faraway places. Through the cacophony of soldiers, tanks, and planes, can young hearts of different creeds and nations learn to find a common language?

Buy Now

Pocket Bear by Katherine Applegate

An unforgettable tale of bravery, loyalty, and kindness, Pocket reminds us all that love comes in many forms (sometimes filled with fluff), and that second chances are always possible.

Buy Now

Nine Moons of Han Yu and Luli by Karina Yan Glaser

Familiar rhythms rule the contained-but-contented lives of Han Yu and Luli. But when plague strikes Chang’An and financial crisis threatens Luli’s family, Han Yu and Luli must each venture out into the larger world—and into danger-filled adventure—to save what they love most. Filled with wondrous caves and conniving thieves, desert storms and magical lakes, Karina Yan Glaser’s epic and rewarding novel is a testament to the bravery required to face the unknown and the power of art to connect us through the ages.

Buy Now

Whale Eyes by James Robinson

Told through an experimental mix of intimate anecdotes and interactive visuals, this book immerses readers in James’s experiences growing up with strabismus, allowing them to see the world through one eye at a time.

Buy Now

Max in the Land of Lies by Adam Gidwitz

Max Bretzfeld is back in Berlin where his most dangerous mission is about to begin! The thrilling conclusion to the World War II spy duology that began with Max in the House of Spies.

Buy Now

Will’s Race for Home by Jewell Parker Rhodes

It’s 1889, barely twenty-five years after the Emancipation Proclamation, and a young Black family is tired of working on land they don’t get to own.
 
So when Will and his father hear about an upcoming land rush, they set out on a journey from Texas to Oklahoma, racing thousands of others to the place where land is free—if they can get to it fast enough. But the journey isn’t easy—the terrain is rough, the bandits are brutal, and every interaction carries a heavy undercurrent of danger.

Buy Now