I’m very late posting this! Back in May, we brought the 90-Second Newbery Film Festival to San Antonio’s Tobin Center for the Performing Arts, thanks to the sponsorship and support of H-E-B Read 3 and Bibliotech, San Antonio’s all-digital library. Our San Antonio show is always our biggest show every year because of our fantastic local sponsors and organizers!

The screening was co-hosted by me and three-time Newbery honoree, the amazing Jennifer Holm! Here I am with Jenni and some of the great Bibliotech staff who made everything run smoothly:

This was the fifteenth year of the 90-Second Newbery, and the tenth year of doing it in San Antonio. To celebrate the occasion, we pulled out all the stops with a circus theme, complete with jugglers, stilt-walkers, aerialists, and more courtesy of San Antonio’s Breakthrough Entertainment. You can see their amazing acts, and interviews with happy young filmmakers and their parents and teachers, plus my co-organizers Christa Aldrich and Laura Cole, in this video courtesy of our friends at the Alamo Film Group:

(You can find a longer version of the video here.)

The San Antonio screening unique among our events because H-E-B awards cash prizes to the best films and the runners-up. We also have special awards for specific categories, like Best Costumes or Best Editing! Let’s check out the movies, and see who the winners were.

First place for “Best Movie from a Middle/High School” went to Barbara Jordan Intermediate School’s adaptation of Avi’s 1991 Honor Book The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle by Brynn D., Zirim S., Ava G., and Jake J., done with a love story twist:

As the review says in part on the 90-Second Newbery website (full review here), “This fantastic movie had assured cinematography, ace editing, and a tight, propulsive script, which made this a very satisfying watch! I loved the twist of creating a love story between Charlotte and Zachariah—a Jack-and-Rose-from-Titanic, working-class-boy-and-rich-girl dynamic that serves the story very well here, from their meet-cute to the romantic dinner to Zachariah’s tragic death.”

Second place for “Best Movie from a Middle/High School” was a tie! One of them The Winston School of San Antonio’s adaptation of Matt de la Peña’s 2016 Newbery Medal Winner Last Stop on Market Street, done by Lake L., Luke C., Mason K., Christian S., Danielle E., Joey A., Salvatore D., Liam G., Mallory M., Avery S., Matthew E., and Corbin S. (This movie also won “Best Costumes from a Middle/High School,” “Best Storytelling from a Middle/High School,” and “Best Editing from a Middle/High School.”)

As the review says in part on the 90-Second Newbery website (full review here), “There are great production values throughout: I love Nana’s elaborate old-lady costume, the crisp sound design, the well-framed cinematography, the resourceful use of an actual bus, the admirable performances. I was particularly impressed when CJ went into his dream-world when the guitarist was playing, with its moon and animated butterflies.”

The other movie tied for Second Place for “Best Movie from a Middle/High School” is Briscoe Middle School’s Broadcast Club’s adaptation of Katherine Paterson’s 1978 Newbery Medal Winner Bridge to Terabithia by Star, Walter, Kai, Yael, and David. (This movie also tied winning for “Best Cinematography from a Middle/High School.”)

As the review says in part on the 90-Second Newbery website (full review here), “Sensitive performances, a tight script, and great production values made for an entertaining and unexpectedly moving adaptation!”

Third Place for “Best Movie from a Middle/High School” went to another submission from Barbara Jordan Intermediate School, this time Mackenzie, Ainsley, Malori, and Rachel’s horror-themed adaptation of Patricia Reilly Giff’s 2003 Newbery Honor Book Pictures of Hollis Woods. Unfortunately the movie doesn’t seem to be online anymore, but you can read the review here. It reads it part: “This was a fun, grisly twist on the premise of the original novel: instead of Pictures of Hollis Woods, it’s the Murders of Hollis Woods, in which the seemingly-innoncent orphan Hollis gets moved from one foster home to another because she is a secret murderer of her foster parents!” Hmmm, maybe it was too scary for the Internet! (This movie also won “Best Visual Effects from a Middle or High School.”)

Finally, an Honorable Mention for “Best Movie from a Middle/High School” went to Joel C. Harris Middle School’s adaptation of Pedro Martin’s 2024 Newbery Honor Book Mexikid: A Graphic Memoir, by Karim C., River C., Aaron G., Amari G., Geobanny L., Kensie S., Jax V., and Jellica V. (This movie also won “Best Music/Score” and tied to win “Best Cinematography from a Middle/High School”!)

As the review says in part on the 90-Second Newbery website (full review here), “I appreciated the combination of English and Spanish performances, and the creative cinematography . . . Entertaining and fun to watch!”

Let’s move on to the elementary schools! First place for “Best Movie from an Elementary School” went to Startzville Elementary GT’s adaptation of Gary Paulsen’s 1988 Newbery Honor Book Hatchet, by Harleigh B., Daniel T., Kayden R., Thorin N., and Miranda M. in the style of The Lego Movie. (It also tied winning for “Best Editing from an Elementary School.”)

As the review says in part on the 90-Second Newbery website (full review here), “It was a stroke of brilliance to use the ‘Everything Is Awesome’ song from The Lego Movie here, with rewritten lyrics: ‘Everything is awful, everything hurts when you crash a plane, why am I a Lego?’ . . . This movie had it all: a great premise, superior production values, hilarious performances, and even a song! Loved it!”

Second Place for “Best Movie from an Elementary School” went to Johnson Ranch Elementary GT’s adaptation of E.L. Konigsburg’s 1997 Newbery Medal Winner The View From Saturday, by Finn A., Thomas B., Shay R., Jacoby S., Gillian C., Barrett F., Wyatt M., Emma S., Coral S., Daniel S., Liam L., Auden D., Lucy F., Porter L., and Hadley S. This movie also tied to win for “Best Costume from an Elementary School.”

As the review says in part on the 90-Second Newbery website (full review here), “The 60-year flashback structure, with the senior-citizen getups (old-fashioned clothes, makeup, even grey hair dye and fake mustaches!), was impressive and convincing—along with the genuine tea set! . . . Pro-level cinematography and editing, convincing and enthusiastic acting, and a tight script all combined to make a real winner.”

Third place for “Best Movie from an Elementary School” also goes to Startzville Elementary GT, this time for Ellen Raskin’s 1979 Newbery Medal Winner The Westing Game, by Clint A., Ethan H., Alexander J., Helena S., Wyatt N., Jackson L., Trinton R., and Emery C.. (This one also was tied for “Best Cinematography for an Elementary School.”)

As the review says in part on the 90-Second Newbery website (full review here), “In this version, the game is chess, and the mystery is cleverly simplified to fit in a short movie. I was impressed by the swooping shots of multiple chess matches, the CGI explosions and smoky aftermath, and even the green screen tuxedo . . . Great performances from all the actors held this movie together!”

Finally, an “Honorable Mention for Best Movie from an Elementary School” went to Arlon Seay Elementary GT for their adaptation of Louis Sachar’s 1999 Medal Winner Holes, as adapted by Finley C., Alice D., Brady R., Tobias M., Madison L., Payton K., Natalia G., Andrew A., Jonas A., Colton R., Cameron R., Keeghan R., Harper M., Isaiah L., and Harper H.:

As the review says in part on the 90-Second Newbery website (full review here), “In this fun twist on the book, instead of shoes falling on our hero Stanley, it’s a box of donuts. And instead of being sentenced to Camp Green Lake, Stanley must work at Desert Donut, a bakery where he must make donuts all day . . . This movie was creative, sometimes even ingenious, and funny, all the way to the final line of ‘I would’ve gotten away with it if it hadn’t been for those meddling kids!'”

There were many other awards given that day, for so many movies that it’d be too many to embed all the videos on this page! But they deserve to be recognized, so here are the awards and the links to where you can watch the videos:

Best Sound – Elementary School
Holes by Freiheit Elementary (Alex L., Cooper B., Tristan Y., Hunter T., Piper K., Kal’el H., Paisley G., Jameson S., Paisley M., and Alisyn S.)

Best Sound – Middle/High School
BOX: Henry Brown Mails Himself to Freedom by Pieper Ranch Middle School (Saziya C., Aika H., Orhan D., Cadence C, Layla H, Jadie S., Sebastian P., and Elizabeth V.)

Best Costumes – Elementary School
The View from Saturday by Freiheit Elementary (Sasa C., Blakleigh G., Beau G., Alina T., Deacon M., Shayleigh W., Kenna D., Thomas H., Gabriel S.) (tied)

Best Visual Effects – Elementary School
Hatchet by Reeves Elementary (Kiaan B., Hugo D., Pranav K., Oliver L., and Ayden K.)

Best Cinematography – Elementary School
Number the Stars by McKinney ISD GT (J.R.) (tied)

Best Adaptation – Elementary School
Hello Universe by Freiheit Elementary, Comal ISD (Leo D., Rylynn H., Tenley S., Walter W., Kelsie N., Kooper M., Knox S., Quinn L., Oliver M.)

Best Adaptation – Middle/High School
Rules by Barbara Jordan Intermediate School, SCUSISD (Colby L., Jameson W., and Kayson K.)

Best Animation
Charlotte’s Web by McKinney ISD GT Program (Isaac, Jackson, Omar, and Wyatt)

Best Storytelling – Elementary School
King of the Wind by Elena S. of St. George Episcopal School

Best Editing – Elementary
The Tale of Despereaux by Arlon Seay Elementary GT, Comal
ISD (Nicholas B., Landyn W., Ozzi W., Dovi W., Dominic H., Sebastian S., Melanie L., Gerardo A., Eli R., Landon P., Adalyn C., and Sophia C.) (tied)

Special Achievement – Ensemble
The Giver by Elaine S. Schlather Intermediate (Jesus L. and Brayden L.)

Special Achievement – Mixed Media Animation
From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by Alamo Heights Junior School (June K.)

Special Achievement – Heart of the Library
Across So Many Seas by Jack Segal Elementary (Alexander, Arianna, Ariel, Arielle, Arthur, Asher, Dylan, Eliyah, Ellie B., Ellie S., Ethan, Ezra, Gavin, Holland, Ivy, Jacqueline, Jagger, Knox, Lila, Mia, Margo, Maya, Neria, Prianna, Ray, Sage, and William)

Special Achievement – Heart of the Library
Mexikid by Joel C. Harris Middle School (Karim C., River C., Aaron G., Amari G., Geobanny L., Kensie S., Jax V., and Jellica V.)

Special Achievement – Right on the Dot
Holes (on the Moon!) by Farias-Spitzer Elementary (Jaxon N., Luis C., Des’belle M., Nathan D., and Lestat N.

Special Achievement – Right on the Dot
Old Yeller by Barbara Jordan Intermediate School (Raphael H.)

Thank you so much to all the young filmmakers who made movies for the film festival this year, and to the teachers, librarians, family, and friends who helped them and supported them! And thanks again to all the folks at H-E-B Reach 3 (especially Christa Aldrich) and Bibliotech (especially Laura Cole) for their support, and Judge Peter Sakai for speaking at the event.

The 90-Second Newbery relies on private donations and grants to keep going. It’s through your generosity that we can continue bringing our free public screenings and book-to-movie workshops to libraries and schools nationwide. You can make your (tax-deductible!) donation here. Donations are handled through our fiscal sponsor Fractured Atlas, a non-profit arts service organization.

Hey look, there I am in brick form! The above picture was taken outside the Treehouse Children’s Museum in Ogden, Utah, where for the sixth year I taught a weeklong 90-Second Newbery moviemaking camp. Along with co-teachers Caden and Olivia, we helped about a dozen young filmmakers script, shoot, and edit movies based on Newbery-winning books. We churned out three new 90-Second Newbery movies this year, plus some other fun videos, and screened the results that Saturday. The whole shebang was a big success!

Special thanks to Caden, Olivia, Lynne, Rob, Wes, Courtnee, the young filmmakers and their families, and everyone at the Treehouse who make it so fun to come to Ogden every year. (Want to see movies we made in previous years? Here’s how it went in 2025, 2024, 2023, 2022, and 2019.)

Mark your calendars now! The SIXTEENTH annual 90-Second Newbery Film Festival will return to the Treehouse on Saturday, March 13, 2027, in which we’ll feature the movies we made this week along with the best movies I received from around the country.

Every year some kids whom I’ve been working with for a long time age out of the camp. This year was no exception. Twins Georgia and Beatrice have been making movies with me at this camp for years. It’s bittersweet seeing them go, but we’ve made a lot of great stuff together!

Here’s their group’s final movie made at the camp! It’s based on Christina Soontornvat’s 2021 Newbery Honor Book All Thirteen: The Incredible Cave Rescue of the Thai Boys Soccer Team. The book is a nonfiction account of how, in 2018, a soccer team of 12 boys and their coach were trapped in the flooded Tham Luang cave in Thailand for 18 days. Thanks to heroic efforts, all 13 survived. In this 90-Second Newbery retelling, in 2026, five silly, privileged, self-absorbed reality TV contestants visited the same cave. We give you “The Real Housewives of Being Trapped in a Flooded Cave in Thailand”:

I love all the performances here, with each “real housewife” having their own goals and foibles: the ditzy influencer Felisha, the hard-driving #girlboss CEO Fauna, the shallow spiritual seeker Tiffany, the dead-eyed psycho Krysti, the backstabbing competitor Paisleigh, and even the ebullient show host. Their acting really nailed the ludicrous self-regard of reality TV personalities.

Each group began the week by cranking out a quick warm-up movie just to get the juices flowing. Here is that group’s project, a silent horror movie called “The German Word for Total Darkness.”

Chilling, and made great use of the various locations at the Treehouse!

The next group, led by 90-Second Newbery Treehouse workshop veteran Caden, adapted the “Dragons and Giants” vignette from Arnold Lobel’s 1973 Newbery Honor Book Frog and Toad Together, in which Frog and Toad go on an adventure in the woods to prove they are brave, but end up running away from the various snakes, birds, and avalanches they encounter all while exclaiming “I am not afraid!” Ingeniously and hilariously, Caden’s group did it in the style of a kinetic, over-the-top movie trailer:

I loved how this movie used clips from action movies as well as trailer tropes, and the performances were super satisfying. For their warm-up movie, Caden’s group put together this very entertaining video, “The Case of the Killer Goose”:

Great fight scenes and manic vibes throughout!

This is the first year Olivia worked with us at the 90-Second Newbery camp, but she immediately proved herself to be a natural. Her group adapted Tae Keller’s 2021 Newbery Medal Winner When You Trap a Tiger. The original book is about a girl Lily who goes with her family to visit her ailing grandmother. There is a tiger that only Lily can see, and the tiger’s appearances are connected to her grandmother’s illness. This one has a big twist at the end:

They really did a great job portraying how only Lily could see the dragon, the emotions and performances were on point, and I laugh every time I see the tiger giving CPR to the grandmother! As for their warmup movie, Olivia’s group made this elaborate and epic heist movie “The Missing Cheese”:

Charming, funny, and kind of demented! I liked the idea of the two different people from totally different social contexts are going for the cheese, and I particularly enjoyed the anarchic atmosphere the scene where they are ransacking the store and pulling everything off the shelf. Great comic energy in this.

Speaking of comic energy: every year, at the end of the weeklong workshop, we find a lot of weird extra footage on the iPads that the kids use to shoot the movies. And every year, Caden edits all that footage together into a goofy movie with his gloriously Caden-esque sensibility . . . aw heck, I’ll just let him explain:

And that’s all, folks for the 2026 90-Second Newbery Filmmaking Camp at the Treehouse! Want to make your own movie for the 90-Second Newbery Film Festival? It’s open to anyone around the world, parental help is okay, and the deadline is January 15, 2027 . . . though you can turn the movies in anytime before that. And remember, the 2027 screening at the Treehouse will be on March 13, 2027. You can find complete details at the 90-Second Newbery Film Festival website. See you again soon!

Contra Morrissey, I love it when my friends become successful. Daniel Kraus, Chicago area writer and friend from the old days, won this year’s Pulitzer Prize for his World War I horror novel Angel Down.

Longtime readers know that I occasionally review books for the Wall Street Journal. I actually pitched a review for Angel Down, but it was not to be. But when Kraus won the Pulitzer for it, my editor at the WSJ gave me a different assignment: to sum up the highlights of Daniel Kraus’s career. Not easy! He’s one of the hardest working writers I know. Over the past 15-odd years, he’s put out some thirty books in many different genres, and he’s even got a movie coming out this fall! It was tough winnowing it down to the essentials, but here’s a gift link to the article. (“One of the most versatile, imaginative, and prolific writers of his generation”? Yeah, I stick by that!)

Here’s to all of our friends getting the success they deserve. (Oh, and today happens to be the birthday of the other fellow in the photo below, Adam Selzer, who is a fantastic author, tour guide, ghost hunter, and force of nature in his own right. It’s from when Dan, Adam and I all happened to have books out on Delacorte Press, and we briefly branded ourselves as “The Brothers Delacorte”—more photos here).