Nonetheless, BFF has inspired me to accomplish something that I probably wouldn't have bothered to do without a little inspiration. I printed off all of the Newbery Medal and Honor Books from 1922-the present day. I was shocked at how many of them I have never read. Some have been favorites for years and others have been on my "to-read" list since I was a little girl. One of the greatest things is that these books are always readily available at our local library.
This week I pounded out four of them. Did I mention that the thickest one was only 150 pages? You can read one a day! Which is good because I have no less than about 275 books still to read.
This week I read:
The Summer of the Swans: Author: Betsy Byars. Winner 1971. The dad should have hauled his sorry butt home. That's all I'm sayin'.
Sarah, Plain and Tall: Author: Patricia MacLachlan. 65 pages. Winner: 1986. I'd never read it. I know. I've always associated this book with a negative feeling. Turns out, I had nothing to worry about--it's a great story. MacLachlan has an amazing ability to tell the full story without over telling. It leaves a lot to the imagination. It's a talent that other authors should try harder to emulate.
Bridge to Terabithia: Author: Katherine Paterson. Winner 1978. Paterson has won the Newbery at least three times. She definitely has a gift. This is another one that I had never read, but couldn't figure out why--it's obviously a classic. I cried at the end when his teacher tells him that they are going to stick together to get through the tragedy. I have to say that all of the fathers in these books (except for Sarah) were total losers this week. I didn't even know that there was a father in Summer..Swans until the last 15 pages. Ugh. I've always thought that Bridge was a book that I would read to my kids, but I think that I will wait until they are maybe 4-5th grade.
Bud, Not Buddy: Author: Christopher Paul Curtis. Winner 2000. I liked this story, but it hurt my heart to think of a 10-year-old boy traveling all alone to find his dad. I also didn't care for the very negative portrayal of the foster-care system. I know that it may have been different during the Depression, but it still bothered me.
These are the books that I have already read throughout the years. I may read them again, but only when I start to really get through the stack.
Whittington: Author: Alan Armstrong. Honor 2006. It's about a cat. Of course I liked it.
Pictures of Hollis Woods: Author: Patricia Reilly Giff. Honor 2003. Giff also wrote, "Nory Ryan's Song" a story about the Irish Potato Famine. I am a fan of her work. This is a great story.
Hope Was Here: Author: Joan Bauer. Honor 2001. There are parts of this story that are gut-wrenching, but it has a wonderful message.
Because of Winn-Dixie: Author: Kate DiCamillo. Honor 2001. One of the best literature books for youth. Ever. The winner in 2001 was "A Year Down Yonder"--I've got to get it next just because the honor books were so good, this one must be fabulous!
Out of the Dust: Author: Karen Hesse. Winner 1998. A book about the Dustbowl. Very intense.
Lily's Crossing: Author: Patricia Reilly Giff. Honor 1998. Giff. is. good.
The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle. Author: Avi. Honor: 1991. Suz's favorite book of all time. I read it because she almost cried telling me about it. It was okay. Oh, Suz, you read some weird stuff.
The Sign of the Beaver: Author: Elizabeth George Speare. Honor 1984. Suz's second favorite book...it was better than Doyle. Much better than Doyle.
Ramona Quimby, Age 8: Author: Beverly Cleary. Honor 1982. I pretty much worshipped the ground that Cleary walked on for a significant portion of my adolescence. I can't wait to read these to Lachlan. In fact, I may start this fall.
Ramona and her Father: Author: B.C. Honor 1978. Every time I see a "No Smoking" sign, I automatically think of this book when she hangs up the sign in the living room and her father thinks that she has written "No Smo King" and he wants to know who that is....loved it!
Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry: Author: Mildred D. Taylor. Winner 1977. This is a great story. Every fifth grade student should be forced to read it...
Frog and Toad Together: Author: Arnold Lobel: Honor 1973. These books are weird, but you read them anyway.
Sounder: Author: William H. Armstrong. Winner 1970. I just read this last year. I hate the man that shot that dog! The books with animals are always the hardest for me to read.
Little House on the Prairie, The Long Winter, By the Shores of Silver Lake, On the Banks of Plum Creek: Author: Laura Ingalls Wilder. Honors 1942, 1941, 1940, 1938. Wilder never won the medal. How is it possible?
7 comments:
Yeah, just be careful with the sad animal books.
I loved "Bud, Not Buddy" so much, and I also love "The Watsons Go to Birmingham. I guess I can see what you mean about the foster care system, but I have a feeling it is historically accurate, unfortunately.
You're on a great reading adventure. Have you read "Kira-Kira?" I think it is a Newbery Honor, not medal book. Soooo good. I also loved "The Midwife's Apprentice." Also, "Pictures of Hollis Woods," "The Higher Power of Lucky," and anything and everything written by Katie diCamillo and Sharon Creech.
Between the Newbery medal-winners and honors, you will have a LOT of good reading ahead of you. And you're right-you can read one in a night. I love them. I want to read the newest one "When You Reach Me."
Basically, yay, Rose! I want to copy you.
I forgot to ask- did I already recommend "A Year Down Yonder" to you? Because I thought about you while I read it, and knew you would loooooooove it. For real.
Also, I own a bunch of these books if you want to borrow them. ;)
Well, I have my next project picked out, then, when I'm done dogging my way through Civil War novels that are 2100 pages long.
I know this is a book post, but I took the girls to see Ramona and Beezus, and it is so good.
Lastly, thanks for knowing the difference between a simile and an inference. Unlike some. xoxo
Oh Rose, my 5th grader is reading these books right now. She has to do a report on a Newbery next month. She read "My Side of the Mountain" last week and I have her reading "Maniac Magee" now. Basically I'm having her read the books I already own (I had to get them for a Children's Lit class). I forgot about the Ramona books. They will definitely be on the list!
I'd love to hear any and all suggestions. She loves to read!
I forgot to tell you about a book called "Part of Me." Ooooooooh, so good.
Also, I think Laura Ingalls Wilder's books are poetic.
I really enjoy reading YA books, too.
I would definitely suggest reading "A Year Down Yonder." It's one we often had our ESL students read when I worked in the tutoring center at BYU-I. Very good book.
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