The 2010s... A Very Short Look Back

My last look back (for now or forever I do not know)! This time I will look at the 2010s, this is the decade when I started my goal of reading all the Newbery books so many of these books I read when they were still newly published.

I really like this batch - the books aren't quite tops for me but a few break the top twenty. I can't really get a grasp of the decade as a whole, style and themes seem to bounce all over the place.

When You Reach Me (2010) - 5 Stars - There's a lot of nuance in this book, and you're going to need to bring prior knowledge of A Wrinkle in Time. Stead has wonderful characterization that ties her characters together in complex ways that need to be taken in slowly.

Crossover (2015) - 5 Stars - I was flummoxed when I heard about this book. Poetry and basketball??? But Kwame Alexander is one of my favorite contemporary authors now!

Merci Suárez Changes Gears (2019) - 5 Stars - I identified so hard with Merci. I love how this book approaches Alzheimer's Disease in a caring and explanatory fashion that had me crying for several pages.

Moon Over Manifest (2011) - 4 Stars - A well-crafted narrative intertwining the past with the 'present'. This book could have been truly great if the present of the story was just a little bit fleshed out. I never did solve the publication date mystery - but fewer sites seem to show that 1995 date.

The One and Only Ivan (2013) - 5 Stars - This proves itself an enduring favorite nearly a decade later; I still see this one frequently recommended in groups I follow. I haven't seen the movie yet, but I did read the sequel and, frankly, was underwhelmed.

The Girl Who Drank the Moon (2017) - 4 Stars - I'm surprised more people don't talk about this one. It has the hard fantasy elements found in many popular works, there is something just so perfectly crafted here that it is hard to explain.

Hello, Universe (2018) - 4 Stars - This one is very similar to my own writing style in that the point of view character keeps changing. I like the way this is done to give us as much of the whole story as possible.

Dead End in Norvelt (2012) - 4 Stars - A book that I had to stop and wonder, isn't this supposed to be a memoir? What does autobiographical novel even mean? Where does fiction start and reality begin, or vise versa?

Last Stop on Market Street (2016) - 4 Stars - This book is good... as a picture book. I never will be satisfied with this one winning a Newbery especially in a year with Echo and The War That Saved My Life.

Flora and Ulysses (2014) - 3 Stars - The book that proved to me that Kate DiCamillo can, in fact, write something below average. The quirkiness and whimsy felt overly forced and didn't mesh well with her writing style.

Recommendation of the Decade

Crossover is a book that I'm forever recommending to anyone that will listen. I've yet to meet someone that doesn't like it once they've read it. One of the biggest surprises in all of the Newbery winners. I hadn't heard of it before it won, and I distinctly recall being unenthused by the concept... however, after beginning I simply couldn't stop. In the last few years, I've read so many of Kwame Alexander's books and they never fail to please!

The 2000s... A Look Back

A whole new century! This time I will look at the 2000s, the second half of my childhood is contained here. This decade, though not as nostalgic as the 90s, is still written in a way very accessible to me.

Books that I read longer ago I may wish to give a different number of stars to because in the early days I had a tendency to give books 5 stars no matter if I liked them or adored them.

Crispin: Cross of Lead (2003) - 5 Stars - I rated this the best book I read in 2012 and I still thick highly of it years later. Let's also recognize that this kicked off a reading trend for me going strong a decade later. M to the E to the D to the I E V A L, what does it spell? MEDIEVAL!

Bud, Not Buddy (2000) - 5 Stars - Another absolute gem, Christopher Paul Curtis has proven to me multiple times that he is not only phenomenal at creating a scene but also crafting believable child characters. 

The Tale of Despereaux (2004) - 5 Stars - A charming little tale. Certainly fits the mold of a classic fairy tale better than the other books. I believe this may be the best bedtime story from the list.

Kira-Kira (2005) - 5 Stars - This is such an emotional book, here we have another classic example of Death by Newbery. The familial relationships depicted in this story are so realistic and form the the strength of the story.

Good Masters! Sweet Ladies!: Voices from a Medieval Village (2008) - 5 Stars - These monologues are fun and perhaps the best 'outside the box' Newbery. Written by a teacher whose students all wanted an important role in a play this collection provides a look into the life of Medieval peasants and royalty alike.

A Single Shard (2002) - 4 Stars - This book feels like it was written in the 80s or early 90s. I thought it when I read it, and I think it now. It is always great to add books set in new times or places to the reading line-up. (That's how I discovered Medieval England after all!)

The Graveyard Book (2009) - 5 Stars - I should really only have given this 4 stars. The themes were interesting and Gaiman's world creative. But I find that years later I'm still confused as to the antagonist's motive. 

A Year Down Yonder (2001) - 3 Stars - Very much like books from 20s - 50s in that it is very vignettey - but the modern writing moves it along for me. Peck also manages to avoid falling into tropes with his characters that would have been all too easy.

The Higher Power of Lucky (2007) - 3 Stars - Here we find a delve into the question of 'what makes a family?' The eventual resolution is predictable enough but then again - I'm above the target age range.

Criss Cross (2006) - 2 Stars - The only thing I remember about this one is wanting it to be over. Even the professional reviews make me want to roll my eyes: "A tenderly existential work that will reward more thoughtful readers in this age of the ubiquitous action saga." - Kirkus Reviews, "In idiosyncratic, wistful prose, Perkins mines every moment of missed connection and near-change with a hypnotic hyperawareness reminiscent of adolescence itself." - The Horn Book.

Recommendation of the Decade

It was always going to have to be this book. The only other one that even comes close to being the book of the decade was Crispin, and as much as I love Crispin, when faced with both of them I must tell you to read Bud. An eloquent tale that examines every hard hitting theme imaginable through the eyes of our young narrator. This was my first book from Christopher Paul Curtis and I'm glad it was so good because it led me to checking out his other works.

The 1990s... A Look Back

Hooray, the 1990s! This is totally my favorite decade which makes a lot of sense because I was a kid during this decade - these books were geared towards me like none other, the next decade also holds a lot of appeal but none of the nostalgia.

Books that I read longer ago I may wish to give a different number of stars to because in the early days I had a tendency to give books 5 stars no matter if I liked them or adored them.

Number the Stars (1990) - 5 Stars - I love this book just as much as I did in fourth grade. No matter how often I read it or how old I am, my heart gets racing whenever Annemarie faces off against the soldiers.

Maniac Magee (1991) - 5 Stars - I read this one for school in fifth grade and really enjoyed it. I maintain that it fails to deliver on the race aspect. But as a story about home and family I'm absolutely in love.

Out of the Dust (1998) - 5 Stars - The best of the verse winners. This is my favorite of the 'darker' Newbery winners. Sad and depressing - but in the right amounts and with the best realism.

Holes (1999) - 5 Stars - I read this one within just a couple years of it being published. It weaves together mystery and coming of age in such an engaging way!

The Giver (1994) - 5 Stars - This seems to be a love-it or hate-it book. I fall squarely into love-it. I think this is both the best and most realistic dystopian fiction I've read. In fact, I don't really care for the dystopian genre as a whole.

The View from Saturday (1997) - 4 Stars - Easily the most realistic of the books on from this decade - a decade that skews more towards contemporary realistic fiction than the others. I liked the concept of looking at a trivia team and how they can to learn some of their various trivia.

The Midwife's Apprentice (1996) - 4 Stars - Medieval England is back! I remember feeling that this book was very short and deserved to be fleshed out a bit. The research in this book is probably tops in this very specific sub-genre.

Shiloh (1992) - 4 Stars - One of the Newbery dog books - but incredibly the dog lives! A classic boy and his dog story that brings up great moral debate for its young readers.

Missing May (1993) - 4 Stars - A great book for examining loss and the emotions that follow. I remember being so touched by the grief that teared up a little reading this book.

Walk Two Moons (1995) - 3 Stars - I love the way the two parts of the story weave together. I really love the idea of a road trip examination of conscience - but I really cringed a few times while reading, hence the lower score.

Recommendation of the Decade

Once again I'm spoilt for choice! In the end I returned to a book that I read in my youth without being told to. Even though I read a few of these when I was younger Holes was a book I picked up because I wanted to read it. This book sets out with the goal of telling a great story and setting up a small mystery. Louis Sachar adds in his odd sense of humor but scales it way back to the realms of realistic fiction. 
In parting let me post this bit that is probably one of the ten funniest moments in TV history. (Subjective)

The 1980s... A Look Back

We've reached the 1980s!  I must say that, though I had heard of a few of these only one really comes close to the superstar status achieved by the previous decade.

Books that I read longer ago I may wish to give a different number of stars to because in the early days I had a tendency to give books 5 stars no matter if I liked them or adored them.

Overall a pretty bleh decade - there was a heaping helping of angst and I'm not down with that.

Sarah, Plain and Tall (1986) - 4 Stars - A pleasant little love story. Perhaps an odd choice as a Newbery but nice none-the-less. I find it a bit predictable but imagine it is less predictable to children.

Joyful Noise: Poems for Two Voices (1989) - 4 Stars - This is a great read aloud - in fact I'd say that is really the only way to enjoy it properly. After all it is for TWO voices. This makes it both a great choice and an odd choice for an award. Great because it was experimental with pushing the boundaries of children's literature; odd because it isn't really a book kids can just sit with and enjoy.

The Hero and the Crown (1985) - 5 Stars - I would give this 4 stars now. Again I find that I don't remember a whole lot except for the complete and utter creepiness of immortality.

Dear Mr. Henshaw (1984) - 3 Stars - I'm not not a big fan of Beverly Cleary, nor a fan of gloomier works. The writing and theming of this book were fine, but not enough to have me clambering for more.

Jacob Have I Loved (1981) - 4 Stars - This one is the poster child for Newberry angst. The writing is really-really good (hence four stars) actual enjoyment of this book is definitely 3 Star. I have a film of this book that I'm interest to give a try.

A Gathering of Days (1980) - 3 Stars - A really well-written and researched diary style historical fiction. Unfortunately it is part of the most average year imaginable. I feel like Joan Blos could have really grabbed me if the historic backdrop was more interesting.

The Whipping Boy (1987) - 3 Stars - One of the books undoubtably geared toward the younger end of the target age range for the Newbery. Sort of fun, but I think has a fairly limited field of kids that are really going to enjoy it.

Dicey's Song (1983) - 3 Stars - Another angsty one - though possibly the least frustratingly so. I can understand Dicey's angst more than the others- I just don't particularly care to read it. However, I can see how this might be an important book for teens dealing with hard issues in their own life.

A Visit to William Blake's Inn (1982) - 3 Stars - This is obviously a children's book. Short, fancifully colored, and basically geared towards kids... I just don't know why. The author is very talented (and prolific) I understand writing this book for kids but it is so niche I just don't understand how the committee selected it as a winner. After a quick glance at the other books published in 1981 two titles immediately jump out as having more kid-appeal: Ramona Quimby, Age 8 and A Light in the Attic.

Lincoln, a Photobiography (1988) - 2 Stars - The most outright biography in the entire line-up. The book is well-researched and decently written. Problem is Abraham Lincoln is the most written about president and likely American. I felt like I was reading an exceptionally well written research paper, but then, I'm an adult. If this was my introduction to Lincoln it probably would have been more interesting.

Recommendation of the Decade

No contest here. Sarah, Plain and Tall is not only my favorite from the decade but easily the most popular. Outside of this book and Jacob Have I Loved, the other options are much more niche and not really what I would consider timeless literature.

The 1970s... A look back

Here we are in the 1970s!  This is THE decade - almost all of these books have achieved super star status. If you have even a passing familiarity with children's literature you know these books. When I look at the list as a whole the only decade that even comes close is the 90s (which may be a personal bias since that is when I grew up...

*Okay, because I'm a little bit crazy I used Goodreads to determine how popular each book is. I made a table showing how many times each book had been rated and them ordered the list top to bottom. Obviously newer books have a slight edge based on the average website user and the fact that if it is newer you likely read it either during the lifespan of the website or closer to your first log-in. Sixteen books have more than 100,000 ratings. Of those sixteen the most represented decade is the 1990s (5 books) and the second is the 1970s (4 books). (Bridge to Terebithia, The Westing Game, Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH, and Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry)

Books that I read longer ago I may wish to give a different number of stars to because in the early days I had a tendency to give books 5 stars no matter if I liked them or adored them.

Overall, an above average decade full of the classics! 

Julie of the Wolves (1973) - 5 Stars - I'm older and hopefully wiser now. I've been led to some research pointing out factual errors in this book that are a little more disappointing now that I've lived in northern Alaska. Saved mostly by the fact that since it is a survival story so rather than exploring a culture we are seeing an individual.

The Grey King (1976) - 4 Stars - A great foray into Welsh folklore. Among the better books in the series I felt that this is where Cooper finally made the main character worthwhile.

Sounder (1970) - 4 Stars - One of the most serious offerings on the list. I'd be more inclined to offer this book to adults than children.

The Westing Game (1979) - 4 Stars - A mystery that had some twists that actually got me! Children's mysteries can be hard to pull off but this one easily rises to the top of its genre.

Bridge to Terebithia (1978) - 4 Stars - A classic that really cements the idea of 'Death by Newbery Medal'.

Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry (1977) - 5 Stars - This book is often found on 'best of' lists and with good reason. The Logan family is so heart-breakingly real you spend the entire book begging the author to let them all make it through.

Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH (1972) - 4 Stars - This book is very different from the movie, if that is your only exposure then you should really tuck in to this book. One of those books that makes you ask yourself tough questions.

The Summer of the Swans (1971) - 4 Stars - This is a book I was nervous to read considering the subject matter but really found myself enjoying. Even if the title in no way delivers.

The Slave Dancer (1974) - 4 Stars - Pushes about as far as a book for children can push in exploring the horror of slavery. The very existence of this book makes it more frustrating to read Amos Fortune or I, Juan since it does not give everything a happy ending. I'd argue that the ending is the biggest downer in the Newbery line-up.

M.C. Higgins, the Great (1975) - 2 Stars - The only book from the decade that doesn't hold much in the way of reread value for me. What could have been an interesting time and place to explore just feels like so many missed opportunities.

Recommendation of the Decade

This was the hardest choice yet, not for lack of choice as with the 1930s, but because there were so many choices. In the end I narrowed it down to my two middle of the pack choices. I think Bridge to Terebithia is the better choice for the casual reader because you do not need to bring any background knowledge with you to this book. This coming-of-age story perfectly encapsulates what it means to be friends, the pain of not fitting in, and the shock of loss. While most of the books for this decade are good reads this is the one I would say most truly defines great children's literature.

The 1960s... A Look Back

Onward to the 1960s!  I was passingly familiar with half of these books before ever even thinking about reading all the Newbery Award Winners.

Books that I read longer ago I may wish to give a different number of stars to because in the early days I had a tendency to give books 5 stars no matter if I liked them or adored them.

Another really good decade - the first with 2 books in the top ten list, a feat also achieved by the 90s and 00s. I'm inclined to believe that this due to the fact that I consumed a lot of media from the 1960s since that was my parents childhood.

A Wrinkle in Time (1963) - 5 Stars - Not only my favorite Newbery book but one of my favorite books ever.

Island of the Blue Dolphins (1961) - 5 Stars - A really great read by an author that has an amazing repertoire. I can read this book over and over again. There are a couple historic notes that would be worth including in notes in the book.

The High King (1969) - 5 Stars - Fantasy is one of my favorite genres and Chronicles of Prydain are such a great series - this book only rates so-so as a stand-alone, but as a conclusion it is great!

The Bronze Bow (1962) - 4 Stars - Like a spin-off episode of Bible - the Show. This was a really nice read with a great Christian message.

From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler (1968) - 4 Stars - One of those classics that is very nearly timeless. You can really tell that Konigsburg was a very popular and beloved author to many, she and her works are often referenced by name in current literature.

Onion John (1960) - 3 Stars - Most of this book was a little slow (hence three stars) but the ending father-son moment. *Chef's Kiss*

I, Juan de Pareja (1966) - 4 Stars - Another school book that I liked better now than when I was actually in school. Skirts dangerously close to the same troubles that Amos Fortune does regarding slavery - saved primarily through an author's note concerning the Civil Rights Movement. 

Shadow of a Bull (1965) - 3 Stars - Easy enough read, explains one boy's dilemma about legacy vs dreams in the different context of bullfighting.

It's Like This, Cat (1964) - 2 Stars - A really weak story that fails to have any satisfying conclusions. 

Up a Road Slowly (1967) - 2 Stars - Slow being a great descriptor here.

Recommendation of the Decade

A Wrinkle in Time is an absolute classic and with good reason. I think it is just as good today as it was when it was first published. I've read it multiple times and it never fails to disappoint. It works great both as a stand-alone and as part of a larger series. It also seems to defy classification into a genre: it could fit into fantasy or sci-fi obviously - but it has great themes of growing-up, family, love, creativity, knowledge, and so much more! Please just take my advice and read it! It seems to be one of those classically unfilm-able  books. Showing either film to someone that has read the books is likely to elicit a series of - "that wasn't in the book"; show the film to someone that hasn't read the book and be prepared for lots of confusion.

The 1950s... A Look Back

Now we should look at the 1950s. Once again a couple of the more famous titles are here. The Witch of Blackbird Pond was a book we read when I was in school.  I have seen The Door in the Wall and Ginger Pye at book fairs in the last few years...

Books that I read longer ago I may wish to give a different number of stars to because in the early days I had a tendency to give books 5 stars no matter if I liked them or adored them. This decade in particular has a couple that the placement will confuse you.

This decade is very divided - there are no books I feel only half-way about.

....And Now Miguel (1954) - 5 Stars - One of the most surprising books in the entire history of the Newbery. It doesn't look all that exciting at first glance - but it is absolutely one of the best depictions of family in literature.

The Door in the Wall (1950) - 5 Stars - One of my first Medieval England books and we know how I feel about those! It is short and well-illustrated, probably one of the best Newberys for early readers. The strong story and enjoyable characters really elevate this one.

Miracles on Maple Hill (1957) - 5 Stars - I have a hard-time remembering how old this one is, it reads more like the seventies or eighties. This one feels like a good Christmastime read, evoking a lovely New England winter for much of the story.

Carry On Mr. Bowditch (1956) - 4 Stars - This book just speaks to my nerdy little heart. I've been on a non-fiction kick the past year and this one sort of fit right in, even though it is an obviously fictionalized account of a real person.

The Wheel on the School (1955) - 5 Stars - I'm inclined to think this is more of a 4 star book. I liked it quite a lot but cannot recall a lot of the details. Definitely requires a re-read from me!

The Witch of Blackbird Pond (1959) - 4 Stars - Better than the first time I read it in 6th grade. I didn't much care for this book when I was young but now I really liked it. Not sure if it is because I'm more mature, have more background knowledge, or simply wasn't having to read it for school.

Ginger Pye (1952) - 2 Stars - And, just like that, we've reached the books I don't much care for. I maintain that this book, while decently written, was among the most boring of the lot.

The Secret of the Andes (1953) - 2 Stars - Another real snoozer - which is disappointing because I WANTED to like this one so bad. This is probably the biggest disappointment for the entire shebang.

Rifles for Watie (1958) - 1 Star - This one was also very, very boring.

Amos Fortune, Free Man (1951) - 3 Stars - If you're confused by the low ranking despite having a higher star count then you're not alone. Not a bad book by any means, well-written, enjoyable story, nice characters... but it has a way of softening the reality of slavery in the US. Slavery shouldn't be softened - surely there was a way to tell this story without gliding over the darker moments.

Recommendation of the Decade

The Door in the Wall - though not my favorite from the decade, is easily the one I'd most like to recommend. ...And Now Miguel while my favorite is probably not a real catchy book for the kids. This book is short and so well written and enjoyable that it makes it the perfect jumping off point.

The 1940s... A Look Back

This time let's take a look at the 1940s- this seems to be the decade where the Newbery really started coming into its own. Here we find some of the first well-known titles and the writing style is much more readable to the modern mind. 

Books that I read longer ago I may wish to give a different number of stars to because in the early days I had a tendency to give books 5 stars no matter if I liked them or adored them.

Overall a decent decade, honestly I was probably most pleasantly surprised by this decade.

King of the Wind (1949) - 5 stars - This was a great story. My first written by Marguerite Henry, and I can't totally see why her books are so popular decades later.

Call It Courage (1941) - 4 stars - I would give this 5 stars now if I could, years later and I reflect back on the book fairly frequently. I loved it whole-heartedly and can see where kids that enjoyed Moana would enjoy this tale.

The Twenty-One Balloons (1948) - 5 stars - A fun little story that is so far outside the usual parameters of the usual Newbery winner that I can't help but love it. Quite frankly I'm astonished that a movie was never made!

Adam of the Road (1943) - 4 stars - A great story (and well researched!) about a boy and his dog. I'm a sucker for Medieval England and this book is no exception.

Rabbit Hill (1945) - 3 stars - A super cute story that might work great as a bedtime read aloud. I'm thinking most kids able to read it on their own are not going to be in to talking bunny stories.

Strawberry Girl (1946) - 3 stars - If you are into pioneer books this one is sure to be enjoyable - comes with the twist of having a feud thrown in.

Miss Hickory (1947) - 3 stars - Another doll book. Still has my money for the being the weirdest of any of the Newbery books, but it's a good weird.

The Matchlock Gun (1942) - 3 stars - A short but purportedly true story set during the French-American War. I don't really remember it very well but it also didn't take very long to read, if I'm ever inclined I can give it a quick reread.

Johnny Tremain (1944) - 1 star - Oof. I must have been really upset with this book. I don't really think it deserved just one lousy star, I'd probably be more inclined to give it 2 stars nowadays.

Daniel Boone (1940) - 1 star - One of four three out-of-print Newbery winners. I cannot recommend this book on any level. It is a bad biography, it is bad fiction, it is just not interesting at all.

Recommendation of the Decade

This decade is so full of good books that it is difficult to choose one to recommend. King of the Wind is such a very good book that even after reading 92 other books it remains in the top ten. I still pick up this book with a happy squeal when I come across it, saying, "This is a good one!" It also has a great film adaption for anyone that likes comparing books and movies.

The 1930s... A Look Back

Alright, today let's take a peek at the 1930s - fun fact, every winner this decade was written by a woman. I'll tell you how I rated the books on Goodreads and which book I'd recommend.

Books that I read longer ago I may wish to give a different number of stars to because in the early days I had a tendency to give books 5 stars no matter if I liked them or adored them.

Overall this decade was very - meh. Another theme is that I'm not sure just how accurate any of it may be. Which may be a problem when discussing historical periods and cultures. I think Thimble Summer and Roller Skates escape this problem by virtue of being contemporary realistic fiction.

Caddie Woodlawn (1936) - 5 Stars - Good. But I really preferred the Little House books. I also probably couldn't recommend this to a child since it brings a lot of historical baggage with it.

The Cat Who Went to Heaven (1931) - 4 Stars - A rather nice little book. I like the morals even if I'm not sure about the accuracy... but it works really well as a fable if anything.

Invincible Louisa (1934) - 3 Stars - A great biography of Louisa May Alcott. I'm glad I read Little Women first as I think it really added to the overall experience of learning about her life.

The White Stag (1938) - 3 Stars - The story of two brothers used to explain the origins of the Huns and Maygars.  It is basically a beginners' epic with its heavy themes and short length.

Thimble Summer (1939) - 3 Stars - Early form Charlotte's Web. A series of loosely connected events on a farm. A young girl is the focus rather than her pig which opens us up to a wider variety of scenarios.

Young Fu of the Upper Yangtze (1933) - 3 Stars - A series of loosely connected events in China. The story of a boy and his series of unbelievable coincidences. Let's be honest - I recall nothing except selling snow.

Hitty: Her First Hundred Years (1930) - 2 Stars - A series of loosely connected events as told by a doll. Slooooooow trek through a doll's life. Oddly enough this one comes closest to kid appeal because when it's good it's very good. But all to often it isn't good.

Roller Skates (1937) - 2 Stars - A series of loosely connected events in the city. Little in the way of an ending kind of ruins this one for me.

Waterless Mountain (1932) - 2 Stars - A series of loosely connected events in the desert. Little Brother is on his way to becoming a Navaho medicine man, except the details on this one are a bit sketchy.

Dobry (1935) - 2 Stars - A series of loosely Alright, that joke is probably dead. Doubled by the fact that I can remember only that Dobry wants to be an artist, there is a bunch of hooplah about a bear, and it takes place somewhere in Eastern Europe - where I can't be certain.

Recommendation of the Decade

Egads. I said once many years ago that the books I had read up to that point for the decade lacked kid-appeal. I stand by that. Unless one of these books really catches your eye as a reader you may as well skip the whole thing. If you absolutely must read one, I would say older readers should go with The White Stag and younger readers can pick up Thimble Summer.

Newbery 1920s - A Look Back...

While we await the 100th Newbery announcement I'm going to stroll down memory lane. Let's take a little look at the 1920s - this decade only had eight winners since the award was first given in 1922. I'll tell you how I rated the books on Goodreads and which book I'd recommend (not always my favorite!).

Books that I read longer ago I may wish to give a different number of stars to because in the early days I had a tendency to give books 5 stars no matter if I liked them or adored them.

The Trumpeter of Krakow (1929) - 5 Stars - Easily my favorite from the decade. Aided in no small part by me reading it while in Krakow - my favorite European city.

Gay-Neck: The Story of a Pigeon (1928) - 5 Stars - A great read that really got me interested and held my attention throughout. But I have to admit that it must not be most people's cup of tea.

Tales from Silver Lands (1925) - 4 Stars - A book that I seemed to really love at the time but have trouble remembering now. Anthologies are harder to remember for me.

Voyages of Doctor Dolittle (1923) - 3 Stars - Easily the most recognizable title on this list - though primarily as part of a larger series. To date the only one from this list I've read twice.

Shen of the Sea (1926) - 4 Stars - Looking back I'd give this 3 stars, I liked it fine - but I didn't REALLY like it. Another anthology that I don't remember a lot about except that it reminded me of other old stories I like.

The Dark Frigate (1924) - 2 Stars - Sorry, but this is probably the biggest disappointment from all the Newbery books. One of my favorite books is Treasure Island and this book seemed like it would be in that vein - alas it wasn't.

The Story of Mankind (1922) - 2 Stars - I can't fault this book on concept and execution. But it is such a large undertaking that it was never going to work in a single novel length book.

Smoky, the Cowhorse (1927) - 2 Stars - Blech. Not only the worst of the decade but the worst of all the winners. 

Recommendation of the Decade:

If I were to recommend just one book from the decade it would easily be The Voyages of Doctor Dolittle. Though I rate it solidly in the middle of the pack I think it has a more enjoyable concept for kids than any of the other books. It also is the one most recognizable to the public because every few decades a movie comes out. Most animal loving kids often wish to talk to the animals and this book delivers. It definitely has the old-fashioned feel of things just sort of happening as the author thinks them up.

Invincible Louisa, Newbery Winner 1934

 Do you know what this review represents? This is review number 99 out of... 99.

I

FINISHED

A

PROJECT!

More than six years ago I was stoked to reach number 50. But today... I don't know... in a few days the 100th Newbery winner will be announced and I will review it, then I will do the final round-up. I've been writing this blog for nine years, admittedly not very faithfully for a while. I'm well aware this blog is a personal project, pretty much just for me - but that somehow makes it even worse, and yet better, that I finished.

Without further ado...

Invincible Louisa, I'm so glad I didn't finish with a dud. Probably the best of the biographies that won Newberys - though I'd have to double-check. Before I read this book there was one other point that needed clearing up. Little Women. You just can't read a biography of Louisa May Alcott without having ever read Little Women. That's why this kept getting pushed. I just was certain that Little Women would absolutely not be my cup of tea. Whelp... I was incorrect. Little Women 5/5 stars - everyone that says it is a great classic is right.

Going straight from Little Women (759 pages) to Invincible Louisa (240 pages) is like reading an incredibly condensed and slightly twisted rewrite. Louisa based Little Women very heavily off her own life - especially herself and her sisters compared with the March sisters. Louisa certainly had to be invincible - her life was so fascinating! Anyone notice famous people run in packs? Louisa grew up around the likes of Thoreau and Emerson. Her father was very into the transcendentalist movement and was - in many ways - ahead of his time. Unfortunately that doesn't always translate very well into livable income. Louisa was often finding ways to help her family earn money and promised to one day find a way to give them all what they most desired.

Overall - an excellent biography (which I hope is mostly true) because then it is a historical fiction... This best parts are when you don't know what will happen because it veers so far from her fictionalized life as Jo March. All in all I'd recommend this easily to anyone but especially to fans of Little Women!

Waterless Mountain, Newbery Winner 1932

I think that the best way to describe this book might be the old adage: "The road to Hell is paved with good intentions."

We are playing fast and close to that line of writing about Native American cultures when you have very little to do with said culture. Two other winners that pop to mind are Island of the Blue Dolphins and Julie of the Wolves. I personally enjoyed those stories and researching them I can see that there are many issues - but they also get away with several things by virtue of being survival stories and not the stories of day to day living within the culture. Waterless Mountain doesn't have this factor going for it. My research indicated that, although the text says Navaho (the spelling used by Armer), several descriptions are actually Pueblo. I can in no way figure out what is what though and the online resources for a 1930s children's book that was out of print for decades are just not very thorough. 

What I really would like to say is that Laura Adams Armer seemed like she wanted to be respectful to Navajo people, and for the 1930s appeared to have done a good job. She comes off a little patronizing on a handful of occasions but she avoids both condescending stereotypes and the noble savage stereotype. Personally I'm stuck as to how to judge her on this area.

The area I'm not afraid to pass judgements is the story. It is pretty episodic, like many of these early Newbery Winners. But most of these episodes do nothing for me. I found the story to be pretty dry. It seems like the 30s just aren't my cup of tea. In a few weeks I plan to do a complete ranking of all the decades since the Newbery began - I'm guessing the 30s will either place dead last or second to last.