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.