misty water-colored Newberies

While Eleanor industriously addresses Valentine's next to me, I thought I should put my time to good use and finally begin updating my Newberies. (Though licking envelopes for her while eating Valentine candy wasn't a shabby way to spend the afternoon.)

I have put this off forever because I am really behind. I think I have read a billion Newberies since the last time I posted! Give or take a few. So hopefully I can retrieve more than a vague memory so I can give an honest review. Luckily, the really terrible ones are still giving off enough of a stink in my head that I think I will remember them (Hi, Roller Skates!)

I have decided not to punish you and do all fourteen in one post. Because I would alienate the two readers I have left. I'll just do a few at a time until I'm caught up. Unfortunately, more Newberies get added to the "to review" list every week, so I had better hustle!

Missing May by Cynthia Rylant (1993)

I really like Cynthia Rylant. She writes the Tabby and Mr. Putter series that my kids have loved for years. She does charming and whimsical and kind of philosophical really well. Missing May tries to get there... but I think I'll stick to Mr. Putter. Summer is an orphan who has spent her childhood passed from relative to relative, until her kindly great aunt and uncle take her in. Many happy years ensue! The book begins with the death of May, Summer's great aunt, and the rest of this short-for-a-Newbery book is spent exploring Summer's grief, her uncle's grief, and how they come to terms with their new life. I remember the ending resolving everything, but it was a little vague and mystical how they got there. And I remember being surprised at how little emotional connection I felt with the book. I cry at anything and this book didn't really tug at me. A short read so you won't feel like it's a huge time investment, but if you are looking for a book that explores adolescent grief, I would recommend the lovely Walk Two Moons.

Shadow of a Bull by Maja Wojciechowska (1965)

The story of Manolo, son of a famous - and dead - Spanish bullfighter, facing both his cowardice and his courage in a town where he has very little choice but to follow in his father's footsteps. I really liked this book and read it mostly in one sitting on our 7 hour drive to Seattle over Thanksgiving. I love books where the moral is about having courage to be different, courage to have integrity and to be yourself - something I would love my children to know. It's well-written and the characters are genuine. And, best of all, it comes with a handy glossary of Spanish bullfighting vocabulary. I now know the difference between a matador and a torero! I know all about aficion! And how Manolo sure doesn't have it.

Roller Skates by Ruth Sawyer (1937)

Gah! So glad this book is behind me. The worst kind of pretentious old-timey kids' book. While her family goes to France for a year, Lucinda stays behind in 1890s New York City, lives with her school teacher, and has many adventures on her roller skates. Okay, so maybe being left behind while your parents and 4 little brothers go to Europe would turn anyone into a brat, but I just wanted to throttle Lucinda! Not only is she selfish and obnoxious, she is completely unrelatable for any child. Unless you think most 9 year children quote Shakespeare and put on their own hand-puppet productions of The Tempest. Aside from the standard old-timey plot devices - picnics in the park, magical Christmases, etc - this book is just plain bizarre. In a weird and maudlin turn of events, Lucinda's impoverished and ill little friend dies and another friend is violently - and inexplicably - stabbed to death. And like most 9 year olds, Lucinda isn't traumatized in the least (she's the one who finds the body) but roller skates on home! There are many 4-star reviews for this book on amazon, but don't be fooled! They are all written by oldsters - I can tell this because they use words like "gallant Lucinda" and "Old New York." Maybe it's just me, but I would rather put a fork in my eye than read this book again.

Time to get Eve to swim lessons, so that's it for today. After swimming, we race home, shovel dinner, and then me and the kids head to the church to set up for tonight's youth activity: glow-in-the-dark Capture the Flag. Jared has a meeting that will end at who-knows-when, so I may be stumbling around a dark gym with three small children and 20 teenagers wearing glowsticks. Lucky me! I need to look on the bright side here - at least I won't be reading Roller Skates.

PS. Tai! I remember your request to label all my Newbery posts! I just haven't done it yet because I'm lame. I'll do it soon.