Graven Images 1983 Honor Book ***

Graven Images is a compilation of 3 short stories with a common theme. Each story has a graven image that a person or people rely on. Each story contains the supernatural and the use of both irony and light-hearted humor.

This book would be great for a classroom to invoke a discussion on how we worship "statues" in modern day. It was a quick read, I finished it during a plane ride. I found it fun but not too earth shattering. I think it would be find for a 4th, 5th, or 6th grade class to read.

The Black Pearl 1968 Honor Book ***

The Black Pearl tells the story of a young boy whose father owns a fleet of ships to find pearls in the ocean. When Ramon finds a rare and expensive black pearl, his father decides to donate it to the Catholic church in town. When tragedy soon strikes, some begin to wonder if the pearl is possibly cursed, and Ramon decides to break the curse himself.

This book is very short, but for some reason I really had a hard time getting through it. I easily was confused even though the writing style is simple and easily understood. My husband who rarely reads fiction, read it in just a couple of hours, whereas I took many nights to finish it. Even though the summary tells us that Ramon finds the Black Pearl, it doesn't happen until the book is half way finished. I found myself getting ancy thinking, "When does he find the pearl?" For being such a critical event to the whole story, I thought it should have happened sooner. I think young boys would enjoy this book because of the adventure and suspense. Probably 4th or 5th grade.

Slave Dancer 1974 Medal Winner ***

The Slave Dancer tells the story of Jessie who is kidnapped in New Orleans because he can play a fife. He discovers that his talent is used to "dance the slaves" to keep their muscles strong for when they are sold. Jessie sees first hand the horrors of the slave trade industry and wonders if there is anything he can do to personally stop the practice.

The Slave Dancer is a compelling story, but in my opinion too graphic for children. I think it's important that we learn the horrors of slave ships, but at not too young of an age. There are some very violent and graphic scenes that describe death of both crewmen and slaves alike. I appreciated the authors obvious research and telling this story through the eyes of a young adult who didn't want to be there.

The House of the Scorpion 2003 Honor Book ***

The House of the Scorpion is a science fiction based in the future. Mexico no longer exists, there is now Opium a country that borders the U.S. and Aztlan. Just as many people are immigrating to Aztlan as the U.S., but get caught in the middle in Opium. Matt is a clone of El Patron the leader of the country. Unlike other clones, his brains haven't been ruined and he's able to learn, communicate and even play the piano. As he ages he slowly comes to understand his real realtionship with the 148 year old leader of the country and what he must do to make a life for himself.

As a former molecular biologist, I really like genetic thrillers. Having created plant clones myself, I love to think about how our world would be different if we could make human clones. Not that I think we should, but some days I wish I had a clone to clean the bathrooms! I think this book would be hard for younger children to followalthough those in junior high or school would really like it. The last section of the book does seem to drag on a bit, I wish the author hadn't spent so much time with the Keepers.

An American Plague: The True and Terrifying Story of the Yellow Fever Epidemic of 1793 2004 Honor Book ***

An American Plague: The True and Terrifying Story of the Yellow Fever Epidemic of 1793 is an account of the events during the plague that hit the nation's capital at the time, Philadelphia. This plague was so devastating that it essentially shut down the federal government. The author Jim Murphy chronicles the events using documenations, pictures and vivid descriptions.

I found this book to be fascinating but not appropiate for children. Some of the accounts are graphic and disturbing. I think a high school student could handle the information, but I wouldn't go much younger than that. Interestingly former slaves from Africa and West Indies were immunized because they had had it children in their homeland. This put them in the perfect position to truly serve the community and try to help the sick and dying. How they were treated after the epidemic is truly tragic.

A Corner of the Universe 2003 Honor Book ***

A Corner of the Universe is about 11 year-old Hattie Owen. Its summer in 1960 and Hattie is shy with few friends and just like to be at home with her parents. She's shocked to discover that she actually has a 21 year-old uncle, Adam, who no one has ever told her about. He's coming home for the summer because the school where lived has shut down. Adam is mentally challenged and needs to find a new school. Hattie learns much from Adam as she's able to look past his challenges and see his heart inside.

This is actually a very touching story with flavorful characters and stories. I listened to it on CD and Judith Ivey did a fantastic job as the various people. Her interpretation of Adam made me stop whatever I was doing to listen. This book does have some deep subjects however and I wouldn't recommend it to anyone under 12 and think it would be best for an older teenager.

Olive's Ocean 2004 Honor Book ***

Martha spends her summer vacation visiting her grandmother just after the death of a school mate she hardly knew, Olive. Just before the vacation Olive's mother drops off a page from her journal where she mentions Martha and her wish to see the ocean. As Martha spends her summer pondering death and life she decides to try to help Olive fulfill her wish.

As soon as I heard one of the first sentences, "Olive Bristow was dead." I thought "Oh boy, another book about death and despair, a popular theme for this decade." Thankfully I was wrong. It is a sweet coming of age story about 12-year-old Martha. The writing is beautiful and very descriptive. While she doesn't waste her time describing outfits and hair color, I feel that I can picture each character in my mind. I listened to this story on CD read by Blair Brown who did a wonderful job. Definitely a good read for children ages 12 and up.

Out of the Dust 1998 Medal Winner ***

Out of the Dust is a book written in free verse about Billy Jo a 14 year old girl growing up during the Depression and in the middle of the dust bowl. When tragedy strikes her family she discovers how to have hope and look forward to the future. Warning: Graphic death is described.

Out of the Dust is not a children's book. I don't know how it can be considered children's literature. While I think this book does a great job of describing what life was like living in the Dust Bowl and just how awful it was, it is too sad and too graphic for young readers. Billy Jo accidently throws a bucket of kerosene this is on fire on her pregnant mother which ultimately leads to her and the baby's death. The guilt and blame that Billy Jo must endure is too deep of a subject for children.

Johnny Tremain 1944 Medal Winner ***

Johnny Tremain is about a boy who lives in Boston just as the Revolutionary War beguns. A silversmith apprentice, he injures his hand and can no longer learn his trade. He meets rebels such as Paul Revere, Samuel Adams, and others who speak of war to rid English rule. He is able to participate in the Boston Tea Party and attend meetings as the leaders try to figure out how to defeat the British.

From what I understand this book is supposed to be a classic. I was frankly disappointed and feel that I'm being very generous giving it three stars. First of all, Johnny Tremain is not a likeable character. His pride and ignorance really is frustrating to me as a reader. Just as I think that I really hate this guy, he has a sudden change of heart and decides to become a different person by losing his personality altogether. Now instead of hating Johnny, I don't care about him at all. I was really hoping this book would teach me about the events leading up to the Revolutionary War, but for some reason the author makes him crippled and he sleeps through the first battles. So he wakes up and gets to learn about what happened just as anyone would by reading a history book. Towards the end I felt that the author was just as bored with the story as I was and decided to just end it. And frankly, I was glad when it did.

The Cat Who Went To Heaven 1931 Medal Winner ***

The Cat Who Went to Heaven is a story of a cat who goes to live with a Japanese artist who has been commissioned to draw a picture of Buddha. Japenese tradition says that cats are the only animal who have rejected the teachings of Buddha and so he can not draw a picture of a cat among all the animals paying respect to Buddha. Good Fortune, the artist's cat, is not pleased to discover that he is not in the picture.

I'm amazed this book was written so long ago. It is quite abstract in thought and quite deep in analogy. I don't recommend this book for young readers at all, and even then only for mature young adults. It's a very quick read, I read it in the bathtub before the water even got cold. I found it hard to dive into at first, and half way through the book I felt like I was drifting and the story had no point. Up until the last 3 pages I was going to give it one star, but I feel the ending where the cat dies and is discovered in the arms of Buddha made the book worth the read. It's a powerful lesson on forgiveness and not deciding one's fate based on legend, past traditions, or even what you may think a person is or has become.

Thimble Summer 1939 Medal Winner ***

Garnet finds a silver thimble right before the rains come and save her father's crops. She decides the thimble is lucky and has all sorts of adventures for the rest of the summer living on a farm in the Midwest.

This book would be great to read chapter by chapter to classroom or children at night. The author does a great job describing farm life in the 1930's. She takes great care to talk about the price of things and how a 50 cent piece can make a child feel rich. So much of the life described in this book is now lost to our modern youth. This book would really teach children what life used to be like for their great grandparents when they were growing up.

Kira Kira 2005 Medal Winner ***

Kira Kira is a story of a Katie and Lynn two Japanese sisters living in prejudiced Georgia. Katie adores her sister and struggles as Lynn gets sicker and sicker and doesn't know why. Spoiler: Lynn dies of lymphoma.

Let's see a Newberry book medal winner written in the 2000's that's depressing and sad- what a shock! I listened to this book on CD and the cover said for children 8 to 14. I really don't think 8 year old children need to hear a sad story about a little girl dying of cancer. I would probably put this book more at ages 14 and up. While I enjoyed the story and found it very well written and beautifully read by Elaina Erika Davis I think the message was too deep and too sad for little children. At the beginning of the book the relationship between the two sisters is so sweet and innocent, reminds me of the my two girls' relationship. But I think that if either of my two girls were to read this book they would put themselves in their shoes and it would be too heart-wrenching for them.

It's Like This, Cat 1964 Medal Winner ***

Dave Mitchell lives in Manhattan and gets a cat. This creates a series of events that bring different people into his life changing theirs and his own.

The author writes so seemingly effortlessly, I felt like I could see Dave's apartment and the streets of New York without long descriptions of them. In this book she introduces the reader to many different places like Gramercy Park, Bronx Zoo, Coney Island and many others. It's a contemporary novel, so I also get a glimpse of what life was like in the 1960's for a teenage boy.

Young Fu of the Upper Yangtze 1933 Medal Winner ***

Young Fu of the Upper Yangtze is about a boy in China who becomes an apprentice and his adventures living near the Yangtze river.

This book is very similar to A Single Shard but not as riveting. I imagine that in 1933 this may have been American children's only exposure to what life was like in China many years ago. But children of today may find the writing tedious and get bored quickly.

Railroad to Freedom 1933 Honor Book ***

Railroad to Freedom tells the story of Harriet Tubman and how she came help hundreds of slaves to freedom using the Underground Railroad.

I really enjoyed this book and think it should have been the Medal Winner. I've heard of Harriet Tubman since I was a child, but never before have I felt like I knew the complete story. Thank goodness for amazing women like Harriet Tubman, we need more of her around today with all the awful things happening in Africa and other parts of the world.

The Matchlock Gun 1942 Medal Winner ***

The Matchlock Gun is set in the mid 1700's when America was still a colony. It's based on a true story of a 10 year old boy trying to protect his family.

I really liked this book, mainly because it's short and a quick read. This would be a great book to read around Thanksgiving to children to get a discussion going about what life was like for early American settlers.

A Wrinkle in Time 1963 Medal Winner ***

A Wrinkle in Time is about Meg and her brother Charles Wallace and their search for their brilliant father who everyone assumes has just left their family.

Is it just me or is this book weird? I've never been good with time travel stories. The time space continuum confuses me. Even the movie The Lake House freaked me out. For some reason it's hard for me to just relax and let go of logic and just enjoy time travel.

Jacob Have I Loved 1981 Medal Winner ***