While I can't say whether or not it's my favorite of the Newbery 2016 bunch (it's the only one I've read as of 1/13/16), I'm more than willing to arguWhile I can't say whether or not it's my favorite of the Newbery 2016 bunch (it's the only one I've read as of 1/13/16), I'm more than willing to argue that it's every bit as distinguished as many of my favorite middle grade novels that won gold medals, and arguably more distinguished than several others. It's a simple, beautiful story told in simple yet achingly beautiful language, and I can honestly say that it's one of the best picture books I've ever read, even if you take the pictures out of the equation. It deserves to be a classic and I truly hope that it will become one....more
Read the original edition from the 1950s. I'd love to see the new art in the one by the Dillons.
I could probably only really describe this b3.5 stars.
Read the original edition from the 1950s. I'd love to see the new art in the one by the Dillons.
I could probably only really describe this book's story as "quaint" and "cute," but boy is the writing top-notch. It really elevated the story from "twee fairytale defying all logic" to "enjoyable story of minor adventure and childhood wonder." I fully believed in Calpurnia as a character, though no reveal of her age made it hard to decide whether I bought her precocity. All in all I think it's a nice little Newbery Honor book unjustly overlooked.
(Time to go read The Yearling and be sad Rawlings never wrote anything for kids besides The Secret River, I guess.)...more
Lovely little Newbery Honor-winning picture book that had way more of an emotional impact on me than I expected. The dialogue felt a little stilted, bLovely little Newbery Honor-winning picture book that had way more of an emotional impact on me than I expected. The dialogue felt a little stilted, but everything else was really, really good....more
4.5 stars (upon further rumination; originally rated 4).
In short, if the ending didn't feel like a bunch of giant events crammed into five pages, this4.5 stars (upon further rumination; originally rated 4).
In short, if the ending didn't feel like a bunch of giant events crammed into five pages, this would have been a five-star book for me. I love a good strong punch to the gut and this one delivers them even before the inevitable. I also really liked the writing, though this is mainly because I like books that cut to the chase and don't try to dazzle me with how well the author can string descriptions together. (Well, as a rule. If the descriptions ARE particularly lovely, this rule doesn't quite apply.)
I am still wondering why this is considered a "dog book," though. Sounder doesn't really do a whole lot. This is the boy's story through and through....more
Last year one of the highlights of my Fall reading was Matthew Quick's lovely Boy21, which only failed perfect marks from me for two reasons: the titlLast year one of the highlights of my Fall reading was Matthew Quick's lovely Boy21, which only failed perfect marks from me for two reasons: the title character's changing felt the faintest bit unrealistic, and the basketball failed to compel me at all. The Crossover has neither of those problems: I care nothing for sports, not even the tiniest bit, yet I felt as if every scene on the court was electric. And Josh evolves perfectly, subtly, without artifice.
And talk about a great opening. The first few bits of verse, written like rap, hooked me. They were absolutely stunning. The rest of the book's writing is great too, but I was extremely disappointed that Alexander chose not to write the whole thing in a similar cadence. (Then again, if he had he may have been accused of gimmickry.) I'm extremely fond of verse novels regardless, so it was no huge problem for me. But man, it would've been great.
Josh is a great kid, one who feels completely like a real boy. The characters around him were a lot less compelling, unfortunately. Realistic? Sure. Not particularly distinctive? Well, aside from the parents, who I loved, not really. I feel like I barely got to know Jordan, or the others (whose names I cannot remember, not a good sign). But the parents! God, the parents. The tough mom and the fun but tragically foolish father were huge highlights of the story for me, and I wish we'd had more time to spend with them.
I also wish that (view spoiler)[the dad hadn't died (hide spoiler)], but it was handled very well despite me wishing that something, anything else had happened. I saw it coming a mile away (it was not so much foreshadowing as much as a giant red flag, really), and I hoped like you wouldn't believe that the story wouldn't take that particular turn. Despite that, it didn't feel like a cheap emotion grab. Nothing in this story did, though, and that's why I enjoyed it so much.
I can imagine hordes of middle school boys (and girls, of course) reading this for a class and loving it. It may have a bit of geeky words to it, but it's very well-done, and emotionally honest in a way that, I think, can really speak to kids....more
As an adult (sorta) this book is a sweet look back at a year when everything seems huge. If I were seven I would herald this book as a masterful commeAs an adult (sorta) this book is a sweet look back at a year when everything seems huge. If I were seven I would herald this book as a masterful commentary on the complexities of modern elementary school life and family relations at a young age. (Granted, I would have to be a pretty genius seven-year-old to do that. In all seriousness, little ones will LOVE this like they love Ramona.) Deceptively simple and even miraculous. I've never seen anyone capture second grade like Henkes. And how lovely it is to have a functioning family unit on the page again! (Billy has the coolest dad.) I only wish that there was more time in the elementary school setting... and that somebody directly called Emma out for being a brat! (The structure kinda faltered because of the school sections, though every section had its wonderful parts and it mostly comes together in the end.) A lovely choice for a younger-aiming Newbery Honor book....more
Surprisingly touching, though it takes a while to get to the unusual way dialogue is presented here. Everything with Little Man and Mr. Spiro, and LitSurprisingly touching, though it takes a while to get to the unusual way dialogue is presented here. Everything with Little Man and Mr. Spiro, and Little Man and Mam was great. Recommended to stutterers and, really, anyone with an invisible disability. A pleasant Newbery Honor surprise. (The committee's choices were all good so far, nothing baffling!)...more
Gorgeously written, fun, bittersweet, touching, and yes, creepy. Just don't expect a straight-up horror novel out of it and you'll be fine.Gorgeously written, fun, bittersweet, touching, and yes, creepy. Just don't expect a straight-up horror novel out of it and you'll be fine....more
Slow to start, and all the pigeon talk weighs it down for a while, but I would be lying if I didn't say the last 50 pages were enough to make even theSlow to start, and all the pigeon talk weighs it down for a while, but I would be lying if I didn't say the last 50 pages were enough to make even the most boring parts rewarding. Georgie's voice is ridiculously good and the language is beautiful. A small gem and a great little western-ish book for youngsters....more
Like always, the novel-in-verse format made the story more lyrical and quicker to read. In this case, it made the voice a bit more distinctive than itLike always, the novel-in-verse format made the story more lyrical and quicker to read. In this case, it made the voice a bit more distinctive than it would've been in traditional format. I'm honestly surprised, however, that the format also made it a little bit harder for me to get into the book than usual (not as hard as it was for me to get into The Surrender Tree and Carver, but I couldn't get sucked into it like I did with Out of the Dust). I think the book was exceptionally well-crafted: All the characters were distinctive, the writing was great, and the story had an abundance of very poignant moments. I really, really liked it. I just wish I LOVED it. It deserved that Newbery Honor thoroughly, though. Lai is an author with some serious skill.
For better or for worse, I will remember this book for a very, very long time. Not merely because it's children's fiction of the highest quality (SeriFor better or for worse, I will remember this book for a very, very long time. Not merely because it's children's fiction of the highest quality (Seriously, some say this is the best Newbery-winning book ever, and if not for "Bridge to Terabithia" and "When You Reach Me" I might be inclined to agree), but because it is, by far, the most chilling and outright TERRIFYING book I have ever read in my entire life. And this is coming from a person who, at the age of twelve, was already reading Stephen King novels! Even thinking about Chapter 19 again gives me chills... It's a must for everyone, for many different reasons. I'll leave you to discover that on your own....more
It's hard to review poetry collections the way I review novels, so let me just say that every poem in this book was like a perfect spiderweb, or as beIt's hard to review poetry collections the way I review novels, so let me just say that every poem in this book was like a perfect spiderweb, or as beautiful as a full moon, or some other poetic image. Admittedly, it's probably impossible for me to dislike a book named for and featuring a poem about an owl. Reading the poems, one by one, outside, at night during a full moon... If campfire poetry isn't a thing, it could be, thanks to this book....more