Joseph Krumgold (1908–1980)

This is my second read, this time for the Newbery group in Children's Books. It def. deserves two reads imo.

The relationship of the father and son especially interested me this time around, because I've recently read a couple of books by [a:Rinker Buck|227099|Rinker Buck|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1464871917p2/227099.jpg] and that is one of his main themes.

In this there's the obvious bit about dad wanting to live vicariously through his son... but there's more. In my show more interpretation, he's also a bit jealous of John, subconsciously fearing that young Andy is seeing John as a father-figure, and somewhat more consciously fearing that Andy will follow in John's footsteps. But Andrew Sr. does realize (probably with help from Mom) that he's not being as good a father as he wants to be, and he even manages to apologize his to son. Which is a big deal for a lot of men.

Then there's the character of John, The book makes it clear to us that he's not the town's project, that they can't just use him to make themselves feel proud of their charity. But it leaves us to wonder why John cries when his house is finished. And it leaves us to wonder if John is 'simple' or not, 'superstitious' or not, 'happy' or not. Lots for kids to discuss.

I really liked the art. Simply the essence, but enough detail for a depth of significance. Look at the crowd of ppl watching John cry...

And I enjoyed the specific descriptions of the rituals, including the boys' Halloween party with all the sweets and the different songs played on Onion John Day.

And the little bits of humor, when each boy followed John's example and gave a 'toast.' And when they were allowed to use sledgehammers and crowbars.... Clever silly boys....

And the thing is, Krumgold tried to spread the word that giving people charity is not effective, nor is trying to change them to conform... and we're still doing it and making each other miserable.... show less

Onion John is Andy’s best friend, but Onion John is not an ordinary kid….Onion John is a man who does things his own way. John has lived in Serenity for many years, scavenging to furnish his home, working a little to buy food and supplies. Then he needs a new hinge for his door and suddenly everyone wants to change Onion John, from his home to his ways of making a living to his ways of thinking. The town gets together and decides to build a brand new house for John; it is not really what show more John wants and before the second day has passed, the house has burned to the ground. Should we change people? Should we try and make everyone fit in? Can it be done? Or does a world need people who don’t quite fit, people like Onion John? show less

Andy never really thought much about Onion John, an eccentric man that lived in their small town, until the day he discovered he could understand what the man said when no one else could. He starts hanging out with the man, much to his father's chagrin, who has plans for his son to go to MIT and the moon rather than playing around in their small town.

The story centers on relationships, particularly that between Andy and his father. For most of the book, I wasn't sure where things were going show more and what the author wanted us to think of Andy, his father, and Onion John. Was the friendship a good one, or was it making Andy too fanciful? Is it right to "help" someone by doing something they don't particular want? I couldn't tell if Onion John was hard to understand because of an accent or if he was mentally disabled. But in the end, I did appreciate how everything came together and Andy and his father came to an understanding. Interestingly, I think it's the type of book that's more of a lesson for parents and a entertaining story for young readers. show less

I'm not sure that I would have enjoyed this when I was a child, but now I can appreciate the craftsmanship, the themes, etc. The details about raising sheep are interesting, and those I would definitely enjoyed even more as a child. Also, terrific choice to introduce us to the traditions of this way of life, giving us a sense that this timeless historical fiction... and then revealing that it's actually almost contemporary to its publication.

I do have to admit that I'm not fond of the show more pictures, though. Sure they're by a real artist, an influential figure, but they don't do it for me.

The first-person narration is very well-done. To my ears, it really does seem like I'm hearing this young boy tell us the story. The vocabulary, the rhythm, the perspective, all ring true to the voice of a child of that culture and time.

(Is this one of the first notable children's books to use first-person? It just doesn't seem familiar to me. And modern books, all too often, use it but have the child say things that no real child ever would.)

I also appreciate that the boy himself seems real. Sometimes there is joy and laughter, sometimes he gets angry, even a bit mean, and sometimes he's almost whiny. Still a good kid, certainly. Just authentic instead of a saintly role model of the kind common in older (lesser) children's books. show less