5EGBERTINA
1941
15 DEC 2022:
North America
United States
California
Great Depression
Migrant Workers
predictable, but in a good, kind, calm, gentle way. They just can't replicate this quality in modern books. Too many young readers cannot identify with books that aren't overdramatic and over-stimulating
6EGBERTINA
238p
NORTH AMERICA
UNITED STATES
OREGON TERRITORY
FORT VANCOUVER
touches on the territory prior to American ownership; voyageurs; Lewis & Clark; indigenous cultures; early pathfinders/frontiersmen.
1941
MAY 2024:
This book provides a lot of backdrop to the Northwest settlement, prior to Lewis & Clark; prior to the Oregon Trail; prior to the Whitman's.
here is a link to JOHN BALL - named in the book - confirming the information provided in the book:
https://www.oregonencyclopedia.org/articles/ball_john_1794_1884_/
RANALD MACDONALD:
https://www.oregonencyclopedia.org/articles/macdonald_ranald/
BILLY MCKAY:
https://www.oregonencyclopedia.org/articles/mckay_william_c/
DAVID MCCLOUGHLIN: barely mentioned. (but is mentioned under site of historic home)
finally, he is mentioned here:
https://www.nps.gov/articles/mcloughlinsinparis.htm
though the year of his arrival in France , as 1833, is verified. it seems as though he drops off the planet. his older brother returns and is murdered. His uncle survives Napoleon and the Revolution, escaping to London. I have, yet, to find what happened to the younger David.
Further insight into the school, attitudes of the communities, and the backdrop of Young Mac's internal struggle:
https://www.nps.gov/articles/schoolatfortvancouver.htm
Mary Jane Carr's, novel, "Young Mac of Fort Vancouver" packs it in without being overwhelming or obvious. I enjoyed this book on so many levels. At the start, I assumed it was going to be a typical adventure book for boys, common to the era, but it is so much more.
Before I dive in, I need to say, if you are looking for a book that 100% avoids any discomfort over the attitudes of non-indigenous cultures, you may want to seek elsewhere. It avoids the most obvious ones; but, if you look closely, you will find that a book from the 1940's simply cannot avoid all preference toward the predominant Eurocentric culture. A main theme, is where does a boy, genetically fixed between two cultures ( and subtly more than two), belong? And what attitude is mainstream America going to want to see displayed? Realistically, the Voyageurs no longer remain, so is it unfair for our MC to reflect the obvious chain of events? Is it prejudicial for a boy from his time period to reflect the changes of attitudes that are already prevalent to the time-period in which the book is written?
This is not the first Newbery to perch the protagonist between adventure and education. This work, attempts to reconstruct a period of time, largely forgotten. Most readers, even young ones will know about the Oregon Trail; and may even have heard of Voyageurs. How many readers fully recognize this section of country before it was a territory belonging to the United States? For all that backdrop, and many historically accurate tidbits, the focus of the book is not the history as much as it is a bildungsroman, wherein, Mac moves from his boyhood into manhood. The time period provides the perfect set-up; as it is precisely at a junction in which the history of the country is also moving forward from one experience into another.
Donald MacDermott is Metis; a vocabulary word not much in usage, today. While there will be those that self-identify by this cultural moniker, others will find it out of place to specify a mixed heritage with a label. Unlike other words that label parentage between white with other races, this is a very particular blend that includes factors other than race. Two specific components are regional and occupational. Another is also, nationality. To be Metis is more than part white and part Indian. It is a blend of primarily French or Scottish, that lived the Voyageuring life. It had specific Canadian geographics, and occasionally, communities in America that bordered their Canadian counterparts. Therefore, it is a successful merging of cultural elements. Two other integrants are the blending of religious traditions. While the French voyageurs would have been Roman Catholic, the Scottish may have included Protestant practices. Traditional Indian practices would have varied by Nations and subsequent outside exposures.
While the book and the history of actual events are unlikely to have been tolerant with no exceptions, we meet Young Mac attempting to balance these influences and some acknowledgement of attempted balances in the backdrop as well. I doubt that the historical Dr McLoughlin was a bastion of egalitarianism, he did attempt to keep the predominant Protestant culture from interfering with Catholic and Native viewpoints.
The reader is first introduced to Donald, nicknamed Young Mac, after the death of his father. He travels by canoe, Voyageur style, from Saskatchewan (?), west to Fort Vancouver in the Northwest. The year is 1832, and the West is very unsettled with joint occupation of British and Americans. Trapping is the predominant employment/culture via the Hudson Bay Fur Company. It is his father's final wish that Mac make this journey and be placed under the guardianship of Dr. McLoughlin, historically accurate superintendent of the expansive district. McLoughlin is a larger- than-life figure and is portrayed as such in the book. First, this is a children's book and the attitudes reflect the supposition of Eurocentric attitudes. It is very subtle, but it is there.
The crux of this journey is to subject Mac to education, his European roots, and potential opportunities beyond the venturing fur trade. Other children are cared for at the fort, primarily, all of Metis extraction; this providing a historically accurate backdrop. No education outside manual labour has been provided at this time, bringing the reader into a junction of events in which other historical figures are presented. Several of the named children are not fictional characters.
Of course, there are adventures and antagonists on the way. An enjoyable piece of fiction for boys (and now girls, too,) that provides the opportunity to more closely examine a forgotten time and place. Mac has a choice to make. Will the modern reader recognize the subtle implications of those choices? What is the Newbery committee espousing?
8EGBERTINA
1941
MAY 2024:
I enjoyed this quite a bit. This is the biography of the Norwegian Arctic explorer. I had never even heard of him. Quite famous in his day and very well-rounded. Surprisingly, the last portion of his life was devoted to humanitarian efforts, in the post-WWI era. The reader gets quite a bit of coverage into European events, as they are unfolding; tidbits of things not always seen as a whole, such as Corfu, Mussolini, Turkey and the Armenian holocaust, etc. Nansen was attempting to keep the peace at several junctures. His original effort was to co-ordinate the successful repatriation of millions of homeless/imprisoned European POW's trapped in Russia or unable to return to Russia. Though the author doesn't extrapolate, there is quite a window into the poverty of these countries that doesn't get resolved before the harbingers of the next war.
My main objection is the author's construction of events in the latter part of the book. She tends to state a thing as happened then weave back again prior to the event. It felt as though, she expanded upon her original thoughts, but forgot to smooth it out with a better integration. It is not a huge detractor, though.
I find the introduction to this scientist, his contributions, and the world in which he was living to be fascinating food for later research. The illustrations are scrumptious. He was born twenty-ish years before my great-grandparents, meaning they would have grown up in the backdrop of his renown.
11EGBERTINA
1942
26 JUN 2023:
Oddly enough, I did not enjoy this as much as I thought that I would. I had read a shorter work written 10-20 years later. I thought it was going to be the dud by comparison, and found that in some ways I preferred it. The best book would, perhaps, be a cross between the two. Lenski filled in with some descriptive elements, but I found they were not critical. She did that whole bad grammar thing which I despise. If juvenile fiction is to be believed all early Americans were idiots that couldn't speak the language. (gnashing my teeth) I will have to read more of her books and see if she does this to all her characters. Anyhow, perhaps I better not read any more similar stories BEFORE I read the Newbery version.
14EGBERTINA
1943
6 JUN 2024:
Very mixed feelings about this as a topic. The writing was fine.
The first thing that I think a reader should know about this book is that it is a biography of Charles Stratton. Stratton, who lived in Queen Victoria's lifetime, was a world-renowned celebrity in his day; likely, he was still well known at the writing of this book. This juncture of history and personage presents the reader with unique glimpses into the values of that time-period as well as the 1940's.
For readers in my own cohort, it is likely that certain residual comprehensions of these values remained in memory until the 1970's. For instance, between the ages of ten and twelve, I recall there being a certain fascination among my peers, particularly boys, concerning works such as Guiness Book of World Records, Ripley's Believe It or Not, and wax-museum type collections. I dont know if that age group would still cherish those interests, but it is, likely, that some younger ones might. Additionally, this work touches ever so lightly on P. T Barnum, before his merge with Bailey, and their once renowned circus, Barnum & Bailey. Again, younger readers after the 80's are less likely to have grown up with that image as a backdrop to their childhoods.
Because of this lack of comprehension and values that have altered markedly, this might be of less interest to children these days; because of today's values, the reading quality, itself, might be challenging. Even with my past awarenesses, parts of this book might seem unfathomable to a young reader, unescorted by educational hand-holding.
The most obvious alteration of mores is in the linguistic usage of the word midget, to describe Charles Stratton, a person of small stature. Further, society no longer finds fascination with the concept of a little person. (Hollywood excepted) Today's reader is probably more than a small bit uncomfortable in the beginning chapters, as he realises that Charles is regarded as undesirable That discomfort increases as the reader further realises that being placed on display for the amusement of others is not, merely, a viable option; it is the only available economic circumstance. By the time Stratton, aka "Tom Thumb" travels to Europe, the mind comes full-tilt into the difference between American society and its accessibility, and the stratified sectors of the British and French population.
Another point of contention is the writing style of Hunt. Her style is perfectly pleasant to a reader well-acquainted with older formats of writing. It would be well to keep in mind that this is a work written for children and the emphasis is entirely on the positive. Additionally, the author develops the story after the "happily-ever-after" format of the children's fairytale. Every encounter is charming and vivacious. There is no exhaustion, disappointment, ambivalence, petulance. Nobody ever has a mood swing or "hanger." All Thumbs needs are met; he is ridiculously wealthy; he is educated; never over-taxed or exploited. The parents never miss their older children as they are gone for three years; the older children never resent their parental abandonment. What a lucky wee-sprite to have such a benevolent life.
Historic events are never the main theme, but they are sporadically sprinkled, throughout. I'm fairly certain there is no mention of the first French Revolution and the Reign of Terror, though Bonaparte is mentioned and Louis Phillipe is met before he has to flee France the second time. (also not mentioned) The Mexican war is blipped over as well as the Gold Rush; the Civil War is mentioned; the West is mentioned without an Oregon Trail, but there is one sentence about the railroad; Thumb visits Havana; three presidents are named. Vaudeville is not named, directly; but we see its inception in the performances of Stratton. (Knowing, as I do, from the 1922 Honor book, The Old Tobacco Shop that remnants of another Victorian circus, catalyzed, both Vaudeville and iterations of Barnum's circus.)
I pondered extensively as to the purpose of writing this book, before it dawned on me that it was written about three years after the film production of Wizard of Oz which assembled no small number of little people; possibly, bringing them to the attention of America for the first time since Tom Thumb was topping the charts.
Other modern concerns will be the infantilisation of Tom and the analogous comparison of him to a doll. Though, I feel that it is an accurate portrayal of prevailing attitudes. Extremely inappropriate was the episode involving his fiancé, Lavinia. Children and some adults will read the happiness and loyalty unaware of how trauma bonds are formed and maintained by prevalent attitudes and co-operation of the receiver.
Viewing it from the perspective of its time-period, it is an acceptable work. I don't know as modern society is that hung up on the whole celebrity biography gig; perhaps, it will make a comeback in future generations. Literarily, the writing is better than most modern blockbusters. Because of changing interests, I'd suggest strong younger readers, older readers not averse to unpacking historical attitudes, and teachers that walk students through the ambivalence.
later:
I found that the emphasis on all things "fairy" was not the fault of the author. That was the prevailing sentiment of his Victorian audience. Perhaps that was due to the influence of Barnum. After finishing the book, I learned that upon Stratton's death, America became infatuated with constructions known as "Tom Thumb" weddings. Children are co-opted into elaborate ceremonies to raise funds. This was popular until WWI and then made periodic comebacks.
I further contemplated America's adoration of Shirley Temple and The Little Rascals. Clearly, there remains an infatuation for smaller humans to sing, perform and crack jokes for adult entertainment.
16EGBERTINA
1944
10 NOV 2022:
no particular charm to the writing / sentence structure; but, the plot carries the story. I never wanted the book to end. Many unanswered details that I would dearly have loved to have been resolved. The fates of a lost girl and widowed bride are brought forward into the future; it would have been nice if the other characters could likewise have been drawn to a satisfactory conclusion. I wanted the egg cups to be found among the ruins- after all- they were "hers forever". The etches upon the front "stoop" ( lack of a better word)- seem, also to have been noted more than once, but not revisited.
19EGBERTINA
1945
24 MAY 2023:
I had mixed feelings about this. It focusses on an important theme, I'm just not certain it was as teachable a moment as it once was. Still. it was a pleasant small story. There was a very bittersweet quality that left me saddened. Which I think was the point
22EGBERTINA
1945
NORTH AMERICA
COLONIAL AMERICA
MASSACHUSETTS
BIOGRAPHY
PURITANS AND SEPARATISTS
RELIGIOUS FREEDOM
2 APR 2024:
I really enjoyed this. This was an individual, of whom, I knew very little. I hadn't realised that America's eventual religious freedom was based on his model. I had recalled that he had been ostracised; but, didn't know that he was the first to express religious freedom. I thought that had been a more gradual outcome.
24EGBERTINA
1946
2 JUN 2024
This was an excellent book. I'm astonished that this was written so soon after the war and that the author was so knowledgeable as to facts and feelings. There was one phrase mentioned that I was never able to have explained:
"Yellow-Shirts" were these Japanese Royalist supporters? Later, in the 60's, yellow shirts became a symbol of Japanese renewed pride; but it is an altogether different connotation.
The story ends on a hopeful note, for which I am uncertain. However, the author was praised for this at the time.
25EGBERTINA
1946
JUN 2024:
Bhimsa, a Newbery Honor book of 1946, written by Christine Weston is a small adventure, In India, of two boys and a trained bear. Upon my first reading, it was innocuous, neither boring nor overly compelling. It is an old fashioned tale, but without the endearing charm to last the ages.
My original suppositions were thus:
. written for younger readers
. selected for its portrayal of India
Later, I researched the author and noticed the dedication. The author was born in India of British extraction with some French lineage. The dedication was to her nephew, David. This small bit of information caused me suppose that this was the type of story composed, specifically, to engage the nephew in an adventure to which he may have contributed preferences. (such as wanting to run away and travel) Whether the work followed his requests, or the author assumes that he and other younger boys enjoy such things gave me insight as to why the book fails to capture a universal flavor. It has a scripted quality, not entirely tedious; just beyond my range of appreciation. Perhaps, had I read it in my youth, I would have overlooked such shortcomings and entered more freely into the spirit of the journey.
The story opens with David outside his home. He is never specified as non-Indian, but given his name and his clothing in the illustration, a reader can suppose that he is a British colonial. (The book is written just before the emancipation of India and Pakistan, and none of that turmoil enters into the story. To portray characters during a time of colonialism, was not yet a filthy concept, just a fact of life.) There is little mention of ethnicity, so it is just a tory of two boys that befriend one another. David is cared for by a servant who is not belittled for his ethnicity, merely, his waistline. ( another out of vogue concept)
As his lethargic servant sleeps, young Gopala and his bear wander by. Gopala has become separated from his family and meanders across a section of India in search of them. David joins the duo and the episodes begin. Before the boys begin their journey, Gopala suggests that David remove his clothing in favor of the traditional loin-wrap and turban. (because nobody will notice his lily-white skin)
The first two chapters of the journey, Gpopala explains how he came to own a bear and under which circumstances they became lost. The chapters are filled with descriptions of the varied terrain and wildlife. Next they come to a town and meet a spoiled prince from whom they next must escape. They escape to another town to meet another member of the royal family who tells his story. In addition to being the rightful prince this gentleman is also a bit of a philosopher. His statements might be misconstrued as being preachy. When they at last depart and head toward the mountains of Gopala's home, they encounter thieves and play a prank as they escape. (pranking thieves seems to be an expected storyline)
There is one final danger when they encounter a tiger. Some might find the violence in this part unacceptable- but- hey- it is the jungle. Do you really suppose to portray the Indian jungle without incident? (I suppose all those Gary Paulsen books never bother any readers.)
Gopala finds his way and David is subjected to motherly affection and wisdom.
I had a greater appreciation for the book upon my second reading. Perhaps, I had just acclimated to its straightforward presentation. Because it is a book for ten or younger, I will suppose that their interests will, even in modern time, be less driven by the expectation of incessant thrills. The dangers are not presented as thrills; they are dealt with in a straightforward manner.
The illustrations are black and green. Color illustrations were not yet cheap in the 40's and the book was produced during WWII.
2024-07-06 - second or third entry
Book ID 267128083
Data source manual entry
29EGBERTINA
1947
5 MAY 2024:
I wish that I had realised that this was only 56 pages before, today. I found it online, so, I didn't see its size until I opened it.
Here is a link - by another patron - that details more about the author, William Maxwell and his other works.
https://www.librarything.com/topic/360463
33EGBERTINA
1948
China
96
17 AUG 2023:
Ten year old Li Lun lives off the coast of China, on an island named Blue Shark Island. The community is based on fishing, with no recent tradition of agriculture.
Every year a fishing voyage takes place that is a rite of passage into manhood, for the boys of ten. Other boys look forward to this adventure, but Li Lun fears the sea, and refuses to go. His father irate with humiliation orders Li Lun to the top of the highest mountain, Lao Shan, the Sorrow Mountain, to grow 7 grains of rice, a seemingly impossible task, and not to return until he has grown 7 times that amount.
To learn to grow rice, he visits San Ling, a very old and wise man. Then he begins his journey.
Each tiny chapter gives a glimpse into Li Lun's challenges. These are mostly believable; at least they would be expected challenges. As an adult, my mind takes issue with the absolute possibility of such things - but still it is an enjoyable tale. Sort of a Chinese My Side of the Mountain for very young readers.
I tried to find a biography of Carolyn Treffinger, but could find nothing to suggest that she had grown up in China. However, the publisher of her book might be the clue to its origin. Abingdon Cokesbury Press is a publisher of religious publications; Methodist, if I am not mistaken. Perhaps Treffinger was a missionary at some point.
There is a reference to a Lao Shan mountain, which is the highest peak, and has monasteries, nearby, but I find no mentions of a Blue shark Island. The story would seem to precede the Revolution. Also, it seems to be an origin tale of some type that explains why rice came to be grown in the locale. More than that I cannot guess.
This is a quiet work. The adventures are gentle. The attitudes of Li Lun are respectful. Readers should be exposed to this type of tale before their preference is, indelibly skewed toward constant action and chaos. I look forward to reading this with G-son #5.
34EGBERTINA
1948
1 JUNE 2024:
This was not the worst book; I'm just too old for it. It follows a similar pattern to that of Puss In boots. Also, a silly quality reminiscent of My Father's Dragon. While repetition is bound to have been part of the structure, I found that after decades of reading trimmed-down sentences, I would have edited it more. Younger children won't have such biases, yet.
39EGBERTINA
1949
Its cute- but I am probably just too old. It felt scripted. The cuteness had no natural flow. I will try it with my grandson and get his perspective.
AUG 2023:
my grandson loved it gave it 4 stars; he said it was funny
41EGBERTINA
1950
13 JUL 2024:
not a review.
I'm only two chapters in, so far- and questioning my ability to like it well.
peeves: the dialect gets me every time. The author doesnt restrict herself to just the characters dialect; she uses it in her narration.
the father seems immediately dislikable. too soon to tell, but this is no Pa Ingalls. There is time for him to be redeemed, but he seems an obvious controller/abuser and his wife has to coddle him. Yes that is accurate even in modern times; just not expecting it in children's fiction of the 50's, if we are supposed to bond to this family. (and speaking of Pa Ingalls, in real life he was no great shakes; at least, though in the books you could bond to him.)
hate the words pappy and mammy; seems to be borrowed from Huck Finn.
uncertain about: how i feel toward Bayley-Morse's illustrations. She has done many other books and this doesn't follow her other style/s. the illustrations seem similar to james daugherty. (a little less scribbly/scratchy) he wrote and illustrated Daniel Boone; another book that deals with Kentucky.
intrigued by: the Huegonot connection. not overly covered in children's literature.
TBC
book is shaping up, nicely. deals with different perspective than usual homesteading type books; gives a differing perspective on the Revolutionary War, which is typically covered from the New England perspective.
42EGBERTINA
1950
2022:
The fact is that I could not enjoy this. It is written, intentionally, to create a sense of wonder and charm - and yet - ....
the repetition felt annoying to me and overdone.
but, i shall re-read it at some point to see if I dont find some glimmer of greater value.
46EGBERTINA
1951
AUG 2024:
What can be said about this work? Little in a positive vein. I don't think I ever want to hear about Johnny Appleseed ever again. When Mabel Leigh Hunt wrote Have You Seen Tom Thumb, she wrote of him, much as though he were the embodiment of a fairytale; of course that was often how he was presented in his lifetime.
In attempting to create a similar pattern for Johnny Appleseed, the embodiment of a national legend and the burgeoning West, - she failed, spectacularly. Too little is known about Chapman, to have attempted this much space in his biography. When her attempts at poetic construction worked, she created some interesting sentences and paragraphs; however, they just didn't tie together well into a coherent story.
I seem unable to define the POV of the writer. It seems, neither, first; nor, third person. There are numerous constructions, in which the author attempts some type of magnificent worship of events and persons. Disconnected thoughts with no subject/ predicate construction; exclamations that come from nobody and nowhere and are too difficult discern their intent. Interspersed in the telling are little factoids of historic events and geography. (all of which should have been delightful, but, instead, just seemed disjointed. ) The author might have done better to tell us of the America of this period, and dropped in little bits of Appleseedishness.
I shall attempt a better version - There once was a real person, who may or may not have owned land here and there; who probably travelled by foot planting or sharing apples and preaching Swedenborgian philosophies. He may have been enough different from other people that the author cannot even make him seem a delightful character. He had other family members, but its not really known if he spent that much time with them. His focus in life seems to have existed in two things: apples and a humble neglect that may have had spiritual justifications; and perhaps the apple is somehow symbolic of this spiritual life. (just dont expect me to explain, how) This man may or may not have met other people in his travels who may, or may not have shared anticlimactic anecdotes about him; and he in return may have shared anecdotal references to historic events to those that he met. (though, we cannot verify any meetings or any statements. The End followed by obituary.
I definitely did not anticipate hating this book so much. This is one of the least-worthy nominees. Selected for its historic content and promotion of Americana values combined with an attempt at interesting writing.
Bah Humbug.
When reading books, I enjoy reading/collecting the books, poetry, songs mentioned. The verses sung by Appleseed were too obscure to locate. The Biblical references were obvious; as were the school books. She names a comet - Napolean's Comet. Then, she claims that it was simultaneously known as Tecumseh's Comet. I cannot find verification that these were the same comet. Napolean's was viewed between 1811-1812 and coincided with a good deal of geographic upheaval.
47EGBERTINA
1951
ASIA
INDIA
South Africa
Great Britain
Biography
Colonialism/Self Government/ Independence
6 Feb 2024
Eaton never disappoints in writing quality. Yes, this is a children's work, but she covers all the major points. When I consider the span of time, it seems miraculous that the book is not twice as thick. Also, this book was published very recently after his actual death. I had forgotten that he lived through WWII. This was tumultuous, for me, as a reader, being definitively on the side of Allies in that war; but, resenting British stupidity toward the Indian population. Genetically, I am Scottish, not British, but it is amazing how much our American culture comes through English ways of thinking. (too much PBS)
She, appropriately, for the time and audience, avoids all the sexual struggles and by so doing avoids leaving youthful readers with confusing and dichotic imagery. I have never been the greatest fan of Ghandi; but am boggled by all that he accomplished. Underneath the popular "worship" of this human I always felt there were hidden "control" issues. Of course, anything of that possibility are not the realm of this book.
I thought that Eaton was able to sort through some of the basic issues at hand for Gandhiji, without bogging the readers into all of the complexity, which would have detracted from the biography. As an adult reader that has studied in small ways, the intricacies of Indian religions and seen my generation's fascination with the idea of Indian Spirituality, I couldn't avoid my own inner struggle, while reading, with such awarenesses.
Recommended still. I know of no children's author that that has written such a biography. Doubtful that attempting it for contemporary youth could add any quality; seems more likely by attempting to keep it "hip" for the times much would be lost.
49EGBERTINA
1951
11 DEC 2023:
SLOG! I cannot decide if I hate this more or less than Smoky The Cowhorse
I've given it 1. 5 stars. I tacked on the extra half-star for the illustrations. Cleary, she was a naturalist of some kind, but I found her ramblings, even about nature, less than charming.
At first glance, its a picture book - but it is NOT! I thought she was going to take one letter at a time and illustrate it with a poem. If she had left it at that I still would not have given it an award. Instead, it is pages and pages of incohesive alliteration. The drawings are black and white, but her words verbalise their colours, and I wish she had given painted them in. Even her illustrations are a jumble of incoherent alliterative imagery. She should have picked a single theme- such as the butterflies and removed the extraneous camels, crocodiles, cockatoos, and cormorants. (probably was no cormorant) Perhaps the cormorant catapulted to Caledonia in a current. This was the first time I could not garner an appreciation for the vocabulary. Bad enough that she thought that this Was Worthy of Writing - I Wonder that Women, someWhere aWarded it. Weird!
50EGBERTINA
1952
AUG 2024:
I loved this. Not with the same kind of love reserved for a thrilling adventure; love, nonetheless. I would have loved this as a child. Pre-Columbian history is seldom introduced into school curricula, aside from Incas and Mayas which appear randomly with no context. I found History Begins At Sumer when I was 12; adored The Fertile Crescent/ Near East. While teachers droned on about Ancient Egypt, I was trying to get them to drone on about Sumeria. Apparently, it was not a well-known topic. Had I been able to read Baity's work, then, I could have committed Pre-Columbian facts to memory. (Too late for my memory-banks to absorb.) This is not a fictionalised account - but an in-depth history of the Americas. (such as can be assembled)
Just as my beloved historical Sumeria has been altered by contemporary research, I ponder that Baity's suppositions, have, too, altered from outdated notions, now scorned. Still, my heart will always feel more affinity for those outdated intellects that were the buds of that which flowered later. For instance, she cites Arnold Toynbee a few times; a name I recognised as having been prominent at one time- but now much in dis-favor. As I was a child when, he was popular, I can not profess any durable impression of his leanings, for good or ill; merely that I recognised the reference.
I find it rather interesting that all the Newbery books about ancient civilisations, seem to stem from female scholars. Meanwhile, this is only the second non-fiction work of this scale among the Newberys. The first was The Story of Mankind. There are numerous biographies and many fictionalised presentations of specific events. The Series : A History For Peter will come along in 1960 and Frontier Living in 1962. The scale of those works is much smaller, being specific to the nation of the US, specifically, over coverage of several cultures across millennia.
52EGBERTINA
1952
Asia
Siberia
Artiodactyla
19 DEC 2022:
"Food and attention -that's all anyone wants."
Not A review:
Bearing in mind that these are books suitable for children - this is a very suitable book. I think younger children might enjoy it more than older, depending on how they respond to differing energy levels of books.
I enjoyed it quite well, but I am a flexible reader.
The language is such tiny bit stilted, that I dont know if it is noticeable. It reads similar to an author whose native language is not English- which it is not. But its not pidgin; its not grammatically incorrect. It just is such a tiny bit stiff, which is why I think younger readers might enjoy it more, because they are less likely to notice.
There are references to religion, but nothing heavy-handed. The religious phrases come along two variants. The first is the mention of shamans in the village; the second is the mention of a priest, a Christian church, and sprinkling of water. From the second, I assume it is a Catholic variant, most likely, given the region, Eastern Orthodox. tbc
56EGBERTINA
North America
United States
OregonTerritory/Starts in Wyoming; Tualatin, Oregon
Columbia River Gorge; Dalles
Westward Expansion/ Homesteading
Mostly About Finding Your niche in the world
1844
JAN 2023:
The story begins by introducing us to Jim Keath, a young man who ran away from his home at eleven. He snuck after his Uncle Adam, until he reached the prairie, and couldn't /didn't turn back. (we believe impossible fictions in every book- go with it. this is his origin story.) Less than year later, Jim is attacked by a grizzly. The bear is killed, but Jim is knocked unconscious and injured. He awakens to find himself rescued by Crow Indians, who adopt him. Over the years, living as a Crow, his past fades, until, he is reminded of his mother and his previous life and he runs from them, too. At the end of the first chapter he is living alongside, a trapper, who intends to move either back East, or West. It is winter, the beaver population has been decimated and Jim must decide where he will next go.
Two Indians of an unspecified nation, largely considered as non-combatant, bring Jim a letter. Jim struggles to recall reading and writing, and unfolds more of his past including his coming-of-age initiation, a dream identifying his totem and journey. This decides his future direction. He must find someone that reads, and he must follow the guidance of his dream. The trapper and Joe part ways, as was always the intention. However, now Jim has a direction.
Jim heads west toward a trading post and "jumping-off" place on the final leg of the Oregon Trail. He is reunited with his family and now his struggle for home, identity, and purpose begins.
To continue critiquing specific elements of this book, would give too much a way. If the book had stopped at the third to last chapter - it would have been enough for a children's book. The author takes a rather jagged zig-zag at this point, which seems to differ from the tone of the book. It is even possible that with some minor editing, the zag could have been eased into a little more smoothly. At this point, there are a number of sharp turns, to and fro, before we reach the end.
(Jim has a premonition, rooted in his dream that is a smidge "manifest destinyish" - but nothing here is that simplistic.)
I wonder if children can grasp the haunting losses simultaneous to the gains. There is no happy ending in the happy ending. I think the author does a pretty good job of making the reader experience tugging/ loss/ confusion, without going into a full blown examination of nihilistic angst in the face of identity crisis. Any reader that has experienced it, though, will absolutely comprehend the struggle. It was a lot to cram into a few paragraphs. end of review.
This will be a gruesome read from a modern perspective. Any reader attempting this needs to go into this with that certainty. The attitudes toward native cultures will be those of the Euro-American settlers. A subset of disparaging attitudes, comes from Jim as he expresses disdain over any Nation that is centered around, farming, rooting, and other non-war-like lifestyles. I expect that this will be lost on the average reader. Jim describes life from the perspective of his adopted Crow family. This is probably fraught with mis-information- but I can't speak to that. I know about the counting coup, but dont pretend to know its intricacies. I did that which I do with most stories, I focussed on the plot, not the trappings. Overall. I found more plot, herein, than in many recent Newberys; and I finished those, too.
My final bug-a-boo is the alleged grammar. Samuel Clemens - curses be thy name. Of course HuckleBerry Finn is always introduced as a way to teach about "dialect". He was one character - not a representative of all Missourians; all Americans; Westerners; cowboys; homesteaders, etc. There were several dialectical words in this book that gave me quite a ponder in deciphering: arrer= arrow; there was one for fire but I forget it now; Bourgeways= bourgeois- which the voyageurs really did use- just not sure if it got truly butchered so badly - and the author doesn't explain it, so what child knows that? Yes, some people may have had interesting speech patterns- but- please not everybody. And Jim's dialect should have been a better blend of Crow/ Voyageur- but of course nobody really knows what that might be. But his family and neighbours all speak just the same, even though they have some education. Some of my own people came from the region of Clemens and took the Oregon Trail, sometimes several times, and they spoke well; were educated, including the females; wrote letters still treasured; left diaries; sent their children to colleges; and lived very ordinary lives of farmers, miners, and other humble community members- all while speaking intelligently. (just venting)
There are some historical events mentioned, here, other than the obvious Oregon Trail. The opening of the first overland pass that avoided the rafting down the Columbia. I wonder if the year isn't off, though. tbc
58EGBERTINA
North America
United States- probably
Bear Motif
Beginning Reader
Early Chapter Book
67
This is a book intended for first readers, particularly those being introduced to chapters. Many picture books are of the same length, but this book uses chapters. Though, I have enjoyed Dalgliesh in the past, I found the work without specific charm. Johnathan is sent on an errand to the house of his aunt on the other side of the mountain. Fearful of bears, though admonished that there are no bears, a chant takes place throughout the story that there are no bears. The repetition may be useful for early readers; however, it just doesn't seem to work as a story-builder. On the trip home, there are bears, but it is all anticlimactic and ends abruptly by reversing his statement to: there are bears on the mountain.
the illustrations are pleasant enough. Perhaps a first reader will enjoy it more than I.
60EGBERTINA
Europe
France
Alps
Thoughts - not a review:
The writing was pleasant and engaging. At first I read robotically, because it reminded me of another book with the same plot. This distracted me as I could neither name the book, nor fully devote myself to the same plot. However, eventually the writing drew me in and I desired to see how the current characters would fare. There are predictable moments, which is more forgivable in a children's work. At the finale, my interest again waned. It was just a tad longer than it needed. Alas, there were two final sentiments intertwined that didn't seem to belong together. The first and more disagreeable to my own perspective was that all things, henceforth, should be for the good of the community. Then almost as though attempting to disguise the rawness of that statement, and perhaps, make it more palatable, an idiom of the Bible: " and a child shall lead them" - was co-opted. I wasn't certain which philosophy the author was espousing. It felt icky, disingenuous, and propagandising. Many reviewers bemoan their beliefs that older books "moralise" unnecessarily, as though any book could be written without some message. This story didn't need either of these two messages. I didn't down-grade my rating, but it was tempting. In the end, I realised that it was just an average story anyhow.
64EGBERTINA
SEP 2024:
65EGBERTINA
North America
United States
Colonial America
Connecticut
Early Reader/Early Chapter Book
The story is based on some of the historic events of Sarah Noble, an authentic 8 year old of the time, who did travel with her father to Connecticut and stay with Indians. I know that I had read this book with my children, but was able to experience more delight when sharing it with my youngest grandson last year. Throughout the book Sarah repeats to herself to keep courage, which not only is good for reinforcing the word courage, but was a helpful thought for young readers. It is a sweet story without being sappy. The pleasant ending is not a "pat" formula, but is just what it needs to be for this age-group. The original illustrations are soft and sweet as well. An excellent introduction to chapter books and Colonial settlement.
68EGBERTINA
SEP 2024:
71EGBERTINA
ASIA:
CHINA:
SECOND SINO-JAPANESE WAR - 1937?
SEP 2024
This was a very good read. One of the strongest by DeJong, so far. Although, I read Wheel On The School in childhood, I can no longer specific its strengths and weaknesses. I do recall struggling with middle sections of it but loving the ending.
DeJong uses an old fashioned storytelling technique which partly irritates me. He repeats things. When he just repeats certain phrases, as he does in this work, it doesnt bother me so much. In Hurry Home Candy, though, he seemed to lose track of his thoughts and the repetition became awkward and jumbly.
Our story begins when Japan invades China. I cannot completely place the events, though, they are mostly real. Tien Pao, our main character and protagonist recalls the bullets and terror as he and his village escape up a river to insert city name here. That city was one of the places that the Japanese went to, but as far as I can place that was closer to 1931? after the Mukden incident? Perhaps DeJong was a little free with his timeline. For instance, when would Americans have been helping China? Not in 1931. Regardless the author doesnt pull any punches about what is happening in this story. It is, in my opinion, a story written at a younger level than most Newberys. I would estimate 8-10 year olds of my day. I had read a biography of George Washington when I was 7, in which George wrote that he enjoyed the sound of bullets; so, bullets not a traumatic issue for kids back then; but, IDK, bullets coming at kids, villages being burned.... Meindert does it as tastefully as possible. I guess since children had to live through these things, it was not too much to expect privileged children in the USA to read about it in a safe manner. I was gripped from the outset.
After having gone through the first escape, and found our MC transported against his will back to the beginning and beyond of his journey, to begin all over again, alone, in true kid-lit fashion, I was truly looking forward to the part of the "60 fathers". I feel that at this juncture, DeJong dropped the ball, somewhat. So, much more could have been done here to capture that 60-father-feeling. Nonetheless, it works. The ending is a bit rushed- but it works. I'm still proclaiming this as one the author's best. (as far as I know at this time)
The author gives good tugs when Tien Pao has to say goodbye to his ducklings. He presents very real circumstances in as harmless a way as possible. (pig=food; hide pig) Not completely real, on all levels, but, what kid-lit is? All the painful events are enough for young readers and this is not presented so young as to dissuade older readers. I can not speak intelligently about impressions from the POV of Chinese/ Japanese. It is a book from the 1950's addressed to American readers. Are the 60 fathers too white? too Americentric? too militaristic? to Colonialist/Patriarchal? IDK. If this white guy hadn't written this children's book, who would remember that these things happened? ( The Chinese obviously) Let us be grateful that DeJong didn't attempt to "man"up the MC and keep him from loving his mother ( who in the 1950's was bound to be the most dangerous person in human society for a young boy- far worse than Japanese invaders)
72EGBERTINA
AUG 2024:
75EGBERTINA
1958
23 MAY 2024
79EGBERTINA
24 JUL 2024:
It is December in Paris, France when we meet kindly but homeless Armand. He has been situated in another part of town when he decides to re-locate near one of his favourite residential haunts, a bridge alongside the Seine. Armand is, unpleasantly, surprised to discover three homeless children exactly in the spot that he claims as his own. There are many small gentle escapades quite appropriate to a city, that lead the story forward. Armand shares smidges of philosophical insights that, gratefully, are not so numerous as to be annoying. Everywhere, the author delineates truthful sights of Paris beyond the most obvious ones. These could be easily gathered together for a greater comprehension of Paris in the 1950’s.
This is written at a younger level than the majority of Newbery designees. IN spite of its vernacular faux-pas, (outdated words; outdated stereotypes; and mixing familiar American terms interspersed with French vocabulary), it packs some surprising wallops. This is not a novel with time to develop character dynamics; yet, the characters do evolve in just the manner appropriate as a book for young readers. I was surprised that the book had escaped a stagnant quality that I would have expected in such a young audience.
Perhaps this is the appeal that so many readers found as children; and that partly eludes the curmudgeonly. The characters gain necessary and desired requirements, physically and emotionally. Some of the suppositions of these needs is old-fashioned; though, not completely out of vogue or without charm.
MISGIVINGS AND CONCERNS OF THE MISANTHROPIC ADULT READER THAT HAS LOST THE CAPACITY TO READ AS A CHILD:
The word used in this 1958 book is hobo; a word in much greater usage throughout the 1950’s and before. A word with an unprovable etymology and unprovable definition. Though, in fairness not entirely derogatory, and with accompanying stereotypical imagery of worn hats, suits, facial stubble, and kerchiefs on sticks. Generations of older American children dressed as the stereotype of a hobo, at Halloween for its ease of presentation. Adult readers may well wonder did they have hoboes in Paris? If so, did they refer to them as hoboes? (I think not) I believe because the author, Natalie Savage Carson was an American by birth, though she did live and write in France, she used the word most easily understood by American children. Homelessness doesnt have the same problematic implications in the literature of the 1950’s. Afterall, children continue to adore the Boxcar Children, with no qualms about safety or social status. For this reason, alone, this book needs to be read in childhood before children can think, critically, about the winsome depictions, so, casually strewn across the pages. In this regard, this work is a typical representation of children’s literature of the time; White witches can offer you Turkish delight with no parental guidance banging in your head; and no parents have to monitor strangers with questionable habits and living arrangements. Face it! Children’s literature would never be the same after the “Stranger Danger” of the 1990’s. Literary children still have dangerous adventures, but they are not quite as simple as they once were. Today’s literary children are more sophisticated and “carry” more cognitive baggage in which they reveal their awareness of “stranger danger” while proceeding through their plots. Think about Enola Holmes living in the semi-innocent Victorian past, but all the mental preparation that comes with her adventures.
There is another another error against modern terminology and assumption, directed toward a benevolent congregation of Romani. This ethnic group appears in other children’s works, periodically. In addition to the obvious stereotypes, there was in the past a supposition of vicarious freedom associated with the imagery. It is interesting in this book (and others) that that the loving freedom of Tinka is compared with the seriousness of Suzy. This choosing between freedom and the values of the American education system occurs more than once in the Newberys. Tinka gleefully demonstrates and shares her knowledge with her new friends. As I often do, I google things while reading. There really is a Saint Sara, patron saint to the French Romani; and she really does have an annual festival.
I was unable to verify whether or not a Christmas party was given to the homeless of Paris in the 1950’s. There was too much social upheaval of the homeless, currently, due to the upcoming Olympics. I also wondered about the sauerkraut and hotdogs. Sounded terribly American with Germanic leanings; but do I know if French people enjoy Germanic foods, since they share/ debate a border and people are likely to have lived across the millennia regardless of political boundaries?
The most challenging element for me, beyond the obvious mis-trust of an adult male with no possible way to determine location upon disappearance, was the bath in which the clothes, rather than being burned, were merely brushed and repaired. (In case you are wondering where my mind wandered on that point - do you know what clothes smell like when they have not been regularly laundered? (I’m shutting up now, before I ramble into a thesis length rant.) Of course these are children’s books. They don’t do laundry, what do they know? This was both a personal abhorrence and an element of charm. This is the innocent allure of childhood reading. People don’t struggle with hygiene in books.
The last portion of the book was more fulfilling than the first; but, a second reading, after I had acclimated to the circumstances brought out a greater appreciation. I look forward to reading with or giving this to my youngest grandchild.
81EGBERTINA
1959
not transported:
8 AUG 2024:
This was not very interesting. Obviously written for younger readers; but, just plain flat. Throughout, I had a feeling that the author was not a native speaker of English. After minimal research, this proved accurate. The story is told in a "strain" of now boy does this; meet this person; here comes someone else; now, I introduce this person. Then, there was the retelling of an allegedly humourous anecdote. Followed by a shallow conflict with a spoiled child.
The author introduces many vocabulary words from the locale and the occupation of vaqueros; all in that "this is this" - "that is that" kind of narrative. There is no development of the characters and barely a plot.
Amid the early introductions of characters, the reader is told that Pedrito's father drank too much after the death of his wife and that the vaquero, Juan raises Pedrito instead of the father. Completely useless information. Trying to decide if this was a nod to 1950's realism that was introduced into movies. I'm not certain, but, this might be the first instance of alcoholism being introduced in the Newberys. Two years earlier, Miracles on Maple Hill introduced a father battling "depression" or some type of "battle fatigue" after returning from WWII. It was introduced as the reason the family moved to Maple Hill and was part of the "miracle."
Curious George was better reading for this age group. It had both a better plot development and character growth. At least George - a) did something and b) showed remorse until the next book came along.
83EGBERTINA
I Have completed through 1946 and have a single book remaining for 1947. I will wait to order that one, as I have a stack of non-newberys to complete.
84EGBERTINA
Completed through 1949. (June 2024)
have completed other years, too; but I'm calculating my completions in consecutive order.
CURRENTLY - completed through 1954 (Sep 2024)
have completed other years, too; but I'm calculating my completions in consecutive order.
CURRENTLY - completed through 1954 (Sep 2024)
85EGBERTINA
Making myself a note:
all honors appear in library 1922-1959. several have been re-entered
all honors appear in library 1922-1959. several have been re-entered
86EGBERTINA
HAVE completed all the books in this list except:
Tom Paine - Freedom's Apostle.
This does not exist in any library in my state. I plan to reach out to a former librarian and see if she can wrangle it from some other locale. These "baby-faced" librarians seem to lack any enthusiasm for doing things outside the obvious catalogue searches. Heck! Even I can do that.
This does not exist in any library in my state. I plan to reach out to a former librarian and see if she can wrangle it from some other locale. These "baby-faced" librarians seem to lack any enthusiasm for doing things outside the obvious catalogue searches. Heck! Even I can do that.
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