Newbery Honor Books 1920's - 1939

This is my first post about Newbery Honor posts.

I have read all the Newberys and am now attempting to finish the Honor books.

Having never done this before, I will be learning the best way to do this. I will start with books from the 20's & 30's

The Great Quest, charles boardman hawes
1922
North America
New England
Africa
Atlantic Ocean
Nautical Adventure
1826

28 AUG 2022

This is a rough draft to be filled in later, upon the second reading. Second readings won't take place until, I have read all the honors, once.

Either you will hate this book, or you will be able to tolerate it.

The first chapter introduces us to Josiah Woods, called Joe, who lives with and is employed by his Uncle Seth Upham, the brother of his deceased mother. Details of age seem to be lacking, but I anticipate him to be 21ish, the previous age of majority for adulthood. The year is 1826 and the town is delineated as Topham, somewhere in New England. The book is divided into seven sections, each representing a particular facet of the Quest, but the tale moves quickly, not expounding upon un-necessary details. If you have read Boardman, before, you will know what to expect.

Immediately, the reader is introduced to a "stranger" and his circumstances which leads us into the upcoming quest, wherein the village of Topham is departed by the stranger, Joe, Uncle Seth, and two additional employees. Neither the story nor the quest unfolds in a straight line. (I am not fond of the zig-zagging format that some authors favour) Eventually, the ship and its crew are lead to Africa for nefarious purposes. At this juncture the plot devolves a bit and begins to lag, though not as much as I have encountered in some modern popular books.

I anticipate that most potential readers are following the Newbery Path. This is unlikely to have been a treasured memory handed down across generations, such as the works of Robert Louis Stevenson.

The quality of the writing is above average. Boardman clearly enjoys writing of ships and nautical backdrops. One of its most egregious failings is in having picked a topic, partly taboo to modern tastes, though based on historically authentic events. Those most likely to to find fragments of enjoyment are those that enjoy swashbucklers and other old-fashioned sea voyages; and those that can anticipate historical attitudes in their own time-frame. Readers unable to look beyond modern perspectives will not fare well. I, too, am guilty of despising some historic works when the attitudes portrayed drive me to distraction.

The ending is simultaneously satisfactory and unsatisfactory. The reader anticipates certain events, but they never seem to fall together as an accurate portrayal, even for fictional works written for young people. The final revelations, though wanted and necessary are too far-fetched. Though necessary for ultimate satisfaction, do not quite absolve for all the unhappiness, prior. Perhaps in an attempt to make fiction more authentic by incorporating genuine sadnesses, the author stretched too far for this type of work. ( I will contemplate that later)

The work has merit and I can see why it was selected; though, I can also see why it does not carry forward well into our time. His other work, The Dark Frigate which received the Newbery Medal, will have greater appeal for longer.

My newest question is whether or not the book/ author was capable of transporting the reader. Absolutely. The story/ writing engages the reader. It is merely a question of some change in values. Though, I am of a mind, that the purpose of reading non-contemporary works is to exchange ideas with the historic past and that which the past wished to communicate.

Cedric The Forester
1922
Europe
England/Great Britain
Middle Ages
Norman/Saxon
Historical Event
1215

29 AUG 2022

Cedric The Forester is a Newberry Honor book from 1922, the first year such awards were given. The writing is lively and engaging. The plot wastes no time in building to action, but does not suffer for this. At first, the chapters seem abrupt without a leading out and into the next chapter. It can seem as though it is a collection of random adventures, though, all adventures build to a denouement. The language mimics a more archaic form that is not problematic, if you have read similar writings, such as King Arthur and Robin Hood. At first I found the archaic structure, a bit choppy; I was uncertain whether the fault lay with the author, or if I was just out of practice. However, it detracts naught from the reader’s ability to comprehend and enjoy. My one issue, was the use of the word “bivouac”- because it was not in usage at the time period of the setting. It came into usage closer to the American Revolution, but was not prominent until the 19th century.

In the third chapter, and third adventure, we are introduced to the titular character, Cedric the Forester, whose story unfolds through the narration of his companion, Sir Richard Mountjoy, affectionately monikered as Dickon by family. Richard represents the Norman ruling class of the time period and Cedric represents the Saxon. Cedric is all things wonderful in a hero; courageous, skillful in manual arts, but equally nimble at scholastic pursuits, humble, courteous, etc. He is the quintessential chivalric ideal.

It could be suggested that his “Saxon-ness” is that which makes him the hero. I disagree; it is his qualities that make him the hero. In this story, the Saxons are the “good-guys” over the Normans- but, there is a bit more to it than that. This is less about Norman vs Saxon, and more about One particular Norman & everybody else. It is about the shaping of England, and ultimately, the United States and values that we hold precious. (Because X took place- Y was allowed to flourish- because Y flourished, its precepts could expand and be built upon.)

This is a story for children and the world is more black and white than reality. The author asks the readers to aspire to Cedric’s values, not because he is a Saxon, but because he is just, and has diligently applied himself to his upcoming historic role; because, he is democratic in so far as his world permits that concept; because he strives to better himself and understand the world around him . (with the slightly demeaning, but well-meant, affection from Richard’s family ). This trope asks children to emulate Cedric in gaining knowledge, and being participatory in the community. It glorifies responsibility of actions, thought, and capacity for self-government; a task available to us in large part because of the actions of Cedric the Forester.

Each chapter/ adventure offers opportunity for Cedric to portray an important principle. The possible exception to that is a battle with the Welsh, who modern readers certainly consider no enemy. I know not the entire accuracy of the historical event. This brings to mind, however, another important caveat in the work and that is anachronous history. When the story unfolds, Henry II reigns, Richard the Lionheart and his crusades are blipped over, as this is not the theme of this story, and King John is now legitimate king. Yet the story expands as though within just a few years in the lives of the “dynamic duo.”

Given that facet, the story might have been built better toward delineating the unjustness and outrage, certainly, embedded in the hearts of Englishmen which prompted this momentous event. Alas, the nature of the writing does not dwell with great fervor on events leading to the denouement, but true to its previous format goes straight to the event itself as the primary goal.

Another, minor point that stuck in my craw was the mentioning of Robin Hood as great archer while King Henry II reigned. Was not the entire point of Robin Hood to emphasize the egregious wrongs of John when he was still a usurping and manipulative Prince? ( However, I later realized that versions of Robin Hood must have existed farther back than my childhood library.)

Still, the writing is delightful and the story with its preternaturally tight focus does not leave the reader wanting. By the end of the tale, I found myself investigating more works written by Marshall, and was tickled to learn that he had not only other writings, but that they compose a type of series in which all the characters are descendants of Cedric.

For readers that enjoy swashbucklers and adventures without intense bloody gore, this story is most suitable. It was and is meritable for children from that time in which it was written until contemporary time. It holds up well for those modern readers experienced in the genre; most certainly this is not a “cookie cutter” template. Marshall brings a refreshing style to his character and his historical narrative.

The Old Tobacco Shop
1922
North America
Maryland
Baltimore
1890
Victorian Nonsense Literature

SEP 2022

“Lately it occurs to me, what a long strange trip its been”

This bizarre tale is difficult to describe. Moreover, I suspect that there is so much more to it than meets the eye of modern readers. If we accept it as a quaint children’s fantasy, some children might be able to find delight in it. However, so much of the text and plot, I think will zoom over their heads (“ with the greatest of ease…” )

The Old Tobacco Shop is a runnner-up in 1922, so our original audience is frozen to that era. The story setting however, is more illusive, not merely because of the fantastical elements, but because of certain events that are named in the book that place it specifically to 1890, and other impressions that are squarely indicative of a Victorian culture.

There is much tongue -in- cheek humor, a fair amount of irreverence, and some definite stylistic tropes comparable to Alice In Wonderland and other children’s literature. Sadly, even though I found myself chuckling often, my perplexity was greater. There is so much that I know was lost on me, and I can only suppose much of it is lost to the world at this point. This is the kind of book, I could enjoy more if it came with a literary guide or annotations, to hold the reader’s hand through the meanings and influences intended by the author.

Briefly, the plot introduces us to Freddy, an exceedingly young chap and the main character who is responsible for the voyage; the tobacconist; the tobacconist’s elderly unmarried aunt; two old codgers; a church sexton; a wooden cigar-store Indian that is fashioned after Mr Punch, rather than an Indian; and an aerialist styled after Pierot. Events align to instigate the journey, and it is all mish-mash and mayhem until the end.

My initial suspicion is that the events of the story are modeled after the Superba attended in the introductory chapters, prior to the voyage. Of course, this alone, requires explanation, as there is no longer any direct cultural comprehension of such a show. Toby Littleback, the tobacconist treats young Freddie to a circus show, named “Hanlon’s Superba.” This was a real show. The title “Superba” fixes time precisely in the year 1890, as the Hanlon brothers had other shows, but this was the name of the 1890 show that travelled the United States. ( and possibly Europe). The author would have been very familiar with such an event, but his readers, especially the younger ones, would have had very little cognizance of its delights. There were remnants of the show in Vaudeville acts and upcoming film stars, such as The Marx brothers. The children of the original brothers performed for a time on a lesser scale and they influence more contemporary acts such as Ringling Brothers Circus. Today, our closest imagery of an aerialist show would be “Cirque du Soleil”. However, Cirque du Soleil is pretty tame- think Cirque du Soleil on CRACK.

The Superba was three hours of non-stop erratic acrobats, all willy nilly, which included fairytale characters, mythology, faeries and daemons, beheadings, waterfalls, train crashes, falls from great heights, and more, all done without speaking. (think Marcel Marceau)

This is an element of the book that would make little sense to children of the 1920’s, and likely can only be comprehended by them as a silly imaginative tale, much like the Doctor Dolittle Stories and would be one possible reason this story has not weathered well into modernity. There are several motifs that compare directly to “Alice In Wonderland”. The sailor sings a nonsensical shanty; both Alice and Freddie are pre-occupied with growing up; common idioms ( common at the time) are inverted into other meanings. Other things vaguely reminded me of Mary Poppins, I shall dub them “bawdyisms”. Things not especially considered appropriate to be mentioned in children’s books and yet…. modern readers are none the wiser.

In Wonderland, Alice merely had to fall asleep. Not so in our tobacco Superba. Freddy has to inhale (unlike Clinton) a strange un-named substance. It is described as soft and dark and sweet. I am no expert on either tobacco or drugs, but it sounds a lot to me like Freddy took a trip on hash. (And you were just worried the book might condone smoking cigarettes). It is a wonder the counter-culture didn’t keep this book alive across the 60’s. At the end, Freddy falls ill, (hash will do that kids) bringing into question the entire story. Gratefully, it also casts doubt on whether the funny tobacco existed at all, let alone was smoked.

Just an aside, the Setting is Baltimore, and several Chesapeake Bay locales are mentioned. I was unable, however to find the named theatre in which Freddie viewed the Superba.

As a reader, I have never been prone to claim a story is dull and boring (except Smoky the Cowhorse). I found this highly readable . By modern standards it could have been trimmed here and there and lost nothing. I did feel the story unravelled a little at the very end. The arrival to their island seemed off-focus, but perhaps there is some missing cultural clue that would explain it, The trope to make Freddie ill, also seemed off kilter. I suppose the author was just trying to make the absurd seem logical. The last page/ conversation between Freddie and Aunt Amanda, seems undeveloped and abrupt. It is as though the focus of the entire tale has shifted from Freddie to Aunt Amanda.

Not entirely certain why this work was selected, but I wont claim it is unmerited. Will modern readers embrace it? This is a work for strong readers and be prepared to know that not all cultural references will be gained.

I should like to add that I am grateful that this work was chosen. Had it not been chosen, it would have been lost entirely. It is a fun piece for those experienced in writing from the Victorian Age.

"For non-sense is not the opposite of good sense. That would be ‘Bad Sense’. It’s something quite apart–and isn’t the opposite of anything. It’s something far more rare. Hundreds of books are published year after year. Good sense in many of them: bad sense in many more–but non-sense, oh no, that’s rarity, a revelation and an art worth all the rest. Perhaps one book in every fifty years glitters with the divine lunacy we call nonsense." (The Mervyn Peake Review, no. 6 (Spring 1978), pp. 20-24. p. 22)

The Windy Hill
1922
North America
Eastern Seaboard (could be New England- but could be the Carolinas)
Gentle family adventures
most likely set in the 1920's
Americana

26 DEC 2022

I really enjoyed this book. It has an old-fashioned quality that just feels like, “coming home and sinking into a comfy sofa”

The beginning was a little awkward, at first, because I don’t get to read as many old fashioned books as I would like. It was a silly way to create a misunderstanding, but, overall it was workable. As readers we are asked to step into so many realities and accept them as true- why not this one?

Janet and Oliver Peyton come to stay with their cousin Jasper. Oliver is 15 and Janet 13, but their cousin is a grown man. The story is presented as a very gentle mystery. Cousin Jasper is not himself, but neither Oliver nor the reader understand the dilemma at this point. Oliver is unnecessarily out-of-sorts over this circumstance and then indulges in further self pity at the suggestion of meeting another cousin down the road, named Eleanor. Oliver begins to return to his residential home, but along the way happens across a bee-keeper and his daughter and strikes up an immediate friendship. He refers to the gentleman as the “Beeman”, and the Beeman’s daughter is called Polly. This slightly cumbersome beginning keeps the mysterious quality of the story in play.

As the story continues, an un-identified man makes threatening appearances, and the reader understands that this is the cause of cousin Jasper’s discomfort, though, it is as yet unclear the nature of his threats.

Throughout the book, the Beeman tells stories, that entrance his young listeners. Again, these are gentle stories; not adventuristic, brash, humourous, or driving home any pedagogical or political points. I found the stories enjoyable because my mother told me similar stories of personal histories. Further among my mother's stories were stories of how she and her cousins clamored to hear family stories from their grandparents. Outside of the context of the family, such stories lack meaning. Also, it was once a great pastime within families to tell and re-tell stories. Modern readers may need to comprehend this historic facet, as they continue forward.

Continuing run-ins with the unpleasant character reveal more and more of the picture that leads up to the denouement. The secret identities are not well hidden; they are guessable, and even hinted at directly at moments. The reader is more likely to have resolved many items, before Janet and Oliver.

The writing of Cornelia Meigs is very pleasant. Readers that enjoy more old-fashioned writings should do well with this book; those that cannot stomach books older than 20 years of age, are unlikely to find a reason to read this. It is a meritable and distinctive piece of writing. I can easily see why this would have been selected in 1922.

There are a few instances of cultural differences, but they are truly insignificant. There is the scene in which Oliver is dumbfounded at the basic workings of a kitchen and is much in need of a female to assist him in very limited food-preparation. However, mightn’t we suppose that some percentage of teenage boys and adult males from that decade would either struggle with such chores or at least avoid them? Do we read books from the 1920’s hoping that they will mimic the 2020’s, or do we read them for a sense of the past? I feel that the inclusion of a housekeeper, butler and fancy auto was a nod to either the author’s perspective of typical households or the expectations of her readers.

I gave this work 4 stars, primarily on the quality of the writing. It is a rating I have been unable to give many recent Newbery honors. If you enjoyed such works as “Swallows and Amazons”, this might be a good fit for you. The level of adventure is at a lower threshold, but some of the charm is similar.

Nicholas: A Manhattan Christmas Story
1925
North America
United States
New York City- Manhattan
355p
1922

24 JAN 2023

This book was written as a nod to the alleged glories of Manhattan and its history. Having been written in 1922 it includes every good thing children of that era are alleged to find appealing: feasts; candy; fairy book characters and more. The author leaves no stone unturned in creating a fanciful wish-fulfillment for children. Her audience, though clearly caters to New York city dwellers. The sights and sounds familiar to that locale are interesting to explore from my time-frame, but can only be gleaned via research. True of many children's books from that time, gentle historical lessons are included.

The main character, Nicholas a miniature Dutch boy- (who amazingly, never gets run over or trampled by city traffic) is a recent tourist from Holland, arrived by ship. ( I will have to explain this and some incorrect statements made by the author later.) On the cover, we see him dressed in the iconic/stereotypical garb of Dutch boys, including wooden shoes. Oddly, though, he is haloed with the golden aura of a saint.
He is greeted everywhere, by people, storybook characters, and magical beings; rushed hither and yon to every landmark to further the author's historical expose. Most interesting to me, is that this book violates the author's second principle of respect toward children's literature, according to wikipedia, - to never mix fact with fantasy. oops.

Beyond this point, I am going to outline the chapters rather than review, for my own peculiar clarity in keeping up with the story.

CHAPTER I:
In which we are introduced to Nicholas, who has just arrived by ship. He comes immediately to the library where he meets Brownie and a Troll.

characters:
Brownie - a faerie/wee folk
Troll
Nicholas Knickerbocker - a wooden puppet used by the librarian who is the author of this book. Nicholas was well known to her patrons and co-workers. Main character and dedicator of this book.

places & mentions:
New York Public Library ; 42nd Street & Fifth Avenue
Hudson Park; North River; Battery Park; Sixth Avenue “L” station

CHAPTER II:
In which Brownie takes Nicholas to dine at Lucky’s.

characters:
Lucky- propriertess of Lucky’s
Ann Caraway - “a lady of no particular age” by which description I am led to believe this represents the author.
John Moon- a young man of 21

places and mentions:
Bryant Park; William Cullen Bryant statue; historic reservoir prior to the library; Central Park; Washington Square; Bowling Green; Bowery; Gramercy Park; Van Cortland Park; Lucky’s; hat shop; flower shop; Holland; France; Belgium; Chemin des Dames;

CHAPTER III:
In which the reader walks down Fifth Avenue (Avenue of the Allies) with Nicholas and friends.
(Childe Hassam painted a series of paintings of this Avenue of the Allies, which resides at the Met
Moon refers to “his” toy store ?

flower shop opposite the library; The Favorite- 5 & dime- a shop with ten windows; Murray Hill; Traffic Tower @ With Avenue & Forty-Second Street; Waldorf; Birds & Dogs; un-named toy shop; Brentano’s; Madison Square: Flatiron building? Diana- statue? Admiral Faragut- statue; Broadway: Broadway car; Union Square; Grace church; City Hill Park; Trinity Church;

CHAPTER IV:
In which Nicholas attends Christmas service at Trinity.

places and mentions:
Phillips Brooks - wrote “Little Town of Bethlehem”;

CHAPTER V:

places and mentions:
Bowling Green; Oloffe The Dreamer (Van Kortland); The history of New York as provided by Washington Irving; Corlear’s Hook; Kip’s Bay; Bellvue; Blackwell’s Island; Haarlem; Morrisania; Hens & Chickens; Helle-Gat (The Pot); Long Island; Bowling Green Park- the dream of St Nicholas; Alexander Hamilton US Custom House; Catskill Mountains; Castle Garden:

CHAPTER VI:

places and mentions:
Jefferson Market Court House (currently a library); Patchin Place; Milligan Place; Ugobono’s (pastry); Eighth Street; MacDougall Alley; Washington Square; Washington Arch; Breevoort (hotel); St Nicholas bus;

CHAPTER VII:

places and mentions:
The Mirror (candy shop); Pennsylvania Station; Post Office @ 5th & 8th; Chelsea; Chelsea Docks; London Terrace; (TBC - never finished breakdown. come back to this)

The Dream Coach
1925

143p

DEC 2022

Sadly I did not get much out of this on the first read. This is a hard one to get.

The Voyagers: Being Legends And Romances of Atlantic Discovery
1926

5 MAR 2023

The Golden Fleece And The Heroes Who Lived Before Achilles
1922

1928:
The Wondersmith And His Son

Europe
Ireland
Folktale/ cultural Mythology
mythological past

SEP 2022
JUN 2023

1928:
Downright Dencey

5 APR 2023

1929:
The Pigtail of Ah Lee Ben Loo

21 FEB 2023

1929:
Millions of Cats

Picture Book
Animals
Cats
Folk-type tale
No nationality

1968

This is a picture book and I shan't be reviewing it. It is a delightful story, with lovely illustrations typical of older books in which colour was not, yet, as accessible as today.

1929:
The Boy Who Was

so far this book is untraceable

1929:
Clearing Weather

North America
United States
Massachusetts
travels to:
Pacific Northwest via the tip of South America( Cape Horn/Tierra Del Fuego)
Asia
China
Ships and Sea Voyage
Early Americana
312

13 JAN 2023

Like so many books authored by Cornelia Meigs the first chapter unfolds, slowly, through a backdrop of scenic description, before we are introduced to the gazer upon this enchantment, Nicholas Drury. This nineteen year old's uncle, Mr Thomas Drury is gravely ill and the reader is hastened, through the preliminary back-drop of time and place.

Meigs, ever the historian of delightful Americana, meanders briefly and succinctly through the American Revolution and its post-war years, prior to the Constitution, and the waxing and waning fortunes of the shipyard owned and operated by the elder Drury. Through these events the reader comes to know of the suspected villainy of Darius Corland, suspected supporter of King George.

Leaving behind this languorous setting, the author spurs forward to the necessary intrigue and urgency, with the "escape" of Etienne Bardeau. We are sped along this new event with more details being contributed. Sadly, Bardeau's purpose is not to join the action, it is to recommend the action. He delineates a specific weakness of the burgeoning American country, and the course of action that will be required for the former colonists to embrace, if they earnestly wish to prevail in the building of a new country, and its new ideals.

Truthfully, this is probably the true crux of her work. I found nothing dull in her writing at all, even though the book is three fourths complete before the reader embarks on the venture with the crew. By comparison, the writing is more tightly presented toward the goal of reaching China, at this point; but, it by no means hastens.

It is not the elongation of the tale that is its undoing. It is the attitudes of the 1920's and those that precede the 1920's, that modern readers will find distasteful. Some very outdated assumptions concerning the characters of "those" that are viewed as the enemy.

Bear in mind from Victorian writers to the present, those that are labeled as "the enemy" are always described with features, so that the reader can recognize their "inner evil". Antagonists always have faces to match their purpose. They are hideous, mis-shapen, sneering, squinting, frothing etc; whereas the protagonists always have clear twinkling eyes and you can read all goodness and friendliness with a single glance upon their "open" visages. (give me a break- right?)

For this reason, the final 1/4th of the book will be less manageable to the modern reader tbc

1929:
Runaway Papoose

290

2 APR 2023

1929:
Tod of The Fens
Europe
England
St Botoloph's Town/ Boston
Middle Ages/ 1400's
Wool Trade/ Middle Class/ Economy
237
merit- yes
transportive - yes

9 MAR 2023

rough draft: sketching chapters as I read them

There is a brief gloss-over of the reigning English monarchy and its transitions current to the early 15th century. A Welsh hero and ruler is noted with barely enough emphasis to glean the entire circumstance, contributing to a generalized “current events”. This is the backdrop of the story and not its main theme.

Rapidly, the story goes toward the backdrop of non-royal England and its developing trade and middle-class. At which point the reader is introduced to a very brief history of Boston from its origins as St Botolph’s Town, a community, at that time, amidst the Fens. Some modern historian’s dispute this rendering - but it is of no consequence to the story, and was certainly the dominant origin for centuries.

Finally, the author delves into upcoming characters of the book. This is not long and dragged out; neither is it presented squarely and boldly, so that the reader instantly is aware of that which is to come.

The first character has an air of mystery about him. In one of his mysterious portrayals he costumes himself as a minstrel and sings a ballad of a royal hero. The book does not mention it, but upon very fleeting research, the ballad is by none other than Sir Walter Scott, whose poem, nor its origins existed in the time-period of our story. It is just a lovely ballad that helps to advance the story and has no connection to Sir Walter Scott; hence the reason it needs no mention. It is a poem used anachronistically.

At this juncture, the reader likely forms a supposition of who this character might be in the overall story.

In the second chapter, we are introduced to Tod of the Fens, and the meaning of his name. This too, seems to tie into the upcoming purpose of the story. Todd befriends our mysterious minstrel and they form a brief alliance based on themes similar to those popular in the Robin Hood Cycle of adventures. The men are jocular; good-natured; seeking adventure, physical, and intellectual sparring. It is a smidge “pat” in its replication for modern readers, but not overdone at the time of its writing and not too dull for the “mods”.

The third chapter swings the reader back toward the backdrop of time-period’s historic events. We meet a family of authentic origin and gently are introduced to concepts of the burgeoning middle-class, the wool trade, and the economic forces of the days before “Britannia ruled the waves.”

The remaining chapters meander amidst the varying storylines. There are piratical Easterlings and their historic origins to the trade and upcoming Age of Exploration; there are jealous townsmen who attempt a swindle; “Madcap Hal” wars with the Welsh, before returning for a final spoof; Johanna the daughter of the wealthiest and most far-seeing merchant has a small adventure before settling into womanhood; and Tod and his “merry” crew trade their honest but lackadaisical lives in the Fens to become sailors on a shipping venture. Each storyline contributes to the overall description of the time and place. Just as Cedric The Forester’s accomplishments contributed to the continuity between English culture and the founding of America - Tod and his cohorts depict the link between Middle Age England and America’s founding.

This is an unusual glimpse of history, not often brought to fiction, and one that I almost wish had been given greater introspection and depth. The author, however, keeps to the literary principles of her day for a children’s work. The adventures are harmless, the history intriguing but at a surface level. “Madcap Hal” is more fictional than historic, as I don’t believe that reputation was extrapolated much beyond Shakespeare. This gives the book an additional layer of historical perspective similar to such tales as Washington and his cherry tree. Some stories are of cultural interest even though unfounded.

At the close, the author does identify Sir Walter Scott and presents his poem to its completion.

Personal curiosities:

This is the first book that has impressed me with the stereotype of the gregarious prankster-loving male personality. Certainly Robin Hood was jovial, and I can picture the movie version, laughing heartily; I am unclear if his literary counterpart was depicted in such animation as Tod and his crew. Tod seems a particular caricature of this personality; to the point I found him slightly overbearing rather than just jovial and fun-loving. Gratefully, not all of his story-line surrounds this feature. The book did seem to place an inordinate emphasis on laughing, joking, besting, until the final conclusion that moderation might have merit. I will have to re-read some favorite childhood books before deciding if this message had always been so overt.

Here begins Honor books of the 1930's

1930:
A Daughter of The Seine
346
Europe
France
French Revolution
Biography

19 MAR 2023

I loved this work immediately. I have found a new favourite author and cannot wait to read her other books. Eaton's writing is crisp and clear without being dumbed-down. She presents scads of information, naturally, without sounding didactic or chopping up the flow of the writing. I learned so many things and will be able to follow a trail to learn more.

As if reading this delightful work were not enough - Heart Be Still! - Eaton includes questions, pronunciations, and additional readings. She even includes her own Bibliographic trail of research. How I wish all books did this; especially, children's books.

tbc

1930:
Pran of Albania
282
Europe
Albania
1920's or slightly earlier. (Albania, has not been a country very long)
Freedom/Independence
Transported? yes
Merit? yes

5 JUN 2023

The reader is introduced to Pran, her parents, Ndrek and Lukya, and younger brothers Gjon and Nikola. They are gathered around their hearth, offering hospitality to friend and strangers from afar. Phrases, proverbs, fashion, and societal customs are interspersed as the reader is deftly woven in the Albania of our heroine's time period.

After supper there is singing when a stranger comes to the door, seemingly an enemy spy, seeking information as to well-being and loyalty of the local communities.

In chapter three we are introduced to yet another important character, Nush, whose fate weaves in and out amidst the chapters. Later Pran is sent on a very urgent journey to save the life of her small cousin. While she is far from home, she encounters Nush who points out the signal fires of war.

At last the father joins the war and Pran and remaining family leave their farm to find what safety they may in a city removed from the mountain battles. Pran's family and many others live as refugees. After several gentle adventures, the family returns to their home and the book concludes with several final chapters of Pran's emergence into womanhood. TBC

The Jumping-Off Place
332
North America
United States
South Dakota
Prairie
Homesteading

19 JUL 2023

* I cannot recall if exact dates were named. This section of South Dakota was "opened" in 1908. The author lived in this locale in 1912. Automobiles are mentioned in addition to wagons. Not sure how many people would have owned them at that time. I had an Uncle who bought a snazzy one in 1915, in farm country of Minnesota.

* In case you are wondering as I did - yes, this book precedes Little House on The Prairie; although, the time period is much later. I don't know if this is the first children's work to write about prairie life - (will research that) - but, seemingly first prairie book to gain Newbery.

tbc

1930:
The Tangle Coated Horse

185
Irish Mythology

26 JUN 2023

I liked this much better than her other book of Irish lore. Sadly, the whole Irish cycle does not stay with me. I wish that Mary Stewart could have done for it that which she did for King Arthur.

1930:
Vaino - A Boy of New Finland

291
WWI
Finnish Revolution from Russia
Kalevela

7 JUL 2023

On an October afternoon, 1916, Vaino Lundberg is walking home from school on the outskirts of Helsingfor, Finland. He sings a Finnish song and is nearly trampled by a Russian horseman who treats him contemptuously. With brevity the ancient animosities and conquerors of Finland are named; the Laplanders, Swedish, and currently the Russians.

At home, Vaino is greeted by his beloved mother, Fru Lundberg, older siblings, Annika, and Sven that attend university. In the evening the mother recites tales from the Kalevala, the Finish National Epic, which was critical to the construction of the national identity of Finland during this time-period. Each chapter contains one of the folk tales alongside the current events of Finnish declaration toward Independence.

The Hero of the Kalevela is Vainoaminen, or Vaino for short, for whom our main character is named in order that he carry the strongest representation of his maternal Finnish heritage. Thus, the tale is connected by these two Vaino’s. From a Finnish standpoint the simultaneous Swedish ancestry might be less favoured than the story portrays. The harmonious blending of Swedish alongside Finnish is more likely to be an Americanism. In America, immigrants of such countries were more open to intermarriage and their descendants innocently bear both ancestries, free of animosity. ( My younger son took a trip with Boy Scouts to Finland. The scouts traveled into nearby countries, but when asked to be taken into Sweden, the locals refused, finding them other travel-guides for that portion of the journey. The bitterness of Swedish occupation is alive in modern Finland, much as hostility remains in the South- toward “Yankees” over the Civil War.)

Each member of the family participates in the struggle for freedom and we come to know it’s events through their eyes, much as there are family tales of other wars.

From a modern American perspective, the inclusion of the Kalevela in a children’s work, might seem odd and the depth of its historic feeling doesn’t translate well. I, myself, lack enthusiasm for most mythological creation tales, even those of the Irish cycle, which I desperately want to cherish, but just cannot. However, there are many such national “histories” included in children’s literature. Perhaps children will have a greater freedom to accept without the taint of adult logic. I can only suppose that the daily telling of such stories is similar to Christian daily telling of the stories from the Old Testament and that it just seeps into the core of your very being and makes some kind of shared cultural sense.

I enjoyed this story, as I have enjoyed the other writings of Julia Davis Adams. The reader is transported into the action and the outcome. As is the case with most Newberys, this is a beginning point for further exploration into a specific historic juncture, one that broadens knowledge of the greater world.

1930:
Little Blacknose - The Story of A Pioneer
149
North America
United States
New York
Biography of A Steam Engine
1831-1893

3 JUL 2023

This is a shorter tale written toward the tastes of younger readers, most likely, with boys in mind. I found it delightful, nonetheless. I keep in mind that the writings of earlier generations seemed to revere their burgeoning technologies. To me such objects are just the hum-drum backdrop of my world; but, at one time such things were a source of fascination. Mike Mulligan And His Steam Shovel is an example of a book held before my gaze and told to revere it - though, I never beheld its charm as I was directed. I dutifully read it to my toddling descendants in case it sparks a glimmer for them. I found this work of greater interest than "Mulligan".

This is the anthropomorphised biography of an early steam engine, named "Dewitt Clinton," that carried passengers between Albany, New York and Schenectady. The reader is introduced to very light details from its inception in the foundry, to the close of its career, and its final journey to the World Fair of 1893 in Chicago and its its final display into the Grand Central Terminal. There are no heavy details such as a book by Jules Verne, just a breezy overview of the world as it appeared in that time.

Little Blacknose, occasionally, sings small phrases onomatopoeically such as a steam engine might say, could it speak. I never found this overdone as is the case in some books for this age level. Since I suppose the purpose of reading is to be well-rounded across genres and styles, I found this very delightful, with a striking similarity to Hitty, Her First Hundred Years - but at an even younger capacity. If I thought that any modern readers would take on this mantle, I believe I would recommend it at 4 or more stars. No enthusiasm for trains required. Hope to find a copy and try it out on my youngest grandson.

1931:
Floating Island

Tropics
Dolls
262

26 AUG 2023
Before we are introduced to our cast of characters, the author engages her youthful readers in the upcoming action of the book with a plea for them to “look-out” for the lost dollhouse and it’s occupants. Then we are introduced to our Doll family, for they are, indeed, dolls, by design and surname. Mr. and Mrs Doll, their three children, William, Annabelle, and Baby, Dinah the live-in cook, and four sentient plates of food, Finny (a fish), Lobby (a lobster), Chicky ( a chicken), and Pudding.

The dolls live in a toy store until “Uncle Henry” comes in one day and purchases them for his niece Elizabeth who lives in the tropics. The Doll’s and their home are crated, packed, and set aboard a ship, which subsequently sinks in a storm. The Doll family finds themselves stranded on an uninhabited isle. After which, the majority of the story is the various family members as they attempt to find each other. Illustrations of the events are provided by Mr Doll.

Although this book was written in 1930, it hails back to an older time in children’s literature. The style is reminiscent of turn-of-the century writings. The dolls dress in Victorian garb and Elizabeth lives on a plantation. The story is presented in a fashion representative of children playing with their dolls and the author includes some “asides” of natural history as it pertains to the fauna and flora of tropical domains.

This book is one of the few Newbery’s that caters to younger readers. The culture of a childhood avid for dolls no longer exists. Young readers are less likely to share this experience and soon the last remnants of an aging population will fade away. I was able to enjoy it because I grew up both with dolls and with older literature. Its only downfall being in the depictions and experiences of Dinah the Cook. The book ends as it began with the author pleading for her audience to look closely and see if any of these dolls have made it to their nurseries.

There are some unaccountable spelling anomalies. Parrish seems to favour British spelling, though I cannot account for it in her American upbringing. Words such as “civilise” did retain the /s/ until the 60’s, but she uses the /our/ ending over /or/ ending in some words. Then there are other spellings, whose origins are much antiquated such as “cocoanut”, though this spelling did appear in the 30’s, occasionally.

1931:
The Dark Star of Itza

Mayans & Toltecs
Chichen Itza

30 JUL 2023:

Alida Sims Malkus precedes her work, "Dark Star of Itza," with a foreword of indebtedness to researchers and an explanation of the story about to be read. I recommend reading this preface twice; prior to the novel and again after to refresh your thoughts on the topic.

The preface is followed by a forward in which the author names the main characters and upcoming events. If I read this correctly, these names and events are part of a historic chronology.

Throughout her story, Malkus makes comparisons to the ancient civilizations of Greece, Egypt, and Sumer-Babylon. Perhaps this is because discoveries of these civilizations were contemporary to her her writing period and would have been well-grasped by her readers. At times, I found this to be a distraction, as I have a separate perception of Meso-American culture from that of the three above-named civilizations.

Chapter one describes the city and introduces its ruler, Chac Zib Chac. The author references Chac Zib Chac as “Khan”. I do not know if this is another comparative term from other cultures or a word in actual usage, but it is a minor detraction. Then we meet Ibzam Pesh, noble, member of king’s entourage, and architect; followed by Hol Chan, the high priest and his daughter, Princess Nicte who is educated in the astronomy and astrology of the culture and a renowned seer.

In Chapter two we become better acquainted with our heroine and the story expands. A stranger from foreign lands expresses ardent and instant love for Nicte, offering wealth and status. The king, Chac Zib Chac seeks to have his future revealed through Nicte’s vision, but pays her words no heed. The die is cast, and his kingdom is cast into war for the lust and kidnapping of a tremendous beauty betrothed to another king, somewhat reminiscent of the Iliad, As the epic unfolds, the reader is besieged with imagery of conquest and ritualistic sacrifice.

In my first reading, I did not make the connection I had anticipated. I gave it 3-1/2 stars, but believe that upon my second reading it will expand to 4. After researching the Mayan experience, minimally, elements of the book became more clear for me.

One of my greatest blocks to “transportation” into this work was the divination. If this had been a work of sci-fi/fantasy, I would have been able to flow into that realm of divination. Because it is a book of history, my mind was bogged in realities. I understand that the characters in this time-period believed in such things, but I found it difficult to toggle into and out of this as a belief system.

The time-period of the book is such that hash realities are presented as a matter of fact. In the 1950’s children’s fiction underwent a whitewashing, but this work precedes that whitewashing by twenty years. Still was mildly distressed to read the terms - “rape and pillage”. Of course they did not describe those activities; and they are historically accurate, but it is interesting to note how we can cling to ideas of “appropriateness” for a children’s work. Of course, this is history … and conquest. There is at least one kidnapping of a female in this tale and several instances of consideration toward kidnapping a female. Nothing too protracted in the theme but nothing offering an opposing female perspective, either.

This is certainly a unique glance into a culture not frequently broached in children’s literature. Overall, I enjoyed this story, its female character, and the manner in which she expresses autonomy over her life in a world in which the men intend to make all choices for her. It is interesting how many of these early Newberys, unobtrusively, instill this trait in their heroines.

Queer Person
388
North America
United States
Montana
Native American (allegedly)

3 JUL 2023

Not A Review:

I liked this. Okay- yeah- Indian stuff. If you want to read the reviews about the dreadful misrepresentations of the indigenous culture- then you can find plenty of those comments. I'm just going to ignore it. Impossible fictions. There is something more here than just that. The writing was astounding. This author may not have known much or anything about Plains Nations Culture, but somehow the story carried well just the same.

The first part isn't really about the Nation , though that is its backdrop. The first part is about the abandoned little boy and how he grows. In the middle, the boy takes a dream-quest- so - yeah if you are reading for authenticity, that's not great; but I just focussed on the character and the story that surrounded him. Then, he mysteriously gains his hearing - so that's weird- but its just one more trope to promote the developing plot. So. I just went with it. More impossible fictions. Children travel to Narnia, Dorothy goes to Oz and meets a scarecrow.... yada yada...

The last part is the least well developed. Perhaps, here, the Indigenous storyline is a bit askew...but,...by this time the reader is in deep and needs to get his denouement. The rescue, the homecoming... all gets a little slapdash and the quality loses its original vivacity. But as a simple fictional adventure of its time-period it is no worse than modern works, that lose lustre in various ways, too.

The writing at the outset had a remarkable quality and beauty. A rare gift for the nature and outdoors setting. Anyhow, I found it highly readable and engaging. I am going to read his few other works.

1931:
Mountains Are Free

Europe
Switzerland / Austria
Folk-tale
freedom/liberty/ independence

7 AUG 2023:

"Mountains Are Free" is the tale of William Tell, expanded upon and placed into historic context. Rather than retell the legend in a straightforward manner, Adams places William Tell's tale in the middle of another story, introducing the reader to contrasting perspectives of feudalism vs liberty; power and greed against simplicity and individual self-worth.

Bruno is a young lad, a freeman of Uri, one of the free Cantons of Switzerland. The year is approximately 1305 and the rest of Europe slumbers in feudalism. An arrogant and cruel knight, Ruprecht of Austria, travels through and offers to make Bruno his page, imagining that Bruno will be much impressed by Austrian wealth and culture. Bruno accepts, not because he seeks these things, but as an orphan, lovingly, taken in but family of William Tell he understands the burden he places on their welfare and hopes to return and to repay them their kindness. Once in Austria, however, all is not so grand in the eyes of this humble boy who has known genuine liberty and self-worth.

Upon his departure, Bruno and Ruprecht lodge the night at an abbey. As a Swiss native, Bruno knows that these monks seek the destruction of Swiss freedoms for their own benefit; but the Austrians having no comprehension of liberty beyond their own excessive power find no fault with those that, similarly, seek and abuse power.

As with all Newberys, there are hidden historical tidbits. When entering Zurich a man is described as wearing a yellow circle on his gown, before he is spat upon and denounced as being Jewish. The author gives us no more information than this- but I thought that it must mean something, to wear clothing marked with a yellow circle. Upon investigation, I learned that in the Middle Ages, Europeans (and others) did compel those of Jewish descent to mark their clothing with yellow patches. This book, having been written in 1930, prior to the rise of the Nazis, gives us insight into Hitler's mandate to mark Jewish clothing with insignia.

The story continues at an Austrian castle, depicting life at court and its prevailing attitudes. Bruno, one day, meets a serf, tied to the land and attempts to understand why he stays. The peasant assures Bruno that the duke is his "protector," to which Bruno succinctly suggests that all the evils and destruction that occur to the peasantry - occur precisely because of the wars that the landowners create.

Bruno is befriended by Kyo the minstrel and through him he becomes acquainted with Zelina. Gradually, the setting ripens for the final purpose of the tale; the war-mongering Hapsburgs appoint the cruel Gessler as Bailiff in Switzerland. Zelina, at the young age of 13 is compelled marry the ruthless Ruprecht without delay before he travels to war. To avoid this, she, Kyo, and Bruno decide to runaway to Bruno's former home, Switzerland, to the Tell family and to those that would rise up for liberty against the marauding Hapsburgs (Boo- Hiss) and their wars and servitude.

William Tell is a founding story for the struggles of Switzerland, millennia ago, but it is also the opening thought toward higher alternatives. As such it exemplifies American attitudes cherished in the 1930's. It would be fifty and more years before Newbery would again select a re-telling of William Tell. I treasure this first and more filled-in version because it brings a greater comprehension of the time-period, peasant life, court life, and the cruelty of disparity when humans are regarded as chattel.

I enjoyed this work, avidly inhaling its narrative and its themes.

1931:
Spice And The Devil's Cave

Europe
Middle Ages
Age of Exploration
Portugal/Africa/India/Indonesia
Vasco da Gama
Reconquista/ Jewish Expulsion
merit? yes
transported? yes

2 MAR 2023

The main story takes place in Portugal in and near the house of a cartographer named Abel Zakuto, and his wife, Ruth. Among the friends and visitors are Bartholomew Diaz, a young Fedinand Magellan, and Vasco da Gama. Certain factual events are unfolded in a round-about presentation; recent explorations, the spice trade, and the speculation of these explorers in charting a route, yet, unverified, and the role that they hope Portugal will take in advancing this knowledge. Two other characters, central to the fictional elements are introduced: a mysterious girl running from unknown predators and Nicolo Conti, a Venetian shipbuilder/owner who hopes to join in the upcoming venture.

The story is delightful and presented at a good pace. My mistake was in forgetting to read this like a work of fiction for the sheer fun of it. In attempting to outline the history, I kept confusing myself. Christopher Columbus, Jon Cabot, and other members of the Diaz family are mentioned. I kept trying to pin down the year of these events and inadvertently muddled myself. I never could decide whether the story moved slightly outside the authentic time-line ( much as the author had done in another book of hers that I had recently read) or whether I just didn't grasp this juncture of history well enough. It is likely to have been both.

For instance, there was an Abraham Zakuto, whose navigational instruments did travel with da Gama on the journey, but he is morphed into a fictionalized character, Abel to permit greater fictional freedom. There was an explorer named Nicolo conti, but that is not this Nicolo Conti. There is another explorer whose name appears in the story that adds to the confusion. (Unless you are willing to just read for fun).

da Gama's journey is important to the story, but it is not the essence of the story. Much like Danforth's New England story, there is a story within a story within a story. "Spice" actually succeeded in meshing those concentric stories a bit more artfully than in the "Glory of The Seas". da Gama is the outer concentric mold. Within that circle is the story that the Jewish community plays in the Age of Exploration and how history treats this group of people and has excluded them from triumphant accolades alongside the names of Kings and explorers.

The inner concentric story is entirely fictional, the lives of our mystery girl and young Nicolo Conti, and their actions within the story and their relation to the two outer circles. This part of the story concludes the work and ties up all the other portions. The reader can now read focussing on the fictional purpose which is a great delight.

caveats: this is a story in Portugal during the Middle Ages. There are no thees & thous. It is written in a style contemporary to its author's time. This includes a few linguistic choices unlikely to be noticed by readers of our own decade. Hobknobbing? hitched? (there was another one at the end that i have forgotten) I enjoyed it. I might have enjoyed a greater formality- but I cannot swear to it.

There is one un-neccessary description- but its pretty tame for the time.

Like most woks of this time-period, aimed toward young audiences, the history is glorified. The "explorers" are good and wholesome. Their actions bring forth history without nuance and shadow. This continues just as often in modern books; it is just that the glorified themes have changed. Now to partake in saving the ecology might be considered the ultimate good.

This is a children's work, at the juncture when accessible children's writing is first becoming a norm. The Victorian/ Edwardian "classics" are in the past and the second wave- in the fifties has yet to appear. Children's Literature, particularly works that are, specifically, American are just finding their footing. They are slowly shedding Victorian themes and standards; but there must be continuity as well. I feel that there is much more to this story than will be credited by most.

1931:
Meggy MacIntosh

1990'S

Read many years ago. I loved this story so much.

1931:
Garram The Hunter

Africa
West Africa
Nigeria(?)
Slave Trade (incidental)
Chamba?
144

28 DEC 2022

This is a very good adventure story, much in the vein of "boy" books of that generation. The telling is straightforward, descriptive, historic, and filled with informative details.

I have one rather sizable caveat - which I shan't even delineate. The book does not suffer from racial slurs. However chapter Sixteen relays the only humourous adventure in the book. All that can be stated, is that some cultures will indeed not be able to find this amusing. I am not of the culture and I found myself holding my breath, throughout. I understand that it was written with no malice and probably no awareness. Also, the book is the telling of a tale from the perspective of Garram, who, as is pointed out comes from another culture, entirely. Therefore his cultural perspective must also be weighed.

1931:
Ood-Le-Uk The Wanderer

JUL 2023

1932:
The Fairy Circus

So far, this book is unable to be found. It is listed several times in my library system and 117 times across the world- but no library will lend it.

1932:
Calico Bush

North America
New England - Maine
1743 - French And Indian War

14 DEC 2023:

Calico Bush is a mid-size book of 200 pages; but, of solid substance. Twelve year-old Marguerite Ledoux is a French girl who immigrates to Canada with her Grand'mere and Oncle Pierre. Unfortunately, her uncle is taken by a contagious outbreak at sea. He is cast into the ocean with all of his belongings, and Grand'mere and Marguerite are set on land in Marblehead, Massachusetts where our story begins. Their money is quickly depleted and they are assigned to live in the poor farm where she then loses her Grand'mere. Being "sold" as chattel to offset her indebted situation, she is "bound out" aka indentured until she turns 18. Joe and Dolly Sargent are British colonials and the setting is in the midst of the French And Indian War. Her French heritage is deeply resented and she is viewed as a potential enemy to King George and his subjects, by the general population. Even her name is Anglicised away from the French Marguerite - to plain Maggie; and all symbols of her Catholic heritage are removed.

The story is about her first year with the Sargents. The author divides the book by the four seasons of that year: Summer; Fall; Winter; Spring

1932:
Boy of The South Seas

Oceania
French Polynesia
1930's
194

28 AUG 2023

Ten year old Teiki is one of fifteen villagers that remain in his community on one of the islands in the group known as the Marquesas in French Polynesia. He is spear-fishing one day when a schooner appears on the horizon, creating much excitement. The inhabitants, including Teiki , run to greet the vessel and throng it with helpfulness and curiosity. As the cargo is unloaded, the villagers and white crew-members take lunch in the village while Teiki remains aboard watching the remaining crew unload. Finding himself much in the way, he nestles into a lifeboat to view without being a hindrance, where he subsequently awakens hours later to find the boat far at sea with no chance of return. The crew treat him well and a carpenter and another ship-mate, particularly befriend him.

The schooner’s destination is Tahiti, but there are two stops along the way, The Tuomoatas, where the reader is introduced to the coral reef and pearl diving; and Moorea. From the sailor’s conversations, Teiki fears the prospect of Tahiti, and runs away to Moorea where he lives in secret, for a time in the jungle. Eventually he is welcomed into a family and begins a new life, and is introduced into the burgeoning Western culture through the interchange of French colonialism, currently established.

In the final portion of this brief story, Teiki’s life alters one more time to re-visit his own culture and syncretize all the components of his known culture, past, present, and future.

Many will criticise the colonialism in this story, but that is the historic reality of the time and place of this book. Without didacticism, Tietjens permits the reader to witness the changes taking place across Polynesia. The writer is an American, not a French subject, but she is describing loss of culture, adaptation, and effects of French influence across the region. The fact that the main character originates on one island and travels to, or near other islands, permits the reader to see that the effects are not uniform. Each island had been its own culture, and each is effected in a unique transition. The author introduces young readers to a geography and an encapsulation of events taking place in their time-period. Think of it as current events. You may just as easily decry the loss of the coral reef, but that can hardly be the fault of the author. I think the author did a splendid job with her topic, given her time-frame. The audience was not only introduced to a culture that differed from its own, but to an array of flora and fauna, not of its acquaintance. This “traveloguing” mentality still exists, today. We view books as venues into ideas and experiences outside our own.

There are a few instances of unusual narration in the tale. In one scene, the ghost of his mother appears and sings/tells an ancient tale of Moorea. I dont think the child audience of the 1930's would have objected. It didn't strongly ruin the tale, but my adult self found it unnecessary; firstly because of the ghost thing, and secondly as a point of illogic. His mother was from the Marquesas- so how would she have known of an ancient tale that even the local Mooreans had forgotten. Oh! obviously, being dead makes you omniscient. There was a similar dream-sequence when he visits the ancient tombs of the island, that even the Mooreans have forgotten. My assumption is that these are devices that the author used to convey anthropological information. Although, Teiki believed in the spirit-world and the power of amulets, it was still a bit odd, for me. However, the author does a good job portraying the story from Teiki's perspective.

There is a single mention of historic cannibalism. Sources are not definitive as to the accuracy of this. Some claim it is an exaggeration; others suggest there may have been some evidence to this. Regardless, it becomes one more opportunity to learn of a cultural vocabulary. Cannibalism may not have been as wide-spread as purported by historic travelers, (in this region) but it did exist, (somewhere) periodically, in a variety of practices. A friendly form of cannibalism is known to have existed into the 1950's. This caused me to wonder if this might not have explained the death of the villagers. Twenty to thirty years after this story takes place, scientists were able to verify that cannibalism did lead to a death that was often agonizing.

If I'm not mistaken, this is the first Newbery to introduce Polynesia in a serious fashion. Floating Island takes place in an uninhabited and unidentified tropical region; and Hitty, washed up into the tropics. Hawaii was a territory at the time of this writing and Americans are on the cusp of fascination with aspects of tropical culture, both real and imagined.

1932:
Out of The Flame
360p

Europe
France
Middle Ages/ Renaissance/ Reformation
Humanism
The court of Francis I

Out of The Flame is a challenging book to summarise, succinctly. It is not so much that there are several ongoing threads, but that the theme is not the most obvious one. The story is about Europe coming out of the darkness of the Middle Ages. Francis I is the king of France. It is a historical fact that he did much to bring forward the Renaissance to his country and had some sympathies toward those that would bring about the Reformation. He was active in the development of libraries, a college, and surrounded himself and his court with some of the key characters of that time-period. Through the eyes of one of his pages, Pierre de Bayard, we are introduced to Francis I; his children, Francis, Dauphin; Henri; young Charles; Magdaleine; and Marguerite, called Margot; his sister, Marguerite, Queen of Navarre; and a host of scholars whose writings opened the Reformation, but were simultaneously, condemned, by the Catholic church and its staunch supporters. These scholars are: Master Fabri, aka Jacques Lefevre d'Etaples; Guillame Bude; Sir Thomas More; Erasmus; and Rabelais. In the surrounding historical drama, the reader learns small facts of King Henry VIII; Holy Roman Emperor, Charles V; Jacques Cartier, the explorer; and others.

The first introduction to the older princes, Francis and Henri is upon their their release from the donjon of Spain, where they were political prisoners of Charles V. Throughout the story, sympathy and explanation of the effects of imprisonment on the developing minds of these two prisoners is offered.

While there was a Pierre de Bayard, who was, indeed a famous cavalier/ chevalier/ knight to Francis I, it is not clear whether or not he had a nephew of the same name. However, regardless of name and lineage, the story expounds on the experiences that any page might have endured. Our young hero weaves the reader through the intricacies of court dynamics and the world in which he lives. He is a character very much facing forward to the new changes that the Renaissance brings and Eloise Lownsbery deftly portrays his inner struggles between fealty of the old regime and exciting new philosophies of the future. Pierre dreams of being as famous as a knight as his uncle, but studies diligently as a scholar, tutored by the above-named academics. Each will offer him words of wisdom along the path as he sees his path more clearly. Of course, a children's work must have its adventures. Before his final decision is made there are several rousing escapades, which most likely are not historical, but the backdrop always is.

Lownsbery emphasizes the beauty, kindness, and wonder of the Renaissance and Humanism, some of which is bound to be too extreme for the time-period, but carries the feeling that those from the past might have felt burning in their own being; or that we as its recipients are meant to feel in gratitude for these forbearers. Unexpectedly, though, she adds a bizarre element to the mix that didn’t set perfectly well with me. The small man, Jac, who had a humpback and was labeled as a dwarf, had dreams and premonitions. He may have been based on an actual ward of the court, but the dreams I suppose to be entirely fictitious. Then some of the “wisdom” proffered from our historical humanists bordered on New Age thinking, somehow, less than genuine Reformation thought and something even more than humanistic thought of the 1930’s. In several instances, Pierre calls out to Master Fabri in his mind, calling him specifically, Master, but it does not seem an address of his academic title. He quiets his thoughts, as some religious people are apt to do when reaching out in prayer, and he hears or is otherwise rescued by Fabri. This was a bit too magical for my preference. Because of these episodes, I would dare to suggest that this book qualifies as magical realism, even though the term did not exist in 1932. I didn’t know quite how to label this unusual interpretation of religion and found it doubtful that Sir Thomas More or Erasmus introduced such a pattern of thinking, let alone to a non-divine entity.

Still, this book packs a wallop when it comes to introducing a time-piece of history. It can be read for sheer fun, or used as a jumping board to deeper historical cogitation.

I also found myself thinking about the meaning behind the Title: "Out of The Flame." The most obvious connotation is the reference to the Salamander, the symbol of Francis I, with various interpretations in the Middle Ages and Renaissance. Interestingly, though, there is a vague reference in the book of Jude, about being pulled from the fire. While it is a stretch, the Renaissance could be likened to the pulling of mankind out of the fire. The author uses flame and fire throughout the story, literally and metaphorically.

1932:
Jane's Island

29 AUG 2023:

1932:
Truce of The Wolf
4 OCT 2023

This is a small book of 7 short stories in larger well-spaced print.
The author details them thus:
1. Truce of The Wolf - retold from the Fioretti
2. Signora Lupa And The Fig Tree - was told to the author by a local woman in Tuscan.
3. Calandrino And The Pig - is from the Decameron. ("of course", says the author as if this is common knowledge to children.
4.
5. } adaptaptations from "The Legends of Florence" - 1895
6.

TBC

Swift Rivers
1933

North America
United States
Mississippi River
Logging
Americana
237

17 OCT 2023:

Christian Dahlberg, called Chris, is orphaned very young when his parents die from an epidemic. His father arranges for Chris to be looked-after until he is 21 in exchange for work on the farm of his mother's brother, Nels Anderson. The reader learns of this in the past tense as Chris is introduced in the story at the age of seventeen. His Uncle Nels is a very unkind man. ( I am constantly amazed at these Newberys to portray accurate depictions of abusive behaviour, before society called it abusive. ) There is no physical abuse for that is not the theme of this book.

Uncle Nels is arrogant, insulting, and unable to speak without belittling Chris and his grandfather. He occupies Chris' time to an excess and isolates him from his grandfather. Finally, Chris, respectfully, stands up for himself and states that he has finished all reasonable work and will go check on his grandfather's well-being and return in (3?) days. When he, dutifully, returns, keeping his word in spite of a horrendous storm, he finds himself locked out and told to never return, which of course turns out to be a source of relief.

Bullies, however, thrive on disequilibrium and constant mixed messages. When Uncle Nels realises that Chris is able to succeed without him he pretends that he is "willing" to hire Chris back and he (Nels) will forgive Chris for being kicked-out.

Before continuing down the story's summary, I have some thoughts about the historical back-drop. The story takes liberty with Minnesota history and seems to be an amalgamation of Minnesota culture. The reader is told that the setting is in the land that would later become known as Minnesota and that it is thirty years after the Louisiana Purchase. The "Purchase" having taken place in 1803 - adding thirty years - makes the story set in 1833. That is twenty-five years before statehood and sixteen years before territorial status.

Sadly, Meigs describes communities that could not have existed until well after the Civil War. The first immigrants were not the Swedish, German, Norwegians that she describes living harmoniously. The first wave of immigrants would have been British fur trappers and Spanish explorers followed by French Voyageurs. Statehood would bring "American" citizenry alongside the Irish immigrants. The next wave would be Swiss, British and French that were not associated with the fur trade and Canadians. Some Germans and Norwegian would come at this period, but the Swedish did not follow till later. To follow census patterns would suggest that after these first and second wavers had established their communities, they would re-locate and those communities would then take on the mixed Germanic/Scandinavian communities that Meigs is describing.

Getting back to the story - Chris returns to his grandfather's and they discuss a plan suggested by another character in the book. They begin the felling of timber on their land and send it down the river to New'Orleans. Thus the book is really about this industry. There are many mishaps along the way.

I enjoyed the first half, significantly, more than the latter. In the latter portion you find those off-handed absolute judgements of people's characters for a variety of reasons. It is a small detraction from the story, which is interesting, and still a good introduction as a historical time-piece.

TBC

The Railroad to Freedom
1933
364p

North America
United States
Slavery/ Underground Railroad/ Civil War
Harriet Tubman

All I can say is wow! This was a page-turner for me, but a very sad one. I found it challenging to face all the cruelty, all the while recognizing that this was such a small portion of the actual misery. There was much that I had not known about her life beyond the obvious "leader" of her people. The first part of the book was the hardest for me. I was stunned to realize that she had been so well-known in her life; and amazed that she lived so openly during a time that anyone could have demanded her return.

I have trouble envisioning that amount of courage.

Children of The Soil
1933
272 pg
Europe
Sweden
Malmo (most likely)
time - undefined; probable late 1800's when the Swedes begin coming to America

OCT 2023:

Nora Burglon creates a down to earth representation of Swedish life in the time before waves of American immigration. I believe it to be the usual blend of deep research and familial anecdote. Burglon, born in Minnesota is the progeny of a Swedish American father, and a Swedish mother. As far as I have researched, her paternal Swedish grandmother, lived nearby in her youth. Census data shows a community of Swedish immigrants, with potential familial relationships that I am unlikely to delve more deeply into disentangling.

Her story begins with a Tomte, part of the Scandinavian folklore, but this fanciful element does not take over. Though, the younger brother, Guldklumpen, attributes all good things to the Tomte, the story shows an incredible amount of diligence on the actions of the family as a whole, which are more likely the cause of all successes.

Each chapter reveals an episode of hard work, ingenuity, family love, community activities, and reverence. Nicolina, the older sister, is glad for the Tomte, but never forgets to give her thanks and gratitude to God, who, given the time-period of the plot and the publication is mentioned as part of the daily family and communal life.

The gentle family adventures are examples of hard work, charitable attitudes, motherly wisdom and teaching. The value of education is emphasized. The family is desperately impoverished when the father is lost at sea, and the backdrop of the community provides comparison of wealth and other attitudes. I won't claim that the didacticism is minimal, but it is not overwhelming. Recalling that this was a work for children, it is unlikely that children would give much notice to this style. The story is fun and even gripping. The print is spaced and larger, so this was likely written toward slightly younger readers, but still highly enjoyable for the middle grades.

The story ends on a hopeful glance toward future possibilities, which makes sense since Burglon's immediate family did not remain in Sweden. I found the tone of the book very grounded and straightforward.

I have found it quite a challenge to research Miss Burglon, both as an author, and to locate contemporary reviews of her works. I did find one very sad fact that I had never contemplated before. Her books went out of print because the metal plates were melted during WWII. How many books were sacrificed to the war drive? I've never heard mention of Anne of Green Gables being melted down.

I would think fans of the Little House books would find this book quite as charming, maybe more so. Certainly fans of The Bobbsey Twins would find this acceptable and even a bit more grounded.

For modern readers, there are outdated attitudes across male/female gender. They were not only in place in the thirties, when the book was serialized then unified, but it is likely to have been accurate of the time/ place of the characters.

The Forgotten Daughter
1934
334

19 APR 2023

Swords of Steel
1934

North America
United States
Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
Abolition
Underground Railroad
Harper's Ferry
Civil War
262
Merit - yes
Transported - Yes

12 JAN 2023

"The Captain of my Salvation has taken away my sword of steel, and put into my hand the sword of the Spirit."

The first chapter opens on Saturday, 1 JAN 1859, with John Deane's twelfth birthday. We are introduced to his grandfather, father, twin sisters, deceased mother, and mentions of several acquaintances. John's greatest wish is to spend the day walking through the woods and community alone. His journey introduces the reader to neighbours friends, animals that are minor characters. There are brief mentions of the political backdrop of his community which prepare the reader for upcoming events.

In the next chapter we learn that John's friend, Nicholas, a free African American, is kidnapped at gunpoint by slave-catchers. Events such as this one are always presented, casually, without a lot of in-depth detail. This is perfect for a children's book; the adult in me, however, feels the loss of those particulars. I think also it is a stylistic quality of the older Newbery's. The reader is exposed to harsh realities but without the gore/horror prevalent in modern works.

As is true for many of these historic novellas, there is a sense of profound and accurate research; the reader, though, is not privy to those resources. At the top of my review is a quote from the book, attributed to John Brown (abolitionist). I cannot find this quote in his final courtroom speech, and can only wonder if it is from last words prior to his hanging. This quote obviously influences the title of the book. "Captain of Salvation" is a Biblical phrase, used frequently in hymns and sermons of the 1800's. It would have been well-known to, both, John Brown and his audience. Later, the grandfather speaks out a quotation about swords of steel, and i cannot find the poem or hymn of its source.

In the middle of the book, the action shifts away from John, briefly, and we are informed of historic events through the letters of the enlisted father. Then the story comes back to John and the events mostly surround him. I shan't disclose further details of the book. The war proceeds as does John's maturity. It is the story of the war, but mostly it is the story of John growing up; and we see the interaction of all the secondary characters delineated in the first chapter.

I found it a very compelling story. My main objection is the dialogue. Gratefully, it was not excessive. It could have used a few more leading in statements. At times I had to re-read dialogue to be certain, I knew who was speaking and to whom. Another lack of leading-in and leading-out took place between paragraphs and the lapse of time. It wasn't frequent enough to disrupt the writing, but it took me a few times to peg it down and identify it. Example: one minute there is dialogue- then in the next sentence they are being awakened and several hours have gone by. "Whoa, Nellie" The author uses this tool well, most of the time to keep time moving forward.

The final chapters are perfection. The reader smells the honeysuckle, feels the ambiguities, mourns the loss, hears the backdrop of music, finally hears the final words which are not too over the top but very tastefully, articulated.

My final caveat is that there must be more words per page than usual as this book took me three times longer to read (either that or my brain has declined drastically in the last week.)

There are some infrequent out-dated linguistics, but nothing outrageous enough to dull the overall tone of the story.

https://historylink.org/File/20824

ABC Bunny
1934

12 DEC 2022
Picture Book
Alphabet

Winged Girl of Knossos
1934
220p
Europe
Crete
Greek Mythology
transported, yes.

THE WINGED GIRL OF KNOSSOS:
JAN 2023

The Winged Girl of Knossos, recipient of the 1934 Newbery Honor combines elements of the mythology of Ancient Greece with history of Crete more antiquated than the rise of Greece. There is nothing scholastic or repetitive in this interpretation and no foreknowledge of its roots are required to enjoy the story of its own accord.

The story opens from the first sentence with the introduction of Inas sponge-diving with enthusiasm and skill. She is not compelled by circumstance to perform this occupation; her sole motivation, the activity, and her obvious success at it.

Inas is the daughter of Daidolos, famed architect to King Minos. Immediately, she is diving toward the the returning Minoan fleet to greet Kadmos, but not before she participates in the swift capture of a shark with her sponge-diving crew. Inas and the story move at a swift but comfortable pace, from venture to venture.

Although Kadmos is is both childhood friend and the intended of Inas, he does not overshadow her or the purpose of the story. She does not revolve around him. So, the reader is moved along introduced to a theoretical Minoan culture and its bull-gymnasts.

The Winged Girl does not suffer many faults of its contemporary medal-winners - but, neither does it it suffer from the fault of modern female protagonists. There are no didactic statements; in fact, so few as to almost detract in the opposite direction. There is nothing between the reader and the story being woven. Though it is never stated or given any obvious pronouncement, Inas exhibits graceful agency throughout her life, her choices, and in the face of drastic changes.

TBC

New Land
1934

North America
United States
Wyoming
Great Depression
Homesteading

9 JAN 2023

This was a very enjoyable story, in a way that I am not certain how to describe. tbc

317

The Big Tree of Bunlahy
1934

Europe
Ireland
Short Stories

190

Glory of The Seas
1934:

314
North America
United States
Fugitive Slave Act of 1850
Westward Expansion/ Manifest Destiny
Clipper ships
Naval Navigation
Gold Rush
Americana
1850's

19 JAN 2023

rough draft:

The office of Pinckney & Fay, on Central Wharf is described; old Mr Pinckney (Joe) is sitting in his chair with John Seagrave sitting behind him counting figures. Sam Pinckney, nephew, Harvard student, and future company partner storms in with the announcement that the Flying Cloud had sailed from New York to San Francisco in 89 days, breaking the speed record.

Young Sam has favoured the new innovation of the clipper ship from the outset, whereas Old Pinckney remains strenuously opposed. Alongside this news, is the announcement that the ship was aided in its navigation by the recently published charts of Matthew Maury. In subsequent chapters, Seagrave is privy to many such opinions supporting the confidence of Sam Pinckney in addition to two mysteries in the backdrop.

The writing is interesting; the story captivating; and its overall purpose, perhaps, not, immediately, straight-forward. The opening paragraphs seem to lead the reader to suppose that the younger Pinckney, Sam is going to be a main character. However the story follows the clerk, John Seagrave. Samuel Pinckney appears just often enough to create speculations. There are subtle story-lines that do tie together; though not in the way that I think modern writers tie events together.

The builder of a number of these clipper ships, John McKay, is presented in typical child-lit fashion. He is praised and worshipped as all things good and his innate goodness is revealed in his saintly face and sprightly actions. (If you have seen an image of his face- it is a little hard to reconcile)

The reader is treated to simplistic details surrounding other historic events. Chapter by chapter, bits of the story unfold leading the reader through a steady trail of breadcrumbs and to the denouement. Little tid-bits about ships and sailing records are interwoven into larger historic forces, giving the young reader a greater grasp of a multi-faceted time-period.

One of the strands follows an escaped slave, Jasper, by name and the recently passed Fugitive Slave Act of 1850. Various characters portray the effects and Northern sentiments. Regrettably, the reader mourns the loss of a happily-ever-after, for Jasper.

In this portion of the book, the vocabulary becomes, occasionally, untenable for modern readers. I can only suppose that the author’s intent was to bring realism to the period. A minor defect is the reference to Benny Paradisio, a little Italian boy, whose brown skin is always included in his description; never in a derogatory fashion, just never described without that emphasis.

The child-audience is exposed to small instructions concerning the nature of business ventures. Sad events are not omitted. In days past, educators supported the inclusion of sadness and unhappy endings so that children were not entirely lopsided in their perspectives of life and literature. As adult readers we all endorse this philosophy to some degree though it may be in a sporadic, cherry-picked fashion.

Danforth Hewes was awarded the honor award two other times . I look forward to reading her other writings, hoping to gain clarity on her style. For its time the historic presentations and quality of writing was certainly worthy of merit and able to transport the reader into the midst of its plot. It would not require much tweaking to align it with present mores.

Who would be most likely to value this work? Educators that use literature to teach history; strong readers familiar with this genre of writing. Anyone that has ever enjoyed biographies such as the Landmark series will have no difficulty with this work.

Two obtuse observations:
1. modern reviewers always seem to read these works as something to either introduce to classrooms or to avoid. While I support that, these books were written at a time when children would have been picking out these books of their own accord- with no hand-holding required. Children, into the 60-70’s maintained that capacity and that interest. Regardless, of whether teachers wish to include this work into a curriculum, oughtn’t teachers be determined that children should be capable of reading children’s books, prior to their 12th year of age?

2. One of the downfalls of the hero-worship format for young children was the fact that the author didn’t seem to know that Matthew Maury was one of the most egregious racist characters in history, in spite of his nautical attainments. Yet, Danforth-Hewes, inadvertently, portrayed him as a benevolent character dismayed by the prospect of the illegal slave trade. Such is the true nature of real history- complexity.

Apprentice of Florence
1934

290

25 NOV 2023:

THE APPRENTICE OF FLORENCE

PART I:

(Agenore), Neno di Giancavallo awakens under a bridge. Though, born in Constantinople, he is the seemingly, orphaned son of a Tuscan merchant, and has travelled on foot, to Florence to find word of his father. Each chapter offers a glimmer of the upcoming tale. He seeks a silk merchant, Messer Bernardo di Deo, who was the former employer of his father. On his journey, he meets the silk merchant’s recently orphaned niece, traveling from London, also to the care of her silk merchant uncle. He is introduced to Cosimo de Medici and hears a tale of early exploration of spice route around Africa; he meets and befriends an unpredictable apprentice named Vanni Lucchesi; everywhere there are chance encounters with the Rennaissance cognoscenti. When returning to his father’s farm he discovers his step-mother and uncle plotting mischief. He vows wishful curses upon them and returns to Florence to apprentice himself in the employ of the silk merchant.

PART II:

The second part, briefly describes the world of Florence in the 1450’s; guilds, political intrigue and upcoming siege of Constantinople. A pretext occurs arranging the travels of Neno, and Messer Bernardo’s nephew and niece, Everardo and Rice, to Constantinople.

PART III:

In the third part, the reader is exposed to the final year of Constantinople as it falls. All manner of cultures, inhabitants, and military personnel are named, but not detailed. Any interested reader could use this preliminary vocabulary as a beginning toward greater research.

PART IV:

The several threads of the tale come together, full circle. Every fate is concluded. Constantinople has fallen; Christopher Columbus is a youthful dreamer; the African Horn has been rounded; another route to the spices has begun; and though, it is merely fiction - the New World is actually discovered before Columbus matures.

As I glanced at the reviews of others, I was struck by several comments claiming that they did not understand the focus of the book. This book is a glance into particular point in history between 1451 and 1454. Although, Italy and Constantinople are separated by a body of water and differing cultures. They intersect with one another across various threads. The book doesn’t emphasize the Roman Empire, but that is certainly an origin for the two locations. Given the manner in which several of these older historic writings take place, the author seems confident that her readers are already aware of a specific set of events. Italy is the beginning of the Roman Republic/Empire and as history spreads across time, that empire fluctuates and is altered. At the final section of the Middle Ages, the remnant of the remaining Roman Empire is focussed around Constantinople and the Byzantine Empire, the Eastern fragment. Italy has already begun the Renaissance and is experiencing a separate culture, but that is not the focus of the book. Certainly events in the book help to delineate these separate cultures in a small way.

Particular to this story is the trade aspect between Florence, Italy and Constantinople, particularly the silk trade. The book doesn’t focus upon the silk road. The main character, Neno, partakes of both cultures, Florentine and Byzantine. The story is ultimately about him, during this time-period; but this time period permits the reader to experience many of the cultural realities of Florence at this juncture.; guilds; Renaissance art; politics; historical leaders; the harsh realities of violence in the streets and its consequences. Without directly specifying it, the silk trade and other guilds of Florence are going to be altered by the war and destruction of Constantinople. The emerging locus of history is going to be The Age of Exploration. Without reliable amicable trade with Constantinople, new trade routes are going to be explored. The book centers on the Florentine experience, perhaps because of the all the historical Renaissance characters; though, Venice is mentioned sporadically, as the separate culture that it was and the alliances it makes that hinder those around them. It is clear to me that the author understood a great deal of the intricacies of this time-period, but she doesn’t spell them out in a heavy-handed way. She lets the story and action of the protagonist do the heavy lifting. She does include a great many Italian phrases that immerse the reader into the culture, but they are not unintelligible to the story. Additionally, there are great many vocabulary words that cut across themes for boys as well as themes for girls. ( this is the 1930’s) Kyle includes descriptions of fabrics and terminology that pertains to fabric and the arts; but also the various kind of soldiers engaged in the battle.

Neno is a well-suited protagonist for this story. He is a boy of the Renaissance, not an illiterate peasant. His thirst for knowledge exemplifies his time-period, but also the values that the author wants to promote for her readers. Values, that I feel certain were not crammed down the throats of the readers, but were, simultaneously, the values her readers relished. Based on my own experiences with past generations of child readers, this information was of interest.

In the backdrop of the main story, the Age of Exploration and its spice trade is kicking off, but without heavy emphasis. In just three to four crucial years, the main character goes from Renaissance, to collapse of Constantinople and its remnant empire, to exploration and an expansion, not of empire, but the rise and shifting of various European and non-European countries. Florence is in its twilight; because it did not take the suggestion of exploration, seriously - other communities will now rise and become prominent powers, By introducing young Christopher Columbus, the author makes clear where the next rise on the world stage will begin.

The main character had a handful of supporting characters, two of which, interestingly, were strong female characters; brave, intelligent, and adventurous, who truthfully portrayed the realities of their time, but didn’t suffer foolish, weak-willed men in their midst.

The story is engaging and moves quickly. The chapters are short and the print well-spaced. I liked that the author divided the book into clearly delineated sections. Also, I was very grateful that the focus was not on romantic alliances over meaningful loyalties. The characters think responsibly in regarding such future options. (even though their surrounding culture does not)
------------------------------------------------------

"One moment it seemed there was nothing in the whole world except stillness and emptiness, and the night was a mantle thick and black upon the shoulders of the hills. At the next the air was full of sound: shouts of men, the shrill tongues of women, bleat of goats and the sharp clatter of donkeys' hooves upon the arch of an ancient bridge. The dark, too, was full of lights, as if the starry sky had drawn intimately near to earth. Constellations moved along it, as groups of peasants passed with lanterns in their hands, and sometimes a torch flared like a comet trailing its smoky tail across the lesser stars."

Pageant of Chinese History
1935

458

Davy Crockett
1935

read this in fifth grade; though, I may re-read it eventually

A Day on Skates
1935

Honk The Moose
1936

North America
Minnesota
Finnish/Iron Range Culture
Animal
Moose
Based on true events

20 DEC 2022:

Not a review- just notes

The Finnish town, in the book, is called Birora. I find this doubtful. Sounds like a portmanteau between Biwabik/ Aurora. So, I google. Sure enough. A statue of Honk exists in Biwabik and is identified as the moose of the story. Obviously, in publishing the book, it was considered that no child could pronounce Biwabik; but I'm not entirely sure they would know what to do with Birora, either. Also, I have never seen Mesabi/Mesaba spelled as Misabe, before.

I am rating this mostly for sentimental reasons. Like most books associated with the Newbery, I am not entirely certain that a child will pick this book on his own. Of course it is a short book, similar in style to a picture book.

I find myself wondering, aside from the moose in town, which parts of the story are true? Was Honk, gentle? That would be amazing. Should we print a disclaimer on the book from the Surgeon General that approaching Moose might be hazardous to your health? Did he really come to the livery stable?

It is not a fanciful tale, but told in straightforward manner. Will modern children grasp this quality?

It is not without some curious edits, such as mentioned above. Why did they rename the town, instead of using Biwabik? They used enough local names that would be just as difficult for non-Iron-Rangers. Did Waino really spell his name with a W instead of V? Ivar calls himself Suomi, but it doesn't mean brave, it is a region/nationality. Several townspeople are given authentic local names, that represent the Finnish and diverse non-Finnish, Iron-Range names and nationalities: ZACKlovich; Millner; Olavsson; Pagnucco; Hoaglund; Hulburd; Lunn; Ryan; and Ketonen, which being Finnish is pronounced KE-tu-nun. Which always feels like sucking in the notes of a harmonica on the middle syllable. American readers won't do that, instinctively, because it is different than English rules of pronunciation and accents.

The author even has the children "sliding" on a hill, instead of sledding, which is authentic Minnesotan dialect.

Because all that is included into the work, why could not the author write - Biwabik and Mesabi?

I am uncertain if non-Minnesotan children will enjoy the simple story of a moose coming to town. I hope so; if not, prepare to research the Iron Range which cannot precisely explain the authentic culture, and perhaps that is as it should be.

The Good Master
1936

read in childhood will have to read a third time before reviewing. LOVED this work and its sequel

Young Walter Scott
Elizabeth Janet Gray
1936

20 MAR 2024:

This Newbery Award Honor is well-titled. Gray’s book is not a biography of Walter Scott’s entire life, primarily his childhood; then adolescence. Of course, adolescence in Scott’s world included college, law school, and apprenticeship. The author immerses the reader into Scott’s world as he lived it. She never bogs down with explanations or goes on to tell how and why Scott’s accomplishments were critical to his/our world and the field of literature.

I’m certain that in 1936, that was more understood. From the generation 20 years later, even I had some comprehension of that. Somehow, I doubt that many Xers, Millenialls, Z-bots, and Post-Millenialls possess this cognition or desire to possess this cognition.

Elizabeth Janet Gray’s writing is above average and well constructed; but even I felt a little hampered by the Scots vocabulary and construction, throughout. Being of Scottish descent, I love a “wee bit o” the mother tongue; but, I have my limits as far as actual comprehension. On the other hand, it provided a nice slice of history for those modern Scots speakers - just in case- as in English, it has all been watered down and lost.

I enjoyed it thoroughly, but would have garnered more, had I had some type of explanations as I read. It is easy to see why it gained the honor. It is less understandable to me, to see why Caddie Woodlawn took the gold over The Good Master; far superior in construction and composition.

While I was unable to look up every Scottish expression, I looked up every ballad and quotation. Once again, I find myself wishing that the author had left us research notes. It is easy to know that much was written in Scott’s correspondence. While he is not quite as adorable as his counterpart Anne of Green Gables, the reader is sucked into his world.

On the aside, I have an acquaintance who is on the high end of the spectrum, constantly alerting me to people and behaviours consistent with the spectrum. I couldn't help but wonder about "Young Walter" as I read. I would have assumed that everyone around him was similar, except Grey specifically pointed out that he was rather individualistic in his pursuits and inclinations.

All Sail Set
1936

North America
United States (more or less)
Historic Ocean Voyage
Clipper Ship
Speed Record

196
2024

Phebe Fairchild
1937

North America
United States
Connecticut
1830
Puritans Etc/ American Episcopalian
Changing Mores/ Introductory Children's Literature

30 MAR 2024:

Whistler's Van
1937

This is the first NB/H that I have truly struggled to read. The writing is fine, but I dont speak Welsh. The introductory chapters held such promise; however after the MC "hits the road" traveling with Welsh Romani - I could no longer keep up. There are regaling of anecdotes and probable droll stories, as told by the traveller. However, there were not enough English words for me to follow.

One of the Romani is a fighter and there are some glorified fight scenes, which probably seemed so much more fashionable at the time. It left me cold, though. Give me a swashbuckling duel any day; or a brawl with a purpose; this just seemed thrown in as something meant to be humourous. James Bond it was not.

After some research discovered that "Idwal" - the author's name was male. I had assumed female.

There are reasons to suppose that this was more enjoyable at the time. All the cultural recognitions were beyond me.

The Golden Basket
1937

21 NOV 2023

Winterbound
1937

JAN 2024

Audubon
1937
Biography

2024

The Codfish Musket
1937

Pecos Bill
1938
North America
Texas
Tall Tale

2024:

Well written, Needed to have read this in childhood to appreciate. The tall-tale aspect just didn't appeal to me.

Bright Island
1938

10 FEB 2024:

This was a charming read. A cross between - Anne of Green Gables, Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm, Christy, Girl of The Limberlost, and Understood Betsy. maybe even Tammy

An innocent girlhood with no guile. A happy ending with no emphasis on romance. A young woman whose world is not constructed to revolve around a male and lose all her own agency. A book that emphasises a good quality education, for the sake of being educated.

No loss over the obvious worthless Robert; and not much over the teacher, but a smidge, perhaps. Though, I am thinking his attraction for such a young high-schooler is a little creepy. He admires the best in the MC; her intelligence, abilities, and natural personality; but, still the premise gently suggests that women should be these things.

I loved the Scottish words, throughout. I'll be in no ramfeezle over this work. Pronounced Ram- fizzle - the double EE taking the short sound of I - as some e/ee words do.

On The Banks of Plum Creek
1938

Nino
1939
Europe
Italy
256

APR 2024

This is the mildest winner, yet. The title - "Nino" names a little Italian boy. He is and he isn't the main character. In some manner that I cannot define, the writing sort of weaves around him, occasionally using him to fill out the descriptions; yet, misses fully being about him. This is mostly a "year in the life of..." format. The reader is guided across the seasons of rural Italian life as experienced by Nino, his family, and friends.

The first chapter, rushes us across several summers of infancy - then he turns four. I don't recall him turning any other age, let alone, 8, but we are told that his father has been in America 8 years; either he is eight, or illegitimate. Subsequent chapters follow the seasons; Easter, Summer, Harvest, Christmas, etc. Upon the New year, the family will emigrate to America to join the father. At one point the year of 1905 is stated plainly.

The book follows the pattern of attempting to expose the reader to other European cultures that make up the American Salad. I want to avoid the idea of dullness; but would definitely advocate children reading this between 8 and 10, before they are addicted to adventure and action. It has a similar construction to Waterless Mountain; very mild and no particular character development. Also Nino seems to be a very thoughtful child that sees artistic beauty everywhere and is deeply moved by music.

A very average book by my standards. Not appalling, just not exceptional.

Mr Popper's Penguins
1939
148

I really needed to be younger to fully enjoy this. The silliness just overwhelmed me. I cannot really claim that I was fully transported into this book. Explorers mailing penguins that live in the refrigerator/ icebox; leaving all the windows open and letting snow in...

Hello The Boat
1939

North America
United States
Families
Riverboats
Westward Expansion
Ohio River
1817
Americana

227

Leader By Destiny
1939

North America
United States
Virginia
Biography
Presidents
George Washington
America's Founding
Americana
478

2024

Penn
1939

North America
United States
Pennsylvania
Biography
Colonial America
Quakers
Americana

298

I am finally, on my last book for the 1920's. Very Behind on my writing, though, as I have house-guests for an indeterminate period, and my life is in extreme disarray as far as habits and quiet places. The only 1920 honor book that seems unlikely to be read is: The Boy Who Was by Grace Hallock. So far it has been unfound. I will re-visit this attempt later.

On my last book for the year of 1930. That took so much more time than I expected. I am reading, regularly, but cannot seem to force myself to "plow" through the Newberys without cessation and breaks.

Have finished all the books of 1931- and am beginning the books of 1932.

I have only two books left for 1932; Fairy Circus, however, is unavailable. I will have to drive 10 hours round trip and read it at a library. Probably won't attempt this during winter.

Apprentice of Florence - 1934
Pageant of Chinese History - 1935
Davy Crockett - 1935
Young Walter Scott - 1936
All Sail Set - 1936
Phoebe Fairchild - 1937
Whistler's Van - 1937
The Golden Basket - 1937
Winterbound - 1937 - JAN 2024
Audubon - 1937
Pecos Bill - 1938
Bright Island - 1938 - FEB 2024
Nino - 1939
Hello The Boat - 1939
Leader By Destiny - 1939

Fifteen books left to complete the 1930's. I hope that these are completed by December. That is eight per month. This is do-able; but, I have not been as diligent as I should like.

FEB2024: did not finish by last year

Finally completed 1932 (except for one book that requires me to drive out of state).

Completed 1933

Completed 1934
Completed 1935
Completed 1936, 1937, 1938