
Home/Newbery by Year/Newbery Title Index/Newbery Subject Index/Newbery Author Index
1973
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Julie of the Wolves by Jean Craighead George ($9.95, HarperCollins, fifth-grade level). ISBN: 0060219432. |
The Medalist An orphaned 13-year-old, married early in the Eskimo tradition, run away from her village and becomes lost in the Alaskan tundra. She becomes, amazingly, a member of a wolf pack. This is a wonderful story on many levels. There is of course intense commentary on the role of women in society. The author provides powerful insights into multicultural children. Julie is the protagonist's white name; Miyax is her Eskimo name. As such, she's torn between two ways of life. The book can be read strictly as an adventure story but there is so much more here. |
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Frog and Toad Together by Arnold Lobel ($12.76, HarperCollins, second-grade level). ISBN: 006023959X. |
Honor Book Frog and Toad are best friends. They learn together how to plant, how to be brave, how to have will power. This is a funny book, so typical of Lobel's gentle style. The collection includes marvelous lessons about friendship and sharing. |
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The Upstairs Room by Johanna Weiss ($12.76, Ty Crowell Co., sixth-grade level). ISBN: 0690851278. |
Honor Book A Dutch-Jewish girl and her family are split between gentile families who hide them for years during World War II. I don't know how to say this nicely, which isn't my style anyway: This is a moron's version of The Diary of Anne Frank. Kids, however, will find it easier to read and absorb. |
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The Witches of Worm by Zilpha Keatley Sndyer ($17, Atheneum, fifth-grade level). ISBN: 0689300662. |
Honor Book A lonely girl befriends an ugly cat she comes to believe is possessed by the spirit of an evil witch. This is an exciting, eerie tale. Darker than usual for Snyder, who traditionally focuses on the lighter aspect of childhood role playing. The Doll Who Knew the Future would be an excellent companion piece. |
Copyright David Ross 2003