NB1975

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1975

M.C. Higgins the Great by Virginia Hamilton ($8.95, Simon & Schuster, seventh-grade level). ISBN: 0689830742.

The Medalist

A backwoods boy comes of age as he has his first crush and later loses the hero worship he held for his father.

This is an odd book mainly because Hamilton gives us an interesting look at a segment of society that is all but ignored, i.e., rural blacks.

Hamilton's style can sometimes be too effusive, one might say obtuse, for many kids.

The theme of a boy breaking into teen-age years and acting for himself has universal appeal.

Figgs and Phantoms by Ellen Raskin ($5.39, Viking Paperback, fifth-grade level). ISBN: 0140329447.

Honor Book

The odd family of Figgs in the town of Pineapple act strange.

You will notice a theme that runs through my reviews of Raskin's work: I still have no clue why Raskin is popular and regarded with such critical acclaim. I think her books are seldom funny and hard to wade through.

This is another of her mystery stories. I guess you have to be clever to figure it out.

My Brother Sam is Dead by James Lincoln Collier and Christopher Collier ($13.60, Simon & Schuster, sixth-grade level). ISBN: 0027229807.

Honor Book

This story details the Revolutionary War experiences of a boy, whose family is Tory, in Connecticut.

His brother, an American soldier, is falsely accused by his own army of being a thief and is executed.

The novel clearly shows the horror and stupidity of war. Interesting because it shows the Tory and neutral sides to the war, two aspects of the war that are seldom addressed in elementary or middle-school history classes.

The Perilous Gard by Elizabeth Marie Pope ($16, Houghton-Mifflin, sixth-grade level). 0618169679.

Honor Book

A girl in medieval England becomes enmeshed in a mystery that involves her with a secret group of Druids living beneath a castle.

This is an exciting story despite the elements of a romance novel. The heroine is true to her time yet independent of mind and strong of spirit.

In some ways presages the later work of Karen Cushman, who won Newbery nods for Catherine, Called Birdy in 1995 and The Midwife's Apprentice in 1996.

Philip Halls Like, I Reckon Maybe by Bette Green ($12.40, Econo-Clad, fifth-grade level). 0808538713.

Honor Book

A bright, brave black girl living in rural Arkansas gets into and out of a mess of trouble.

This is a charming, pleasant book rich in humor. Kids and adults will chuckle over the escapades of young Beth Lambert.

This novel would make an excellent companion piece to Harris and Me by Gary Paulsen.

M.C. Higgins the Great by Virginia Hamilton ($8.95, Simon & Schuster, seventh-grade level). ISBN: 0689830742.	The Medalist A backwoods boy comes of age as he has his first crush and later loses the hero worship he held for his father. This is an odd book mainly because Hamilton gives us an interesting look at a segment of society that is all but ignored, i.e., rural blacks. Hamilton's style can sometimes be too effusive, one might say obtuse, for many kids. The theme of a boy breaking into teen-age years and acting for himself has universal appeal.
Figgs and Phantoms by Ellen Raskin ($5.39, Viking Paperback, fifth-grade level). ISBN: 0140329447.	Honor Book The odd family of Figgs in the town of Pineapple act strange. You will notice a theme that runs through my reviews of Raskin's work: I still have no clue why Raskin is popular and regarded with such critical acclaim. I think her books are seldom funny and hard to wade through. This is another of her mystery stories. I guess you have to be clever to figure it out.
My Brother Sam is Dead by James Lincoln Collier and Christopher Collier ($13.60, Simon & Schuster, sixth-grade level). ISBN: 0027229807.	Honor Book This story details the Revolutionary War experiences of a boy, whose family is Tory, in Connecticut. His brother, an American soldier, is falsely accused by his own army of being a thief and is executed. The novel clearly shows the horror and stupidity of war. Interesting because it shows the Tory and neutral sides to the war, two aspects of the war that are seldom addressed in elementary or middle-school history classes.
The Perilous Gard by Elizabeth Marie Pope ($16, Houghton-Mifflin, sixth-grade level). 0618169679.	Honor Book A girl in medieval England becomes enmeshed in a mystery that involves her with a secret group of Druids living beneath a castle. This is an exciting story despite the elements of a romance novel. The heroine is true to her time yet independent of mind and strong of spirit. In some ways presages the later work of Karen Cushman, who won Newbery nods for Catherine, Called Birdy in 1995 and The Midwife's Apprentice in 1996.
Philip Halls Like, I Reckon Maybe by Bette Green ($12.40, Econo-Clad, fifth-grade level). 0808538713.	Honor Book A bright, brave black girl living in rural Arkansas gets into and out of a mess of trouble. This is a charming, pleasant book rich in humor. Kids and adults will chuckle over the escapades of young Beth Lambert. This novel would make an excellent companion piece to Harris and Me by Gary Paulsen.