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1984

Dear Mr. Henshaw by Beverly Cleary (William Morrow, $12.76, fourth-grade level). ISBN: 068802405X.	The Medalist A boy begins writing in second grade to an author and then develops as a writer though his letters, the advice the author gives him, and a journal he keeps. This is one of the most powerful lessons about writing in the Newbery canon. I can't think of a better way to teach youngsters how to polish their writing skills than to introduce them to this book. The novel also provides a strong lesson about the cathartic value of writing. The boy gives voice to the difficulty he's having with his parents' divorce, gaining some peace in the process.
The Sign of the Beaver by Elizabeth George Speare (Houghton Mifflin, $12.80, fifth-grade level). ISBN: 0395338905.	Honor Book A boy fends for himself in his family's cabin in New England circa 1785 and is befriended by local Indians. This book provides students U.S. colonial history with a fair sampling of information. Fans of survival stories will enjoy the outdoor aspects, too. Speare takes a shot at racism as found in Robinson Crusoe. Good history, good survival lore. She acknowledges in passing the destruction caused by the coming of the white man. This is a fast-paced, exciting book.
A Solitary Blue by Cynthia Voigt (Atheneum, $14.40, sixth-grade level). ISBN: 0689310080.	Honor Book A boy learns to love his disparate, separated parents as well as a girl who adds sparkle to his life. This involves some of the main characters from  Dicey's Song, her other Newbery winner. As such, it's rich in emotion, too much so for my tastes. It reads, as is usually the case with Voigt, like a thoughtful romance novel for teens.
Sugaring Time by Kathryn Lasky (Econo-Clad, $13.55, fourth-grade level). ISBN: 0808584456.	Honor Book A Vermont family enacts its annual ritual of harvesting maple syrup from its trees. This is an odd book because it doesn't fit the traditional style for Newberys. The story is told in quite lyrical text by Lasky, who is more noted for her historical fiction. The black-and-white photos that support the text are wonderful.
The Wish Giver by Bill Britain (HarperCollins, $15.89, fifth-grade level). ISBN: 006020687X.	Honor Book Three youngsters are given their fondest wish only to find that such gifts come with high and unexpected price tags. This would be a wonderful book to read aloud in class. The folksy rhythm, sly humor and moral lessons will easily create a rapt audience. There is an eerie side to the book, but fortunately it remains subdued.

Copyright David Ross 2003