1998 - Out of the Dust

Dates read: Aug 2010
Read or listened to: Read
Pages: 240 pp.
Rating: ●●●●○

This was another book that I had avoided reading because of the poetry. It turned out to be very good. I finished it in the tent on the camping trip. (That says something because, for various reasons, I think that reading in a tent is a pain.)

One of the strong points of Out of the Dust, among others, was the establishment of setting. I have heard of the Oklahoma dust bowls, but knew little or nothing about them. As I read this book, I saw, felt, smelled and tasted the dust everywhere. Despite all her intense hardships and deep challenges, Billie Jo comes to realize the value of home.

1984 - Dear Mr. Henshaw

Dates read: Aug 2010
Read or listened to: Read
Pages: 134 pp.
Rating: ●●●●○

I read this book a couple times in (many) years past. I didn't like it then. I thought it was cheesy or a bit flat (everything was wrong in the kid's life and no one lives like that). I wonder if it was because the theme of divorce (not that that is the only theme in the book) seemed to be discussed frequently. Fortunately, it wasn't something I had to deal with.

This reading was different. Now, the book does appear to be written for the 9-12 crowd, but with that in mind, I really enjoyed it. Leigh dealt with real problems and concerns - some of which I, even as an adult, can relate to and many others that my life experiences have helped me to understand second hand.

It was written for a young audience and perhaps that is refreshing for a Newbery since it seems that so many of them are being written for older (even adult) audiences under the mask of children's or young adult literature.

1989 - Joyful Noise: Poems for Two Voices by Paul Fleischman

Dates read: Aug 2010
Read or listened to: Read
Pages: 44 pp.
Rating: ●●●●○

I am not a "poetry person" (whatever that means). I am not sure what my expectations were. But, honestly, it was delightful. The book is written in two columns. It is meant to be read aloud by two people - each reading a column, "the two parts meshing as in a musical duet". If I taught 5th or 6th grade, this would be a wonderful exercise in poetry performance.

My favorite poem was probably Water Striders. I was fascinated with water skeeters growing up so I didn't have any problems hearing the bugs telling me of their experiences.

I thought that Honeybees was a great contrast in the jobs and roles of the different bees in the colonies. Could this evolve into a discussion on classes in our society?

I got dizzy just reading Whirligig Beetles.

I never realized that the word "cricket" is a type of onomatopoeia for the sound a cricket makes until I read this. (I must admit I read it silently - in about 15 minutes, no less - and I could still hear the crickets in my head.)

1980 - A Gathering of Days: A New England Journal, 1830-1832

Dates read: August 2010
Read or listened to: Read
Pages: 144 pp.
●●●○○

I enjoyed this book, but it wasn't until the last half that I really got into it. The first half dragged a bit but it was enough to keep me going.

A few things I enjoyed:

• I liked the 19th century language - "'tis this and 'tis that". Any time I am reading a different dialect it takes a bit of getting used to, but it really added to the authenticity.
• On the back of the book, I found the following quote from the School Library Journal:

"Her characters are truly of their times, not the 1970s' sensibilities masquerading in 1830s' homespun, and old-fashioned in the best sense of the word--principaled."

I found it true that the principals of the characters appeared very authentic to their time period. Oftentimes we read of characters with modern qualities thrown into the historical time period.

• "Thus it now appears to me that trust, and not submission, defines obedience. (p. 139)" In a gospel sense, we are more blessed for trusting the Lord - that His commandments are for our good - than just complying (often resentfully).