A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle

It was a dark and stormy night; Meg Murry, her small brother Charles Wallace, and her mother had come down to the kitchen for a midnight snack when they were upset by the arrival of a most disturbing stranger.

"Wild nights are my glory," the unearthly stranger told them. "I just got caught in a downdraft and blown off course. Let me sit down for a moment, and then I'll be on my way. Speaking of ways, by the way, there is such a thing as a tesseract."

A tesseract (in case the reader doesn't know) is a wrinkle in time. To tell more would rob the reader of the enjoyment of Miss L'Engle's unusual book. A Wrinkle in Time, winner of the Newbery Medal in 1963, is the story of the adventures in space and time of Meg, Charles Wallace, and Calvin O'Keefe (athlete, student, and one of the most popular boys in high school). They are in search of Meg's father, a scientist who disappeared while engaged in secret work for the government on the tesseract problem.

Continuing my quest to read Newbery Award winners I read this 1963 Winner. It was a quick easy read, mostly because I wanted to see if Meg and Charles would find their father, did they? You will have to read for yourself.

Though science fiction is not my thing (I think I have mentioned that before), I did enjoy this one, it had just the right amount of science fiction. I loved the characters and each one so different, Meg is the protagonist, but I gotta say I loved her little brother Charles Wallace, he was just a little quirky (reminded me of one of my kids). Even Mrs. Whatsit, Mrs. Who and Mrs. Which added so much to the story. There was also a mother and twin siblings left a home, but hopefully we will see more them in the 3 sequels that are out.

This book added to Where Are You Reading?

The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo

Welcome to the story of Despereaux Tilling, a mouse who is in love with music, stories, and a princess named Pea. It is also the story of a rat called Roscuro, who lives in the darkness and covets a world filled with light. And it is the story of Miggery Sow, a slow-witted serving girl who harbors a simple, impossible wish. These three characters are about to embark on a journey that will lead them down into a horrible dungeon,up into a glittering castle, and, ultimately, into each other's lives. What happens then? As Kate DiCamillo would say: Reader, it is your destiny to find out.

I have wanted to read this 2004 John Newbery Medal Winner for so long. I found this lovely illustrated hardcover at my local Value Village (like a Goodwill) and it just had to come home with me.

Another book that I enjoyed, it had that fairy tale quality that I love. The words just flowed, the writer has a real talent here. Who couldn't help feeling for little Despereaux the 2 oz mouse, or Pea the princess, Mig with her cauliflower ears and even Roscuro the rat (well kinda). However there is some parts that might frighten little ones - Mig being sold my her father and beaten by her 'owner'. Despereaux basically rejected by his family because of his size. Do the four get their 'happy ever after' in the end, well I guess you will have to read the book to find out.

Abel's Island by William Steig

Abel's Island by William Steig is one of the 1977 Honor Award Winner.

One summer day, newlywed mice Abel and Amanda are out for a picnic in the woods when they are caught in a sudden storm--a "full-fledged, screaming hurricane" to be precise. As they take refuge in a cave, a wind scoops up Amanda's scarf, and Abel foolishly lunges from safety to retrieve it. So begins William Steig's Newbery Honor Book Abel's Island, the ensuing adventures of this rather foppish mouse as he comes head to head with nature. Amazingly, Abel is swept up in a stream, then a river, then eventually marooned on an island (about 12,000 tails long). He is sure that his rescue is imminent: "It's certainly gotten around that Abelard Hassam di Chirico Flint, of the Mossville Flints, is missing," the society mouse speculates. But he is not so lucky. What will this intelligent, imaginative rodent do to get off the island and back to his beloved Amanda? He busies himself with finding ways to get to shore (including bridges, boats, catapults, stepping stones, and gliders); figuring out what he should eat (everything from mulberries to roasted seeds); and investigating where he should take shelter (in a rotten log). As the weeks and months go by, he misses his books, his paintings, his comfortable stuffed chair, his stylish clothes (now damp, torn, and lumpy), but above all his precious wife Amanda, whom he thinks about constantly. As the mouse faces his new life Robinson Crusoe-style, Abel discovers what it's like to be in tune with the natural world as well as his true nature, and what it's like to return, fortified, to his real home and to the arms of the one he loves. Along the way, readers can't help but rediscover the joys of being alive. (Ages 8 and older, but an engaging read-aloud for younger children, too)

This is a charming book and I loved it. Can't wait one day to read it chapter by chapter to one of my grandkids. The writing style by the author I really liked. The story flowed smoothly throughout the book. I felt compassion for Abel, missing his wife and all the comforts from home. It was a great learning lesson for Abel to figure out how to survive on his own and to show that no matter the situation you are in, you can survive if you want to.

Kira-Kira by Cynthia Kadohata

This was the 2005 Newbery Winner. Kira-Kira by Cynthia Kadohata, I started this book with no idea what it was about. It was an honest story, told my Katie a 10 year old girl. It follows life with her sister Lynn, her parents and little brother. Life is not easy, there was laughter and tears in this heartbreaking story.

I enjoyed and will be sure to look for more from this author.

When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead

This is the 2010 Newbery Winner, When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead

“I am coming to save your friends life, and my own. I ask two favors. First, you must write me a letter”
That’s the letter that Miranda receives first and they keep coming.

I wasn’t really sure what to expect with this book, especially being the Newbery Winner for this year. I enjoyed the story, the characters were good, though a couple could have been developed more. There was mystery, suspense, a good story all round. Left me wondering how it was going to end and I was happy with that. My only disappointment was that Miranda had a favorite book, also a Newbery winner, A Wrinkle in Time, which pretty well gave away the story and ending. I haven’t read it yet, in fact I am awaiting its arrival via the postman and it is part of my February reading .

I have started a Project Newbery. I would like to read all the winning books and the honor as well. It might take away, but thats okay. So far 2 down and lot more to go. :))

The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman

Winner of the 2009 John Newbery award.

This is the first time I have read Neil Gaiman, he writes both youth and adult fiction. I will most likely read some of his adult works, he is an interesting author and I like his style.

I am not good at writing book reviews, hopefully the more that I do, the better I become.

This is a fantasy, which is a new genre to me. I have to remind of something that I read while I took my Intro to Children's Lit course "The writer of fantasy creates another world for characters and readers, asking that readers believe this other world could and does exist within the framework of the book. The acceptance of this other world requires of the writer an ability to make the imaginary universe so credible that we wish it were all true. for sheer pleasure we believe" (from A Critical Handbook of Children's Literature by Rebecca J. Lukens)

Nobody Owens was raised in the graveyard, kinda reminds me of The Jungle Book (which I have never read and might read now). One of the things I loved about this book was what was written on the tombstones.

Miss Letita Borrows, Spinister of this Parish "Who Did No Harm to No Man all the Dais of Her Life. Reader, Can You Say Lykewise?"

Digby Poole "As I Am So Shall You Be

Joji G Shoji " I was a stranger and you took me in" pg 48

There were others that I can not remember (of course). I would love to see a sequel to this book, the ending has left that possibility open and I have grown fond of Nobody Owens