The Passing of a Legend

Posted by on Feb 15, 2010 in dish | 0 comments Yesterday brought the sad news that one of my all-time favorite authors, Dick Francis, passed away at the age of 89. I’ve blogged about my Francis Fangirl status at length–and seriously, if you love mystery and you haven’t read any of his books, you’re cheating yourself of a treat–but today is a wee celebration of his life and work.Francis, a former steeplechase...
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Newbery Update: 1970s

Posted by on Jan 1, 2010 in dish | 0 comments These books are my childhood! I started first grade in 1970, so these books were all published with me in mind (I started reading early). Wonder how many of them hold up better than bell bottoms and disco?Sounder by William H. Armstrong – xxxSummer of the Swans by Betsy Byars – xxxMrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH by Robert C. O’Brien – xxxJulie of the Wolves by Jean...
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Newbery Update: 1980s

Posted by on Jan 1, 2010 in dish | 0 comments These are the transition books, the last ones of my childhood and the first of my teaching career.A Gathering of Days: A New England Girl’s Journal by Joan W. Blos – xxxJacob Have I Loved by Katherine Paterson – xxxA Visit to William Blake’s Inn by Nancy Willard – Interesting this was the Newbery choice the year I began college and studied (and fell in love with)...
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Newbery Update: 1990s

Posted by on Jan 1, 2010 in dish | 0 comments These are the books I first reviewed with teacher eyes rather than reader eyes. Interestingly enough, you discover that good writing doesn’t really have an age limit.Number the Stars by Lois Lowry – xxxManiac Magee by Jerry Spinelli – xxxShiloh by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor – Frack fell in love with this book when her second grade teacher read it to the class, prompting a...
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Newbery Update: 2000s

Posted by on Jan 1, 2010 in dish | 0 comments The end of the journey at last! These are the most recent ten books awarded the Newbery Medal, not counting this year’s winner, xxx by xxx. (comment on it later??)Bud, Not Buddy by Christopher Paul Curtis – xxxA Year Down Yonder by Richard Peck – xxxA Single Shard by Linda Sue Park – xxxCrispin: The Cross of Lead by Avi – xxxThe Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo...
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