Home/Newbery by Year/Newbery Title Index/Newbery Subject Index/Newbery Author Index

1962

Editor's Note: Many of the books are out of print. The header information will be as complete as I can make it.

The Bronze Bow by Elizabeth George Speare (Houghton-Mifflin, $12.80, seventh-grade level). ISBN: 0395877695.	The Medalist An angry young blacksmith yearns for Jewish freedom from the Roman yoke during the time of Christ. This is an interesting book but of limited appeal to young readers. It was daring for its time in the humanistic portrayal of Christ and the politics surrounding his activities. Now that I think of it, it would probably be more problematic nowadays because of the political/professional risks of dragging the topic of religion into the classroom. Be brave. Anyway, the historical accuracy of the work is valid after 40 years since its publication. Advanced sixth-graders could read this as part of their social studies curriculum.
Frontier Living by Edward Tunis (The Lyons Press, $18.95, fifth-grade level). ISBN: 1-58574-137-X.	Honor Book The author provides an encyclopedic look at the everyday life on the American frontier. Thank God this marvelous book is still in print. It should be required reading of all U.S. history teachers, no matter the grade level. Tunis explains in wonderful detail the nitty-gritty details of frontier life for the everyday folk. He makes passing reference to the larger movements of history but never veers from his focus. The level of detail is extraordinary, as are his illustrations, but never boring. That is in part because he has a wonderfully wry sense of humor.
The Golden Goblet by Eloise Jarvis McGraw (Econo-Clad, $12.25, sixth-grade level). ISBN: 0785794697.	Honor Book Story of a preteen boy who is abused by his step-brother, a vicious man and grave robber in ancient Egypt. The boy becomes a hero and is set on path to success after aiding the royal family. I used this novel with a bunch of high-achieving, some even gifted, sixth-graders, and they thought it was boring but historically accurate. I would agree with both parts of their assessment. The novel certainly fits into the social studies curriculum of sixth-grade. If you want a more current novel it can tie to, use Mara, Daughter of the Nile.
Belling the Tiger by Mary Stolz (third-grade level). ASIN: 00a60258632. Out of print	Honor Book Two shy mice go on a great adventure after being asked to bell a cat, only to end up belling a tiger. This is a wonderfully told tale that can be used to boost self-esteem in primary school kids. Many lessons on goal-setting, bullies and self-esteem can be mined from this story.

Copyright David Ross 2003