Hey, Old Friends
We know the odds of repeat Newbery recognition are slim (the percentage of repeat winners in the past 5 years ranges from 20%-50%) and the odds of repeating for a sequel are slimmer still–in fact, limited only to Lloyd Alexander, Susan Cooper, Robin McKinley, Cynthia Voigt, and Richard Peck. And yet we cannot help but be drawn to the possibility, especially when we enjoyed the first books so much.
THE BAMBOO SWORD by Margi Preus . . . I haven’t seen this one yet, but this sequel to HEART OF A SAMURAI doesn’t publish until September 15th. In a starred review, Kirkus writes: Thanks to the lively, warm, and witty storyteller’s voice and the vivid, sensuous depictions of the katana swish and kimono swirl of 19th-century Japan, readers will feel immersed in this tumultuous time in Japanese history. . . Preus spins another suspenseful swashbuckler starring a Japanese boy who finds himself caught between cultures.
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THE CURIOUS WORLD OF CALPURNIA TATE by Jacqueline Kelly . . . The sequel to THE EVOLUTION OF CALPURNIA TATE has four starred reviews. I wasn’t the biggest fan of the first one (largely because of the slow pace), so I wanted to listen to this one on audiobook, but I’m finding it hard to get into. I may have to come back to the physical book on this one. In a starred review, Booklist writes: The novel offers many pleasures, from its well-realized setting to its vividly portrayed characters, but the most irresistible is Callie’s wry, observant narration. Readers will flock to this sequel for the pleasure of revisiting this beloved character and her world.
GONE CRAZY IN ALABAMA by Rita Williams-Garcia . . . The final book in this trilogy which began with ONE CRAZY SUMMER was a pleasure to listen to on audiobook. In a starred review, School Library Journal writes: Much of the narrative includes backstory from the previous titles, which is important for context, though new readers will want to read the previous books to fully appreciate this novel. This final installment is rich in atmosphere and clearly conveys the sisters’ distinct personalities, their loyalty to one another, and their special place in their complex family.
THE ODDS OF GETTING EVEN by Sheila Turnage . . . Another one I haven’t seen, but then this sequel to THREE TIMES LUCKY doesn’t publish until October 6th. It already has a pair of starred reviews, though, with the possibility of even more forthcoming. In one of those, Kirkus writes: The fun is in the telling, and Turnage’s telling shows alacrity as well as aplomb. The author gracefully weaves a laundry list of characters with a plot that has a lot of moving pieces, and she does it with charm and humor, hitting the sweet spot for young readers searching for more-complex tales but not ready to leave the silly behind.
PRINCESS ACADEMY: THE FORGOTTEN SISTERS by Shannon Hale . . . I have a special affinity for PRINCESS ACADEMY since that was my committee, so it’s kind of hard for me to be objective about the sequels. I liked PALACE OF STONE, but I like FORGOTTEN SISTERS even more. I’m surprised by the just a lone starred review from Booklist: Action-packed and well paced, the story’s depth incorporates artful negotiation, the importance of education, and citizens’ equality and rights. This final installment of the Princess Academy trilogy certainly leaves room for more books if Hale were so inclined. Won’t she reconsider?
SWITCH by Ingrid Law . . . I have this one, but haven’t taken a shot at it yet. It’s the one with the least amount of buzz. School Library Journal writes: Law’s signature writing style is evident in her third story; whimsical word patterns dance around her savvy characters. Gypsy and her family seem to be in constant, unusual motion, rather like a Willy Wonka elevator. And, much like authors Deborah Wiles or Patricia Reilly Giff, Law contrasts warm family support with personal despair and hardship, nicely balancing her dramatic action with stability and optimism.
Some of these titles may get individual attention a bit later in the season; for others, this may be their shot at Heavy Medal glory. Which ones deserve a closer look?
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About Jonathan Hunt
Jonathan Hunt is the Coordinator of Library Media Services at the San Diego County Office of Education. He served on the 2006 Newbery committee, and has also judged the Caldecott Medal, the Printz Award, the Boston Globe-Horn Book Awards, and the Los Angeles Times Book Prize. You can reach him at hunt_yellow@yahoo.com
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Bonus points for those who can reference the song lyric of the title. 😉
“Old Friends” from Sondheim’s Merrily We Roll Along, and now I can’t get it out of my head!
Yes, indeed! And here’s a follow-up question: Can you name the current children’s book author who was in the original cast of MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG?
Maryrose Wood? By way Google.
Right again! She is the author of the INCORRIGIBLE CHILDREN OF ASHTON PLACE (which I think was also the illustration debut of Jon Klassen, if I’m not mistaken). My, I’m feeling very Peter Sieruta-ish today. 🙂
That is very very cool! Now when I read about the Incorrigible Children, I’ll have the Merrily score in my head.
I enjoyed SWITCH for the fun ride that it was, but it didn’t hold up (for me at least) to SAVVY. I thought Mibs’s voice in the original was much stronger (though I haven’t read it for several years, so that might be memory giving it a golden haze). The plotting wasn’t as strong in this one. Granted that I’m an adult reader, but from the moment Gypsy had her vision I correctly predicted pretty much every detail of how the vision would resolve itself, I figured out immediately what the connection between the awake people was, and was generally always several steps ahead. Sometimes the author wants us to be clued in to things the main character doesn’t notice, but that wasn’t the vibe I was getting here, I felt as if the resolutions to several things were supposed to be revelations. (Many of which probably would come as total surprises to younger readers, who are, after all, the target audience.)
There were also a lot of things that seemed arbitrary plot wise. The switch itself is never explained, yet no one seems particularly concerned, and I thought that weakened the world-building a little. I accept that they all have strange powers, but I want consistency in their manifestation.
However, lest I sound too harsh, I really did have fun reading the book and would recommend it, especially to those who enjoyed the first two. I just wouldn’t expect to see it on awards day.
I really loved GONE CRAZY IN ALABAMA. It had the feeling of a family saga and brought new elements into the story. I didn’t feel that the previous books were essential to appreciating this one.
As for THE FORGOTTEN SISTERS, I’m such a Shannon Hale fan, I have no perspective. I’ll *always* be happy if one of her books win (and will always feel that GOOSE GIRL and BOOK OF A THOUSAND DAYS were robbed). However, I’m not sure I’d be great at making a case for this one. It’s been awhile since I read it, though.
I’ve only read CALPURNIA and GONE CRAZY. I wasn’t crazy about the new Gaither Sister book until Cecile showed up. I felt the back family story mucked up time with the girls and was more annoyed than interested in who’s wife was who’s way back in the day. I kind of feel that Cecile will always be the most interesting character in room when it comes to that family. Her letters in the second book are my favorite part of the trilogy.
I found the writing in CALPURNIA to be just as strong in the second book. The setting is fantastically painted, the characters vivid, and the use of language intoxicating. When it comes to plot however, if you are looking for a rip-roarer – look elsewhere. I find it played out more like separate vignettes strung together with an unperceptible thread. Much like Beverly Cleary’s books.
Best 2015 sequel that I’ve read so far, The Penderwicks in Spring. I know Jeanne Birdsall doesn’t have a newbury (just an NBA) but maybe this is the year.
*Newbery – oops :-$
I can get on board with a Penderwick Newbery. I found the newest flawless.
Absolutely agree, and I hope we get a separate post on it later!
Jonathan, something about the examples you used at the beginning. Am I wrong, or didn’t the earlier published book get an honor with a medal coming to the later book in the series? Very interesting. I will go on record and declare that is still fine if the final Clementine gets the medal, although the predecessors were grievously overlooked.
I thought GONE CRAZY, THE FORGOTTEN SISTERS, and especially THE PENDERWICKS IN SPRING were all strong enough and stand-alone enough to be in the medal discussion. Haven’t read the rest yet (Calpurnia’s on my shelf, didn’t know about the others).
I really like GONE CRAZY, perhaps more than the two previous titles.
I read FORGOTTEN SISTERS ages ago and it’s great. I liked it more than PALACE OF STONE but would need to reread to say anything useful here.
Though I still enjoy Calpurnia’s voice and I thought this was a great example of a successful episodic novel, I thought all the stuff with the dog seemed really forced and not very interesting compared to everything else that was happening in Calpurnia’s life.
BAMBOO SWORD has been on my shelf since annual but hasn’t made it to the to-read pile yet. I did read Preus’s mystery novel ENCHANTMENT LAKE and loved it, but it’s probably too old for newbery consideration and to tame for Printz consideration. (though if you serve any fans of mysteries it would be an easy hand sell).
I’ll echo others above with my total love of PENDERWICKS IN SPRING and the final CLEMENTINE (I’ll save my gushing for their hopefully forthcoming individual posts).
Hey we all agree!
GONE CRAZY– I liked it but I don’t think it wins head-to-head against THE PENDERWICKS IN SPRING. The most distinguished part is its successful and vivid depiction of the effect of generation and upbringing on each individual of the extended family. I think this is approximately what DaNae wrote above about not being crazy for the book until Cecile showed up. Except I would expand this to include the arrival of their father and stepmom.
FORGOTTEN SISTERS – One of the most enjoyable books I read this year. And I say this as someone who did not love PRINCESS ACADEMY and skipped PALACE OF STONE. Is it enough? It’s a little slippery to discuss.
CALPURNIA – Loved it. Better, richer, and subtler than the first. It may seem episodic and the thread connecting them may seem, as DaNae says, imperceptible, but it’s definitely there. Looking forward to the next one. Bonus points for an honest appreciation of science — other books that try this seem crude in comparison. That said, I just started THE HIRED GIRL which so far seems to have a lot of similarities and is better written from a pure prose standpoint. It will be interesting to compare the two head-to-head.
I agree, Leonard – honest appreciation of science in an effective way is to be commended! I am also reading THE HIRED GIRL – and finding it very hard to put down .Such beautiful prose is rare in any book, let alone those we are considering. It will be interesting to compare the two!
I get impatient with some of these writers that I think deserve more Newbery recognition because I think they are more likely to win by writing a non-series book. Shannon Hale, for example. I think BOOK OF A THOUSAND DAYS is her only standalone book now. Also, I’d love to see what Rita Williams-Garcia does after three books about the Gaither sisters . . .
I’m not sure that everyone has seen this news yet, but Kadir Nelson will re-illustrate the covers of all the Mildred Taylor books, including LOGAN, the forthcoming final book in the series. I’d begun to despair that we would ever see LOGAN as I’ve been reading about it for a decade now, and THE LAND came out in, what, 2001? I’m so excited I can barely contain myself!
http://www.cbcbooks.org/mildred-d-taylors-roll-of-thunder-hear-my-cry-celebrates-40th-anniversary-in-2016/#.VgVp3-tjrA4
Oh, Jonathan — thanks for the good news! I, too, had despaired of ever seeing the final book in this truly outstanding series. AND with Kadir Nelson covers – perfection! Three cheers and I hope we will be discussing it next Mock Newbery season!!
And now I see that won’t happen until 2017 — boo!