When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead is the 2010 Newbery Award Winner! Yay! I’m so excited for Rebecca and this wonderful book. You can read my review here and learn a little more about why I think this is by far the best choice for the Newbery Award. There were also four Newbery Honor Awards given as well to the following books:

Claudette Colvin: Twice Toward Justice by Phillip M. Hoose, The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate by Jacqueline Kelly, Where the Mountain Meets the Moon by Grace Lin, and Mostly True Adventures of Homer P. Figg by Rodman Philbrick

The winners for the Newbery as well as many other awards, including the Caldecott Medal, were awarded early this morning. To see a list of all the other award recipients check out the ALA’s website.

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Yes, I know I tricked you all…tomorrow morning very early (well, early for me anyways 5 am) The American Library Association will be announcing this years Newbery Winner. It’s a very exciting time and you can even watch it live via the internet. I have my favorite, which I’ve already reviewed, but we’ll see if Rebecca Stead can pull it off!

Well, onto today’s topic, Lois Lowry. She is a two time Newbery Award winner. A feat which has only been accomplished by a total of five authors. Lowry originally won the Newbery for her work, Number the Stars in 1990. After receiving the award in 1990 she won it again for her novel The Giver.

Lowry is quoted on her website as saying, ” ‘The most distinguished contribution to American Literature for Children’ is what it says on the medal itself. Imagine how the author feels to have a book described like that! When the Committee called me in 1990 to tell me that Number the Stars had been awarded the medal, they found me at my desk, where I usually am. But in 1994, they couldn’t find me. I was in Antarctica! Eventually they reached me by sending a radiogram. So I was feeling on top of the world, though, technically speaking, I was actually at the bottom.”

Her contribution to children’s literature is astounding and I would go as far as saying she was one of the first authors to begin a venture into dystopian fiction. Although The Giver is not technically a dystopian novel, it has the beginnings of the thought process in so many of today’s popular young adult novels. And may very well be most readers first exposure to the genre.

As for The Giver itself, I highly recommend it. The main story revolves around the life of a young boy, Jonas, and the choice that is made for his life long career. How the decision is made and everything that follows after it changes not only him, but the “perfect” community in which he lives. It shows how one individual can have a lasting impact on an entire group of people just by the choices they make. Inspirational and one I would recommend even to young readers. Although, I will add that there are some very visual images that may be disturbing to someone very young, but well worth it, especially if they have a parent ready to discuss it with them.

The1stdaughter Recommends: Age 11 and up.

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Have a review of The Giver and/or other Lois Lowry titles? I’d love to read them! Link them up here:

Flash Burnout by L.K. Madigan

Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

Pages: 336

Age: Young Adult

Publishers Summary:

“First off, I need to say I’m shocked, really. All of the way through the book I wondered continually if the author was male or female. As you can see, if not intentionally, the first name of the author was left off the book and only the first to initials and last name were revealed (L.K. Madigan). Not until I was completely done with the book and preparing to write the review did I research about the author. Now, why am I shocked? Never in my mind would I have thought a female author could write from the viewpoint of a male character so well. This could be because not many of the books I read have a male character in the lead, but I was surprised and pleasantly so.

“Flash Burnout focuses on the life of a young high school boy, Blake, and the struggles he has balancing friendship and new love. How do you choose between a close friend with a troubled background and the girlfriend you’ve just told you love for the first time? It’s complicated and along the way Blake makes some somewhat juvenile mistakes as well as some other not so juvenile mistakes. He also shares with you his comedic ability and whit, which will keep you laughing even through the tough times in the book.

“What I found most interesting about Flash Burnout was viewing this time of life through his eyes. I know how things happened through my own eyes back in high school, but it was neat to see how similar it really was for a young man. Now I’m not going to say Blake was a saint by any means, in some ways he was very much a typical teenage boy with raging hormones and a one track mind eighty percent of the time. But there were times when you could see the depth of character he had, the concern for the people in his life and it wasn’t entirely driven by his desire to fulfill some carnal impulse he may have.

“All this being said, the book still had plenty of what I would think a ‘typical’ teenage male would think about. As a parent of a some day teenage boy, I’m thinking about possibly loaning him out during those years, just so I don’t have to think about it. (Not really! I’m only kidding.) With that, I would have to say I think this book is a tad bit too mature in content for someone under the age of sixteen. I’m not kidding myself here, I know teenagers tend to have one track minds. But as a parent I feel it’s irresponsible to condone this behavior by handing over a book full of it during a time when I feel it’s inappropriate. That’s just me, you may feel differently, and I’d actually be interested to hear what you think. Let me know.”

The1stdaughter’s When I Grow Up Recommendation: Age 16 and older.

Question for the comments:

“So, what do you think? When is it appropriate to suggest books containing questionable behavior to young people, should there be an age to keep in mind and why?”

Blog Name:  Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers
Blog URL: http://insatiablereaders.blogspot.com
Twitter Name:  GRgenius
Goodreads (and/or others):  GRgenius or GMR

When did you start your blog and why?

My blog came to life 05/18/09.  The initial reason to start my blog was to share my love of books and that remains my reason to this very day!  The idea came about when talking with a coworker and friend of mine (Bri, of brimeetsbooks.wordpress.com).  She had a book blog for quite some time and enjoyed the experience imensely.  I being a newbie to the blog world (hey, I didn’t even know exactly what one WAS for a while there), took the set up pointers and how-to’s from her and never looked back.

The name of my blog came to me actually when I was just goofing around….I was really trying to figure out something catchy to call it and it just popped in!  It worked well with my own feelings on reading and the desire to always have one on the back burner for my next read-in-progress.  The template design I came across in my quest to find something a little more….it’s one of the many freebie ones available on the web, if you are just willing to look (and not THAT handy with the html coding).  The books I review are a combination of my interests and whatever catches my eye at the time.  Most are books I own, although I do accept ARC and books for review….HOWEVER my policy on reviews clearly states I am not guaranteeing a glowing review!  My motto:  RESPECT THE EFFORT, IF NOT THE RESULT.  Just because I don’t care for a book does not mean someone else won’t love it.  While I will point out both good and bad, it’s up to my readers to decide what is truly right for them.  (Long winded….aren’t I….)

Tell us a little about yourself outside of your interest in books.

Outside of my interest in books, I am a human being.  (Sorry, couldn’t help myself…the question reminded me of that funny line that says something about it being too dark to read inside of a dog…)  No, but seriously….I’m pretty much a homebody, that is I split my time between work, family, and my pups (who are also family).  I enjoy reading (obviously), writing (sometimes….mostly moody poetry…helps to vent good and bad feelings), music, movies, and shopping (yep, typical girly activities).  A few random factoids…no, I am not originally from the South, moved down here from up North years ago as a child….no, I have not found Mr. Right nor know if that is the proverbial needle in the haystack venture….yes, I have a fairly decent memory when it comes to the right topics, ask me where something is in the book store, I probably know….and my love of music makes me the mini-jukebox of lyrics (if you look to your left and see someone driving while singing, that’d be me).  (Warned ya, long winded…)

Your favorite book from your youth and the story behind it.

My favorite book from my youth?  Ummm, I’m not certain I can pick just one!  I remember my mom reading to me when I was younger and then I just took over from there.  When thinking back to childhood memories of home, I can still remember the layout of my two favorite libraries.  Grant it they may have changed by now, and I know the one did as I discovered a year or two ago the roof came off in a major storm (THE HORROR!)….but they are always fond thoughts indeed.  How about I tell you of the first book I reviewed at my site?  The dubious honor of first review post went to the first book of a triology….The Forbidden Game by L.J. Smith.  It’s a really good series that I read for the first time in 9th grade I believe….my friend loaned me a copy and I was hooked.  Got the three pack as a present that very Christmas.  Here is the link for the review (but be kind, it was my first post….there is a learning curve with this blogging bit….): “An Oldie but a Goodie – The Forbidden Game by L.J. Smith”

“They always say you shouldn’t have favorites, well, I have a lot, but this is one’s at the top of the pile! Let me just start off by saying that the site is so much fun to look at, especially if you are at all inclined to like baked goods and books (which I do of course). Truly there are a wide variety of reviews, interviews, giveaways, book tours, you name it, and it’s always entertaining. You would be crazy not to click right over and get reading. Trust me you won’t regret it!”

Also, she’s currently hosting a giveaway for James Patterson’s New 7th Heaven until the 16th, so make sure you sign up!

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Trucks, Planes, and Trains

written and illustrated by Byron Barton

Published by HarperCollins Children’s Books

Each 34 Pages

Ages 3-7

Publishers Summary:

Trucks: The tow trucks, cement trucks, and newspaper delivery trucks pictured here all help people and will fascinate small children.

Planes: Children explore the many ways we use airplanes, from seaplanes to crop dusters to planes that write messages in the sky.

Trains: All aboard as the train journeys through a town, past workers repairing a rail and into the station.

These very simple picture books about transportation will delight the youngest, and have enough meat for older preschoolers and beginning readers.

The Turkeybird Speaks: “Now this is the part where I tell you to pull up a chair and your favorite snack so you can settle into a great book. Does it really get any better than trucks, planes, and trains? I would say not! They move, they have wheels, they go fast and they do all sorts of fun things. I especially liked reading my plane book when we traveled cross country to our new home. It was neat to look out the window and see the same sky that I was looking at in my book. These books are a must have for every home. Go get them!”

Mom’s Two Cents: “I have to agree with The Turkeybird and the publishers summary. We initially purchased the Trucks book when he was very little and it instantly became a favorite. Now that he is quite a bit older (at least two years have passed) he still picks them out of our full bookshelf. As he mentioned, we traveled by plane this last summer to move from the DC area to California and the Planes book was a huge hit! There are images of people getting on and off planes in the book and because of the small airport we initially left from, we were able to get aboard the plane just as they did in the book, which he loved! And though you would think these books wouldn’t appeal to girls, even The Littlebug picked the Plane book out yesterday as her book of choice.

“Now, onto the technical side of the book. What I, as a parent, really like about these books are the simple text and straight forward images. It’s not going to be the most beautiful book on your shelf, nor will the words be drawn out and elaborate, but it still holds an entertainment and educational value I can’t deny. Each page has between 3 to 5 words with a simple illustration demonstrating the text. For smaller kids it can often times be overwhelming to have a book filled with words and dramatic images, but these books though not elegant are still captivating. I highly recommend these books for beginning readers and even for older children who may need a respite between larger, more complicated books.”

These books were purchased for our home library.
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The Newbery Honor is granted each year to the “runner’s-up” of the Newbery Award recipient. It was officially changed from “Runner-Up” to Newbery Honor in 1971. These are books the committee feels are “worthy of attention”. Typically there are between 2 to 4 recipients, although there is no requirement that one be named at all.

Ramona and Her Father by Beverly Cleary illustrated by Tracy Dockray

Published by Harper Collins Childrens

208 pages

Ages 9-12

Publishers Summary:

The Maze Runner by James Dashner

Published by Delacorte Books for Young Readers on October 6, 2009

384 Pages

Ages: Young Adult

My reading age recommendation: Beginning at age 12 and up (due to violent acts).

Publishers Summary: When Thomas wakes up in the lift, the only thing he can remember is his first name. His memory is blank. But he’s not alone. When the lift’s doors open, Thomas finds himself surrounded by kids who welcome him to the Glade—a large, open expanse surrounded by stone walls.

Just like Thomas, the Gladers don’t know why or how they got to the Glade. All they know is that every morning the stone doors to the maze that surrounds them have opened. Every night they’ve closed tight. And every 30 days a new boy has been delivered in the lift.

Thomas was expected. But the next day, a girl is sent up—the first girl to ever arrive in the Glade. And more surprising yet is the message she delivers.

Thomas might be more important than he could ever guess. If only he could unlock the dark secrets buried within his mind.

When I initially sat down to read The Maze Runner, I thought it was going to be just like the many other dystopian novels that are popular now, but I was pleasantly surprised. Yes, it falls into the general category and meets all the criteria, but because the main setting of the book is apart from the actual “dystopia” you are able to experience so much more.

The environment in which the boys live in is idyllic, maintained, and very near perfect with one exception. Many of the boys remember nothing of their pasts or where they came from before entering The Glade. In what you would expect to be near chaos you find order and harmony. Never in my life would I have believed that a large group of boys with no outside guidance would chose the lifestyle in which they reside. But why not? Everything they need they are provided with, including the means to create the additional wants they may have. With one exception, the way out.

Only one thing stands in their way, the Grievers. It’s amazing the power one obstacle has over an individual or group of people, and The Gladers are no different than the rest of us. In the midst of their struggles to find the way beyond this obstacle and a way back to the past they are all seeking, a kink is thrown in, a girl is “delivered” to them. And thus begins the chaos.

Throughout all that occurs, from that point on, the central character, Thomas, shows that he’s just a little different from the rest of The Gladers. He won’t take the generic answers he’s given and is determined to change the circumstances they are trapped in. Using this determination and leadership he provides a way for them to unite and defeat the Maze they are all trapped in. He shows us all the ability to overcome our obstacles is not only possible, but a reality.

In the end I’m happy to say this is an amazing book with an original plot. The characters are genuine and will stay with you long after you’ve finished the book. It’s also exciting to read a book that I will one day be able to share with The Turkeybird. We need more books that boys can enjoy just as much as girls and this one doesn’t disappoint.  I highly recommend this book and can’t wait to read the future installments due out in the next few years.

This book was purchased for our home library.
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