Newbery Medal Winner is awarded to the author of the most distinguished contribution to American Literature for children (looks at the quality of writing). This is the oldest award for children's books, beginning in 1922, in the United States. The award is named after John Newbery, a British publisher and bookseller of the eighteenth century.
The Boy Who Dared
By: Susan Campbell
Reviewer: Joseph Diefenthaler
Grade Level: 5-8
Reading Level: 4.9
The Boy Who Dared is a Newbery Honor book and is written in the time of Hitler. A young German boy, Helmet, isn't sure about everything that is going on in Germany and but knows he doensn't agree with it. It wasn't until his brother brings home a short wave radio that Helmet gets to hear what the British news reports and is saying about the war. Listening to the radio after hours is completely forbidden but he doesn't care even though it could be life or death. Realizing that the German's are lying to their people about the war, Helmet decides to write about the British news, go out after curfew and drop these papers all over the streets. After a short time, Helmet is caught and is being held for execution. It is a well writen book which keeps you on the edge of your seat.
The Graveyard Book
By: Neil Gaiman
Reviewer: Mike Slowinski
Grade Level: 7
Reading Level: 5.3
The Graveyard Book, by Neil Gaiman tells the story of Bod (short for Nobody), whose entire family was murdered when he was a baby. Before the murderer could get to the young child, he climbed out of his crib, crawled out the house, and wandered into the nearby graveyard. Soon, many of the ghosts of the old graveyard decided to adopt the infant and decided to call him "Bod." Raised by the ghosts, Bod learned much about both the physical world and mystical skills such as fading (the act of disappearing from view). As Bod grows up, he discovers the story behind his arrival in the graveyard, and his curiosity leads him to his ultimate confrontation with his family's killer. A very engaging read, The Graveyard Book brings alive every child's fantasy about ghosts. Bod's journey toward redemption and freedom is a page-turning adventure with all the ghouls, witches, and hounds of hell you can handle along the way!
The Mostly True Adventures of Homer P. Figg
By: Rodman Phibrick
Reviewer: Brandon Berrey
Grade Level: 3-6
Reading Level: 5.6
The luck of brothers Homer and Harold never seems to change. It is ALWAYS bad. Early in their young lives they were orphaned. As if that was not bad enough they were forced into the care of their horrible and hateful uncle. Being the older brother Harold always looked out for Homer until the day came when their uncle sold Harold into the Army. Finding out it was only a trick and Harold of too young Homer goes after Harold. Needless to say Homer is involved in many adventures through his trip. He meets a spy, a con artist, a smuggler, and even both sides of the Civil War. Does he ever find his brother and do they live happily ever after? Pick up the at your local library and find out.