Reading the 20th Century discussion

Greetings


We're going earlier than usual with our March 2021 nominations thread to try and get it all agreed before Christmas

You are invited to nominate a 20th century children's book for us to read and discuss in March 2021

It could be an old favourite from your childhood, or one you've enjoyed with your own children or younger relatives, or maybe even one you've always fancied reading but never got round to.

Please supply the title, author, a brief synopsis, and anything else you'd like to mention about the book, and why you think it might make a good book to discuss.

Looking forward to seeing what we come up with

I'm wondering if this will be too niche but concluded that many might be attracted to it. We have briefly mentioned it in the Lissa Evans thread as it was the subject of a recent discussion on the Backlisted Podcast. It was also a big personal favourite when I was a child.


I nominate...

The Compleet Molesworth

by

Geoffrey Willans and Ronald Searle


The Compleet Molesworth tells of the trials and tribulations of Nigel Molesworth, a pupil at St Custards school, as any fule kno.

Part self help book it will also help the reader deal with "bulies, snekes, grown-ups and other chizzes"

As one Amazon reviewer eulogises...

What would a child of today make of Molesworth? Even when I was growing up, in the 1970s, this 1950s depiction of boarding schools felt dated. An arcane world of Latin, Trig, Chizz, etc. That said there's, something wonderful about N. Molesworth's comic musings. The splendid illustrations by Ronald Searle, the incessant misspellings, the ongoing fight against the teachers, and (my personal favourite) fotherington-tomas ("Hullo clouds hullo sky hullo sun"). It all evokes a lost world of canings, oiks, school caps, masters, bulies, gurls, cads, milksops, parents, the remnants of a classical education, and - of course - the skool dog.

Love that collage, Nigeyb - and definitely some childhood favourites there. I was obsessed with Black Beauty for some time, would literally finish it and go straight back to the start to read it again.

A few other prompts to get us in the mood: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, The Hobbit - and I've always thought Winnie-the-Pooh is wasted on kids!

I loved all the books you mention there RC. So much choice!

My childhood reading - so very long ago - included a lot of historical fiction. One that has stood the test of time (and has some even more excellent 'sequels') is by Rosemary Sutcliff.

Thanks Rosina


I don't know The Eagle of the Ninth by Rosemary Sutcliff

Thaks for mentioning it - I'm assuming it's not a nomination. Please let me know if I've got that wrong.

We haven't even mentioned Roald Dahl yet. Or Northern Lights by Philip Pullman. Or Paddington. I don't know how to pick just one nomination!

Nigeyb wrote: "Thanks Rosina


I don't know The Eagle of the Ninth by Rosemary Sutcliff

Thaks for mentioning it - I'm assuming it's not a nomination. Please let me know if I've got t..."

Sorry - I will nominate it, if that's all right.

It was made into a film "The Eagle" a few years ago, which had some plot changes that I thought didn't work well at all.

Thanks for clarifying Rosina. A splendid nomination 🤩

I loved Rosemary Sutcliff. Also I adored Enid Blyton, E. Nesbit, Richmal Crompton and so many others.

However, as this book begins in Spring, and this is a March book choice, I will nominate:

The Little Grey Men

The last four gnomes in Britain live on the banks of the bubbling Folly brook. They are perfectly happy with their quiet life, except, that is, for one . . . Cloudberry. Restless and longing for adventure, Cloudberry sets off to follow his dream. But when he doesn't return, the remaining gnomes must set off on their own adventure to find him. This is the story of the brothers' epic journey in search of Cloudberry and is set against the background of the English
countryside, beginning in spring, continuing through summer, and concluding in autumn, when the first frosts start to arrive. This enchanting tale was the winner of the prestigious Carnegie Medal and features the author's own beautiful illustrations throughout.

Another splendid nomination Susan - thank you


Nominations so far...

NIGEYB: The Compleet Molesworth by Geoffrey Willans and Ronald Searle
ROSINA: The Eagle of the Ninth by Rosemary Sutcliff
SUSAN: The Little Grey Men by B.B.

How wonderful we are nominating a children's book on the 80th anniversary of Puffin Books.

https://www.oxfordhomeschooling.co.uk....

Puffin was hatched in 1939 when Noel Carrington met Allen Lane for lunch and put to him an idea for a series of children’s non-fiction picture books. In just two minutes Allen Lane said Yes and so the Puffin list was born. The first picture books, published in 1940, were a great success and proved to Allen Lane that, with the right titles, the company had a fantastic future in children’s publishing. In 1941 the first Puffin storybook appeared, featuring a man with broomstick arms, called Worzel Gummidge.

Was anyone else a member of the Puffin Club?

Haha, as if we planned it! ;))

I just saw it on the news and thought how well it was timed! Apparently, Puffin started to provide cheap books for children during the war. Although I think most people relied on libraries then - I know my mother did and the librarian, where she was evacuated, allowed her to join using her London ticket :)

Susan wrote: "I loved Rosemary Sutcliff. Also I adored Enid Blyton, E. Nesbit, Richmal Crompton and so many others."

I haven't read Sutcliffe but the Just William books were hilarious! Enid Blyton - of course! I'm not sure how well they'd stand up to an adult reading, though, as I suspect they'll feel very snobbish with their patronising approach to working class kids who always seemed to drop their aitches and say things like 'Coo!'

My nomination is The Owl Service by Alan Garner which won the Carnegie Medal 1967 and the Guardian Children's Fiction prize 1968 - I found it haunting and beautifully oblique and elusive (before I knew those words!)

A 50th Anniversary Edition featuring a new introduction by Philip Pullman, THE OWL SERVICE is an all-time classic, combining mystery, adventure, history and a complex set of human relationships.

It all begins with the scratching in the ceiling. From the moment Alison discovers the dinner service in the attic, with its curious pattern of floral owls, a chain of events is set in progress that is to effect everybody’s lives.

Relentlessly, Alison, her step-brother Roger and Welsh boy Gwyn are drawn into the replay of a tragic Welsh legend – a modern drama played out against a background of ancient jealousies.

Great choice RC. Who doesn't love Alan Garner?

I was a founder member of the Puffin Club, Nigeyb, and still remember my membership number!

Wow. Founder member. I remember having the badge and being a member but cannot claim pioneer status.

I think it just means I'm old, Nigeyb. :)

That's fantastic, Judy. How wonderful to be a founder member :)

I never knew about the Puffin Club - am sure I would have been a member if I had. Just think, we might have all met as kids :)))

Presumably my parents heard about it somewhere and signed me up, so I can't claim any credit! RC, as you are younger, I think it may not have been around in your day.

I actually went to one or two real-life events the Puffin Club organised as well as entering competitions in the magazine and reading lots of Puffin books:)

Last call for nominations


Anyone else nominating?

Or thinking about it?


Nominations...

NIGEYB: The Compleet Molesworth by Geoffrey Willans and Ronald Searle
ROSINA: The Eagle of the Ninth by Rosemary Sutcliff
SUSAN: The Little Grey Men by B.B.
ROMAN CLODIA: The Owl Service by Alan Garner

I've decided I won't nominate this time as I'm very keen on a couple of the titles that have already been suggested - but I've had a wonderful time thinking about possibilities, including books by E. Nesbit, Noel Streatfeild and Joan Aiken (I love The Wolves of Willoughby Chase!)

I was also tempted by Tom's Midnight Garden, Charlotte Sometimes and The Borrowers, and The Saturdays and its sequels by Elizabeth Enright.

On the subject of Noel Streatfeild, if anyone else is a fan, I see that Puffin has confusingly now reprinted a lot of her children's books in the UK with the US titles - in the US many more of her books had the word "shoes" in the title, so for instance The Circus is Coming became Circus Shoes. Great to have the new editions but worth a check as to whether you are buying one you already have!

I agree, so much pleasure in recalling books I loved as a child, especially because they were read and reread constantly. I wonder at what point illustrations were dropped from books? Many of the images in my head are drawn from the pictures - even Enid Blyton had those pen drawings.

Another series I was obsessed with was Flambards which got quite 'grown up' towards the end.

I was expecting we might see some Enid Blyton action, or perhaps one of the Moomin books, or any number of childrens classics, anyway....

It appears we have all our nominations however I will wait a further 24 hours to be sure

By the by, my selection is also published as Molesworth and it readily available in paperback and kindle editions. The previous edition (The Compleet Molesworth) is only available second hand and is more expensive.


Nominations...

NIGEYB: Molesworth by Geoffrey Willans and Ronald Searle
ROSINA: The Eagle of the Ninth by Rosemary Sutcliff
SUSAN: The Little Grey Men by B.B.
ROMAN CLODIA: The Owl Service by Alan Garner

Spoilt for choice again, though The Little Grey Men is an all time favourite. I have been wondering about the Rosemary Sutcliff series too, ever since Slightly Foxed re-published them.

Yes, some great choices and good to see some love for BB!

Final, final, final call for nominations - poll is going up in a few hours....


Nominations...

NIGEYB: Molesworth by Geoffrey Willans and Ronald Searle
ROSINA: The Eagle of the Ninth by Rosemary Sutcliff
SUSAN: The Little Grey Men by B.B.
ROMAN CLODIA: The Owl Service by Alan Garner

Time to vote....


https://www.goodreads.com/poll/show/2...

I'm sorry to say I missed this discussion completely! But I have voted at least. I love children's books and read a lot of them. I read The Little Grey Men a few months back (maybe I heard of it from you Susan? Not sure.) Anyway it was wonderful. I keep hearing how good The Eagle of the Ninth is too. The Owl Service I've never heard of but I like the sound of it so I've added it to my list of possibilities. So in other words I don't mind which one wins really!

Good to hear you liked it, Sue :) I thought BB might be a bit niche, so am pleased he is proving to be quite popular and, like you, don't mind which wins, as they all sound excellent.

I loved The Little Grey Men and Down The Bright Stream a couple of years ago and wished I had come across them when I was little. I also loved the Brendon Chase series when it was on TV but never read it

E Nesbit is also an author I only found a couple of years ago. I think I must have gone from Enid Bylton to Agatha Christie missing out a lot of authors. Such a shame.

Still time to vote....


https://www.goodreads.com/poll/show/2...


Poll watch...

The Little Grey Men by B.B. - 5 votes, 38.5%
Molesworth by Geoffrey Willans and Ronald Searle - 3 votes, 23.1%
The Owl Service by Alan Garner - 3 votes, 23.1%
The Eagle of the Ninth by Rosemary Sutcliff - 2 votes, 15.4%

We have a winner....


https://www.goodreads.com/poll/show/2...

*The Little Grey Men by B.B. - 5 votes, 35.7%*

Molesworth by Geoffrey Willans and Ronald Searle - 4 votes, 28.6%
The Owl Service by Alan Garner - 3 votes, 21.4%
The Eagle of the Ninth by Rosemary Sutcliff - 2 votes, 14.3%

Thanks to everyone who discussed, nominated, voted and got involved

The last four gnomes in Britain live by a Warwickshire brook. But when one of them decides to go and explore and doesn't return, it's up to the remaining three to build a boat and set out to find him. This is the story of the gnomes' epic journey in search of Cloudberry and is set against the background of the English countryside, beginning in spring, continuing through summer, and concluding in autumn, when the first frosts are starting to arrive.

First published in 1942, this book is still fondly remembered and well-loved by readers everywhere.

See you in March 2021 for The Little Grey Men by B.B.

Thanks, Nigeyb. Very close and I wanted to read them all, but will look forward to revisiting this childhood favourite.

I'm excited to read this - not sure if I ever read it as a child, but I've heard a lot of good things about B.B..

I have very fond memories of my father reading this and Down The Bright Stream to us as children. We had no telly growing up, so summer was spent in tne woods or on tne river, and im winter my dad would read us books. This one, The Hobbit, or There and Back Again and The Lord of the Rings are the ones that stand out to me.

Tania wrote: "I have very fond memories of my father reading this and Down The Bright Stream to us as children. We had no telly growing up, so summer was spent in tne woods or on the river, and im..."

What lovely memories Tania.

Yes, thank you for sharing, Tania :)