Children's Books discussion

Come join us to discuss the Medal Winner,
A Year Down Yonder by Richard Peck

and/or the Honor books:
Hope Was Here by Joan Bauer
Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamillo
Joey Pigza Loses Control by Jack Gantos
The Wanderer by Sharon Creech (look for the illustrated edition)

Lots to choose from, and a variety; I hope to see some of your thoughts on some of these titles. I have read them all before, but apparently before I was on goodreads because I don't see my reviews.

I'll have to read Bauer's as an ebook, either Libby/Overdrive or openlibrary. Gantos is even harder for me to find, ebook on my mother's card, or audiobook. Even Creech's is only ebook OKC only.

I did happen to find DiCamillo's in the local LFL yesterday, so yay, And I was able to request Peck's locally just now.

Point being, if you want to read any of these, do start checking for availability to you asap!

I loved the Grandma Dowdel stories A Year Down Yonder. They made the long bus commute to school fun. Grandma cracks me up.

Because of Winn-Dixie Don't worry, it's not one of THOSE books. Winn Dixie is adorable and India Opal a good narrator. The folksy voice takes a little getting used to. The story is sweet and heartwarming. It does contain some sensitive content but readers should not be deterred as it is only hinted at and age appropriate. Niece #1 read it in school several years ago and gave me a copy. I read it when it was first published but reread it for Banned Books Week (before things got crazy with M4L, etc.) and enjoyed it a lot.

What do you mean, "one of THOSE books" ?

I, personally, cared for A Year Down Yonder only to the point of three stars. I almost get the appeal, but it's just not quite either heartwarming or humorous for me. At least it's better than A Long Way from Chicago."

I did find it interesting that Mary Alice takes Grandma as her mentor so much that (view spoiler)[ her 'Newsy Notes' are the kind of thing that Grandma would do (hide spoiler)].

Cheryl wrote: "What do you mean, "one of THOSE books" ?"
It's a phrase people use to describe plots where (view spoiler)[the dog dies. (hide spoiler)] Winn-Dixie is not one of THOSE books!

Ok, gotcha, thanks. :)

Ok, I'll give Because of Winn-Dixie two stars. I can see the appeal, and the value. In my personal opinion, it's saccharine, predictable, cliched. But that's probably just because I've read hundreds of books like it.

But does your edition have an updated book for Opal to read to Gloria?
'When I wrote this story more than twenty years ago, I gave Opal and Gloria Dump a classic novel of the South to share: Gone with the Wind. But when I reread Because of Winn-Dixie in preparation for this anniversary edition, I found it painful to see Opal and Gloria Dump sitting together, side by side, reading from a book that I cannot in good conscience recommend to my readers. I am grateful for this chance to give Opal and Gloria Dump a different book to share--a book that, while it is not perfect, does not diminish either one's humanity.'"

Cheryl wrote: "But does your edition have an updated book for Opal to read to Gloria?
'When I wrote this story more than twenty years ago, I gave Opal and Gloria Dump a classic novel of the South to share: Gone w..."

I think the one my niece gave me does but I first read the original edition.

The new one has Winn-Dixie on the cover. He's a Berger Picard.

The ebook has the same cover. But still has GwiW as the book. Too bad.

The new cover is wrong, then, of course. He's supposed to be a common mutt, and large, and not especially attractive. Too bad.

I was able to find out what the replacement was. David Copperfield. Huh.

Cheryl wrote: "The ebook has the same cover. But still has GwiW as the book. Too bad.

The new cover is wrong, then, of course. He's supposed to be a common mutt, and large, and not especially attractive. Too bad."

The film producers wanted a mutt and ended up with a purebred so the Berger Picard goes on the cover of the book because he's now the "Winn-Dixie" dog. Toto is most decidedly NOT a Cairn Terrier in the illustrations for the Wizard of Oz either but what is the only thing they ever say about Cairns at dog shows? "The Toto dog!"

A Year Down Yonder
Well I had a completely different reaction to this book than Cheryl. I first read it in 2001, and I remember reading excerpts of it to my grandmother, and we both laughed so hard, we almost bust a gut. Today I finished listening to the audio version of the book.
Anyway, my review:
I laughed and laughed. I loved the scenes with Grandma Dowdel getting one over on the Burdick girl, and the boys who wanted to overturn the outhouse. I loved the DAR Washington's Day tea party at Grandma's house, the snake in the attic, and the woman running naked down the street on a Sunday afternoon. But not just funny, also very heartwarming, especially the ending. Grandma Dowdel truly was a force of nature!

QNPoohBear wrote: ... movie..."

Hah!

Yes, Beverly, I'm not surprised to hear that you liked Peck's book more than I did. I'm sincerely happy for you. To each his own, as the the saying goes!

I'm about a third through and loving Hope Was Here. Teenagers fighting to get someone on the ballot for mayor who is not a bully with too much power. Also a thesaurus. And so much heart.

For many years I was employed as a home bound teacher for students who could not attend school because of illness. I recommended these 2 Richard Peck books to many of my students, grades 4 to 6. Both of the books provided some brief humor, and one of my students remembered A Year Down Yonder when I saw him at his high school graduation.

How neat!

(And thank you for your service.)

Done with Hope was Here. Giving it a solid four stars. The political theme is just about perfectly apt right now... I only hope our young people and newly active voters see through the lies and elect the man who sincerely cares about our country and the people, not the power crazed convicted criminal.

Sounds like I need to read Hope Was Here and pass it on to the nieces.

Especially the one who likes to cook/ bake. :)

I'm looking forward to Joey Pigza. I know that I read the first book once upon a time, and I'm going to try to go into this sequel without rereading it. It should be interesting, given how one of my GR friends who is a teacher gave it one star... but...
Phil, a teacher who is a member of this group, gave it five stars. Here is his excellent and concise review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Turns out that the openlibrary copy is Preview Only, and it's unavl. at my libraries unless I want the audio, which I don't. So I ordered it from paperbackswap.

What a wonderful world that has so many sources for us!

Ok, I got my copy of and definitely agree that it's at least worth a honor, if not medal. Intense themes, told engagingly by a boy to love. As a parent, I was so worried for him, given that father and grandmother are both so dysfunctional. Mom needs more help getting her act completely together, too, though. But at least she loves him, and keeps trying. Dad only loves himself, and Grandma needs, well, something more than what she can offer the boy. So it's a good thing that Joey is self-aware and intelligent! He'll be ok... but I don't think I could bear to read the rest of the series to see how he works things out so that he can grow up in one piece.

Peck's book has been on my radar for awhile but I never quite muster the enthusiasm given the wide range of reviews. I might preview it one of these days and see if it catches my fancy or if I'll be one of those for whom there's no appeal.

Kathryn wrote: "Peck's book has been on my radar for awhile but I never quite muster the enthusiasm given the wide range of reviews. I might preview it one of these days and see if it catches my fancy or if I'll b..."

I do know a bit about your taste, Kathryn, and I just can't guess if you'd like it or not. Maybe if you have an eccentric auntie, or are interested in small towns where everybody knows each other's business & reputation it would appeal more.

My copy of Winn-Dixie does feature Gone With the Wind.

tsk

Oops. I forgot to read The Wanderer. I'll do so soon!

Ok, Creech's novel is wonderful in many ways, but not to my taste enough to give it four stars.

Gorgeous writing, exciting adventures, even humor. And lots of character development as Sophie gets to know them better, and as they learn about themselves and to reveal depths & complexities beyond their ken.

To those who scold the adults who let Sophie go to sea, know that it was a difficult decision, but it was what was necessary; it was the only thing that would help Sophie come to terms with herself & her past.

But I'm still confused; how does Sophie know Bompie's stories?

Google has the answer. I guess it makes sense but somehow it doesn't quite satisfy.