Newbery Books discussion

I think I have an upopular opinion with this book, but it just wasn't my cup of tea.

Fact: I didn't like the narrative voice, it made the characters flat to me.

Fact: I didn't like that in 1996 there was a girl who called herself prepubescent. It was weird. Made the tone of the book feel more like "It's Like This, Cat" when instead it had been written a mere decade ago.

I liked this book so much that when I finished it I wanted to go right back to the beginning and start all over again. I liked those 4 kids and their 6th grade teacher and how they learned about kindness, friendship, and diversity. I don't think all their problems went away but they became less important with the success of their academic team. Sometimes it took me a while to figure out who the narrator was but I guess that was because I didn't always read the chapter titles. I will definitely read more of Konigsburg's books.

I agree with Kristine. Usually, I can pick up a Newbery and know that it is going to be a great story. I really didn't feel like this one fit that category. It was drudgery for me to get to the end and I never really connected with the characters or the storyline. I would not recommend it to anyone as a great read!

I thought it OK, it's not one of my favorite Newbery winners but it's not my least favorite either.
There were times when I questioned whether the teacher handled things in the best way.

I also felt that this book was OK... I liked parts of it--the way the student's attitudes/feelings changed towards each other by really getting to know each other. But, I definetly didn't love this book and I felt that the characters were stuck in the book. I've read much better Newberrys ... and even other Konigsburgs which were so so so much better!!

I agree with Kathy because I really liked this book. Kudos to Konigsburg for winning the Newbery Medal twice! When I laughed out loud in the first few pages, I knew I would enjoy The View from Saturday. This book is positive and upbeat and the characters are empowered by their friendship. I loved the way Julian changed the cruel words on his book bag to say "I am a passenger on Spaceship Earth!"

I also really liked the themes of kindness and courtesy. Nadia put her hurt feelings aside to help save the turtles. The Souls banded together to support their teacher. Julian even chose kindness to his enemy with the dog situation during "Annie." I'd love to visit Sillington House if it were a real place. The real Finger Lakes region in New York is gorgeous, too.

I sympathize with Kristine's objection to the word "prepubescent," but Nadia likes big words and consciously looks for opportunities to use them, so it seemed "in character" to me. All four kids in this book are precocious oddballs, but they are appealing because of the views we get inside their heads and hearts. I liked them all, probably Ethan the most.

Based on the four books I've read by Konigsburg, I'd say she writes unusual stories. Many stories could be written about middle school academic bowl teams, but only she would write this one. I'm not trying to state the obvious; I'm trying to put my finger on her appeal to me. Konigsburg's characters are quirky and their relationships are complex. Her plots have some unexpected twists. She likes to put a bit of mystery in her stories, little surprises for the reader. She comes at things from oblique angles, but ties everything together in the end when all is revealed. It seems to me that, like Julian, the author enjoys being a bit of a "magician," and she plays the crowd well. I always learn things from her books, too. In this book I learned fascinating bits about calligraphy, sea turtles, acronyms such as "tip," etc.

Finally, she is just a good writer, a master at her craft. Take this image for example: "As he ambled down his row toward the front of the room, smiling faces lifted and tilted toward him like the broad front faces of sunflowers as they follow the sun across heaven." (p.129)

I'll end with a quote I liked on the back of my copy of the book. "In no other book this year were the potentials of both heart and mind in children laid out with such persuasive clarity... it's a jubilant, unique, tour de force."
--John Peters, Chair, 1997 Newbery Award Committee

Kristine wrote: "I think I have an upopular opinion with this book, but it just wasn't my cup of tea.

Ha, ha, "cup of tea?" Pun intended? Yes or no, it's a clever reference to the story.:)

I do think the theme of diversity is more modern than "It's Like This Cat."

Wow Dawn! Now I feel like I need to reread this book, I think I missed something the first time around. Actually, I read it several years ago so I probably would have a different perspective if it was fresh in my mind.

I sympathize with Kristine's objection to the word "prepubescent," but Nadia likes big words and consciously looks for opportunities to use them, so it seemed "in character" to me. All four kids in this book are precocious oddballs, but they are appealing because of the views we get inside their heads and hearts. I liked them all, probably Ethan the most.

I don't know, I was in high school in 97 when the book came back and I compared my memories of middle school to this book and - it just wasn't there. My friends and I were the dorky smart kids trying to use the word "antidisestablishmentarianism" into conversations to be smart, etc. but I've never met a group of 4 middle schoolers who seem so emotionally distant and lacking angst . . . they just seemed like a bunch of adults sitting around having tea. I guess that's why I liked Criss Cross so much because I felt like the narrator was inside my 14-year old brain. I wonder how many 12-year olds the author knew in 1997 . . . .

I love that we are getting more discussion on this book--what book clubs are all about! As Annette noticed, I did get a bit zealous in my review. I was surprised at all the negative reactions and I didn't want Kathy to stand alone in her positive opinion. I first read the book a few years ago and liked it. But this time I read it with the intent to review it, so I paid more attention to detail than before.

I didn't say that I particularly relate to the characters--they are quirky, after all. I relate in a few ways, but not that many. I just like them and their story. Funny, Kristine, I didn't like Criss Cross while I did like The View From Saturday, and you are the opposite. No problem, of course--how boring if we were the same and I do appreciate your views and insights! I believe that Kathy liked both of those books, if I remember correctly. Confession: Kathy is my mother-in-law so I always pay attention to her reviews. :)

I read this review in the general goodreads list of reviews. I can't figure out how to direct friends to a review I liked, so I had to copy and paste it here. Anyway, her third paragraph addresses some of the questions we've been discussing.


Kirsten rated it:
bookshelves: fiction, from-library, read-pre-12-07, work-related
Read in March, 2007
LOVED this! I picked it up because a) I love Konigsburg's From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankwiler, and b) because it concerns the members of an Academic Bowl team, and I spent most of middle school and all of highschool taking part in such nerdly pursuits.

Konigsburg deftly weaves together the stories of five characters: the Academic Bowl team members, Noah, Nadia, Julian, and Ethan, and their teacher/coach, Mrs. Olinski. There's no plot summary that can do the book justice, because the plot is just a very small element in the actual story, which is about bravery and friendship. The book's also wickedly funny -- Konigsburg, as usual, never missing an opportunity to poke fun at officious figures of authority.

A lot of the reviews on Amazon.com question whether this book actually speaks to the children that form its ostensible audience. It's a good question; it's really a very sophisticated book, and the four sixth-graders are most unusual and wise beyond their years. I don't think it would appeal to all children -- but I don't think the Newberry is really about choosing a book that will appeal to everyone. I think it will find its own dedicated audience who adore it in the same way many of us adored From the Mixed-Up Files. I definitely would have loved it when I was in sixth grade.(less)

I do find it interesting how similar people can have two opposite opinions of the exact same book.

I guess I can see why it got the Newbery, but overall I just don't get it, which is why I scratch my head a little bit at the passion shown here, but I accept it :-)

What is interesting to me is that I don't feel any passion for either of these books. I like both of them and gave them each 3 stars, but my feelings for these books are pretty much lukewarm.
Some of the Newbery winners that I get excited about are: Bud, Not Buddy, Maniac Magee, A Year Down Yonder, Julie of the Wolves, Holes and Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry.
Like Dawn said, a variety of opinions is what makes book clubs so fun! I really appreciate you guys for being willing to share your opinions. I like how we can disagree and still be friends. I'm really looking forward to discussing the next book!

I agree with Annette. It was ok, but not my favorite. I didn't think it lived up to the Newberry standards that the other books so often surpass.