The ALA awarded its first John Newbery Medal for most distinguished contribution to American children's literature in 1922. Join us in reading all the Newbery Medal winners.
Sunday, January 21, 2007
Where to begin?
I am not sure what book to start with? And if I know I've read it, even if I can't remember the plot or characters, does that count? Decisions, decisions.
I like the idea of reading them in chronological order. That way we'd all be reading the same things at roughly the same time, and it might also be fun to see how things changed over time. In any case, I've reserved a copy of the first one, The Story of Mankind.
Actually I like the chronological idea, too. What about people who join in months from now?
Also, what about pace. I know these are kids books, but I probably can't read more than one or two a month...what pace were others considering?
Also, I am reading "From the Mixed-Up Files..." out of order because my son, who wants to do it, too, came out of his bedroom with it half read and said, "O.K. Mom. Catch up to me by tonight." I was frantically page turning on the bus!
I've already read several newberry winners so I won't be following the chronological thing. When I started to read them I was advised to start with the newest one and read backwards. I started to do that but now i'm just reading them out of order. I kind of just like to read what interests me at the time.
perhaps there could be a subset who read chronolocially and others who read in other orders (alphabetically, geographically, randomly, by publisher, etc.)...
For now I'm eager to hear what people are reading and what they think about their books...
I'm a very systematic person. ;) I'd prefer to read them choronologically, either forward or backward, and I'd love to do it in a way that we can discuss what we're reading together. I'd prefer a slow-ish pace with no more than one a month, simply because my life is hectic, and because that will give me time to find the next book if necessary. But, I'm pretty flexible and adaptable to whatever anyone else wants.
"perhaps there could be a subset who read chronolocially and others who read in other orders (alphabetically, geographically, randomly, by publisher, etc.)..."
That's a great idea... it works for those like Julie who've already gone ahead and gotten the first one, and those like me who've read a bunch on the list already (though I don't mind re-reading them at all!).
Maybe pick specific sub-group leaders to suggest the book??
I also like the pace of 1 or 2 a month, because that gives us time to read other things, as well as time to find books and discuss the ones we've read.
Well, I will search out the first one, and then I'm going to maybe do "From The Mixed Up Files of Mrs. B. E.F.", because I haven't read that one since I was a child but I still remember it fondly.
I like the idea of reading them in chronological order. That way we'd all be reading the same things at roughly the same time, and it might also be fun to see how things changed over time. In any case, I've reserved a copy of the first one, The Story of Mankind.
ReplyDeleteJulie - I like your idea. I don't think I've ever read any of the really early ones, and it would be fun to be reading at the same time.
ReplyDeleteOr we could start going chronologically backwards; the decision for this year is due out tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteActually I like the chronological idea, too. What about people who join in months from now?
ReplyDeleteAlso, what about pace. I know these are kids books, but I probably can't read more than one or two a month...what pace were others considering?
Also, I am reading "From the Mixed-Up Files..." out of order because my son, who wants to do it, too, came out of his bedroom with it half read and said, "O.K. Mom. Catch up to me by tonight." I was frantically page turning on the bus!
I've already read several newberry winners so I won't be following the chronological thing. When I started to read them I was advised to start with the newest one and read backwards. I started to do that but now i'm just reading them out of order. I kind of just like to read what interests me at the time.
ReplyDeleteso post what you're reading, Moni. I'm curious.
ReplyDeleteperhaps there could be a subset who read chronolocially and others who read in other orders (alphabetically, geographically, randomly, by publisher, etc.)...
For now I'm eager to hear what people are reading and what they think about their books...
I just posted something on my blog about what I have read. I will cross post here :)
ReplyDeleteI'm a very systematic person. ;) I'd prefer to read them choronologically, either forward or backward, and I'd love to do it in a way that we can discuss what we're reading together. I'd prefer a slow-ish pace with no more than one a month, simply because my life is hectic, and because that will give me time to find the next book if necessary. But, I'm pretty flexible and adaptable to whatever anyone else wants.
ReplyDeleteOh, by the way, the oldest, The Story of Mankind, is available free online at Project Gutenburg.
ReplyDeleteThe Story of Mankind
Hopefully that link will work. I'm not certain what kind of coding Blogger allows.
"perhaps there could be a subset who read chronolocially and others who read in other orders (alphabetically, geographically, randomly, by publisher, etc.)..."
ReplyDeleteThat's a great idea... it works for those like Julie who've already gone ahead and gotten the first one, and those like me who've read a bunch on the list already (though I don't mind re-reading them at all!).
Maybe pick specific sub-group leaders to suggest the book??
I also like the pace of 1 or 2 a month, because that gives us time to read other things, as well as time to find books and discuss the ones we've read.
Well, I will search out the first one, and then I'm going to maybe do "From The Mixed Up Files of Mrs. B. E.F.", because I haven't read that one since I was a child but I still remember it fondly.
ReplyDelete