You'll love this one...!! A book club & more discussion

I just couldn't get the poll up, so I'm arbitrarily deciding we'll be discussing Children's Classics for the August Group Themed Read. Here's your chance to catch up on some of the books you might have missed as a child, or re-read some favorites.

Read as many books as you like from the list that will follow. Start now if you like. Ask questions here. Please let us know, here, which you are already familiar enough with to discuss, and which you expect to read during August.

Depending on how much interest you all express here, I might set up only one thread, or one thread for each book... we'll have to see what you all plan to read so I know what will work best. :)

1949: King of the Wind by Marguerite Henry

1948: The Twenty-One Balloons by William Pène du Bois

1947: Miss Hickory by Carolyn Sherwin Bailey

1946: Strawberry Girl by Lois Lenski

1945: Rabbit Hill by Robert Lawson

1944: Johnny Tremain by Esther Forbes

1943: Adam of the Road by Elizabeth Janet Gray

1942: The Matchlock Gun by Walter Edmonds

1941: Call It Courage by Armstrong Sperry

1940: Daniel Boone by James Daugherty

I've read most of them, and can vouch for some as wonderful. My favorites are:
King of the Wind: The Story of the Godolphin Arabian
The Twenty-one Balloons
Adam of the Road

I also can confidently recommend:

Call It Courage
Rabbit Hill
Miss Hickory

Lois Lenski was a popular author, so probably Strawberry Girl is good.

I've never read Daniel Boone, The Matchlock Gun, or Johnny Tremain but I will try to for this GTR.

I haven't read any of them, so good old YLTO will yet again be introducing me to more books! I reckon one thread for all books?

I don't think I've read any of them either. I'm not sure which books I'll read, if any. August is going to be a crazy month for me.

I thought I knew my children's lit but have never read or heard of any of these. (I'm in the UK). Could take some digging to get copies!

One thread for all books might get crazy if we get a whole lot of interest - we'll have to see. I should broadcast a message to all members, maybe....

Alison, I think these should be available in your library system. After all, Americans read British literature like Charles Dickens and The Secret Garden.

Janice, one saving grace is that they're shorter and more straightforward than adult books. Most can be read in one sitting.

Shorter is better right now! LOL!

I think that august is going to be read books to/with my son month :)

Johnny Tremain is an excellent book about a young boy who serves as an apprentice to Paul Revere in his silversmith shop at the beginning of the Revolutionary War.

I loved all of the Misty of Chincoteague series, but haven't read King of the Wind: The Story of the Godolphin Arabian. I'm going to try and read it.

I've got these all checked out from my library except for Daniel Boone - it's not in my ILL so I'd have to make a special request. Is anyone planning on reading it?

I don't think I will be participating for August. I haven't even tried to look for the books, as I have a large number of books that are hanging about and bugging me so I want to get those out the way. If, toward the end of the month, I have time and can source any of them I'll join in.

Cheryl - I'm not going to read it. And when I was looking it up, it seemed a lot of people thought it didn't deserve to be a Newbery winner. In fact, it's the only Newbery medal winner out of print.

Thanks for the feedback so far. I think we'll be needing only one thread, it seems.

I'm exciting about this challenge...I love children's literature (though probably picture books more than novels) I guess its in my nature as an elementary teacher. :)

I haven't read any of these...but I have certainly heard of most of them. I'm thinking I'll do either Miss Hickory, Rabbit Hill or The Twenty-one Balloons. Not sure exactly just yet. Need to check which one I can get from the library.

Growing up in Canada Call It Courage was part of my school curriculum. I found it in a used book store several years ago. I haven't read it in quite a while. Time to revisit.

Clue us in, please, Roz? I'm reading Call It Courage right now and it takes place in the South Pacific - what's the Canadian connection?

Oh Robin, I hope your library has all the choices (except maybe Daniel Boone). The 20s and 30s were an iffy decade for Newberys but by the 40s they are all worthy of staying in print and in collections.

If anybody likes using the 'Challenge' system to keep track of books they're reading, I've created this: http://www.goodreads.com/challenges/6.... My first time, so come Aug. 1 if you decide to use it and it doesn't work, plz let me know asap.

Cheryl in CC NV wrote: "Clue us in, please, Roz? I'm reading Call It Courage right now and it takes place in the South Pacific - what's the Canadian connection?

Oh Robin, I hope your library has all the choices (except ..."


There's no special connection between the setting of Call It Courage and Canada. I just remember having to read it in school back in the 50s or 60s (probably elementary or junior high). It probably tied into a theme like courage, self reliance or overcoming personal fears. It's been a long time since my school days in Toronto. But somehow the book made an impression on me, so when I found it in a used bookstore I just had to have it. I had the same reaction to another one---The Chrysalids.
I remember that one from 7th grade. Have you read it?

I've been reading aggressively, getting ready to open discussion tomorrow! I'm a bit surprised just what a good time I'm having, too. They've all been short, or wonderful, or both, so far! :)

I'm debating participating. If I do, I'll probably read either Strawberry Girl or The Twenty-one Balloons.

Both are quick reads, but quite different. Hope to see you in the actual discussion thread!