This book was written in 1944 but it’s still so relevant today. The author’s daughter said that her mother, who grew up in West Haven, Connecticut where the story takes place was the girl (Maddie)who stood by while her friend (Peggy) led the girl bullying towards a girl who was Polish and claimed to have one hundred dresses in her closet while wearing just one shabby dress every day to school. Like the girl in the story (Wanda), this little girl moves to New York City, but the author never gets a chance to tell her how sorry she is. Instead, she writes this book.
Tag: Newbery Honor Book
Maniac Magee + My Side of the Mountain = Hoot by Hiaasen
Hoot by Carl Hiaasen won an insane amout of awards including A Newbery Honor Award and it’s not hard to see why once you read it. It’s a mystery and an adventure with multiple happy endings including the school bully getting what he deserves.
Pippi Longstocking meets Anne of Green Gables
Everything on a Waffle by Polly Horvath is Pippi Longstocking meets Anne of Green Gables combined with a Newbery Honor Award. For grades 3-5.
Where the Mountain Meets the Moon by Grace Lin
Grace Lin is the Amy Tan of Children’s Literature. Her latest book, Where the Mountain Meets the Moon, is her best yet. Perfect for 2nd-5th graders or even older. She weaves Chinese folk tales into a tapestry of stories where the whole is much greater than the sum of its parts.