There is excitement in the air as Little Georgie tumbles down the Rabbit burrow to tell his parents that new folks are coming to the Big House. It's been some years since the Big House has been filled, and everyone knows that new folks may mean a good garden. Food has been scarce for the animals. The last tenants had not planted a garden at all. As more and more signs of the approaching new tenants appear, the excitement grows, but Mother Rabbit begins to worry. The new tenants may have dogs or cats, they might set traps, and they might even have Boys! The new folks come, and the animals' joy rises as they see that the new folks are kind, and considerate to all living creatures. They also make preparations to plant a garden. The animals can hardly believe it when they overhear the man saying that the wall to the garden was not going to be fixed, and no traps were to be set to rid of the animals. The neighbors begin to think that the new folks are crazy, and won't have a garden left when harvest time comes. What do you think? Rabbit Hill won the Newbery Medal in 1945.

Awards won: John Newbery Medal

Reviewed by: sc

Date read: 4/12/2009

ISBN-10: 0670586757

ISBN-13: 9780670586752

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Sixteen-year-old Jeff, already a combat veteran in the Union Army, is captured by the rebel troops of General Stand Watie, a Cherokee Indian, and forced to become one of his scouts. This book won the Newbery Medal in 1958.

Awards won: John Newbery Medal

Reviewed by: sc

Date read: 4/12/2009

ISBN-10: 006447030X

ISBN-13: 9780064470308

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Jacob Witting, and his children, Anna and Caleb, live on a prairie farm. Life is hard, and often lonely, on the prairie. A few years ago, their mother died, and Anna misses her very much. To help his family, their father decides to write for a 'mail order bride.' Sarah Elizabeth Wheaton comes from Maine to visit them for a one month trial period. Anna and Caleb come to like Sarah very much, but she misses the sea and, after her trial period, she wants to go back to Maine. Can anything be done to convince her to stay? This won the Newbery Medal in 1986. Sequels Skylark and Caleb's Story.

Awards won: John Newbery Medal

Reviewed by: sc

Date read: 4/12/2009

ISBN-13: 9780590974097

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Commenter: Anya, grade 4

When he finds a mistreated beagle pup, 11-year-old Marty knows that the animal should be returned to its rightful owner. But he also realizes that the dog will only be further abused. So he doesn't tell his parents about his discovery, sneaking food for the dog. He's been brought up not to lie, but he doesn't want the dog to be abused. How does he get himself out of this situation? This is book one in the Shiloh trilogy, the winner of the 1992 Newbery Medal, and the winner of the 1994 Rebecca Caudill Award.

Awards won: John Newbery Medal, Rebecca Caudill Award

Reviewed by: sc

Date read: 4/13/2009

ISBN-10: 0689316143

ISBN-13: 9780689316142

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This book takes the reader back to ancient Korea-- to the world of Korean potters, who made vases, pots, boxes, and other pieces out of clay and heated them in a kiln with a special celadon glaze. Tree-Ear is a homeless orphan, whose favorite activity is to watch one of the master potters in the village use his wheel to create something out a blob of clay. When Tree-Ear accidentally breaks one of Min's pieces, he begins to work for the potter to pay off the damage. Although the gruff Min, who is a perfectionist, never displays anything but disapproval at Tree-Ear's work, he allows him to continue on after he's paid off his debt, but never allows Tree-Ear near the potter's wheel. Still, Tree-Ear's dream is to make pottery of his own someday. His quest leads him down unexpected paths, where the course of one's life can be determined by a single celadon shard. This is the winner of the 2002 Newbery Medal.

Awards won: John Newbery Medal

Reviewed by: sc

Date read: 4/13/2009

ISBN-10: 0440418518

ISBN-13: 9780440418511

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