Filling in the Newbery Gaps

I've long had a desire to read Every. Newbery. Winner. So far, I'm at 54 out of 92. That strikes me as kind of pathetic...especially as I've read 27 out of the most recent 30. That means the early years have more gaps than a seven-year-old's mouth. And there are few that I know I've read, but can't remember at all... Roller Skates? What was that even about? Hitty and Miss Hickory have melded into one dollish entity.
Anyways.... on my shelf this week:







Have any of you ever read The Story of Mankind? I love history and everything, but I'm feeling a little intimidated. That book is thick.

(By the way, you can take this quiz to see how many Newbery winners you have read. If any of you score over 75, I salute you.)



Comments

  1. Only a paltry 43 (but it is a nice number no? Prime!) And sigh, I've not even heard of some of the early ones. I did not care for a couple of these books, but on the whole, Newbery reading has been most enjoyable, so a worthy goal.

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    1. Yes, 43 is a good number. :) I've heard of all the winners--chalk that up to a, um, minor obsession--but I haven't yet heard of anyone who has READ some of the early ones! Luckily my library seems to have them all.
      There are a few I don't care for, too, but so many of my very favorite books bear gold (or silver) Newbery medals, that it's worth trying the rest!

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  2. 38! I wish the honor winners had been included too. I know I've read far more of those than the actual winners!

    Happy reading and writing! from Laura Marcella @ Wavy Lines

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    1. I know...and some of the best ones only received honors. Charlotte's Web, for example!

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  3. I got thirty-something. There were several that I was like, "Of course I've read those, hasn't everyone?" But then I thought about it and wasn't sure. Not to mention the moments where I was like, "That got a Newberry?! Why!?"

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    1. I know what you mean--and I had the opposite problem, too, where I would look at a book, be sure I had never read it, and then remember that I had finished it years and years ago and just forgotten everything. Those ones are definitely on the re-read list...hopefully I can retain them better now than when I was 9!

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  4. I've never even thought of making this a goal! And now I'm asking myself why not, b/c it's definitely a worthy one. Puttin' it on the bucket list! =)

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    1. Let me know how you do with it...you know, a couple years from now. :)

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  5. My memory is not as good as yours, Faith... and similar to you, what amazes me is how many I've read, but either barely remember or can't recall anything about them! That number alone is over 35! Some were required reading; others just looked so interesting that I started reading in the middle of the book! My favorite: "The Trumpeter of Krakow." I super-highly recommend it.

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    1. Yep, I love that one, too--although I do need to re-read it to remember all the details.

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  6. I've been trying to read them, too, but I know I am nowhere near 75! Some of those older ones are interesting to read because they're so different than modern stories. I know I've wondered, "How did this win an award?" ha ha. But then others have blown me away, so I guess it just comes down to it all being VERY SUBJECTIVE, as usual. :) Happy reading!

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  7. I just counted. Only 38! I've got work to do!!

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    1. I bet our percentages would be a lot better if the list included Newbery Honors, too... Still, 38 isn't too shabby!

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  8. What a great challenge! I have not read many of these at all. I've heard of most, but sadly I don't think I've read more than 5. Maybe I'll start.

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    1. From ten long pages into the first one, I will say this: don't start at the beginning...you might just give up right away!

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  9. Oh wow ... off to check that list! :)

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  10. A daunting task. My husband tried to do the same - I'm not sure how far he got. I only started reading them *after* I received the Newbery . . . and haven't gotten very far. Haven't read the three you picture. Do read the current ones tho. Good luck!

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    1. Thank you!
      As much as I love classics in general, I have to admit that the recent Newbery winners have impressed me a great deal more than the oldest ones. I may be biased in that view...but the author of the first winner was biased in so many other ways that I don't feel bad saying that!

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  11. 56 for me. I think we'd all score much higher if Honor books were included. So many great books, only one gold medal per year.

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    1. Yep. So many of my favorites have "only" silver stickers!

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  12. I haven't read any of these. Perhaps I'll click over and take the quiz.
    Wishing you well in this endeavor, Faith.

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