The View from Saturday by EL KonisburgBook Awards II Challenge: Newbery 1996; 2nds challenge (previously read From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs Basil E. Frankweiler)
Four misfits come together to form a friendship and learn about kindness, to each other and in protecting other people.
I took this out of the library for my children but nobody seemed interested, so I read it instead. Four sixth graders are chosen to compete in a middle school question competition, but the book is about much more than that. Told from alternating points of view, each of the characters and their teacher learn a lesson about kindness and compassion as their lives overlap in some interesting ways. The main story is at the Academic Bowl competition, and then as a new question comes up, one of the kids goes back and tells their story. The style was unique and introduces young readers to a more unique, nonlinear plot line. Each character was well defined and individual, and as a group, they were so much stronger than they were alone.
Now I just need to get my sixth grader to read it and see what the target audience would think. It reminded me a bit of Maniac Magee, another great Newbery winner.
Sometimes the questions are complicated and the answers are simple.-- Dr. Seuss
This looks really good- I remember EL Konigsburg from when I was reading YA Lit and I was always interested.
ReplyDeleteI really should read a Konigsburg book but honestly, they always strike me as the kind of books that adults choose as award-winners and kids couldn't care less about. I know I've discarded a few copies due to lack of circulation. But maybe I should give her a chance.
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