Good Masters! Sweet Ladies! (Newbery #2)

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Title: Good Masters!  Sweet Ladies!  Voices from a Medieval Village

Author: Laura Amy Schlitz

Illustrator: Robert Byrd

Year Published: 2007

Publisher: Candlewick Press
Awards: Newbery Medal (2008)

What did you like/dislike about the book?

Laura Amy Schlitz's book, Good Masters! Sweet Ladies! Voices from a Medieval Village, is a tale of 22 medieval children and their lives.  Each monologue is written from the perspective of that child.  For example, the blacksmith's daughter talks about waiting for her May Day wish to come true.  Intermingled with each monologue are several background pieces about that time period, explaining common items such as the Crusades or pilgrimages.  

My favorite detail of the book is the varied characters.  This book would be a fascinating resource for those studying the Middle Ages because of its authentic feeling.  I also enjoyed the footnotes.  These helped explain uncommon terms to the reader.

In the author's foreward, she explains that she wrote the scripts as her students were studying the Middle Ages.  Everyone wanted a part, so she decided to create monologues for each instead of trying to fit each student into a single play.

This book is appropriate for older readers.  The language would be too difficult for young readers.  It can be used to teach about medieval history, perspective, and dramatic fiction and monologues.

What in your life would have influenced this reaction/response?

I have always loved putting on plays and think this would be a good addition to an intermediate or middle school classroom collection.  Students enjoy engaging with their content and performing monologues in character would be another great way to get in tune with historical perspectives.

How does this book compare to similar books/author’s other books?

Schlitz's other titles generally include a historical slant.  Strong central characters and a slight taste of the supernatural are hallmarks of her writing.  She also deals with nature and other topics surrounding medieval life.

What did I learn about children’s literature from this book?

Including drama content can help broaden a students' understanding of a character's perspective.  Not all books have to be in traditional chapter form.

Other titles by this author include:

A Drowned Maiden's Hair: A Melodrama

The Hero Schliemann: The Dreamer who Dug for Troy

The Night Fairy

When You Reach Me (Newbery #1)

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Title: When You Reach Me

Author: Rebecca Stead

Illustrator: Kate Gartner (cover)

Year Published: 2009

Publisher: Random House
Awards: Newbery Medal (2010)

What did you like/dislike about the book?

Rebecca Stead's book, When You Reach Me, is a tale of a middle school girl, Miranda, and her life in New York City.  Miranda tells about her life experiences, such as her mother getting on the game show $20,000 Pyramid and her days in school.  She and her best friend, Sal, have realistic encounters with neighborhood citizens.  One day, Miranda gets a strange letter and must figure out who its author is and what she is supposed to do with it.

Miranda often changes from first person to second person, as if she is talking to the letter's author.  This can be difficult to decipher at first.  

My favorite detail of the book is the quick plot.  Although it took a little while to get used to the changing audiences, the book moves quickly.  Miranda's explanations of her mother's personality and of her school life are humorous.  Many readers would be able to relate to her.  I also enjoyed the ending to this story.  Normally, I can figure out a story's ending early on, but was surprised by this book.  The time travel aspect of the book requires the reader to suspend reality, but it is not distracting.

This book is appropriate for intermediate and middle school readers.  It can be used to teach memoir writing, character, and science fiction writing.  There aren't any inappropriate parts, language or content, that would cause me to caution against reading this book.

What in your life would have influenced this reaction/response?

I did not know this book had a science fiction slant before reading it, otherwise, I might not have chosen it.  However, this book was more a discussion of Miranda's life and interactions than about science fiction issues.

How does this book compare to similar books/author’s other books?

Stead's only other title also involves science fiction and young adult characters.

What did I learn about children’s literature from this book?

Just because a book has science fiction elements to it doesn't mean I won't enjoy it.  I need to give more books a chance.

Other titles by this author include:

First Light

Caldecott vs. Newbery

What's the difference?

Both awards are bestowed upon children's books by the American Library Association.  The awardees must be American citizens or residents and have had their books published in the United States in the past year.  In addition to the medals, there is also a shortlist of honorees each year.

The Caldecott Medal is an annual award given to outstanding American children's illustrators.  It was established in 1938.  Most Caldecott award winners are picture books.  Notable past winners include The Polar Express (Van Allsburg), Song and Dance Man (Gammell), and Where the Wild Things Are (Sendak).

The Newbery Medal is an annual award give to outstanding American children's authors.  Established in 1922, it was the first children's book award in the world.  Most Newbery award winners are chapter books.  Notable past winners include Bridge to Terabithia (Paterson), Number the Stars (Lowry), and Walk Two Moons (Creech). 

Which medal is better?

While all are entitled to their own opinions, I believe the medals are incomparable.  Both of them require literary excellence for children, which can be a subjective decision.  In discussions of children's literature, the illustrations and text both play strong roles to tell a story.  I have often heard the argument that simple picture books are unworthy of these medals.  However, how many children have been turned on to reading by simply looking at the pictures?  That is the earliest form of literacy.