As a continuation of our celebration of 100 years of the Newbery Award, we look to the sixth decade of the award from 1972-1981. The winners and their location in the library are listed at the bottom of this post.
There are so many Newbery books that I love and remember reading as a child, but this set of ten books may be my favorite. I distinctly remember reading a few of these books in 5th grade with my teacher, Mrs. Wilcher. She was one of those teachers who encouraged my love of reading. I am excited to share one of my favorite books that she introduced me to during read aloud time.
Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cryby Mildred D. Taylor has been one of my favorite books since 5th grade. This is a heavy book for elementary school children, but extremely impactful. Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry is part of Taylor’s series about the Logan family. This book focuses on Cassie when she is in fourth grade and really does some growing up. Throughout the book, Cassie learns about the injustices of the sharecropping South. As a younger child, she could be protected from the unfair and terrible treatment of African Americans by White people in the South following Reconstruction. Cassie not only learns the “way of the world” but also learns about friendship, family and the importance of protecting those that you love.
You can find Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cryand other Mildred D. Taylor books in the Family Room of the Library.
Please Note: This book depicts at a child level the harsh realities of racism and Nightmen during the early 1930s. Some imagery may be upsetting to readers.
Award Winners
1972: Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH by Robert O’Brien
1973: Julie of the Wolves by Jean Craighead George
1974: The Slave Dancer by Paula Fox
1975: M.C. Higgins, the Great by Virginia Hamilton
1976: The Grey King by Susan Cooper
1977: Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry by Mildred D. Taylor
1978: Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson
1979: The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin
1980: A Gathering of Days by Joan Blos
1981: Jacob Have I Loved by Katherine Paterson
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