Our theme for the online book club this month was Newbery books. This could be any take on things so I chose to read the newest award winner and an honor book that I have been meaning to read that I have had on my shelves.
The newest award winner book is titled “When You Trap A Tiger” by Tae Keller. With one major exception, for which I would not allow my elementary aged students to read this book, I thoroughly enjoyed this. Lily and her mom and sister move in with her Halmoni (grandmother) and a whole new world opens up for Lily. She is thought of as a quiet Korean girl and often sits in that stereotype politely. But when she sees the tiger and learns that her Halmoni is very ill, she realizes that she has to become bold and fierce. Making new friends and facing her fears, she does just that and learns that freedom comes in different ways.
I truly enjoyed the story but had a haunch early on that there was something being hinted at that I wouldn’t like. And I was right. I Do NOT understand why authors and publishers have decided that there has to be a homosexual character in every single new book. It truly ruined this story for me. It was not overtly done but it was made clear at the end of the book. And it made me sad. The storyline had nothing to do with this and it was truly included solely for the purpose of saying it was inclusive or whatnot. But for that reason I will not recommend this book. I would not be opposed to my girls choosing to read it because we have had discussions about the agenda some authors/publishers/media executives have about homosexuality and they know the truth about God’s will. They know that this lifestyle is sinful. Still, I would not recommend this book to anyone. (For parents, if you are reading aloud, you could easily skip that part and where it was sort of hinted at early on, if you choose to.)
The King’s Fifth by Scott O’Dell is the other book I read this month for the theme. I truly enjoyed it. I had started it a couple of times during the school year last year but never got very far in it while my daughter was reading it. I really enjoyed this story of a teenager on trial for breaking the law of Spain, while in New Spain, in 1541. He was part of a group of explorers, though he was a cartographer. They sought gold in Cibola. When they found it and he ended up with it, he did not turn in the required 1/5 for the king. Thus, he is on trial. The story of how he came to be in possession of the gold and now on trial is found in the story.
This was truly and enjoyable read. I loved hearing how the expedition went, looking at the maps as they are included in the story, hearing about the people met and the cities visited. It was such an adventure. The ending is pleasing and leave some openings for interpretation and your own guess about what is going on in the future. I would recommend this one. I could make a great read-aloud. It is also a good read for a middle school or high school student to go along with a history program fitting the 1500s and the time of explorers in the New World.
Our library system has a great little pamphlet that they keep available, among others, that lists all of the Newbery medal winners. It could make for a neat reading challenge for the girls. So, I am kind of mulling that around in my head.
Did you read any Newbery books this month?
Blessings,
Lori, At Home.
At Home 
How disappointing that these elements are introduced into stories without really being necessary. Somehow The King’s Fifth escaped my notice on the Newbery list – a couple of my students based their creative writing assignments on it last year and spoke highly of it but I haven’t read it yet.
I agree and it is done in such a way as to make it seem acceptable. It did make me sad. You should read The King’s Fifth. I truly enjoyed it.
The king’s fifth sounds intriguing. It’s a shame you know? there are many books that I have enjoyed reading, but the need to add an unnecessary type is annoying.
There are so many good books out there. It is hard to pick and choose sometimes.