"The Story of Mankind"

This is the first book to have been awarded the Newberry Medal. It was in the year 1922.  It is literally the story of mankind, the history of the world.  It is interesting, but I cannot quite figure out how this is a children/junior literature book.  It is written in simple terms, but what kid would read 500 pages of this.  I find it very intriguing but, even though I don't want to admit it, I am OLD... I  no longer fit into the junior category.  The author, Loon, has some weird ideas.  I say weird, because they are different than what I believe so maybe I should say different ideas.  The way he describes the Earth "appearing", the way people came to be on the Earth, the story of Jesus... different.  I don't know where he is getting his facts from but the title of the chapter about Jesus is "Joshua of Nazareth... The Story of Joshua of Nazareth, Whom the Greeks called Jesus"  I have never heard of Jesus being called Joshua.  I have asked around and no one else has heard of that either.  So, I am now wondering about some of his other information.  So far I have skipped the chapters on our earliest ancestors (the single cell swimming in the ocean that sprouted legs and "learned" to breathe air), The Setting of the Stage (how the earth was a flaming ball and it burned itself out and then the incessant rains caused cells to take root in the slimy sediments...).  I have read 28 of 77 chapters and some of my favorites have been about the rise and fall of Egypt, the Greeks, Rome vs. Carthage, Mohammed.  I have a long ways to go...400 more pages, but I think I will finish it.  It is pretty easy reading, but not as fun as "Bud, Not Buddy", but I feel like I am learning and relearning some history.

From the bottom up...

So, I requested the three oldest books on the Newberry list.  The first book was from 1922.  I think this is my new plan to read them in sequential order.  I haven't picked them up from the library yet but am anxiously awaiting their arrival. I don't know how I should feel that no one else is requesting these books, I was #1 in line.  I am not letting that cloud my judgement before I even read them.  Hopefully it is not some kind of a sign.

I think I might be the sole survivor... do I win a million dollars?

I don't know if I outwitted, outlasted or outplayed anyone but maybe outread newberry books.  Too bad that doesn't qualify you for anything.

I just read "The Whipping Boy"... very short but a good one.  The premise of the story is quite a barbaric one.  It is illegal to lay a hand on the prince so they have a whipping boy to take his lashings if the prince misbehaves.  The two run off together and have all sorts of problems and realizations.  It wasn't funny like some of the others but I still liked it.

I reread "A Wrinkle in Time"... even though all my sisters said YUCK...once was enough for me on that book.  I remember having my 4th grade teacher read it outloud to us but I didn't remember the book.  I thought it was okay actually but I don't have a desire to read it again.

I listened to "21 balloons" with the kids while we were driving to the cabin.  Loved, this one,and I probalby will get the book and actually read it. There is something to reading the words and visualizing the things in your head.  Listening to it is fun too but I prefer to read.  I loved the clever descriptions and settings the author uses.