1922-1929 Newbery Books
Award Winners
The Story of Mankind by Originally written in 1921 for the author's grandchildren, Hendrik Willem van Loon's The Story of Mankind has charmed generations with its warmth, simplicity, and wisdom. Van Loon's witty, amiable tone animates the story of human history as a grand and perpetually unfolding adventure. This new version has been brought up to date by best-selling historian Robert Sullivan, who continues van Loon's personable style. Engagingly written, delightfully informative, and always entertaining, this is the necessary classic of all ages, for all ages.
The Voyages of Doctor Dolittle by Hugh Lofting's beloved story of the doctor who can talk to animals has long enchanted children. Though his fondness for pets drives away all his human patients, as a veterinarian, Doctor Doolittle has the magic touch. Join him, Polynesia, Jip the dog, Dab-Dab the duck, and the rest of his furry and feathered friends as they face evil kings and treacherous pirates while handling their most important case ever.
The Dark Frigate by In seventeenth century England, a terrible accident forces orphaned Philip Marsham to flee London in fear for his life. Bred to the sea, he signs on with the "Rose of Devon," a dark frigate bound for the quiet shores of Newfoundland. Philip's bold spirit and knowledge of the sea soon win him his captain's regard. But when the "Rose of Devon" is seized in midocean by a devious group of men plucked from a floating wreck, Philip is forced to accompany these "gentlemen of fortune" on their murderous expeditions. Like it or not, Philip Marsham is now a pirate--with only the hangman awaiting his return to England. With its bloody battles, brutal buccaneers, and bold, spirited hero, this rousing tale will enthrall young listeners in search of seafaring adventure.
Tales from Silver Lands by Atmospheric woodcuts illustrate this collection of 19 South American folktales. Charles J. Finger heard the tales firsthand from native storytellers, whose fables of talking animals, witches, giants, and ordinary people in supernatural settings provide remarkable insights into regional values and culture. Packed with adventure and full of surprises!
Shen of the Sea by A series of fascinating Chinese stories, strong in humor and rich in Chinese wisdom, in which the author has caught admirably the spirit of Chinese life and thought.
Smoky the Cowhorse by Smoky knows only one way of life: freedom. Living on the open range, he is free to go where he wants and to do what he wants. And he knows what he has to do to survive. He can beat any enemy, whether it be a rattlesnake or a hungry wolf. He is as much a part of the Wild West as it is of him, and Smoky can't imagine anything else. But then he comes across a new enemy, one that walks on two legs and makes funny sounds. Smoky can't beat this enemy the way he has all the others. But does he really want to? Or could giving up some of his freedom mean getting something in return that's even more valuable?
Gay-Neck: The Story of a Pigeon by Writing out of his own experience as a boy in India, Dhan Gopal Mukerji tells how Gay Neck's master sent his prized pigeon to serve in World War I, and of how, because of his exceptional training and his brave heart, Gay Neck served his new masters heroically.
The Trumpeter of Krakow by The Trumpeter of Krakow is an absorbing and dramatic as when it was first published in 1928. There was something about the Great Tarnov Crystal...Wise men spoke of it in hushed tones. Others were ready to kill for it. Now a murderous Tartar chief is bent on possessing it. But young Joseph Charnetski was bound by an ancient oath to protect the jewel at all costs. When Joseph and his family seek refuge in medieval Krakow, they are caught up in the plots and intrigues of alchemists, hypnotists, and a dark messenger of evil. Will Joseph be able to protect the crystal, and the city, from the plundering Tartars?
Honor Books
The Great Quest by The story opens in fictional Topham, Massachusetts, in 1826. After the man Cornelius "Neal" Gleazen unexpectedly returns to town, he involves childhood friend Seth Woods and Seth's nephew, twenty-year-old protagonist Josiah "Joe" Woods, in a dangerous sea journey to retrieve a hidden treasure. Accompanying them are Seth's two store-clerks, Arnold Lamont and Sim Muzzy, and farmer Abraham Guptil, on whose mortgage Neal forced Seth to foreclose in order to raise money to outfit the expedition...
Cedric, the Forester by Narrated by Sir Dickon Mountjoy, a twelfth-century Norman nobleman, the novel describes his lifelong friendship with Cedric of Pelham Wood, a Saxon yeoman. Cedric the forester saves Sir Dickon's life and is made his squire. The two men become friends and have many adventures. Set in the time of King Richard the Lionhearted, Cedric plays a pivotal role in the signing of the Magna Carta.
The Old Tobacco Shop: A True Account of What Befell a Little Boy in Search of Adventure by Five-year-old Freddie meets the owner of a nearby tobacco shop, Mr. Toby Littleback, who warns young Freddie never to touch the jar shaped like a man's head as it is filled with magic tobacco. Freddie can't resist, and after smoking the tobacco he finds he and his friends on The Sieve, a leaky ship on the Spanish Main. They are first captured by pirates, then escape with the pirate treasure. In the end Freddie falls ill, and goes into a coma. When he awakens he finds himself at home, recovered from the tobacco-induced dream.
The Golden Fleece and the Heroes Who Lived Before Achilles by Travel to ancient Greece, where gods and goddesses walk the earth and a youth named Jason must capture the famous Golden Fleece. Mythology buffs will love the classic stories of Greek heroes, from Hercules to Orpheus to Theseus. With an introduction by Rick Riordan, author of the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series, fantasy fans will thoroughly enjoy this classic.
The Windy Hill by A pair of teens visiting their wealthy cousin in a sleepy seaside town stumble upon a family mystery in this suspenseful Newbery Honor Book. Oliver and Janet sense immediately that something's wrong with Cousin Jasper, who barely acknowledges their arrival and remains strangely nervous and preoccupied. The brother and sister soon realize that the trouble is not confined to their cousin's house; conflict is brewing all over the hills and farms of Medford Valley. Oliver and Janet form a friendship with a mysterious local beekeeper and his daughter. The beekeeper tells the children tales of the region's past as well as incidents from the lives of their ancestors -- stories that help them piece together the scattered clues to the secret behind their cousin's depression and the discord that plagues the community.
Millions of Cats by Hundreds of cats, thousands of cats, millions and billions and trillions of cats. Wanda Gág's enchanting tale of the very old man who went off in search of the prettiest cat in the world for his wife and returned instead with millions to choose from has become an American classic, widely recognized as the first modern picture book. It has gone on to sell over a million copies. With its charming illustrations and rhythmic, singsong refrain, Millions of Cats remains as beloved today as it was when it first appeared almost a century ago.
Note: Not many are available from this decade, so they are all combined in one list here.
