The Giver

The Giver by Lois Lowry, 1993

Brief annotation:

Given his lifetime assignment at the Ceremony of Twelve, Jonas becomes the receiver of memories shared by only one other in his community and discovers the terrible truth about the society in which he lives.

Themes include society, science fiction, the human experience and rebellion.

This book lends itself to interesting discussion on how we see the world. Discussion topics could include what it would be like to not see any colors, what it would be like to lose individuality and what we lose by trying to protect ourselves from living.

-John Newbery Medal, 1994

Crispin: The Cross of Lead

Crispin: The Cross of Lead by Avi, 2002

Brief annotation:

Set in 14th-century England, this Newbery-winning novel centers on an orphaned outcast who gets pegged for murder.

Themes include orphans, hero story, apprenticeships and 14th-century England.

This is a good book for studying Medieval England to get a personal connection to the life of the lower class in the 14th-century. It is a good read with a lot of adventure to keep even reluctant readers interested.

- John Newbery Medal, 2003

Out of the Dust

Out of the Dust by Karen Hesse, 1997

Brief annotation:

In a series of poems, fifteen-year-old Billie Jo relates the hardships of living on her family's wheat farm in Oklahoma during the dust bowl years of the Depression.

Themes include the Great Depression, family, friendship, the dust bowl and poetry.

This book really personalizes the Great Depression and particularly the dust bowl. It can be used in the history classroom or, since it is written in free verse, a poetry unit in an English or reading class.

- John Newbery Medal, 1998
- Scott O'Dell Award for Historical Fiction, 1998