For the past month, I’ve hardly wanted to read, let alone write. Partly this is because the 698 pages of Vanity Fair (which I foolishly suggested as the February read for my book club) sit on my nightstand, mocking me. Partly it’s because we’ve been doing a “small” kitchen remodel, and I’m just now getting my house (and my life) back to some semblance of order. And partly it’s because I’ve been feeling sick. As in morning sick.
When I was pregnant with Jane, I was in contact with the man who is now my editor at IVP, revising my book proposal and hoping he would offer me a contract. And when Jane was three months old, he did.
This time around, though, I don’t have an editor looking at a book proposal. My editor looked at my proposal and passed. Not that I blame him, given the thus far dismal sales of my book. But I figure if someone who knows what a delight I am to work with (I meet my deadlines, I’m eager to please, I’m flexible and accommodating, and I (mostly) don’t need handholding)—if someone who’s worked with the amazing professional version of me doesn’t want my book, someone who doesn’t know me from Eve sure won’t.
And, I confess, I’m weary of rejection, and the thought of trying to create a compelling project that will appeal to enough people to sell well and to then shop it around to agents and/or editors and have it rejected again and again and again…I’m not sure I’m up for it, given my present state of physical and emotional fragility. Okay, so I’m not that fragile; I just hate feeling desperate, and with a looming August due date, I feel desperate to have something, anything, besides motherhood to define me.
So since I don’t have a book contract or even the possibility of a book contract at this point, I have decided to create my own project with deadlines, something to keep me focused, with a long enough time horizon that it will carry me through pregnancy and the post-partum hideousness that inevitably follows.
Hence my Newbery year. Or, rather, two.
Since fiction is my first love, and since I’ve written a young adult novel, and since well over half of my favorite books from 2009 were young adult novels, I’ve decided to challenge myself to read all the Newbery Medal winners.
For those of you who aren’t hip to children’s literature, the Newbery is probably the most prestigious award for young adult literature. It’s awarded every January for a book published the previous year. (This year’s winner, When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead, was announced yesterday.) Books are chosen by a committee comprised of members of the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC), a division of the American Library Association (ALA). (How’d you like to announce that mouthful at the annual awards ceremony?)
My goal in reading all these books—and I’ve only read about a dozen of them, mostly as an adult—is to learn a little something about what makes a good book for children (since I apparently didn’t read good books when I was a child myself. What exactly was I reading anyway? Nancy Drew? Um, actually, yes, which probably explains a lot about me). Maybe I’ll even (re)gain a little confidence that my own novel is good—or learn why it’s not.
My deadline is to read all the Newbery winners by the end of 2011. Since the Newbery’s been awarded every year since 1922, that will be 89 books in 101 weeks, which means if I read a book a week, I can still go on vacation, get sick, have a baby, and take a maternity leave from this project.
So, starting (eek!) now, I’ll (try to) read one book per week and write a review of it here on my blog.
First up: The View From Saturday by E.L. Konigsburg (1997)
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July 2010 update: due to the unexpected discovery, back in April, that we are having twins and all the additional complications that has created with my pregnancy and the extra energy an additional baby will require once these guys are born, I’ve decided to suspend my little Newbery project for the time being.
I am a reader (I feel about books the way some people feel about chocolate: yum), a writer (I've written a book, even: The Circle of Seasons: Meeting God in the Church Year), and a mother (of four). So that's what I blog about: reading, writing, and raising my kids.
Great idea! Since you’re one of my favorite people to talk books to, I’ll read right along with you. I love the Newbery books and read as many as I can get my hands on. A View From Saturday is, in my opinion, one of the best! How could you not love a book that totes: “that maybe — just maybe — Western Civilization was in a decline because people did not take time to take tea at four o’clock”
Which is why I added afternoon tea to our homeschooling schedule.
plus: i felt like Nadia last week with my own little baby turtle.
I’m making my way through VF with you – maybe we can pick one of the Newberys for next month – they’ve got to be shorter!!! Or even a Nancy Drew – mine are still in the garage.
The librarian at the Elementary school I attended for grades 4-6 was totally into Newbery winners, so when you get to “The Indian in the Cupboard” & “Saving Queen of Sheeba,” I’ll be happy to discuss them. They have stuck in my mind for years.
Okay, I just checked the list and neither of those books are on it. Maybe our librarian just decided the whole school needed to read them anyway. They were good books. Of course, you don’t exactly need me to add more books to your list. I have read a lot of the winners from the 80′s, though. It will be fun to read about you reading them for the first time.
After reflecting upon the list further, I realized that I have read quite a few of the books, I’m glad to say. Many fond memories. Of course, several of the start series that you may decide to follow which means even more books! Have fun!
Excuse, me. Please add ‘wonderful writer, friend, and critique-group member” to the words that define you. You are all those things, as well as a mother, regardless of what happens in the publishing industry.
(Just call me your preachy pal!)
Kimberlee! I am just so excited for you and the fam. Congratulations!! =)
Oooh, E.L. Konigsburg. I just LOVED “From the Mixed-Up Files of What’s-er-face” (clearly, as I can remember the title word for word … or not!). I might have to pick up that one you’re talking about.
Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler. I read it many times. I even read it to my parents on a long trip and they enjoyed it. I still have a copy of it on my shelf.