I watched the webcast of the ALA book awards, including the Newbery and Caldecott awards for 2007. I was inspired. I’ve wanted to go on a journey of my own for a long time through all the Newbery Award and Honor books, starting in 1922 when the Newbery Award was first given. I want to read all the books. I also want to think about how children’s literature has changed since 1922, how our tastes in children’s literature have changed, how many of the books are still worthwhile and accessible to today’s children and young adults.

SO this is the year I start my journey. My plan is to read one Newbery award or honor book each week. I’ll start as far back as I can, but many of the early award and especially the honor books are no longer in print and not available from the library. Each Thursday I’ll post the title of the Newbery book that I plan to read for the following week. If anyone wants to join me on my journey, you’ll have the weekend to get a copy of the book of the week and start reading. I plan to read many of these books with my children, so you’ll get their reactions and evaluations, too.

Then on Sunday evening I’ll post my thoughts on the Newbery Book of the Week. If you read any of the books, you are welcome to post your thoughts, too, and I’ll link to your post. Or you can leave your thoughts in the comments for all of us to read.

By the way, the winner of this year’s Newbery Award for Distinguished Children’s Literature is Susan Patron for The Higher Power of Lucky. It was nominated for the Cybil Award, and I already have a hold request on it at the library. But I haven’t read it.

Go here for a list of all the Newbery Award and Honor books.

Well, I haven’t conquered yet, but a journey starts with a single step—or book, as the case may be.