Caldecott Medal, 1996Officer Buckle and Gloria was written by Peggy Rathman. Officer Buckle is a police officer who teaches safety rules to classes of children. All goes well until Officer Buckle realizes that his sidekick Gloria (a dog with lots of personality) is the star of his show. Feelings are hurt but feelings are mended. This book brought giggles to my first graders.
Newbery Medal, 1996
The Midwife’s Apprentice by Karen Cushman is a relatively short (and small) book set in the fourteenth century. Beetle is a young girl who lived with a woman named Jane. Jane Sharp was the midwife in a small village who fed and housed Beetle but treated her poorly. Eventually Beetle changed her name to Alyce and soon learned the skills of a midwife. As Alyce’s skills as a midwife grow, so does her confidence. A well-written book, it seems appropriate for a middle schooler.
Book Reviews by Susan Berry
