What Jamie Saw by Carolyn Coman
What Jamie Saw by Carolyn Coman was a 1996 Newbery Honor book. What exactly did Jamie, our young main character see? I don’t think I’ll spoil anything because it’s revealed in the very first sentence and as soon as I read it, I thought, “Oh no, this isn’t going to be pretty.” Jamie see’s his mother’s live in boyfriend lose his cool and throw his baby sister across the room in an attempt to stop her crying. It was then that Jamie’s mother decides that they have to leave that very second. Loading the car up and leaving barefoot in the dead of winter, Jamie, his baby sister, and mother head for a friends home and then eventually settle into a trailer.
What Jamie Saw is about the fear a family lives through when they no longer feel safe. Jamie doesn’t always understand his feelings or why he acts the way he does, but he does understand that they need to go through the motions of life.
What Jamie Saw is a quick read and well worth the few minutes to read it.
On a sidenote, this is the 21st Newbery book that I’ve read this year in a”life goal” to read all of them. See my progress on my challenge blog. I thought I would list the others in case you would like to do some browsing (and since I’m donating ten cents a comment left anywhere on my blog this month, I’m hoping you might do some clicking on some titles that interest you).
And guess what you can expect this month? Interviews with Shannon Hale, Cynthia Lord, and Kirby Larson! Um yes, that would be three Newbery authors right here visiting the Maw Books Blog! How cool is that?! I’m way excited!
Good Masters! Sweet Ladies! Voices from a Medievel Village by Laura Amy Schlitz
Elijah of Buxton by Christopher Paul Curtis
The Wednesday Wars by Gary D. Schmidt
Feathers by Jacqueline Woodson
The Higher Power of Lucky by Susan Patron
Penny from Heaven by Jennifer L. Holm
Hattie Big Sky by Kirby Larson
Rules by Cynthia Lord
Criss Cross by Lynne Rae Perkins
Hitler Youth: Growing Up in Hitler’s Shadow by Susan Campbell Bartoletti
Princess Academy by Shannon Hale
Kira-Kira by Cynthia Kadohata
The Tale of Despereaux: by Kate DiCamillo
Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamillo
Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine
The Midwife’s Apprentice by Karen Cushman
The Giver by Lois Lowry
Missing May by Cynthia Rylant
Number the Stars by Lois Lowry
Mr. Popper’s Penguins by Richard & Florence Atwater
An interview with Shannon Hale! I really look forward to it
on September 2nd, 2008 at 5:45 amThat’s an admirable goal. I hadn’t started looking at YA books until just a few months ago; I haven’t read any of the ones you listed. I do recognize a few authors, though! I read a Jennifer L. Holm in June or July and quite enjoyed it.
on September 2nd, 2008 at 7:45 amEr, I know Newberry is for children’s books, I meant to change that before I pushed Submit.
on September 2nd, 2008 at 7:48 amYou are doing much better at your goal to read all the Newberys than I am. I have only read about 6 this year. Oh well, that is why I made it a life long goal right?
on September 2nd, 2008 at 8:37 amIf you like this one, you really ought to read When We Were Romans, by Matthew Kneale. I’m not sure when it comes out (I read an ARC) but I think it’s this month, and it’s astoundingly good.
on September 2nd, 2008 at 9:02 amI joined the Newbery Challenge to read all of the books but so far I think I’ve only read three (most of these would be re-reads for me). I don’t rememeber ever reading this one though!
on September 2nd, 2008 at 10:31 amOh Yeah! I love Shannon Hale. That is a good goal to read all of those books.
on September 2nd, 2008 at 11:40 amThere AIN’T NO WAY I could read a story about a thrown baby. You read all these books that are so heartbreaking to me. I’m glad someone is able to do it, because it’s not gonna be me. I know, I’m missing out on a lot of good stuff, but NO WAY. Just the thought makes me wanna grab the bug up and smother him in kisses.
on September 2nd, 2008 at 1:51 pmWow, wow, wow! I can’t wait to read those interviews. I love Kirby Larson!!! Have you read her picture book, Two Bobbies?
on September 2nd, 2008 at 4:02 pmWow. Huge authors. Very cool:)
on September 2nd, 2008 at 5:16 pmFor some reason I thought ALL the books you read this month were going to be about Darfur. I’m actually glad I was wrong, because I was really wondering how you would find that many titles on the one suject.
on September 3rd, 2008 at 6:44 amI have read so many great Newberys this year. I hadn’t made it an official goal to read all ofthem but I have been reading as many as I can. They have honestly been some of my very favorite books this year– The Wednesday Wars, Elijah of Buxton, Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster Boy, Hatchet, Rules and others are so good.
on September 3rd, 2008 at 1:11 pmI have to say, that you have inspired me to pick up the Newberry list and start reading. I realize I have read many of them already, but as most of them are out of my daughters reading levels (4 and 6) I am reading them aloud to share. We are making a steady progress and it has been a hit so far.
On a side note, my younger daughter has less of an attention span and doesn’t always get what is going on in the Newberry’s so I started reading all of the Caldecott’s to her. Though some have no words…I like that it makes her think and tell about the pictures.
Anyways…I’m rambling now and Off to bed with me. Thanks Natasha.
on September 4th, 2008 at 12:35 amWell, it doesn’t sound like a bright and cheery book but intriguing nonetheless.
Thanks for your review!
on September 6th, 2008 at 8:46 amI hadn’t thought about that as a challenge, but I’ve actually read five of the books you listed here, so I think I might just have to start.
I will definitely be looking forward to your Shannon Hale interview. LOVE her!!
on September 7th, 2008 at 2:41 pmMan, I’m getting behind on responding to comments. I won’t respond individually but thanks all! Jeanne - I have about 5 Darfur books I’d like to make through, but yeah, it’s kind of like my own read-a-thon.
on September 7th, 2008 at 6:34 pm