Happy New Year! In our first episode of 2018, we discuss the 1944 Newbery Medal winner Johnny Tremain by Esther Forbes. Esther takes her readers right into 1775 and the beginnings of the American Revolution as well as the daily struggles the people of that time period endured. Grab a blanket and some tea and listen to our conversation about this exciting book showcasing the dawning of the American Revolution in Boston, Massachusetts.

Show Notes: 

• It’s COLD here in the Midwest as we record this episode! Brrr!!!
• We share some of the books we have been reading over the past few months.
• Leah and Lauren both met their reading goals for 2017! They each read 50 books!
• Lauren gives thanks to those who have helped her reach her reading goal.
• Leah and Lauren encourage Mandy to try audiobooks.
• Mandy continues to impress us with her books news.
• We discuss how Esther Forbes along with many of the other authors we have discussed have had trouble thriving in the traditional school setting, yet have overcome their obstacles and created some amazing works.
• Esther’s writing process
• Historical Fiction and how it can encourage children to want to learn more about history
• Remember the Dear America books?
• American History books and leaving out certain details to paint America in a better light
• The importance of teaching children how to think as opposed to simply regurgitating information
• Esther does such a good job of taking her readers into the story. We felt like we were there. We were able to sympathize with the characters.
• Life doesn’t always turn out the way we think.
• We discuss the interesting details of the Boston Tea Party
• “Make sure you sweep up after you finish dumping the tea!”
• The Royals: Leah and Lauren discuss The Crown and how fascinating it is that the royal family is still around.
• We discuss how much times have changed since 1775
• “Half the time, I didn’t understand what they were talking about.” —Leah
• Lauren started a word journal because of this book. She needs to expand her vocabulary.
• Were there female apprenticeships back then?
• 1944 Newbery Honor Books: These Happy Golden Years by Laura Ingalls Wilder (Harper), Fog Magic by Julia Sauer (Viking), Rufus M. by Eleanor Estes (Harcourt), Mountain Born by Elizabeth Yates (Coward)
• Mandy announces our book for next month!
• The team talks about their favorite Newbery books they read in 2017. We all LOVE Flora and Ulysses the best! “Kate [Di’Camillo], you’re the winner of 2017!”
• Mandy confesses whey she did not finish reading this month’s book: She has been spending too much time playing video games.

Links related to this episode: 

Amazon link to Johnny Tremain by Esther Forbes http://amzn.to/2Cxgesr

Amazon link to Wonder the book by R.J. Palacio http://amzn.to/2COgpTM

Amazon link to Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library by Chris Grabenstein http://amzn.to/2CP6ywM

Amazon link to The Stars Beneath Our Feet by David Barclay Moore http://amzn.to/2F5RclQ

Amazon link to Feathers by Jacqueline Woodson http://amzn.to/2F8OZpY

Amazon link to Mortal Engines by Philip Reeve http://amzn.to/2D0yECT

Teaser Trailer for Mortal Engines the movie https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fupYIggOq38

Harry Potter a History of Magic NYC https://www.pottermore.com/news/reserve-tickets-for-harry-potter-a-history-of-magic-in-new-york

Jacqueline Woodson named this year’s ambassador for young people’s literature http://everychildareader.net/ambassador/

Best books of 2017 https://best-books.publishersweekly.com/pw/best-books/2017

Johnny Tremain on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/816870.Johnny_Tremain

Esther Forbes https://users.wpi.edu/~cityofwords/forbes.html

Our personal contact info: 

Leah Clapp – https://www.instagram.com/leahranjel/

Mandalay Parkman – https://www.instagram.com/mandymalay/

Lauren Keen – https://twitter.com/Graciefirstborn

Also look for each of us on Goodreads!

Intro Music: “Feeling Good” by Royalty Free Copyright Music