Call It Courage by Armstrong Sperry

Title: Call It Courage (1940)

Author: Armstrong Sperry

Other Books by this Author: None that I have read, but for a full list, click here
AR Reading Level: 6.2

AR Interest Level: Middle Grades

AR Points: 3

My Rating: Didn't Like It, It was Okay, Liked It, Really Liked It, It was Amazing

This book tells the story of a young boy who lives on an island. His culture values courage, of which he has none. The boy has been afraid of the sea for almost his whole life - ever since it claimed the life of his mother when he was only three. The boy decides he must conquer his fears once and for all by going on a journey at sea. The book details the trials of this journey and at many points had me at the edge of my seat, anxious to see what would become of him.

Newbery Medal Reading Challenge

Since 1922, 90 Newbery Medals have been awarded. No, the Newbery Medal is not the be-all, end-all of what makes a good book. I sometimes read a book and get frustrated that it is such an awesome book and yet received no recognition. On the other hand, sometimes I read a book that has won a prestigious award and I hate it. But no one can argue that on the whole, Newbery books are awesome books for intermediate children and as an intermediate teacher, I feel I should definitely make an effort to read more of them.

I am challenging myself to read all of the Newbery Medal Winners. Since a new one is added every year, it may take me quite a while to catch up! 

Here are the Newbery Medal Winners that I have read (and remember well enough for them to count!):

1. 2009 The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman (04/10)
2. 2008 Good Masters! Sweet Ladies! Voices from a Medieval Village by Laura Amy Schlitz (04/10)
3. 1999 - Holes by Louis Sachar (BeforeChallenge)
4. 1997 - The View from Saturday by EL Konigsburg (07/11)
5. 1994 - The Giver by Lois Lowry (BC)
6. 1991 - Maniac Magee by Jerry Spinelli (BC)
7. 1990 - Number the Stars by Lois Lowry (04/10)
8. 1989 - Joyful Noise: Poems for Two Voices by Paul Fleischman (03/10)
9. 1988 - Lincoln: A Photobiography by Russell Freedman
10. 1986 - Sarah, Plain and Tall by Patricia MacLachlan (BC)
11. 1984 - Dear Mr. Henshaw by Beverly Cleary (BC)
12. 1982 - A Journey to William Blake's Inn: Poems for Innocent and Experienced Travelers by Nancy Willard (03/10)
13. 1979 - The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin (05/13)
14. 1978 - Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Patterson (BC)
15. 1977 - Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry by Mildred Taylor (10/13)
16. 1968 - From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by EL Konigsburg (BC)
17. 1963 - A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle (BC)
18. 1941 - Call It Courage (2011)

(BC) - Before Challenge

~Wish Me Luck!!~