Newbery 1974

The Slave Dancer
Author: Paula Fox
Genre: Historical Fiction
Plot: Jessie is kidnapped and pressed into service on a slave ship.
Verdict: Interesting story, choppy writing
My rating: 2 stars


The Dark is Rising
Author: Susan Cooper
Genre: Fantasy
Plot: Will discovers that he is one of the "old ones" and must collect 6 signs.
Verdict: Confusing at start but gets better
My rating: 3 stars

Both books from this year are pretty dark.  The first, The Slave Dancer, is an historical fiction book about a boy pressed into service on a slave ship.  I'm not sure his kidnapping is plausible but the horrible conditions on the slave ship certainly are. He is a first hand witness to the horrors of slavery.  The second book, The Dark is Rising, is the second book of the series, also titled "The Dark is Rising."  It does not seem to be unusual for the second book in a series to get honored on the Newbery list (The Black Cauldron, The Tombs of Atuan and Dicey's Song come to mind) and usually, I recommend that that reader read the first book or books in a series leading up the one who has won and award.  In this case, the book is only slightly connected to the first book so it is not necessary to read the first book.  However, the fourth book in the series, The Gray King, is a medal winner so if you are trying to read the Newbery list, you might as well read the whole series.  The Dark is Rising is a darker low fantasy book about a boy named Will who finds out he is an "Old One" and has special powers.