Saturday, June 16, 2007

Long Lost Friend

"Books are our friends," Mom and Dad always said. And at long last, I have tracked one elusive friend down! The idea came to me when I read an article in this week's Wall Street Journal about Micheal Flaherty of Walden Media (Chronicles of Narnia, Holes, Bridge to Terabithia). Walden Media gets their movie ideas from school librarians. And they look for a certain kind of story, too. Stories of bravery and overcoming impossible odds and the triumph of goodness.
And I thought what a good movie one beloved book from my childhood would make, if only I could remember the title. Alas! All I could remember, besides the plot and my own mental images from it was the generous little offer of the main character when someone would visit her tiny cabin: "Have a pep-mint, do." How are you going to find a book from forty years ago with that kind of information? Ah, thankfully the Internet gave me a way: I kind of remembered that it won a book award. So I googled "Caldecott" and scrolled through all the winners. Nothing looked right. Okay, I googled "Newbery" and began scrolling down.
1990
1980
1970
1960.
1960: Newbery Honor Book. The Gammage Cup by Carol Kendall.
There it was. And there were reviews by other grown-ups who had never forgotten the wonderful story of
"Muggles" (decades before Harry Potter!) and little people and bravery, humility and perseverance and graciousness.
Not only that! There was another book by the same author!
And Sr. Helena's MOM knows Micheal Flaherty from church!
Guess who's going to get a letter from Sr. Anne?
And guess who's going to re-read a long lost friend as soon as Amazon can get it to Chicago?

What book from childhood would you gladly revisit if you could find it?

4 comments:

Christy said...

No question! The Five Little Peppers and How They Grew. I loved that book so much and I know exactly where it is in my parents' basement. Thanks for the reminder!

Anonymous said...

To Christy, did you go to the Five Little Peppers movies in the thirties. I did. mkh

Anonymous said...

"Books Are Our Friends" is the exact thing which I said to my young ones years ago. The response which I received was:
"No they are not, they are BOOKS"

Unknown said...
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