Gisela Jernigan, Ph.D. (Children's Literature)
Although this Newbery Award winning novel was published in 1935, it's protagonist, brave and lively 11 year old Caddie, and her many exciting, humorous and sometimes dangerous adventures might still have appeal to young readers of both sexes. The book is based on true stories of the author's grandmother, who lived on the Wisconsin frontier in the 1860s. Caddie tries to reject her mother's attempts to turn her into a young lady, preferring to join and sometimes even instigate the deeds and pranks of her brothers. She stands up to a school bully, and gets revenge on a snobbish, visiting cousin. Unfortunately, this otherwise fine novel tries to portray Native Americans in a manner that would seem sympathetic for the times, but by today's standards would still be considered condescending and rather stereotyped. 1997 (orig. 1935), Aladdin/Simon & Schuster, $16.00, $3.95 and $2.50. Ages 9 to 12.