1930 Newbery Medal and Honor Books

Hitty, Her First Hundred Years

By: Rachel Field
Illustrated by: Dorothy P. Lathrop

Medal Winner
NOT REVIEWED

Hitty is a doll of great charm and real character. It is indeed a privilege to be able to publish her memoirs which, besides being full of the most thrilling adventures on land and sea, also reveal a personality which is delightful and forceful. One glance at her portrait will show that she is no ordinary doll. Hitty, or Mehitable, as she was really named, was carved from a piece of white ash by a peddler who was spending the winter in Maine. Phoebe Preble, for whom Hitty was made, was very proud of her doll and took her everywhere, even on a long sailing trip in a whaler. In this way Hitty's horizon was broadened and she acquired ample material to make her memoirs exciting and instructive.

Hitty is a real doll, over one hundred years old, and now belongs to Miss Field and Miss Lathrop. Recently she has done more traveling all over America in special exhibits to get acquainted with the young readers who love her story.

From the dust jacket of the 1943 MacMillan edition

A Daughter of the Seine: The Life of Madame Roland

By: Jeannette Eaton

Honor
NOT REVIEWED

Madame Roland's life coincides with the French Revolution. The historical biography describes the childhood, married life, and tragic execution by guillotine of this remarkable woman. Madame Roland is intelligent and strongly supports the revolution, and her salon is depicted as the headquarters of much political activity. 

From The Newbery & Caldecott Awards: A Guide to the Medal and Honor Books (2009)

The Jumping-Off Place

By: Marion Hurd McNeely
Illustrated by: William Siegel

Honor

Reviewed by: Diane Pendergraft
Also read and recommended by: Diane Pendergraft, Sandy Hall, Sherry Early

This is a story about family, courage, maturity, facing life and death, and learning to live in community while, at the same time, learning self-reliance.  On hearing of the children’s intentions, one of the first comments of their not-so-supportive aunt is to ask how they plan to run a household and farm and survive the winter when they can’t even keep from fighting among themselves.  Uncle Jim had also advised them that they would have to learn to curb this tendency, and the children believe they are up to the challenge. Their respect for his self-sacrifice and training helps them learn to treat each other with kindness. The children have spent the past several years learning their work ethic from Uncle Jim who had once said, “If the Lord will supply the grindstone, I’ll furnish the nose.”  

Of course, the fourteen months of proving up are full of lessons for all four children, but McNeely avoids lecturing and mere didacticism.  As Becky observes the changes in Dick’s attitude and appearance, she notes that, “Tripp County had made Dick a man.” It is during the two older siblings’ discussion of how to manage Christmas gifts that Becky concludes, “Funny how little you care for the unnecessaries out here.  In fact, I never knew what the necessaries were until I tried homesteading.” Dick agrees.  “Food, clothing, and shelter, and easy on the clothing, too.  All you need is enough to keep heat off in summer and cold off in winter.”

Little Blacknose: The Story of a Pioneer

By: Hildegarde Hoyt Swift
Illustrated by: Lynd Ward

Honor
NOT REVIEWED

Little Blacknose was the first steam engine built for the New York Central Railroad and was a pioneer in transportation. His real name was DeWitt Clinton, and he huffed and puffed his way from Albany to Schenectady for many years, scaring horses and people and enjoying every minute of it. You may have seen the little engine at one of the big fairs or in Grand Central, not at all like the diesel monsters of today.

From the E.M. Hale edition

Pran of Albania

By: Elizabeth C. Miller
Illustrated by: Maud and Miska Petersham

Honor
NOT REVIEWED

Pran is a daughter of the sturdy mountain tribes of Albania—old enough to be betrothed in accordance with the ancient tribal traditions. This is the story of Pran and her life in the mountains and the refugee barracks at Skodra; of her friend, the laughing blue-eyed Nush and his secret; of her adventures in war times and peace, of her betrothal and the strange vow she takes.

From the dust jacket

The Tangle-Coated Horse and Other Tales

By: Ella Young
Illustrated by: Vera Bock

Honor
NOT REVIEWED

This tale of the adventures of Fionn and his companions: of their friendship with the Folk of Faery; of their servitude under Enchanters; of their escapes from Hags, Giants, and Magic Caves is a living story; its hero as vivid as King Arthur. With all their adventures they have time to listen to the song of the blackbird, to watch the leap of the salmon, to note the red spots on the trout. They have time to make verse and to rescue distressed damsels; time to chase silver-pale hinds and to follow after beasts that have the brightness of the sun and moon on their hides; they have time to be joyous and a delight to themselves.

Miss Young has told this story of a world of wonder and glamour in the rich and beautiful prose which so distinguishes her work. Ireland breathes her mystery, her poetry, her fire through every page of the book.

From the dust jacket

Vaino: A Boy of New Finland

By: Julia Davis Adams
Illustrated by: Lempi Ostma

Honor
NOT REVIEWED

Ancient legends of Finland, the lives of three children, and the Finnish Revolution of 1917 are blended together to tell a story filled with strong patriotic spirit. Vaino and his older brother and sister become a part of the revolution that finally frees Finland of foreign domination.

From The Newbery & Caldecott Awards: A Guide to the Medal and Honor Books (2009)