Reviews
Recommendations:
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Blueberries for Sal is listed has “Most Highly Recommended” in the Children’s Core Collection. The abstract mentions that the “quiet humor is entirely childlike, and there is just exactly the right amount of suspense for small children.” It even has a note about the sequel One Morning in Maine. Most libraries and schools have taken this recommendation under advisement as they all have Blueberries for Sal in their
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Awards:
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In 1949, Blueberries for Sal won the Caldecott Medal Honor Award.
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Initial Commentary:
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Overall, this book was very well received. It was publicized in many major newspapers and magazines with favorable reviews.
Helen Brogan, a children’s librarian at the New York Public Library gave it a starred review in Library Journal in December of 1948. She said that the “enchanting pictures…are sure to delight all ages” (1826). She also recommended that all schools, libraries and homes have a copy of this book. A review in Booklist from October 1948 stated that Blueberries for Sal was a “picture book in the purest sense” because the pictures were so good, “the text is merely an additional but pleasurable feature” (74). The pictures that spread over 2 pages speak for themselves. Young children can look at the pictures and get a sense of the story. Words are almost not needed. The review in The Horn Book Magazine from November 1948 simply said that it was a “happy, sunshiny book for the youngest who also like to eat blueberries” (453). Another review from that same issue of The Horn Book Magazine by Anne Carroll Moore stated that “McCloskey has done some of his best drawing” (434). It is clear why McCloskey was the recipient of the Caldecott Medal Honor Award. From the New Yorker in December 1948, a reviewer mentions the blueberry-colored ink that McCloskey used to create the illustrations. The “quietly humorous text and clear-cut pen-and-ink pictures…complement each other perfectly” (115). Even though his pictures are simple, they work very well to get the message across. In another favorable review in New Republic from December 1948, it mentions that even though Blueberries for Sal is a simple story it is told with “humor and has just enough hint to danger to be exciting” for the young children (32). |
Retrospective Commentary:
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Because of the high caliber of this book, many education publishers have created supplemental educational materials to go along with the book. Scholastic.com has even created lesson plans and extension activities that correspond with the book.
There are also many newer reviews as new generations are finding Blueberries for Sal. Suzanne Curley mentioned in a 1984 review in Newsday that “Any paperbacks by Robert McCloskey are a great bargain, but especially ‘Blueberries for Sal’ (Penguin, $2.95) with its gorgeous renderings of the Maine countryside, and its endearingly realistically messy title toddler” (B18). School Library Journal gave Blueberries for Sal a starred review and shared their review on the current Amazon.com page for the book. Amazon’s own review of the book states that the book “will leave you craving a fresh pail of your own” (Amazon). |
Other Commentary:
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Customer reviews were mostly positive, encouraging everyone to read this book. However, a few reviews make claim that the story is no longer current. One review mentions that children today may not find it as interesting as the parents did when they were younger (Qwerty). Another review states that the drawings “don’t really evoke emotion” and “the story is a yawner” (D. Holmer). Most reviewers look back on the story with fond memories.
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Resources:
"Blueberries For Sal." Blueberries for Sal. Scholastic, n.d. Web. 20 Mar. 2015.
"Blueberries for Sal (Book Review)." Rev. of Blueberries for Sal. The Booklist 45.4 (1948): 74. Print.
"Blueberries for Sal (Book Review)." Rev. of Blueberries for Sal. The Horn Book Magazine 24 (1948): 453. Print.
"Blueberries for Sal (Book Review)." Rev. of Blueberries for Sal. New Republic 119 (1948): 32. Print.
"Blueberries for Sal (Book Review)." Rev. of Blueberries for Sal. The New Yorker 24 (1948): 125. Print.
"Blueberries for Sal [Paperback Edition]." Blueberries for Sal. Amazon, n.d. Web. 20 Mar. 2015.
Brogan, Helen M. "Blueberries for Sal (Book Review)." Rev. of Blueberries for Sal. Library Journal 73.22 (1948): 1826. Print.
Castor, G. C. "Blueberries for Sal.” by Robert McCloskey. Illustrated by the Author. 56 Pp. New York: The Viking Press. $2." New York Times (1923-Current file): 1. Oct 24 1948. ProQuest. Web. 16 Mar. 2015 .
Curley, Suzanne. “For Children/The Best Buys in Children’s Picture Books.” Newsday (1940-1986); Feb 19, 1984; ProQuest Historical Newspapers. Web. 16 Mar. 2015.
Eaton, Anne T. "Story Books are such Fun! Book Reviews." The Christian Science Monitor (1908-Current file): 7. Nov 09 1948.ProQuest. Web. 16 Mar. 2015 .
Holmer, D. “Bland.” Rev. of Blueberries for Sal. Amazon.com. 30 June 2008: np. Web. 20 Mar. 2015.
Moore, Anne C. "The Three Owl's Notebook." Rev. of Blueberries for Sal. The Horn Book Magazine 24 (1948): 434-35. Print.
Qwerty. “Sadly Dated.” Rev. of Blueberries for Sal. Amazon.com. 28 Sept. 2012: np. Web. 20 Mar. 2015.
Winn, Marcia. "BOOKS for Children." Chicago Daily Tribune (1923-1963): 1. Nov 14 1948. ProQuest. Web. 16 Mar. 2015.
"Blueberries For Sal." Blueberries for Sal. Scholastic, n.d. Web. 20 Mar. 2015.
"Blueberries for Sal (Book Review)." Rev. of Blueberries for Sal. The Booklist 45.4 (1948): 74. Print.
"Blueberries for Sal (Book Review)." Rev. of Blueberries for Sal. The Horn Book Magazine 24 (1948): 453. Print.
"Blueberries for Sal (Book Review)." Rev. of Blueberries for Sal. New Republic 119 (1948): 32. Print.
"Blueberries for Sal (Book Review)." Rev. of Blueberries for Sal. The New Yorker 24 (1948): 125. Print.
"Blueberries for Sal [Paperback Edition]." Blueberries for Sal. Amazon, n.d. Web. 20 Mar. 2015.
Brogan, Helen M. "Blueberries for Sal (Book Review)." Rev. of Blueberries for Sal. Library Journal 73.22 (1948): 1826. Print.
Castor, G. C. "Blueberries for Sal.” by Robert McCloskey. Illustrated by the Author. 56 Pp. New York: The Viking Press. $2." New York Times (1923-Current file): 1. Oct 24 1948. ProQuest. Web. 16 Mar. 2015 .
Curley, Suzanne. “For Children/The Best Buys in Children’s Picture Books.” Newsday (1940-1986); Feb 19, 1984; ProQuest Historical Newspapers. Web. 16 Mar. 2015.
Eaton, Anne T. "Story Books are such Fun! Book Reviews." The Christian Science Monitor (1908-Current file): 7. Nov 09 1948.ProQuest. Web. 16 Mar. 2015 .
Holmer, D. “Bland.” Rev. of Blueberries for Sal. Amazon.com. 30 June 2008: np. Web. 20 Mar. 2015.
Moore, Anne C. "The Three Owl's Notebook." Rev. of Blueberries for Sal. The Horn Book Magazine 24 (1948): 434-35. Print.
Qwerty. “Sadly Dated.” Rev. of Blueberries for Sal. Amazon.com. 28 Sept. 2012: np. Web. 20 Mar. 2015.
Winn, Marcia. "BOOKS for Children." Chicago Daily Tribune (1923-1963): 1. Nov 14 1948. ProQuest. Web. 16 Mar. 2015.