Missing May by Cynthia Rylant

From Goodreads,

Since Summer was six years old she lived with dear Aunt May and Uncle Ob.  Now, six years later, Aunt May has died.  Summer, who misses May with all her might, is afraid something will happen to Ob.  Most days Ob seems like he doesn't want to go on.  But then Ob feels May's spirit around him and he wants to contact her.  Cletus Underwood, a strange boy from school, reads about someone who could help him do that.  Summer wants to hear from May too.  

Ob and Summer don't know what to expect when they set off on their search for some sign from May.  They only know they need something to ease their sorrow and give them strength to go on living - always knowing they will never stop missing May.  

Goodreads - Missing May

Awards and Nominations:

• Newbery Medal (1993)
• Dorothy Canfield Fisher Children's Book Award Nominee (1994)

It's time for another Newbery Award book!  This one naturally has a special place because this was the book that won the award the year I was born.  For me it kind of gives an example of what was popular in the book world in 1993.

Missing May is told from the perspective of a young girl named Summer.  We quickly find that her mother died when she was just a child and that her lovely aunt and uncle took her in.  But one day Aunt May passes away and it leaves Summer and Uncle Ob upset and sad.  They don't know if they can get on without Aunt May, Uncle Ob especially.  With the help of a strange kid Cletus, Summer is determined to make Uncle Ob feel better and not miss Aunt May so much. 

I consider the Newbery award to be the highest honor in children's books.  So when a book receives this award, or even the honor award, I take it seriously.  I think highly of the award and 90% of the time I will purchase a book just because it was Newbery award or honor book.  This was the first time that I really disliked a Newbery Award winning book.  I sat down and read this book straight through.  At the end of it I was like wow...that was shallow and horrible.  I felt like the book lacked character development with all of the characters.  They were all dull with no personality.  On top of that there was absolutely no storyline in this book.  Aunt May passed away and then they all went on a trip.  That was it.  No fun and light hearted events.  No serious events that made the characters reach into their souls and feelings.  It was absolutely horrible. 

This book was highly disappointing, but not nearly as disappointing as the list of other books that were up for the award.  If you are going through the entire list of Newbery winners, then you'll naturally have to read this book.  I give this 1 star only because I refuse to give books a 0.