12.248 A Solemn Meal of Crackers and Dried Fruit

Cycle 12 – Cycle 248

10 (Fri) September 2021

A Solemn Meal of Crackers and Dried Fruit

2.0

by me

at home

-Changgok, Sujeong, Seongnam, Gyeonggi, Republic of Korea-

with IZ

Newbery 100 Medals, 100 Meals (67) (see 100 NEWBERY M&Ms)

While reading the 100 books that have been awarded the annual Newbery Medal since 1922, I am attempting to create one dish for every book, a dish that is directly referenced in or indirectly inspired by the events of the book.  The dishes will be featured as posts on Give Me This Day.

Katherine Paterson is one of 6 authors to win the Newbery Medal twice.

The Bridge to Terabithia (1978) by Katherine Paterson.  The book is about 5th grader Jesse Owens, who develops a friendship with new next door neighbor Leslie Burke, a tomboy.  Together, they create an imaginary kingdom Terabithia, hidden in the woods across the creek, where they play act as monarchs..

The book blew me away, if softly – I had to take a deep breath when I finished.  The writing is expertly structured to present several interwoven juxtapositions that create tension while providing relief upon resolution, for example the constricting realities of Jesse’s home life versus the joy and freedom he feels in Terabithia.  Jesse’s motions are well conveyed through his actions, rather than merely being expressed out loud in words or inner monologue.   This would make an excellent book for teaching English creative writing to younger would-be writers.

At the grand opening of Lotte Department Store in Dongtan – now the biggest in Korea – I dropped by the IWC store (hoping to buy myself a perpetual calendar for my 50th birthday next year), where they were giving out gift boxes, which included dried fruit.

Adjacent to Terabithia is a pine forest.

Leslie took a deep breath.  “This is not an ordinary place,” she whispered.  “Even the rulers of Terabitha come into it only at times of greatest sorrow or of greatest joy.  We must strive to keep it sacred.”

Jessie nodded, and without speaking, they went back to the creek bank where they shared together a solemn meal of crackers and dried fruit.

(See also GLOBAL FOOD GLOSSARY)

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