From: Dr. Ruth Gordon <druthgo>
Date: Tue, 2 Jul 1996 16:31:20 -0700

Alas, like Jane, I was a considerable adult when I read "Harriet." Had I been the child I was, that book would have been one that I would have read and re-read because Harriet had such gumption, was intelligent, was daring--and exhibited so many of the "routinizing" habits that so many children follow. To this day I can see Harriet at her school desk, hands straight down at her sides, feet firmly on the floor, quietly praying,
"Please don't let me cry."--or some such. Fitzhugh often established a real physical feeling which can raise empathy in a reader.

As for the brilliant person from Entertainment whatever--who said they know anything, anyway--especially about children's (or any other) books. (See,
"Hunchback of N.D." [the college, one supposes] and its reviews--then read the book. Aaargh.

The comment about Ol Golly's skin tones amuses me in a peculiar way. Years ago Council for Interracial Books for Children reviewed Barbara Cohen's "Thank you, Jackie Robinson"--and turned it down because, "Who could imagine a Jewish family without a television set?" in some year or other. My family, for one, didn't have a set until I was in graduate school-54. (Maybe the family couldn't afford one with two "children" in graduate schools.)

 Grandma (See you at ALA) [not proofed]
Received on Tue 02 Jul 1996 06:31:20 PM CDT