From: Ginny Kruse <gmkruse>
Date: Tue, 08 Oct 1996 06:46:00 -0600

Because long ago I taught - or attempted to teach - junior high school English, I am still smiling at Kathy Isaacs' insights regarding many eighth graders' general zest for books they consider to be "children's books." Well, we adults happily accept the blame
(responsibility?) for leading young teenagers to read something they might enjoy. Enjoy? According to Kathy's remarks, her students more than enjoy both Hatchet and Brian's Winter despite their claim that both are "too unbelievable," and "too predictable." What's an author to do? What's a critic to do? What's Paulsen's secret to success, anyway? Anthony Braxton suggested that the theme of change, the
"growing up" theme, of these two books is the overwhelming element accounting for the popularity of Hatchet and other Paulsen novels. Anyone else want to weigh in on Brian's Winter? Do you or "your" young teenager(s) see Paulsen's new resolution of Brian's dilemma in Hatchet as unbelievable? predictable? a terrific adventure? Ginny Moore Kruse (gmkruse at ccbc.soemadison.wisc.edu) Cooperative Children's Book Center (CCBC) A Library of the School of Education 4290 Helen C. White Hall Corner of N. Park St. and Observatory Drive University of Wisconsin - Madison
Received on Tue 08 Oct 1996 07:46:00 AM CDT