CCBC-Net Archives
-Seedfolks-
- Contemporary messages sorted: [ by date ] [ by subject ] [ by author ]
From: Karen L. Simonetti <karensue>
Date: Thu, 29 May 1997 12:08:33 -0500
I had to settle being a watcher." (from -Seedfolks-)
Three summers ago, I was very ill with viral pericarditis. Almost totally homebound, I would sit on my 27th floor balcony and face the vacant dirt lots separating my "upscale" neighborhood from the public housing buildings of Cabrini Green (Chicago, Illinois). I watched kids from the projects play games and other folks plod around the dirt. While no one planted gardens, the black dusty square was a center of activity. Occasionally, the upscale "yuppie" kids would come to play sixteen inch softball. Swollen from steroids, I could hardly get outside. But when I could, I brought my kite and would walk over. Everyone, black, white and dusty, took turns flying this kite: my Mom thought I was crazy (it was sorta dangerous for a white girl in poor health to go play with tough inner city kids). But, my Mom was wrong?there were times when I didn?t have "to settle being a watcher." I became part of a community where we all knew the rules of the game (akin to the protocolof gardening), but honestly didn?t bother with names until much later on?when we all realized this was just more than a once in awhile thing. The kids (ages 5) didn?t quite know what to make of this swollen white chick with her kite and ability to hit a 16 inch softball into right field (one of the little kids would run the bases for me).
Of course, while flying kites I would story tell (usually something from Julius Lester?s-The Knee High Man-) and then begin to sneak in the book titles. And sometimes the kids would ask for more stories; sometimes I printed out titles for them to take to the library: indeed it was a novel concept for these kids to think of the library as a "cool" place to hang out. Oh, do I wish -Seedfolks- was in print then! Would I "booktalk" the hell out of this wonderful title and it would fly out of the library!
Okay, so far I?ve just reminisced and begun to gush over -Seedfolks- and I?ll be honest I just got back from a week away from my computer (there are 187 emails to go); but what triggered me to write was Matthew Reames comments that this book would only catch an older YA audience. I disagree!
Give these readers credit (the intended audience of grades 5 and up and cited in the review copy I am "borrowing" from Booklist) and also be aware of how they usually get information or "hear, watch, listen" to stories: sound clips, TV bites, bits of conversation on a subway, etc. I love the fact the each person only speaks once and then the story continues. This is real life; and it also allows the reader to bring so much more to the reading. Not everything is blo*** spelled out. Yet, the superb writing and choice, really critical and essential phrases of thought and words tell so much. I cannot wait to bring this book to the kids!
This book will work with city kids. And if the suburban kids don?t get it:
they better read it! Twice, if necessary! Because -Seedfolks- is the city. The novel is an ideal read aloud, readers will want to know more and it certainly trigger many thoughts, discussions and "what happened next" conversations. I was particularly struck by how alive the voices were; I felt as if I met some people and they told me things. Things I would have otherwise taken for granted. I was also taken in by the simplicity of the drawings and how cozy (cannot think of another word) to hold a little (4 ? x 2 inches approximately) book. Paul Fleischman, was that an intentional decision you were allowed to make? I haven?t seen the cover art; but in size this book is just like a seed: easy to plant in a kid?s book pack and when read the stories are sure to grow into a blossoming reading experience: stories to be remembered and shared!
If interested, I?ll let you know how my "field testing" of this book works.
Sorry if I?ve rambled, but as I?m not writing for a review journal and there is no word count?I didn?t do any weeding of my words!
Karen, who is felt as if she was in paradise reading -Seedfolks
Karen L. Simonetti email: karensue at mcs.net phone: 312.337.7114
"Walk gently, breathe peacefully, laugh hysterically."
Nelson Mandela, 1994 Inaugural Speech
Received on Thu 29 May 1997 12:08:33 PM CDT
Date: Thu, 29 May 1997 12:08:33 -0500
I had to settle being a watcher." (from -Seedfolks-)
Three summers ago, I was very ill with viral pericarditis. Almost totally homebound, I would sit on my 27th floor balcony and face the vacant dirt lots separating my "upscale" neighborhood from the public housing buildings of Cabrini Green (Chicago, Illinois). I watched kids from the projects play games and other folks plod around the dirt. While no one planted gardens, the black dusty square was a center of activity. Occasionally, the upscale "yuppie" kids would come to play sixteen inch softball. Swollen from steroids, I could hardly get outside. But when I could, I brought my kite and would walk over. Everyone, black, white and dusty, took turns flying this kite: my Mom thought I was crazy (it was sorta dangerous for a white girl in poor health to go play with tough inner city kids). But, my Mom was wrong?there were times when I didn?t have "to settle being a watcher." I became part of a community where we all knew the rules of the game (akin to the protocolof gardening), but honestly didn?t bother with names until much later on?when we all realized this was just more than a once in awhile thing. The kids (ages 5) didn?t quite know what to make of this swollen white chick with her kite and ability to hit a 16 inch softball into right field (one of the little kids would run the bases for me).
Of course, while flying kites I would story tell (usually something from Julius Lester?s-The Knee High Man-) and then begin to sneak in the book titles. And sometimes the kids would ask for more stories; sometimes I printed out titles for them to take to the library: indeed it was a novel concept for these kids to think of the library as a "cool" place to hang out. Oh, do I wish -Seedfolks- was in print then! Would I "booktalk" the hell out of this wonderful title and it would fly out of the library!
Okay, so far I?ve just reminisced and begun to gush over -Seedfolks- and I?ll be honest I just got back from a week away from my computer (there are 187 emails to go); but what triggered me to write was Matthew Reames comments that this book would only catch an older YA audience. I disagree!
Give these readers credit (the intended audience of grades 5 and up and cited in the review copy I am "borrowing" from Booklist) and also be aware of how they usually get information or "hear, watch, listen" to stories: sound clips, TV bites, bits of conversation on a subway, etc. I love the fact the each person only speaks once and then the story continues. This is real life; and it also allows the reader to bring so much more to the reading. Not everything is blo*** spelled out. Yet, the superb writing and choice, really critical and essential phrases of thought and words tell so much. I cannot wait to bring this book to the kids!
This book will work with city kids. And if the suburban kids don?t get it:
they better read it! Twice, if necessary! Because -Seedfolks- is the city. The novel is an ideal read aloud, readers will want to know more and it certainly trigger many thoughts, discussions and "what happened next" conversations. I was particularly struck by how alive the voices were; I felt as if I met some people and they told me things. Things I would have otherwise taken for granted. I was also taken in by the simplicity of the drawings and how cozy (cannot think of another word) to hold a little (4 ? x 2 inches approximately) book. Paul Fleischman, was that an intentional decision you were allowed to make? I haven?t seen the cover art; but in size this book is just like a seed: easy to plant in a kid?s book pack and when read the stories are sure to grow into a blossoming reading experience: stories to be remembered and shared!
If interested, I?ll let you know how my "field testing" of this book works.
Sorry if I?ve rambled, but as I?m not writing for a review journal and there is no word count?I didn?t do any weeding of my words!
Karen, who is felt as if she was in paradise reading -Seedfolks
Karen L. Simonetti email: karensue at mcs.net phone: 312.337.7114
"Walk gently, breathe peacefully, laugh hysterically."
Nelson Mandela, 1994 Inaugural Speech
Received on Thu 29 May 1997 12:08:33 PM CDT
