From: Melody Allen <MELODYAN>
Date: Thu, 10 Jul 1997 10:33:44 -0400 (EDT)

I am tempted to veer from Newbery winners as someone slipped in the Borrowers. I was a reluctant reader as a child and this is THE book that turned me on to reading. As an adult, I was anxious that a rereading would be disappointing. However, I have now read it several times as an adult, and on almost all counts have found it stands up - wonderful, vivd characters; dramatic plotting building in tension to a real climax; a clear, well realized setting; and appealing style. I do wish the frame story didn't suggest that it might be made up instead of "true," but as both a child and an adult I have never doubted the existence of borrowers. This is another fantasy whose vision of an imaginary world is in no way dated. As to the discussion of the Newbery winners, it certainly brings into question the wisdom of the "classic" assignment of reading a Newbery winner, since clearly all cannot be equally recommended today. Melody Allen melodyan at dsl.rhilinet.gov
Received on Thu 10 Jul 1997 09:33:44 AM CDT