CCBC-Net Archives

Classics: (hopefully not rambling) comments and questions

From: Karen L. Simonetti <karensue>
Date: Mon, 07 Jul 1997 11:32:58 -0500

This topic is almost too good to be true! Its given me the perfect excuse to go back and read books that I otherwise "would not have the time" to set aside. This past holiday weekend I picked up: -A Wrinkle in Time- and
-The Giver- (the latter title being on my short list of what I was going to propose & the former one that should have been).

My (not too scholarly) observations: both stood up to the ultimate joy discovering each since the first reading. (Okay, I read -A Wrinkle in Time- for the first time decades ago...) I will admit to being something of a fantasy and sci-fi fan; although each of these titles (I would classify) as being "low" fantasy; ie, easy world building and accessible reading. I am still pondering as to why I am so attracted to each title. I'm trying to do this with a "less critical" eye of a reviewer/professional and maybe even "adult." All I can come up with is: in each title the quest is so immediate. The characterization certainly adds to the story. But, the backdrop and theme clearly propel the reader along. I found this a bit surprising since characterization is usually what attracts me to a novel. But, in each novel, the characterization was so smoothly interwoven with the plot/theme that the "quest" can take center stage.

I'm also a little chargined that both titles have to do with an escape from the real world. Well, as Sheila Egoff said (in -Thursday's Child: Trends and Patterns in Contemporary Children's Literature- , ALA: 1981): "Modern fantasists...engender a sense of wonder in readers, not so much by making us realize that the fantastic and the real can coexist, as by convincing us that they already do so." (p.87) I think there is something in that concept that makes fantasy and sci-fi perfect "classics" (although I've yet to define to the term other than something that will withstand the test of time).

Another title that was my "favorite" as a child, and I think is overlooked today (ie, I find myself "introducing" it to both kids and professionals more than I would think I would have to) is: - Hitty: Her First Hundred Years- Anyone care to comment on this title? (I'll save you my adult
"rave" reviews which are undistinguishable from the little kid response in me.)

Also, while we are just talking about novels here, I'd like to throw in a concept book as a potential "classic": -Mommy Doesn't Know My Name- by Suzanne Willaims, illustrated by Andrew Shachat (Boston: Hough Miffilin, 1990; ISBN: 095T228-6). If you are not familiar with the title its a real "keeper." A little girl named Hannah wakes up and throughout the course of the day, her mother keeps calling her by various nicknames (eg.
"pumpkin" "alligator" - as in "see you later alligator")...each time the illustrator "changes" Hannah to fit this new knickname (eg, Hannah with a pumpkin head; Hannah as an alligator). The illustrations are very simple, yet sophisticated crayon like drawings. I've used this book is various settings and given it to children of various ages. What's particularly nice is that the book is good for a beginning reader to read to a younger
(pre-reader) sibling. Anyone else familiar with this title? Or are we not discussing concept books?

Well, enough of this "infomercial" on what I like...What do you all like?

Perpetually curious...Karen

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 Mon 07 Jul 1997 11:32:58 AM CDT