From: Karen L. Simonetti <karensue>
Date: Sun, 24 Aug 1997 16:33:54 -0500

Gee folks, I go on vacation and really hoped to come back to a whole backlog of emails from you all, because Buffalo Tree has got me stumped. I'm picking up with Megan's question about language, because I did find it problematic. The first 40 pages were torture as I tried to understand, place and comprehend what was being said. (Okay, I wanted a glossary!) Then, I just "let go" and continued on with my reading. Sura's characterization is strong and eventually he pulled me. So, I read the book again and this time a very curious thing happened. It wasn't that I knew the slang any better, but there seemed to be some kind of gesault working: not understanding all what was being said (ie, exact meanings of slang) did not detract from the reading, instead it added to the backdrop of this world that I did not know & that Sura managed to live through.

However, I still have a few problems/questions and would like others' input:

1. Who is the intended audience for this book?

2. How would you reach that audience?

3. How would one reach beyond that audience and get other YAs to read the book? My problem here is that I think Sura is a character to know & his story goes beyond "what happened", but I'm not quite sure how accessible the book is to a vast majority of YAs.

4. How would you booktalk this title?


In short, there have been a few staunch defenders of the book (daring me to forget Sura, Curly Jo, etc)...maybe its setting is too far removed the scope of my life, but I'm having trouble remembering Sura's story & taking something away from the reading. On the other hand, Coly Jo's plight sticks in my mind quite clearly.


Karen...who really is confused about this title & hopes/knows you all can help me...

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 Sun 24 Aug 1997 04:33:54 PM CDT