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Lily's Crossing - One last discovery!
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From: Karen L. Simonetti <karensue>
Date: Sat, 25 Oct 1997 10:06:34 -0500
Okay, one of my quirky criteria in evaluating a book, is seeing how much discussion it can trigger between child readers and adults (especially their parents or grandparents). I cannot begin to describe the potential that I discovered with Lily's Crossing ! In all honesty, I read the book & was more interested in Lily's propensity to lie (and her battle with same) than any other aspect of the book. Then, I realized that maybe I didn't know enough; ie, if this was "historical fiction" what was I missing.
So, I asked my Mom (yes, the same one who has a name, Devra R. Jacobson) to read the book. My Mom was a few years younger than Lily during WWII. Then, I "bribed" my 12 year old reluctant reader niece (very bright, but limits her reading to horror stuff) to read the book (I now owe her 2 hours of online computer time). Okay, seeing as you all won't tell my brother, his daughter usually never talks about books & has a difficult time relating to my Mom (another long story for some adult novel). But, Lily's Crossing opened up a 2+ hour discussion! The three of us could not stop talking: about the book in general, about that time in history, about Lily, about my Mom's experience of WWII, etc. Needless to say, I was pleased, surprised, thrilled and of course, planning my next book discussion with the family.
I know there are many "mother?ughter" book discussion groups being run at public libraries these days. Well, I think I'm going to have to post to PUBYAC & KIDLIT about the wonderful potential of sharing
Lily's Crossing !
Oh! One thing my Mom, niece and I could never agree on was whether this book was "historical fiction"! But, we all agreed it was a good story & seeing how much we shared, how much the book triggered...I don't care what genre it is: it is good!
Sorry to have blithered...but I was quite surprised with the results and
"needed" to share it with you all. So for me, the title
Lily's Crossing now has an extra meaning: it crosses generations!
Karen...who is now late for a fiftieth birthday party...will they give out party favors?
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 Sat 25 Oct 1997 10:06:34 AM CDT
Date: Sat, 25 Oct 1997 10:06:34 -0500
Okay, one of my quirky criteria in evaluating a book, is seeing how much discussion it can trigger between child readers and adults (especially their parents or grandparents). I cannot begin to describe the potential that I discovered with Lily's Crossing ! In all honesty, I read the book & was more interested in Lily's propensity to lie (and her battle with same) than any other aspect of the book. Then, I realized that maybe I didn't know enough; ie, if this was "historical fiction" what was I missing.
So, I asked my Mom (yes, the same one who has a name, Devra R. Jacobson) to read the book. My Mom was a few years younger than Lily during WWII. Then, I "bribed" my 12 year old reluctant reader niece (very bright, but limits her reading to horror stuff) to read the book (I now owe her 2 hours of online computer time). Okay, seeing as you all won't tell my brother, his daughter usually never talks about books & has a difficult time relating to my Mom (another long story for some adult novel). But, Lily's Crossing opened up a 2+ hour discussion! The three of us could not stop talking: about the book in general, about that time in history, about Lily, about my Mom's experience of WWII, etc. Needless to say, I was pleased, surprised, thrilled and of course, planning my next book discussion with the family.
I know there are many "mother?ughter" book discussion groups being run at public libraries these days. Well, I think I'm going to have to post to PUBYAC & KIDLIT about the wonderful potential of sharing
Lily's Crossing !
Oh! One thing my Mom, niece and I could never agree on was whether this book was "historical fiction"! But, we all agreed it was a good story & seeing how much we shared, how much the book triggered...I don't care what genre it is: it is good!
Sorry to have blithered...but I was quite surprised with the results and
"needed" to share it with you all. So for me, the title
Lily's Crossing now has an extra meaning: it crosses generations!
Karen...who is now late for a fiftieth birthday party...will they give out party favors?
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 Sat 25 Oct 1997 10:06:34 AM CDT
