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The Diary of Patsy
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From: Molly Panko <mjpanko>
Date: Wed, 18 Feb 1998 17:52:55 -0800
Hi CCBC Folks!
All of the "Dear America" books have been fantastically popular among both boys and girls in this Southeastern Wisconsin community. They fit the bill for the ever-constant historical fiction chapter book assignments, but most kids don't ask for the books by title or series. They ask for "the books with the ribbon". (The ribbon bookmark attached to each book). I hate to think that this is the main attraction, but hey, they're reading!
I think that the diary format makes the books highly accessible and the fact that historical notes, graphics and "about the author" sections are included appeals to my sensibilities as an adult who works with kids. Kids still come up to me wanting to know more about Patsy or Clotee or Hatty or Mary, etc. Explaining to them that the stories are fiction, or made up, is a bit trickier because they seem so true and are filled with other events that really happened, real photographs and portraits that might be real (easily confused with the portraits on the cover that are not real).
The disclaimer on the verso works well, everything is spelled out as fiction, but I think there is still a cloud of confusion with some children.
As for this book: my heart was as heavy as Patsy's when ma'am took away the copy of _Goody Two Shoes_ that she wanted. I bet that most of us were lured into librarianship or teaching by that same love for books. It makes me proud to think that when kids read this book, they will recognize the priviledge and treasures that they often take for granted. Reading and books are a special gift and over and over again we read about the libraries and books and stories and what it feels like to have the "library card", so to speak, as Mister or Mis'us, and what it's like to want, like Patsy does. Patsy values reading and books and reminds the reader what it's like to be denied (and what it must have been like for slaves, freed blacks and women of all color before public schools).
This book is a mover and shaker.
Date: Wed, 18 Feb 1998 17:52:55 -0800
Hi CCBC Folks!
All of the "Dear America" books have been fantastically popular among both boys and girls in this Southeastern Wisconsin community. They fit the bill for the ever-constant historical fiction chapter book assignments, but most kids don't ask for the books by title or series. They ask for "the books with the ribbon". (The ribbon bookmark attached to each book). I hate to think that this is the main attraction, but hey, they're reading!
I think that the diary format makes the books highly accessible and the fact that historical notes, graphics and "about the author" sections are included appeals to my sensibilities as an adult who works with kids. Kids still come up to me wanting to know more about Patsy or Clotee or Hatty or Mary, etc. Explaining to them that the stories are fiction, or made up, is a bit trickier because they seem so true and are filled with other events that really happened, real photographs and portraits that might be real (easily confused with the portraits on the cover that are not real).
The disclaimer on the verso works well, everything is spelled out as fiction, but I think there is still a cloud of confusion with some children.
As for this book: my heart was as heavy as Patsy's when ma'am took away the copy of _Goody Two Shoes_ that she wanted. I bet that most of us were lured into librarianship or teaching by that same love for books. It makes me proud to think that when kids read this book, they will recognize the priviledge and treasures that they often take for granted. Reading and books are a special gift and over and over again we read about the libraries and books and stories and what it feels like to have the "library card", so to speak, as Mister or Mis'us, and what it's like to want, like Patsy does. Patsy values reading and books and reminds the reader what it's like to be denied (and what it must have been like for slaves, freed blacks and women of all color before public schools).
This book is a mover and shaker.
-- Molly Panko, mjpanko at wi.net Youth Services Librarian Burlington Public Library 166 E. Jefferson St. Burlington, WI 53105Received on Wed 18 Feb 1998 07:52:55 PM CST
