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Dear america-Fact or fiction?
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From: lisa von drasek <lisav>
Date: Fri, 20 Feb 1998 08:43:35 -0500
I have found similiar problems with not only kids but adults too. Part of the problem is the packaging. For example the cover of _So Far From Home:The Diary of Mary Driscoll, an Irish Mill Girl_ ,has the _Dear America _Banner at the top of the cover and a portrait of a girl on the cover.
No author on cover.
No author on the spine.
Now anyone who sees the title "Diary of Mary Driscoll" and the author is Barry Dennenberg will be clued in that this is a work of fiction. It is a rare 9 year old will be searching the title page for an author.
On the other hand, this is what good historical fiction does. it causes the reader to time travel and what better format than a diary with old photgraphs and advertisements. Historical facts intermingling the fiction. Excellent writers and dramatic sto ries. I'm all for them. I just wish the publisher would put the authors on the cover and the spine so I can stop arguing with the kids whats"real".
Lisa Von Drasek, Librarian Bank Street College of Education Bank Street School For Children New York NY 10025 212 875 4452
lisav at bnkst.edu
Received on Fri 20 Feb 1998 07:43:35 AM CST
Date: Fri, 20 Feb 1998 08:43:35 -0500
I have found similiar problems with not only kids but adults too. Part of the problem is the packaging. For example the cover of _So Far From Home:The Diary of Mary Driscoll, an Irish Mill Girl_ ,has the _Dear America _Banner at the top of the cover and a portrait of a girl on the cover.
No author on cover.
No author on the spine.
Now anyone who sees the title "Diary of Mary Driscoll" and the author is Barry Dennenberg will be clued in that this is a work of fiction. It is a rare 9 year old will be searching the title page for an author.
On the other hand, this is what good historical fiction does. it causes the reader to time travel and what better format than a diary with old photgraphs and advertisements. Historical facts intermingling the fiction. Excellent writers and dramatic sto ries. I'm all for them. I just wish the publisher would put the authors on the cover and the spine so I can stop arguing with the kids whats"real".
Lisa Von Drasek, Librarian Bank Street College of Education Bank Street School For Children New York NY 10025 212 875 4452
lisav at bnkst.edu
Received on Fri 20 Feb 1998 07:43:35 AM CST
