From: Robin L. Gibson <gibsonro>
Date: Thu, 5 Mar 1998 09:08:00 -0500 (EST)

I know we're onto the _Robber and Me_ now, which we just received, and I'm currently reading -- I hope to be able to contribute to that discussion soon -- but I wanted to add one more note to our discussion of Patsy and the Dear America Series (so if any of you are tired of it, read no further!)

Like Molly, this series is *very* popular in my library. Patsy is the only one I've read so far, but I was pleasantly surprised, and the list of authors who have contributed to the series is impressive, and is a welcome change from "inspired by Ann Martin" type bylines. [Of course there are some excellent books in series, such as _A Wrinkle in Time_] The style of the book and the ribbon are of course marketing tools, but children today are bombarded by marketing constantly . . . And the children in my library seem to have a good idea of the distinction between fiction and non-fiction (though sometimes it's too black and white -- all nonfiction must be true, etc.)

There is an interesting article in the Jan/Feb 98 issue of Horn Book,
"Writing Backward: Modern Models in Historical Fiction" by Anne Scott MacLeod which discusses issues of accuracy (authenticity?) of history in historical fiction, including _Catherine Called Birdy_. By MacLeod's guidelines, _Patsy_ does meet these standards in it's representations of the different ways the slaves react to their freedom. Though it's difficult for Patsy (and probably some readers) to understand why Nancy rejects her mother, Nancy's attitude was one held by some newly freed slaves.

I'll try to stick to the current topic in the future . . . I don't have consistent access to e-mail, so I appreciate your understanding and look forward to discussion of _The Robber and Me_.

Robin

***************************************** Robin L. Gibson Children's Librarian Muskingum Co. Library System Zanesville, OH 43701 gibsonro at oplin.lib.oh.us
Received on Thu 05 Mar 1998 08:08:00 AM CST