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Smack: Notes from a Discussion
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From: Ginny Moore Kruse <gmkruse>
Date: Tue, 09 Jun 1998 13:02:04 -0500
Smack was one of ten newly published books discussed on Friday during a CCBC monthly book discussion. Participants last week included an elementary school teacher, a parent of teenaged boys, a writer & parent of a three-year old, and several children's literature specialists. We had only ten minutes or so to discuss Smack, so the comments were of necessity abbreviated.
My notes indicate that readers appreciated the multiple points of view and development of the secondary characters. They pointed out that Tar and Gemma's friends were caring people, and that readers could see how very gradually, step-by-step, the various characters' choices drove their next options and outcomes.
One person observed that Smack opens questions as to what one might feel sympathy for and what one might condemn.
We discussed how Tar is dangerously addictive to the point that he's addicted to Gemma in an unhealthy way.
Some felt that the scene at the end with Tar's father is ineffective.
The parent of teenaged boys is a frequent CCBC discussion participant who is very well read in terms of what her kids might be reading. She feels strongly that every parent should have the opportunity to read Smack, in that it's such a clear look at a totally different way of life for most adults. She said that to her it's such a well developed picture of what many kids are searching for, even though they don't go to that extreme. She isn't afraid of Smack.
There's more I might say about the CCBC discussion, but maybe someone else who was there or who has discussed this book with others recently will share comments, too. Meanwhile, the Discussion List for the next CCBC Discussion to be held on July 10 (3:30-5:30pm) has been posted on the CCBC website (www.soemadison.wisc.edu/ccbc/). Everyone is welcome, it isn't an exclusive club, and we never actually know in advance who will show up. We hope it will be y-o-u! Cheers, Ginny
********************************* Ginny Moore Kruse (gmkruse at ccbc.soemadison.wisc.edu) Cooperative Children's Book Center (CCBC) A Library of the School of Education University of Wisconsin - Madison
Received on Tue 09 Jun 1998 01:02:04 PM CDT
Date: Tue, 09 Jun 1998 13:02:04 -0500
Smack was one of ten newly published books discussed on Friday during a CCBC monthly book discussion. Participants last week included an elementary school teacher, a parent of teenaged boys, a writer & parent of a three-year old, and several children's literature specialists. We had only ten minutes or so to discuss Smack, so the comments were of necessity abbreviated.
My notes indicate that readers appreciated the multiple points of view and development of the secondary characters. They pointed out that Tar and Gemma's friends were caring people, and that readers could see how very gradually, step-by-step, the various characters' choices drove their next options and outcomes.
One person observed that Smack opens questions as to what one might feel sympathy for and what one might condemn.
We discussed how Tar is dangerously addictive to the point that he's addicted to Gemma in an unhealthy way.
Some felt that the scene at the end with Tar's father is ineffective.
The parent of teenaged boys is a frequent CCBC discussion participant who is very well read in terms of what her kids might be reading. She feels strongly that every parent should have the opportunity to read Smack, in that it's such a clear look at a totally different way of life for most adults. She said that to her it's such a well developed picture of what many kids are searching for, even though they don't go to that extreme. She isn't afraid of Smack.
There's more I might say about the CCBC discussion, but maybe someone else who was there or who has discussed this book with others recently will share comments, too. Meanwhile, the Discussion List for the next CCBC Discussion to be held on July 10 (3:30-5:30pm) has been posted on the CCBC website (www.soemadison.wisc.edu/ccbc/). Everyone is welcome, it isn't an exclusive club, and we never actually know in advance who will show up. We hope it will be y-o-u! Cheers, Ginny
********************************* Ginny Moore Kruse (gmkruse at ccbc.soemadison.wisc.edu) Cooperative Children's Book Center (CCBC) A Library of the School of Education University of Wisconsin - Madison
Received on Tue 09 Jun 1998 01:02:04 PM CDT
