From: Barbara Scotto <Barbara_Scotto>
Date: Mon, 20 Jul 1998 23:07:36 -0400

Cynthis Rylant is a wonderful author for older students to study because she writes in so many genres. When I have done a Rylant author study, I've had students look at everything from board books to novels.
 After reading widely, I asked some sixth graders to think about her style, and here are some of their comments:
                ? She writes about one place or one time or one age.
                ? She usually has a single focus - she doesn't have a lot going on.
                ? Her writing is straightforward.
                ? She thinks awhile about a subject, and then "when it gets hot, she writes it
                                   down."
                ? Her writing is concise but has lots of detail.
                ? She doesn't use fancy adjectives, just simple words.
                ? She creates a picture in your mind, but she doesn't pack her writing with description.
                ? She uses words to make you feel the way she does.
        When asked about her themes, these same students said she wrote about growing up, waiting for what comes next, being alone and hiding, finding a home, finding companionship, finding relationships, people needing one another, loss . . .
        I think there is a simplicity in Rylant's writing that leads readers directly into the heart of what she has to say. Her emotion is very focused and close to the surface, and children recognize and respond to this. I often feel that she's not as interested in telling a good story as she is in exploring emotional truth, in seeing under the surface of reality. In fact, she often does tell a good story, but that doesn't seem so important to her. What she wants to reveal is the soul of her characters.
                                                        Barbara
  Barbara Scotto Sixth grade teacher Driscoll School Brookline, MA barbara_scotto at brookline.mec.edu
Received on Mon 20 Jul 1998 10:07:36 PM CDT