From: Lindsay <linds_na>
Date: Tue, 13 Oct 1998 09:55:23 -0700 (PDT)

On Tue, 13 Oct 1998, Steven wrote:


This criticism of Whirligig is similar to those made of Seedfolks. Fleishman's hand IS very evident in both novels, and could be called
"didactic." I had these misgivings when reading Seedfolks, but still for some reason wanted to love it. After hearing the responses of many kid/teen readers, I figured out why: that it's okay to have a "didactic", or, allegorical/metaphorical story as long as you recognize that from the start. The author almost becomes one of the characters in the story because is hand is so present -- in the structure. Fleishman's descriptions are evocative and his characters are real, even if there is a sense of him up on Mount Olympus moving them around like chessmen. Kids who read Seedfolks recognized all of this, and liked and appreciated the book because it showed them people who were human role models, and communities they could strive for. They recognized that the book was a discussion tool as well as a good story. I think they will appreciate Whirligig for all the same reasons. Different reasons from those they'll give for loving Holes -- a very different kind of story.

Nina



Nina Lindsay, Children's Librarian Melrose Branch, Oakland Public Library 4805 Foothill Boulevard Oakland, CA 94601
(510)535V23 linds_na at oak2.ci.oakland.ca.us
Received on Tue 13 Oct 1998 11:55:23 AM CDT