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From: Deborah Hochman <DHochman>
Date: Tue, 09 Mar 1999 14:04:55 -0500
Hi everyone--Just fyi - Heaven was edited by Kevin Lewis of Simon & Schuster and and Dominic Barth at Orchard Books edited The Other Side: Shroter Poems. Ricarhd Jackson edited teh book of short stories by DK Ink.
Thank you. Debbie Hochman
Dear Colleagues:
Angela Johnson is one of my favorite writers. I've enjoyed watching her improve as a writer over the years. Equally important, the way in which her editor, R. Jackson, nurtured her growth and allowed her to find an audience is a beacon of hope given the significant changes occurring in publishing.
I was immmediately intrigued by the title, Heaven. My expectations went in all kinds of directions based on the title and cover illustrations. I could not wait to read the book and purchased several copies at NCTE. What has impressed me about Johnson's work over the years is the gentle tone that is apparent in all of her works. She conveys a sense of place well, too. Heaven conveys a specific cultural milieu along with a bit of eccentricity. Johnson describes the number of steps needed to get to the store to wire money, buying purple flip-flops, and the simple act of talking with a friend or family member in a way that roots you in the town in an intimate fashion. She handles weighty themes in a convincing manner too. I felt the anger, the sense of betrayal, the confusion, and hurt but I did not feel manipulated. What I absolutely love about the book is that a human problem is examined through a particular culture yet you are not constantly reminded of its presence; it is a given and presented naturally. Recently, I shared the book with teachers in Houston and heard some audible sighs when I read the first few pages.
The Other Side: Shorter Poems elicited a similar reaction from me. I enjoyed the rootedness in a culture and I loved having the community and its people presented in an unapologetic manner. My attachment to the collection stems from going to Tuskegee University every two weeks for several months to visit my sister. Tuskegee,AL is like Shorter, AL in many ways. On the surface, they seem little places time forgot in the Black Belt, but they are so much more. Johnson captures the deep attachment for home, wherever it may be, for me. The language, the imagery, the cultural referents, and the "womanish" verve of some of the girls in the poem resonated with me. My favorite are the ones about culture lessons and sneaking a smoke. Love them!
Some of the stories in the short story collection (I can't remember its title) are a bit uneven, but it, too, reveals a writer who is growing and changing. I can't wait to read her other new books for the publishing season, a picture book and a novel. Early reviews of the picture book are less favorable but the novel has received some strong reviews.
Received on Tue 09 Mar 1999 01:04:55 PM CST
Date: Tue, 09 Mar 1999 14:04:55 -0500
Hi everyone--Just fyi - Heaven was edited by Kevin Lewis of Simon & Schuster and and Dominic Barth at Orchard Books edited The Other Side: Shroter Poems. Ricarhd Jackson edited teh book of short stories by DK Ink.
Thank you. Debbie Hochman
Dear Colleagues:
Angela Johnson is one of my favorite writers. I've enjoyed watching her improve as a writer over the years. Equally important, the way in which her editor, R. Jackson, nurtured her growth and allowed her to find an audience is a beacon of hope given the significant changes occurring in publishing.
I was immmediately intrigued by the title, Heaven. My expectations went in all kinds of directions based on the title and cover illustrations. I could not wait to read the book and purchased several copies at NCTE. What has impressed me about Johnson's work over the years is the gentle tone that is apparent in all of her works. She conveys a sense of place well, too. Heaven conveys a specific cultural milieu along with a bit of eccentricity. Johnson describes the number of steps needed to get to the store to wire money, buying purple flip-flops, and the simple act of talking with a friend or family member in a way that roots you in the town in an intimate fashion. She handles weighty themes in a convincing manner too. I felt the anger, the sense of betrayal, the confusion, and hurt but I did not feel manipulated. What I absolutely love about the book is that a human problem is examined through a particular culture yet you are not constantly reminded of its presence; it is a given and presented naturally. Recently, I shared the book with teachers in Houston and heard some audible sighs when I read the first few pages.
The Other Side: Shorter Poems elicited a similar reaction from me. I enjoyed the rootedness in a culture and I loved having the community and its people presented in an unapologetic manner. My attachment to the collection stems from going to Tuskegee University every two weeks for several months to visit my sister. Tuskegee,AL is like Shorter, AL in many ways. On the surface, they seem little places time forgot in the Black Belt, but they are so much more. Johnson captures the deep attachment for home, wherever it may be, for me. The language, the imagery, the cultural referents, and the "womanish" verve of some of the girls in the poem resonated with me. My favorite are the ones about culture lessons and sneaking a smoke. Love them!
Some of the stories in the short story collection (I can't remember its title) are a bit uneven, but it, too, reveals a writer who is growing and changing. I can't wait to read her other new books for the publishing season, a picture book and a novel. Early reviews of the picture book are less favorable but the novel has received some strong reviews.
Received on Tue 09 Mar 1999 01:04:55 PM CST
