CCBC-Net Archives
Sarah Ellis
- Contemporary messages sorted: [ by date ] [ by subject ] [ by author ]
From: Tana Elias <telias>
Date: Thu, 16 Sep 1999 00:33:50 -0500
Early this year I read over 60 books of short stories and of those many fine (and not so fine) works, I was surprised to discover that among my favorites, nearly all were written by Canadian authors. This was when I
"discovered" Sarah Ellis through her excellent collection of stories for young adult readers, Back of Beyond. In this, her most recent book, she combines realistic elements of every day life for teens with bits of the supernatural, in a way that works marvelously. While reading her other books (Pick-Up Sticks, A Family Project, Next-Door Neighbors, Out of the Blue) I was struck over and over by her completely realistic and multi-dimensional characterization of both adults and and children, and the sense of community (particularly in Next-Door Neighbors).
And this sense of respect for characters and for setting, and a sort of gentle social commentary, can be found in some of my other contemporary Canadian favorites as well, including three books of short stories and several novels by Budge Wilson, three collections of short stories by Tim Wynne-Jones, and Garbage Creek and Other Stories by W.D. Valgardson. These books, along with those of Sarah Ellis, seem to be so thoughtful and reflective in tone. Not that they lack action or plot, but the language and imagery to be found in each really soared above many of the American short story collections I read.
In a recent interview I conducted with Sarah Ellis (available on the CCBC web page, as Ginny previously mentioned, at http://www.soemadison.wisc.edu/ccbc/friends/ellis.htm), she suggested one of the reasons Canadian books seem "different" in tone than American children's fiction is that "...Canadian children's books tend to have as their theme more of group problem solving as opposed to the solitary hero of American books." She also indicated economic concerns, perhaps a quality vs. quantity approach to children's publishing (my words, not hers.)
Well, it wasn't my intention to sound like a dissertator, but I wonder if this list has been so quiet because everyone is scrambling to read something by Sarah Ellis so they can join the conversation. If so, I'm glad!
On another topic, Ellis' article in Horn Book, "Buster on the Screen"
(May/June 1997), is a must-read for anyone who is as plagued by the question "doesn't the internet make libraries obsolete?" as I am.
Received on Thu 16 Sep 1999 12:33:50 AM CDT
Date: Thu, 16 Sep 1999 00:33:50 -0500
Early this year I read over 60 books of short stories and of those many fine (and not so fine) works, I was surprised to discover that among my favorites, nearly all were written by Canadian authors. This was when I
"discovered" Sarah Ellis through her excellent collection of stories for young adult readers, Back of Beyond. In this, her most recent book, she combines realistic elements of every day life for teens with bits of the supernatural, in a way that works marvelously. While reading her other books (Pick-Up Sticks, A Family Project, Next-Door Neighbors, Out of the Blue) I was struck over and over by her completely realistic and multi-dimensional characterization of both adults and and children, and the sense of community (particularly in Next-Door Neighbors).
And this sense of respect for characters and for setting, and a sort of gentle social commentary, can be found in some of my other contemporary Canadian favorites as well, including three books of short stories and several novels by Budge Wilson, three collections of short stories by Tim Wynne-Jones, and Garbage Creek and Other Stories by W.D. Valgardson. These books, along with those of Sarah Ellis, seem to be so thoughtful and reflective in tone. Not that they lack action or plot, but the language and imagery to be found in each really soared above many of the American short story collections I read.
In a recent interview I conducted with Sarah Ellis (available on the CCBC web page, as Ginny previously mentioned, at http://www.soemadison.wisc.edu/ccbc/friends/ellis.htm), she suggested one of the reasons Canadian books seem "different" in tone than American children's fiction is that "...Canadian children's books tend to have as their theme more of group problem solving as opposed to the solitary hero of American books." She also indicated economic concerns, perhaps a quality vs. quantity approach to children's publishing (my words, not hers.)
Well, it wasn't my intention to sound like a dissertator, but I wonder if this list has been so quiet because everyone is scrambling to read something by Sarah Ellis so they can join the conversation. If so, I'm glad!
On another topic, Ellis' article in Horn Book, "Buster on the Screen"
(May/June 1997), is a must-read for anyone who is as plagued by the question "doesn't the internet make libraries obsolete?" as I am.
Received on Thu 16 Sep 1999 12:33:50 AM CDT
