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FW: Birchbark House
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From: McClelland, Kate <mcclelland>
Date: Thu, 14 Oct 1999 14:54:15 -0400
I tried to post this to CCBC and it bounced back "access denied." I hope the list will forgive me if I request the Moderator, Eliza Dresang, to forward it. Thank you. Kate McClelland
-----Original Message---- From: McClelland, Kate
Sent: Thursday, October 14, 1999 2:08 PM
To: CCBC (E-mail)
Subject: Birchbark House
Many of you may know this already, but it was announced today that THE BIRCHBARK HOUSE is a finalist for the National Book Award for Young
People's Literature.
I will also chime in with some reader response. I have two youth book
review and discussion groups in my public library: one for 3rd and 4th graders, and one for 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th graders. I introduced BIRCHBARK HOUSE this summer to both groups. The interesting result is that BIRCHBARK HOUSE has been equally embraced by all young readers from grades 3 to 8. This wide range of enthusiastic readership makes BIRCHBARK HOUSE something of a rarity.
Both my young readers and I were enthralled with the interweaving of traditional storytelling and tales within the text. Sometimes when this technique is used with traditional material, the stories are not as strong as the main body of the narrative and may even slow down the pace. In the case of BIRCHBARK HOUSE, the stories add another layer of meaning and are strong enough to sustain the momentum of the story. I wonder if Beverly and Debbie would comment on whether they appreciate this inclusion of the stories from the oral tradition within the context of a work of fiction.
As a bridge to BOWMAN'S STORE, Joseph Bruchac who is known best to many of us for his Native American folklore anthologies, has also folded traditional material into his autobiography. I thought it added immensely to the impact of his personal story.
Kate McClelland, Assistant Director Perrot Library 90 Sound Beach Avenue Old Greenwich, CT 06870 203.637.8802
FAX: 203.637.3876
Email: mcclelland at perrot.greenwich.lib.ct.us
Received on Thu 14 Oct 1999 01:54:15 PM CDT
Date: Thu, 14 Oct 1999 14:54:15 -0400
I tried to post this to CCBC and it bounced back "access denied." I hope the list will forgive me if I request the Moderator, Eliza Dresang, to forward it. Thank you. Kate McClelland
-----Original Message---- From: McClelland, Kate
Sent: Thursday, October 14, 1999 2:08 PM
To: CCBC (E-mail)
Subject: Birchbark House
Many of you may know this already, but it was announced today that THE BIRCHBARK HOUSE is a finalist for the National Book Award for Young
People's Literature.
I will also chime in with some reader response. I have two youth book
review and discussion groups in my public library: one for 3rd and 4th graders, and one for 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th graders. I introduced BIRCHBARK HOUSE this summer to both groups. The interesting result is that BIRCHBARK HOUSE has been equally embraced by all young readers from grades 3 to 8. This wide range of enthusiastic readership makes BIRCHBARK HOUSE something of a rarity.
Both my young readers and I were enthralled with the interweaving of traditional storytelling and tales within the text. Sometimes when this technique is used with traditional material, the stories are not as strong as the main body of the narrative and may even slow down the pace. In the case of BIRCHBARK HOUSE, the stories add another layer of meaning and are strong enough to sustain the momentum of the story. I wonder if Beverly and Debbie would comment on whether they appreciate this inclusion of the stories from the oral tradition within the context of a work of fiction.
As a bridge to BOWMAN'S STORE, Joseph Bruchac who is known best to many of us for his Native American folklore anthologies, has also folded traditional material into his autobiography. I thought it added immensely to the impact of his personal story.
Kate McClelland, Assistant Director Perrot Library 90 Sound Beach Avenue Old Greenwich, CT 06870 203.637.8802
FAX: 203.637.3876
Email: mcclelland at perrot.greenwich.lib.ct.us
Received on Thu 14 Oct 1999 01:54:15 PM CDT
