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From: NMercado at Scholastic.com <NMercado>
Date: Wed, 15 Dec 1999 11:22:41 -0500
Two things caught my eye in Jonathan's post. The mention of reading FRENCHTOWN SUMMER in context of Robert Cormier's other works is interesting to me. I've been wondering recently if we unconsciously do this in our reading. Judging a book by the author's past works and failing to see that book for its own merits or faults. The Newberry committee has said in its terms and criteria, that
"the committee is not to consider the entire body of the work by an author or whether the author has previously won the award." I wonder if this is possible or even realistic.
Also mentioned was CRUSADER, a book which I had very much looked forward to after the critical success of Tangerine. However, I found it to be a big disappointment. The book was a large investment of time and patience and there were so many narrative threads that I felt it could have been broken up into two or more separate novels. The ending was also resolved very quickly and a bit unrealistically. However, I did like the realistic characterization of the protagonist, Roberta, and so I am interested to see how teens will respond to this book.
In terms of favorites for the year I agree with most of the selections that have been noted here. ZACHARY BEAVER is one of my favorites due to the cinematic nature of the book that allowed me to picture every scene so clearly. SPEAK was also on my list of YA favorites because after reading it at work, I felt so absorbed by the troubles of the main character, that I had a hard time resuming my normal activities.
One that hasn't been mentioned yet, which came recommended to me by a great editor here, is ME AND RUPERT GOODY by Barbara O'Connor (FSG). I love this book because the main character Jennalee is rarely noble or good while dealing with Rupert Goody, the new boy in town. Rupert has come to town and has disrupted the routine to which Jennalee is so attached. I kept waiting and hoping for her to do the right thing and be nice to this boy. But true to her age, it takes Jennalee quite some time before she can truly get over her jealousy and feel even somewhat kindhearted towards Rupert. I think middle grade readers will really enjoy discussing this book
(although admittedly I am quite far from a classroom).
Nancy Mercado Book Clubs Scholastic Inc.
Received on Wed 15 Dec 1999 10:22:41 AM CST
Date: Wed, 15 Dec 1999 11:22:41 -0500
Two things caught my eye in Jonathan's post. The mention of reading FRENCHTOWN SUMMER in context of Robert Cormier's other works is interesting to me. I've been wondering recently if we unconsciously do this in our reading. Judging a book by the author's past works and failing to see that book for its own merits or faults. The Newberry committee has said in its terms and criteria, that
"the committee is not to consider the entire body of the work by an author or whether the author has previously won the award." I wonder if this is possible or even realistic.
Also mentioned was CRUSADER, a book which I had very much looked forward to after the critical success of Tangerine. However, I found it to be a big disappointment. The book was a large investment of time and patience and there were so many narrative threads that I felt it could have been broken up into two or more separate novels. The ending was also resolved very quickly and a bit unrealistically. However, I did like the realistic characterization of the protagonist, Roberta, and so I am interested to see how teens will respond to this book.
In terms of favorites for the year I agree with most of the selections that have been noted here. ZACHARY BEAVER is one of my favorites due to the cinematic nature of the book that allowed me to picture every scene so clearly. SPEAK was also on my list of YA favorites because after reading it at work, I felt so absorbed by the troubles of the main character, that I had a hard time resuming my normal activities.
One that hasn't been mentioned yet, which came recommended to me by a great editor here, is ME AND RUPERT GOODY by Barbara O'Connor (FSG). I love this book because the main character Jennalee is rarely noble or good while dealing with Rupert Goody, the new boy in town. Rupert has come to town and has disrupted the routine to which Jennalee is so attached. I kept waiting and hoping for her to do the right thing and be nice to this boy. But true to her age, it takes Jennalee quite some time before she can truly get over her jealousy and feel even somewhat kindhearted towards Rupert. I think middle grade readers will really enjoy discussing this book
(although admittedly I am quite far from a classroom).
Nancy Mercado Book Clubs Scholastic Inc.
Received on Wed 15 Dec 1999 10:22:41 AM CST
