From: steven engelfried <stevene>
Date: Fri, 28 Jan 2000 13:37:07 -0800

I thought "Bud Not Buddy" was a wonderful books, deserving of the honor, but here's a nitpicky comment: As a reader, I was put off by the author's note at the end. When I'm absorbed in the world of a novel, I find it jarring to finish the story, then be immediately told the factual inspiration for


characters, plot, etc. It ruins the illusion too soon for me. It was especially noticeable in "Bud" (and a bit in "Because the character and the setting were so strong, I didn't worry about plot details that might have seemed contrived. Bud's larger than life personality and the marvelous sense of time and place got me past them. But when I learned that the author's grandfather had been a Pullman Porter, for example, it brought back to me the slight feeling of artificiality I had felt (and ignored) when facts about the strike were inserted into the story. I understand the author wanting to share background with readers, but I felt like the story of "Bud" on its own is a fantastic history lesson that kids will remember and think about...the note added factual material, but detracted from the magic. Author's notes that give basic historical context don't bother me. Learning about the "real" Hebrew Home for Boys at the end of "Dave at Night," for instance, gives me interesting historical background, but doesn't affect the way I think about the story, if that makes any sense. With "Bud" the author's note just made me a little more aware that I had just read a book created by an author with specific goals, and moved me just a little too quickly and abruptly out of Bud's world. Maybe I need to just put the book down at "the end," and read any author's notes a day later...

- Steven Engelfried, Children's Librarian
  Deschutes Public Library System, Bend Branch
  601 NW Wall Street Bend, OR 97701
  ph: 541a7p72 fax: 541a7p73
  e-mail: stevene at dpls.lib.or.us
Received on Fri 28 Jan 2000 03:37:07 PM CST