From: Denise I. Matulka <dimatulka>
Date: Wed, 26 Jan 2000 20:33:57 -0500

While I enjoyed "Bub, Not Buddy," I couldn't help but grimace at times when Curtis's narrative became slightly stilted. I knew as I was reading that the book had the "markings" of a Newbery but I failed to find the instances within the text that make it a "most distinguished"


contribution. In particular, I found Bud Caldwell's List of Things.... too contrived. While I found Buddy's voice fresh and convincing, I often felt Curtis's presense while I was reading. One last thing that bothered me--this is probably just a personal reaction--I found the way Bud always introduced himself as "Bud, Not Buddy" slighty irritating. I looked for him to allow someone to call him Bud several times thoughout the novel, thinking that his reaction would be a sign of his devlopment as a character. Does that make sense?

This was the same when I was reading "Freak the Mighty." It was also praised by critics and everyone I knew LOVED that book, but it left me cold and looking for more (like the sigh you feel as you close a particularly good book.)

I heartily agree with Ruth E. Cox's comments regarding "Getting Near to Baby." This was a book that exacted a sigh as I turned the last page.

Also, someone recently mentioned the the same authors/artists seemed to get awards time after time, which does make those of us outside the voting circle concerned that books are being evaluated from a body of work as opposed to a boook's individual contribution to the field. Any thoughts?

Denise I. Matulka Librarian Lincoln, Nebraska dimatulka at alltel.net http://www.geocities.com/dimatulka
Received on Wed 26 Jan 2000 07:33:57 PM CST