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Printz Books
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From: Sheila Welch <sheilawelch>
Date: Wed, 28 Feb 2001 19:55:07 -0600
Hello!
Since I'm almost finished reading the Printz books, here are a few comments. I read Kit's Wilderness a long time ago--at least it seems that way to my old brain, but a lot of it has stuck with me. I loved the beginning with the children coming home and agree that it was important to know immediately that they would be safe. Otherwise, the story would have been more of an edge-of-the-seat adventure which wasn't what Almond intended. (If he'd written that book, it would definitely have been more of a middle grade book.) The sense of place was beautifully evoked and his characters, I felt, were sensitively portrayed. This book appealed to me a great deal more than Skellig.
Many Stones is, in my opinion, a well crafted book in the best sense. Every sentence feels necessary and carefully chosen. This doesn't detract from the book's readability in the least. Although I don't know any teenagers who've read it, I would guess that many could identify with Berry and her feelings--even if they hadn't experienced the death of a sister nor had a father like hers. While Berry may not be the most endearing character to adults, Coman brings her to life in a compelling manner. Most parents could see a bit of their teenagers in Berry's sullen "I don't care" attitude. Her gradual awakening to the South African world and to facing her own life's parallels is beautifully written. The ending is carefully paced, with the mention of Berry's stones weighing down her sister's last letter, signed "Love, Laura," bringing the reader back to the room where the story first opened. Nice!
Stuck in Neutral has a heart wrenching premise. Before I opened the book, I'd heard so much about it, that may have spoiled some of the impact. However, although I think it's a worthwhile young adult book, it didn't strike me as being as strong as I'd have liked. Part of this may have been my own personal feelings . . . I wondered if readers would have found Shawn's plight so poignant if he'd been of only average intelligence or actually retarded. In this particular case, I think many teen readers will be intrigued by the fact that the author's own son has CP and has been declared profoundly developmentally delayed. Certainly a book to make people think. I can imagine heated discussions in classrooms after students have read this book.
Angus, Thongs and Full-Frontal Snogging is another book I'd heard a lot about before opening it. In addition to much praise--including that teens were whisking it off library shelves before the librarian even had a chance to read it--I'd also heard that it contains some rather mean-spirited lesbian?shing type passages. These passages jumped out at me, but I felt they were, unfortunately, realistic comments from a 13-year-old. Georgia comes across as a confused kid who's trying to find her way into the adult world without looking as if she's making any serious effort at all. She also has her sensitive side and is vulnerable, but she tries to keep that side hidden even from herself. Of course, kids will love the humor! Let's hope she matures in the sequel and becomes more understanding--but remains irrepressible Georgia.
I've only read about a third of The Body of Christopher Creed, and it's certainly a page-turner. I'm sure I'll finish it tonight! As far as it's literary qualities . . . I think some other YA books might have been more likely candidates for Printz honors. Some of the situations in the story strike me as improbable. (I have trouble imagining being able to see into so many windows of a house so well . . . ) The writing feels awkward to me, but on the other hand, it's supposed to be an account written by a teenager, so in that sense, it works. I can understand the book's appeal, and my guess is that many teens will read and love it. Also on the positive side, the book should make teens think about how they treat other students. If a suspenseful story can keep a teenager reading while provoking deep thinking about attitudes toward those who're different, then the book has tremendous merit.
It's nice that the Printz Award exists!
Sheila Welch Author/Illustrator
Received on Wed 28 Feb 2001 07:55:07 PM CST
Date: Wed, 28 Feb 2001 19:55:07 -0600
Hello!
Since I'm almost finished reading the Printz books, here are a few comments. I read Kit's Wilderness a long time ago--at least it seems that way to my old brain, but a lot of it has stuck with me. I loved the beginning with the children coming home and agree that it was important to know immediately that they would be safe. Otherwise, the story would have been more of an edge-of-the-seat adventure which wasn't what Almond intended. (If he'd written that book, it would definitely have been more of a middle grade book.) The sense of place was beautifully evoked and his characters, I felt, were sensitively portrayed. This book appealed to me a great deal more than Skellig.
Many Stones is, in my opinion, a well crafted book in the best sense. Every sentence feels necessary and carefully chosen. This doesn't detract from the book's readability in the least. Although I don't know any teenagers who've read it, I would guess that many could identify with Berry and her feelings--even if they hadn't experienced the death of a sister nor had a father like hers. While Berry may not be the most endearing character to adults, Coman brings her to life in a compelling manner. Most parents could see a bit of their teenagers in Berry's sullen "I don't care" attitude. Her gradual awakening to the South African world and to facing her own life's parallels is beautifully written. The ending is carefully paced, with the mention of Berry's stones weighing down her sister's last letter, signed "Love, Laura," bringing the reader back to the room where the story first opened. Nice!
Stuck in Neutral has a heart wrenching premise. Before I opened the book, I'd heard so much about it, that may have spoiled some of the impact. However, although I think it's a worthwhile young adult book, it didn't strike me as being as strong as I'd have liked. Part of this may have been my own personal feelings . . . I wondered if readers would have found Shawn's plight so poignant if he'd been of only average intelligence or actually retarded. In this particular case, I think many teen readers will be intrigued by the fact that the author's own son has CP and has been declared profoundly developmentally delayed. Certainly a book to make people think. I can imagine heated discussions in classrooms after students have read this book.
Angus, Thongs and Full-Frontal Snogging is another book I'd heard a lot about before opening it. In addition to much praise--including that teens were whisking it off library shelves before the librarian even had a chance to read it--I'd also heard that it contains some rather mean-spirited lesbian?shing type passages. These passages jumped out at me, but I felt they were, unfortunately, realistic comments from a 13-year-old. Georgia comes across as a confused kid who's trying to find her way into the adult world without looking as if she's making any serious effort at all. She also has her sensitive side and is vulnerable, but she tries to keep that side hidden even from herself. Of course, kids will love the humor! Let's hope she matures in the sequel and becomes more understanding--but remains irrepressible Georgia.
I've only read about a third of The Body of Christopher Creed, and it's certainly a page-turner. I'm sure I'll finish it tonight! As far as it's literary qualities . . . I think some other YA books might have been more likely candidates for Printz honors. Some of the situations in the story strike me as improbable. (I have trouble imagining being able to see into so many windows of a house so well . . . ) The writing feels awkward to me, but on the other hand, it's supposed to be an account written by a teenager, so in that sense, it works. I can understand the book's appeal, and my guess is that many teens will read and love it. Also on the positive side, the book should make teens think about how they treat other students. If a suspenseful story can keep a teenager reading while provoking deep thinking about attitudes toward those who're different, then the book has tremendous merit.
It's nice that the Printz Award exists!
Sheila Welch Author/Illustrator
Received on Wed 28 Feb 2001 07:55:07 PM CST
