From: steven engelfried <stevene>
Date: Thu, 1 Mar 2001 09:38:55 -0800

I always like to see humorous books win awards, so was glad when "Angus" was honored by the Printz committee. It's so hard to compare a book like this with something as complex as "Kit's Wilderness" or as unflinchingly serious as "Many Stones." More useful to me is to compare it to a similar title, like Meg Cabot's "Princess Diaries." Cabot's book is excellent: funny, interesting characters, effective use of the diary format. But reading it helped me see how "Angus" stands out. Georgia is a more vivid and surprising character than Mia. She's so completely self-involved that we get to know her almost from the inside out. We only learn about her from the way she sees herself and the world; the diary format always offers this possibility, but often it's not fully reached by authors. In "The Princess Diaries," for example, there's a bit of distance between reader and narrator, and a feeling that there is an author close at hand keeping things basically in line. The controversy about Georgia's views on lesbians actually made "Angus" a stronger book in my mind...they were entirely believable coming from the Georgia we get to know. Just as Coman didn't hesitate to show every unpleasant side of her hero's self?sorption, Rennison didn't (and shouldn't have) water down Georgia's. I also like the way Georgia didn't really learn or change all that much...the author trusted her readers to recognize that we're not supposed to admire or emulate Georgia, but rather to understand her, laugh with her (and sometimes at her), and enjoy seeing the world through her unique eyes. In its way,
"Angus" is as finely crafted as the other honored books. Plus it's really really funny.

- Steven Engelfried, Young Adult Librarian
  Deschutes Public Library System
  545 NW Wall Street Bend, OR 97701
  ph: 541a7p72 fax: 54189)82
  e-mail: stevene at dpls.lib.or.us
Received on Thu 01 Mar 2001 11:38:55 AM CST