From: Steven Engelfried <sengelfried>
Date: Wed, 18 Jul 2001 11:34:16 -0700

The lack of race references makes me think more about LaVaughn, rather than the author. If it had been narrated third person, I think it would have a different sort of impact. But it's LaVaughn's words or thoughts we're getting the stories from. So is it believable that she chooses not to refer to skin color in describing (or thinking about) the most important parts of her life? I think so, not because LaVaughn necessarily thinks race doesn't matter, but because it's not the issue that's affecting her. She has strong feelings about poverty, love, her future, family, religion, etc., but in the particular events that impact these two books, race isn't what strikes her as a major factor. With a first person narrator, sometimes it's what they choose not to mention that counts. When LaVaughn doesn't refer to race I think it's convincing (given her values and the influence of her mother) and also an effective bit of character development by the author.

-Steven Engelfried, Children's Librarian Beaverton City Library 12375 SW 5th Street Beaverton, OR 97005 ph: 503R6%99 fax: 503R6&36 e-mail: sengelfried at ci.beaverton.or.us
Received on Wed 18 Jul 2001 01:34:16 PM CDT