CCBC-Net Archives
Tale of Despereaux
- Contemporary messages sorted: [ by date ] [ by subject ] [ by author ]
From: Melody Allen <melody_allen>
Date: Wed, 21 Jan 2004 13:46:22 -0500
Ilene mentions that the reader of Despereaux will be an "interactive participant." How interesting that Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus, a Caldecott honor, also is a totally interactive book.
As for the Newbery, I seem to have found endings a challenge this year, and I am sure authors struggle all the time with how to finish off what can be so well begun.
I have already discused Milkweed here, and City of Ember, which was vivid in setting and had strong characterization and an exciting climax, let me down at the final paragraph by having the message dropped through a hole in the "sky" and land exactly at the feet of just the right character.
In Despereaux, I really enjoyed the laying out of each character and his/her life until they intersect (made me think of Seabiscuit). Since it is a hero tale, I expected certain conventions that in some ways did happen, but at the end did not. I loved that the red thread which was the mark of death was to be a piece of the rescue and return to light and life. Instead the thread was lost literally and figuratively before the climax. The needle seemd an appropriate gift from a character to help the hero on his adventures, but in the pacifist ending was basically set aside with little fanfare. Having taken her time to develop characters and story, I felt the changes and conclusion came too fast and without full justification and grounding. I still find it a good read with lots of strengths in creating vivid scenes and lively dialogue and am happy when a Gr. 4-6 title wins, although I am well aware of the age levels for the award. Melody Allen
Let me express a tad of gratitude to the committee for choosing Tale of Despereaux as the Newbery winner. This book is a delight. The story brings romance, in the literary sense, to children who are just opening their eyes to literature. It provides a plot that can be easily understood with characters that are vivid in detail. Children will understand the theme that correlates light with enlightenment. I love the style that it is written in because it immediately engages the reader and assumes that he will be an
"interactive" participant. The fact that the text is written in print that fourth graders can interpret makes it a good book to read alone and a great one for parents and teachers to read aloud. You did a fabulous job. Thanks so much!
Ilene Abramson Director of Children's Services Los Angeles Public Library 213"8t81
Received on Wed 21 Jan 2004 12:46:22 PM CST
Date: Wed, 21 Jan 2004 13:46:22 -0500
Ilene mentions that the reader of Despereaux will be an "interactive participant." How interesting that Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus, a Caldecott honor, also is a totally interactive book.
As for the Newbery, I seem to have found endings a challenge this year, and I am sure authors struggle all the time with how to finish off what can be so well begun.
I have already discused Milkweed here, and City of Ember, which was vivid in setting and had strong characterization and an exciting climax, let me down at the final paragraph by having the message dropped through a hole in the "sky" and land exactly at the feet of just the right character.
In Despereaux, I really enjoyed the laying out of each character and his/her life until they intersect (made me think of Seabiscuit). Since it is a hero tale, I expected certain conventions that in some ways did happen, but at the end did not. I loved that the red thread which was the mark of death was to be a piece of the rescue and return to light and life. Instead the thread was lost literally and figuratively before the climax. The needle seemd an appropriate gift from a character to help the hero on his adventures, but in the pacifist ending was basically set aside with little fanfare. Having taken her time to develop characters and story, I felt the changes and conclusion came too fast and without full justification and grounding. I still find it a good read with lots of strengths in creating vivid scenes and lively dialogue and am happy when a Gr. 4-6 title wins, although I am well aware of the age levels for the award. Melody Allen
Let me express a tad of gratitude to the committee for choosing Tale of Despereaux as the Newbery winner. This book is a delight. The story brings romance, in the literary sense, to children who are just opening their eyes to literature. It provides a plot that can be easily understood with characters that are vivid in detail. Children will understand the theme that correlates light with enlightenment. I love the style that it is written in because it immediately engages the reader and assumes that he will be an
"interactive" participant. The fact that the text is written in print that fourth graders can interpret makes it a good book to read alone and a great one for parents and teachers to read aloud. You did a fabulous job. Thanks so much!
Ilene Abramson Director of Children's Services Los Angeles Public Library 213"8t81
Received on Wed 21 Jan 2004 12:46:22 PM CST
