From: Melody Allen <melody_allen>
Date: Thu, 15 Jul 2004 09:30:32 -0400

Could one not question whether the term "pop culture" is in and of itself not the reflection of an elitist and snobbish point of view? Do we equate all series books for middle graders as "pop culture?" Does selling related products around a book make it "pop culture?" (note that even Sendak gave in and has allowed the marketing of the Wild Things). Is "pop culture" always associated with popularity (and then what would the converse be)?

On the number of book clubs, I might point out that virtually all 16,000 public libraries in the US offer story times for preschoolers, many with multiple sessions.
 Yet even if you hold 5 story times a week with 20 kids each, you only reach 100 kids in your community. I feel this is a valid parallel with book discussions. Hooray for their proliferation and for all the wonderful story times, but ask what is the percentage of population involved.

Melody Allen melody_allen at gw.doa.state.ri.us
Received on Thu 15 Jul 2004 08:30:32 AM CDT