From: Strauss <strauss>
Date: Mon, 6 Dec 2004 17:27:54 -0500

Thanks to all who listed (and will list) their favorites of the year -- I feel as if I've been given a treasure! In addition to my writing, I teach a class for retired adults called TOO GOOD FOR JUST CHILDREN, in which we discuss books that are marketed to kids but challenging enough and interesting enough for adults. And I'm squirreling away all your ideas for next year's course -- can't wait to start reading and choosing.

Continuing on the subject of that course, I'd like to throw out a question. This year's book list included SHABANU, THE GIVER, THE HOUSE OF THE SCORPION, CARVER, THE GOLDEN COMPASS, DREAMLAND -- I try to offer a wide variety, and almost all of the books were very well received. With the exception of THE SEEING STONE, which most of the class hated. Actually hated. I was astonished -- I love the book and envy the talent that produced it, and I really thought they'd love it, too. When I pressed them for reasons, they said the book was boring, too much detail, they didn't like the short chapters. I couldn't really pin them down any further. The book certainly challenged them -- we talked about it for a solid hour and a half -- but I still can't figure out why their response was so negative. Is anyone willing to venture an opinion?

Will look forward to hearing your feedback -- and more book suggestions.

Linda Leopold Strauss www.llstrauss.com

REALLY, TRULY, EVERYTHING'S FINE (Marshall Cavendish, 2004) A FAIRY CALLED HILARY (Holiday House, 1999; Scholastic 2001) COPING WHEN A PARENT HAS CANCER (Rosen Publishing Group, 1988) THE ALEXANDRA INGREDIENT (Crown, 1988; iuniverse.com, 2000)
Received on Mon 06 Dec 2004 04:27:54 PM CST