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The Pepins and their Problems
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From: Brian, Jen, Megan, & Ethan <Brewcheese>
Date: Sat, 15 Jan 2005 13:36:22 -0600
I am wondering what people think about Polly Horvath's new book The Pepins and their Problems. Our mock Newbery committee (6-8 graders) decided we should read it based on the fact that Ms. Horvath's books have been highly regarded in the past, but it didn't receive much support when the voting came. My belief is that they couldn't
"make themselves younger" when reading the book. They just thought the Pepins were stupid and got annoyed.
On the other hand, when I was reading it at home, my kindergarten daughter climbed up on my lap and asked, "Whatcha reading, Dad?" So I proceeded to read a little aloud to her. The result was amazing. In the beginning when the Pepins are stuck on the roof and they decide to bungy jump off the roof, a little girl tells them they forgot something. The author asks, dear reader, if you know what the Pepins forgot. My daughter said they forgot to attach the other end of the cords to something. The next paragraph basically says, that's right, they forgot to attach the other end of the cord. The author's ability to anticipate what the reader's response would be and write the other side of the conversation was great. This happened a couple of times.
I am reminded of the discussion last year about Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus and the fact that one really realizes it's greatness when reading it to a group of kids.
Anyways, I am interested to see if the Pepins show up on any future lists.
Brian Wilhorn Immanuel Lutheran School Wisconsin Rapids, WI http://users.tznet.com/~bookswi
Received on Sat 15 Jan 2005 01:36:22 PM CST
Date: Sat, 15 Jan 2005 13:36:22 -0600
I am wondering what people think about Polly Horvath's new book The Pepins and their Problems. Our mock Newbery committee (6-8 graders) decided we should read it based on the fact that Ms. Horvath's books have been highly regarded in the past, but it didn't receive much support when the voting came. My belief is that they couldn't
"make themselves younger" when reading the book. They just thought the Pepins were stupid and got annoyed.
On the other hand, when I was reading it at home, my kindergarten daughter climbed up on my lap and asked, "Whatcha reading, Dad?" So I proceeded to read a little aloud to her. The result was amazing. In the beginning when the Pepins are stuck on the roof and they decide to bungy jump off the roof, a little girl tells them they forgot something. The author asks, dear reader, if you know what the Pepins forgot. My daughter said they forgot to attach the other end of the cords to something. The next paragraph basically says, that's right, they forgot to attach the other end of the cord. The author's ability to anticipate what the reader's response would be and write the other side of the conversation was great. This happened a couple of times.
I am reminded of the discussion last year about Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus and the fact that one really realizes it's greatness when reading it to a group of kids.
Anyways, I am interested to see if the Pepins show up on any future lists.
Brian Wilhorn Immanuel Lutheran School Wisconsin Rapids, WI http://users.tznet.com/~bookswi
Received on Sat 15 Jan 2005 01:36:22 PM CST
