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[CCBC-Net] National Book Awards
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From: Beth Martin <BMartin>
Date: Tue, 17 Jan 2006 07:24:34 -0600
I read "The Penderwicks" a couple of weeks ago and couldn't put it down. I kept asking myself why I felt compelled to read on and I believe it was because I wanted to be in the world that the author created... where sisters were best friends and accept each other (warts and all) and take care of one another. The book was charming....a nice change from other things that I have read lately. I proceeded to give it to my 12 year old daughter thinking she might turn her nose up at it or not finish the book... but to my surprise she had the same reaction. She said it was a nice vacation from the world of middle school friendships which can be pretty nasty at times. It has been interesting to read the interviews with the author about how the books she loved as a child influenced her writing.
Beth Martin Teacher Librarian DC Everest Middle School IMC bmartin at dce.k12.wi.us 715-241-9700 ex.2320
>>> Steven Engelfried <sengelfried at yahoo.com> 1/16/2006 10:16 PM >>>
I thought "The Penderwicks" was a very interesting winner for the National Book Award. Certainly the youngest book that's won since the Young People's category was revived, in terms of audience appeal, which I think is a nice change. Personally I feel like I appreciated the book more than I actually enjoyed it. I kept thinking: This reminds me of other books I've loved, and I'm glad such an accomplished author is writing something like this in 2005, and I hope kids will read and enjoy this. But to me it wasn't as memorable as Hilary McKay's three series or Eva Ibbotson's historical orphan books (I guess neither author is eligible for the NBA, but just mentioned as a comparison). But even though each of the other four nominated titles had slightly more appeal to me, and one of them ("Inexcusable") was especially impressive, in the end I'm pleased to see this very enjoyable old fashioned children's book win out, and it will be interesting to see if kids respond to it as
positively as I hope they will...
- Steven Engelfried, Beaverton City Library
12375 SW 5th Street
Beaverton, OR 97005
503-526-2599
sengelfried at yahoo.com
Julie Ranelli <JRanelli at eccofdc.org> wrote:
I am surprised that the National Book Award winners and nominees have not sparked much discussion here. They must be popular books--they are all checked out and have holds in my library system. I have requested each, but the only one I have read so far is "Each Little Bird That Sings" by Deborah Wiles. I actually found out about that author a couple months ago when we (CCBC) were talking about regional fiction. The first customer review for that book at Amazon.com says better than I could everything I enjoyed about the book. Wiles creates such real characters in Comfort, Dismay, and Peach ("I've come to seeeeeeeeee you!" echoes in my mind.) I also liked another by her, "Love, Ruby Lavender."
Looking forward to the discussion!
Julie Ranelli
School Library Media Specialist
Episcopal Center for Children
5901 Utah Ave. N.W.
Washington, DC 20015
(202) 363-1333 x278
jranelli at eccofdc.org
CONFIDENTIALITY WARNING!!! This communication may be confidential and legally privileged. If you are not the person to whom it is addressed, do not read, copy or let anyone else besides the addressee see it. Please respect the confidentiality of this personal information and respect the federal and state laws that protect its confidentiality. If this has been transmitted to you by mistake, we ask you to extend the courtesy of notifying us at the e-mail address listed above and telling us what went wrong. Thank you very much.
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--------------------------------- Yahoo! Photos * Showcase holiday pictures in hardcover
Photo Books. You design it and we'll bind it!
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Received on Tue 17 Jan 2006 07:24:34 AM CST
Date: Tue, 17 Jan 2006 07:24:34 -0600
I read "The Penderwicks" a couple of weeks ago and couldn't put it down. I kept asking myself why I felt compelled to read on and I believe it was because I wanted to be in the world that the author created... where sisters were best friends and accept each other (warts and all) and take care of one another. The book was charming....a nice change from other things that I have read lately. I proceeded to give it to my 12 year old daughter thinking she might turn her nose up at it or not finish the book... but to my surprise she had the same reaction. She said it was a nice vacation from the world of middle school friendships which can be pretty nasty at times. It has been interesting to read the interviews with the author about how the books she loved as a child influenced her writing.
Beth Martin Teacher Librarian DC Everest Middle School IMC bmartin at dce.k12.wi.us 715-241-9700 ex.2320
>>> Steven Engelfried <sengelfried at yahoo.com> 1/16/2006 10:16 PM >>>
I thought "The Penderwicks" was a very interesting winner for the National Book Award. Certainly the youngest book that's won since the Young People's category was revived, in terms of audience appeal, which I think is a nice change. Personally I feel like I appreciated the book more than I actually enjoyed it. I kept thinking: This reminds me of other books I've loved, and I'm glad such an accomplished author is writing something like this in 2005, and I hope kids will read and enjoy this. But to me it wasn't as memorable as Hilary McKay's three series or Eva Ibbotson's historical orphan books (I guess neither author is eligible for the NBA, but just mentioned as a comparison). But even though each of the other four nominated titles had slightly more appeal to me, and one of them ("Inexcusable") was especially impressive, in the end I'm pleased to see this very enjoyable old fashioned children's book win out, and it will be interesting to see if kids respond to it as
positively as I hope they will...
- Steven Engelfried, Beaverton City Library
12375 SW 5th Street
Beaverton, OR 97005
503-526-2599
sengelfried at yahoo.com
Julie Ranelli <JRanelli at eccofdc.org> wrote:
I am surprised that the National Book Award winners and nominees have not sparked much discussion here. They must be popular books--they are all checked out and have holds in my library system. I have requested each, but the only one I have read so far is "Each Little Bird That Sings" by Deborah Wiles. I actually found out about that author a couple months ago when we (CCBC) were talking about regional fiction. The first customer review for that book at Amazon.com says better than I could everything I enjoyed about the book. Wiles creates such real characters in Comfort, Dismay, and Peach ("I've come to seeeeeeeeee you!" echoes in my mind.) I also liked another by her, "Love, Ruby Lavender."
Looking forward to the discussion!
Julie Ranelli
School Library Media Specialist
Episcopal Center for Children
5901 Utah Ave. N.W.
Washington, DC 20015
(202) 363-1333 x278
jranelli at eccofdc.org
CONFIDENTIALITY WARNING!!! This communication may be confidential and legally privileged. If you are not the person to whom it is addressed, do not read, copy or let anyone else besides the addressee see it. Please respect the confidentiality of this personal information and respect the federal and state laws that protect its confidentiality. If this has been transmitted to you by mistake, we ask you to extend the courtesy of notifying us at the e-mail address listed above and telling us what went wrong. Thank you very much.
_______________________________________________ CCBC-Net mailing list CCBC-Net at ccbc.education.wisc.edu Visit this link to read archives or to unsubscribe... http://ccbc.education.wisc.edu/mailman/listinfo/ccbc-net
--------------------------------- Yahoo! Photos * Showcase holiday pictures in hardcover
Photo Books. You design it and we'll bind it!
_______________________________________________ CCBC-Net mailing list CCBC-Net at ccbc.education.wisc.edu Visit this link to read archives or to unsubscribe... http://ccbc.education.wisc.edu/mailman/listinfo/ccbc-net
Received on Tue 17 Jan 2006 07:24:34 AM CST
