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[CCBC-Net] Criss Cross
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From: Dean Schneider <schneiderd>
Date: Thu, 16 Feb 2006 15:34:59 -0600
I've been happy to see everyone's appreciation for Criss Cross, especially Ginny's eloquent celebration of it. I, too, loved the book, but I have to admit to not reading it until after it won, in spite of my wife's love of the book early on. My copy, like all of my beloved books, is now full of dog-eared pages, each with a great scene to read aloud - humorous, poignant, and insightful. It is a beautifully written book.
My concern was that it would be a book that appealed to adults more than to children. And when I gave it to two of my seventh graders - two girls who are huge readers - neither finished it. One, who has read over 30 of the previous Newbery winners, came to return it, but I talked her into giving it more of a chance. She came back after making it halfway through and didn't want to go on. Another said what apparently many kids are saying: "Nothing happens." Now that irks us adults who are loving the book and can see the trajectory of the novel, the connections and missed connections, the sweetness and poignancy of so many scenes, and the humor.
So, I was happy to read that Meg's kids liked it. I'd be curious to hear if others have had the chance yet to read it with kids or to get kids' reactions. I'm hoping for a groundswell of appreciation among kids, too!
I loved Show Way, and it was one of my favorites from the moment I read it. The same with Hitler Youth. The moment I finished it, I knew I wanted to add it to my 8th-grade Holocaust unit, and the author is already booked for a visit to my school next year, as part of that project. It is one of the best nonfiction books in recent years. Susan Bartoletti writes good history - clear prose, well-selected photographs, and solid documentation.
I have to catch up on Whittington and Princess Academy, but I thought the Newbery Committee (and the others, too) did a fine job this year in picking such a wide range of excellent books to honor.
Dean Schneider
Ensworth School
211 Ensworth Avenue
Nashville, TN 37205
schneiderd at ensworth.com
Received on Thu 16 Feb 2006 03:34:59 PM CST
Date: Thu, 16 Feb 2006 15:34:59 -0600
I've been happy to see everyone's appreciation for Criss Cross, especially Ginny's eloquent celebration of it. I, too, loved the book, but I have to admit to not reading it until after it won, in spite of my wife's love of the book early on. My copy, like all of my beloved books, is now full of dog-eared pages, each with a great scene to read aloud - humorous, poignant, and insightful. It is a beautifully written book.
My concern was that it would be a book that appealed to adults more than to children. And when I gave it to two of my seventh graders - two girls who are huge readers - neither finished it. One, who has read over 30 of the previous Newbery winners, came to return it, but I talked her into giving it more of a chance. She came back after making it halfway through and didn't want to go on. Another said what apparently many kids are saying: "Nothing happens." Now that irks us adults who are loving the book and can see the trajectory of the novel, the connections and missed connections, the sweetness and poignancy of so many scenes, and the humor.
So, I was happy to read that Meg's kids liked it. I'd be curious to hear if others have had the chance yet to read it with kids or to get kids' reactions. I'm hoping for a groundswell of appreciation among kids, too!
I loved Show Way, and it was one of my favorites from the moment I read it. The same with Hitler Youth. The moment I finished it, I knew I wanted to add it to my 8th-grade Holocaust unit, and the author is already booked for a visit to my school next year, as part of that project. It is one of the best nonfiction books in recent years. Susan Bartoletti writes good history - clear prose, well-selected photographs, and solid documentation.
I have to catch up on Whittington and Princess Academy, but I thought the Newbery Committee (and the others, too) did a fine job this year in picking such a wide range of excellent books to honor.
Dean Schneider
Ensworth School
211 Ensworth Avenue
Nashville, TN 37205
schneiderd at ensworth.com
Received on Thu 16 Feb 2006 03:34:59 PM CST
