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[CCBC-Net] Fantastic Fiction / for the fantasy non-fan
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From: Julie Corsaro <juliecorsaro2>
Date: Sun, 07 May 2006 09:36:47 -0400
In response to Melissa's question regarding fantasy at the elementary level for boys, I've had luck with the Poppy books by Avi and some of the older animal fantasies like The Cricket in Time Square and Mrs. Frisby. Second, third and fourth grade boys also read through a number of papeback series: The Secrets of Droon, Deltora Quest, and Dragonslayer's Academy. In addition to these books, younger boys (and girls, too) are just as responsive to Roald Dahl, Eva Ibbotson, C. S. Lewis, and Edgar Eager. And speaking of historical fantasy and popularity, I was just at a book store event where over 1,000 children and their caregivers showed up to meet Mary Pope Osbourne.
Julie Corsaro
PS-Some "shorter" books with particular appeal for girls are The Witch Twin books by Adele Griffin, Vivian Vande Velde's books like Smart Dog, and Luli Gray's Falcon books.
>From: "Melissa Henderson" <mhenderson at wnpl.info>
>To: <ccbc-net at ccbc.education.wisc.edu>
>Subject: [CCBC-Net] Fantastic Fiction / for the fantasy non-fan
>Date: Sat, 6 May 2006 14:03:45 -0500
>
>
>As a children's librarian who is not now, nor ever has been, a fan of
>fantasy literature, the boom in this genre can be a bit frustrating to
>me personally. I try to read as much children's literature as possible
>in order to keep up and offer good readers' advisory service, but I
>struggle with reading in this, my least favorite, genre. That being
>said, there are several titles that I have read and enjoyed in recent
>years, specifically
>
> Juliet Dove, Queen of Love -- Bruce Coville
> Olivia Kidney -- Ellen Potter
> Wishes, Kisses and Pigs -- Betsy Hearne
> Word Eater -- Mary Amato
>
>NOTE: What I think I like about all of these titles is that they are
>quite realistic, involving typical human kids who find themselves in
>very fantastical circumstances. One frustration is that these are all
>what I would consider "girl" books; does anyone have any recommendations
>for similar books that a boy might read? I do recommend the other
>Colville Magic Shop books to boys.)
>
> Sea of Trolls -- Nancy Farmer
>
>NOTE: What I loved about this book is the history and the humor. I'm a
>big fan of this historical/cultural period (book takes place in 8th
>century Scandinavia). Plus there was a lot of sly humor, which I
>appreciated. I just sort of bleeped over the trolls and dragons. I have
>recommended this book to a boy who wanted a book with dragons, but I
>think he was put off by the length (459p); the length of most fantasy
>novels is a real challenge when trying to connect a child with a book,
>especially for a school assignment. Any ideas for short fantasy titles?
>
>I look forward to hearing from others on ideas for non-typical fantasy
>books that I could add to my lists...
>
>Melissa Henderson
>Children's Librarian
>
>
>
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: ccbc-net-bounces at ccbc.education.wisc.edu
>[mailto:ccbc-net-bounces at ccbc.education.wisc.edu] On Behalf Of Kathleen
>Horning
>Sent: Friday, May 05, 2006 1:11 PM
>To: Subscribers of ccbc-net
>Subject: [CCBC-Net] Fantastic Fiction: New Fantasy Literature
>
>
>It's time to begin our CCBC-Net discussion for the first two weeks of
>April: New Fantasy books for Children and Teens
>
>Are you feeling overwhelmed by new fantasy trilogies? Burdened by yet
>another book to read about an apprentice in some far-off or far-out
>land? It's hard not to notice the explosion in new fantasy offerings,
>which range from mundane to marvelous. Among the many new works of
>fantasy published in recent years for children and teens, what are the
>fantasy books*stand alone title, trilogy, or ongoing series*that really
>stand out to you and the young readers in your lives?
>
>Kathleen T. Horning, Director
>Cooperative Children's Book Center
>University of Wisconsin-School of Education
>4290 Helen C. White Hall
>600 North Park St.
>Madison, WI 53706
>
>horning at education.wisc.edu
>Voice: 608-263-3721
>Fax: 608-262-4933
>www.education.wisc.edu/ccbc/
>
>
>_______________________________________________
>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
>_______________________________________________
>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
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Received on Sun 07 May 2006 08:36:47 AM CDT
Date: Sun, 07 May 2006 09:36:47 -0400
In response to Melissa's question regarding fantasy at the elementary level for boys, I've had luck with the Poppy books by Avi and some of the older animal fantasies like The Cricket in Time Square and Mrs. Frisby. Second, third and fourth grade boys also read through a number of papeback series: The Secrets of Droon, Deltora Quest, and Dragonslayer's Academy. In addition to these books, younger boys (and girls, too) are just as responsive to Roald Dahl, Eva Ibbotson, C. S. Lewis, and Edgar Eager. And speaking of historical fantasy and popularity, I was just at a book store event where over 1,000 children and their caregivers showed up to meet Mary Pope Osbourne.
Julie Corsaro
PS-Some "shorter" books with particular appeal for girls are The Witch Twin books by Adele Griffin, Vivian Vande Velde's books like Smart Dog, and Luli Gray's Falcon books.
>From: "Melissa Henderson" <mhenderson at wnpl.info>
>To: <ccbc-net at ccbc.education.wisc.edu>
>Subject: [CCBC-Net] Fantastic Fiction / for the fantasy non-fan
>Date: Sat, 6 May 2006 14:03:45 -0500
>
>
>As a children's librarian who is not now, nor ever has been, a fan of
>fantasy literature, the boom in this genre can be a bit frustrating to
>me personally. I try to read as much children's literature as possible
>in order to keep up and offer good readers' advisory service, but I
>struggle with reading in this, my least favorite, genre. That being
>said, there are several titles that I have read and enjoyed in recent
>years, specifically
>
> Juliet Dove, Queen of Love -- Bruce Coville
> Olivia Kidney -- Ellen Potter
> Wishes, Kisses and Pigs -- Betsy Hearne
> Word Eater -- Mary Amato
>
>NOTE: What I think I like about all of these titles is that they are
>quite realistic, involving typical human kids who find themselves in
>very fantastical circumstances. One frustration is that these are all
>what I would consider "girl" books; does anyone have any recommendations
>for similar books that a boy might read? I do recommend the other
>Colville Magic Shop books to boys.)
>
> Sea of Trolls -- Nancy Farmer
>
>NOTE: What I loved about this book is the history and the humor. I'm a
>big fan of this historical/cultural period (book takes place in 8th
>century Scandinavia). Plus there was a lot of sly humor, which I
>appreciated. I just sort of bleeped over the trolls and dragons. I have
>recommended this book to a boy who wanted a book with dragons, but I
>think he was put off by the length (459p); the length of most fantasy
>novels is a real challenge when trying to connect a child with a book,
>especially for a school assignment. Any ideas for short fantasy titles?
>
>I look forward to hearing from others on ideas for non-typical fantasy
>books that I could add to my lists...
>
>Melissa Henderson
>Children's Librarian
>
>
>
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: ccbc-net-bounces at ccbc.education.wisc.edu
>[mailto:ccbc-net-bounces at ccbc.education.wisc.edu] On Behalf Of Kathleen
>Horning
>Sent: Friday, May 05, 2006 1:11 PM
>To: Subscribers of ccbc-net
>Subject: [CCBC-Net] Fantastic Fiction: New Fantasy Literature
>
>
>It's time to begin our CCBC-Net discussion for the first two weeks of
>April: New Fantasy books for Children and Teens
>
>Are you feeling overwhelmed by new fantasy trilogies? Burdened by yet
>another book to read about an apprentice in some far-off or far-out
>land? It's hard not to notice the explosion in new fantasy offerings,
>which range from mundane to marvelous. Among the many new works of
>fantasy published in recent years for children and teens, what are the
>fantasy books*stand alone title, trilogy, or ongoing series*that really
>stand out to you and the young readers in your lives?
>
>Kathleen T. Horning, Director
>Cooperative Children's Book Center
>University of Wisconsin-School of Education
>4290 Helen C. White Hall
>600 North Park St.
>Madison, WI 53706
>
>horning at education.wisc.edu
>Voice: 608-263-3721
>Fax: 608-262-4933
>www.education.wisc.edu/ccbc/
>
>
>_______________________________________________
>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
>_______________________________________________
>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
_________________________________________________________________ On the road to retirement? Check out MSN Life Events for advice on how to get there! http://lifeevents.msn.com/category.aspx?cid=Retirement
Received on Sun 07 May 2006 08:36:47 AM CDT
