From: Bren MacDibble <brenmacd>
Date: Wed, 13 Sep 2006 11:29:54 +1000

A lot of the stories Erlene has mentioned are fantasies where children are empowered as well as being perfect versions of worlds with clear good and evil and, if we're writing for children we have to be aware of what the child wants. I'm sure 9/11 left them feeling disempowered and unsure of who the bad guy is which is why these fantasy stories also appeal to children.

I think science fiction would appeal more to children who are more aware of current affairs than fantasy. They become children seeking answers, seeking a way into a better future, or looking for parrallels that are more realistic than fantasy can offer.

I like James Elliot's mention of the real heroes and think it's great to show ordinary people being heroic but like Hollis I worry about the effects of showing the world's atrocities too graphically to children too young. I know with my own children who are citizens of a country that has never committed an atrocity that learning such things makes them a little dark around the edges. Sadly, they tend to remove themselves and lay blame on the thinking of whatever nationality committed the act... and it's hard to counter "all- .... -are-idiots" type thinking. Usually there's too much reinforcing influences from the media... and we all know kids would rather listen to the tv than their parents or teachers.

I'm sorry, not many 9/11 books have filtered down to the southern hemisphere so I can't comment on what IS out there.

Bren

www.macdibble.com
Received on Tue 12 Sep 2006 08:29:54 PM CDT