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[CCBC-Net] Rules
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From: ENGELFRIED Steven <stevene>
Date: Wed, 21 Feb 2007 10:09:18 -0800
And one more element I forgot to add about "Rules": I'm a little tired of the common device of using lists made by characters to frame the action of the novel...it's used a lot these days and sometimes seems contrived. But the chapter titles in "Rules" and the way they applied, not just to Catherine's brother, but also to herself (though she didn't always realize it), and maybe to all of us in some ways, worked seamlessly and was very powerful. And one more (like "Lucky" I think this seems like a better book the more you look at it): that thread of
"Frog and Toad" dialogue was just wonderful...charming at first, but then developing into a strong symbol of the unique bond between Catherine and her brother.
- Steven Engelfried, Raising a Reader Coordinator
Multnomah County Library
205 NE Russell Street
Portland, OR 97212-3796
503-988-5206 (phone)
503-988-5441 (fax)
stevene at multcolib.org
-----Original Message----- From: ccbc-net-bounces at ccbc.education.wisc.edu
[mailto:ccbc-net-bounces at ccbc.education.wisc.edu] On Behalf Of ENGELFRIED Steven Sent: Wednesday, February 21, 2007 9:48 AM To: ccbc-net, Subscribers of Subject: Re: [CCBC-Net] Rules
I also just finished "Rules" and was very impressed. For a book that was full of issues and discussion areas, I appreciated the way the author stuck rigorously to Catherine's innner thoughts. There was immediacy and honesty in her words that really rang true. Very little evidence (maybe none?) of an author inserting background or perspective that the girl herself wouldn't express. For instance, she rarely mentioned why art was important to her or how it affected her view...but we learned that by how she used it. And there was no general sharing of
"this is what it's like to have an autistic brother." No explanation of what autism is, just descriptions of her brother's actions and her own feelings. The focus was on her own personal experience, and that made it more powerful. It shares a quality with "Lucky," and also "Hattie Big Sky": in all three we readers see and learn things about the inner strengths of these characters before they're really conscious of it themselves.
- Steven Engelfried, Raising a Reader Coordinator
Multnomah County Library
205 NE Russell Street
Portland, OR 97212-3796
503-988-5206 (phone)
503-988-5441 (fax)
stevene at multcolib.org
-----Original Message----- From: ccbc-net-bounces at ccbc.education.wisc.edu
[mailto:ccbc-net-bounces at ccbc.education.wisc.edu] On Behalf Of Nancy Lockett Sent: Wednesday, February 21, 2007 8:49 AM To: Megan Schliesman; ccbc-net, Subscribers of Subject: Re: [CCBC-Net] Rules
I just read this Newbery Honor this morning and really liked it. Interesting that all the talk has been about words lately and this book has a lot about words in it. :)
Anybody read it yet?
I havent gotten to read Power yet, but am always looking for good books for my book clubs. I prob wouldnt let the s word prevent me from using Power (I am on the waiting list for it) with my very conservative tween group, but the girls would probably bring it up and tell me that was too much information. :)
Ironically, I dont remember any questionable words in Rules, but my concern for sensitivity with this one is that one my patrons who is autistic is considering coming to book club.I will probably ask her mom to read it (I do not know the young lady well), and get her tho'ts on it.
Anyway, I enjoyed Rules and look forward to reading Power. I am a lurker who enjoys 'listening'. :):)
Megan Schliesman <schliesman at education.wisc.edu> wrote:
We don't want to disrupt the timeliness of the current comments on the
2007 Newbery Award book. If you have things to add to that discussion, please feel free to do so.
At the same time, we also want to invite comments on the 2007 Printz Award, which we are scheduled to discuss from now through the end of February.
The 2007 Printz Award winner was American Born Chinese by Gene Luen Yang
(First Second, 2006)
There were four Printz Award honor books:
The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Volume 1: The Pox Party by M.T. Anderson (Candlewick Press, 2006) An Abundance of Katherines by John Green (Dutton, 2006) Surrender by Sonya Hartnett (U.S. edition: Candlewick Press, 2006) The Book Thief by Markus Zusak (U.S. edition: Alfred A. Knopf, 2006)
In our work at the CCBC, we are often talking about new books to teachers, and I find that's it's hard to contain my enthusiasm when talking about this year's Printz books--particularly American Born Chinese, Octavian Nothing and The Book Thief--with educators on the lookout for books to teach in the high school classroom.
What do you --or the young adults with whom you share books--have to say
about one or more of these titles?
Megan
Date: Wed, 21 Feb 2007 10:09:18 -0800
And one more element I forgot to add about "Rules": I'm a little tired of the common device of using lists made by characters to frame the action of the novel...it's used a lot these days and sometimes seems contrived. But the chapter titles in "Rules" and the way they applied, not just to Catherine's brother, but also to herself (though she didn't always realize it), and maybe to all of us in some ways, worked seamlessly and was very powerful. And one more (like "Lucky" I think this seems like a better book the more you look at it): that thread of
"Frog and Toad" dialogue was just wonderful...charming at first, but then developing into a strong symbol of the unique bond between Catherine and her brother.
- Steven Engelfried, Raising a Reader Coordinator
Multnomah County Library
205 NE Russell Street
Portland, OR 97212-3796
503-988-5206 (phone)
503-988-5441 (fax)
stevene at multcolib.org
-----Original Message----- From: ccbc-net-bounces at ccbc.education.wisc.edu
[mailto:ccbc-net-bounces at ccbc.education.wisc.edu] On Behalf Of ENGELFRIED Steven Sent: Wednesday, February 21, 2007 9:48 AM To: ccbc-net, Subscribers of Subject: Re: [CCBC-Net] Rules
I also just finished "Rules" and was very impressed. For a book that was full of issues and discussion areas, I appreciated the way the author stuck rigorously to Catherine's innner thoughts. There was immediacy and honesty in her words that really rang true. Very little evidence (maybe none?) of an author inserting background or perspective that the girl herself wouldn't express. For instance, she rarely mentioned why art was important to her or how it affected her view...but we learned that by how she used it. And there was no general sharing of
"this is what it's like to have an autistic brother." No explanation of what autism is, just descriptions of her brother's actions and her own feelings. The focus was on her own personal experience, and that made it more powerful. It shares a quality with "Lucky," and also "Hattie Big Sky": in all three we readers see and learn things about the inner strengths of these characters before they're really conscious of it themselves.
- Steven Engelfried, Raising a Reader Coordinator
Multnomah County Library
205 NE Russell Street
Portland, OR 97212-3796
503-988-5206 (phone)
503-988-5441 (fax)
stevene at multcolib.org
-----Original Message----- From: ccbc-net-bounces at ccbc.education.wisc.edu
[mailto:ccbc-net-bounces at ccbc.education.wisc.edu] On Behalf Of Nancy Lockett Sent: Wednesday, February 21, 2007 8:49 AM To: Megan Schliesman; ccbc-net, Subscribers of Subject: Re: [CCBC-Net] Rules
I just read this Newbery Honor this morning and really liked it. Interesting that all the talk has been about words lately and this book has a lot about words in it. :)
Anybody read it yet?
I havent gotten to read Power yet, but am always looking for good books for my book clubs. I prob wouldnt let the s word prevent me from using Power (I am on the waiting list for it) with my very conservative tween group, but the girls would probably bring it up and tell me that was too much information. :)
Ironically, I dont remember any questionable words in Rules, but my concern for sensitivity with this one is that one my patrons who is autistic is considering coming to book club.I will probably ask her mom to read it (I do not know the young lady well), and get her tho'ts on it.
Anyway, I enjoyed Rules and look forward to reading Power. I am a lurker who enjoys 'listening'. :):)
Megan Schliesman <schliesman at education.wisc.edu> wrote:
We don't want to disrupt the timeliness of the current comments on the
2007 Newbery Award book. If you have things to add to that discussion, please feel free to do so.
At the same time, we also want to invite comments on the 2007 Printz Award, which we are scheduled to discuss from now through the end of February.
The 2007 Printz Award winner was American Born Chinese by Gene Luen Yang
(First Second, 2006)
There were four Printz Award honor books:
The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Volume 1: The Pox Party by M.T. Anderson (Candlewick Press, 2006) An Abundance of Katherines by John Green (Dutton, 2006) Surrender by Sonya Hartnett (U.S. edition: Candlewick Press, 2006) The Book Thief by Markus Zusak (U.S. edition: Alfred A. Knopf, 2006)
In our work at the CCBC, we are often talking about new books to teachers, and I find that's it's hard to contain my enthusiasm when talking about this year's Printz books--particularly American Born Chinese, Octavian Nothing and The Book Thief--with educators on the lookout for books to teach in the high school classroom.
What do you --or the young adults with whom you share books--have to say
about one or more of these titles?
Megan
-- Megan Schliesman, Librarian Cooperative Children's Book Center School of Education, UW-Madison 600 N. Park St., Room 4290 Madison, WI 53706 ph: 608-262-9503 fax: 608-262-4933 schliesman at education.wisc.edu _______________________________________________ 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 --------------------------------- Don't get soaked. Take a quick peak at the forecast with theYahoo! Search weather shortcut. _______________________________________________ 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-netReceived on Wed 21 Feb 2007 12:09:18 PM CST
