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[CCBC-Net] 2007 Batchelder Award
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From: Annette Goldsmith <ayg>
Date: Wed, 14 Mar 2007 00:29:49 -0400
Let's start with the winner, The Pull of the Ocean, translated from the French by Y. Maudet. The story of how seven brothers flee their home is told in turn by many different people: the three sets of twin brothers, those who help or hinder them, and finally, by the diminutive and mute Yann, the youngest brother, a Tom Thumb-like character. "Yann came last and alone. Like the period at the end of a sentence." (p. 6) The different point of view for each chapter is reminiscent of some of Paul Fleischman's novels. The story is carried along by the different tellers, but occasionally pauses as the same incident is recounted again, I think always by a twin brother. I agree with Megan that it's a very compelling story. The suspense lies in waiting to hear Yann's version at the very end. Did he lead his brothers towards the sea because he thought their parents were going to harm them, or did he overhear them talk about killing a litter of kittens? Or did he have another motive entirely?
I very much like the translation of the title, which reflects the trajectory of the story, but I also like the original, l'Enfant Ocean (ocean child/child of the ocean?) which puts the emphasis squarely on Yann, the central character.
The brothers are very solicitous of one another. Though others may see them as ragamuffins and thieves, they are secure in following Yann's lead. In one sense it's a survival story. It is a very strange tale with a mysterious but satisfying conclusion.
Those are my initial thoughts.
Annette
-----Original Message----- From: ccbc-net-bounces at ccbc.education.wisc.edu
[mailto:ccbc-net-bounces at ccbc.education.wisc.edu]On Behalf Of Megan Schliesman Sent: Tuesday, March 13, 2007 10:09 AM To: ccbc-net, Subscribers of Subject: [CCBC-Net] 2007 Batchelder Award
Thank you for your comments on the 2007 Sibert award winner and honor books.
Today we begin discussion of the 2007 Batchelder Award winner and honor books.
The Batchelder is "awarded to an American publisher for a children's book considered to be the most outstanding of those books originally published in a foreign language in a foreign country, and subsequently translated into English and published in the United States. ALSC gives the award to encourage American publishers to seek out superior children's books abroad and to promote communication among the peoples of the world." (ALSC web site)
The 2007 Batchelder Award Committee selected The Pull of the Ocean by Jean-Claude Morulevat as the winner of the award. It was published in the United States by Delacorte Press, and translated from the French by Y. Maudet.
The 2007 Batchelder Committee named two honor books:
The Killer's Tears by Anne-Laure Bondoux. Published in the United States by Delacorte Press. Translated from the French by Y. Maudet.
The Last Dragon by Silvana De Mari. Published in the Unites States by Miramax/Hyperion. Translated from the Italian by Shaun Whiteside.
I have yet to read "The Last Dragon," but found the winner, "The Pull of the Ocean," and one of the honor book's "The Killer's Tears" to be haunting, compelling works, although in very different ways.
What are your thoughts about this year's Batchelder books?
Megan
Date: Wed, 14 Mar 2007 00:29:49 -0400
Let's start with the winner, The Pull of the Ocean, translated from the French by Y. Maudet. The story of how seven brothers flee their home is told in turn by many different people: the three sets of twin brothers, those who help or hinder them, and finally, by the diminutive and mute Yann, the youngest brother, a Tom Thumb-like character. "Yann came last and alone. Like the period at the end of a sentence." (p. 6) The different point of view for each chapter is reminiscent of some of Paul Fleischman's novels. The story is carried along by the different tellers, but occasionally pauses as the same incident is recounted again, I think always by a twin brother. I agree with Megan that it's a very compelling story. The suspense lies in waiting to hear Yann's version at the very end. Did he lead his brothers towards the sea because he thought their parents were going to harm them, or did he overhear them talk about killing a litter of kittens? Or did he have another motive entirely?
I very much like the translation of the title, which reflects the trajectory of the story, but I also like the original, l'Enfant Ocean (ocean child/child of the ocean?) which puts the emphasis squarely on Yann, the central character.
The brothers are very solicitous of one another. Though others may see them as ragamuffins and thieves, they are secure in following Yann's lead. In one sense it's a survival story. It is a very strange tale with a mysterious but satisfying conclusion.
Those are my initial thoughts.
Annette
-----Original Message----- From: ccbc-net-bounces at ccbc.education.wisc.edu
[mailto:ccbc-net-bounces at ccbc.education.wisc.edu]On Behalf Of Megan Schliesman Sent: Tuesday, March 13, 2007 10:09 AM To: ccbc-net, Subscribers of Subject: [CCBC-Net] 2007 Batchelder Award
Thank you for your comments on the 2007 Sibert award winner and honor books.
Today we begin discussion of the 2007 Batchelder Award winner and honor books.
The Batchelder is "awarded to an American publisher for a children's book considered to be the most outstanding of those books originally published in a foreign language in a foreign country, and subsequently translated into English and published in the United States. ALSC gives the award to encourage American publishers to seek out superior children's books abroad and to promote communication among the peoples of the world." (ALSC web site)
The 2007 Batchelder Award Committee selected The Pull of the Ocean by Jean-Claude Morulevat as the winner of the award. It was published in the United States by Delacorte Press, and translated from the French by Y. Maudet.
The 2007 Batchelder Committee named two honor books:
The Killer's Tears by Anne-Laure Bondoux. Published in the United States by Delacorte Press. Translated from the French by Y. Maudet.
The Last Dragon by Silvana De Mari. Published in the Unites States by Miramax/Hyperion. Translated from the Italian by Shaun Whiteside.
I have yet to read "The Last Dragon," but found the winner, "The Pull of the Ocean," and one of the honor book's "The Killer's Tears" to be haunting, compelling works, although in very different ways.
What are your thoughts about this year's Batchelder books?
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-netReceived on Tue 13 Mar 2007 11:29:49 PM CDT
