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[CCBC-Net] 2007 Batchelder Award
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From: Annette Goldsmith <ayg>
Date: Sun, 18 Mar 2007 16:59:15 -0400
Speaking of the unpleasantness of the parents in The Pull of the Ocean, let's look at the parents who make a brief appearance in The Killer's Tears. They are also rather grim and archetypal. For those who have read the book, do you think the fact that the parents in Tears are so emotionally distant makes it easier for us to accept their murder? (I'm not giving anything of the plot away, here, since they are killed at the beginning of the book.) Paolo seems rather shell-shocked by it all (naturally!) but I think deep down and throughout the book there's an element of hope that a different type of "parent" might do a better job, and in fact there are two father figures who try to do so. This, I admit, is rather a shocking thought since one of them is a lout and a killer. Strong stuff!!
Annette
-----Original Message----- From: ccbc-net-bounces at ccbc.education.wisc.edu
[mailto:ccbc-net-bounces at ccbc.education.wisc.edu]On Behalf Of Steven Engelfried Sent: Friday, March 16, 2007 5:23 PM To: Nancy Silverrod; ccbc-net, Subscribers of Subject: Re: [CCBC-Net] 2007 Batchelder Award
And I do think that the unpleasantness of the parents is alleviated substantially in the end, when we learn that an overheard conversation early in the book was not exactly what it seemed to be. This book has an aura of bleakness, where you're sure something terrible is going to happen, that creates a lot of strong suspense. The bleakness is balanced by a sense of wonder at the youngest boy's specialness and by the fascinating bonds between the brothers. When things ultimately turn out to be not so bad, it's especially satisfying. Kind of like a fairy tale.... I haven't shared it with any elementary age kids yet, but think it would have strong appeal to some 4th and 5th graders.
- Steven Engelfried
Multnomah County Library
503-988-5206
sengelfried at yahoo.com
http://ccbc.education.wisc.edu/mailman/listinfo/ccbc-net
Received on Sun 18 Mar 2007 03:59:15 PM CDT
Date: Sun, 18 Mar 2007 16:59:15 -0400
Speaking of the unpleasantness of the parents in The Pull of the Ocean, let's look at the parents who make a brief appearance in The Killer's Tears. They are also rather grim and archetypal. For those who have read the book, do you think the fact that the parents in Tears are so emotionally distant makes it easier for us to accept their murder? (I'm not giving anything of the plot away, here, since they are killed at the beginning of the book.) Paolo seems rather shell-shocked by it all (naturally!) but I think deep down and throughout the book there's an element of hope that a different type of "parent" might do a better job, and in fact there are two father figures who try to do so. This, I admit, is rather a shocking thought since one of them is a lout and a killer. Strong stuff!!
Annette
-----Original Message----- From: ccbc-net-bounces at ccbc.education.wisc.edu
[mailto:ccbc-net-bounces at ccbc.education.wisc.edu]On Behalf Of Steven Engelfried Sent: Friday, March 16, 2007 5:23 PM To: Nancy Silverrod; ccbc-net, Subscribers of Subject: Re: [CCBC-Net] 2007 Batchelder Award
And I do think that the unpleasantness of the parents is alleviated substantially in the end, when we learn that an overheard conversation early in the book was not exactly what it seemed to be. This book has an aura of bleakness, where you're sure something terrible is going to happen, that creates a lot of strong suspense. The bleakness is balanced by a sense of wonder at the youngest boy's specialness and by the fascinating bonds between the brothers. When things ultimately turn out to be not so bad, it's especially satisfying. Kind of like a fairy tale.... I haven't shared it with any elementary age kids yet, but think it would have strong appeal to some 4th and 5th graders.
- Steven Engelfried
Multnomah County Library
503-988-5206
sengelfried at yahoo.com
http://ccbc.education.wisc.edu/mailman/listinfo/ccbc-net
Received on Sun 18 Mar 2007 03:59:15 PM CDT
