From: Betty Tisel <tiselfar>
Date: Thu, 20 Nov 2008 17:31:18 -0600

Hi folks

I am a huge fan of the Octavian books and have given many copies as gifts. I have given all the gifts to adults with the exception of one 8th grader whom I knew to be an adventurous and highly-skilled reader.

We can question who would want to read these books, but my question is, who would want to PUBLISH these books, other than Candlewick? Are Y/A publishers the best refuge for writers who write unusual, experimental, or creative fiction which includes young characters?

There was a discussion of this at the CLNE colloquy in Vermont in May 2008. I came away feeling so grateful that children's and Y.A. publishers continue to produce extraordinary books that sometimes defy categorization.

These masterpieces by M.T. Anderson opened so many doors in my mind. The world he created lives on in my imagination. I think the books are an act of courage, both in their writing and in the reading of them.

I will have a little post-it in my brain to remind me to notice any young readers whom I think might give these books a try. I think once they get past the first couple of chapters, to get immersed in the world and accustomed to the language, they will be hooked. But not every reader
(including my own son) wants to be patient with a book in order to really get into it. That's okay.

Betty Tisel parent, school library volunteer, CLNE volunteer Minneapolis MN
Received on Thu 20 Nov 2008 05:31:18 PM CST