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[CCBC-Net] Character Driven
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From: Connie Rockman <connie.rock>
Date: Fri, 19 Jun 2009 09:39:37 -0400
Someone's mention of Jesse from Bridge to Terabithia reminded me there is a passage from Katherine Paterson's book, The Spying Heart: More thoughts on reading and writing books for children, that I like to share with students in a children's literature class:
"There is, finally, something mysterious about the life of one's characters. In my secret heart, I almost believe that one of these days I'll meet Jesse Aarons walking toward me on a downtown street. I'll recognize him at once, although he will have grown to manhood, and I'll ask him what he's been doing in the years since he built that bridge across Lark Creek.
"On second thought, I probably won't ask. I'll smile and he'll nod, but I won't pry. Years ago he let me eavesdrop on his soul, but that time is past. He is entitled to his privacy now. Still, I can't help wondering." (p. 97, The Spying Heart, Dutton, 1989)
One of the most memorable speeches I ever heard was Katherine Paterson's acceptance speech for the Scott O'Dell award for Jip: His Story. I had loved Jip - another memorable character! - but had been especially delighted to find another of my favorite characters show up in Jip's story, all grown up in her life as Jip's teacher. In Katherine's speech, as I remember it, she told of reaching an impasse in the writing of Jip when she became aware of two people in the room with her, looking over her shoulder. "We can help with this story," they said, "Please let us in." She didn't respond to them right away, as I remember her telling it, until finally she realized they were right, they did belong in that story, so Lyddie and her Quaker neighbor Luke helped round out Jip's tale.
Even without knowing about characters "talking" to their authors, Lyddie, Luke, and Jip are definitely on my list of top characters of all time.
As are Rat, Mole, Toad, and Badger - all of whom I've met in their human incarnations over the years. Rat, for instance, was my 10th grade English teacher with his silvery mustache and tweedy jackets. His name (and you can't make these things up) was Mr. Wise.
Connie Rockman
Received on Fri 19 Jun 2009 08:39:37 AM CDT
Date: Fri, 19 Jun 2009 09:39:37 -0400
Someone's mention of Jesse from Bridge to Terabithia reminded me there is a passage from Katherine Paterson's book, The Spying Heart: More thoughts on reading and writing books for children, that I like to share with students in a children's literature class:
"There is, finally, something mysterious about the life of one's characters. In my secret heart, I almost believe that one of these days I'll meet Jesse Aarons walking toward me on a downtown street. I'll recognize him at once, although he will have grown to manhood, and I'll ask him what he's been doing in the years since he built that bridge across Lark Creek.
"On second thought, I probably won't ask. I'll smile and he'll nod, but I won't pry. Years ago he let me eavesdrop on his soul, but that time is past. He is entitled to his privacy now. Still, I can't help wondering." (p. 97, The Spying Heart, Dutton, 1989)
One of the most memorable speeches I ever heard was Katherine Paterson's acceptance speech for the Scott O'Dell award for Jip: His Story. I had loved Jip - another memorable character! - but had been especially delighted to find another of my favorite characters show up in Jip's story, all grown up in her life as Jip's teacher. In Katherine's speech, as I remember it, she told of reaching an impasse in the writing of Jip when she became aware of two people in the room with her, looking over her shoulder. "We can help with this story," they said, "Please let us in." She didn't respond to them right away, as I remember her telling it, until finally she realized they were right, they did belong in that story, so Lyddie and her Quaker neighbor Luke helped round out Jip's tale.
Even without knowing about characters "talking" to their authors, Lyddie, Luke, and Jip are definitely on my list of top characters of all time.
As are Rat, Mole, Toad, and Badger - all of whom I've met in their human incarnations over the years. Rat, for instance, was my 10th grade English teacher with his silvery mustache and tweedy jackets. His name (and you can't make these things up) was Mr. Wise.
Connie Rockman
Received on Fri 19 Jun 2009 08:39:37 AM CDT
