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Up for discussion in November: Reviewers Choice? Reading (and Writing) Professional Reviews
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From: Kathleen T. Horning <horning_at_education.wisc.edu>
Date: Mon, 09 Nov 2009 12:47:20 -0600
Our topic for discussion for the first part of November is Professional Reviews, as described below: ** Book reviews are often the go-to resource for librarians as they decide on which of the newest books published for children and teens to purchase. But a book that receives a starred review in one journal may have underwhelmed a reviewer for another. How do you navigate the sometimes varied opinions about a book? What information do you find most helpful when reading professional reviews? Is there information you wish would be covered more thoroughly? If you write reviews, what kinds of things do you think about as you carry out the responsibility of assessing the quality and potential usefullness of titles? We want your opinion on what makes a good book review during the first half of November. Certainly discussion of issues concerning authenticity and stereotyping, as raised a few days ago by Debbie Reese, are an important part of this discussion, so please feel free to continue with this thread, as well as any more general comments you want to make about how you use reviews for book selection.
Later this month we'll talk about some of the trends we have observed in children's and YA books published in 2009, and in December, we'll ahve our usual round-up of favorites of the year. I encourage you to share your recommendations of outstanding books at that time.
Cheers, KT
Kathleen T. Horning Director Cooperative Children's Book Center 4290 Helen C. White Hall 600 N. Park St Madison, WI 53706
Phone: 608-263-3721 FAX: 608-262-4933
horning_at_education.wisc.edu http://www.education.wisc.edu/ccbc/
Nancy Bo Flood wrote: Thank you, Debbie,
On the Through the Tollbooth blog that begins tomorrow, Monday, I do emphasize your comments made about the continued presence of stereotyping of American Indians in Peter Pan in Scarlet. I hope readers will comment and add insights - or objections.
Someone asked about topics of discussion for this month since there was some amount of "open time." I suggest that in honor of the discussion begun by Debbie Reese, we continue to celebrate Native American books that are done well, that are written by or illustrated by Native Americans or Alaskan Natives. A few months ago we all described a favorite character. Perhaps this week we could each describe a favorite book. We could each read a recommended book to our students or children.
It is Native American month and though I am not a fan of "token months," this week while our President is meeting with tribal leaders from across the country, we could celebrate as well. Given the paucity of books by Native Americans available in libraries and in bookstores, we could each request one from our local library and/or bookstore.
Nancy Bo Flood
Received on Mon 09 Nov 2009 12:47:20 PM CST
Date: Mon, 09 Nov 2009 12:47:20 -0600
Our topic for discussion for the first part of November is Professional Reviews, as described below: ** Book reviews are often the go-to resource for librarians as they decide on which of the newest books published for children and teens to purchase. But a book that receives a starred review in one journal may have underwhelmed a reviewer for another. How do you navigate the sometimes varied opinions about a book? What information do you find most helpful when reading professional reviews? Is there information you wish would be covered more thoroughly? If you write reviews, what kinds of things do you think about as you carry out the responsibility of assessing the quality and potential usefullness of titles? We want your opinion on what makes a good book review during the first half of November. Certainly discussion of issues concerning authenticity and stereotyping, as raised a few days ago by Debbie Reese, are an important part of this discussion, so please feel free to continue with this thread, as well as any more general comments you want to make about how you use reviews for book selection.
Later this month we'll talk about some of the trends we have observed in children's and YA books published in 2009, and in December, we'll ahve our usual round-up of favorites of the year. I encourage you to share your recommendations of outstanding books at that time.
Cheers, KT
Kathleen T. Horning Director Cooperative Children's Book Center 4290 Helen C. White Hall 600 N. Park St Madison, WI 53706
Phone: 608-263-3721 FAX: 608-262-4933
horning_at_education.wisc.edu http://www.education.wisc.edu/ccbc/
Nancy Bo Flood wrote: Thank you, Debbie,
On the Through the Tollbooth blog that begins tomorrow, Monday, I do emphasize your comments made about the continued presence of stereotyping of American Indians in Peter Pan in Scarlet. I hope readers will comment and add insights - or objections.
Someone asked about topics of discussion for this month since there was some amount of "open time." I suggest that in honor of the discussion begun by Debbie Reese, we continue to celebrate Native American books that are done well, that are written by or illustrated by Native Americans or Alaskan Natives. A few months ago we all described a favorite character. Perhaps this week we could each describe a favorite book. We could each read a recommended book to our students or children.
It is Native American month and though I am not a fan of "token months," this week while our President is meeting with tribal leaders from across the country, we could celebrate as well. Given the paucity of books by Native Americans available in libraries and in bookstores, we could each request one from our local library and/or bookstore.
Nancy Bo Flood
Received on Mon 09 Nov 2009 12:47:20 PM CST
