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Re: Reviewing
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From: Lisa Von Drasek <lisav_at_bankstreet.edu>
Date: Fri, 13 Nov 2009 07:04:17 -0500
whoops- that was a typo SLJ, School Library Journal- They don't pay but it is excellent experience and as I said free books.
Sure, anyone can set up a blog and I wasn't implying that an educator with years of experience wouldn't be treasured. Each voice is unique. I was just suggesting that like any endeavor, practice is a good thing. A professional editor is of value. I read a lot of children's literature blogs. The ones I go back to are not merely book reports but have a point-of-view or a voice that I trust.
One point that has not been made so far is that the review IS only one voice. My opinion is not fact- it is informed by my experience, it is well considered most of the time. I am a muller. Rare is the book that turn that last page and run to my computer. I have have read negative reviews of books that I have loved and thought "did we read the same book?" Your fatal flaw may be just a quibble to me if I was swept away.
For picture books, not only is there a close read of the pictures and the art but I must read it aloud. I live in New York City and have a captured audience of kids on the subway. Odds are if there is a kid of the right age and I might have a book I am working on in my bag. Most parents are happy to have me read aloud to their children. If they are not getting off right away, instant focus group. Yes, I have classes at school but sometimes I can't wait until Thursday when the three-year-olds come in.
I know this is not the place but I can't resist- Has everyone seen The Little Dump Truck by Margery Cuyler (Henry Holt)? Seriously. I could shout from the rooftops. Yep, just another truck book with bold graphic child-friendly pictures... You can sing it!!!!! Think "I'm a little teapot" "Im a little dump truck/run by Hard Hat Pete/ rattle-rattle-clatter,/drivin g down the street"
Seriously, I'm in love.
Lisa Lisa Von Drasek Children's Librarian Bank Street College of Education School for Children Pre-K- 8 610 West 112th St NY NY 10025
lisav_at_bnkst.edu
212 875 4452
Dear Lisa,
Pardon my ignorance, but what does SJL stand for? Also, after teaching at all levels for 33 years, aren't educators who are literature-centered able to set up blogs and review, as well? As a would-be writer, should I join a national listserv for librarians or subscribe to any journals?
Thank you for your information. Janet Larscheid
On 11/12/09 12:21 PM, "Lisa Von Drasek" wrote:
Well, this is thought provoking. I have reviewed for School Library Journal, Children's Book Review Service, Kirkus, Teaching pre-K through 8, Library Sparks, The Washington Post, The New York Times, Booklist, Riverbank Review, Nick Jr. Family Magazine, Nick.com, ParentsConnect.com, Earlyword.com, and The Bark.
Most frequently asked question- How do I get to be a reviewer? The good news is that any children's librarian who reads and writes can start a blog. My recommendation would be to hone your chops at SLJ. The format is concise, books are assigned, there is a deadline and you get free books. And there is an editor. Editors teach us when we weigh-in with self importance. Perhaps a little harsh. They notice an obscure word usage. (okay, I still contend that the perfect description of the print on Ella Sarah's dress was Marimeko. Whatever)
The most surprising information to the graduate students that I teach is that most of the time I read a book three times. (picture books more) The first is just to read, I keep post- it notes handy to mark passages that I love or questions that I may have. I write most of my reviews long hand on whatever is nearby, a note book, card catalog cards (we are still recycling those at work) legal pad. I write up my notes on the laptop during the second read- this is a close read- I am asking myself, who is this book for? Are there inter-textual connections? Where does it fall in the literature? If non-fiction, I am fact-checking, if historical fiction, I may be fact checking. Do I have questions about the characters? Does it make sense to me? Does it have to? The plot- I try to annotate it. 20 to 40 words? What is the mood? The style of the language? Was I swept away or were there parts where I stumbled?
Then I write- I need at least three days- Write- let it sit. Revise- let it sit- revise. This is when I start reading the book again. As I am fact-checking my words. Did I capture the book? The author's intent? I would have denied that I read the book for the third time but this seems to be a compulsive quirk on my part.
When I am satisfied, ( not really, but there is a deadline) I read the review aloud to one or two trusted colleagues. That's when I find out what I meant to say isn't actually on the paper. Revise.
Then I submit it.
Lisa Von Drasek Children's Librarian Bank Street College of Education
Date: Fri, 13 Nov 2009 07:04:17 -0500
whoops- that was a typo SLJ, School Library Journal- They don't pay but it is excellent experience and as I said free books.
Sure, anyone can set up a blog and I wasn't implying that an educator with years of experience wouldn't be treasured. Each voice is unique. I was just suggesting that like any endeavor, practice is a good thing. A professional editor is of value. I read a lot of children's literature blogs. The ones I go back to are not merely book reports but have a point-of-view or a voice that I trust.
One point that has not been made so far is that the review IS only one voice. My opinion is not fact- it is informed by my experience, it is well considered most of the time. I am a muller. Rare is the book that turn that last page and run to my computer. I have have read negative reviews of books that I have loved and thought "did we read the same book?" Your fatal flaw may be just a quibble to me if I was swept away.
For picture books, not only is there a close read of the pictures and the art but I must read it aloud. I live in New York City and have a captured audience of kids on the subway. Odds are if there is a kid of the right age and I might have a book I am working on in my bag. Most parents are happy to have me read aloud to their children. If they are not getting off right away, instant focus group. Yes, I have classes at school but sometimes I can't wait until Thursday when the three-year-olds come in.
I know this is not the place but I can't resist- Has everyone seen The Little Dump Truck by Margery Cuyler (Henry Holt)? Seriously. I could shout from the rooftops. Yep, just another truck book with bold graphic child-friendly pictures... You can sing it!!!!! Think "I'm a little teapot" "Im a little dump truck/run by Hard Hat Pete/ rattle-rattle-clatter,/drivin g down the street"
Seriously, I'm in love.
Lisa Lisa Von Drasek Children's Librarian Bank Street College of Education School for Children Pre-K- 8 610 West 112th St NY NY 10025
lisav_at_bnkst.edu
212 875 4452
Dear Lisa,
Pardon my ignorance, but what does SJL stand for? Also, after teaching at all levels for 33 years, aren't educators who are literature-centered able to set up blogs and review, as well? As a would-be writer, should I join a national listserv for librarians or subscribe to any journals?
Thank you for your information. Janet Larscheid
On 11/12/09 12:21 PM, "Lisa Von Drasek" wrote:
Well, this is thought provoking. I have reviewed for School Library Journal, Children's Book Review Service, Kirkus, Teaching pre-K through 8, Library Sparks, The Washington Post, The New York Times, Booklist, Riverbank Review, Nick Jr. Family Magazine, Nick.com, ParentsConnect.com, Earlyword.com, and The Bark.
Most frequently asked question- How do I get to be a reviewer? The good news is that any children's librarian who reads and writes can start a blog. My recommendation would be to hone your chops at SLJ. The format is concise, books are assigned, there is a deadline and you get free books. And there is an editor. Editors teach us when we weigh-in with self importance. Perhaps a little harsh. They notice an obscure word usage. (okay, I still contend that the perfect description of the print on Ella Sarah's dress was Marimeko. Whatever)
The most surprising information to the graduate students that I teach is that most of the time I read a book three times. (picture books more) The first is just to read, I keep post- it notes handy to mark passages that I love or questions that I may have. I write most of my reviews long hand on whatever is nearby, a note book, card catalog cards (we are still recycling those at work) legal pad. I write up my notes on the laptop during the second read- this is a close read- I am asking myself, who is this book for? Are there inter-textual connections? Where does it fall in the literature? If non-fiction, I am fact-checking, if historical fiction, I may be fact checking. Do I have questions about the characters? Does it make sense to me? Does it have to? The plot- I try to annotate it. 20 to 40 words? What is the mood? The style of the language? Was I swept away or were there parts where I stumbled?
Then I write- I need at least three days- Write- let it sit. Revise- let it sit- revise. This is when I start reading the book again. As I am fact-checking my words. Did I capture the book? The author's intent? I would have denied that I read the book for the third time but this seems to be a compulsive quirk on my part.
When I am satisfied, ( not really, but there is a deadline) I read the review aloud to one or two trusted colleagues. That's when I find out what I meant to say isn't actually on the paper. Revise.
Then I submit it.
Lisa Von Drasek Children's Librarian Bank Street College of Education
---Received on Fri 13 Nov 2009 07:04:17 AM CST
