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From: Dean Schneider <schneiderd_at_ensworth.com>
Date: Sun, 15 Nov 2009 13:20:42 -0600
We can haggle over how many times we should read books or how nice we ought to be and so forth, but the bottom line is that we are reviewers because w e love books and are experienced readers. Few of us are professional histor ians, scientists, mathematicians, or athletes, but we are professional read ers. And in our craft of writing reviews, we ought write clearly, thoughtfu lly, accurately, and humanely. Neither meanness nor vacuous praise is usefu l; one is cruel, the other unhelpful.
I write for Kirkus, Book Links, BookPage, and occasionally for Horn Book, a nd though the formats and tones vary, the essential mandate remains the sam e: read well and write thoughtfully. I have sensed a disdain for reviewers and a defensiveness--even an apologetic tone--from some reviewers in this d iscussion. Neither tone is warranted; when reviewers go about their craft p rofessionally-- with respect towards books and their makers--the whole worl d of children's literature benefits, a world I'm happy to be part of as a p arent, teacher, reader, and writer.
Dean Schneider Ensworth School Nashville, Tennessee
Received on Sun 15 Nov 2009 01:20:42 PM CST
Date: Sun, 15 Nov 2009 13:20:42 -0600
We can haggle over how many times we should read books or how nice we ought to be and so forth, but the bottom line is that we are reviewers because w e love books and are experienced readers. Few of us are professional histor ians, scientists, mathematicians, or athletes, but we are professional read ers. And in our craft of writing reviews, we ought write clearly, thoughtfu lly, accurately, and humanely. Neither meanness nor vacuous praise is usefu l; one is cruel, the other unhelpful.
I write for Kirkus, Book Links, BookPage, and occasionally for Horn Book, a nd though the formats and tones vary, the essential mandate remains the sam e: read well and write thoughtfully. I have sensed a disdain for reviewers and a defensiveness--even an apologetic tone--from some reviewers in this d iscussion. Neither tone is warranted; when reviewers go about their craft p rofessionally-- with respect towards books and their makers--the whole worl d of children's literature benefits, a world I'm happy to be part of as a p arent, teacher, reader, and writer.
Dean Schneider Ensworth School Nashville, Tennessee
Received on Sun 15 Nov 2009 01:20:42 PM CST
