Comments on: Nick Glass Interview – Part 4 http://wowlit.org/blog/2009/07/27/142/ International Collection of Children's and Adolescent Literature Thu, 10 May 2012 01:00:31 +0000 hourly 1 By: Judi Moreillon http://wowlit.org/blog/2009/07/27/142/comment-page-1/#comment-8057 Judi Moreillon Thu, 30 Jul 2009 20:04:52 +0000 http://wowlit.org/blog/?p=142#comment-8057 Of interest to readers who enjoy meeting authors and having them sign their books: When Neil Gaiman autographed my copy of The Graveyard Book at ALA in Chicago, above his signature he drew a tombstone and wrote my name on it! The crescent moon he added over the tombstone was a nice touch... ;-) Of interest to readers who enjoy meeting authors and having them sign their books: When Neil Gaiman autographed my copy of The Graveyard Book at ALA in Chicago, above his signature he drew a tombstone and wrote my name on it! The crescent moon he added over the tombstone was a nice touch… ;-)

]]> By: Judi Moreillon http://wowlit.org/blog/2009/07/27/142/comment-page-1/#comment-8056 Judi Moreillon Tue, 28 Jul 2009 20:04:46 +0000 http://wowlit.org/blog/?p=142#comment-8056 Some critics have suggested that Armstrong's book is more focused on the heroism of the dog than on the struggles of the sharecropping African American family. In fact, the director of the film based on the book claims that he used his artistic vision to move the focus from the dog to the family. Of course, as in all reading transactions, the reader's background and the purpose for reading impact what is most important. As a dog-lover, I must admit that when I first read the book I had the experience the critics of this book described. Many of my fifth-grade students who read this book independently had the same response; the dog was foremost in the story. I found the movie had more impact on me in relationship to issues of race, economic power, and the importance of education. Clearly, your experience and that of your students was different from mine. Thank you for sharing. Some critics have suggested that Armstrong’s book is more focused on the heroism of the dog than on the struggles of the sharecropping African American family. In fact, the director of the film based on the book claims that he used his artistic vision to move the focus from the dog to the family.

Of course, as in all reading transactions, the reader’s background and the purpose for reading impact what is most important. As a dog-lover, I must admit that when I first read the book I had the experience the critics of this book described. Many of my fifth-grade students who read this book independently had the same response; the dog was foremost in the story. I found the movie had more impact on me in relationship to issues of race, economic power, and the importance of education.

Clearly, your experience and that of your students was different from mine. Thank you for sharing.

]]> By: Paula Daubert http://wowlit.org/blog/2009/07/27/142/comment-page-1/#comment-8055 Paula Daubert Tue, 28 Jul 2009 12:15:12 +0000 http://wowlit.org/blog/?p=142#comment-8055 The fact that all genres of books are considered for the Newbery Award is good, and Nick's comment about that strengthens the notion that what the commitee is looking for is the BEST written book of the year. It is pleasing to hear that other good books that did not make the Newbery are applauded when they receive other awards. The comment about Sounder, for me, hit a nerve. I love that book and taught it to 3 sections this past year. It is not taught much any more. Yes, there are cultural inaccuracies. But the story is gripping and emotional.The yearning of a boy to search for his father is something many boys can relate to, and the person he finds instead is a teacher. Despite one bad word, the book is considered destinguished. I agree. The fact that all genres of books are considered for the Newbery Award is good, and Nick’s comment about that strengthens the notion that what the commitee is looking for is the BEST written book of the year. It is pleasing to hear that other good books that did not make the Newbery are applauded when they receive other awards.
The comment about Sounder, for me, hit a nerve. I love that book and taught it to 3 sections this past year. It is not taught much any more. Yes, there are cultural inaccuracies. But the story is gripping and emotional.The yearning of a boy to search for his father is something many boys can relate to, and the person he finds instead is a teacher. Despite one bad word, the book is considered destinguished. I agree.

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