tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7046320545497573335.post51364623533276699..comments2024-03-10T16:42:34.106-04:00Comments on Collecting Children's Books: Sunday BrunchPeter D. Sierutahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09301507180150710089noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7046320545497573335.post-20500886036593694132008-06-28T13:13:00.000-04:002008-06-28T13:13:00.000-04:00I read Juan de Pareja as an adult and enjoyed it v...I read Juan de Pareja as an adult and enjoyed it very much. I agree with Charlotte's critique, but want to add 2 comments:<BR/>1. Very few students in elementary grades (say 4th - 6th) have the understanding of history to appreciate the novel - as a school library tech I notice that it is a real challenge to get kids interested in historical fiction genre in general.<BR/>2. I once had a public children's librarian tell me that "Newbery winners are the books ADULTS think kids OUGHT to read, not necessarily that they'll WANT to read." I'm not standing on her opinion as "gospel" but it did provoke some new thoughts about the merits of Newbery winners (especially older titles) in a K - 6 library setting. I did a little research on the Newbery qualifications and saw that they select titles appropriate for ages up to 14, which could also mean 12 and 13 and up, rather than down to age 9 which would be a 4th grade student. I looked over the older Newberies in my library and discovered that despite a beautiful Newbery chart posted, the Newbery titles were rarely, if ever, checked out. Most of them were too challenging in reading levels/understanding for my school population, and too wordy. So at the end of that school year, I pulled most of them out and gave them to one of the 6th grade teachers, who wanted to assign a Newbery book report. The two other 6th grade teachers were not interested at all.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7046320545497573335.post-19622149717218344662008-02-27T15:56:00.000-05:002008-02-27T15:56:00.000-05:00I read and re-read Juan as a child (first time may...I read and re-read Juan as a child (first time maybe around 10 years old). Maybe it is a book that has more "girl" appeal than boy, because so much of it is about relationships, and nothing much happens. I also like books in which characters are learning in a very concrete way how to do things, and this one has a richly described "learning to paint" sub plot.<BR/><BR/>Thanks for the "special reader" clarification. Now that I know that such a catagory exists, I feel proud to be a part of it.<BR/><BR/>I would also like to talk to Gary Schmidt.Charlottehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11835101886202235868noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7046320545497573335.post-33007754250873890582008-02-27T11:33:00.000-05:002008-02-27T11:33:00.000-05:00This is actually in reference to your earlier blog...This is actually in reference to your earlier blog post. Next time you see Gary Schmidt, do talk to him. He's terrific & is a very down-to-earth, genuine, nice person. I think the two of you would get along well.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7046320545497573335.post-61032312163975213842008-02-27T11:15:00.000-05:002008-02-27T11:15:00.000-05:00Hi Charlotte,Did you read I, JUAN DE PAREJA as a c...Hi Charlotte,<BR/><BR/>Did you read I, JUAN DE PAREJA as a child or an adult? I think that makes a difference. When I was a kid, I thought it was deadly dull. As an adult, I could definitely see its merits. I just don't think it's a very kid-friendly book.<BR/><BR/>You asked who I meant by "they." I guess I am referring to review publications, librarians, editors, etc. who often use the term "special reader" in discussing a book's potential audience. The review publication THE BULLETIN OF THE CENTER FOR CHILDREN'S BOOKS utilizes different "codes" with their reviews ("R" for "recommended", "M"is marginal, etc.) They have one code called "SpR," defined as "a book that will have appeal for the unusual reader only. Recommended for the special few who will read it." <BR/><BR/>One could argue that anyone who reads books outside the broad mainstream could be considered a special reader.<BR/><BR/>Heck, I think you're a special reader just because you visited my blog! <BR/><BR/>PeterPeter D. Sierutahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09301507180150710089noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7046320545497573335.post-46935922713747895592008-02-27T10:30:00.000-05:002008-02-27T10:30:00.000-05:00I love Juan de Pareja. It has so much loving deta...I love Juan de Pareja. It has so much loving detail in it, and it moves at a satisfyingly slow place, so you have time to appreciate it. But then I have always known that I am, as you put it, a "special" reader :) (who is the they to whom you refer?)Charlottehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11835101886202235868noreply@blogger.com