Comments on: Publishing News Round Up

By: Victoria Dahl

Victoria Dahl — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 21:54:20 +0000

Hmm. I’m intrigued by the Newberry controversy. Aside from the high brow/low brow problem, how DO adults judge literature written for children? It’s a conundrum, of course… Can there be a prestigious award judged by the intended audience of children or young adults?

Still, I can’t tell you how many (adult) reviews of YA books I’ve read that end with (or are riddled with) the assertion that the book just isn’t appropriate for “my kids”. Or that the heroine was “silly” or “immature”, meaning what? That she acted like a teenager?

Hmm. I can’t help but think that adults want to direct children to books rather than meet them on their own level. Hell, I’m certainly guilty of that. I think it’s human nature and probably pretty damn blind of the award people not to be able to recognize that in themselves.

By: Ann Somerville

Ann Somerville — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 08:13:19 +0000

There has to be a better phrase I can use than “round up”.

Considering the turbulence in the industry, ‘rodeo’ is probably more appropriate.

By: willaful

willaful — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 07:11:57 +0000

The problem with the Newbery (note the correct spelling!) is that people use it to decide what their children should read. It has far too much weight. There are dozens of other awards, some voted on by children themselves, but most people are totally unaware of them.

By: Leah

Leah — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 06:23:01 +0000

I definitely agree with the article on recent Newberry choices being “out of touch.” Lately they strike me as being “improving” books–the stuff you’re told to read because it’s good for you. And, more often than not, rather depressing. From the article, I can see it’s just a rehash of the old highbrow/lowbrow fiction dilemma, and I expect that some of the judges need to at least consider the notion that a book need not deal with Big Heavy Issues to have merit. Or, if it does, it can do so in an entertaining way. Charlotte’s Web is beautiful, and not at all heavy-handed. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (I know, not exactly a kid’s book, but we all read it as kids) is about Big Heavy Issues but, again, is written so well that, not only do you not feel preached at, you also are not constantly reminded that you are reading Art.

But I don’t think they should do away with the Newberry (nor do I think books that have won it are undeserving). Instead, they need to find a way to spin it so that that medal on the cover of the book means “you’ll really like this!” and not, “plow through this because adults want you to.”

By: Keishon

Keishon — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 00:34:44 +0000

That was flat to me. :-/ re Oprah spoof. Just sayin.