| Author |
Message |
| Roxanne |
| Posted on Saturday, January 24, 2004 - 10:58 am: |
|
"Distinguished" is defined as:
* marked by eminence and distinction: noted for significant achievement
* marked by excellence in quality
* marked by conspicuous excellence or eminence
* individually distinct
according to the Terms and Criteria...
So, which one of these titles is individually distinct, that stands
out above all others...?
I would say that Canning Season is distinct for its startling
voices, scenes and revelations of life, and for its dark humor
which is not commonly found in children's books.
I would say that The Goose Girl is distinct for developing the
character of Ani in the most convincing and natural way, not shying
away from matching her gradual growth with the equally slow pace,
and for its incredibly imaginative magic elements.
I would say that Milkweed is individually distinct for having
such a unique narrator and presenting a rarely seen picture of
a much written historical period.
Which titles are Individually distinct for you??
|
| Rachel |
| Posted on Saturday, January 24, 2004 - 11:19 am: |
|
Canning Season is distinct in its humor, which as Roxanne noted,
is dark, maybe more what I think of as British than American.
Rolling heads, throwing bits of placenta about (page 6), an aerobic-crazed
man. All so wickedly funny and certainly distinct. Children's
literature has plenty of rightousness and saccharine sweetness.
I enjoyed reading a story with imperfect characters and a sharp
edge to its humor.
Desperaux is unique in its exquisite language and DiCamillo's
ability to develop complex themes with a lightness and without
compromising the writing or narrative.
Milkweed is distinct in both its striking imagery and unique narrator
who tells a story of war different than any I've ever read for
children.
|
| Cherri |
| Posted on Saturday, January 24, 2004 - 11:33 am: |
|
As others mentioned, Milkweed is distinctive for its imagery and
certainly for its main character.
Goose Girl is distinctive for its appeal built through the successful
use of fantasy elements.
Tadpole stands out in my mind because of its engaging blend of
real-life challenges and optimism about overcoming those challenges
and living with hope.
|
| Wendy |
| Posted on Saturday, January 24, 2004 - 03:32 pm: |
|
Milkweed, yes Roxanne for having such a unique narrator.
Despereaux for the imagery (use of light and dark) and beautiful
language. The story is woven so tightly and intricately.
|
| Susan |
| Posted on Saturday, January 24, 2004 - 07:15 pm: |
|
Despereaux is distinctive in the ways mentioned. Also, the deliberate
intereaction of humans and animals is unique in my expeience.
While coming of age stories are not unique (far from it!), Olive's
Ocean is subtle. This is not Noah going off to the Civil War or
Misha, or Tadpole surviving being orphaned and abused by family.
Yet the small triumphs in Olive's Ocean are consistent with the
language and the setting in a way I did find distictive and worthy.
About Misha...I wonder with myself how much he understood of the
horrifying reality that he lived through. Of course he had an
incredible talent to survive, but I grapple with whether a character
must understand his or her place in the larger picture to be fully
realized.
I agree with Pamela on City of Ember. I only have to think of
the city of Ember to feel that I am there. That demonstrates the
excellent skill of the writer in descriptive writing and in conceptualizing
the city and its history, and is a significant achievement.
|
| Moira |
| Posted on Saturday, January 24, 2004 - 07:16 pm: |
|
I would agree that City of Ember offers one of the most distinct
settings-an underground city where the citizens do not know they
are underground is certainly sets it apart.
The Goose Girl offers wonderful imagery as well, and the character
development slowly building through the pages is marvelous. It
is a refreshing look at a fairy tale that might awaken many readers
to a new genre.
|
| Shirley |
| Posted on Saturday, January 24, 2004 - 09:51 pm: |
|
I would agree that City of Ember offers a distinct setting as
does Keeper of the Night. One is unreal but very real in its depiction,
one unfamiliar yet familiar in its depcition. Despereaux is also
unique in its presentation of light and dark and intriguing use
of fairy tale elements.
|
|