| Author | Message | ||
| Laura |
Tadpole by Ruth White The setting is rich yet not dated, the characters feel real and story is definitely age appropriate, yet challenging. Both of theses books first deals with the family as a community, but they go farther out and show community support in difficult situations and depict excellent role models of neighbors who help and support each other in need and righteous causes and is an excellent reminder of our responsibilities to each other in a world that tells children not to "get involved." |
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| Katrina |
"both of these books" , Laura? I really liked Tadpole. I felt that Ruth White did a great job of putting us into the time period with the opening of going to town for permanents and the movie that was playing. And as the family gardens and cans, the setting is fully developed. Each character, likewise, comes to life as we learn of the uniqueness of each - and how apparently Carolina has none. We wait for this. We know it will come. Into this period family story comes Tadpole with his own history- and, of course, he is instrumental in bringing out the uniqueness in Carol. |
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| Rachel |
From the opening scene at the beauty parlor, I could see and hear the story. White's dialog has a distinct sound, which comes through with the subtle choices she makes, as on page 4 the sisters all have "little bitty feet" and the way Tadpole greets everyone with a "Well here we are." |
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| Cherri |
I also thought it was easy to both see and hear the action in Tadpole. Many of the characters were appealing, and the book left me with a positive sense that both Carolina and Tadpole will do fine in life. |
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| Jane |
I especially enjoyed the feeling of family and community life White creates with her local color and dialog. It was interesting that in this book the magical elements (like the window that looks out on the past) provide some insights into the current situations, but real change or success is acquired through everyday hard work. Tad achieves what he wants by getting odd jobs to finance his plans, or by old-fashioned legwork to organize the community 4th of July picnic, or by pitching in around the house to show his cousins what family togetherness and support means. |
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| Wendey |
I am going to play devil's advocate here. I read the book. I enjoyed it. I did not see what made it a "distinguished" work. I thought the development of Carolina's character was fairly contrived - the girl "with nothing special" makes her contribution and we get the sense that she is going to make something of herself. Tadpole finds his way to freedom and a new life for himself. Don't get me wrong. I found the book well done, but I don't see what sets it apart from other novels. |
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| Jenn |
Sorry. Tadpole's character does work successfully. I thought the plot moved along at a fine pace. The setting seemed to work well for these characters and this time period in the fifties. The dialogue is rich; it would be nice to read aloud some of the exchanges between the characters. |
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| Susan |
I smiled the entire time I read this book, from the permanents on the first page, right through to the end. Like the saying, "A spoonful of honey helps the medicine go down," I found the humor an asset. Tad's troubles were there, the mother's difficulties obvious, but the infectious optimism, which I considered the theme, carried us along. The characters do change, in positive ways, and that I appreciate, and think children will also react positively to. I like when Tad puts Serilda in perspective to Carolina. Children do occasionally wonder about their own parents. Great dialog. Each sister was unique and the portrayals were consistent so I was never confused, and each brought a talent to the family, a simple device, but effective for young readers. Can I say this again? I really had fun reading this book. |
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| Roxanne |
Roxanne nods at every word Susan said! Yes, yes, yes. |
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| Moira |
I think Susan said it best-she had fun reading this book, and I think that's what many readers will feel as well. I felt attached to the characters, and the dialog and humor moved the story along well. A book that readers will really enjoy reading will certainly get the message across, and that is what distinguished this for me. |
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| Ellen |
What a blend of humor, magic and reality! Tad's description of "...trailing clouds of glory." (p.39) was lyrical and Mama's advice "it's good to keep an open mind...but you have to be careful you don't let your brains fall out." (p.119) made me laugh out loud. I nod to all who described this as a fun read! |
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| Jane |
I know the Newbery stresses that the award is for the text of the book and that other aspects are to be considered only if they distract from it. In this vein, though I don't think it should really count in our overall consideration of the book, I hope that future editions of this book would sport a different cover. Every student I have mentioned this book to has taken one look at the cover and put it down. They don't even bother to open it up. I did convince one girl to give it a try and after reading it she said she enjoyed the story, but the cover was "really stupid." To be honest, I had a similar opinion. |
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| Roxanne |
I remember my Committee lamenting frequently on the poor choices of book covers -- Jane is correct in not considering it a factor in our judgement of the quality of the book -- but, so few of the covers actually work for me from our pile. The only two that I really think work are Despereaux and City of Ember. |
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| Rachel |
I agree on the cover issue--and I think it's one of the reasons we want The Canning Season to work for younger children--because the cover LOOKS like it's for younger kids. |
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| Shirley |
Yea, I finally read Tadpole. I think the cover is what made me save it for last--I agree it should be different. It was a funny book with delightful characters, but I don't see it as distinguished. |
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| Shirley |
I finally read Tadpole. I think the cover is what made me save it for last--I agree it should be different. It was a funny book with delightful characters, but I don't see it as distinguished. |