Comments on: A Good Discussion List

By: The Brain Lair

The Brain Lair — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 07:44:05 +0000

I think you should go with The Rock and The River. I loved that the pov was a child whose father embraced nonviolence and a brother who followed The Black Panthers.

By: Jonathan Hunt

Jonathan Hunt — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 09:28:09 +0000

They have to be either an American citizen OR a resident. Tanita Davis probably hasn’t relinquished her American citizenship even though she currently lives in Scotland. I may be mistaken, but I think Sharon Creech was living in England when she won for WALK TWO MOONS.

By: Sondy

Sondy — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 08:53:37 +0000

Oh good! You’re reading SILKSINGER! Only after all that, I feel a little guilty urging you to read it if you haven’t read BLACKBRINGER, where she sets up the world — but that will be a good test if it can stand alone.

By: Pat

Pat — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 08:13:45 +0000

I have a question about establishing whether someone qualifies as a “Resident” under the Newbery criteria. I’m getting ready to start reading “Mare’s War” by Tania S. Davis. It lists on the back flap of the book that she is a native Calfornian, but she is currently living in Glasgow, Scotland. Does this make her eligible for the Newbery? Thanks.

By: Jonathan Hunt

Jonathan Hunt — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 09:40:11 +0000

Nina while I’ve continued this discussion in my latest post, I want to respond specifically to a couple things you’ve said here.

1. You state that without an adult understanding the theme of LIPS TOUCH is not nearly as distinguished, that it would have a hard time standing up against some of the other contenders. Can you explain how theme is really strong in some of those contenders? How is the theme in WHEN YOU REACH ME, A SEASON OF GIFTS, CALPURNIA TATE, and other juvenile books stronger? Because, honestly, even with a watered-down understanding of theme, I think LIPS TOUCH is pretty competitive.

2. You ask which Newbery contender serves them best. Well, it depends on who *them* is, doesn’t it? If you traveled back in time to survey my 11-year-old self he, being a high fantasy reader and all, would tell you that LIPS TOUCH serves him better than WHEN YOU REACH ME, et. al. He would also remind you that he has just as much right to expect his favorite book to win as anybody else does. I don’t think you adhere to this line of thinking, Nina, but I just want to make sure that we are not going down the greatest-book-for-the-greatest-number-of-readers road that eventually leads us to popularity.

By: a teacher

a teacher — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 23:45:12 +0000

I’m getting LIPS TOUCH tomorrow at my local Barnes and Noble. I’ve gotta read it . . .

By: Jonathan Hunt

Jonathan Hunt — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 20:59:12 +0000

I just started SILKSINGER . . .

By: Billy

Billy — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 18:08:36 +0000

If you are down to about six books, and you think that they are all discussion worthy, then why don’t you simply incluse six? As I recall, when I attended a few years ago the discussion list listed ten books. I’m sure we (or I, at least) who are attending or at least reading and following the blog can all handle two exta books…especially if they’re good!:)