Comments on: Forge http://blogs.slj.com/heavymedal/2010/11/03/forge/ A Mock Newbery Blog Tue, 16 Apr 2013 01:12:08 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.1 By: Angela K. http://blogs.slj.com/heavymedal/2010/11/03/forge/#comment-8235 Angela K. Sun, 07 Nov 2010 00:49:18 +0000 http://blogs.slj.com/heavymedal/?p=847#comment-8235 1. Out of the historical fiction you've named in question #1, I'd place Forge as #2 on my list. However, I do think that Forge can capture the Scott O'Dell award again for Forge. Anderson always does a remarkable job in researching the time period that she writes about and also adds quotations, excerpts from letters and other documents of the time that truly add to the reading experience. She also meticulously details in the appendix other sources the reader can consult for more information and also is careful to point out the fictional elements of her story. I think also that a children's book about the African American role in the Revolutionary War is also rare and may be deemed an important contribution to the children's lit cannon. 2. The other Revolutionary War book I've read from your list is Woods Runner by Paulsen. The purpose of Woods Runner is different from the purpose of Forge, however. Paulsen is attempting to clarify some aspects of the Revolutionary War and shows the war from the view of the civilian. Forge goes to great lengths to describe the war from the soldiers' perspective and the hardships they faced building shelter and the never-ending struggle to find adequate food and clothing. It is heart-wrenching as a reader to know all the contributions African Americans had in the War effort, only to win freedom for the whites. 3. I do believe that Forge stands alone on its literary merits and doesn't depend upon Chains for its success. However, I do think that the characters are more developed in Chains and one may experience Forge more fully had he/she previously read Chains. With that said, though, the plot is very strong and well-researched, the readers will grow to care deeply for Isabel and Curzon, and will appreciate the struggle for freedom (for both blacks and whites) ever the more after reading this book. I would place it in my top 10 books of the year. 1. Out of the historical fiction you’ve named in question #1, I’d place Forge as #2 on my list. However, I do think that Forge can capture the Scott O’Dell award again for Forge. Anderson always does a remarkable job in researching the time period that she writes about and also adds quotations, excerpts from letters and other documents of the time that truly add to the reading experience. She also meticulously details in the appendix other sources the reader can consult for more information and also is careful to point out the fictional elements of her story. I think also that a children’s book about the African American role in the Revolutionary War is also rare and may be deemed an important contribution to the children’s lit cannon.

2. The other Revolutionary War book I’ve read from your list is Woods Runner by Paulsen. The purpose of Woods Runner is different from the purpose of Forge, however. Paulsen is attempting to clarify some aspects of the Revolutionary War and shows the war from the view of the civilian. Forge goes to great lengths to describe the war from the soldiers’ perspective and the hardships they faced building shelter and the never-ending struggle to find adequate food and clothing. It is heart-wrenching as a reader to know all the contributions African Americans had in the War effort, only to win freedom for the whites.

3. I do believe that Forge stands alone on its literary merits and doesn’t depend upon Chains for its success. However, I do think that the characters are more developed in Chains and one may experience Forge more fully had he/she previously read Chains. With that said, though, the plot is very strong and well-researched, the readers will grow to care deeply for Isabel and Curzon, and will appreciate the struggle for freedom (for both blacks and whites) ever the more after reading this book. I would place it in my top 10 books of the year.

]]> By: Eric Carpenter http://blogs.slj.com/heavymedal/2010/11/03/forge/#comment-7921 Eric Carpenter Thu, 04 Nov 2010 01:54:41 +0000 http://blogs.slj.com/heavymedal/?p=847#comment-7921 Add Patricia Reilley Giff's STORYTELLER to the list of this year's Revolutionary-themed books. Just picked up FORGE from the library today and about 100 pages in I'm liking it even more than CHAINS. Can't wait to finish it! Add Patricia Reilley Giff’s STORYTELLER to the list of this year’s Revolutionary-themed books.

Just picked up FORGE from the library today and about 100 pages in I’m liking it even more than CHAINS. Can’t wait to finish it!

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