Re: BOOK When will this cruel war be over by Denenberg

[Joan Kimball <jkim@BORG.COM>]

I agree with Karen MacLachlan and Fred that the Dear America series which
includes
-When will this cruel war be over- by Denenberg
is very good. I have read most of the series.  I particularly liked the
Denenberg, and Hansen's -I Thought my soul would rise and fly-, Gregory's
-Winter of Red Snow-, and McKissack's -Picture of Freedom-. I'm not sure
why I didn't like the one about the Oregon Trail as much (-Across the wide
and lonesome prairie-).

I trust the publisher, Scholastic, is reading our comments and will take it
to heart that we care about having outstanding writers create a series.  If
Scholastic holds the standard high, it will have a gold mine.

Most series' don't last because either the publisher uses one overworked
author or "house" authors, or the storyline becomes too much of a formula.
Dear America could succumb to any of these problems.  I hope not!  I agree,
too, that it would be better if the books stated clearly what is fact and
what is fiction.  Readers of historical fiction crave authenticity as well
as a good story.

But using established authors is probably the key to survival.  One reason
the Landmark series of fictional biographies by Random House published in
the 1950's lasted for over forty years -- and still has a few good ones
left -- is that the books were crafted by polished writers such as Bruce
Bliven, Dorothy Canfield Fisher, Sterling North and Elizabeth Janeway.

Joan Kimball


Karen MacLachlan wrote about the Dear America series:
>Fred and all,
>
>        I am in the process of reading my fourth book of this series, and
>I am delighted that so far all four have been of equal quality. The four
>that I have read all have spunky protagonists who endure the hardships of
>their era and survive with sense of humor intact. I think these books will
>be good for not only American history, but also for journal writing, and
>discussing tone, style, voice, etc. With authors like Patricia McKissack,
>Kristiana Gregory, and Kathryn Lasky, I'm optimistic that this entire
>series will be excellent. I had never read anything by Barry Denenberg
>before, but I agree with you that "When Will This Cruel War Be Over" is a
>great read. So far I have been able to uncover nine books in this series
>and have ordered all the ones that I don't already have. I have also heard
>that a boys series to correspond with this series is coming out this fall
>- wouldn't that be dynamite?
>
>
>    Karen McLachlan, Media Specialist   Internet: ehs_km@ncocc.ohio.gov
>    East Knox High School               Phone: 614-599-7000
>    23227 Coshocton Rd.                 Fax: 614-599-5863
>    Howard, Ohio 43028

Joan Kimball, Librarian, Hart's Hill School, Whitesboro NY 13492
E-mail:  jkim@borg.com

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