Re: Target: ELEM: The Giver

[Sandra Grasfield <grasfiel@MEOL.MASS.EDU>]

     Many years, I disagree with the choices made by the Newbery Award
Committee.  One of my suggestions would be that they include some students
on the committee to get a truer sense of what youngsters love to read.  I
think the choices are often made according to entirely adult criteria.
     That said, however, I think The Giver was a good Newbery selection.
It is very well read and loved in my middle school of 630 kids, grades 5 -
8.  Of course, the 7th and 8th graders understand it better and are drawn
to it in far greater numbers than the younger kids.  It is also one of the
books that they like to discuss with each other, me and other adults.
      The Midwife's Apprentice is not nearly so well liked here.  I think
it misses the mark, although Cushman's Catherine, Called Birdy and The
Ballard of Lucy Whipple are excellent and written to appeal immediately to
the middle school reader.
       Do you think it would have any effect if we as a group or if we as
individuals shared with the Newbery Committee our opinions about the books
they select?
                                        Sandy


>I really think that "The Giver" is a good example of what's wrong with th=
>e
>Newbery Award.   The commitee chooses books on tha basis of     adult
>criteria, instead of what kids willl like and read.  Although I have read=
>
>and loved most of the Newbery books,  how many kids really read and enjoy=
>
>"The Midwife"s Apprentice" or "The Giver"?
>
>Jill Brandon, Librarian
>O'Banion Middle School
>Garland, Tx
>JBrandon3@compusreve,com
>
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Sandy Grasfield, Librarian
Kennedy Middle School
Natick, MA 01760
grasfiel@meol.mass.edu

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