July 1998

Staff -- School Library Journal, 7/1/1998

In a book discussion group for children, you will learn as much as they will, says a reader.

The Irreverence of Youth

I was delighted to read Caroline Ward's article ("Having Their Say: How to Lead Great Book Discussions with Children," April 1998, p. 24-29). Her suggestions for making a discussion series successful echo my experience with my kids' book discussion group at my small library in semi-rural Maine. However, I would like to add another point to her list of reasons to start a book discussion group for children: you will learn at least as much from your young readers' insights as they will learn from yours. I will never forget one 12-year-old participant's comment regarding Number the Stars by Lois Lowry (Houghton, 1989). She said she could tell that Annemarie's bratty younger sister was included for the humor value, so that the story didn't get too intense, but that maybe her presence made Number the Stars not appropriately serious for the very serious topic it addressed. I had never considered this criticism, or indeed any substantial criticism of Number the Stars, but then again I knew before I read it that it's a beautifully written, Newbery Award-winning novel by one of our preeminent writers for children. It's obvious, but still bears repeating, that kids don't approach books the same way as adults. The irreverent, unencumbered, absolutely fresh things my discussion group members say about books knock me back in my chair every time we meet. It's an experience I would recommend to anyone.

Interested Readers

Thank you very much for mentioning the Stratford Library Youth Review Board's "Gold Seal Booklist"in "Send For" (January 1998, p. 49). As a result, we have received more than 50 requests from 21 states and the District of Columbia for our publication. It is gratifying to know that so many librarians are interested in young adult reading and are looking for further information that will help them in their respective communities.I am certain that you will be pleased to know that School Library Journal is having such a broad impact on librarians throughout the United States.

Correction

The author of Soup and Me (Knopf, 1975, o.p.) is Robert Newton Peck, not Richard Peck as published in the April 1998 issue ("Listen While You Read: Struggling Readers and Audiobooks," by Kylene Beers, p. 31).

Call for Reviewers

School Library Journal's Audiovisual Review Department is looking for school library media specialists and public librarians to volunteer their services as video and audio reviewers. If you would like to review educational videocassettes and audio programs for pre-K-12 students, contact Phyllis Levy Mandell, Audiovisual Review Editor, School Library Journal, 245 W. 17th St., New York, NY 10011; pmandell@slj.cahners.com.