Comments for KidLit History

Comment on Anticipation. . . by Idzar

Idzar — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 12:05:19 +0000

My stesir and I visited Mansfield this past weekend for Wilder Days. Wow – what a wonderful weekend! While we were drawn to Mansfield this particular weekend so that we could actually hear Pa’s fiddle being played and so that we could go upstairs in the Wilder’s farm house, we knew that we also wanted to attend the pageant. This summer we toured all the Laura Ingalls homesites and attended the pageants in Walnut Grove and De Smet. So, naturally, when we learned of the Mansfield pageant, we knew we had to attend. This was, by far, the best pageant of the three. Although it had to be moved inside the school gym due to the weather, the gym backdrop quickly faded away as the pageant came to life. The music was incredible. The scenes chosen for the pageant completely captured the spirit of the books. I was not prepared for the emotional ending. When Laura departs for Mansfield and Pa sings to his half pint, I literally had to wipe away a tear that slipped down my cheek. That was so powerful. Despite the damp, dreary weather, we had an incredible time and are already planning to attend next year so that we can see it at the amphitheater. Thank you for the perfect end to an already wonderful day!

Comment on A new kind of historical fiction? by Teresa

Teresa — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 21:35:44 +0000

Marketing doesn’t drive sales, reeadrs do. in that, publishers feed the beast what it wants. if it’s historicals with men in kilts on the cover and the story to reflect that, then so be it. why would they take a chance on something else when the beast demands more men in kilts? it’s all a numbers game.and right now it’s more crucial than ever that publishers give the beast what it wants.unfortunately that doesn’t leave much room in the budget for buying and publishing a remarkable story that will only appeal to a niche reeadrship.can the argument be made that there have been break out books no one wanted? not really, because those are exceptions, and as a rule, business does not prosper on exceptions. though exceptions can certainly add to a business’s bottom line, but again, if publishers took chances on every story they love that didn’t fit the beast menu, they would be out of business.Amy and Edie, you just gave me an idea for my blog tomorrow! thank you!

Comment on A New Year’s Wish by Rafaela

Rafaela — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 05:32:23 +0000

I rlaley disliked March too! Mostly for Marmee and Mr’s March’s romance (specifically the Walden Pond part). I’m not going to include the spoiler in case any of your readers are still planning to read March, but I’ve read Little Women many, many times, and I just cannot accept Marmee behaving like that ever!

Comment on Trying to remember the first time. . . by Thais

Thais — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 22:55:32 +0000

I rembmeer reading the first book way back in elementary school. I believe it was a Scholastic paperback. As I read the book, it kept reminding me of a movie I'd seen with Shirley Temple and of course it was the same story. It was the first time I'd experience a book that had become a movie.

Comment on The best presents. . . by Ahmed

Ahmed — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 20:08:36 +0000

I think the Peter Pan sqeuel is out (I think I saw it at the bookstore…). I’ve heard a little about it (all good), but I don’t know much else. I think I put it on my list. I think messing with classics is a hit and miss thing; some classics I don’t mind. Others, I do. There’s really no sense to it, is there?

Comment on What’s left out. . . by Cecile

Cecile — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 10:16:57 +0000

I can imanige that I’d be emotionally drained after reading this one myself. I’m glad to know that despite that, you felt like it was a good read – that’s really saying something.Thanks for being on the tour.

Comment on Head and Heart by Rong

Rong — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 07:21:16 +0000

i think we are kirnded spirits! i found you through another website and was instantly intrigued by the title and when i saw ‘anne’ posts i was smitten! awesome job!

Comment on Story first, history second by LindaY

LindaY — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 13:36:45 +0000

I had a bit of the same reaction to Wally Lamb’s Wishin’ and Hopin’, an otherwise amusing book about the early 1960s…Lamb tossed in every reference to 1960s pop culture he could.

Comment on A new kind of historical fiction? by LindaY

LindaY — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 02:12:04 +0000

What is with all the hate over JOHNNY TREMAIN? Our fifth grade teacher started reading this book to us after lunch (this was 1966). At first we were highly insulted at being “read to like babies.” Within a week after she began reading to us, you could not find either of the copies of JT in the school library; they were both reserved for weeks. I begged my mother to find me a copy. At that time it was not in print in paperback. My mother got a bookstore to special order a teacher’s edition with discussion questions at the end. In eighth grade we had to read the book for English class. I was so happy! I did an entire illustrated booklet on the book complete with a drawing of Johnny on his horse Goblin on the front. It is a wonderful book!

Comment on More than a malt shop by Miriam Boland

Miriam Boland — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 23:02:38 +0000

Another fun “malt shop” romance (as Wendy said, much much more than that!)which I enjoyed and just listed over at Paper Back Swap.com [http://www.paperbackswap.com/home.php] is THE PARIS HAT by Mary Cunningham. It is my favorite genre of these old teen books, involving ballet – but also involves the Black Market, a straight (! maybe) male dancer, a mysterious hat and a baby…. many many details! Very cool. You should definitely read this!