Some Connections

[ceitfianna]

I've mentioned that I'm taking this amazing children's literature course, as part of this course, I have to create a LibraryThing account. At the moment this account is going to contain my reviews of children's media and I'm going to link it since I just read two books and reviewed them and I know bookelfe wanted to read mine. Here is my account, I'll probably create another collection to follow my own personal reading but here you'll find my class reviews.

I'm also feeling quite accomplished because I changed the burnt out lightbulb in my room and replaced it with a halogen one since I think that will last longer. Oh and I successfully bought the tickets for the Punch Brothers which makes me so happy. Another lovely thing is that I adore, adore all the used bookstores in Ann Arbor. I just picked up a hard cover edition of The Pride of Baghdad for 7.50 and will be reading it for my children's course too. The weather's starting to turn grey and so today I splurged on a really lovely brunch at this awesome place called Cafe Zola, they do tea in a French Press which was just so good. I might end up buying one of those since it seems a really clever way to enjoy loose tea.

I was wondering if anyone has any recommendations for young adult or children's books that you think I should read for this class. It can really be from any age since while I could probably do mainly young adult, I also want to read some meant for younger kids. If you have kids or nieces and nephews, what are the books that they're currently going crazy over?

Comments

[wakeupnew]

While I love love love Pride of Baghdad, I'm really not sure I'd classify it as for kids. I don't know what's popular with the kids these days (besides, you know, Twilight, blurg), if there were any young kids around me, they'd be reading Miss Rumphius.

[ceitfianna]

True, well the class is children and youth media. I've been curious to read it and I may talk with my professor about whether it fits with her idea of a graphic novel that would be suitable.

I'll keep an eye out for that, thank you. Congratulations about the new job.

[newredshoes]

I would agree with Pride of Baghdad -- um, it gave me... not nightmares, but it hit me in the gut hard. It is most definitely not for kids.

[ceitfianna]

Very good to know, thank you.

[i-open-doors.livejournal.com]

Have you ever heard of the, "You Wouldn't Want To Be A..." books? The author is David Antram Stewart, and the series is great. My seven year old niece can't get enough of these books, as they take a real, in depth look at the gross, nasty, disgusting and awful real life facts of different peoples in history.
Examples?
You Wouldn't Want To Be An Aristocrat In The French Revolution
You Wouldn't Want To Sail On The Titanic
You Wouldn't Want To Be Sick In The 16th Century

You get the picture. Brilliant, I say.

[ceitfianna]

I think I've heard of those books but haven't read them. They would work nicely since they're sort of non-fiction too.

I'm trying to read as wide a variety of things as possible.

[moofoot.livejournal.com]

Skellig is young adult! :D

[ceitfianna]

Its on my list. Who's the author?

[moofoot.livejournal.com]

David Almond.

[bigfluffball.livejournal.com]

Well, naturally I'm biased, but I'd suggest a couple of Enid Blyton's, because she wrote hundreds and many are still selling in shops some sixty years later.

They are mostly very similar and can be loosly divided into:
1. Short stories about various sets of characters e.g. Brer Rabbit series, Naughty Amelia Jane series.
2. Short stories with mixed characters - Muddlesome's Mistake is one that springs to mind.

- in both 1 and 2 most of the stories have some sort of moral lesson, however these lessons are very often recycled in other books.

3. Full length stories - school - St Clare's series (Carlotta's canon), Malory Towers, Naughtiest Girl in the school. (Note: all of these series have had gaps filled in by ghost writers at a later date.)
4. Full length stories - mystery - Secret Seven, Famous Five, Mysteries, The _____ of Adventure
5. Full length stories - other lifestyle - Circus Days series, Faraway Tree Series

- 3, 4 and 5 are probably the more interesting ones to read.

6. Annuals - If anything like the one I have, this is probably not what you're looking for.

I'm not sure what the availability is in the US, but I'd imagine they can be cheaply acquired on Amazon.


Other recommendation for slightly older children would be anything by Jaqueline Wilson - titles that spring to mind are Double Act, The Suitcase Kid, The Bed and Breakfast Star. These are more about teen/tweenage angst and less jolly hockey sticks.

Cannot guarentee these are still in fashion now, and you probably need what's in fashion in the US.

[ceitfianna]

I have some of her books so I might. The idea is to get a sense of what's out there and has and is being read.