The Hunger Games

Last night, in SLC, it began to rain at 3:30 in the morning. I know this, not because the rain woke me up, but because I was already awake--in one of those trances only story can provide. Thankfully, being an adult means I never have parents come in and tell me I have to put the book down and go to bed. Sadly, this also means I loose the next morning due to staying up until 6:00 A.M. to finish the first book of a trilogy.

If ever I could have thought of a book that seems to combine the edge of The Lord of the Flies, The Giver, and Ender's Game, I would have never thought it would be as starkly beautiful as Suzanne Collins creation of The Hunger Games.

Collins use of first person intrigued me--it seems to be the new style for YA Lit these days. Usually, it puts me off a book, but Collins somehow was able to grasp the use of first person and the honesty it allows if only an author is willing. With its plot highly dealing with youth killing each other in an arena to win fame for their district, it may surprise some the age range of most readers for this book is 10-14. I was even shocked at how intense and dark certain parts of this book read. But I was also so pleased with the truth that was contained within the words. The Hunger Games evoked questions about my own views of social class, humanity, politics, life, family, and the fight we all have to remain true to ourselves--even if we haven't fully figured out who that is. So I guess I can understand why the ages of 10-14 are reading this novel and I hope they will read more. Many moments of this book sent chills through my skin, which had nothing to do with the rain. And as a good story can do, it had me up until the sun was rising. It is a high recommend, and I am so excited to read the next two.

More to come in the week.

The Ever Smart Mouthed Bartimaeus!!!

Sometimes, more than the story, a reader finds a character who pulls them to a book. Maybe for you it was Bilbo Baggins. Perhaps it was Ramona's quirky antics. Or, who knows, possibly you connected with Harry and his sublime way of always narrowly adverting disaster. For myself, I have fallen in love with many book characters over the years, but probably none so much as the always witty, straight-to-the-point, mischievous--yes--often smart mouthed, and looking for the escape, Bartimaeus.

I had read the wonderful Bartimaeus Trilogy a few years ago and found I was not the only one intoxicated with the character. This summer I found myself craving the skillful demons games yet again. Thankfully, I found Jonathan Stroud had released a new novel on the character (The Ring of Solomon) and I began plowing through every line and footnote with relish. 

It may be the quality in which Stroud is able to merge high fantasy with historic details and mythology that draws me to his stories, or possibly his use of various character perspectives so you see the details from every side. But I always find myself waiting for the chapters in which Bartimaeus is the narrator. If I could ask Jonathan Stroud one thing, it would be who Bartimaeus is based upon? I have a feeling it is Stroud himself, for I have no idea how he could write a more honest and reflective character.  

If you are in the mood for a good laugh, a fun fantasy, a friend or foe, Bartimaeus is for you. Just make sure to not be fooled by one of his many disguises, and always, always remember: Don't skip the footnotes! 

Excited to Share

One of the things I find with being an independent scholar who studies Children's and Young Adult Literature, is at times I find myself on a lonely road. Many of my friends and family typically have a quizzical look when I begin talking about a new book I read. My co-workers take the approach that it is just one of those cute things I'm into. They tell me to breath, because when I get talking about this field... well, I can't stop.

That is why I am excited to say that, in just a little over a month, I will be having the experience of talking with others who share my passion. June 22-26, you will be able to find me at Hollins University in Virginia, where I will be presenting a paper at the Children's Literature Associations Conference. If you couldn't tell from my last post, the paper will of course be on L. Frank Baum's "The Wizard of OZ," entitled The Yellow Brick Road: A Path Towards Woman's Suffrage. My hope is that those I meet won't stare at me with a quizzical look when I present, but instead with understanding and insight.

Currently, I am in the process of writing and reviewing all the material I have compiled. If anyone reading this blog has thoughts on how the Wizard of Oz connects with Woman's Suffrage, I would greatly appreciate comments.

Until next time, I'm off to see the Wizard and make a few friends along the way.

City of Emeralds

This St. Patrick's day I find myself in the City of Emeralds. I wish I could say that I was traveling through Ireland, but if not Ireland than the Emerald City of OZ will have to do. I hope the Irish will not mind this post about an American author on their celebrated day. But as I see it, St. Patrick did more than send snakes away, he cherished, wrote, and recorded stories.

For the last month I have been--slowly--reading a biography on the life of L.Frank Baum (L. Frank Baum Creator of OZ: A Biography by Katharine M. Rogers) As I read about his successes and failures (he didn't find his true calling as a children's author until age 40--there may be hope for me yet), I was intrigued to find a man who created--without knowing it--an American classic.

Many of us may think we know the story by heart, because of our viewing of the MGM vibrant colored film. Judy Garland, and her farm girl pigtails, are iconic. But Dorothy and her story goes so much further than one film. OZ has been adapted and embedded within our culture to an extent that the original story has been shelved away, and yet we still understand the phrase, "There's no place like home," or "We're not in Kansas anymore."

So it is, that I took the book off the shelf again. And as I traipse through OZ with Dorothy, the Scarecrow, Tin Woodman, and the Cowardly Lion, I find myself reminded of the great land Baum created. A land that was structured after America. And I wonder what his thoughts were in 1900? For he states the story was written "merely to please."

Please it has, and yet--as any scholar of tales will tell you--there was a purpose. A moral. A value placed upon this land and the characters. Dorothy's quest is like so many of ours, we are all constantly trying to find our way back home from the cyclones of life that so easily sweep us off our feet. And if I have learned anything from her trek (and L. Frank Baum's story), it is to keep my head high, think things through clearly, allow friends to help, and never let someone tell you things can't be done (also, it doesn't hurt to have a pair of magical-silver shoes).

"Don't Tell the Grown-Ups:"

Lets make it clear, children's literature has provided an outlet for revolutionary acts, conducted in silence and behind closed doors, for years. Hidden under the adults nose, authors continue to sneak progress and change by the masked veil that the words in their novels are "just for kids."

In any academic field, there must be debate. And one of the most enjoyable experiences I have is delving deeper into the genre of children's literature. This does include reading new novels, but it also means hearing the debate. Back in January of 2010, I posted that I had yet to enter an academic course taught on children's literature that taught, "how a book within [this genre] becomes part of the readers philosophy and view of...the culture they are submersed." (old post entitled "Jump")

Though I have still not entered such a class. I know that they do exist. And as I wait for this opportunity, I have begun to delve into the scholarly texts written on my favorite topic of discussion.

This Christmas I received the wonderful gift of one such book: "Don't Tell the Grown-Ups: The Subversive Power of Children's Literature" by Alison Lurie. I quickly began devouring all the information this author had to provide. Written dominantly on British authors within children's literature, Lurie marks revolutionary acts within classic books and the decisive reasoning by authors for writing within the genre.

Lurie's own writing style is accessible and compelling. Providing first an introductory review of children's literature and its history, she continues the text by breaking down individual authors and their stories use within culture. One of her key statements is that we must keep in touch with children. We must read their books, and listen to their rhymes in order to understand, "what has been censored from culture in the past," and to know "what our kids are really up to today." (p. 15)

But most importantly, by reading children's literature we are provided "a way of understanding and renewing our own childhood." (p. 204)

Further Children's Literature References:
"The Child That Books Built: A Life in Reading" by Francis Spufford
"Sticks and Stones: The Troublesome Success of Children's Literature from Slovenly Peter to Harry Potter" by Jack Zipes
"Children's Literature" by Peter Hunt

Oh Ida B.

Can you remember being eight or nine? It was that time when so many things ran through your head; the time you knew when to tell your parents things and when you were supposed to keep quiet and listen; and the world was truly your oyster.

And then one day you grew up. On Thursday you're jumping out the second story window onto the pile of stuffed animals you tossed down to cushion your fall. Then Friday, your scared of elevators, hoping with all hope not to plummet to the ground. Yet every now and then there's that voice in back of your head (long forgotten) whispering to you how you used to love to fly.

Well, this voice, that so often whispers to me in the night, must still be ringing strong in the mind of Katherine Hannigan. With the simple poetic style of writing from a nine-year-old's mind, Katherine Hannigan made me laugh, cry, think, and breathe a sigh of relief while reading "Ida B. ... and Her Plans to Maximize Fun, Avoid Disaster, and (Possibly) Save the World." (I mean really, who could resist such a title).

This novel discusses environmental issues, health, public and home education, as well as the fabulous nature or the creative, ah inspiring, resourceful character Ida B. Your able to sit down at a coffee shop and finish this story in a mere few hours, if you'd like. And the story will transport you to the days on the playground, the days you knew trees could dance and talk, and most importantly, the days when a person listening to your voice--truly listening--was all you needed to be connected and rooted in your true self.

So take the time to talk with Ida B., making sure to call her Ida B. not Ida when you ask her to play a round of dodgeball in life. And remember her words, "... sometimes, when you haven't talked with a friend for awhile, even if it's strange and stiff and you don't quite know what to say, it can still feel better than ever." (p. 227)