Thank you Ray Bradbury...

If ever there was a Master of writing (during my life thus far), Ray Bradbury would win the award. June 5th, will mark a year of his passing, and though I am saddened new words and stories will not come from his pen, I am delighted by the multitude of pure treasures he left for I, You, and coming generations to discover.

Recently, I picked up Bradbury's Zen in the Art of Writing, and I find it fitting to discuss his inspiring words here. Any writer needs encouragement from time to time. If you write, you know it is a lonely business. A lonely business filled with the chatter of many characters, each urging you to tell their story. As a writer, we sometimes feel as though there is a need to create something new, something never told, but the genius behind Bradbury's work is how effortlessly he knew the observations of daily human life and experience was what readers wanted to hear. Whether on Mars, the future world of Earth, or the long ago days of Waukegan, Illinois--Bradbury achieved the ability to make readers comprehend human longing, desire, fear, and wonder.

Within the books essays to writers, I found it fitting Bradbury urges those trying to perfect their skills of the pen to remember youth. Remember the days of fascination and don't let anyone tell you are wrong in what you love. His essay, "On the Shoulder of Giants," reiterates this concept by speaking of how youth, the child, will continually be pushing the boundaries of literature.

"For the first time in history of art and teaching, the children have become the teachers." (p.98)

The young will be pushing the adult to discover new concepts, and through their rebellion, the adults mind will be saved and shown new light. Bradbury was discussing how recently teachers and librarians
finally accepted the genre of fantasy and science fiction to have substance. But I would argue, his concept works for all genres of literature. And I say thank you to Bradbury for always remembering the boy within. I thank him for always writing as a human being versus a scholar above others. Bradbury's mastery of writing still makes me think I need to try Dandelion Wine, and it makes me look at the merry-go-round in new light anytime I'm near a carnival. But it also makes me want to tell my stories of early morning canoe rides through the Logan marshes, moments of laughter on roof tops in a foreign country sipping Dandelion Mead, and most importantly the moments with family and the spontaneous laughter that comes from small memories spoken. Bradbury--I thank you and I shall always remember your words:

"Let us remain chidlike and not childish in our 20-20 vision, borrowing such telescopes, rockets, or magic carpets as may be needed to hurry us along to miracles of physics as well as dream." (p.106)

Bradbury, Ray. 1992: Zen in the Art of Writing: Batnam Edition: New York.

Children's Literature and the Child

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When studying "children's literature," there is a very important aspect within the genre that must be examined: The reader. Furthermore, there must be an understanding towards the cultural and societal implications that are placed on the reader. In other words, to understand the evolution of the mass genre that is "children's literature," a scholar must take on the daunting task of researching the cultural view of "child" as well as the books.

For anyone passionate about children's literature, I would highly recommend picking up a copy of: Children's Literature: A Reader's History from Aesop to Harry Potter by Seth Lerer. His approach to researching the development of the genre is a valuable resource. Lerer approaches the genre through historical perspectives of "child" while giving representations of the evolutionary progression within the genre from its antiquity to modern day (i.e. the times of the early Greek to the phenomenon that was/is Harry Potter). With interesting highlights, Lerer presents a book about books that not only educates, but entertains as well. His writing will grasp the minds and hearts of all avid readers out there.

As Lerer states in his epilogue, "The history of children's literature is a history of image as well as word. It is a history, too, of artifacts: of books as valued things, crafted and held, lived with and loved." (p. 322)

For anyone who had a book shape their life early on; this is a must read.

D.dot's Cookie Conundrum

D.dot's Cookie Conundrum

I am a firm believer bed-time stories teach us all we need to know in life. For me, I had the luxury to fall asleep to my Dad's stories. He presented versions of the Twilight Zone, as well as my all time favorite (and most requested) "The Biggest Bear" by Lynd Ward. At the time, I had no idea these stories weren't solely my Dad's. He never had a book in front of him, or the T.V. playing, when he told me his stories. He passed them along in his voice, his words. It was later in life I realized the stories derived from another teller. Isn't that the beauty of story telling, the methods it gets passed down.

Sometimes, we're lucky enough to have the person who told us those stories early on in life, inspire a new story. This month, I entered the realm of e-publishing with my book D.dot's Cookie Conundrum (available through any of Amazon's Kindle platforms). And I'm happy to announce the story is about my Dad and I. Or at least it comes from an early memory of him teaching my Brownie troupe how to bake his infamous oatmeal cookies. D.dot has become a very integral character in my life. She's the spunky kid that still lingers with me and loves to create whether through writing or baking. I truly hope you will share the story with your family and pass it along.

Follow my Facebook author page at D. Grazi.

Bleeding Newbery...

The Newbery award is a recognition to outstanding authorship within American literature for children. This year the award was presented by the American Literature Association to Jack Gantos for his novel "Dead End in Norvelt."

My familiarity with Jack Gantos was not from books, but from the documentary Library of an Early Mind (which I highly recommend a view, if you enjoy children's and YA as much as I do). As I began reading this novel, the first few chapters, I was suspicious of why it had won such an accolade. And then the America Jack grew up in began to blossom in front of me.

Being unaware of his style and voice, Jack Gantos provided me with an image of a changing America, a melding of generations, a passion for history in snap shots, and a view to living a good life, all mixed up in an ever pressing nose bleed and murder mystery filled with obits.

It seems fitting I write this post on America's Independence Day. The day we celebrate our liberties and our pursuit of happiness. For truly in Dead End in Norvelt, Jack is looking for his freedom. Freedom from a summer grounding. Thinking it will be the worst summer ever, Jack gets wrapped into intricate events that only a boy can, and finds his new "girlfriend" to be the oldest living person of Norvelt.

It is their interaction together that truly made me love this book. Youth and the elderly each learning from the other. The difference of years actually creating a stronger bond than a separation.

This is not an action packed book. It's event driven. But like Jack says in the book, "It's like when you read a book and you know that the words are important, but the images blossoming in your imagination are even more important because it's your mind that allows the words to come to life." (p. 182) The words Gantos writes are visionary. Visionary of a dying town, and the future and death of the people that made it a community. His words bring life to your own thoughts, they bring memories of those you have embraced to reside in the communities you create in your own town.

"...every living soul is a book of their own history, which sits on the ever-growing shelf in the library of human memories." (p. 259) And memories is what Gantos inspires.

His novel made me think of the small town I grew up in, how it's changing, and how at one time it seemed as though everyone knew each other, which meant you had little luck of getting away with things. It also meant that if you were in trouble, you always could find a helping hand. His novel shows the American Dream in three different generations, that of the young, parents, and the elderly.

"Dead End in Norvelt," may not be for everyone. But his novel is thought provoking.

As I came to its final pages, I realized there is no question as to why his words received the distinguished award of Newbery medal. Miss. Volker (Jack's elderly "girlfriend") states, "A good cookie is like medicine that makes you live longer." (p.170)

And Jack Gantos, as a writer, is one amazing COOKIE!!!

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.