Five years ago Joe Lynch, my predecessor as review editor, instituted a December tradition of reviewing children's books. I have gladly continued this custom, in several different forms. This year we try another style.
Reading Rainbow, a PBS show starring LeVar Burton, a versatile actor who also plays the engineer of the Enterprise on Star Trek: The Next Generation, is a good-quality children's show that daily includes several children reviewing age-appropriate books. (One of the benefits of being a parent is the excuse it provides for watching such programs.) This year we will use that format to look at children's books that are Worthy of Note.
Unique Perspectives
I must admit I have shamelessly and "nepotically" asked the children of friends to write reviews. I hope no one considers this an abuse of friendship. But no matter, please enjoy the insights of these young people.
The first review is provided by Anna Warnes, a 10-year-old from St. Louis Park, Minnesota. She read and reviewed Mozart Season, by Virginia E. Wolff (Henry Holt & Co., 1991, $15.95, cloth). Of the book she says:
Are you into music? Or how about competition? Well, I have the perfect book for you.
It's about a pageturner and violinist named Allegra. She enters a competition called the Bloch Competition. You'll find out about her summer practicing violin and being a pageturner. She meets some unusual people like a man who dances at every outdoor concert.
I liked this book because I play piano and know what she was going through. Allegra taught me that winning and losing aren't the most important things in the world. I think other kids would like this book because it's very exciting and interesting.
Last time I talked with 10-year-old Denali DeGraf, he was reading a recent Star Trek novel. And he enjoyed sharing passages to all around as he read. I was certain I had found someone to review science fiction for me. So when I saw a book of short essays on futuristic settings, Denali came quickly to mind. I think you will enjoy hearing what he says about the anthology 2041 (Delacorte, 1991, $16.00, cloth). Denali tells us:
What will life be like in 50 years? Horses are a rarity, baseball is a dying sport, fat is gone instantly, and objects can be "beamed" from one place to another. This is how some science fiction writers portray the future. Jane Yolen, author of many young adult science fiction books, now presents 2041.
This book ranges from emotional stories of love, hope, and courage, such as "Who's Gonna Rock Us Home?" to drab, slow-moving predictions like "Much Ado About [Censored]." Well-written and thoughtful, this book may still be around in 2041. This book is very descriptive and put together well. Some of the stories are so descriptive that they pull the reader into the story and make them feel like they are witnessing the event that is occurring in the story.
I would recommend this book to anyone who is older than 9 years of age and likes science fiction.
Jessica Perkins, soon to be 14, is an experienced writer. She has already written for her local newspaper, so I suspected she was right for this review assignment. Jessica reviewed Nothing But the Truth: A Documentary Novel, Avi's recent release (Orchard Books, 1991, $14.95, cloth). Jessica writes:
Avi is a writer of many award-winning books, such as The Confessions of Charlotte Doyle. Nothing But the Truth is one of Avi's several Newberry Honor Books.
This book is written in a unique documentary format, a style one doesn't see very often. The hero of this book is 9th-grader Phillip Malloy. Phillip is a friendly boy, who likes all his teachers, except Miss Narwin, whom he has for English. Phillip is not happy one bit when he finds out he is now in her homeroom also.
Every day during the morning announcements, the National Anthem is played. Students are asked to stand at "respectful, silent" attention.
On his first day in Miss Narwin's homeroom, Phillip begins to hum during the anthem. He ceases after being asked twice.
The same thing happens the next day, but Phillip won't stop. He decides to stand up for his rights. He is sent to the principal's office. This incident occurs again the next day, and results in Phillip's suspension from school for three days.
I enjoyed this book and recommend it to others. I do not often see books in which teen-agers are portrayed standing up for their rights. We need more heroes like Phillip.
As I finished reading these reviews, I felt like I had a good grip on what the books were about. I suspect that teens that I know will end up with copies of these books for some approaching holiday.
A special thanks to Denali, Jessica, and Anna. Their work in rushed circumstances really made this column.
Jessica lives in Fort Worth, Texas; Denali in Washington, D.C.; and Anna in St. Louis Park, Minnesota. They represent different regions of the country and different ages. And they represent them well.
A Song in My Heart
The last review was unsolicited. It's from my older daughter Korla. (My younger daughter Ella was born while I was working on this column - actually I stopped writing for a while, but I was in the midst of it when she was born). Korla's review made me realize what it must be like living with someone who is constantly reviewing, analyzing, critiquing, and criticizing.
I was driving in the car with the radio tuned to Radio AAHS, a local all-children's radio station, when Bette Midler's recent hit "From a Distance" began. Korla, with a confident voice from the backseat, offered her opinion: "That's a crummy song. 'Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star,' now there's a great song."
We don't want to offend, so anyone who prefers "Mary Had a Little Lamb," please, stay tuned. There is no telling what you will see in the "UnderReview" section.
Bob Hulteen was Under Review editor of Sojourners when this article appeared.
Got something to say about what you're reading? We value your feedback!