Death is not a topic that is dealt with very often in children's literature, although it is present in some of our most memorable novels like Bridge to Terabithia
. My 11 year old daughter recently read Ways To Live Forever
a first person account of a boy with leukemia who has just few months left to live.
I'll admit, I cry very easily in books, movies, tv shows, you name it, so I wasn't terribly excited about reading what would have to be a sad book. There's no doubt that it was a sad book, but I didn't cry as much as I thought I would; in fact, I laughed more than I cried.
Sally Nicholls tackles tough issues in her book by having the main character, Sam, pose questions related to dying that adults don't like to answer like why do we have to die, and how do you know that you've died? Sam writes lists, journal entries, stories and questions as part of his school project, intending it to be a book for people to read after his death.
Readers join Sam in figuring out what his wishlist is before he dies and how he goes about checking off the items on his list. Readers also catch a glimpse of what it feels like to sit with dying friend, attend a funeral, and to think of life as a cycle.
Death is an inevitable part of life, and reading this book will make it more real and less scary for children. It is believable and well written, with humor, anger, and sadness, but not overwhelmingly so. I highly recommend this book for children ages 9 and up, including adults!
I have yet to read a book by Sharon Creech I didn't like, whether it be the picture book, A Fine, Fine School, or one of her many novels like Love That Dog
, Chasing Redbird
, or The Wanderer
For some reason I was a bit skeptical when I first picked up a copy of Chasing Redbird, but it soon captivated me. Now I have trouble remembering exactly where my skepticism came from. I know I put off reading Love That Dog for a long time because I didn't think I could relate to book in poetry form, or that it could appeal to children. How wrong I was! I underestimated the author, the form and children in general. Ms. Creech treats both her readers and her characters with respect which results in books that make both children and adult readers think and evaluate the themes she deals with.
I read the Fine, Fine School several times aloud at school before I noticed who the author was, and when I did, it was like an "A-ha" moment.
I recently conducted a very unscientific study on what books for children are available for sale in regular places that people shop: two Walmarts, two Targets and a book store in a small town mall. We were traveling in the midwest and stopped in places that would be considered truly rural as well as a couple that are within the city limits of Chicago. In other words, a pretty good cross section of the United States.
I was reasonably satisfied when I looked for a baby gift as I found a limited selection of board book versions of classic best sellers. The store stocked such titles as Where the Wild Things Are, The Hungry Caterpillar, Goodnight Moon, Guess How Much I Love You and one book by Sandra Boynton. Beyond the collectible books however, there were only easy readers and coloring books. Easy readers have their place in literacy development, but they hardly foster a life-long love of reading, nor are they particularly good as read alouds.
As for chapter books, I was both disappointed and disturbed. We found Diary of a Wimpy Kid books at every store, a couple of Beverly Cleary books (which my kids have already) and there was the every present shelf of Vampire books marketed to teens. My eleven year old daughter commented that it seems like all authors are copying Stephanie Meyers and can no one think for themselves? I was looking for the newest Newberry award winner, or a Sharon Creech book, or anything really...
The question I have to ask myself is this: are stores not selling quality children's literature because people weren't buying them, or do people not buy such books (maybe they don't know them without marketing/movie tie-ins?) so stores quit selling them?
Is it a matter of marketing and knowledge of books? What will happen to reading and the availability of books if the stores real people shop in don't stock books that all children should read? I suppose most schools give out Scholastic Book Order forms where people can buy books at a better price, and most families have access to libraries, but do they use these services?
How can I get the word out? There are so many good books out there!!!!
