Children's Books discussion

Come join us to discuss the Medal Winner,
Maniac Magee by Jerry Spinelli

and/or the Honor book:
The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle by Avi

These books seem so new to me.... but then I am 6o years old and therefore when they came out I was already an adult and a parent, so it won't be like revisiting childhood favorites at all.

Did any of you read either of these as children?

I didn't read them as a kid, recently read Maniac Magee.
Even though it's one of those books that touches on a lot of issues, and I personally kind of liked it, I won't be reading it with the nephew I had in mind for this book ( not because I object to this book, he lost his mom fairly recently, and this would confront him with that in a way, in which he's not yet ready to face. maybe in a few years).

Mimi wrote: "I didn't read them as a kid, recently read Maniac Magee.
Even though it's one of those books that touches on a lot of issues, and I personally kind of liked it, I won't be reading it with the nephe..."

Oh how sad for your nephew and for you! And definitely better to wait in my opinion.

I was already doing my MA in German when these two books came out, and while I have heard of both the authors and the book titles, I have not read them.

Yes I read Charlotte Doyle. My copy is autographed by Avi as he used to live locally. It's not my favorite. It's too graphic in the depiction of the whaling industry - which isn't necessarily a bad thing, but too much for me. I also never found Charlotte to be all that likable or relatable. (Yes I've read the book a few times since then).

Not sure I ever read Maniac Magee though. Probably not but I've certainly heard of it.

I read both books many years ago. As with others, I was already an adult when these books were published. I quite liked Charlotte Doyle; I found it an exciting and interesting read. I did not like Maniac Magee at all.

Oooh, what a variety of reactions! I can't wait to find out what I, personally, think of them!

It would also be of interest to think about & discuss whether we believe that the have either appeal and/or value for today's children. Should teachers be sharing them? Book-talking them? Letting them fade away? Do kids still read them on their own?

I mean, I have the impression they were popular with both educators and students back in the day, but things change.

I think Charlotte Doyle holds up as long as educators and parents approve of raw gritty history and kids aren't too traumatized by killing whales. Avi is a pretty progressive writer. He writes about issues kids face both in the past and today. I liked Gold Rush Girl especially because the first few chapters were set in his old neighborhood and my frequent haunts as well.

Something Upstairs is still taught in school. The historical society offers a walking tour of the spots mentioned in the book, in spite of the history being a little wrong.

I noticed no whales in Avi's nautical adventure, The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle. But it's certainly raw and gritty!

It's also a bit implausible, but no more so than Treasure Island imo. I found it absolutely gripping, the first book I've read in at least a month that I had trouble putting down. And this reaction upon my reread!

But it's not only an adventure, it's also a bildungsroman, historical fiction, and it features not only a strong, brave, individual female but also ditto an "old black man" (both still too rare back in 1990).

It holds up *very* well and is absolutely still interesting & enlightening.

Maniac Magee

My rave review:

Oh my goodness. Even better than I remembered or expected. The writing is gorgeous, the themes are explored with heart, the characters are archetypes worthy of the legend this purports to document. I don't have the words. Just, please read it. Spinelli's lighter works are excellent, the literary ones like Milkweed and Hokey Pokey are amazing, but this, well, this is both enjoyable and important, to adults and to children. Thank you, Newbery Committee, for awarding this the medal and thus ensuring it is still in libraries.

Also, Amanda Beale, she's quite the pistol. I adore her and apparently most everyone does; I'm sure she's going far because of grit, intelligence, and supportive family.

I'm sorry that more of you didn't get a chance to read and comment on these two books. They both are really excellent, by authors who have become canonical.

Cheryl wrote: "I'm sorry that more of you didn't get a chance to read and comment on these two books. They both are really excellent, by authors who have become canonical."

They are still on my to read list, just did not get to them.

I can understand that.
I won't close this thread, of course. And I will remember the books. So anyone can comment whenever they get around to reading them and I will appreciate reading their thoughts.