Are Newbery-Winning Books Too Challenging?

The buzz that the Newbery Medal Award for the most distinguished contribution to American literature for children makes these books inaccessible to children is all over the blogosphere according to this article in the Washington Post. For instance from the past twenty-five winners and runners-up chosen from 2000 to 2005, four of the books deal with death, six with the absence of one or both parents and four with such mental challenges as autism. Most of the rest deal with tough social issues.

There are many pros and cons. “The criterion has never been popularity,” says Pat Scales, president of the Association for Library Service to Children, a division of the American Library Association. “It is about literacy quality. We don’t expect every child to like every book. How many adults have read all the Pulitzer Prize winning books and the National Book Award winners and liked every one?”

Winning books become instant bestsellers and almost a guarantee of future success for the author. Also some Newbery winners have become classics, such as Louis Sachar’s “Holes” in 1999 and even some runners-up like “Charlottes Web” by E. B. White in 1953.

To get a more in-depth view and other opinions go to this Washington Post article “Plot Twists: The Newbery may Dampen Kids’ Reading” by Valerie Strauss here.

The Newbery is very prestigious and books that are awarded this high honor are expected to stretch children’s minds and thought processes not to mention introduce them to a variety of real-life issues. Does this criticism of the award hint of jealousy by other organizations or just another point of view?

Of course a child wants to read stories that reflect their lives and that is why some critics of the Newbery believe it to turn kids off to reading. Some critics may think Newbery Medal winning books are far too mature for young readers under twelve.

What do you think?

Write it down,
Carma

A Beginning, A Muddle, and an End

Avi’s middle grade book, A Beginning, A Muddle and an End juxtaposes a perspective on the writing profession through wit and humor of a snail named Avon and an ant named Edward. I have posted a sampling of dialogue from chapter four where Avon ponders about continuing as a writer. At this point Avon has managed to write one word-- “Something”—

This is a funny and philosophical story full of wisdom and humor. My eight year old granddaughter even “got it” in most places.

Here is an exchange between Avon and Edward as Avon ponders writing as a profession.

“Edward,” he finally said, “do you remember when you told me about the need for writers to be punctual?”
“That was a short time ago.”
“All the same, I’ve been thinking about it. Since writing is so hard, perhaps instead of becoming a writer, I should become an author.”
“Avon, you can’t become an author until you first become a writer.”
“Why is that?”
"A writer is someone who tries to get the words right. That’s why they are called writers. But an author is someone who has written the words wrong. Any critic will tell you that.”
“Is it hard to write right?”
“If a writer isn’t right, he’s bound to be left behind.”
“I’d still like to try.”
“What will you write?”
“That’s my biggest worry. I’m afraid I’ve not had an exciting life.”
“Then write about what you haven’t done.”
“Is that allowed?” asked Avon.
“You should know that the number one rule about writing is: Write what you know. So if you know what you haven’t done, write about that.”
“What if you don’t know what you’ve not done?”
“Then you go on to rule number two.”
“Which is?”
“Write about what you don’t know.”
“Is there a third rule?”
"Yes, stories do usually have three rules. Rule number three is: Write about what you don’t know as if you did know about it.”
“Any fourth rule?”
“Absolutely: Make sure that when you’re writing about what you don’t know as if you did know, conceal the fact that you don’t know what you’re doing.”
“Is there a fifth rule?”
“A crucial one. It’s: Always leave your readers guessing."


I am enjoying this book and learning from it as well. When Avon is asked by Edward, what kind of writer he intends to be, Avon said

“A writer who attracts readers.”
“Then for heaven’s sake, don’t write writing. Write reading.”

Great advice, don’t you think?
Write it down,
Carma

How to Understand the Young Reader

There is an important difference between writing about a child’s world and writing through the view of a child’s eyes. To write effectively not only means writing about what a child is doing but also seeing a child’s world. If you write about a child’s world through adult’s eyes it may appear unrealistic to the child reader but if you share a child’s view you will allow your reader to share it too.

Have you forgotten what it feels like to be a child? Try to imagine being dependent on another person in order to move around as a small baby would. Things look a little different from the floor don’t they? Now imagine you see a toy you want on the table. How can you get it? You can’t walk or talk. How does the world look from this position?

Next get up on your knees and look around. How has your world changed? Finally stand up and walk around the room. Have your feelings about your world changed? Try to remember how you felt as a child. Following are ten questions you can ask yourself as you explore your inner child.

1. What was my favorite book when I was a child?
2. What was the scariest thing that happened to me as a child?
3. What was my greatest happiness as a child? Why?
4. What was my greatest fear? Why?
5. Where did my monsters live? In the dark? Under the bed?
6. What were my monsters like?
7. What made me feel most secure as a child?
8. What was my best school experience? What was my worst?
9. Who was my best friend when I was growing up? Why did we like each other?

10.What were my ambitions/hopes/dreams as a child/teenager?

Begin studying the work of other children’s authors. Do they write from an adult world view or that of a child world view? Listen to their voice. Do they speak as an adult or as a child?

Find out what children worry about or what a key issue in their life is. Think about the realities of life. There are many issues children have to contend with such as bullying, making friends, school exams, attending a new school, environment, and so on.

Authors who live with young children or exposed to them on a daily basis have a wealth of research available. If you do not live around children but have fond memories, hang out at a library after school. Listen to what children have to say. Also try to remember how you felt but don’t write about past experiences. Write about the reality of life today unless of course you are writing a historical piece.

Have you ever visited a place from your past like a house or school? Did you notice that the image does not fit your memory and somehow everything is much smaller now? It feels kinda weird and is a good example of perception from two different view points.

Put some of these suggestions into practice and your writing for children will take on a whole new language.

Write it down
Carma

Nine Tips for 2009

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

1. Set schedules and priorities.
2. Get organized.
3. Use your non-writing time to pre-think.
4. Try a new writing time.
5. Try new surroundings.
6. Stay busy.
7. Set goals within goals.
8. Keep a daily log of writing accomplishments.
9. Set deadlines.

If you want to make more money writing you probably will have to write more.

Forming good work habits is my weakness but this year that will all change. What is your weakness? What have you begun to do about it?

The January issue of Carma's Window Newsletter has been sent to all subscribers. If you would like to have one, sign up and I will send you a copy.

Write it down,
Carma

New Year - New Career - Learn to Write for Children - Free

A year-end bonus for you! Yes Learn to Write for Children - Free. Join The Children's Writer's Coaching Club in January 2009 and receive one month of lessons at no charge to you.

You will need a credit card to sign up but if you decide the club is not for you -- simply cancel your membership and you will not be charged one penny. But if you decide that learning to write for children is just what you have been looking for, then do nothing but continue on with your membership. No matter what your decision, you will not be charged for the first month.

What have you got to lose? Join the Children's Writer's Coaching Club and have access to a professional coach and mentor. Also, as a CWCC member you will learn how to strengthen your writing skills, meet other writers who will give you encouragement and support.

It's real easy to join. Just click the icon below.

Keeping Christmas

The Art of Keeping Christmas

How can we best keep Christmas? How can we best defeat the little bit of Scrooge in all of us and experience the glory of the Great Day?

By sinking the shafts of our spirits deep beneath the sparkling tinsel of the surface of Christmas and renewing within us the radiance of the inner meaning of the season.

By following the Star on an inward journey to Bethlehem to stand again in awe and wonder before the Babe in a Manger.

By rediscovering the faith and simplicity of a little child, for of such is the Kingdom of Heaven.

By being still and listening to the angels sing within our hearts.

By quietly evaluating our lives according to the Master's standards as set forth in the Sermon on the Mount.

By reaffirming the supremacy of the spirit in our conquest of ourselves.

By rededicating ourselves to the Master's ideals of Peace, Brotherhood, and Good Will.

By resolving to give ourselves away to others in love, joy and devotion.

By using the light of Christmas to guide us through the darkness of the coming year, refusing to go back to the dim kerosene lamps of the spirit when the brilliant electricity of Christmas is available to show us the way.


Wilfred Arlan Peterson


I will be back January 2009. I wish everyone a safe and happy New Years.
It is time to reflect and set new goals based on what worked and what didn't work in 2008.

Write it down,
Carma

The Gift of Love

The Best Gift
Betty Wirth

On Christmas Eve, a young boy with light in his eyes
Looked deep into Santa’s, to Santa’s surprise
And said as he sat on Santa’s broad knee,
"I want your secret. Tell it to me."

He leaned up and whispered in Santa’s good ear
"How do you do it, year after year?"
"I want to know how, as you travel about,
Giving gifts here and there, you never run out.

How is it, dear Santa, that in your pack of toys
You have plenty for all of the world’s girls and boys?
Stays so full, never empties, as you make your way
From rooftop to rooftop, to homes large and small,
From nation to nation, reaching them all?"

And Santa smiled kindly and said to the boy,
"Don’t ask me hard questions. Don’t you want a toy?"
But the child shook his head, and Santa could see
That he needed the answer. "Now listen to me,"

He told that small boy with the light in his eyes,
"My secret will make you sadder and wise.
"The truth is that my sack is magic inside
It holds millions of toys for my Christmas Eve ride.

But although I do visit each girl and each boy
I don’t always leave them a gaily wrapped toy.
Some homes are hungry, some homes are sad,
Some homes are desperate, some homes are bad.

Some homes are broken, and the children there grieve.
Those homes I visit, but what should I leave?
"My sleigh is filled with the happiest stuff,
But for homes where despair lives toys aren’t enough.

So I tiptoe in, kiss each girl and boy,
And I pray with them that they’ll be given the joy
Of the spirit of Christmas, the spirit that lives
In the heart of the dear child who gets not, but gives.

"If only God hears me and answers my prayer,
When I visit next year, what I will find there
Are homes filled with peace, and with giving, and love
And boys and girls gifted with light from above.

It’s a very hard task, my smart little brother,
To give toys to some, and to give prayers to others.
But the prayers are the best gifts, the best gifts indeed,
For God has a way of meeting each person’s need.

"That’s part of the answer. The rest, my dear youth,
Is that my sack is magic. And that is the truth.
In my sack I carry on Christmas Eve day
More love than a Santa could ever give away.

The sack never empties of love, or of joys
`Cause inside it are prayers, and hope. Not just toys.
The more that I give, the fuller it seems,
Because giving is my way of fulfilling dreams.

"And do you know something? You’ve got a sack, too.
It’s as magic as mine, and it’s inside of you.
It never gets empty, it’s full from the start.
It’s the center of light, and love. It’s your heart.

And if on this Christmas you want to help me,
Don’t be so concerned with the gifts `neath your tree.
Open that sack called your heart, and share
Your joy, your friendship, your wealth, your care."

The light in the small boy’s eyes was glowing.
"Thanks for your secret. I’ve got to be going."
"Wait, little boy," said Santa, "don’t go.
Will you share? Will you help? Will you use what you know?"
And just for a moment the small boy stood still,
Touched his heart with his small hand and whispered, "I will."