tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4979108620698271598.post7932304396395777867..comments2024-03-23T06:07:37.979-07:00Comments on Great Kid Books: The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making, by Catherynne M. Valente (ages 10 - 13)Mary Ann Scheuerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09592162867997740561noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4979108620698271598.post-28300116718889666642011-08-18T07:28:34.369-07:002011-08-18T07:28:34.369-07:00I agree with Beth -- I kept wondering what was wro...I agree with Beth -- I kept wondering what was wrong with me as I struggled (and ultimately stopped trying) to read it. I appreciate the fact that your review allows the positives you did find in the book to come through, while acknowledging what didn't work for you. Your tone is respectful of the author's efforts but you are also true to your own reactions. Thank you for validating mine!Kary Henrynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4979108620698271598.post-39869978387294910192011-08-17T21:24:57.151-07:002011-08-17T21:24:57.151-07:00Thank you, Scotti & Beth, for your comments. I...Thank you, Scotti & Beth, for your comments. I really appreciate hearing your thoughts. I do hope you have a chance to read this book - I'd be interested in your thoughts once you read it. Good luck with your revisions. I think a lot of it is getting to the essence of what your character is feeling and experiencing.<br /><br />Beth, your comment means a lot to me - and, yes, I do wonder how children are going to react to this book. I suspect that some high readers will enjoy its challenge and September's travels. I do work hard to be both critical and respectful; I'm glad that came through.Mary Ann Scheuerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09592162867997740561noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4979108620698271598.post-39465396721472286312011-08-17T14:44:44.078-07:002011-08-17T14:44:44.078-07:00Thank you so much for writing this review! I have ...Thank you so much for writing this review! I have been seriously struggling through this book, wondering what on earth is wrong with me because everyone else who's read it has written glowing reviews of it. As a teacher of 6th grade, all I could think was how my students were going to get through this book when even I struggled with the language. Your review is more than fair and still respectful of the author. I appreciate reviewers who can write critical reviews and still be respectful. I get tired of reading blogs that write nothing but glowing reviews of a book. They feel phony to me.Beth S.https://www.blogger.com/profile/06944635942712994937noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4979108620698271598.post-33935715442611344332011-08-17T09:26:48.042-07:002011-08-17T09:26:48.042-07:00This review resonated with me! The "complaint...This review resonated with me! The "complaints" you express sound very much like comments I have received about my own (unpublished) fantasy novel. Readers have said they don't connect emotionally with the main character, even though the supporting characters are compelling and memorable, etc. Readers have told me my main character is too "matter of fact" when dealing with extreme situations. On the one hand, I'm encouraged that a book with this "flaw" has been published (it gives me a perverse sort of hope...) On the other hand, I really would prefer that readers be able to connect emotionally with my main character. At least I think so. Thank you for posting this review!Scotti Cohnhttp://www.scotticohn.comnoreply@blogger.com