Lars's comments (member since Feb 04, 2009)

Lars's comments from the All Ears Audiobooks group.

Jeff at All Ears Audiobooks wrote: "Spark, by John J. Ratey is a part motivational/part science book ..."

Jeff, I recently had the pleasure of watching Ratey give a presentation in SF at a Parents Educators Network thing. You can watch a similar one on YouTube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bmc0ERKfj... but having read the book, it may be repetitive, but does have visuals. He touted another book which interested me called, in the one-word title way that seems so prevalent for this type of book, 'Play' by Stuart Brown, that sounds most interesting/

Donna wrote: "Lars wrote: "Donna--

"One of my big complaints about many kid and YA books is the lack of parental influence in the story."

But don't you think that's what makes those kind of stories so perenni..."

Get your very valid point, Donna and it made me think of stories where the support and love of parents is left in the plot...Joseph Krumgold's 'Onion John,' Beverly Cleary books, Cynthia Lord's 'Rules,' and also about stories where orphaned children find parents...Kate DiCamillo's 'The Magician's Elephant' comes immediately to mind, since I just read it.

At some point, have to look into 'Cold Sassy Tree!'

Julie at All Ears wrote: "Lars and Donna (and everyone else who likes to read children's books) -
There is a new book in the '1001 to before you die' series ... it's 1001 Children's Books You Must Read."

Thanks, Julie. This was news to me and right up my alley. I'm especially grateful to you for the link to the spreadsheet. As far as I could tell, everything on the list has been available in English, although many cultures were represented. I'm not sure everything is in print. The thing with any of these lists is you're going to agree with some choices and disagree with others, but that's what's good about them: they help you to frame your own opinions. I never have 'Thomas the Tank Engine' and feel pretty good about what children's books I have read. After a cursory look, I'd say the list is pretty comprehensive and valuable.

Donna--

Re Piaget and comic books:

I'm reading the Piaget book in conjunction with another book about Vygotsky--my guru of child psychology and development. In the teaching credential program I was in, Piaget and Vygotsky were presented as opposites, but I'm finding many points of convergence. Both are extremely heavy going as far as reading. 'Conversations with Piaget' is just that, some interviews with a non-expert, so it's accessible and more fun than struggling through Jean's rather dense text.

Many friends have the same difficulty getting into comic books as you do. I loved them as a kid and still do. 'Visual' reading is different in some ways, but very rewarding. Comics can do things that regular text or even movies can't do--shift point of view or focus, for example, in a unique and immediate way. And there is so much amazing work coming out right now.

Donna--

"One of my big complaints about many kid and YA books is the lack of parental influence in the story."

But don't you think that's what makes those kind of stories so perennially popular? The orphan, the abandoned child, from Dorothy to Harry Potter? I don't think these books are telling kids they have to shoulder responsibility but are giving them way for them to vicariously experience independence and command(and also not having any adults telling them when to go to bed, or how to behave, etc.).

Donna--

I almost ALWAYS have multiple books going...so much that I have to keep it under control. Right now besides the kid's book ('Odd and the Frost Giants'), a graphic novel ('Logicomix' about Bertrand Russell), and two 'professional' books ('Tools of the Mind' and 'Conversations with John Piaget'). Usually, I have an 'adult' novel going, too, but I just finished 'The Story of Edgar Sawtelle,' which I liked, and am waiting for my hold on 'The Children's Book' by A.S. Byatt to come through. The more I read, though, the more I realize how much I haven't read.

Julie--

I always try to let parents know about sensitive areas of content, and also tell kids if they're looking at a book I have that touches on those areas that they should discuss what they're going to read with their parents. Being the subversive person I am, though, I often have the ulterior motive of showing them what could be forbidden fruit. To me, the important thing is to get kids reading. Most kids unconsciously self-censor, because they know they're not ready for some stuff, or it's just too complicated to deal with.

I think parents who don't want their kids to read swear words in books are fighting a losing battle. Kids will learn and hear those words without ever opening a book (often inadvertently from their parents!). The concept of appropriate language is one they readily understand (people use those words, but it's considered impolite to do so). Being aware of when that type of language is used and by whom it is used is not necessarily a bad thing to be aware of. And if the thrill of seeing bad words on the page gets someone reading who might not have been reading before, that is a victory for literacy!

Just so I don't come off as a total libertine, I have been kind of put off by the popularity of the 'Twilight' books with girls in fifth, fourth, and even lower grades, and the acceptance of that popularity by teachers and parents. I don't want elementary school kids to grow up so fast.

I'll have to research John Green but there are other kid and young adult novelists who have been criticized (and banned) for frank content and language. Susan Patron, Laurie Halse Anderson, and Chris Crutcher come immediately to mind. Mark Twain, too. And then there are more even more shocking, or perhaps, infamous examples: Smack' by Melvin Burgess' or 'Weetzie Bat' by Francesca Lia Block.

Donna (and Julie)-

Books like 'House of the Scorpion' are definitely for older kids. I've actually used it as an avenue to an understanding of politics, history and geography with sixth and seventh graders who were weak in those areas, because they got involved with the characters--especially Matt.

I got 'Feed' because you told me about it! However, I can't start it until I finish 'Odd and the Frost Giants' which I heard about from Julie.

My job is working one-on-one with kids to support their learning (see lars4learning.com if you are interested). I don't work with a group of kids, but want to. I really would like to lead a book group with sixth/seventh graders and parents together, and have been thinking on ways to do that.

Picture books are cool. Check out Jerry Pinkney's recently published, nearly wordless, and beautifully illustrated version to the Aesop's fable 'The Lion & the Mouse.' Your grandson might tell you the story.

Donna...

I agree what is too scary is dependent on the kid. Maybe also on the ways of handling it that the kid has developed...which we adults can help with...like you recognizing your daughter gained control over the situation by naming (much like Adam in the Garden of Eden). Kids WANT to be scared, but you have to be careful because they haven't defined what is real and what is not in the clear terms older people have. A.O. Scott in the NY Times has an interesting take on this in conjunction with the movie of 'Where the Wild Things Are': http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/08/movies...

Donna-

You've also got me thnking about other teen dystopian novels: Susan Beth Pfeffer's 'Life As We Knew It' is chilling, as is Scott Westerfeld's 'Uglies.'

Donna-
I've read 'House of the Scorpion' many times with kids. I love it! I haven't gotten to 'The Ear, the Eye and the Arm" yet, but intend to. I've read the two volumes of 'Octavian Nothing' by M.T. Anderson (historical novels in Revolutionary War times) but thought he was fantastic, so now I'll have to put 'Feed' on my to-read list. I've only read Alice Hoffman's 'Indigo,' which I'd consider more in the line of magical realism than creepy. I like books that creep me out and some kids do, too, as is well known. Interesting to think about...what is TOO scary for kids?

Julie at All Ears wrote: "I've recently finished 3 quick listens.

.
The first was Laurie King's A Monstrous Regiment of Women. I really like this series. It doesn't h..."

Julie, now I want to get Neil Gaiman's 'Odd!' Another great book about Norse mythology is Padraic Colum's classic 'Children of Odin' (unfortunately not on audio, I don't think). And another great related work (England and Scandanavia during the Viking invasions) is Nancy Farmer's 'Sea of Trolls' trilogy. I've read the first two and they were great fun.

Julie at All Ears wrote: "Lars wrote: "Wayne wrote: " Nation by Terry Pratchett
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
If I could give this book more stars I would. This was a fantastic story and I guess it falls under the fantasy genre..."

Thanks so much for the kind words, Julie. As far as being inundated with friend requests, I say bring 'em on!

Lilly at All Ears Audiobooks wrote: "Lars wrote: "I feel a little guilty about participating in this group because I am such an intermittent user of audiobooks, usually reading off the page except on long drives, but 'The Book Thief' ..."

Lilly, been meaning to reply to this for a while but got caught up in work, etc., but I wanted to make sure you know that I wholeheartedly endorse your summer reading/listening idea. I recently put up an essay on my website about what makes a classic (it's a decision by adults) and that kids need the chance to find what will be the next classics: choices. Your idea is all about letting kids have those choices, and thus really owning the experience. The next one of my essays is probably going to be about valuing listening to books as much as we value reading them. Whenever I do that, I hope to incorporate youir idea (and to mention All Ears!).

Wayne wrote: " Nation by Terry Pratchett
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
If I could give this book more stars I would. This was a fantastic story and I guess it falls under the fantasy genre but I would say this alterna..."

I'm with you, Wayne. This is one of the great ones, and is not just for children. Because of that, I included it in my essay called "Good Books Are for Everybody" (http://lars4learning.blogspot.com/2009/1...), along with two other "children's books" that deserve a wider audience.

Lilly, your comments about audiobooks really resonated. I don't think it's exaggerating to say that 'being read to is one of the greatest pleasure known to man.' In my work with kids, I've seen that because of that, audiobooks can open up new worlds, not to mention develop skills that are applicable to all sorts of learning (and now, I see, to alleviate motion sickness!). I don't think many teachers and resource specialists place enough value on audiobooks (or for that matter, reading aloud to kids beyond the third grade). You've made me think about writing (at some point) a short essay for my web site (lars4learning.com) about that. I find myself more and more against the idea that audiobooks are just an aid for struggling readers and that those types of readers should "read along" as they listen--which is they way many educators use them. Really, audiobooks are another, equally important, avenue for content. The kind of 'literacy' involved--the listening and focusing skills--should be respected in its own right, independent from the skills involved with decoding off the page. That's how we got our stories until relatively recently in human history. Kids who enjoy listening to a book should be able to enjoy it!

I feel a little guilty about participating in this group because I am such an intermittent user of audiobooks, usually reading off the page except on long drives, but 'The Book Thief' was a life-changer for me and I wanted to give props to Markus Zusak, its author. Also, I originally read the book last year on the recommendation of Lilly at All Ears! Kristen, your comments may prompt me to listen to Corduner on my next long drive (probably Thanksgiving). I also loved 'Inkheart' but noticed Corduner doesn't do the second volume (Brendan Fraser does, which could be good). However, I have wanted to get into the 'Septimus Heap' series and after looking him up, found out that Corduner does the Garth Nixon 'Keys to the Kingdom' series but it looks like only on MP3.

I just finished 'The Looming Tower' by Lawrence Wright, about the history that led up to 9/11. It's long and full of facts, but don't let that discourage you. Wright knows how to string information together and to tell a story, so much so that I sometimes found excuses to drive so that I could keep moving through the book. I learned so much about Al Queda, the weaknesses of American intelligence, and the Middle East, in a work that is written like a thriller. Alan Sklar's unctuous narration was sometimes a little irritating, but I guess the smooth basso profundo delivery is why these type of guys are successful.

I liked the second in the series, 'People of Sparks,' even better, and have the third on my to-read list.

Just finished 'The Garden of Last Days' by Andre Dubus III. Despite Lily's feelings of discomfort as she started this work, I dived in because I had also liked 'House of Sand and Fog.' This one, though, brought back some doubts I had while reading 'House.' Every character in 'Garden'--and there are a rich assortment of characters all speaking in first person--slips into rhetorical questioning, usually preceded by an expletive, as in 'G-dd---n it, why did she...?' or 'why did he...?' or 'why did they...?' and this device, besides becoming tiresome and grating, also comes close to whining. I can't remember if Dubus did the same thing in 'House,' but that whining quality and a lack of humor were there. Beyond that, Dubus's limning of a 9/11 terrorist borders on stereotype. The premise that he takes off from--the visits to strip clubs indulged in by the plane hijackers and the dichotomy of those visits with their fundamentalist agenda--is fascinating, but Dubus doesn't give us much in the way of insight or meaning. There was enough here to keep me going to the end, but overall a letdown.