WELCOME

WELCOME! For the last 17 years, about once a month, usually on a Thursday evening, a group of writers, illustrators, teachers and librarians meets in the Los Feliz area of Los Angeles to discuss children's books. Usually we talk about one picture book and one middle grade or YA novel. After the meeting, Sandy Schuckett, a retired LAUSD librarian, summarizes our discussion. Here are her reports of our thoughts about the books we have read. We'd love to have your comments too!
Thanks to Nancy Hayashi for our wonderful title art! NOTE: We are changing to a new schedule. Our meetings will now be quarterly and during the afternoon. Our group has been meeting since 2007. It was organized under the auspices of the Children's Literature Council of Southern California (CLCSC).

Thursday, December 8, 2011

SOLDIER'S HEART by Gary Paulsen and EATS, SHOOTS, AND LEAVES by Lynne Truss

We had a delectable meal on Thursday at our last meeting, with great appetizers and cheese, Ann's terrific Red and Green Holiday Lasagna, delicious baked zucchini (recipe below) and sweet, rich desserts. THEN, we had equally delectable discussions of both books. 
 
Novel: Soldier's Heart by Gary Paulsen:
As usual, there was a difference of opinion on each -- which is what makes this group fun. Some thought Soldier's Heart was more of an anti-war polemic than an actual story, while others thought it was excellent in every way. We all agreed that Paulsen's tight, explicit writing was exemplary, as well as his well-researched Civil War details. 
 
Picture Book: Eats, Shoots, and Leaves by Lynne Truss (the picture book, not the adult version!!):
As for the picture book, although we agreed it was 'cute' and could possibly be used by teachers in teaching the use of the comma, we generally felt that it didn't work so well as a picture book. And some of our members want a good story in every picture book, so they were not thrilled with this one.