In my mind, summer is synonymous with a golden spreading- out of time where there's plenty of time to read, discover and discuss new books. It may also be a time that many parents of eight to twelve year olds worry.
Studies show these are the ages when kids stop reading. One reason might be that adults don't know how to help their kids chose books. Sure you can quickly leaf through a picture book and judge quality...but how can you page through a novel and know that your child will like it? And how can you encourage your child to read when you're not familiar with authors that write for them?
There's good news for those parents this spring! Some of the best '93 spring book releases are written by 8-12's favorite authors. This is a plus for kids already hooked and may open up possibilities for those more reluctant to pick up a book.
John Bellairs is a godsend for parents who are uncomfortable when their kids demand Stephen King books. His latest novel, The Ghost in the Mirror was begun by Bellairs, interrupted by his untimely death, and finished by a long time fan, Brad Strickland. The main characters, Mrs. Zimmerman and Rose Rita, also appear in The Letter, the Witch and the Ring. Striving to regain her failing powers, Mrs. Zimmerman takes Rose Rita back to 1828 to meet the woman who trained her in the paths of witchery. Mystery, suspense and spine-tingles last throughout the book as Rose Rita battles a terrifying evil sorcerer. (Dial, $14.99 ; ages 9-13. )
Susan Cooper, best known for her Dark is Rising series, blends fantasy and reality in her newest novel, The Boggart. A mischievous spirit is transported from his Scottish castle to the Canadian home of two young adolescents, one of whom is a computer genius. Old magic and new technology mingle with mystery, suspense and humor and messages about pompous adults who wrongly judge kids in the throes of adolescence. (McElderry Books, $14.95; ages 9 and up)
Award-winning author Lois Lowry gives a futuristic slant to adolescent issues in her latest novel, The Giver. At twelve, Jonas, the protagonist, is apprehensive facing the ceremony where he is to receive his life assignment. He sees no special aptitude in himself and is shocked when he becomes the Receiver of Memory. From the Giver he will inherit, understand and hold all the memories of the society. When Lowry begins the book, the idyllic society is captivating. It seems like a perfect world, but Jonas' new responsibility gives him (and the reader) another view of life. He learns pains and pleasures that let him see the sterility of the culture and the euphemisms that cloak its inner workings. (Houghton Mifflin, $13.95; ages 11 and up)
Three new sequels come from adored authors. In Lynne Reid Banks' The Mystery of the Cupboard , her hero, Omri discovers the history of the cupboard. (Morrow, $13.95; ages 8-13 ) William and his friend Jason return and find themselves immersed in The Battle for the Castle by Elizabeth Winthrop. (Holiday House, $14.95; ages 8-13) And, last, but not least, our family favorite-- Brian Jacques writes a fifth epic story, Salamandastron. (Putnam, $17.95; ages 8 to adult.)
When kids become independent readers, many parents feel their job as reading support has ended. What I discovered when I began reading aloud 8-12 novels was that the job was over and the fun had begun.
The Triangle has always been known for its fine contributions to adult fiction, but the number of area children's book authors and illustrators are growing at an exciting rate. Cary's Vanessa French and Durham's Christina Askounis are two artists who have entered the market place with noteworthy books.
Vanessa French, a graduate of Parsons School of Design, begins her career by illustrating a picture book, Africa Brothers and Sisters, by Virgina Kroll (Ages 4-8; Four Winds, $14.95) French sent slides to several publishers and was encouraged to visit them. Her visit at Macmillan ended in a contract for Africa Brothers and Sisters. The book was two years in the design and development process. Readers will understand this when they view the complicated weaving of two stories into a complete whole. "There was lots of back and forth about what the art would look like. The editor told me that the art work was going to tell the story more so than the words."
Africa Brothers and Sisters foregrounds a child, Jesse, who wonders why he has no brothers and sisters. His storytelling father begins tales about his diverse "brothers and sisters" who live all over Africa in varying locales with diverse life styles. Each story is anchored into Jesse's reality and as stories of ancestry unfold, the text and illustration also reveal the easy relationship of father and son.
French is committed to illustrating children's books that are specifically African-American in theme. "I'm African-American and I know my subject matter," she declares. After seeing the original manuscript, Vanessa French offered critique that deepened the work. At first, she found "too much emphasis on singing and dancing if your goal was to talk about the different cultures and try educate people that African peoples do many things." She pressed for a city scene, too, because "Africa is not all agricultural. There are doctors and people going to school and so forth. So we tried to bring some of that in. There's also a market scene that's a little more contemporary than we'd normally see."
The book succeeds on many artistic levels. French's medium of watercolor and colored pencil lends itself in the background to create a "soft, dream quality as if this is happening in his imagination as his father talks to him." In the foreground, she uses strong rich colors and captures nuances of gesture that reveal the closeness of relationship. Everything's framed by vibrant boarders that make each picture seem like a complete learning experience.
French is currently illustrating a series about Topher, an African-American boy written by ___________. This is a bit of serendipity as French's one year old son is also named Christopher. The first Tofer book, Too Hot Day is scheduled for release in February '94.
"I have a lot more confidence this time around. The time involved for research isn't as much and my technique is more confident. Now that I know what my work looks like reproduced, I can work for reproduction quality, knowing how dark to make values or how intense colors will print. I'm using a richer palette."
She also more convinced of her goal. "African-American books are the only kind of books I want to do. Maybe it's a narrow focus, but it's that important to me and it will probably will always be my interest and focus no matter what the age group I illustrate for."
Christina Askounis had written for television and newspapers and has taught " creative non-fiction" at Duke for six years before she applied her talents to a novel, The Dream of the Stone ( Farrar, Straus, Giroux, $17.00; ages 11 and up).
"I've been thinking about this book for about twenty years," says Askounis, "but it took me a long time to write. It came to me slowly and I've probably done 11 complete drafts of it."
In The Dream of the Stone, Askounis skillfully joins all the traditions of science fantasy -- mystery, questing, magic, good and evil and a creation myth as well. She has a special talent for seamlessly marrying fantasy and reality. "The interplay between fantasy and reality really interests me," she says. "The underlying reality is just below the surface of things and sometimes we become aware of it and sometimes it invades our world."
Both the realities Askounis shows us feature intriguing characters. Sarah, the heroine, is secure in family and home until tragedy intercedes. Then she's buffeted about by the world as she searches for resolution, new strength and a sense of home. Askounis draws in part from her childhood feelings. "I moved around a whole lot. My dad was a test pilot in the Air Force so I had Sarah's yearning to rest."
Sarah's brother Sam, a Ph.d at 18, devises a way to enter other worlds. His characterization "part wish fulfillment. I always wanted an older brother." There's also Sarah's first love, a New York Gypsy boy who's a mix of caring and care-free. And then there's fascinating otherworld characters like Miladras, a walking, dreaming tree who sacrifices himself in the battle for good.
The Dream of the Stone is written with a depth that turns readers thoughtful as Askounis softly imbeds the kind of philosophy that elevates science fantasy. Her character Miladras could be explaining Askounis' work when he tells Sarah of the unity of separate beings: "In me the Seed calls itself Miladras; in you the Seed calls itself Sarah. Through us it knows itself and brings forth flower and fruit, dream and deed."
Askounis is presently working on a screen play, planning an adult novel, and sometime wishes to write a sequel of The Dream of the Stone. Here's hoping her flowering dreams ripen into more excellent fruit and that area children's book artists, like Askounis and French, continue to grow and produce.
There's good news for aspiring children's book authors and illustrators---SCBWI (The Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators) has activated its Carolina Chapter! For over twenty years, this national organization has supported and encouraged new and established writers. Plans are now underway for an October 23rd conference at Durham Academy with a keynote kick-off by a national award-winning author, Betsy Byars. Those interested in writing or illustrating children's books should call Fran Davis at 967-2452 or Jane Mruczek at 644-8662.
Many Triangle children's book fans were saddened to hear of the closing of the Magic Door in Raleigh. and Aunt Louise's Children's Bookshop in Chapel Hill. Raleigh residents will now have to track down titles in the excellent children's sections of Books at Quail Corners and Wellington's. But for Aunt Louise's, there's a happier ending. Doors will re-open in early September in a new location at 205 W. Main Street in Carborro. (Phone will still be 942-1183) New owner, Laurie Tepper, has a library science background and has "always loved children's literature." She welcomes all comments and suggestions from the community.
If you haven't discovered Betsy Byar's Blossom family series, you have a treat waiting. They are far and away our favorite family read-aloud. My husband and I even cheated and read the ending of the fifth in the series, Wanted...Mud Blossom, after the kids went to school. In the latest book, Mud, the faithful family hound, is accused and brought to Blossom court for the murder of Scooty, the hamster the youngest Blossom, Junior, has brought home for the weekend. As with all Blossom books that's only one of the plot lines. There are two or three others, including the disappearance of Mad Mary, their "homeless friend" who walks the highway in search of road-kill for the special stew she lives on. But my simple plot descriptions can't do the hilarity justice, belly laughs abound at the ridiculous situations and amazing characters. Ages 8 and up. (DelaCorte, $14.00)
Beverly Cleary fans so loved Leigh Botts the protagonist of Newberry-winning Dear Mr. Henshaw that they clamored for a sequel and Cleary must have loved him too because her affection is just as present in Strider, new Leigh Botts novel. Leigh is fourteen now, living with his mother in a cottage with his mother in Pacific Grove, his parents have separated, and he has moved in to an acceptance. He has a best friend, but before the story ends he adds to his emotional well-being a dog who adores him, athletic triumphs, the beginnings of a first girlfriend, a sense of belonging at school, new friends and new communication with his father. That's a lot of healing in a mid-length, large-print novel. Ages 10-13 (Morrow, $13.95)