Deliver us from Evie

I'm not the lead blogger but here's some thoughts about Deliver us from Evie.

This book is definitly more for older kids then for younger ones as some of the books in the semester have been. I liked how Kerr took the issue of homosexuality and put it into a rural town full of farmers who did not have any previous experiences with homosexual people. I also likeds how Kerr did not put the people into a stereotypical situations. The most important aspect of this book I think is being yourself and also that there are consequences for your actions. Like when Parr put up the sign about Evie he had consequences and discovered that there were consequences for his actions. Also Evie always knew who she was and never tried to fight it no matter what people said to her. Overall this gives a good message and take the concept of homosexuality and rural town and discusses it in a matter to not be offensive to anyone.

Zipes view on Harry Potter

This week I will like to talk about Zipes. We havn't talked about him for quite sometime now. When reading the section on Harry Potter I developed some strong interests. I have to confuess I have never read these books nor seen the movies. I have a very poor perception of the books because I have seen my friends and family obsess over the reading and the movies. My sister was one of those who stood in lines for hours just to see the first showing. It have gotten crazy. I often find myself out of conversation because people refernece the books. I am not in a hurry to see them primarily because my friends and family have obsessed over them too much and they have become the new craze. So many people have thought of my as in human because my lack of interest in them. I appreciate both literature and the film industry, however I am not interested because I have this obligation to fall in love with the books and movies so I can join the rest of the crowd. I would like feed back from my fellow class mates on the topic of harry potter. How do you feel about the book? Also do you agree with Zipes when he states: "I felt they were formulaic and sexist". Really what does Zipes mean by this? I havn't read the books but I have come to the conclusion that they might be formulaic because each book is a transition of another. This week I would like my group to educate me. Zipes was right when he stated: "Anyone working in the feild of children's literature cannot avoid Harry Potter". It is kinda ironic that he is the reason the topic has been brought up.

Skellig

Skellig by David Almond was an interesting read. I am wondering what Skellig is. Is he an angel a man or a bird? This hasn’t been disclosed. I am leaning toward angel because of what he’s been doing and bringing about since Michael found him in the garage. I think my favorite character in the story has got to be Mina. She just helps Michael to understand so many things including what to do with Skellig. I find this book to be different from the other things we have read in class. Since the fantastical parts of the story are a part of the real world and this story is less fantasy with Skellig being the only fantastical character and him being like a guardian angel to Michael and the other people in Michael’s life. I found this book hard to put down and since it was an easy read for me I finished it in no time. So, as not to give away the ending of the book to those who haven’t finished it I will just bring in things from the first half. I like how they discuss the shoulder blades and what they are for. When Michael asks his mom what the shoulder blades are for she tells him that “They say that shoulder blades are where your wings were, when you were an angel. They say they’re where your wings will grow again one day.” (38-39) I loved this explanation and idea. I think it is a very good explanation of what shoulder blades are for and it goes along with the story of Skellig very well. This again brings back the question of what is Skellig, an angel bird or man. Perhaps he is a combination of one or more of these possibilities. I also love the concept of family in this story where they all stick together trough what has been happening with the baby. This book is very good. I’m happy I got to read it.

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe

Personally, I am not particularly enjoying the book, simply because I feel the plot and themes are too simple. If the plot is simple, then the writing should be descriptive and fun to make up for it--this book does not have that balance. Lewis does not to a very thorough job at describing the land of Narnia, or go into great detail about the characters, except in some cases for their appearance. I have had to rely on what I can recall from the movie in order to visualize the characters and settings, and this should not be the case.

As I have been reading, I can't help but notice the religious themes throughout the book. Most obviously, the children are referred to as Sons of Adam and Daughters of Eve. The White Witch somewhat is a satanic figure, tempting and wishing to do harm to the children. Aslan is depicted as Christ-like character, representing safety and goodness.

It seems that Lewis is only using fantasy to disguise a sermon. I can appreciate children's literature having moral messages, but I feel that the religiousness is a bit overt. I would not necessarily recommend these books, unless parents are sure to explain the themes, and inform the children about the underlying messages throughout the book.

Wizard of Oz

(Not the lead blogger this week, but here some quick thoughts...)

I have been enjoying the Wizard of Oz immensely. I find myself becoming extremely engrossed in the reading, more so than with the Alice in Wonderland, or Briar Rose. The writing seems more descriptive and engaging than the other texts. Although the story is fantastic, it is more accessible than Alice, because the characters seem to posess more human-like qualities. I have been amazed by the detailed description of places in the story--especially the Emerald City. This has been my favorite read so far, and I am looking forward to finishing the book.

Alice in Wonderland

I was apprehensive to start reading Alice in Wonderland, because I have an irrational fear of the Disney movie adaptation of the story. Being away from home, and encountering unfriendly strangers was just not my six year-old cup of tea. Reading the story has been much more fun, because I am able to imagine things as I would want them, and add an extra element of fantasy to the story. I have heard rumors that the story is more or less inspired by an acid trip. As I have been reading, it seems that LSD is as good an inspiration for a fantasy story as anything else. In my personal opinion, I would say that fantasy stories are able to be held to a much more lenient standards than fairy tales, which makes them more fun to read and write. Are there rules for the plot of a fantasy, as there are for the Heroic Journey? Are fantasy stories simply fairy tales with fantastic elements thrown in? I am wondering--what makes the elements of a good fantasy story?

Hansel and Gretel

(I'm not the Lead Blogger for the week, but here goes...)

I was glad we discussed the variations of Hansel and Gretel in class, because I was having a difficult time finding connections between a few of the stories, and Hansel and Gretel as I know it.

I think the story of Hansel and Gretel has the most variation, because the underlying concept of the story has a great capacity for evil. Typically in literature intended for a younger audience, children are portrayed as angelic, are doted upon, and considered a precious part of the family. The idea that parents could view children as a burden is not often discussed.

The "contamination" of fairy tales seems almost always to be a dilution. The scary parts are toned down, the heroes are played up, and there is always a happy ending. Hansel and Gretel as I have heard it follows these rules to a 'T.' The fact that the parents were willing to leave their children in the woods is somehow overlooked, and the family continues a life of normalcy.

Although I don't disagree that children should be somewhat sheltered from violence and upsetting issues, I think children should be given some sort of warning about the way the world works, rather than being led to believe everything always works out in the end.