|
Date: Thu, 18 Feb 1999 16:13:06 -0500 (EST)
To: pubyac-digest@nysernet.org
Subject: pubyac V1 #602
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Tue, 16 Feb 1999 14:02:56 -0500
From: "cctpl" <cctpl@infocom.com>
Subject: Ya Murder in Library
Hi
We would like to host a murder in the library for our YA's this summer. We
are looking for ideas for scripts and other activitites to do along with
the murder idea. Has anyone done this that is willing to share your
experience with us? Do you have any sources to suggest? We've tried the
archives but cannot seem to access them. Thanks for your help.
Connie Gareiss
Billie Sue Bowlby
Centerville Center Township Public Library
cctpl@infocom.com
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 16 Feb 1999 15:59:38 -0500
From: YA assistant <JDICKEY@ESCHER.dnet.cuyahoga.lib.oh.us>
Subject: Re: YA book reviews
Some of the best books aren't either/or. They tackle tough issues
while including a lot of humor. Like Chris Crutcher's *Athletic
Shorts* and Joan Bauer's *Rules of the Road*. And my favorite
example, *Rats Saw God* by Rob Thomas: full of anger, substance
abuse, lost love, parent/child conflict, yet also full of laughs
(which is even more obvious when heard as a book on tape)!
Janet
@/^\^/^\^/^\^/^\/^\^/^\^/^\^/^\^/^\^/^\^/^/^\^/^\^/^\^/^\^/^\@
Janet Dickey, YA assistant, Cuyahoga Cty. PL (suburban Cleveland)
<jdickey@cuyahoga.lib.oh.us>
*************
Anyone's Guess (grades 6 9) and InvestiCats (grades 3 5)
Mystery Kits
http://www.lochnet.com/doubledog/main.htm
<blakdog@en.com>
@\^/^\^/^\^/^\^/^\^/^\^/^\^/^\^/^\^/^\^/^\^/^\^/^\^/^\^/^\^/@
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 16 Feb 1999 14:04:38 -0600
From: Marilyn Zaruba <fmpl@startext.net>
Subject: Re: papermaking
I use toilet paper in the blender with a lot of water so the pulp will be as
fine
as possible. I have since read that you need to add a little wallpaper paste,
but it works fine for me.
My favorite thing to do with this mix is to press it into molds (I used those
ceramic cookie molds) and press over that with a soft sponge to get as much of
the water out as possible. Then I dry them slowly in the microwave or a regular
oven. These are great for decorations, wall plaques, gift tags, etc. After they
are dry they can be spray painted all one color or painted with fine magic
markers.
You can also mold them into paper using an old window screen. You can stick all
sorts of unusual things in the pulp like glitter or small stars, etc. Fun stuff
& easy & inexpensive.
Marilyn
Mansfield Public
HoneyBea15@aol.com wrote:
> In a message dated 2/9/99 12:42:48 PM Eastern Standard Time, ginnie@lfpl.org
> writes:
>
> << I vaguely remember a papermaking craft from when I was a counselor
at camp
> many years ago. <snip>
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 16 Feb 1999 14:59:55 PST
From: "Steven" <Steven@westlinn.lib.or.us>
Subject: filtering toggles on Alta Vista, InfoSeek
I'm worried about the passwords that patrons can set with
the new filtering options offered by Alta Vista and InfoSeek. It
seems to me that some "well meaning" patron could pretty easily
activate the filters on both search engines on all our machines,
then protect them with a password known only to himself. At that
point, all searches from those two search engines would be filtered.
We're considering doing the opposite, choosing the unfiltered option
and protecting them with our own secret password on all our machines
(they're all unfiltered now), just to prevent that from happening.
Which means we'll deny our patrons the new filter toggle feature, but
that seems better than risking dealing with patron imposed filtering.
Does anyone see a better way to deal with this?
- ----------------------------------------------------------
Steven Engelfried, West Linn Public Library
1595 Burns Street West Linn, OR 97068
phone: 503-656-7857
fax: 503-656-2746
e-mail: steven@westlinn.lib.or.us
- ----------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 16 Feb 1999 14:17:33 -0500
From: "Fine, Jana" <jfine@public.lib.ci.clearwater.fl.us>
Subject: underground ideas
I am finishing up a PST on deep down underground - with worms, moles,
ants, rabbits - pretty much anything that lives underground.
Any ideas or suggestions for a participation story/activity (or
something along those veins) I can adapt?
Jana Fine
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 16 Feb 1999 14:15:52 -0600
From: Linda Shanks <lshanks@carlnet.org>
Subject: Dial-a-story machines again
Dear list:
I am one of many who has written over these many months to ask about
dial-a-story machines. This is one area where every respondent sends
direct to the questioner, because the archives only have the requests.
Anyway, I've lost the contact info for the windsor machines, and would
really appreciate it if someone would send it to me.
TIA
Linda Shanks
Dazed and confused
lshanks@carlnet.org
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 16 Feb 1999 12:52:49 -0700
From: Becky Smith <bsmith@inter.state.lib.ut.us>
Subject: Re: Stumper: Knickerbocker glories
I was going to send this just to Martha, but decided that others might
like the recipe as well! I got this Americanized version from a British
student ...
KnickerBocker Glory
1 4-serving package raspberry jello
2 bananas
2 fresh peaches, sliced or 16-oz. can sliced peaches
1/2 cup whipping cream, stiffly whipped
Vanilla ice cream (or other flavors, if desired)
Nuts
4 cherries (fresh or glace)
Shaved chocolate, if desired
Melba sauce:
8 oz fresh or frozen raspberries
juice of 1/2 lemon
1/4 cup sugar
2 oz shelled hazelnuts, finely chopped
Make the jello according to package directions, then leave to set.
Meanwhile, make the Melba sauce: put the raspberries, lemon
juice and sugar in a pan and heat gently until the sugar has
dissolved. Remove from the heat, then strain into a large measuring
cup. Measure puree, adding water if necessary to make 1 cup.
Mix the hazelnuts to a paste with a little cold water. Return the
puree to the rinsed-out pan, stir in the paste and bring to a boil.
Lower the heat and simmer until the sauce thickens, stirring
constantly. Let cool.
Chop the jello roughly, then put 1 spoonful in the bottom of
each of 4 large sundae glasses. Put a few peach slices on top of
the jello. Peel and slice the bananas, then put a few slices on
top of the peaches. Put 1 scoop of ice cream in each glass, then
pour over a little of the Melba sauce and sprinkle with nuts.
Continue with these layers until all the ingredients are used up,
then pipe a whirl of cream on top of each glass and top with a
cherry and shaved chocolate, if desired - 'delicious'.
Serve immediately.
I've made these once - very rich. The kids loved them!
Becky Smith
Librarian
Logan (UT) Library
bsmith@state.lib.ut.us
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 16 Feb 1999 14:23:15 -0600
From: "Jim Maroon" <storypage@usa.net>
Subject: Re: Internet filters
>>
>> <snip> She demonstrated the voluntary online
>> > filters that can be toggled on and off at the Alta Vista and
InfoSeek
search
>> > engines. Each site clearly indicates when the filter is on, and
the
user
>> > must specifically agree to use them.<snip>
>
>Doesn't that approach the ideal?
Would be if it worked. All it does is restrict searches done on Alta Vista.
It doesn't filter the machine for the duration of the surf, or for secondary
links. I just tried an experiment and in three clicks I was at a hardcore
site. I just don't see that it adds anything to patron choices. A filtered
computer allows parents to leave their children at the terminal to surf on
their own. These things don't do that.
- --Jim Maroon
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 16 Feb 1999 19:50:30 -0500
From: Simpson <jsimpson03@snet.net>
Subject: Re: Knickerbocker Glories - Recipe!
Dear Becky, Toni, Marge, and others who sent recipes and memories about
Knickerbocker Glories:
Thanks!! My kids of course want me to whip up a batch right away!
Here's the recipe for all who wondered:
Martha Simpson
Knickerbocker Glory
1 4-serving package raspberry jello
2 bananas
2 fresh peaches, sliced or 16-oz. can sliced peaches
1/2 cup whipping cream, stiffly whipped
Vanilla ice cream (or other flavors, if desired)
Nuts
4 cherries (fresh or glace)
Shaved chocolate, if desired
Melba sauce:
8 oz fresh or frozen raspberries
juice of 1/2 lemon
1/4 cup sugar
2 oz shelled hazelnuts, finely chopped
Make the jello according to package directions, then leave to set.
Meanwhile, make the Melba sauce: put the raspberries, lemon
juice and sugar in a pan and heat gently until the sugar has
dissolved. Remove from the heat, then strain into a large measuring
cup. Measure puree, adding water if necessary to make 1 cup.
Mix the hazelnuts to a paste with a little cold water. Return the
puree to the rinsed-out pan, stir in the paste and bring to a boil.
Lower the heat and simmer until the sauce thickens, stirring
constantly. Let cool.
Chop the jello roughly, then put 1 spoonful in the bottom of
each of 4 large sundae glasses. Put a few peach slices on top of
the jello. Peel and slice the bananas, then put a few slices on
top of the peaches. Put 1 scoop of ice cream in each glass, then
pour over a little of the Melba sauce and sprinkle with nuts.
Continue with these layers until all the ingredients are used up,
then pipe a whirl of cream on top of each glass and top with a
cherry and shaved chocolate, if desired - 'delicious'.
Serve immediately.
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 16 Feb 1999 16:15:41 -0700
From: Amy Shelley <AShelley@larm.lib.wy.us>
Subject: daily bread challenge
I am wondering if any of you know of a resource that lists the skateboarder
magazine "Daily Bread" as a part of a YA magazine collection. Our
initial contact with the magazine came through a bookstore and I surveyed my
local boarders and they chose Daily Bread over Thrasher or Transworld.
We are currently being challenged on Daily Bread for a letter to the editor
about sex with animals. A patron thought the magazine was Christian and was
shocked to see the letter, among other crude things on the editorial page. She
feels this letter (quite tongue-in-cheek and not at all graphic) would encourage
adolescents to experiment with bestiality. I have the article "Rude and
Crude?" from the Aug. 97 SLJ but would like to have more. Any suggestions?
TIA
Amelia
Amelia Shelley
ashelley@larm.lib.wy.us
Manager, Children's/Young Adult Services
Laramie County Library Sytem
Cheyenne, WY
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 16 Feb 1999 16:52:38 -0600 (CST)
From: Natalie Boger <fmt012@mail.connect.more.net>
Subject: Filtering childen's computers
Hello Group!
This is my first posting although I have been lurking for quite a while now.
But the time has come for me to call on your collective wisdom.
I am a children's librarian for a mid-size public library sysem in the
ever-conservative Midwest. Our Main Branch has recently begun construction
on a computer lab which will have computers with a variety of resources for
both adults and children (after some advocating on the part of the
children's department staff). The children's department will still house
several on-line public catalogs and one computer for reference resources.
Currently, this reference computer is up and running CD-ROMs like World Book
and History of the World.
Recently I requested the computer department also add Ebscohost--which is
running in the adult reference department--so the children can access
Primary Search on this children's reference computer. We have the
capability. However, my director raised the question of providing "filtered
internet access" to children. Our current internet policy has parents
approve internet access for their children, and the internet terminals are
all on the main floor--soon to be in the computer center. We do not monitor
anyone's use of the internet terminals beyond this parental consent. My
director thinks that by providing the online resource Ebscohost but blocking
all other internet capabilities on this particular machine, our library is,
in effect, filtering the children's access. But with parental permission,
they can use the internet terminals downstairs without any type of blocking
software. My stance on this issue is that I am just adding an additional
resource to the "children's reference computer" which just happens
have an
on-line format. If it was the CD-ROM format, it would be up and running now
without any question. But am I becoming a proponent of censorship with this
argument?
Has any other library addressed this question? If so, what decisions were
made? I believe this is such a sensitive issue, any feedback you have would
be of help. Please respond to me directly.
Thank you for your time,
Natalie Boger
Missouri River Regional Library
214 Adams Street
Jefferson City, MO 65101
Phone: 573-634-2464
Fax: 573-634-7028
E-mail: fmt012@mail.connect.more.net
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 17 Feb 1999 13:28:21 -0600
From: "Miriam Hansen" <hansen@mail.ifls.lib.wi.us>
Subject: Storytime Policies?
Hi Pubyacers,
One of our librarians is looking for ideas to include in a policy relating
to preschool storytimes. Could you help her, either by posting a copy of
your policy (or sending it to me by snail mail), or by posting your
suggestions via e-mail. Here are some areas to consider:
Statement of goals
Group size; preregistration vs. drop-ins
Target audience (only children? should parents or caregivers stay with
children? optional?)
Age breakdowns for participation (a separate sessions for toddlers and 3-5
year olds?)
Duration and numbers of session (20 minutes? twice a week? early
evening? )
Participation by daycare groups and ratio of adult help to children (as
opposed to "dropping the little ones off and disappearing for an hour!)
I'm sure you'll have some great ideas to share. Thanks much!
Miriam Hansen, Consultant (hansen@ifls.lib.wi.us)
Indianhead Federated Library System
1538 Truax Blvd.
Eau Claire, WI 54703
Tel: 715-839-5082; FAX: 715-839-5151
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 17 Feb 1999 10:33:15 -0800
From: Laura Whaley <WHALEYL@santacruzpl.org>
Subject: RE: computers and filters
While this is in response to Bonita's message I thought others might be
interested. Currently the main branch Santa Cruz Public Library System is
testing Cybrarian, an internet timing system. A patron needs a library card
and a password before they can use the internet but the system then times
their use, one hour max. This covers the entire system so they can't branch
hop. After 12 hours they can then use the internet for another hour. We're
all hoping this works.
Laura
Boulder Creek Branch
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 17 Feb 1999 13:34:00 -0800
From: BOGART Debra S <dbogart@ci.springfield.or.us>
Subject: RE: YA book reviews
Chuck-I think many of us agree with you, if not about VOYA at least about
the seemingly arbitrary priority placed on dysfunctional families.
Personally I think this may be why so many boys this age (middle and high
school age) have turned to the fantasy/scifi genre. Our patrons; my son ,
his friends (all of whom are top students); clearly prefer this genre with
its many humourous books (Terry Brooks, Eddings, Aspin, David Duncan, even
Orson Scott Card, have great senses of humor!)
well, I just wanted to rant too...
Debra Bogart
Springfield Public Library
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 16 Feb 1999 14:46:49 -0800
From: lauram@ci.hillsboro.or.us
Subject: Shoe Tying Repeat Please
I've been trying to access the PUBYAC archives with no success. It's quite
torturous to see the subject headings that will answer my request, but won't
open because "parameters are incorrect". I've read about this
happening to
other posting pubyacers and wondered why they couldn't access the archives
for an answer, well, now I know! boo hoo.
Did anyone out there happen to save the suggested rhymes? If so, would you
please forward a copy of them to me? I've got a mom looking for shoe tying
help. Thanks to you all.
P.S .I promise to create a new file labelled PARENTING and add this response
to it.
Laura Mikowski
Youth Services Librarian
Hillsboro (OR) Public Library
lauram@ci.hillsboro.or.us
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 16 Feb 1999 11:32:10 -0800
From: Mary Ann Gilpatrick <magilpat@walnet.walla-walla.wa.us>
Subject: Re: YA book reviews
I for one disagree; VOYA is pretty evenhanded, believes in buying young
people at least some of what they want to read, and doesn't shy away from
the hard issues, which is not the same as covering them exclusively.
Mary Ann Gilpatrick
magilpat@walnet.walla-walla.wa.us
schachtc@lcm.macomb.lib.mi.us wrote:
> I was doing some YA book reviewing the other day and found myself once
> again getting aggravated big time by VOYA's consist ant editorial slant;
> they really seem convinced that in this day and age disfunctional
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 16 Feb 1999 14:55:04 -0600
From: Marilyn Zaruba <fmpl@startext.net>
Subject: Re: toddler crafts
The only things I can think of for toddlers would be bead stringing
(large wooden beads on shoelace type strings) to make a necklace or
using those round stickers in various sizes & colors on a simple picture
that would be appropriate for the stickers (leopards, Christmas trees,
various fruit trees, etc.)
BTW, old men's shirts with the sleeves chopped down & turned around
backwards make great painting smocks for little ones.
Marilyn
Mansfield Public
julia chang wrote:
> Does anyone have any crafts suggestions for toddler programs?
>
> _________________________________________________________
> DO YOU YAHOO!?
> Get your free @yahoo.com address at http://mail.yahoo.com
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 16 Feb 1999 11:35:19 -0400
From: "Lorie J. O'Donnell" <odonnell@borg.com>
Subject: snow globes
Thanks to all for the info on snow globes. We used 3/4 corn syrup to
1/4 water in toddler size baby food jars. Glitter anfd plastic heart
confetti along with moth crystals made for a very pretty valentine
gift.
Thanks again!
Lorie
- --
***************
Lorie J. O'Donnell
odonnell@borg.com
"All that is comes from the mind; it is based on the mind,
it is fashioned by the mind. " from The Pali Canon
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 16 Feb 1999 19:57:04 -0600 (CST)
From: Ann Hardginski <hardginski@axp.winnefox.org>
Subject: Re: [YA book reviews]
Your message was right on. Teens do need a reason to hope and need
positive literature to encourage them. I remember as a teen wondering
why most of the novels we read in Prep English class were so depressing.
I hope to see YA books deal with real life but with positive messages of
hope and perserverance. Just wanted you to know that a voice agrees with
you!
Ann Hardginski
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ann Hardginski | Email: hardginski@winnefox.org
Circulation Services
Elisha D. Smith Public Library | Phone: (920)751-5170
Menasha, WI 54952-3191 | Fax: (920)751-5159
_________________________________________________________________________
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 16 Feb 1999 15:47:43 -0700
From: "Bette Ammon" <bammon@missoula.lib.mt.us>
Subject: Re: YA book reviews
As a VOYA reviewer for the last decade or so, I have to protest Mr.
Schacht's assertion that VOYA has an editorial slant that appears
in all reviews, and that slant seems anti-family. It just isn't so.
Reviewers are only instructed on the basics of writing a review, and
not at all on content.
It might help to realize that VOYA reviewers include teen readers
as well as librarians.Perhaps it's the material these folks are
reviewing? Some specific examples from Mr. Schact would be
helpful.
Bette Ammon
Bette Ammon, Director http://www.missoula.lib.mt.us
Missoula Public Library 406.721.2665
301 E Main fax 406.728.5900
Missoula MT 59802 bammon@missoula.lib.mt.us
"Be careful about reading health books, you may
die of a misprint." Mark Twain
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 17 Feb 1999 15:40:59 EST
From: "Lisa Prolman" <lprolman@hotmail.com>
Subject: re: YA reviews
While we're on the subject...
When I was in grad school, one of my friends and I had many
conversations about the portrayal of religion in books as well (in
addition to asking why it seemed like all parents in YA books were
divorced, when most of the ones were knew weren't?). We wanted to know
_why_ when a character's religion was mentioned, it was either because
it formed the tension part of the plot ("I don't want a bar mitzvah; I
just want to play basketball like the rest of the guys!") or it was the
plot ("Hey, I've just found G-d, and I want to share what I've
found!").
As a Jew (me) and an Evangelical Christian (her), we found we had a lot
in common in what we hoped to find in books -- characters who were
interesting, real people who happened to spend some time in church or
synagogue without it being the main focus of the story, just another
aspect of his or her personality. From being a highschooler who
attended temple almost every Friday night, I knew that others like me
existed, but I never saw us represented in print.
Just my two cents...
Lisa
Lisa Prolman
Assistant Children's Librarian "All things considered,
Greenfield Public Library insanity may be the only
402 Main Street reasonable alternative."
Greenfield, MA 01301
(413)772-1590
lprolman@hotmail.com
______________________________________________________
Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 16 Feb 1999 20:57:53 -0500
From: mellifur@tiac.net
Subject: "Stumper Solved" request
I decided just before I sent this to send it to the list instead of
privately, since I really *would* like to reiterate a request I made
several months ago.
Is there any chance that you could send me a copy of your original stumper?
I *love* this book, and I can't believe I didn't recognize it from whatever
description was given. I'd like to see what I missed! Unfortunately, I seem
to have already deleted the original message.
By the way, I'd like to reiterate a plea I made a while ago: I wish people
would include the original stumper with their "stumper solved" posts.
Your
message below does include a brief description, for which I thank you. (I'm
just wondering if there was more.) But sometimes a stumper description
makes me curious about a book, and I'd like to know the answer, too. But
when the "stumper solved" message appears, it's often unaccompanied by
the
original question and it's impossible to match the information in the two
messages.
Thanks!
Miriam Neiman
(.sig below)
>
>Date: Mon, 15 Feb 1999 14:19:41 -0600 (CST)
>From: klchild@mail.win.org (KL Children's)
>Subject: stumper solved
>
>Hi...Just wanted to let you know that the stumper about the chapter book
>about 2 cousins who don't like each other at first and then become friends,
>is solved. Thanks to this listserv and Becky Smith, we have the answer: The
>Good Master by Kate Seredy. When our patron saw it she was very pleased!
>Thanks to all who responded. Patsy Molina
>
M. Neiman
mellifur@tiac.net
Welles-Turner Memorial Library
Glastonbury, CT
The opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of my organization.
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 16 Feb 1999 10:02:07 -0800 (PST)
From: Walter Minkel <walterm@nethost.multnomah.lib.or.us>
Subject: Re: Internet filters
Kirsten & folks-- One thing that I've seen is that a great many
conservative parents truly trust neither their own children nor those of
other kids who might be using the Net when their kids are around. Picture
a twelve-year-old boy who is pretty computer-savvy, & who will be coming
into the library with his friends after school. His parents want to be
certain the library stations are filtered & un-toggle-able, because with
toggling, these kids will simply toggle the filter "off" & head
out to
Cyber-BabesXXX, right?
The other issue is that the filtering decision is often not in the hands
of the librarians anyway. In a couple of Oregon communities, the city
council has voted to require library filters. I still think it comes down
to librarians believing that individuals need to make their own choices
(and a filter that can be toggled is great when the individual using it
can turn it on & off), & also encouraging parents to talk with their
kids
about how they expect the Net to be used, not relying on the library to do
the job for them. But we must live in the real world, too. --W
On Mon, 15 Feb 1999, Kirsten Edwards wrote:
> > On Tue, 9 Feb 1999, Overmyer wrote:
> >
> > <snip> She demonstrated the voluntary online
> > > filters that can be toggled on and off at the Alta Vista and
InfoSeek search
> > > engines. Each site clearly indicates when the filter is on, and
the user
> > > must specifically agree to use them.<snip>
>
> Doesn't that approach the ideal? The patrons who want filters (never mind
> our opinions about their actual usefulness) can have them without
> innconveniencing the other patrons who don't want them. I'm not morally
> opposed to filters per se & this seems to offer a good compromise.
>
> Kirsten Edwards
> kirstedw@kcls.org
>
>
>
Walter Minkel, School Corps Technology Trainer
Multnomah County Library, 205 NE Russell St., Portland, OR 97212
Voice (503)736-6002; fax (503)248-5441; walterm@nethost.multnomah.lib.or.us
==============
MCL KidsPage: http://www.multnomah.lib.or.us/lib/kids/
------------------------------
Date: 16 Feb 99 19:01:14 PST
From: Carol Exner <crexner@netscape.net>
Subject: [Re: YA book reviews]
Dear Kirsten,
Anyone who like octopi and slime-mold has something excellent going for her!
Your friend was right: teens and tweens are filled with angst. That is
why I am glad that "problem" novels are published.
But they also seem to want the positive things in life. Is that some
part of why why they are reading the series novels by the cartload? Series
have some problems in them but do not seem to be as overwhelming as the
mainstream YA novels. Also, if you want to skip a "problem" entry in
the
series and go on to a love story or a silly story, you can with the same cast
of characters, scenery, etc.
I guess that all I'm asking for is some balance without having to rely on
series novels to fill in the gaps.
Cordially,
Carol Exner/Parkwood/Durham (NC)
owner-pubyac@nysernet.org wrote:
On Sat, 13 Feb 1999 schachtc@lcm.macomb.lib.mi.us wrote:
snipped: VOYA reviews presume the majority of teens have (1)
dysfunctional families (2) active sex-lives & (3) Deep Angst.
> about it. Wouldn't it be nice to feel as though you could read
> reliable reviews without being constantly aware of the sound of axes
> being ground in the background? (And no, I am not a Dan Quayle fan...)
> Having vented for the morning I will now step off my soapbox.
In fairness to VOYA, even Vicky (RING OF ENDLESS LIGHT) and myself
(reasonably happy family, no teen sex-life) had loads and loads of #3. I
think it goes with the territory. Zenna Henderson (no bleak writer) wrote
"touch a tween [teenager], touch a tender spot."
But your complaints about (1) & (2) are fair - but not just for VOYA.
There is a type of error - it's been around since the middle ages - that
goes: Because reality includes: Hatred, ulcerated colons, vomit,
flesh-eating bacteria, betrayal, slime-mold[*], tooth-decay, incest,
pimples &etc. it does not also include: Love, delicious meals, hyacinths,
symbiotes, faithfulness, octopi[*], warm kisses, loving families soft skin
&etc. Hence books which focus on the former are "realistic", while
those
that focus on the latter are "phony".
Most reviewers are rather like Wise Wit [**] except that they've lost
their daytime eye.
Kirsten Edwards
kirstedw@kcls.org
[*] I actually think both are pretty cool.
[**]c.f. THE GLASSBLOWER'S CHILDREN / Maria Gripe.
____________________________________________________________________
More than just email--Get your FREE Netscape WebMail account today at
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End of pubyac V1 #602
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