Charlotte's Web by E.B. White; ill. by Garth Williams HarperCollins, 1952 192 pages Growing up, I read very little contemporary children's literature. Instead, my personal syllabus was full of Victorian and early 20th century authors: Dickens, Alcott, Montgomery, Lewis, Tolkien. I loved their flood of words, the historic texture of their stories, the feeling of … Continue reading Charlotte’s Web
Popularity vs. Purpose
Babymouse: Queen of the World! by Jennifer L. Holm and Matthew Holm Random House, 2005 96 pages Think of comics, and what comes to mind? Superheroes? The Sunday paper? What about serious literature? Unless you're a librarian, or maybe a bookseller or critic, probably not. But, if you know where to look, you can find … Continue reading Popularity vs. Purpose
Life in the Active Lane
Olivia by Ian Falconer Atheneum BFYR, 2000 40 pages I first encountered Olivia in a bookstore, where an employee had singled her out for display. I couldn't resist--she was a pig in a sailor dress, after all. I loved the book so much that I got my own copy. Over the years, I've read Olivia … Continue reading Life in the Active Lane
Read Like a Girl 