Over the past few years, though I’ve continued to look forward to the annual announcement of the Newbery winner, I have continually found myself disappointed. Those who know me have heard me rant about adults labeling certain children’s books as award worthy while most children couldn’t be paid to read those books. If a children’s book is one that children won’t read, is it really a children’s book.
This year’s Newbery was a pleasant surprise. It was not one I had heard of prior to the announcement. I had not read any of Neil Gaiman’s previous books, but his name was one with which I was familiar. When I started the book, I was skeptical. A children’s book that begins with the murder of almost an entire family just didn’t seem like a true children’s book. A child who lives in a graveyard and is raised by ghosts only he can see – again a little bit strange, to say the least.
However, Gaiman’s coming of age story about young Nobody Owens pulled me in and would not let go. At times, Nobody (Bod for short) seemed almost too good to be true. A boy that well behaved seemed almost beyond belief, but then he’d do something typically boyish and I’d realize despite his weird environment, he was just like many other young boys.
Though the book does begin with a cruel murder (the description is not graphic) and the boys is raised by ghosts and a pale guardian, “who is neither living nor dead,” it is not a scary story. Like many books that appeal to children, it is a story of the struggle between good and bad. The ghosts who look after Bod are rather like the house ghosts at Hogwarts in the Harry Potter books.
I believe Audrey Niffenegger, author of “The Time Traveler’s Wife, says it very well: "It takes a graveyard to raise a child. My favorite thing about this book was watching Bod grow up in his fine crumbly graveyard with his dead and living friends. The Graveyard Book is another surprising and terrific book from Neil Gaiman.”
It’s about time we had a Newbery that both children and adults, but especially children can appreciate.
Check it out and let me know what you think.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Sunday, January 11, 2009
2009 Colorado Children's Book Awards
I frequently complain that the Newbery Award is often given to a book that a child would not willingly read. That’s why I like the Colorado Children’s Book Awards. The books are nominated by children and the winner is selected by children. This year my students will once again participate in the voting.
The 2009 Nominees are:
Junior Books
Clementine by Sara Pennypacker
Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney
Gossamer by Lois Lowry
Heat by Mike Lupica
Homework Machine by Dan Gutman
May Bird and the Ever After by Jodi Lynn Anderson
No Talking by Andrew Clements
Peak by Roland Smith
Rules by Cynthia Lord
Sea of Monsters by Rick Riordan
Picture Books
Bad Dog, Marley! by John Grogan
Fancy Nancy and the Posh Puppy by Jane O'Connor
Gingerbread Girl by Lisa Campbell Ernst
Henry's Freedom Box by Ellen Levine
Knuffle Bunny Too: A Case of Mistaken Identity by Mo Willems
Library Lion by Michelle Knudsen
Move Over, Rover! by Karen Beaumont
Perfect Nest by Catherine Friend
Poor Puppy by Nick Bruel
Three Snow Bears by Jan Brett
Of the 20 books I’ve read all but Peak by Smith. I hope to have a chance to read it before the students vote. I’m almost glad I can’t vote. The only Junior Book I didn’t like was May Bird and the Ever After. I really had to force myself to finish the book. Not only was it confusing, it was a very slow read and somewhat scary for elementary students. The whole time I was reading it, I kept asking myself what child would read this book, much less the other books in the series. (Yes, it’s a series and the first book ends rather abruptly.) Then I reminded myself, that enough Colorado students liked the book enough to get it nominated. What do I know? If pressed to pick one of the Junior Books, I would most likely go with Clementine or No Talking – maybe The Homework Machine. However, based on my students’ reactions, I’m guessing that Diary of a Wimpy Kid will come out on top.
As for the picture books, I love the illustrations in Jan Brett’s Three Snow Bears and Jane O’Connor’s Fancy Nancy and the Posh Puppy. I’ll let you know what my students think.
In a couple of weeks, ALA will announce the Newbery and Caldecott Winners. I do not even have a clue about which book might be awarded the Newbery, but I’m hoping Kevin Henkes’ Old Bear will take home the Caldecott.
What books do you consider award winners?
The 2009 Nominees are:
Junior Books
Clementine by Sara Pennypacker
Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney
Gossamer by Lois Lowry
Heat by Mike Lupica
Homework Machine by Dan Gutman
May Bird and the Ever After by Jodi Lynn Anderson
No Talking by Andrew Clements
Peak by Roland Smith
Rules by Cynthia Lord
Sea of Monsters by Rick Riordan
Picture Books
Bad Dog, Marley! by John Grogan
Fancy Nancy and the Posh Puppy by Jane O'Connor
Gingerbread Girl by Lisa Campbell Ernst
Henry's Freedom Box by Ellen Levine
Knuffle Bunny Too: A Case of Mistaken Identity by Mo Willems
Library Lion by Michelle Knudsen
Move Over, Rover! by Karen Beaumont
Perfect Nest by Catherine Friend
Poor Puppy by Nick Bruel
Three Snow Bears by Jan Brett
Of the 20 books I’ve read all but Peak by Smith. I hope to have a chance to read it before the students vote. I’m almost glad I can’t vote. The only Junior Book I didn’t like was May Bird and the Ever After. I really had to force myself to finish the book. Not only was it confusing, it was a very slow read and somewhat scary for elementary students. The whole time I was reading it, I kept asking myself what child would read this book, much less the other books in the series. (Yes, it’s a series and the first book ends rather abruptly.) Then I reminded myself, that enough Colorado students liked the book enough to get it nominated. What do I know? If pressed to pick one of the Junior Books, I would most likely go with Clementine or No Talking – maybe The Homework Machine. However, based on my students’ reactions, I’m guessing that Diary of a Wimpy Kid will come out on top.
As for the picture books, I love the illustrations in Jan Brett’s Three Snow Bears and Jane O’Connor’s Fancy Nancy and the Posh Puppy. I’ll let you know what my students think.
In a couple of weeks, ALA will announce the Newbery and Caldecott Winners. I do not even have a clue about which book might be awarded the Newbery, but I’m hoping Kevin Henkes’ Old Bear will take home the Caldecott.
What books do you consider award winners?
Sunday, January 4, 2009
The Inkheart Series
Inkheart, Inkspell, Inkdeath - all by Cornelia Funke
I love this series, though my relationship with it has been rather frustrating. I must admit when I first read Inkheart I was a little taken aback by how violent some of the characters were. I thought it was a little much for a children’s book. Obviously, this was before my time as a teen librarian and I was still thinking of the young innocent books written by Beverly Cleary. When Inkspell was released, I was thrilled – until I got to the end and realized that story still wasn’t finished. Somehow, I had missed that it was a trilogy. You would think knowing there was more to the story would have made such a bookworm as myself very happy. It just caught me by surprise. Then the American release of the final book, Inkdeath, was delayed and I seriously considered learning how to read German just so I could continue the story.
This is one of those stories that reaches out and pulls the reader in . . .
Actually, that’s just what happens in the story. Characters are read into and out of the story. In light of that you might not want to listen to the book on audio. Just imagine driving down the street listening to the story and all of a sudden in you are literally in a different world and who knows what happens to your car. What a talent to have – to have a voice that carries people away to other worlds. Still, my dream is to have the gift of weaving the tale that creates that world. Ok, I won’t start getting maudlin about my unrealized dreams of being a writer.
This series has everything that children and young adults enjoy in a fantasy: magical creatures, rogues with a heart of gold; good versus evil and plenty of adventure.
It takes a while to get into the final installment in this series. But it's worth it. What I like is that Funke did not take the easy way to get to the ending. And though I've never been talented enough to write a book (at least not since the 8th grade – yeah we’re back to that dream again), I think many authors must have the same challenge that Fenoglio experiences - a story that keeps trying to take over its own destiny. It’s that uncertainty about where the story is headed that keeps the reader on the edge of the seat. You’re hopeful about the ending, but you’re never quite sure. I won’t tell you – you have to read it for yourself.
And yes, the movie version of Inkheart will be released on January 23rd. Though I’ll probably regret it, I plan to be there in the theater with hundreds of eager young readers. I can’t help it. I want to see how my mind movie compares to the Hollywood version.
I love this series, though my relationship with it has been rather frustrating. I must admit when I first read Inkheart I was a little taken aback by how violent some of the characters were. I thought it was a little much for a children’s book. Obviously, this was before my time as a teen librarian and I was still thinking of the young innocent books written by Beverly Cleary. When Inkspell was released, I was thrilled – until I got to the end and realized that story still wasn’t finished. Somehow, I had missed that it was a trilogy. You would think knowing there was more to the story would have made such a bookworm as myself very happy. It just caught me by surprise. Then the American release of the final book, Inkdeath, was delayed and I seriously considered learning how to read German just so I could continue the story.
This is one of those stories that reaches out and pulls the reader in . . .
Actually, that’s just what happens in the story. Characters are read into and out of the story. In light of that you might not want to listen to the book on audio. Just imagine driving down the street listening to the story and all of a sudden in you are literally in a different world and who knows what happens to your car. What a talent to have – to have a voice that carries people away to other worlds. Still, my dream is to have the gift of weaving the tale that creates that world. Ok, I won’t start getting maudlin about my unrealized dreams of being a writer.
This series has everything that children and young adults enjoy in a fantasy: magical creatures, rogues with a heart of gold; good versus evil and plenty of adventure.
It takes a while to get into the final installment in this series. But it's worth it. What I like is that Funke did not take the easy way to get to the ending. And though I've never been talented enough to write a book (at least not since the 8th grade – yeah we’re back to that dream again), I think many authors must have the same challenge that Fenoglio experiences - a story that keeps trying to take over its own destiny. It’s that uncertainty about where the story is headed that keeps the reader on the edge of the seat. You’re hopeful about the ending, but you’re never quite sure. I won’t tell you – you have to read it for yourself.
And yes, the movie version of Inkheart will be released on January 23rd. Though I’ll probably regret it, I plan to be there in the theater with hundreds of eager young readers. I can’t help it. I want to see how my mind movie compares to the Hollywood version.
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
What I Saw and How I Lied by Judy Blundell
For some reason I always seem to enjoy books that have a tie in with World War II - whether the story takes place before, during or after. And I was drawn to this story because one of the characters was named Beverly and another Evelyn (my grandmother's name.) This is a true coming of age story for a love struck teenage girl. I guess compared to things that happen today, her story is rather tame. Still, it's never easy to learn that your parents are not perfect, or that your hero has feet made of clay. The story has a distinct film noir feel to it. Perhaps because of the time period in which it was set, the movie playing in my mind while I was reading, was something like an old black and white Bogie and Bacall film. If you are looking for a little something different, give this one a try.
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Don't You Hate It When . . . ?
Potential Spoilers for Bruce Coville's Unicorn Chronicles
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Don’t you just hate it when you come to the end of a good book only to discover it’s not the end? It’s one thing if you know you are reading a book that is part of a series. It’s quite another thing if you didn’t know this or if you were under the impression the book you were reading was going to wrap everything up.
This happened to me recently with a Bruce Coville book. Let me say right now, I love Bruce Coville’s books. I’ve enjoyed everyone I’ve read. And I love his Full Cast Audio productions. However, if he’d been within slapping distance last week, I probably would have slapped him. When I first started working on my MLS one of the first classes I took was a class in children’s literature. That year Bruce Coville was the keynote speaker at the USM Children’s Book Festival and we are all assigned several of his books to read. I started The Unicorn Chronicles and absolutely loved them. The Unicorn Chronicles is the story of Cara Dianna Hunter who is a human child descended from the queen of the unicorns, Amelia Flickerfoot, also known as the Wander or Ivy Morris when in human form. Cara and the unicorns, along with a host of other creatures are involved with a dispute with Beloved (from who Cara is also descended), a centuries old woman who hates unicorns. Beloved established The Hunters in order to hunt unicorns into oblivion. Cara’s adventures take her from earth to Luster, the land of the unicorns.
Of course, when I started the series there were only two books. And it’s been a long wait for book three, Dark Whispers. Somewhere along the way I got it in my head that this third book would wrap up the story all nice and neat. Can’t think why I had that impression. As I’ve looked back over the notices I had read about the release of this new book, nothing indicated that it was the end of the story. I guess it was just wishful thinking on my part – not because I am tired of the story line – far from it – but maybe because I wanted the characters to reach closure. I like the characters. I want them to have a happy ending. But, I guess that’s a story for another time. I wasn’t expecting a cliff hanger, hence why I would have slapped Bruce if he’d been close. (I exaggerate; I’m not really the violent type.) At least, since I was listening to the story on audio while driving, I wasn’t able to toss the book across the room in frustration and run the risk of hitting an innocent bystander. (I’ve been known to toss a book or two – if really moved one way or the other.) I do have to admit that Coville wrote a great cliff hanger.
The good thing is that my son, Ryan, who only heard bits and pieces of the story, asked me to get him a copy of the first book. Now he’s looking forward to reading the whole series.
So, what cliffhangers really drove you over the edge?
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Don’t you just hate it when you come to the end of a good book only to discover it’s not the end? It’s one thing if you know you are reading a book that is part of a series. It’s quite another thing if you didn’t know this or if you were under the impression the book you were reading was going to wrap everything up.
This happened to me recently with a Bruce Coville book. Let me say right now, I love Bruce Coville’s books. I’ve enjoyed everyone I’ve read. And I love his Full Cast Audio productions. However, if he’d been within slapping distance last week, I probably would have slapped him. When I first started working on my MLS one of the first classes I took was a class in children’s literature. That year Bruce Coville was the keynote speaker at the USM Children’s Book Festival and we are all assigned several of his books to read. I started The Unicorn Chronicles and absolutely loved them. The Unicorn Chronicles is the story of Cara Dianna Hunter who is a human child descended from the queen of the unicorns, Amelia Flickerfoot, also known as the Wander or Ivy Morris when in human form. Cara and the unicorns, along with a host of other creatures are involved with a dispute with Beloved (from who Cara is also descended), a centuries old woman who hates unicorns. Beloved established The Hunters in order to hunt unicorns into oblivion. Cara’s adventures take her from earth to Luster, the land of the unicorns.
Of course, when I started the series there were only two books. And it’s been a long wait for book three, Dark Whispers. Somewhere along the way I got it in my head that this third book would wrap up the story all nice and neat. Can’t think why I had that impression. As I’ve looked back over the notices I had read about the release of this new book, nothing indicated that it was the end of the story. I guess it was just wishful thinking on my part – not because I am tired of the story line – far from it – but maybe because I wanted the characters to reach closure. I like the characters. I want them to have a happy ending. But, I guess that’s a story for another time. I wasn’t expecting a cliff hanger, hence why I would have slapped Bruce if he’d been close. (I exaggerate; I’m not really the violent type.) At least, since I was listening to the story on audio while driving, I wasn’t able to toss the book across the room in frustration and run the risk of hitting an innocent bystander. (I’ve been known to toss a book or two – if really moved one way or the other.) I do have to admit that Coville wrote a great cliff hanger.
The good thing is that my son, Ryan, who only heard bits and pieces of the story, asked me to get him a copy of the first book. Now he’s looking forward to reading the whole series.
So, what cliffhangers really drove you over the edge?
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Based on the Book
Well, I did it again. I set myself up for disappointment. I went to a movie based on a book I really .loved. There’s a reason my husband is reluctant to see a movie with me if it’s based on a book I’ve read. He says it’s too difficult to hear the movie over the grinding of my teeth.
The movie was Twilight, based on the book and series of the same name by Stephenie Meyer. Meyer has created one of the most intense, yet rather chaste love stories for young adults that I have ever read. Her story reaches right out from the pages and grabs the reader forcefully and doesn’t let go – even once you’ve reached the end. You can’t wait for the next book. Oh, and did I mention that it’s a vampire love story? Ann Rice and Bram Stroker – move aside.
Meyer has created the ultimate vampire: brooding and sensitive and a vegetarian to boot (only drinks animal blood – not human blood.) Sounds like it would make an excellent movie doesn’t it? Well, in theory it should. There’s a lot of discussion about the movie. Some have loved it. Some were not moved by it at all. Some are devastated at the way it departs from the book. I don’t want to get intoa long discussion about whether or not it was a good movie – at least not yet. I can’t trust my own judgment. I don’t know if I would have liked it if I had not read the book. (Of course, I probably wouldn’t have gone to see the movie if I had not read the book.) Maybe I would have had a different reaction if I was 25 years younger. Whatever my true reaction, I have to agree with one of the posters on one of my library listservs who summed it up pretty well when she said they did the best they could with a small budget and only two hours. I guess if they had included everything in the book and gave it all the treatment it deserved, then we’d have had to have an intermission like in Gone With the Wind –but today’s society doesn’t have time or patience to sit through a movie that long.
What I want to discuss today is whether or not bookworms should even bother watching a movie based on a book. Are we just setting ourselves up for disappointment? And why do we keep doing it? I know the movie is not likely to live up to the book, yet I find myself compelled to see the movie anyway.
I think I might have a handle on the problem. Teachers often tell their students to make mind movies when they are reading or listening to a book. One person’s mind movie is not the same as another’s. The relationship between an author, the book and the reader is an intimate one. On that is not always easy to share with others. Each reader has a different relationship with the book. When that relationship has been a satisfying one, we want it to continue. A movie is just another way for that to happen.
Sometimes, I think Hollywood should just leave books alone. They should just suck it up and come up with their own ideas. However, if they followed that rule, there are some great movies we would have missed. Sometimes the differences between the movie and the book are not bothersome (i.e. the Harry Potter Movies, Gone With The Wind, and Because of Winn Dixie to name a few). At other times, the movie is better than the book. (i.e. The Wizard of Oz and The Divine Secrets of the Ya Ya Sisterhood.)
Here are few book based movies that I really enjoyed:
To Kill a Mockingbird
The Wizard of Oz
How The Grinch Stole Christmas (the original animated version)
Because of Winn Dixie
The Notebook
Gone With The Wind
The Fellowship of the Ring series
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
Ten Little Indians (based on a book by Agatha Christie)
The DaVinci Code
Zathura
The Polar Express
Holes
And here are few book based movies that made me want to throw my popcorn at the screen:
A Series of Unfortunate Events
Eragon
The Spiderwick Chronicles
Bridge to Terabithia
The Other Boleyn Girl
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (the Johnny Depp version)
Freaky Friday
Hoot
Primary Colors
A Time To Kill
The Chamber
Twilight
Matilda
Interview with a Vampire
As much as I would like to spare myself the disappointment, I know that if I enjoy the book, I’m going to go see the movie. I guess I’m willing to take the chance that it will be one of those that either lives up to the book or is good in its own right.
Now, should you go see Twilight? Sure --- but only if you do not plan on reading any of the books. Otherwise, go get the book and create a mind movie.
So what are you reading or watching these days? Let me know.
The movie was Twilight, based on the book and series of the same name by Stephenie Meyer. Meyer has created one of the most intense, yet rather chaste love stories for young adults that I have ever read. Her story reaches right out from the pages and grabs the reader forcefully and doesn’t let go – even once you’ve reached the end. You can’t wait for the next book. Oh, and did I mention that it’s a vampire love story? Ann Rice and Bram Stroker – move aside.
Meyer has created the ultimate vampire: brooding and sensitive and a vegetarian to boot (only drinks animal blood – not human blood.) Sounds like it would make an excellent movie doesn’t it? Well, in theory it should. There’s a lot of discussion about the movie. Some have loved it. Some were not moved by it at all. Some are devastated at the way it departs from the book. I don’t want to get intoa long discussion about whether or not it was a good movie – at least not yet. I can’t trust my own judgment. I don’t know if I would have liked it if I had not read the book. (Of course, I probably wouldn’t have gone to see the movie if I had not read the book.) Maybe I would have had a different reaction if I was 25 years younger. Whatever my true reaction, I have to agree with one of the posters on one of my library listservs who summed it up pretty well when she said they did the best they could with a small budget and only two hours. I guess if they had included everything in the book and gave it all the treatment it deserved, then we’d have had to have an intermission like in Gone With the Wind –but today’s society doesn’t have time or patience to sit through a movie that long.
What I want to discuss today is whether or not bookworms should even bother watching a movie based on a book. Are we just setting ourselves up for disappointment? And why do we keep doing it? I know the movie is not likely to live up to the book, yet I find myself compelled to see the movie anyway.
I think I might have a handle on the problem. Teachers often tell their students to make mind movies when they are reading or listening to a book. One person’s mind movie is not the same as another’s. The relationship between an author, the book and the reader is an intimate one. On that is not always easy to share with others. Each reader has a different relationship with the book. When that relationship has been a satisfying one, we want it to continue. A movie is just another way for that to happen.
Sometimes, I think Hollywood should just leave books alone. They should just suck it up and come up with their own ideas. However, if they followed that rule, there are some great movies we would have missed. Sometimes the differences between the movie and the book are not bothersome (i.e. the Harry Potter Movies, Gone With The Wind, and Because of Winn Dixie to name a few). At other times, the movie is better than the book. (i.e. The Wizard of Oz and The Divine Secrets of the Ya Ya Sisterhood.)
Here are few book based movies that I really enjoyed:
To Kill a Mockingbird
The Wizard of Oz
How The Grinch Stole Christmas (the original animated version)
Because of Winn Dixie
The Notebook
Gone With The Wind
The Fellowship of the Ring series
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
Ten Little Indians (based on a book by Agatha Christie)
The DaVinci Code
Zathura
The Polar Express
Holes
And here are few book based movies that made me want to throw my popcorn at the screen:
A Series of Unfortunate Events
Eragon
The Spiderwick Chronicles
Bridge to Terabithia
The Other Boleyn Girl
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (the Johnny Depp version)
Freaky Friday
Hoot
Primary Colors
A Time To Kill
The Chamber
Twilight
Matilda
Interview with a Vampire
As much as I would like to spare myself the disappointment, I know that if I enjoy the book, I’m going to go see the movie. I guess I’m willing to take the chance that it will be one of those that either lives up to the book or is good in its own right.
Now, should you go see Twilight? Sure --- but only if you do not plan on reading any of the books. Otherwise, go get the book and create a mind movie.
So what are you reading or watching these days? Let me know.
Thursday, November 13, 2008
America's White Table
America’s White Table by Margot Theis Raven and Mike Benny
The White Table is set in many mess halls as a symbol for and remembrance to service members fallen, missing, or held captive in the line of duty. It is also seen at many military banquets and balls. Solitary and solemn, it is the table where no one will ever sit.
As a military wife of almost seventeen years, I have seen many White Tables at many functions. They always give me a moment of pause, but their symbolism really hit home when I read Raven’s and Benny’s America’s White Table. We were all planning for our Veteran’s Day lessons. Our school district is not closed on Veteran’s Day (which took some getting used to after having worked in a Department of Defense school for many years), but each school is required to do lessons centered around Veteran’s Day.
One of the teachers mentioned she was looking for a copy of this book. She wanted to share it with her students. I had never read the book, but I am grateful she brought it to my attention. Even though the classrooms were all doing various activities for Veterans Day, I decided the library could help with those plans by setting up a White Table in the library. Raven and Benny paint a wonderful story with their words and the illustrations, but sometimes, adults and children alike, need to be able to see and touch something to get its full meaning.
America’s White Table is a beautifully written and illustrated book that explains this touching memorial to our military in words that children can understand. Adults will also be moved by this book. I, myself, can’t read it without crying. (So much for being the tough Army wife.)
This is an excellent book to use for Veterans Day or Memorial Day. It is also a great gift for military families. I’m not only adding it to my school’s collection, but my personal collection as well.
If you would like to set up your own white table here are directions that I found at http://www.veteranscaucus.org/displaycommon.cfm?an=1&subarticlenbr=47
AMERICA’S WHITE TABLE
Materials Needed: Small Table with an Empty Chair
White Table Cloth, Black Napkin
Glass (turned over), White Candle
Lemon Slice and Grains of Salt on a Plate
One Place Setting: fork, spoon, and knife
A Red Rose in a vase tied with a Red Ribbon
The table honors the men and women who served in America’s Armed Forces
“We cover a small table with a white cloth to honor a soldier’s pure heart when he answers his country’s call to duty.”
“We place a lemon slice and grains of salt on a plate to show a captive soldier’s bitter fate and tears of families waiting for loved ones to return.”
“We push an empty chair to the table for the missing soldiers who are not here.”
“We lay a black napkin for the sorrow of captivity, and turn over a glass for the meal that won’t be eaten.”
“We place a white candle for peace and finally, a red rose in a vase tied with a red ribbon for the hope that all our missing will return someday.”
"You are not forgotten so long as there is one left in whom your memory remains"
So, what book or books have really moved you?
The White Table is set in many mess halls as a symbol for and remembrance to service members fallen, missing, or held captive in the line of duty. It is also seen at many military banquets and balls. Solitary and solemn, it is the table where no one will ever sit.
As a military wife of almost seventeen years, I have seen many White Tables at many functions. They always give me a moment of pause, but their symbolism really hit home when I read Raven’s and Benny’s America’s White Table. We were all planning for our Veteran’s Day lessons. Our school district is not closed on Veteran’s Day (which took some getting used to after having worked in a Department of Defense school for many years), but each school is required to do lessons centered around Veteran’s Day.
One of the teachers mentioned she was looking for a copy of this book. She wanted to share it with her students. I had never read the book, but I am grateful she brought it to my attention. Even though the classrooms were all doing various activities for Veterans Day, I decided the library could help with those plans by setting up a White Table in the library. Raven and Benny paint a wonderful story with their words and the illustrations, but sometimes, adults and children alike, need to be able to see and touch something to get its full meaning.
America’s White Table is a beautifully written and illustrated book that explains this touching memorial to our military in words that children can understand. Adults will also be moved by this book. I, myself, can’t read it without crying. (So much for being the tough Army wife.)
This is an excellent book to use for Veterans Day or Memorial Day. It is also a great gift for military families. I’m not only adding it to my school’s collection, but my personal collection as well.
If you would like to set up your own white table here are directions that I found at http://www.veteranscaucus.org/displaycommon.cfm?an=1&subarticlenbr=47
AMERICA’S WHITE TABLE
Materials Needed: Small Table with an Empty Chair
White Table Cloth, Black Napkin
Glass (turned over), White Candle
Lemon Slice and Grains of Salt on a Plate
One Place Setting: fork, spoon, and knife
A Red Rose in a vase tied with a Red Ribbon
The table honors the men and women who served in America’s Armed Forces
“We cover a small table with a white cloth to honor a soldier’s pure heart when he answers his country’s call to duty.”
“We place a lemon slice and grains of salt on a plate to show a captive soldier’s bitter fate and tears of families waiting for loved ones to return.”
“We push an empty chair to the table for the missing soldiers who are not here.”
“We lay a black napkin for the sorrow of captivity, and turn over a glass for the meal that won’t be eaten.”
“We place a white candle for peace and finally, a red rose in a vase tied with a red ribbon for the hope that all our missing will return someday.”
"You are not forgotten so long as there is one left in whom your memory remains"
So, what book or books have really moved you?
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