tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8144605744535591088.post5637170852400369084..comments2023-12-13T02:57:32.461-08:00Comments on Book Aunt: My Top 10, Your Top 10: Announcing Betsy Bird's Middle Grade Book PollKateCoombshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05584944601221466789noreply@blogger.comBlogger15125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8144605744535591088.post-31303570008259374122010-01-25T10:09:02.605-08:002010-01-25T10:09:02.605-08:00I've tried to pick my favorites but I'm ha...I've tried to pick my favorites but I'm having problems coming up with only 10. Little House is on my list though. As a lifelong Wisconsin resident and daughter to parents who both grew up on farms, Big Woods is one of my very favorite books, one I could relate to as a child. When I was a child my parents did hunt, butcher, sew, and do many of the things discussed in the book. My grandmother made bread from scratch and still tends an enormous garden. My mom found my old "prairie girl" bonnet and my daughter loves wearing it while I share the stories with her. Last week we went to a performance of the Little House on the Prairie musical that is touring nationwide.Brimful Curiositieshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13135626740021266451noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8144605744535591088.post-23274335785448582192010-01-16T16:45:19.173-08:002010-01-16T16:45:19.173-08:00[Blush] thanks! And you're welcome![Blush] thanks! And you're welcome!Kate Coombshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10138566291199003171noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8144605744535591088.post-4747668557285770152010-01-16T16:38:46.366-08:002010-01-16T16:38:46.366-08:00Kate -- Yes, I did see your lovely review. Thanks...Kate -- Yes, I did see your lovely review. Thanks so much.<br /><br />I also saw all the enthusiastic comments about Runaway Dragon (and you) on the SCBWI Listserve when it came out. Congrats.<br /><br />Thru "google alert" (following 'Once Upon a Twice' around the blogosphere) I've discovered some wonderful blogs. (I guess its not too surprising that if someone likes my book, I find out that that blogger and I tend to have similar tastes.) I really enjoy your blog (usually as a "lurker".) I will read The Theif and The Queen (and Runaway Dragon too!)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8144605744535591088.post-32259778868237466972010-01-15T12:01:40.175-08:002010-01-15T12:01:40.175-08:00P.S. Denise, I just looked you up--so you wrote On...P.S. Denise, I just looked you up--so you wrote Once Upon a Twice? What a cool book, elegantly poetic while fun! (You no doubt saw my review a month or two ago.)Kate Coombshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10138566291199003171noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8144605744535591088.post-12265334722359541432010-01-15T11:58:57.771-08:002010-01-15T11:58:57.771-08:00Denise--Yes, I have to say, it was less painful to...Denise--Yes, I have to say, it was less painful to do this because I had already created a Top 40 list for the last century and a Top 10 for the past decade (in a December post). I then took a highlighter to those lists and hit the standouts among standouts, if you see what I mean.<br /><br />Also, there's a tendency in this poll, which I think Betsy is alluding to in her comment above, to list more recent books over classics which may feel a bit dusty at this point, however well written. My guess is that we'll see things like The Graveyard Book and The Lightning Thief higher up the Top 100 list than works such as Little House in the Big Woods or The Phantom Tollbooth.<br /><br />I've noticed, though, that books like the highly popular Lemony Snicket series tend to fade out after a while. In contrast, Harry Potter shows every sign of enduring. (It's the old question: What's a classic?)<br /><br />As for the series issue, I was, as you said, trying to avoid splitting the vote. But I also felt that the first Harry Potter and the first Little House book were pretty great. This is truly a dilemma, though--if you're including Susan Cooper's work, do you list The Dark Is Rising, which launches the series, or The Grey King, which won a Newbery?<br /><br />And like I told Rebecca, PLEASE read The Thief and The Queen of Attolia before you read The King of Attolia!Kate Coombshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10138566291199003171noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8144605744535591088.post-11135564439471321372010-01-15T11:01:46.692-08:002010-01-15T11:01:46.692-08:00Kate, I always crumble in inner-turmoil trying to ...Kate, I always crumble in inner-turmoil trying to construct an all-time favorites list. It's ike trying to pick amongst my children. Uh! (Can I just copy yours?)<br /><br />Question: Is nominating the FIRST book in a series (like Harry Potter or Little House on the Whatever) the way to vote for those books? For instance: my fave Harry Potter is "The Prisoner of Azkaban" but I can see how voting for it (or any other sequel) would split the HP count.<br /><br />I too was unfamiliar with Whalen's trilogy; but "The King of Atolia" sounds like my cup of tea. I'll have to break out the Christmas giftcards and hit the bookstore.<br /><br />Thanks for the list and the links.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8144605744535591088.post-13263252736523493492010-01-12T20:52:12.670-08:002010-01-12T20:52:12.670-08:00Oh, and Jennifer--yes, aligning tires, aligning te...Oh, and Jennifer--yes, aligning tires, aligning text, it's all a mystery. But you know, I'm afraid if the kids made the list, they'd put things like Spongebob's Undersea Adventure #4 and Disney's Princess Paperdoll Extravaganza... Right now I'm feeling guilty for leaving off The Graveyard Book, but hey, I KNOW it will do just fine without my help!Kate Coombshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10138566291199003171noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8144605744535591088.post-27091774207673748632010-01-12T07:56:14.445-08:002010-01-12T07:56:14.445-08:00Actually, Diane Chen of Practically Paradise is ru...Actually, Diane Chen of Practically Paradise is running a comparable YA poll! Here's the link: http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/blog/830000283/post/640051664.htmlKate Coombshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10138566291199003171noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8144605744535591088.post-3635710750144534802010-01-12T07:28:30.658-08:002010-01-12T07:28:30.658-08:00I loved all those books too. I wish someone would ...I loved all those books too. I wish someone would take it upon themselves to do the top 100 YA books!Pattihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05621172640017797805noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8144605744535591088.post-2391516423516528792010-01-11T15:54:22.298-08:002010-01-11T15:54:22.298-08:00Ha! I am glad I am not the only person who finds i...Ha! I am glad I am not the only person who finds it impossible to publish pictures and text in perfect listy fashion (-:). So many good books - and you are so nice and unselfish. I just picked books I liked, never mind what the kids think. Heh heh heh.Jenniferhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05096787155616041727noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8144605744535591088.post-87852906438118682532010-01-11T06:13:45.432-08:002010-01-11T06:13:45.432-08:00You're welcome, Betsy! Can't wait for the ...You're welcome, Betsy! Can't wait for the final list.<br /><br />Rebecca, you really should read The Thief and The Queen of Attolia first--it will make TKOA waaaay better! Enjoy!Kate Coombshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10138566291199003171noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8144605744535591088.post-75636405698110297922010-01-11T05:43:01.714-08:002010-01-11T05:43:01.714-08:00I was surprised to find I didn't know one of t...I was surprised to find I didn't know one of the books on your list! The King of Attolia by Megan Whalen Turner - I'm going to have to run out and order a copy right now. Thanks for turning me onto a new book.Broche Fabianhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00563147734546319147noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8144605744535591088.post-89242002224317953232010-01-11T05:14:53.513-08:002010-01-11T05:14:53.513-08:00Thanks for the link! It is a bit like asking folk...Thanks for the link! It is a bit like asking folks to choose amongst their children. But I think you'll like the final results. There are some suprises as well.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09089527339683768278noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8144605744535591088.post-37307563991423254732010-01-10T20:27:52.943-08:002010-01-10T20:27:52.943-08:00Becky--Yeah, cutting the list was really painful; ...Becky--Yeah, cutting the list was really painful; I felt like such a big meanie, zapping things like Sarah, Plain and Tall! I comforted myself with the thought that someone else will choose the ones I left off, and they'll still make the full list of 100.--KateKate Coombshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10138566291199003171noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8144605744535591088.post-76218380030746860482010-01-10T17:00:29.060-08:002010-01-10T17:00:29.060-08:00You've included some of my favorites on this l...You've included some of my favorites on this list! I don't know if I could ever narrow it down to just ten though :)Beckyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00793618692608823102noreply@blogger.com