Monday, December 2, 2013

Gossamer by Lois Lowry

Gossamer by Lois Lowry


This book was a very quick read, but it was a wonderful story.  I liked it both as a reader and a teacher.  I liked it more as a librarian because it was recommended to me by one of my avid readers.

I had to look up the reading level, because it leaves a lot to be assumed/understood by the reader, with wonderful hints to point him in the right direction.

For example, the characters are all named with character traits.  One character is named Fastidious.  I had to reach back into my junior year of high school (thank you Mary Nyhan) when I had this word as a vocabulary word, in order to relate that character's personality, behaviors, and feelings to the name attributed.  It added levels to the book that help bridge the gap between "reading by your self" books and adult books.  

Scholastic Books rates this as a T in the guided reading level guide, and suggests that it is mostly for those around 6th grade.  I'd agree, but I think it could be enjoyed by even 3rd grade readers, just at a different level.  

This book I would definitely recommend to third through sixth graders looking to build their reading skills.

Gossamer

Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey

Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey


I was told this book was for children.  It is not a children's book.

It is a book about a couple who desperately want a child, but never had one to raise.

It is a book based in reality but rooted in fantasy and folklore.  I enjoyed the blend of fiction and reality, but the story is not suitable for children.  I think the themes are adult, though and through.  The characters' actions may not be completely understood by young readers; to be honest, many of the characters' actions and feelings I had to assume were justified or realistic because I have never been in similar situations.

The book was well crafted and carefully plotted. The characters were built with care and precision.  There is an element of wildness to which every reader can relate and a central theme around that character allows for the poignant lesson that we all relate to the wild-child (indeed, we all bear her within).

However, I do not recommend this book to my readers.