Beowulf, an old English poem dating from the tenth century AD

Even Alvin and the Chipmunks began life in a different form – as a comic strip!

For some people, seeing the movie often spoils, or challenges, the images they held from their reading of a novel (did you really visualise Harry Potter in the image of Daniel Radcliffe?). Others watch the movie with the intent of picking up mistakes, critiquing missing parts, or trying to see if their personal images match those of the film-maker. And others simply reflect on the different aspects of each media, and what they can each bring to a tale.

What were your impressions of the latest release of Books-to-Film in the holidays? Were you satisfied? Challenged? Annoyed? Or do you simply hate to see the movie after reading the book? Or are you drawn to the book after seeing a good movie?

It’s hard isn’t it – taking those first few steps after making a decision to do something? But with perserverance, you begin to see improvements (I’m still waiting, but it’s only a few days since the exercise started…) Have you ever thought about your ‘Reading fitness’?

An article in the Sydney Morning Herald ties in a little bit here, The never-ending story: reading in the holidays, SMH , December 30, 2007, encouraged students (and parents) to keep up the reading habit in the holidays, after a study in the States discovered a drop in students’ reading skills after a long holiday break.

Reading is a bit like that, isn’t it? Leave your text books alone during a holiday break, and some of the technical terms may be a little foreign when school goes back. For learner readers, it may be individual words or sounds that are temporarily forgotten. Thus, researchers are suggesting that students need to keep up their reading practice, whether at infants level or within the senior school and beyond. We all need to keep up regular exercise to keep fit – and it seems reading is no different!!

What do you think? Are you a holiday reader or do outdoor activities get in the way? How could you squeeze a little more reading in your holiday time?

Some would argue that the interest has actually waned as the instalments have increased in volume. Do all but the die-hards really have the interest to tackle a 700 page volume (as in HP – and the Goblet of Fire)? And who is it that now waits eagerly for the final book to be released on July 21? Young readers or their parents who remained hooked on the phenomena? Readers might like to check out a recent article in the New York Times – Potter Has Limited Effect on Reading Habits, and then comment on how Harry Potter has impacted on their interest in reading.

In an article in the Age recently, writer Chris Middendorp discussed the use of abridged versions of the classics as a way to overcome the sheer volume often found in classic literature. He spoke of how Britain’s Orion Publishing Group has republished some classic novels and was reducing their volume by as much as 40 per cent. “This is an act of cultural vandalism” he stated. See the article June 10, 2007:  The unkindest cut is Dickens minus 40%

Daniel Pennac (mentioned in the previous post), believes the reader should have the right to skip occasional sections of the text, if they fiind them too wordy, or if they are not interested in their descriptive nature. Later, he argues, the reader could always come back to revisit the missing parts. However, if a publisher has already taken out these parts, how would it be possible to revisit them?

Indeed, are they only removing the parts every reader would choose to skim over?Still others argue that at least abidged versions give the reader an introduction to an author, and they may choose to pursue the full text later on. Orion’s publisher also stated in the Age article that “We realised that life is too short to read all the books you want to and we never were going to read these ones.”

Don’t people read long books anymore? Yes they do – just ask Stephen King, J.K. Rowling, Terry Pratchett and Jodi Picoult. And it’s not just older readers who are willing to tackle them. So… Which do you feel is the right way to treat the classics (or any long book)? Do we need to cut them down to bite-sized chunks for time-poor readers? Is it better to have some exposure to Dickens, Austen, Tolstoy and Shelley in an abridged version than not at all? Can we do justice to War and Peace in 350 pages, with illustrations of course?Or must they stay true to the form in which they were first written?

This is a new release of a book, first published in

Pennac then ponders when and why children lose interest in reading as a recreational activity. Do YOU remember the days (or nights) when you were actually told to STOP reading (under the covers, by torchlight, or because you had homework to do)? And now, do you spend too much time asking your kids to interpret what they are reading daily for school? Do your kids actually spend time just enjoying reading? Do you ever read aloud to your kids – even though they are in high school? Do you like to be READ ALOUD to?

A recent article in the Times stated that ‘there was a clear link between reading for pleasure and academic performance, not just in English, but across the whole curriculum’, and that ‘reading enjoyment is more important for children’s educational success than their family’s socioeconomic status.’ (Alexandra Frean. 160 books on must-read list for boys – full of blood, guts and class heroes.  The Times , May 16, 2007) Isn’t it time we all discovered the joy of reading for reading’s sake again?

Not really – as many learners today are recognised as visual learners – and what is a graphic novel but one filled with images waiting for interpretation – with a bit of text added for clarity?

But aren’t they all about superheroes and action? No – within the growing list of graphic novels you can find a wide variety of genres – with both fiction and non-fiction areas of interest.

Check out, for example, classic fiction like ‘Dracula’ and ‘Call of the Wild’, or the modern day versions like ‘Stormbreaker’, and of course, there are the classic graphic novels, which originate in Japanese manga form.

Try searching for them at the school library or local public library as you are sure to discover many great examples waiting to be discovered – what do you thing of this from of literature? Is  it something you look for?

Of course, there are categories for Younger Readers, Early Childhood, Picture Book and the Eve Pownall Award for Information Books. Among many of these, we see some old favourites, like Jackie French and, no surprises, Shaun Tan. Alongside there are also some interesting titles – like All Cats have Aspergers, Woolvs in the sitee, and Doodledum Dancing! Also available from the CBCA website is a list of 91 notable books for 2007.  This provides a great selection of books from which to choose for those who are participating in the school’s Reading Challenge. All good reasons to view the lists at: http://www.cbc.org.au/short07.htm

The CBCA also announced the opportunity for readers to participate in voting this year.In a new initiative, the Council launched the CBCA JUNIOR JUDGES PROJECT – a development to encourage children to take part and judge this years’ short list, based on the criteria used  by the CBCA judges. Therefore, students from all over Australia can be involved in this year’s judging process!! Will you take the opportunity to vote?

Interestingly, 5 of the 6 authors who are shortlisted this year for the ‘Older Readers’ category have had the honour of being shortlisted in the past. Do you think that is why they were chosen? Or has their success in the past encouraged their writing? Are they simply good writers?

Also, I have just spent time with classes looking at some examples of Historical Fiction, which is a favourite genre of mine. Students were enthusiastic, teachers were enthusiastic, and lots of popular titles and authors were shared and borrowed. Why is this genre so popular?

Throughout my ‘library experience’, authors of Historical Fiction have enthralled me. Tales about the rigours of their research have always facscinated me (e.g. with Michelle Paver swimming with killer whales, and spending time with the natives and wildlife of Iceland, Norway, South America, the Rockies for her research purposes! and Carole Wilkinson going into detail about a particular flower for Dragonkeeper, or historically correct detail for her Ramose series).

But I have gone off track. Which fiction genre appeals to you? (e.g. mystery, fantasy, crime fiction, adventure, school stories, humour) Or do you just read what you have to, to meet school requirements? What was the last book you read purely for pleasure?

A study, titled Morphing Literacy: Boys Reshaping Their Literacy, found it is a myth that boys do not read. According to copy in the Shifted Librarian, the Canadian study showed that:

“While they are less interested in fiction or traditional literature than girls are, they read more on the Internet and memorize vast amounts of detailed material from games or stories they read in the newspaper, the research showed….”

Is this true in your experience? Is it jsut boys reading more on the’net? Do you read personally more on the ‘net than in a book? Why? Why not? What determines the source of your reading? Do you think he same now applies to your parents too (is it a sign of the times)?

One of my favourites received this year is ‘1001 Books to Read Before you Die‘ – but there are so many I have to catch up on!!! I just had to buy ‘ Possum in the House‘ by Kiersten Jensen for one niece, and I sent a copy of ‘Aussie Night before Christmas’ by Clement Clarke Morre, to friends in Ireland – to remind them of home and Christmas in Australia! (the postage nearly cost as much as the book, but it was worth it!). (Hi, Melissa and Paddy!) And a copy of ‘Kochie’s Guide to Keeping it Real‘ seemed a worthwhile stocking filler for the man of the house, who seems to think it’s all about him anyway! And another niece received a guide to digital photography which I must remember to borrow it sometime soon!

How do you choose books for Christmas gifts? What was the best book you have received as a gift and why? And be honest, how many books did you pick up for yourself during the Christmas rush? (I bought one on making charm bracelets – but it was in the post-Christmas sales!)