Comments on: RE: Reading | Consider the Source http://www.slj.com/2013/05/opinion/consider-the-source/re-reading-consider-the-source/ The world's largest reviewer of books, multimedia, and technology for children and teens Thu, 19 Sep 2013 00:20:41 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.2 By: Richard Moore (@infosherpa) http://www.slj.com/2013/05/opinion/consider-the-source/re-reading-consider-the-source/#comment-35072 Richard Moore (@infosherpa) Fri, 03 May 2013 18:49:37 +0000 http://www.slj.com/?p=42785#comment-35072 >>> can you point to a nonfiction passage that you have praised because it rewards rereading? Well I was going to mention the Bible, The Gettysburg address, and Shakespeare, but then you forbid MLK. So How about Robert Caro describing JFK in his oval office, wondering what to do about that preacher causing a fuss out on the Mall? Or Rachel Carson starting a movement with golden lines about a possible future in Silent Spring? Please don't play into the hands of the Common Core folks by thinking that non-fiction is anything other than non-813. Truman Capote created a whole genre in 364.1 with In Cold Blood. Audubon gave us rich visuals to bathe in which deserve "deep reading" as well. And they reward revisit, just as hundreds of volumes in the 700s do -- even the baseball books, which thrill us with achievement told well. I began my Steinbeck journey with Travels With Charley in 1961, not Grapes of Wrath. A librarian handed it to me, then Ray Bradbury's October Country, then spent the next four years anticipating and suggesting until I was hooked. The point? Kids need well stocked libraries with highly qualified librarians, to lead them to their own choices of "information" well told. At the moment there are 834 credentialed librarians for 10,000 schools in California, so good luck with that. David Coleman is a scam artist who worked for Michelle Rhee, then decided he could create a curriculum for the entire nation. Billions will go for computers to test the children in this brave new world and not a cent for libraries. >>> can you point to a nonfiction passage that you have praised because it rewards rereading?

Well I was going to mention the Bible, The Gettysburg address, and Shakespeare, but then you forbid MLK. So How about Robert Caro describing JFK in his oval office, wondering what to do about that preacher causing a fuss out on the Mall? Or Rachel Carson starting a movement with golden lines about a possible future in Silent Spring?

Please don’t play into the hands of the Common Core folks by thinking that non-fiction is anything other than non-813. Truman Capote created a whole genre in 364.1 with In Cold Blood. Audubon gave us rich visuals to bathe in which deserve “deep reading” as well. And they reward revisit, just as hundreds of volumes in the 700s do — even the baseball books, which thrill us with achievement told well. I began my Steinbeck journey with Travels With Charley in 1961, not Grapes of Wrath. A librarian handed it to me, then Ray Bradbury’s October Country, then spent the next four years anticipating and suggesting until I was hooked.

The point? Kids need well stocked libraries with highly qualified librarians, to lead them to their own choices of “information” well told. At the moment there are 834 credentialed librarians for 10,000 schools in California, so good luck with that.

David Coleman is a scam artist who worked for Michelle Rhee, then decided he could create a curriculum for the entire nation. Billions will go for computers to test the children in this brave new world and not a cent for libraries.

]]> By: Myra Zarnowski http://www.slj.com/2013/05/opinion/consider-the-source/re-reading-consider-the-source/#comment-34819 Myra Zarnowski Thu, 02 May 2013 20:03:34 +0000 http://www.slj.com/?p=42785#comment-34819 Funny you should mention favorite nonfiction passages. Among my favorites is Albert Marrin's description of the origins of smallpox in his book DR. JENNER AND THE SPECKLED MONSTER: THE SEARCH FOR THE SMALLPOX VACCINE. Almost every sentence contains speculation. He uses words like "probably," "and phrases like "in some way that is still unclear" to build the strongest case possible even when there are gaps in information. I admire how he combines what is known with what is possibly true. I think this work merits rereading and study. I very much like the idea of making a collection of good nonfiction writing worth close reading and study. This would be a great classroom project. Funny you should mention favorite nonfiction passages. Among my favorites is Albert Marrin’s description of the origins of smallpox in his book DR. JENNER AND THE SPECKLED MONSTER: THE SEARCH FOR THE SMALLPOX VACCINE. Almost every sentence contains speculation. He uses words like “probably,” “and phrases like “in some way that is still unclear” to build the strongest case possible even when there are gaps in information. I admire how he combines what is known with what is possibly true. I think this work merits rereading and study. I very much like the idea of making a collection of good nonfiction writing worth close reading and study. This would be a great classroom project.

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