tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1401296522737471037.post2545714562869854369..comments2023-12-26T09:58:45.306-06:00Comments on Writer Musings: The Higher Power of Lucky by Susan PatronTabithahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17420910182752981979noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1401296522737471037.post-16414979939915029002009-01-16T10:28:00.000-06:002009-01-16T10:28:00.000-06:00Chicago has been buried under snow, then frozen so...Chicago has been buried under snow, then frozen solid with temperatures below zero...*shiver* My kids have been home for most of the week because of it, so again I apologize for not being around. If it hadn't been for the fabulous blog scheduler, there wouldn't have been a thursday post! <BR/><BR/>Marcia - I completely agree about the scrotum controversy (imagine that). :) There is nothing wrong with the word itself. It's anatomically correct, so what's the big deal? Kids can handle that. And I wonder the same about Patron using the word because it's not considered vulgar like the more common slang. But you're right, that does seem lame... :(<BR/><BR/>Carrie - cool! If you choose to read it, we'd love to hear your opinion! :)<BR/><BR/>Tami - LOL! Yeah, can't forget the parsley slicer. You never know when you might need that in the desert. :) <BR/><BR/>PJ - yeah, the whole scrotum controversy was weird. Then again, I'm not one to shield kids from everything, just the things they aren't ready for. <BR/><BR/>Jacqui - I am SO glad you brought this up. I had originally intended to talk about some of the things I liked in the book, but got too focused on the things that didn't work for me. I agree that the characters are unique and interesting, the setting is well done, and I absolutely loved Lucky's survival kit. It really fit her and her situation. So thanks for bringing up the good parts of the book. :)<BR/><BR/>Anne - I have wondered the same thing about Newbery panels and whether they have kids...they seem to be choosing books that appeal more to adults than kids. <BR/><BR/>Merc - thanks! I'm not focused on awards either, though I generally like what the National Book Awards pick. Good craft, good story, good characters. It's rare that we don't agree. :)<BR/><BR/>Mary - it's still worth reading, and there are good parts to the book that I didn't mention (thanks again to Jacqui for bringing that up!). I hope there's a copy in your neck of the woods! :)<BR/><BR/>Paul - yeah, I'd originally planned to talk about the things I liked, such as the Survival Kit, but got too focused on the things that didn't make sense. My brain is logic-oriented, so if there are logic problems I have a hard time breaking away from that. :) As far as the other picks for that year, I prefered RULES to this. But that's probably just personal preference. :)<BR/><BR/>Mary - thanks for stopping by! :)<BR/><BR/>Bish - I've heard the 'who knows who' comment before. That's probably in all the awards to a certain extent. Heck, it's in everything to a certain extent. :) But this book is still an interesting read, so if you choose to read it I hope you'll share your opinion! :)Tabithahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17420910182752981979noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1401296522737471037.post-64380971818126784122009-01-16T05:23:00.000-06:002009-01-16T05:23:00.000-06:00It's on my to read list...and now I'm intriqued. A...It's on my to read list...and now I'm intriqued. And, I do wonder about some Newbery choises. Makes one wonder who knows who...Bish Denhamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13359927719391990534noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1401296522737471037.post-33107378748803709962009-01-15T18:53:00.000-06:002009-01-15T18:53:00.000-06:00Interesting. MaryInteresting. <BR/><BR/>MaryAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08049856273690606839noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1401296522737471037.post-83739475540870995662009-01-15T15:28:00.000-06:002009-01-15T15:28:00.000-06:00Fair criticisms. I did read the whole book and I w...Fair criticisms. I did read the whole book and I won't if something really sucks, so I guessed it passed in that respect. I loved the description of setting and the characters were engaging. Probably not Newbery worthy, but then again, I wasn't overly impressed with the honor books in 07 either. Somebody has to win.Paul Michael Murphyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17318098111985714443noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1401296522737471037.post-55365405617483258612009-01-15T14:44:00.000-06:002009-01-15T14:44:00.000-06:00A friend read this last year and said pretty much ...A friend read this last year and said pretty much what you've said -- that the word in itself didn't bother her a bit, but she felt it was both awkward and a little gratuitous. But now I've read Jacqui's comment and I know I've got to read the book for myself. Eeek -- too many books to read!Mary Witzlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10041339749785242409noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1401296522737471037.post-69649099366784434272009-01-15T14:17:00.000-06:002009-01-15T14:17:00.000-06:00I've not read it (I very rarely have an interest i...I've not read it (I very rarely have an interest in most of these awards, I just don't get them a lot of the time :P) but from your description, I have a feeling I'd have Issues with it (and not the language). <BR/><BR/>Very nice dissection, Tabitha! I greatly enjoyed it. :)<BR/><BR/>~Merc<BR/><BR/>P.S. I also have to wonder about the committees on some of these awards...Merchttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14164221022350926808noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1401296522737471037.post-55650016377812990522009-01-15T10:38:00.000-06:002009-01-15T10:38:00.000-06:00I think a ten year old, and the use of the word "s...I think a ten year old, and the use of the word "scrotum" is a way to stir up a lot of controversy, not to mention publicity. It's not something I would want my ten year old to read (and I have one). <BR/><BR/>Do the Newberry folks have children? I mean their own, the kind that show up at the dinner table every night and leave socks under the couch. Those kind. I wonder that sometimes.Anne Spollenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12915171740680350711noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1401296522737471037.post-4406208669754454052009-01-15T10:17:00.000-06:002009-01-15T10:17:00.000-06:00Ooh, we so rarely disagree. But I gotta put a pro...Ooh, we so rarely disagree. But I gotta put a pro-Lucky vote in. I think the language is so careful, the characters are utterly unique and yet they reflected me, and Lucky's longing is palpable in a way that gripped me.<BR/><BR/>I actually liked the character bit about "scrotum." It seemed to fit perfectly with the theme of Lucky growing up and not having all the answers.Jacquihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08277260387578439327noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1401296522737471037.post-35874525944346442312009-01-15T09:21:00.000-06:002009-01-15T09:21:00.000-06:00I saw this just yesterday on the Newbery shelf at ...I saw this just yesterday on the Newbery shelf at the library and thought, "Oh, I should read that."<BR/>I'd forgotten about the scrotum thing until you reminded me, but you're totally right. If it fits then use it. <BR/>Still considering. It probably won't make my 2009 list.<BR/>Thanks for the review!PJ Hooverhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02602205868934777662noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1401296522737471037.post-78034993185494520562009-01-15T08:55:00.000-06:002009-01-15T08:55:00.000-06:00But don't forget- Lucky runs away armed with her t...But don't forget- Lucky runs away armed with her trusty parsley slicer!Tami Brownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02592992627941738377noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1401296522737471037.post-2025920367420661962009-01-15T07:21:00.000-06:002009-01-15T07:21:00.000-06:00I haven't read this one, but as always, your comme...I haven't read this one, but as always, your commentary makes me think. So thanks!Carrie Harrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14893023777471521703noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1401296522737471037.post-27194752719727451312009-01-15T06:44:00.000-06:002009-01-15T06:44:00.000-06:00Oh Tabitha, I totally, 100%, agree with this. I re...Oh Tabitha, I totally, 100%, agree with this. I read the book right after it got the medal. For every single reason you name, this book just doesn't add up. It doesn't make sense. I'm honestly not sure how it got published, let alone won the Newbery. <BR/><BR/>And I was amazed over the scrotum controversy once I read p. 1. It's controversial for completely the wrong reason: That character, in that setting, would never have used it! I wonder if Patron used it because she thought using the vernacular would be even worse. But how lame is that? It just doesn't work.Marciahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10006966091789130047noreply@blogger.com