Instititute of Children's Literature

Rx for Writers

Transcripts

"Children's Books from a Librarian's Perspective" with Linda Skeers.

Thursday, May 10, 2001

Moderator is Kristi Holl, author of 24 juvenile novels and 150+ articles, as well as the web editor for this site.

Linda is Linda Skeers, children's writer and librarian. For the past eight years she has worked either in a middle school library or a public library. Linda has been published in a number of children's magazines.

Names color coded in blue are viewers who asked questions.

Interviews are held on Thursday nights: 9-11 p.m. ATLANTIC/CANADA, 8-10 p.m. Eastern, 7-9 Central, 6-8 Mountain, and 5-7 Pacific

Moderator: Good evening, everyone! I'm happy to be here with you tonight. I'm Kristi Holl, your moderator for the evening and the web editor for this site. Tonight we're here with writer and children's librarian Linda Skeers. Librarians are an invaluable source of information for writers, and we're going to pick Linda's brains tonight on everything from popular topics with kids to how we writers can aim our best efforts toward the book buyers: parents and librarians. Welcome, Linda!

Linda: Hi, everyone -- it's great to be here!

Moderator: Linda, which came first, being a writer or being a librarian?

Linda: Being a writer. When I was a child I never wanted to be the character in the book having the adventures. I wanted to be the author that thought up those incredible adventures. Working in a library seemed like the perfect fit for a struggling writer who loves books.

Moderator: Has being a librarian influenced what you write?

Linda: Yes, it probably has. I get a good sense on a daily basis for what kids are reading and enjoying. Also, I see what gaps there are in NF when someone asks for books on a topic and we don't have anything.

Moderator: Writers are often told to make friends with their local librarians because they're such a great resource. One chatter emailed this earlier... lodger: How much help could a "wannabe" writer hope to get from a librarian before she wears out her welcome? What sort of relationship can the writer hope for? How can I build this relationship without becoming a nuisance?

Linda: Hopefully you can find a friendly and receptive librarian. Librarians are by nature curious and LOVE books so helping an author is a fun part of the job. You might want to ask if there's a "slow" time for her when she/he can devote more time to your questions. Also, be as specific as possible with your questions. It's hard to help someone if they ask for "stuff about Bolivia." Have your questions written out ahead of time and it will make things easier for both of you.

SaraJ: What kinds of things can a friendly librarian help us with?

Linda: Finding unique resources, like mico-film files or obscure journals. We can get inter-library loan books from all over the country or put you in touch with experts in a certain field of study.

Moderator: Do you read book reviews before buying books?

Linda: Yes, we do read reviews. School Library Journal, Booklist, Publisher's Weekly, Horn Book. We also look at the publisher's ads and catalogs and subscribe to listserves that discuss children's books. We don't rely on one source -- we are always looking for new and wonderful books for children!

Moderator: When you have so many novels in a library to choose from, why do some stand out and get recommended to children? What can I do to make MY novel stand out?

Linda: I think in this respect librarians are looking for the same things as an editor. We only have a few seconds to catch a child's attention and get them excited about reading a particular book. We need to sum up a book quickly and get them "hooked". "This book will make you laugh so hard you snort and it will make you cry and sometimes you will be snorting and crying at the same time" will make them grab Barbara Park's MICK HARTE WAS HERE off the shelf. "Can you kiss your own elbow? Marvin Redpost can and he thinks that will turn him into a girl!" (MARVIN REDPOST: IS HE A GIRL?) A quick and interesting summary helps "sell" the book to a child. Books like this are also easy for librarians to remember!

DJ: A lot of schools today use the Accelerated Reader Books for their reading programs because the children can be tested on computers when finished reading. Is there certain criteria that makes a book more likely to fall into one of these ACR type programs?

Linda: I think the publishers would have a list of criteria and guidelines to follow for a book like that. They have vocabulary lists and word counts that are strictly followed. Not too many schools in my area rely on those tests.

Moderator: Has the rise in the number of home schooling families made a difference in the books you order?

Linda: To some extent, yes. Many parents that home school look for books that encompass a whole subject from different perspectives. If they are studying medieval times, they look for books on castles, craft ideas for that time period, recipes, clothing, history. Books that cover a topic from several angles are very popular.

menucha: How do the Jewish books get chosen?

Linda: I'm not sure what you mean by "Jewish books." I think for multicultural books we rely on reviews and listserves.

Moderator: What else do parents look for?

Linda: Books on manners, safety, the facts of life, sibling rivalry and multicultural stories. Both parents and children look for bilingual books. Kids love to learn new words and parents like the educational value. A good example is THE THREE LITTLE JAVELINAS by Susan Lowell. Last week we had parents looking for books on colonial crafts, southern plantations, Cinco de Mayo, tacos (yes, tacos!) and gardening with children.

AnneKelly: Are older children looking for more real life stories, even if they're about things such as suicide, crime, etc.?

Linda: Good question! And yes, children are interested in EVERYTHING, even the negative aspects of life. That's why Lurlene McDaniels' series is so popular. Kids do want to read about topics such as death and disease and crime; a well written novel on a tough topic would be well received. Todd Strasser's new book GIVE A BOY A GUN is a great example of a book dealing with a difficult (school shooting) subject.

MBVoelker: Do libraries make a concerted effort to buy books in series? Fantasy and SF books are often written in series and I find that they are incomplete on the library shelves. Do publishers tell you that a given book is part of a series? Or do you have to keep track of it yourself?

Linda: If we know it's a series, we try to have a standing order for the next one. Sometimes what we thought was a single title turns into a series and sometimes one book out of a series gets damaged or lost.

bernie: If I like a particular author and they don't have many of their books in my library system, can they be requested outside of the local system?

Linda: YES! Ask your librarian for an inter-library loan form. It's easy to search for books at other libraries if you have the title, author and ISBN number.

menucha: As a teacher, can I recommend books to a library?

Linda: Absolutely! If the book is available to us (not out of print) we always try to honor requests from patrons.

Moderator: Would you purchase a book if a child simply requested it?

Linda: Depends on the book. We don't have pop-up books in our collection because they just don't last long, even though children love them. We did have several young girls ask for the Mary Kate & Ashley chapter books. We didn't have any, but have since bought several and they are very popular!

Moderator: Okay, let's get more specific in our questions now. What about books that take a new spin on an old fairy tale? Would librarians buy those now?

Linda: Yes, they are very successful. GOLDILOCKS RETURNS by Lisa Campbell Ernst delights young readers because they are familiar with the original tale and can understand the humor in this "update." Middle grade readers enjoy ELLA ENCHANTED by Gail Carson Levine -- it's a good example of a novel loosely based on the age old Cinderella tale. Books like these work well with all age groups.

EBelson: I am a clinical social worker who recently entered the field and am wondering how much of an interest there seems to be for books that are lesson based, maybe helping parents to learn creative ways of intervening with common problems. I do not see many books that "talk" to parents as well as kids. I'm not talking about straight problem-solving books. I mean books that still have an entertaining story.

Linda: Wow -- this would fill a gap. I think it would be well received by librarians, teachers and parents. Just make sure the "lesson" is contained in the story and isn't too preachy. Children tend to stop listening if they think something is going to be taught to them!

Moderator: Do children like to read about kids in other countries? So many of the award-winning books are set in other cultures.

Linda: This can be tricky. Some kids only want to read about other kids just like them -- and in a familiar locale. Books set in a foreign country are considered "hard to read" by some children. But if the plot is compelling and the characters are interesting. The setting becomes secondary. In Patricia Reilly Giff's novel NORY RYAN'S SONG, the story is about a young girl's struggle to survive during the famine in Ireland. It's not a story "about Ireland." Readers are captivated by Nory's determination and courage. Maybe so many award winning books are set in exotic locales because they are seen as educational as well as enjoyable.

Moderator: What kind of books do middle grade readers ask for the most?

Linda: That's easy -- HUMOR! Kids love to laugh and we never have enough humorous novels to meet the demand. After reading a serious, thought provoking novel, kids want to relax with a "fun" book. They often ask for a "funny school story." SURVIVING BRICK JOHNSON by Laurie Myers is a good example for younger readers. THE TIME WARP TRIO is popular with middle grade readers, and Todd Strasser's HOW I CREATED MY PERFECT PROM DATE is a favorite with teens.

MBVoelker: What about what the YA kids are really reading? Do they read the award winners much? Do they prefer genre books? Please answer particularly for YA since that's my primary area of interest.

Linda: Some teens skip right to adult novels, but we still have a lot of voracious readers in our YA section of the library. Teens do read award winning books and seem to test the waters in ALL genres! Adventure (Alden Carter's BETWEEN A ROCK AND A HARD PLACE), fantasy and SF are popular with teens and so are edgy novels that deal with tough subjects. I think teens are interested in everything around them and enjoy a well written story, no matter WHAT the genre.

Moderator: What do you think of the Harry Potter craze?

Linda: I may be going out on a limb here, but I think it's great! Personally I enjoyed the books and it's great to see so many reluctant readers pick up these books to see what all the fuss is about. In many cases, families are reading these together. Suddenly it's "cool" to be seen reading a book!

Moderator: A lot of controversy has sprung up surrounding Harry Potter's inclusion of witchcraft, and many parents are alarmed at this and children's increased interest in the occult. Do you want to wade in and give a comment?

Linda: I don't think these books are about witchcraft. I think they are about friendship, loyalty, bullies, school work, fitting in and feeling different. These are things kids face every day. HP books just happen to be set in Hogwarts, a school for wizards which adds a fun and unique element. I encourage parents to read the books before forming an opinion and to ask kids why they like the books so much.

Moderator: Do kids really read Newbery books? If so, which ones?

Linda: Unfortunately, not as many kids read them as we would like. They appeal to readers looking for a challenging book, but reading-for-fun kids seem to view these books as "hard".

Moderator: What about other award winning books?

Linda: In Iowa we have the Iowa Children's Choice Award books. This award gives kids the chance to choose the winning book for grades K-5. A master list of books is created each year by a panel of teachers and librarians and about 150 titles are read by a committee of teachers/librarians and they rate the books and narrow it down to a list of 20 which the students can vote for their favorite. The 2000 winner was SAVING SHILOH by Phylis Reynolds Naylor. The Iowa Teen Award is similar for kids in grades 6-9. Not only do Iowa teens determine the winner, but they nominate books for the master list. The 2000 winner was ELLA ENCHANTED by Gail Carson Levine. These books ARE read by children. Since they were voted on by their peers, they have an automatic seal of approval. (Note: Similar children's choice awards are given in the other states, like the Mark Twain Award in Missouri, the Maude Hart Lovelace award in MN, the Children's Book Award in MD, etc.)

Moderator: Do kids read single titles or do they stick to a series?

Linda: Both! We have horse lovers that head straight for Bonnie Bryan's SADDLE CLUB series and other readers that roam the shelves and read a bit of everything. Kids have different reading habits than adults. If they like a book they will read it over and over again. If they like one book out of a series, they will devour them all. ANIMORPHS is still a popular series. Also kids like books like the SHILOH books and BOYS START THE WAR books by P. R. Naylor. They're more than a single title but not a full-blown series.

Moderator: Are mysteries still popular? For what ages? What about ghost stories?

Linda: Mysteries are still popular and so are ghost stories. Our HARDY BOYS and NANCY DREW mysteries are constantly being checked out. Even the old looks-like-it's-been-run-over-by-a-truck copies. SAMMY KEYES is a popular new mystery series. Younger readers get hooked early on with CAM JANSEN by David Adler and the A to Z MYSTERIES by Ron Roy. Mary Downing Hahn and Betty Ren Wright are popular authors of ghost stories. Collections of ghost stories are always popular. Especially if they have a surprise or a twist ending. We'd love to see more well written mysteries!

jread: Do you think the Goosebumps craze will die out anytime soon? They are popular in my library. Do you think it's here to stay?

Linda: I think it's dying out in my library; the bulk of the GOOSEBUMPS books sit on the shelf. They just aren't as popular as they were a few years ago.

MBVoelker: What are some of the fastest movers on your shelves? The books that are always out?

Linda: THE MAGIC TREE HOUSE by Mary Pope Osbourne and JUNIE B. JONES by Barbara Park have to be reserved since they never sit on the shelf! The SHILOH books and Gary Paulsen's HATCHET, BRIAN'S WINTER and BRIAN'S SONG are also always out. CAPTAIN UNDERPANTS is another favorite and so are the MARY KATE & ASHLEY books.

menucha: What type of picture books are most popular?

Linda: Right now, picture books for older readers are very successful. New titles like THE OTHER SIDE by Jacqueline Woodson and beautifully illustrated by E. B. Lewis and FREEDOM SUMMER by Debbie Wiles are well written stories that can be read on many levels. They tackle the difficult issue of racial discrimination. Humor is ALWAYS popular! The first title I think of is CLICK CLACK MOO: COWS THAT TYPE by Doreen Cronin.

kmadsen: Have you had any complaints about THE PIGMAN by Paul Zindel? It was part of the 7th grade reading list in our area, but was pulled because parents complained that it contained themes about vandalism, suicide and substance abuse.

Linda: I don't remember that title being complained about. I stopped trying to keep up with books that people complained about and only read the results after the committee has voted to remove or retain the book. I always encourage people to read the ENTIRE book before lodging a complaint. Sometimes things are taken out of context.

coachj2001: What about NATE THE GREAT for younger readers?

lodger: Is the BABYSITTERS CLUB series still popular? I'm also wondering if Madeleine L'Engle's books are popular with children--if so, what age?

Linda: NATE THE GREAT is a continuing success! Along with HENRY AND MUDGE by Cynthia Rylannt for the same age group. BABYSITTERS has slowed down somewhat but yes, it's still popular. Girls head straight to the shelves and check out stacks of them! Madeleine L'Engle books are popular with good middle grade readers and YA's. I think the themes and vocabulary are tough for younger readers.

AnneKelly: Are the middle-graders into historical fiction and/or biographies?

Linda: First, historical fiction--it's probably the hot trend right now. DEAR AMERICA, AMERICA DIARIES and ORPHAN TRAIN series are all doing well. Also single titles like SILVER DOLLAR GIRL by Katherine Ayers and THE STAIRCASE by Ann Rinaldi are popular. I think if you want to find a place for your historical novel, choose a time period that's not overdone (Civil War) or key on a particular event in history like Ann Rinaldi did with THE COFFIN QUILT which deals with the feud between the Hatfields and McCoys. Biographies are very popular and there's a HUGE gap that needs to be filled: biographies about women! Shorter biographies (32 pages) for younger readers and picture book biographies like AMERICA'S CHAMPION SWIMMER by David Adler are very much in demand. Also books like YOU FORGOT YOUR SKIRT, AMELIA BLOOMER by Shana Corey that portray an incident in history. Another good example is the collective biography TRAILBLAZING AMERICAN WOMEN: FIRST IN THEIR FIELD by Barbara Kramer. I can't stress enough that we need more biographies about strong, intelligent women!

bernie: What subjects do you feel are lacking material, or are overdone, both in fiction and nonfiction?

Linda: Hard question. If you look at a topic from a new perspective or find a new angle, any topic can be written about. Children are interested in everything from toenails to worms to sky diving to petunias. Gaps? We are always looking for books on holidays, not the big ones, but Cinco de Mayo and Arbor Day. We also need books that deal with difficult health issues for younger readers like GOOD LUCK MRS K by Louise Borden and SAMMY'S MOMMY HAS CANCER by Sherry Kohlenberg. These are good picture books that tackle the subject of cancer. We need books like this about AIDS, heart disease, leukemia, amputation, etc. Also books that explain civil rights to young children -- we get asked for that a lot!

adelle: Do kids enjoy stories with an underlining moral lesson, or do they prefer the lighter "fluffy" stuff?

Linda: Both. But the moral lesson has to come out naturally through the story. They don't like feeling they are being preached to. After a serious book, they usually want to relax with a fun "fluffy" book, so both types are needed.

EBelson: What about mental health issues - depression, for example?

Linda: That's the type of subject we are looking for. Kids KNOW about depression through TV, movies, etc. so books dealing with this difficult subject would be well received. Teens read about suicide, drugs, cutting, anorexia, etc. but not many books for younger readers tackle these topics.

Moderator: What's trendy right now?

Linda: For middle readers: historical fiction.

Moderator: What do you predict the next trends will be for the various age groups?

Linda: I wish I knew -- then I would be writing it! I think we'll see more books about aliens after the popularity of Karen Macke's CAN OF WORMS. Aliens and kids seem to go together. I think writers should write the book they WANT to write and not worry about following a trend. I hope to see more adventure stories, mysteries and humor.

Fred: My instructor suggested that my assignment could be a play, I guess because I outlined *7* scenes. The subject is Benedict Arnold, the "mysterious turn to traitor by the former hero." (Note to chatters: Fred's scenes were emailed to Linda too, but space prevents me from including the scenes here.) My question is: Are American history (esp. middle-grade) books and plays still in demand? Does this type of play (historic, patriotic) have a chance of being produced and put on in your part of the country?

Linda: There's still room for a well written historical novel, though the market might be tougher since it's considered "trendy" right now. As for your play, I think it's a fantastic project! The first thing that came to mind is PLAYS, The Drama Magazine for Young People. They publish plays for lower, middle, and senior grades in all genres (including historical). Write for guidelines: PLAYS, P.O. Box 600160, Newton, MA 02460. Also, you might want to search in WRITER'S MARKET for educational publishers that need material for teachers to use in the classroom. Good luck with it!

MBVoelker: What do think is the Number 1 thing kids look for in the books they read?

Linda: A connection, either with the main character or the conflict the character is dealing with. It makes the book impossible to put down if you feel something. I think that's what draws a reader in.

katonah: How popular are multicultural books for children (especially Native American fiction or myths?)

Linda: Very popular. Teachers use them in the classroom frequently. Children are interested in how other children do things -- how are we alike and how are we different. I think the field is wide open for more good books on Native Americans. Myths appeal to a wide group of readers and to all ages.

adelle: How far into a book will kids read before deciding if it's worth continuing. How long do they give the book to "capture" them?

Linda: I think they know by the first or second page if they want to continue reading. That's why you have to start right out in the middle of the action and capture their interest. Kids won't wade through background info to get to the story!

EBelson: What is the relationship between libraries and book stores? Is it collaborative at all? Do you ever work together on projects?

Linda: Interesting question! We don't share much information about books but we do try to share authors if they come to visit and speak in the area. I wish we did more in conjunction with book stores.

jread: I'm also a librarian and interested in writing middle grade fiction. I read tons of it; Louis Sachar, Barbara Park, Jerry Spinelli are my favorites. Can you suggest anything I can do to help me write?

Linda: Are you in a critique group? Or a book discussion group? I find both very helpful. Reading books and tearing them down to see WHY they are successful can be very helpful. Also, ask kids WHY they like the books they do. Their answers can be surprising and amazing!

adelle: Do authors, who have not yet been published, come to your library to read or leave copies of their stories to get feedback from the kids?

Linda: That hasn't happened yet, but I think it's a wonderful idea! A librarian could set up a Reader's Advisory Board and children could offer comments and suggestions. I'd ask your local librarian or a classroom teacher about the possibilities! Great question!

Moderator: I'm sorry to have to interrupt now, but we're out of time. I really want to thank Linda for coming tonight and giving us an "insider's glimpse" of what real kids are reading and how we can best target our writing efforts toward this end. Thanks so much for coming, Linda!

Linda: Thanks for having me. I had a wonderful time!

Moderator: Do come back in two weeks on May 24 when Sandy Asher (author of 20 juvenile books and three dozen plays) will be talking on "Dialogue That Makes a Difference." Dialogue is a primary force in Sandy's award-winning plays. Do you ever skip over the long narrative passages of a novel and go straight to the next section of dialogue? Almost everyone has done that, but why? What's the attraction of dialogue, and how can we writers use it most effectively? Come back in two weeks to have a "dialogue" with Sandy about that -- and more! And now, good night, everyone!

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