As is often the case with Newbery Award winners (in my opinion), this book has great literary value, but won't appeal to kids, at least not as pleasure reading. I quite enjoyed the book, but Laura (age 11) took one look at it, and said, "That looks boring!"Good Masters! Sweet Ladies! was written by a librarian to accompany a unit on the middle ages at her school. The kids were doing all sorts of projects, and she wanted to contribute something they could perform. The result was a series of mostly monologues, each one by a different resident of a medieval village. My favorite pieces in the book, though, were the 2 pieces that were intended for 2 actors.
Reading this book was one thing, seeing it performed would be another altogether. I think my daughter would have a different opinion entirely if she took the book in the vein in which it was intended, that of performance art.
Other reviews:
the hidden side of the leaf
5 comments:
Wow, this sounds really different, but in a fun way. I'm not sure, but I think my daughter might really like this one.
You'll have to let me know if Annie likes it!
Your comment about Newbery winners is so true! I have heard great things about this one (from adults!)
I wasn't anticipating enjoying this book because the cover looked so boring! I certainly wouldn't have given it a chance as a kid. I ended up enjoying it but it wasn't the best Newbery I've read.
I find it so curious that a book written to help teachers teach a certain topic ended up a Newbery winner!
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