So last week, Newsweek did a gathering of nine authors' favorite books in their own genre. I was nodding along--Melissa Gilbert on Hollywood memoirs, Bob Woodward on political scandal, Jenna Bush on children's books--
*sound of needle screeching across record*
Jenna Bush?
Undoubtedly they were going for a little star power, a recognizable name. We all know Bob Woodward knows his political scandals, after all. But Jenna Bush? Granted, she's not a totally moronic choice. She did write a nonfiction YA book (more on the fundamental difference between kids and YA later) and is currently a sixth-grade teacher. So presumably she has a waving acquaintance with children's lit. But seriously, Newsweek, with all the amazing children's authors out there, this was the best you could do?
The list itself is perfectly serviceable, hard to disagree with, but the kind of thing you would find on any summer required-reading list.
Who would you have picked instead? And if they'd picked you, what would your list have looked like?
*sound of needle screeching across record*
Jenna Bush?
Undoubtedly they were going for a little star power, a recognizable name. We all know Bob Woodward knows his political scandals, after all. But Jenna Bush? Granted, she's not a totally moronic choice. She did write a nonfiction YA book (more on the fundamental difference between kids and YA later) and is currently a sixth-grade teacher. So presumably she has a waving acquaintance with children's lit. But seriously, Newsweek, with all the amazing children's authors out there, this was the best you could do?
The list itself is perfectly serviceable, hard to disagree with, but the kind of thing you would find on any summer required-reading list.
Who would you have picked instead? And if they'd picked you, what would your list have looked like?
No comments:
Post a Comment