Kieth--Re: Miss Nosy wants to know everything.

[Guest guest]

I like to look at a person's bookshelf or lack

> thereof>>

>

> Ah, Miss Nosy...I know the feeling well!

>

> But let me first start off by saying, " I hope you had a Happy

> Birthday " !

>

> Actually, I haven't been reading a lot of " cancer " books lately

> (did that a long time ago!), but instead have " reviewed " a bunch of

> books my 9 year old daughter has been checking out of the library.

> After all, when I look down on the floor of my living room, that's >

> what I see (so what else am I gonna do but start to read lol!)

>

> There are a couple of them which really got my attention (as being

> particularly good - a pleasant, unexpected surprise). One is called

> " Skellig " , by Almond

>

> British writer Almond, in his first book for young people, weaves a

> story that is part mystery, part dream, part anxious everyday

> life...

>

> Who is Skellig? Or, more correctly, what? When discovers

> the ragged, dusty man existing on dead flies in the garage, he is

> shocked..

>

> In many ways, this novel raises more questions than it answers.

> Readers are not given any definitive answers about who Skellig is,

> and this may bother younger readers who have the skill to read the

> book without the sophistication of knowing how to plumb for its

> deeper meanings. Accomplished readers, however, will find this an

> amazing work. Some of the writing takes one's breath away,

> especially the scenes in which Almond, without flinching, describes

> the beauty and the horror that is Skellig.

>

> Another of Almond's books, " Kit's Wilderness " , is also quite good

> IMO. But the level of depth here is probably a little beyond Skellig

> more " teen oriented " I think. My daughter followed the book, but

> it seemed a bit harder for her.

>

> I also love the book " Graveyard Girl " by Myers. This book is

> set in the late 1800's, and is the story of 3 children caught up in

> a Yellow Fever epidemic in Memphis, Tenn. It's an " easier "

> read for children than either Skellig or Kit's Wilderness (topics

> are more straightforward). The reason I like it is because it shows

> the strength, growth and survival of the main characters while

> being forced to undergo some very difficult circumstances (should

> be familiar to everyone here!).

>

> So anyways...while these books AREN'T exactly about " cancer " , I

> think ALL of them are a worthwhile read (both for children and

> " nosy " adults!). They get deeply into the spiritual aspects of life

> and death we all must face, on a level I hadn't encountered before

> in so called " children's " works.

>

> We shouldn't overlook books and other things which might help those

> of our loved ones who are children cope better with all this.

> Believe me, they need it as much if not more than any of us do!

>

> Is this the sort of thing " Miss Nosy " might be looking for ;o)

>

> Best Wishes,

>>Your daughter sounds very bright. At her age I was reading

Drew and nothing but! These kids today are so smart it is scary.

I just got around to reading 'The Little Prince' a few years ago.

There is no way I could have found its deeper meaning as a youngster

although it is written to be enjoyed on several levels as are many

so-called children's books.

>>Thank you for your very thoughtful answer.

I had a nice day on the cusp of the winter solstice.

Now the light returns.

Asp