Tuesday 9 November 2010

FTCBG

The First Tuesday Children's Book Group held its final meeting today for this, its first, year. Over the year we've looked at a wide variety of books: current and classic; commercial and literary, popular and obscure.

Without fail, the books have generated lively discussion. Some won over the majority, others polarised the group, with no fence sitters! We looked at poetry, verse novels, gritty realism and fantasy.

Next year we'll continue much as this year except that at each meeting we'll look at a picture book, a junior fiction and a YA fiction title. We have identified themes in choosing these books and will look at the way the same theme is tackled at different age levels.

From a personal point of view, I've read books I would never have looked at otherwise. Some I've loved, others I've loved less. But always it's been fascinating to talk about what makes these books work for some and not work for others.

Highlights in 2010 books for me:

Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater
Willie the Wimp by Anthony Brown
48 Shades of Brown by Nick Earls
Fancy Nancy by Jane O'Connor/Robyn Preiss Glasser
Pastures of the Blue Crane by Hesba Brinsmead

2 comments:

Janeen said...

Claire, i love this idea - and the way you've refined it for next year is wonderful - a theme, with a book from each age group - tremendous. Did you set this group up and how many are in it? Who selects the books etc?
great stuff! Wish i could join in.

Janeen
x

Claire said...

Hi Janeen,

It's great fun and I love it as a way to increase my awareness of writers and writings.

Yes, I did set the group up, with help of course. We have between 10 and almost 20 at any given meeting. We select the books as a group, first choosing a theme.

If you are in town when me meet,perhaps you might join us??
xC