Comedy or Tragedy - One astute 11 year-old reader on what makes a good book

I met 11 year-old Amy on a recent trip to the Bahamas - and was interested to find out what this enthusiastic grade 5 student and avid reader had to say about her favorite books:

What's the most recent book you've read?

"Surprises according to Humphrey," (by Betty G. Birney).

Tell me about it.

It's about Humphrey, who is helping his class. Humphrey is a hamster - a classroom pet.

What did you like about this book?

I just like animal books.

Do you have pets?

I had one. A dog - in Korea. We gave it to someone because my brother had allergies.

Do you have a class pet?

We have Izzy - a lizard. But I don't really care about him. He's boring.

Why isn't Humphrey boring?

Because Humphrey's always doing something. He was worried about aliens.

What did he do about it?

He hid from them.

Where did he hide?

In his bed.

Were they really aliens?

No. He just thought they were. Someone was supposed to clean his classroom but she didn't come. Someone else came and she had MP3 headphones - Humphrey sees the headphones and thinks she is an alien.

Is the book funny?

Yes. I like funny things.

What other books have you read recently?

"Sheep" (by Valerie Hobbs) - it's about a dog.

Ha ha! Tell me about it.

It's about a dog that was born on a farm where the dogs make sheep go where they say to go - and he did it and he liked it. But then he was sold... he lived in different houses and then he ran away and met a boy. The boy liked him and named the dog, "Jack."

What did you like about the book?

I like dogs!

Any other books you've read lately?

"Hatchet" (by Gary Paulsen).

What's it about?

A boy who had divorced parents - his dad was in Canada and his mom was in America... A pilot taught him how to drive a plane but the pilot dies.

Wow! This sounds like a serious story. What made you read this book?

I read it in class because the teacher said to read it.

Can you tell me more about it?

The boy flies the plane. He goes in the forest and almost crashes in a lake. The mosquitoes come out - he finds berries and catches fish. He learns by himself... then a moose attacks him and a tornado comes, and all he has left is a hatchet which his mom gave him.

This is a book about survival. Did you care about this boy?

Yes.

So - you like funny books but you like serious books too. What is it about these very different kinds of books that makes you like them?

If it's interesting it makes me read it - because I don't know what will happen next.

That's great answer, Amy. Thank you so much for talking to me about books!

N.B. Coming soon - an interview with a savvy and eloquent 16 year-old named Conor. Please check back - even better - why not become a follower?

Two New Paintings

I've posted two new paintings on my website. Take a look: paintings

Two Teens on Books - the second interview

While my 13 year-old niece Rachel and her best friend Nicole carved artistic pumpkins one recent afternoon, I took advantage of the opportunity to catch up on what they've been reading lately - in follow up to my interview with them last August. You can read the first interview at: 2TeensOnBooks. Here's what we talked about this time:

I have an announcement to make. I've decided this will be a quarterly interview. Every three months I'll find out what books the two of you are reading, and get your impressions.

Rachel and Nicole: (much eye rolling and grumbling)

Indulge me - and my readers. Your opinions are insightful and compelling. People want to know what you have to say. So, Nicole, what have you read lately?

Nicole: I haven't read anything. School started, which ruins everything. I've read absolutely nothing except for stuff in school.

And - what are you reading in school?

Nicole: In English class, we're reading, The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian (Sherman Alexie). (Nicole then revealed that her grade 9 English teacher had read some racy passages out loud in class.)

What do you think about this book?

Nicole: It's set on an Indian reservation. It's funny. It's kind of humorous but also serious. It deals with the character of a teenage boy. It's not what you'd typically read in school. Oh - I did read something else - The Pretty Little Liars series (by Sara Shepard).

Did you like it?

Nicole: It was very good - kind of creepy. It's about a dead girl - not dead actually - she disappeared - went missing. She starts to text these girls, and stalk them. It was a chick lit book.

What did you like about it?

Nicole: It was just fun, original. You don't see stories like it often. The characters become very developed. You start thinking you know them. You start to empathize with the girls that she texts. It's not really scary but it's creepy.

Thanks Nicole. Rachel - what have you read recently?

Rachel: I started one book - 13 Little Blue Envelopes (Maureen Johnson). It was a good book but there were some creepy aspects. I stopped reading it when school started - there were a lot of other things to do. You have to get to bed earlier and you don't have time for reading. I'm planning on finishing reading it for an oral book report in school (grade 8 English literature). I stopped reading it because of the creepy aspects - but this time, I'm planning on finishing it with a lot more lights on!

Tell me about the creepy aspects.

Rachel: The book starts when this 17 year-old girl goes to pick up a package at her dead aunt's apartment. The whole book is her dead aunt's notes. She has to open the notes one by one and complete the task before opening the next one. The reason it's creepy is the notes are coming from her dead aunt and you don't know how.

When I got these books, I was also interested in the series Nicole read - so I asked her to read them first - so I could find out what they were like. She's less scared of books like that.

Good system! Did you get any other books since the summer?

Audrey Wait! by Robin Benway - but I haven't read it yet.

Thanks, Rachel. We'll talk again in the winter - that is - if the two of you agree to another interview.