Radical Change: Books for Youth in a Digital Age
Dresang discusses more than 200 excellent, provocative books with which children's librarians and teachers would do well to be acquainted. They range from picture books to YA fiction, from informational nonfiction to poetry. Many of the titles are challenging, either because of their structure or because of their subject matter. They push at many boundaries. Their formats may be nonlinear or different points of view may receive simultaneous graphic expression on a single page. Their plots may be open to different resolutions, depending on decisions readers make while perusing the pages. The authors and illustrators sometimes court ambiguity. Many of the books treat topics such as violence, bigotry, suicide, chronic illness, and prejudice. It's great to have a list of so many stimulating books. What Dresang does not wholly convince readers of is that these books have anything in common or how they fit into the construct of what she calls "Radical Change." No matter. What she has provided is a valuable overview of the recent evolution of children's literature and a wonderful resource list of what the author calls "handheld books" that readers will find themselves turning to repeatedly. If the book leads them to examine these titles and to use them with kids, that is, in itself, enough to recommend it.Miriam Lang Budin, Chappaqua Public Library, NYCopyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.