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Yet another debate is raging about what is appropriate content for children’s books. Matt Otley’s Requiem For a Beast won the 2008 CBCA Picture Book of the Year. It contains some obscenities, depictions of racism, and violence.

Kate Eltham, Chief Executive of the Queensland Writers’ Centre, eloquently defended the book…

             Detractors ask if we really want to read profanity and racist dialogue in our children’s books? But this is an insidious question. What can the reasonable answer be except ‘no’? … But this of course masks the real issue. That ugliness exists. That racism, violence and ignorance are real. And books, especially fiction, are still the best vehicles for exploring confronting ideas.

Read the whole article.

Do you agree? Are ‘books the best vehicle for exploring confronting ideas’? Do we, as Mr Batty suggested at today’s Olympic Reading Challenge Awards Ceremony, learn about ourselves and our reactions to others through reading books?

Mrs Sweeney

Grenville’s historical novel about the impact on indigenous culture of white settlement in early colonial New South Wales, displays a humane concern for those caught on both sides of the ensuing cultural conflict. It centres around the experiences of the proud, but poverty stricken William Thornhill who, along with his equally determined wife, Sal rises to prominence through hard work and astute business sense on the Hawkesbury River. His subsequent fall from grace underscores a human tragedy from which arguably all Australians are still suffering.

Mr Burton

The title says it all; for students and colleagues. The Irish trickster does it again–easy to read with some reflective substance.

Dr Collins

It’s official! Melbourne is only the second city in the world to have been awarded ‘City of Literature’ status by UNESCO. Edinburgh received this status in 2004. The centrepiece of Melbourne’s bid was the plan to establish a Centre for Books and Ideas at the State Library of Victoria, expected to be completed in the middle of 2009. Read more here.

Mrs Sweeney

Image ; http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/2b/Melbourne_City_Misty_Skyline_Federation_Square.jpg/800px-Melbourne_City_Misty_Skyline_Federation_Square.jpg  21/8/08

Runner was chosen by another literature group circle. It is set in Richmond around 1919, and I would love the group to comment on the setting and how it shapes the novel and characters.

Mao’s Last Dancer was a popular choice for literature circles. Did this tale inspire you?

Ms Chrisfield

I know a number of students have read Across the Nightingale Floor and would love some feedback on whether this novel worked in your literature circle and whether you are keen to read the other novels in the series.

Ms Chrisfield

The Children’s Book Council of Australia has announced the winners of its book awards for 2008.

The winner in the category for Older Readers is Sonya Hartnett, for The Ghost’s Child.

The Honour Books (or runners up) in the same category were Marty’s Shadow by John Heffernan and Black Water by David Metzenthen.

Have you read any of these books? What did you think of them? Do they deserve these awards or are there others you have enjoyed more?

Mrs Sweeney

A 7am start is not every boy’s idea of fun, but for Scotch Library’s annual event, Books Blokes and Brekky, 100 keen readers were more than happy to make an exception.  Judging by the number of excited students, Fathers and Grandfathers who arrived at the Cardinal Pavilion on Thursday, Books Blokes and Brekky is an occasion not to be missed.

A delicious breakfast of fruit smoothies, eggs florentine, tea, coffee and mini-muffins filled the stomachs of the hungry guests, while the eight guest authors filled the minds of the “blokes” with their recommendations of books every boy should read.

Paul Collins, Brendan Gullifer, Leigh Hobbs, Michael Hyde, Sofie Laguna, Vikki Petraitis, James Phelan and Nick Place completed the varied line-up of special guests and all impressed the audience with their suggestions from varied genres.

Paul encouraged boys of all ages to read Philip Reeve’s Mortal Engines, Brendan suggested the American classic, Catcher in the Rye as his most unmissable book for boys, Leigh Hobbs cited cartoonist Ronald Searle, noted for his St. Trinians illustrations, as an early influence, while Michael Hyde spoke of the importance of Australian classics , specifically Alan Marshall’s I can jump puddles.

Sofie Laguna chose Nick Hornby’s most recent novel Slam as a book for every boy, while crime writer Vikki Petraitis summarised Randolph Stowe’s 1967 comic story, Midnite : the story of a wild colonial boy and recommended it as another Aussie classic.

Action author James Phelan, familiar to many Scotch boys due to his appearance at last year’s Literature Festival, spoke highly of Orson Scott Card’s Sci-Fi award winner Ender’s game. The final word of the morning went to Nick Place who recommended books by both Elmore Leonard and Michael Chabon, but ultimately chose The Princess Bride by William Goldman as his “best book for boys”.

A lively morning of great literary discussion and delicious food delighted all those who attended. Bring on the next BBB!

Madame Librarian

 For aspiring Scotch Scribes…Brigid Lowry will be running a workshop on creative writing, recommended for years 7-10, on Saturday 30 August, 1-3pm.
Where? Conference Centre, State Library of Victoria
Level 2A, La Trobe Street, Melbourne.

Cost? $7 per person.

Book at 03 8664 7555 or bookings@slv.vic.gov.au

You can read parts of Brigid’s book Juicy Writing here.

Mrs Sweeney