As most of you probably know, yesterday was St. Patrick’s Day. In our house, this is known as “St. Studmuffin’s Day” and he does not let anyone forget it! However, yesterday was a bit more important than that. Yesterday was the last day of winter term for me. (Sorry, my dear Studmuffin, but that’s the truth…you were trumped by pre-reqs!)
I took three classes–one of which was online, which I hope to NEVER do again! In fact, I’m planning on taking the 300 level of this 200 level class in a traditional setting so that I will actually learn something. What a concept.
The second class was a math class on how to teach math–fun, but I start it up again on April 1st (no foolin’!) so I’m not exactly heartbroken about that ending. The third class, however, was my children’s literature class and I’m devastated that it’s over. You see, I’ve come to realize that there is a lot of children’s literature that is far better than adult literature. And, really, I’d much rather read children’s books! I’m going to have to force myself to alternate between children’s books and adult books or else my book club will kill me in May or June when we plan out the next 6 or so book!
The other thing that class has taught me is, well, Harry Potter isn’t really “all that.” In fact, Harry Potter is to children’s literature what Dan Brown in to adult literature (and, with Dan Brown, I’m using the term “literature” loosely!). Entertaining, but not the highest quality. There, I’ve said it. My friends will now stop speaking to me!
So, what I’m saying is that you are going to see many children’s books reviewed here, starting with one I hope to post later today. If you are an adult, try reading one of them. You might be pleasantly surprised.
After many glowing reviews, I finally broke down and read Angels and Demons and was quite disappointed. I think Dan Brown is in need of a good editor who can shave at least a quarter of that book off. It just kept rambling on, and by the last couple hundred pages I really didn’t care anymore. The book also took a turn to ludicrous at about the same point. I haven’t been able to work up the nerve to read any of Dan Brown’s other books after that experience, but I did see the film of DaVinci Code. That failed to impress me as well.
As for Harry Potter, I have only seen the movies, but I like them just fine. The first two were a little too much on the “kiddy” side for my liking, but they keep improving. But based on the thickness of the novels, I can imagine that, like Dan Brown’s books, they are bloated and rambling.
By: Scott on 18 March 2008
at 12:15 pm