A movie? Really?

A movie trailer/advertisement during Good Morning America caught my attention this morning; not Twilight, even though I noticed the actor who played Cedric Diggory of HP fame is a lead character, not Bolt, and not even Madagascar 2 (I like to move it, move it), but The Boy in the Striped Pajamas.

I promised not to blog about this book again, though technically this post is about the movie and not the book and I am predisposed not to see the movie, I will abide by the essense of the promise and link to Elizabeth Bird's Horn Book review, From Page to Screen, Mark Herman's The Boy in the Striped Pajamas. Here's an excerpt from her review:

"While many children's books have sought to teach young readers about Hitler's greatest atrocity, few have been quite as divisive as John Boyne's 2006 novel The Boy in the Striped Pajamas. This novel has caused some readers to sing its praises to the heavens while others desire nothing more than to rake out their own eyeballs after a chapter or two. The tale involves a preternaturally naive child who inadvertently discovers a concentration camp in his backyard and a new friend on the other side of the fence. Some find the book to be a heartwarming tale of innocence in the midst of horror, while others, like myself, have found it to be disingenuous, oppressively repetitive, infuriating, and unbelievable. Mark Herman serves as both director and screenwriter to this Miramax film and in doing so attempts to replace the novel’s more naively tweek elements with an honest-to-goodness story arc. That it isn’t effective is due less to Herman's clear labor of love than to the material he has to work with." - Elizabeth Bird, The Horn Book.

Revisiting Pajamas

It has been several months, seven to be specific, since the pajama book has been mentioned here; and yes, I remember promising not to blog about it again. I am now officially going to rescind that announcement and blog once more about The Boy in the Striped Pajamas. What brought about this change? Two things: (1) I have been discussing the book with students taking a young adult literature class, and (2) I read two very different letters to the editor in the April issue of School Library Journal.

First, a quick review of my other blog entries on this topic:

• Advance Reader copies (6/10/06) : Disturbed by the book and it's classification as a fable, I decided it might have some use in the classroom.
• The Boy in the Striped Pajamas (7/13/06): Still ranting about the title, specifically elements of "creepiness, cute words for real words, the ending, and it being a 'fable.'" Includes short discussion of book reviews.
• Last of the Striped Pajamas (9/2/06): Discussion of book reviews and particular mention of SLJ having a starred review. Actually, I said: "A well written review that includes a professional opinion, I beg to disagree with her conclusion and am a bit horrified by the star it was given."

I made a concerted effort not to overstate my gathering dislike of Pajamas when discussing it with students in the library. However, when my opinion was asked it was freely given and more often than not included issues of fable, allegory, concern over the perpetration of the "Holocaust as a myth" theory, and dislike of the main character's simplicity/stupidity. Two very different viewpoints are presented as letters to the editor and were very edifying.

"If Boyne wishes readers to see his glib and life-cheapening work as a fable, so be it. Maybe we should remember that fables carry within them a “narration intended to enforce a useful truth.” By the author’s own definition it is not an allegory."

"When they explain all the mysteries of Pajamas to readers, will they explain what the pajamas signify (a penultimate dehumanization of Jews and others, “sub-humans.” Is Shmuel really sub-human?); that “out-with” is humanity’s ultimate degradation of humanity? Will our guides explain what “out-with” was? Boyne’s book never does. Boyne’s book never explains to readers whose knowledge of history is weak or nonexistent exactly what happened—and why."
- (SLJ, Gordon, p. 13-14)

And the reviewers response:

"In my point of view, the book, read as historical allegory or fable, clearly presents the atmosphere in Nazi Germany, hinting at violence, blind hatred, deplorable conditions, bullying, and fearfulness. At the end of Boyne’s tale, however, the realization of the evil that has been done extracts a measure of justice from the Commandant and his family. I am confident that this book will spark lively and thoughtful discussion of genocide, how it is allowed to happen, and that there can be no confusing innocence with ignorance." - (SLJ, Scheps, p. 14)

I still can not agree that this is a good book about, or representative of another viewpoint regarding the Holocaust. On Sunday afternoon I was channel surfing and happened across Band of Brothers and the GI's were in a Nazi concentration camp, looking for a friend and viewing the carnage. The graphic images stayed with me most of the afternoon and even now, make the idea of the Holocaust being presented as a fable distasteful. Instead, read Dark Hours by Gudrun Pauswang.

Both of these reviews are available online from School Library Journal editorials page titled, Scared of 'Scrotum.' That, I dare say, is fodder for another blog post.


Tags: School Library Journal, The boy in the striped pajamas,Book reviews, SLJ letters to the editor

Last of the striped pajamas

Late yesterday afternoon I checked my bloglines account to see what was new. Aside from missing Blog Day 2006, what filled me with some anticipation was seeing Read Roger had posted the September/October Horn Book issue was out. Because I snagged Booklist and School Library Journal as first to see, we get to tag journals as "first see" and get them before they hit the regular stacks, I am second in line to view Horn Book Magazine. I look forward to seeing the online samples of book reviews and am glad when Roger posts on his blog they are available. Two things were linked from the post that were of particular interest to me; an article titled Stars that explains the enigma of Horn Book Magazine starred reviews, and Roger's review of The boy in the striped pajamas (it's the second review, scroll down).

First things first, since working on a children's book review blog for the library and resource center I have been doing research on the process of reviewing books. While in grad school we were required to write book reviews weekly, bless Dr. Kimmel, and I had forgotten how difficult the process can be. The journal articles I found were rather dated. This article will be joining the bibliography amassed for the blog. Secondly, one of the children's literature professors was thrilled to be able to get Horn Book Magazine's for his class to use when evaluating books for a specific assignment. He will be thrilled with this article as well and I'm sending along the link.

I was anxiously awaiting his book review and was not disappointed. In part it reads:

"For both its plot and emotional impact, the novel depends completely on readers’ acceptance of Bruno’s naiveté (often telegraphed by the phrase “his mouth made the shape of an O”) as well as their belief (or at least suspended disbelief) in a fictional world poised between fable and realism, each of which compromises the other. If Auschwitz is the metaphor, what’s the real story?" - Roger Sutton, Horn Book

The review ties in nicely with the discussion in his article Stars. Collection development of children's literature is a large part of my job. It is a task taken seriously since not only do the children's literature professors use titles for classroom instruction, but also because what I buy may find it's way into a classroom and read to students by students. While I rely on professional reviews to make individual purchases, nothing takes the place of reading a title myself and knowing if it fits in with the curriculum I am supporting. It's a conundrum. There is no feasible way for me to read every book before purchase, hence review resources. Not every professional review is one I agree with after reading the book.

My raving about the pajama book aside, it has definitely illustrated to me the necessity of remembering collection development is an art and not a science. There are going to be a few dud purchases, that is why we weed collections. There are going to be books I waffle about adding to the collection, that is why I am lucky to have access to databases containing professional journals with review resources. I have been reminded of the importance of reading reviews critically when choosing books for the juvenile collection.

Update: 9/10/06

I promised not to blog about this book again, so instead of a new entry I am adding an update. This afternoon I am doing collection development for the juvenile collection using School Library Journal as my review resource. Along with Booklist, Book Links, and Horn Book Magazine, SLJ is one of my primary journals for book reviews. With my list of ISBN's on the table, I had just moved into the grades 5 & up catagory and what to my surprise did I see but a starred review for the pajamas. A well written review that includes a professional opinion, I beg to disagree with her conclusion and am a bit horrified by the star it was given. In a quest to be fair and provide another viewpoint, here is an exerpt from the review:

"His combination of strong characterization and simple, honest narrative make this powerful and memorable tale a unique addition to Holocaust literature for those who already have some knowledge of Hitler's 'Final Solution.'" - S. Scheps, SLJ Reviews, p. 202, Sept. 2006

I now have three different professional reviews on this book; Booklist (wishy-washy), Horn Book Magazine (not positive), and School Library Journal (starred). Not surprisingly, I am most pleased with the one I agree with.

Tags: Read Roger, Horn Book Magazine, Horn Book Online, Book reviews, Starred reviews, Collection development, Children's literature

The Boy in the Striped Pajamas

I have been driving co-workers crazy both last week and this week talking about my impressions of The Boy in the Striped Pajamas. I try not to make co-workers any crazier than they are, but ...

The book bothered me.

As previously mentioned, calling this a "fable" is unsettling. I keep thinking that since the topic is disturbing, the book should be as well. But there is something that is keeping me from buying the book for the library. I passed along the arc to the technical services librarian for her opinion. Since she is in Alaska for two weeks, the opinion will be some time coming. I have moved on to other books I picked up at ALA, in fact I'm enjoying Leapholes right now, but Boy continues to lurke in my subconscious like a nasty virus.

This morning while reading the latest issue of Booklist (vol. 102 no. 21), I was interested to see a review on Boy included in the fiction books for older readers section. I quickly noticed it was given a grade recommendation for 7 - 10. OK, I can agree with that. But the review doesn't mention any of the things that bother me about the book (creepiness, cute words for real words, the ending, and it being a "fable") . In fact, except for one detail, I may have purchased the book from the review.

Remember? I read the book.

I was left to wonder if I was alone in my thoughts concerning this book. Even though I have been purchasing children's books for public and academic libraries for almost ten years (OMG ten years!), I'm not a professional reviewer. I count on them to make informed purchases.

Checking my bloglines account before lunch, I was thrilled to read a post from the Horn Book Magazine's blog Read Roger, titled Whither Jackie Paper? It briefly touched on the issue of fables, children's writers, and ... The Boy in the Striped Pajamas.

I am not alone.

Really. While I was writing my response to his post, four other people were simultaneously writing as well. I will definitely be checking back to see what additional comments will be posted later on today.

Insert sigh of relief here.

Tags: The Boy in the Striped Pajamas, Horn Book Magazine, Book Reviews,Children's Books

Advance Reader Copies

I didn't pick up much from vendor tables because just how many pens do I really need? I did manage to snag a few Advance Reader Copy's of different YA and children's books (good thing seeing as I got stuck an extra day). I have read three of the five I picked up on Sunday at the conference and will be interested to see reviews on the final copies of all three. Below is my opinion on the first of the three novels I read.

The Boy in the Striped Pajamas, by John Boyne, disturbed me on some level. Not because of the topic, it is an interesting premise with the potential of being effectively used in a classroom. Not because it was not well written; it was. But I feel it's classification as a fable, though it did indeed have a moral, is misleading. This is not a fable, especially in the traditional sense. A look at the book.

The cover art is appropriate and depicts only blue and gray stripes of a prison uniform, or striped pajamas. Despite the title and cover, this is not a book to be read unsupervised by fourth and fifth graders. Case in point, the back cover:

"The story of The Boy in the Striped Pajamas is very difficult to describe. Usually we give some clues about the book on the jacket, but in this case we think it is important that you start to read without knowing what it is about."

"If you do start to read this book, you will go on a journey with a nine-year-old boy called Bruno. (Though this isn't a book for nine-year olds). And sooner or later you will arrive with Bruno at a fence. Fences like this exist all over the world. We hope you never have to encounter such a fence."

This is a book about Auschwitz told by a young boy named Bruno whose father is in charge of the prison camp. Bruno and his family are abruptly moved from their comfortable home in Berlin to "Out-with" because his father has been given an important job by "the Fury." Depicted as a normal nine-year-old who is part of a prosperous family, Bruno is spoiled and slightly arrogant in his various assumptions concerning his new home and the people who live behind the bars wearing only striped pajamas. One afternoon Bruno meets Shmuel on the other side of the fence. Lonely for a friend, Bruno learns they share a birthday. This leads to daily meetings beside the fence and the boys become friends, after a fashion. Through their friendship, we learn about Shmuel's life inside "Out-with" as seen by a nine-year old. Neither boy fully understands the camp, which is understandable since adults to this day do not understand, but readers are able to sense the underlying evil. The story ends in an appropriately horrifying manner that will undoubtedly lead to questions.

Tags: American Library Association, ALA, ARC, Juvenile Literature, Children's Books, Authors , The Boy in the Striped Pajamas