Lighthouse Island and Other Selections

Gr 4-8-These cobbled-together mixes of works that include short stories and excerpts from non-Newbery winners as well as excerpts from some of the award-winning titles are uneven at best. Although some of the pieces are quite gripping, others are so mired in old-fashioned dialect as to be close to incomprehensible. One excerpt does not stand alone, describing a revelation that is rendered meaningless without the build-up from the earlier chapters of the book. Quite a few of the stories are mood pieces with minimal plot or tension and undeveloped characters. It is unclear why many of the stories were chosen. The authors included are Lois Lenski, Elizabeth Coatsworth, Will James, Walter D. Edmonds, Charles Boardman Hawes, and Elizabeth Yates, most of whom won their awards in the `40s or earlier, so it is unsurprising that the language and style of their stories may not appeal to today's young readers. The unattractive textbook-style format and cover art make the books even less likely to circulate. While the idea of exposing children to other works by Newbery authors is laudable, these unappealing offerings are unlikely to whet their appetites for more.-Amy Lilien-Harper, Ferguson Library, Stamford, CT Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.