Learning: Reading
What Makes a Classic?

A new generation of readers discovers magic, from Harry Potter to The Wizard of Oz.

This fall, book-lovers are finding that a wave of classics have been re-released by publishers. Here's a list of some of the best, and what makes them classics.

The Wizard of Oz
by L. Frank Baum
It's the 100th anniversary for Dorothy, Toto, and their travel companions. Baum's tale has been revered by authors and illustrators alike for its imagery and imagination, and many publishers have issued versions with their interpretations. The official centennial edition has been released by HarperCollins, 267 pp. $24.95.

The Hobbit
by J.R.R. Tolkien
Before The Lord of the Rings was a movie blockbuster, there was, of course, Tolkien's trilogy. But before that trilogy came The Hobbit, where Tolkien set the stage with the adventures of the memorable Bilbo Baggins that continue to captivate readers. Houghton Mifflin, 320 pp., $14.40.

The Trumpet of the Swan
by E.B. White
This beloved masterpiece, featuring gentle Louis the trumpeter swan, tells a timeless story of friendship. That's probably why a new animated TV series is coming out based on the book. But the book is better. HarperCollins, 199 pp. $5.95.

Higglety, Pigglety, Pop
by Maurice Sendak
This was Sendak's first classic, and one of many Sendak creations that have fired children's imaginations with unique characters. Even though his style goes against the tide of bright colors and flashy pictures often found in children's books, his appeal has endured. Now Sendak himself has selected which of his titles to re-release, such as In Grandpa's House (done with his father), The Happy Rain (done with his brother), and A Hole is to Dig (done with writer Ruth Kraus). HarperCollins, $10 to $25.

Good Night Moon,
My World,
Two Little Trains
by Margaret Wise Brown
Margaret Wise Brown broke the mold of children's books by creating more challenging text and concepts for even the youngest child. Publishers from HarperCollins to Hyperion have re-issued many of her works, some with new illustrations and interpretations. HarperCollins, 32 pp., $15.95 each.

The Moffats
by Eleanor Estes
The wacky exploits of the Moffat family have delighted readers for years and garnered Estes a number of awards. She wrote five books about the Moffats, including The Moffat Museum, Rufus M., and The Middle Moffat. Harcourt, 232 pp., $6 each.

Alice's Adventures in Wonderland
by Lewis Carroll, illustrated by DeLoss McGraw.
Carroll's strange tale of Alice takes on a startling new look, thanks to McGraw's brilliant, bizarre illustrations. HarperCollins, 192 pp., $19.95.

The Harry Potter Series
by J.K. Rowling
What's a new series like Rowling's doing in a column of classics? Featuring names like Quidditch and Dumbledore, her rich world of wizards and muggles have captivated readers of all ages in a what will no doubt be an enduring saga of good and evil. Soon to come, the fifth in the series: Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. Scholastic, $24.95 each title.

A Tree Grows in Brooklyn
by Betty Smith
This coming-of-age novel set in the tenements of New York City follows young Francie as she learns about life and love in the 1920s and '30s. The new version features an introduction by Anna Quindlen. Scholastic, 159 pp. $15.95.

Eloise
by Kay Thompson
A new generation is discovering this precocious and pretentious resident of New York's Plaza Hotel. And for better or worse, she's still got appeal--kids still go to the Plaza Hotel to look for her. Simon & Schuster, 44 pp., $17.

The Book of Rhythms
by Langston Hughes
A new foreword by musician Wynton Marsalis introduces Hughes's rich description of the rhythm and music of words, and a sampling of his poetry. Oxford, 64 pp., $9.95.

The Snowy Day
by Ezra Jack Keats
Keats artwork brightens this and other titles featuring the loving adventures of Peter, his family, and his dog, Willie. Penguin, 32 pp., $6.99. Also great: John Henry: An American Legend, which brings the tale alive for younger readers. Knopf, 32 pp., $5.99.

The Giving Tree
by Shel Silverstein
It's the 25th anniversary of this book about friendship and sacrifice, and HarperCollins has re-released the book with a CD of Silverstein reading the book. HarperCollins, 32 pp., $25.99.

--Anita Merina

NEA Reading Room

With all this talk of classics, let's not forget our good friend Dr. Seuss and his tales of Seussian delight. The Random House editions of The Cat in the Hat, Green Eggs and Ham, and Yertle the Turtle continue to captivate readers.

Looking for more information to share with your students? Interested in reading tips for parents? The NEA Reading Room, a brand new feature of the NEA Read Across America Web site, offers author interviews, book lists, and reading tips.

Plus, you'll find a wide range of reading activities to celebrate NEA's Read Across America literacy effort year-round, and materials for the grand Seuss-celebration taking place March 1next year. Go to www.nea.org/readacross.

Q & A
A Cautionary Tale

A "classic" is supposed to be a book that's stood the test of time. Surprisingly, many of the books we deem "classics" haven't passed that test. They're more the beneficiaries of marketing hype. So says Leonard S. Marcus, noted children's book historian and book critic for Parenting magazine, who spoke recently with NEA Today's Anita Merina.

Why the caution on classics?
If you look at all of the books now labeled classics, you'll find that some of the attention is richly deserved--while others don't truly warrant the fuss they receive.

Most of the books listed on these pages are true classics, because they've remained fresh and fascinating through the years. But classics are often a mixed bag.

This is particularly true of award-winning books such as Newbery and Caldecott winners. Just because they've received an award doesn't mean they're classics or should become required reading, particularly in schools.

Why not? What's wrong with exposing students to such books?
It's not the book, it's the attitude. Too often, children are asked to read the Newbery winners or the classics with the message that they're supposed to like them. When a child doesn't, instead of questioning the teacher or librarian, the child begins to wonder, "What's wrong with me?"

Maurice Sendak had a wonderful reply when told of a child who didn't like Where the Wild Things Are. He said he would rather the child throw the book away than be forced to like it. At least the first reaction was an authentic one.

With so many excellent new writers, why reissue so many classics?
Many publishers like to trade on known names. That's why you see so many different publishers producing versions of E.B.

White classics or books by Margaret Wise Brown.
As I was working on my biography of Brown [Margaret Wise Brown: Awakened by the Moon], I discovered more and more people were interested in marketing her work because of the popularity of Good Night Moon. It meant, to me, that you can sell a lot of things when you have an accomplished name.

There are some truly creative examples of her work, such as Hyperion's Scarecrow Boy, illustrated by David Diaz. But there have been more second-rate works of hers published than truly needed to be published.

What are some good reissues?
One good example can be found in the new Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by DeLoss McGraw. This artist used really wild illustrations to challenge the reader. Another is the reissue of the Trumpet of the Swan, this time illustrated by Fred Marcellino. Fred's illustrations are much better than the original illustrations of the book.

Anything make you cringe?
Books based on movies that have little to do with the original book. Shrek and Stuart Little are good examples. The movies are great, with real technical firepower but the follow-up books, particularly in the case of Shrek, don't have much of a connection.

Why is Harry Potter already reaching classic status?
Because you've got a great story in the hands of a gifted writer. I'm enjoying Rowling's books because she is an engaging narrator. I think of her as the host of a party introducing us to many wonderful characters. Even now, her books reach out to disenfranchised readers and hold on to them.

Leonard Marcus's forthcoming book Side by Side (Walker & Co.) describes collaborations between authors and illustrators.

Grappling with Grief

Books that help children of all ages deal with grief and loss.

Writers and publishers have discovered that an enormous number of children deal with grief and loss. Ironically, their book titles have appeared at a time in the nation's history when we need them a great deal. Some of the best:

What Have You Lost?
by Naomi Shihab Nye
A collection of poems about loss-loss of life, of love, of innocence, of things that have mattered to a person at one time-and finding something in return. Shihab Nye had spent years collecting these poems, some by veteran writers, others by teens. HarperCollins, 206 pp., $9.95.

The Color of Absence
edited by James Howe
A collection stories by well-known writers, including Walter Dean Myers, Avi, and Katherine Patterson, who know that loss is a familiar theme for adolescents. Atheneum, 238 pp., $16.

Goodbye Mousie
by Robie H. Harris
A young child deals with the death of his favorite pet and the feelings that follow. Simon & Schuster, 32 pp., $16.

Grandma's Purple Flowers
by Adjoa J. Burrowes
In this story about life, death, and renewal, a young girl mourns the death of her grandmother--and discovers that keeping her grandmother's garden is a way of keeping grandma's spirit alive. Lee and Low, 32 pp., $16.

Ghost Wings
by Barbara M. Joosse
A young girl loses her grandmother but gains an understanding of celebrating her life in Mexico's Day of the Dead festivities. Simon & Schuster, 32 pp., $16.

A Story for Hippo: A Book About Loss
by Simon Puttock
This picture book tells the story of best friends Hippo and Monkey. When Hippo dies, Monkey learns what to do about his sad feelings and how to remember his friend. Scholastic, 32 pp., $15.95.

Saying It Out Loud
by Joan Abelove
Written for young adult readers, this is the poignant story of one young woman struggling to come to grips with the loss of her mother. Penguin Putnam, 136 pp., $5.99.

When Children Grieve
by John W. James and Russell Friedman
The authors of The Grief Recovery Book offer comforting advice for adults struggling to help children deal with death, divorce, moving, and other losses. HarperCollins, 268 pp., $24.

Helping Children Cope with the Loss of a Loved One
by William C. Kroen, Ph.D., LMHC
This guide for grown-ups uses anecdotes to assist parents, teachers, counselors, and other adults in helping a child cope with the death of a parent, sibling, or friend. Free Spirit Publishing, 100 pp., $13.95.

Pique Your Imagination

New and noteworthy titles pour forth from publishers.

Looking for a few good books? You don't have to look far. These books offer a welcome respite from overhyped television and movie tie-ins and a challenge to readers young and old. Their authors provide refreshing glimpses of new and old worlds and tell stories that take readers on an enjoyable ride. Coupled with the lush, varied work of skilled illustrators, these books are worth a look.

Fiction

Where on Earth Is My Bagel?
by Frances Park and Ginger Park
A Korean boy's craving for a New York bagel sends his village on a culinary quest that leads all the way to Manhattan. Lee and Low, 32 pp., $16.

Fishing in the Air
by Sharon Creech
A young boy goes on an unusual fishing trip with his father, where the lines blow about in the wind and the illustrations stretch the imagination. HarperCollins, 32 pp., $16.

Kit's Wilderness
by David Almond
A challenging yet enjoyable book for teens, this sequel to Almond's popular book Skellig follows 13-year old Kit Watson and his friends as they grapple with the harsh realities of their lives and toy with the mysteries of death and magic. Delacorte Press, 229 pp., $4.99.

A Movie on My Pillow: Una pelicula en mi almohada
By Jorge Agueta
A young boy holds onto his Salvadoran heritage even as he carves out a new life in San Francisco, the two lands forming a patchwork of dreams. Children's Book Press, 32 pp., $15.95.

Troy
by Adele Geras
A gripping account of the Trojan War, this time seen through the eyes of Trojan women.The book follows orphan sisters Xanthe and Marpessa, who work in the household of a Trojan family. Harcourt, 352 pp., $17.

What My Mother Doesn't Know
by Sonia Sones
The poetic sequel to Sones' acclaimed first book, Stop Pretending: What Happened When My Big Sister Went Crazy. This time, Sones looks at love in her collection of poems. Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 259 pp., $8.99.

The Master Swordsman and The Magic Doorway
Retold and illustrated by Alice Provensen.
Two legends from ancient China are retold with lush detail. Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 32 pp., $16.

Non-ficition

Wounded Knee
by Neil Waldman
A fascinating look at the events and clashes of culture that led up to the tragedies of Wounded Knee. A portion of the book proceeds go to the Oglala Lakota College Endowment Fund. Atheneum Books, 54 pp., $18.

Brooklyn Bridge
by Lynn Curlee
A celebration of one of the most famous landmarks and grandest sights in New York City, this book follows the history of the Brooklyn Bridge and features a now-poignant view of the World Trade Center. Simon & Schuster, 40 pp., $18.

The Hope Tree-Kids Talk about Breast Cancer
by Laura Numeroff and Wendy S. Harpham, M.D.
Children's author Laura Numeroff and physician Wendy Harpham offer a forum for children to write and illustrate their feelings about their moms' breast cancers. Proceeds go to the Susan B. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. Simon & Schuster, 32 pp., $12.

Anne Frank in the World
by the Anne Frank House
This poignant photo essay follows Anne Frank from 1929 to 1945, and includes more than 250 photos, many of them never before published. Knopf, 54 pp., $18.95.

Mansa Mura
By Khephra Burns
This book, lavishly illustrated by Leo
& Diane Dillon, chronicles the life of Mansa Mura, one of Africa's most celebrated kings, his escape from slave traders, and path to greatness. Harcourt, 56 pp., $18.

Storm Maker's Tipi
by Paul Goble
In this beautifully illustrated book, a detailed description on pitching a tipi accompanies Goble's retelling of the American Indian legend of the Storm Maker, who granted the first tipi to the Blackfoot people to protect them from bad weather. Simon & Schuster, 40 pp. $18.

Woody Guthrie: Poet of the People
by Bonnie Christensen
This picture-book biography follows the life of this unassuming man who championed the poor with his music. The book is illustrated with hand-tinted woodcut-like illustrations and includes the lyrics to Guthrie's songs. Random House, 32 pp., $15.95.

Bad Boy
by Walter Dean Myers
The acclaimed children's author talks about his own childhood and how he turned to books and writing for answers. HarperCollins, 224 pp., $8.99.

Out of This World Yet Part of It, Too
John Scieszka and Lane Smith have created the ultimate alien. In telling Henry P. Baloney's story, Scieszka uses real words from Swahili to Italian, teaching kids that reading new words can be great fun. Penguin Putnam, 32 pp., $18.

Sudden Impact

This poem, nestled in Shihab Nye's What Have You Lost? captures a moment of loss, and the realization that in a single moment, one's world has changed.

Sudden

If it had been a heart attack, the newspaper might have used the word massive,
as if a mountain range
had opened inside her, but instead
it used the word suddenly, a light coming on
in an empty room. The telephone

fell from my shoulder, a black parrot repeating
something happened, something awful
a Sunday, dusky. If it had been
terminal, we could have cradled her
as she grew smaller, wiped her mouth,
said goodbye. But it was sudden,

how overnight we could be orphaned
& the world become a bell we'd crawl inside
& the ringing all we'd eat.

Nick Flynn