tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28103455.post6544594572793372958..comments2024-03-09T05:53:59.542-05:00Comments on Oz and Ends: Saving the Biggest Adventures for LaterUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28103455.post-87908589345590886312010-05-13T10:35:17.797-05:002010-05-13T10:35:17.797-05:00I get the sense that Adventures of Benny is being ...I get the sense that <i>Adventures of Benny</i> is being positioned as a book for “reluctant readers,” a group that isn’t synonymous with but has a large overlap with “boys.” Though Steve Shreve wrote it for his son (he also has a daughter, and I hope she gets her own book soon), I think boys are supposed to read it on their own or, as you say, with each other. I doubt many a teacher or grandparent would share it with children; that would, as you imply, spoil much of the fun.J. L. Bellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15405157000473731801noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28103455.post-18452796419191619402010-05-13T08:43:55.713-05:002010-05-13T08:43:55.713-05:00For about a week, I was sure that this was the mos...For about a week, I was sure that this was the most depressing post I had ever read on Oz and Ends. Teachers, and grandparents, and afterschool coaches are expected to read this book with their children? Excuse me, with their little boys? And then expect them to behave themselves at McDonald's afterwards? And later on the little boys will be running General Motors (I know, dated reference)? But suddenly I have realized that this is not a reading book, this is a pass-around book! Kids' big brothers get hold of it, and give it to the little kids, and the little boys pass it from boy to boy and giggle, and no adult or little girl is ever the wiser! We had those sorts of books in the '40's, I'm pretty sure, because I did see the boys laughing and passing something from hand to hand. So now, knowing that the whole thing is a joke, I feel much better.Chauceriannoreply@blogger.com