Differences

I had a hard time getting through The Dragonfly Pool which was unexpected because I like historical fiction and ample exposition, but the first 150 pages of this was kind of a drag. By the time I finished, I had a change of heart because of the way the story carries out and the beautiful character development, especially with Karil and Tally. I usually relish slow moving books if they are well written, but this seemed to linger unnecessarily in places towards the beginning although the development of the story during and after Karil's escape from Bergania helps make up for a slow start. I wish I had read this prior to Schooled which is such a fun and fast paced book by comparison. The writing might not be as luxurious, but Korman is very funny and his cast of characters are strong enough to have their own voices throughout the book, which I found to be an interesting and effective device. It was a fast and really fun read, which made Ibbotson's slow by comparison.

This is really illustrative of kids own wide ranging tastes in literature. I think these books were written for very different audiences, and while many tweens have eclectic tastes that are always developing, many of them are similar to their adult counterparts in that they tend towards their own specific literary palate. It could be humor, mystery, adventure, fantasy, history or some combination, but it is remarkable to see them explore and develop their individualized sensibilities. It feels good to know that we can have some influence over them as librarians by figuring out what they are drawn to and getting them the best material that fits the bill. Schooled and The Dragonfly Pool are very different books, but both are well written with engaging plots and characters. Each could be a step along the way for a tween's burgeoning identity and sense of self.