This post is dedicated to my mom. As a middle school librarian, she takes it upon herself to be up on what books are out there for her kids, so she frequently reads juvenile/young adult fiction. She readily admits that she enjoys a lot of it. I remember for a while she was all about a book called The Giver, and then later it was the Harry Potter series (which Dad and Amy also got sucked into, while Grace and I stayed sane and strong).
In my senior year of college at UF I took a juvenile fiction course to fulfill an English credit for my TESL minor, and I really enjoyed some of those books. It was my first time reading Catcher in the Rye, and I loved it. I was also quite impressed with I am the Cheese.
Years later, I’m in China, and I find myself once again interested in juvenile fiction. Interactions with Illy, a fan of artists Edward Gorey, reminded me of an author I liked growing up named John Bellairs. My mom probably wouldn’t have wanted me reading those books if she had known what they were about. The books all related to the occult, and were quite creepy and thoroughly enjoyable. John Bellairs evidently has some Catholic background, as Catholicism was frequently the force that had power over the evil forces the protagonists encountered, and I identified with that as well.
Anyway, when I ordered some books from Amazon last year, I got a book consisting of a collection of John Bellairs’ first three novels. I’ve read one so far, and it was a fun, quick read.
I was reminded of another series of books from my adolecence by the recent remake of War of the Worlds. This Tripod series began with a title called The Day the Tripods Came. I forget how old I was when I read it, but this book really kind of freaked me out because of the way the aliens invaded. Long before the tripods landed, there was a weird TV show that commanded a huge following. It actually served to brainwash a huge section of the population so that there was much less resistance when the tripods arrived. The series then chronicles the fall of mankind to the tripods, and the struggles of the free human resistance movement.
Maybe I misremember it but I think that it was I that introduced Harry Potter to the household. Try it; you might like it.
you know what, john? i love this post. because, i (like your mom) am into juvenile fiction, though (unlike your mom) i am not as well read in the genre as i would like to be. case in point: i never read the John Bellairs series. but i will, john. you can count on that one. but john… can i tell you? you putting down the harry potter series, even though you only mean to be cute… that’s not cool, john. remember when i was telling you about the allegory of Dumbo? and how you were all into it? (come on, john. you know that you love the symbolism of Dumbo.) well, harry potter is replete with your 12 essential vitamins and minerals… part of this complete breakfast. you think that you are staying strong and sane. but you are missing out. come to the dark side, luke. do as your father commands. the end.
Dad and Illy,
I saw part of one of the Harry Potter movies once. I think that should count.
Haven’t you learned yet that the books have far better content than the movies? The last one cut out several themes & just hit on most of the main liner. The reporter was more impactful in the book. She might as well have been dropped from the movie. Also, there was nothing about the house elves revolt.
Do you think that the Ring movies capture all that was in the books?
i gave up on the harry potter movies. i suppose they’re all right, but they do not begin to do justice to the books. i have read all the books at least twice (except the last one — still just once). since there’s such a gap between each new one, starting w/ #4, i start over at the beginning each time and read all the way up through the newest.
i never knew about some of those books you said you read. you must have been a sneaky reader!
anyhow, i agree w/ illy, and daddy has a good point about lotr.
Dad and Amy,
Hehe, I can’t believe you guys took that bait.
Maybe I’ll read Harry Potter someday, but there are about 2,000 books I want to read first.
Um….HELLO! Mom is an elementary school media specialist!
Maybe Harry Potter is the newest in alien ploys to brainwash everyone and takeover earth…look at how they all jump to defend it!
Thanks for reminding him, Grace. I was about to do so myself. But thanks for the thoughts, John.