June 10, 2022
Hello ,
School Library Journal noted, "This is really three books in one—it tells of the work of Leroy, describes the daily workings of war correspondents of that era, and gives a glimpse into life during the Vietnam War—excelling at each."
Only SLJ subscribers can read the review online, but I've included the highlights below in the News section.
Also this week, some bad news turned to good news. The book-seller at the Orcas Island Lit Fest where I spoke last Friday told me she was unable to stock Pure Grit because it was out of print.
Out of print are some of the most heart-breaking words an author will ever hear.
One of the first things I did upon arriving home was rush to the closet where I keep a few of my books on hand. So thrilled to see I have 12 copies of Pure Grit. My novel Fire in the Hole! is out of print. I have half-a-dozen copies of that book, which are still for sale.
You might think this is much ado about nothing. Anyone can buy used copies of my books on Amazon any day. But authors get no money from the sale of their used books. If a book is out of print, that means the author will earn no more royalties. The author is essentially unable to make any more income from the book.
Which is why, with great trepidation, I emailed my editor to find out if Pure Grit was truly out of print. Great news! The publisher plans to print another edition of the book!!!
Not so great news. Abrams has a backlog of books awaiting reprint due to the current paper shortage.
And now, the story of another book, a Little Golden Book. The term brings up happy childhood memories for some readers and provokes scorn from others.
A Little Golden Book about Dolly Parton
I normally write about brave historical women and Dolly Parton proves you don't have to be dead to be historical! She's a classic, authentic and important, a few of the ways to define historical.
There are those who scoff that Little Golden Books are not worthwhile literature. I disagree. The new one about Dolly Parton is for sure worth reading.
Though I am shocked to see it's $13.68 at Walmart! Cheaper on Amazon, but you know what I think about that! Just means less for the author.
Dolly Parton has become an icon of the feminist movement, though she refuses to identify herself as a feminist. I think it's simply semantics.
But a fan, Rachel (@harlOtt) explains it better. “Dolly Parton has no patience for feminism because of how feminists treated her. [To them] she was a makeup-wearing bimbo [who] objectified her own body.... Classism is rampant in third-wave feminism. It was worse in second-wave, when Dolly faced ridicule” for her looks, for where she came
from."
Writing and singing about where she came from in songs like Dumb Blond and 9 to 5, spoke for a lot of women, whether or not they were country music fans.
Parton’s songs for decades have validated women who go unheard: the poor woman, the pregnant teenager, the struggling mother disparaged as “trailer trash.” That from Sarah Smarsh the author of a Parton biography for adults.
Parton’s broader career — from “girl singer” managed by powerful men to leader of a self-made business and philanthropy empire — offers a springboard to examining the intersections of gender, class, and culture.
Another feminist icon to get her own Little Golden Book biography — Ruth Bader Ginsburg.
The hope, of course, is that Little Golden Books will help instill in children a love of books that will carry over to more complex reading.
I grew up in a home with shelves of books and many trips to the library, but I still remember with great pleasure the one book that was my very own.
It was not an inspiring biography of a country music star or supreme court justice, but a simple story about a girl named Karen Kay and the kitten she got for Christmas, a Little Golden Book I begged my parents to buy me in the grocery store when I was barely four years old.
Money was spent from a very tight grocery budget and my mom and dad read it to me so many times I could recite it page by page. I remember a bit of fun when I fooled an older cousin (who was in second grade!) into believing I could read.
Sources
https://www.ask.com/lifestyle/dolly-parton-feminism
https://www.newyorkminutemag.com/dolly-parton-feminist-icon/
And now the news you're dying to hear! 😆
I’m thrilled to share with you the high points of the starred review for Close-Up On War in the June issue of School Library Journal.
Farrell begins each chapter with portions of Leroy’s letters to her mother. These small peeks into her life are often in stark contrast with her deadly profession; she asks her mother to send clothes, money, and tampons....
Leroy had an innate sense of the news and the confidence to ignore and overpower the sexism she confronted as the only female photojournalist. At 21, she traveled on helicopters with the troops, moved through jungles, went weeks without a shower, and gained the respect of the infantrymen.
While telling Leroy’s story, Farrell also gives a compelling history into Vietnam and the events that led to the conflict. Life in Vietnam during the war is told in vivid detail, as is the hardship endured by soldiers and peasants.
VERDICT History buffs looking for a personal account of the war will enjoy this book. Recommended for schools and public libraries.
Here, I'm reading a passage of the book at Matia Kitchen & Bar at the Orcas Island Lit Fest last Friday. Matia is a fancy restaurant inside. This is their outside dining. The food was amazing!
Follow me on social media
Read a great book? Have a burning question? Let me know. If you know someone who might enjoy my newsletter or books, please forward this
e-mail. I will never spam you or sell your email address, you can unsubscribe anytime at the link below.
To find out more about my books, how I help students, teachers, librarians and writers visit my website at www.MaryCronkFarrell.com.
Contact me at MaryCronkFarrell@gmail.com. Click here to subscribe to this newsletter.
|
|
|
