This past weekend, I finished reading Chess Rumble by G. Neri, illustrated by Jesse Joshua Watson. I plan to post a review on Wednesday at The Brown Bookshelf.
I really enjoyed Chess Rumble. It's well written; the author created an authentic voice. The review will be a friendly endorsement. But I started wondering how I should approach other reviews, books I don't particularly like. Should I be honest and write a negative review? Do I dare question an author's character development, plot, voice? Hm.
I'm not a review journal; I'm an illustrator, so I won't do any of that. The Brown Bookshelf launched in November and has received much attention (Publisher's Weekly, School Library Journal, many, many, many blogs). Hopefully, before our 28-Days campaign in February, it will receive even more attention. I think it would be totally wrong of me to offer unsolicited negative critique of an authors work in such a public way (though I may occasionally do that here on my personal blog), so I won't even go there.
If I like a book, I'll discuss it. If I don't like a book, I'll shut up. I hate it when reviewers write mean things about my work, strangers out of punching range. I won't do the same to others.
3 comments:
Hey Don,
Thank you for your thoughtful review on Brown Bookshelf. It was great to hear your take on this book. I am really happy I got to be a part of it and hope lots of kids can pick it up and appreciate it.
I am honored to have gotten a positive endorsement from an artist as accomplished as yourself.
Christmas Blessings to you and your family.
Peace
Jesse
Well, you know the two old sayings:
"Silence is golden" and yet "all that glitters is not gold."
Possibly finding the "golden mean" is the best answer!
I don't mind a negative review if it is an intelligent one from a knowledgeable person, myself. Helps me improve.
Jesse, I truly enjoyed your work. The people were real, almost recognizable like people I know. Great job you did. And thanks for stopping by.
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