WoT Else is There: KinderGaidin Reading
Author: Adanys Wynterwulf and Kyla Sterling, December 2018
Adanys: I’m no KinderGaidin nor do I have any of my own, but I love reading books aimed at middle schoolers! If that’s wrong I don’t want to be right. I never sought these books out, but somehow, through either Audible or Goodreads I was introduced to the book The Girl Who Drank the Moon by Kelly Barnhill. The title, cover, and synopsis looked so intriguing I just had to know more. So on my very next visit to the bookstore I picked it up. It took me a while to start reading it, but once I did, I flew through the pages. I was hooked from there. I wanted more of the pretty books with the simplistic, captivating stories.
These books have special kind of magic. They’re written very simply and with no other purpose than to enthrall children and take them on an adventure. Okay, maybe not the only reason, but this is a huge part of it and that’s what draws me. I can get lost in these books and my imagination soars. It’s different than reading an adult book that’s for sure. The characters aren’t as complex, or the themes aren’t as mature, or the writing is too simple, but they’re magic! They let me remember what it’s like to dream and imagine the impossible and for those hours I’m a kid again, flying through the clouds on the back of a dragon.
Kyla: I, on the other hand, am around KinderGaidin all day every day. I work with them at a public library, and I have one of my own at home. I’m good at matching kids up with books they’re going to be interested in, but I LOVE managing to get them hooked into fantasy books.
These kinds of books ARE magic. From a purely “literary professional” standpoint, they’re a great way to increase a child’s vocabulary and language skills, and have a tendency to make them happier and more creative. Fantasy allows kids to expand their reading horizons without necessarily encountering the more adult situations found in a lot of mainstream teen literature. From a book-loving standpoint, I love fantasy because I love learning the ins and outs of a new world, the rules governing the universe, the idea of using magic, and being a swashbuckling hero who saves the day. So if I can give kids a nudge in that direction, I say it’s a good day for me.
We decided to start this column so that A) We have an excuse to read (and re-read) some awesome middle-grade fantasy novels and B) so that we can share our love of these books with the Tar Valon Times readers. Some of you have kids that might be interested in them, some of you might just be looking for a cool fantasy story that’s less than a thousand pages long.
Our first book review/discussion will cover Alcatraz Versus the Evil Librarians, by Brandon Sanderson. We encourage you to read it over the next month and then post your reactions and responses to the discussion questions in the comments section!
