From School Library Journal
Gr 9 Up-Beloved literary and culturally important characters are celebrated in these companion volumes. Entries are alphabetical by author, then title, and begin with a discussion of plot and theme. The well-written, concise selections then continue with interpretations of motivation, conflict, relationships, transformations, and contribution to plot development for both major and minor characters. In addition to single titles, series and sequels are considered either under a general discussion, as in the case of "The Prydain Chronicles" by Lloyd Alexander, or one or two titles are highlighted as representative. Children's Literature looks at only 19th- and 20th-century novels. While Young Adult Literature does not limit itself to a time period, over half of the titles date from the late 1960s on. Adult and classic titles of interest to this age group are also examined. Most of the 462 titles discussed in these two volumes were first published in English, but there are a number of notable exceptions, e.g., The Adventures of Pinocchio and The Three Musketeers. Nursery rhymes, fairy and folktales, and myths and legends are not covered. An index of titles and characters from both volumes appears in each. Small black-and-white illustrations from the original texts, reproductions of book covers, and movie stills decorate both volumes. These resources will be used primarily by teachers, librarians, high school students, and students of children's literature and popular culture. They update and supplement Who's Who in Children's Books (Holt, 1975), an international list that includes folk, fairy, and legendary characters.-Daryl Grabarek, School Library Journal
Copyright 1998 Cahners Business Information, Inc.
