Kandide
Volume III, Issue 5
June 2008
 


 main page :: best of blogs   
Picture Books
Middle Grade Fiction
Non fiction
Young Adult Fiction
Graphic Novels
Fantasy
Gail Gauthier

There are so many fascinating, informative, and funny blogs devoted to children's literature on the web. This column, "Best of the Blogs" is devoted to our favorite posts of the month.

April and May, whether we like it or not, have seen a BIG discussion. You know the one—the print reviews vs. blog reviews debate. Now we do understand that everyone is sick of the argument by now, but this column aims to round up what's happened in the kidlitosphere and this discussion can't be ignored.

Roger Sutton starts off the debate in the kidlitosphere, with his post This is why I don't have a blogroll. Or friends at Read Roger.

Betsy Bird responds to Roger with Give 'em the Old Razzle-Dazzle, Razzle-Dazzle 'em and plenty of style and grace at A Fuse #8 Production.

Colleen Mondor responds and how with You Can't Buy Me Love at Chasing Ray.

Liz B. of A Chair, a Fireplace and a Tea cozy weighs in with Leave the Reviewing to the Professionals.

Sarah Stevenson (a. fortis) contributes Five Whole Bucks and gives us a hilarious cartoon over at Finding Wonderland: The Writing YA Weblog.

Colleen continues to be on task in this debate, writing two more important posts: Existential Crisis: First in a Series on Reviewing and a brilliant post in response to Michael Dirda's recent comments on reviewing and blogs (excerpted over at Critical Mass).

Monica Edinger takes a level head to the issue with Much Ado About Something:The Campaign to Save Book Reviews at Educating Alice.

Anne Boles Levy responds by posting an ethics policy for all the world to see at Book Buds.

Emily analyzes the subjectivity aspect of this debate at Swarm of Beasts.

Becky sums up the kerfuffle and adds her own thoughts at Becky's Book Reviews.

Jen Robinson does serious thinking at Jen Robinson's Book Page.

Wendy gets down to the nitty gritty at Blog from the Windowsill.

Tricia talks about the good in blog reviews (very little spoiling, extra information or links, etc.) at The Ya Ya Yas.

Miss Erin relishes the chumminess blogging and reviewing books has brought to her life.

Franki and Mary Lee discuss how they review and recommend books at A Year of Reading.

Camille celebrates the voices of the kidlitosphere over at Book Moot.

MotherReader bring her own voice to the debate in a way only MotherReader can. (See what Camille is talking about?)

Sara explains why she continues to blog at Sara's Holds Shelf.

Grace Lin explains why she's a part of the "problem" (proving, yet again, why we all respect her) at Blue Rose Girls.

At least the bloggers agree on two important things: There is room for everyone in the world of book reviews AND that no one is reviewing books for free ARCs. May this tempest remain a mere memory of the Spring of 2007.

If we've missed an important part of this debate, please send an e-mail to kherold@theedgeoftheforest.com

Disclaimer: Posts by The Edge of the Forest authors are usually not included in the Best of the Blogs.