Posted by Elizabeth on April 06, 2010 at 05:43:57 user Elizabeth.
In Reply to: Re: Top 20 Children's Books posted by Andy on April 05, 2010 at 05:53:46:
I have noticed a change from the older style of precis-writing, which in my memory consisted of a minimalist run-through of the plot, without spoiling any great twists at the end. Modern precis-writers, especially for books that have been published en masse for school consumption by companies such as Scholastic, seem to feel the need to make very book sound adventurous and exciting by having some huge build-up to an ending that is almost scary. Forcing a real retired pirate to walk the plank, after all, might end in a sad way. I especially abhor the precis that end in questions: "Will they succeed in their scheme? Or will Uncle Jim return to his pirating ways?", for example. Check out the backs of a few inexpensive children's paperbacks--even the classics that have been republished have had this treatment. Horrid.