Project “What’s in a Book?”
The brightly lit conference hall was full: writers, translators, illustrators,
critics, web designers, film directors, camera people and actors were anxious and happy.
One by one they were called up on the stage where the jury awarded them with certificates
and gifts. You may think I am describing just one more award ceremony like the “Oscar”
or “Grammy”. Yes and no. Yes, because as in most ceremonies, there were nominations, a
strict jury and awards. No, because the nominees were children – the participants of the
project “What’s in a Book?” organized by the Russian State Children’s Library (see
“English” No. 1, 2006).
We, the librarians of the foreign languages department, decided to start this project when
we realized the necessity to attract children to reading contemporary fiction in English.
Our idea was supported by Scholastic Inc. publishing house, the US Embassy in Moscow, the
newspaper “English” and many other friends of the library. We encouraged children to
read a book by a contemporary British or North American writer and produce a creative
response to it.
Soon the first works arrived. The more works we received the more surprised we became. A
total of 71 creative works were presented by 109 participants. They came from Saint
Petersburg, Rybinsk, Kostroma, Ivanovo, Cheboksary, Ryazan, Belgorod, Marx (Saratov
Region) and Topky (Kemerovo Region). The youngest participant was seven and the oldest was
seventeen. Several schools were especially active: SAAS “Marina” (Moscow),
“Dialogue” (Topky, Kemerovo region), MOU Lyceum (Orekhovo-Zuevo), and “Integration
XXI” (Moscow). The variety of works was also astonishing. All of them were reviewed by
professional translators, writers, editors and programmers. We decided to award authors in
eight categories: Best Translation, Best Letter to the Author, Best Letter to the Book
Hero, Best Illustration, Best Sequel, Best Book Review, Best Electronic Project and Best
Book Design. Today we are happy to present the winners’ works.
By Anastasia Rossianskaya,
Russian State Children’s Library, Moscow
“Stuart Little”
By E.B. White
A Letter to the Author
16/5 Tverskoy Boulevard
Krasnopresnenskiy District
Moscow, USSR
Dear Mr. White,
I am a great fan of your creative work and I suppose I’ve already read the complete set
of yours works so far. The range of your works is extremely wide; I know that you have
tried your writing in many areas of literature. Nevertheless, there is a great number of
questions I would like to ask you; besides, I’m especially curious about one of your
most famous children’s books “Stuart Little”. If possible, please have patience and
try to read my letter to the very end. I know that you were born in a family of a piano
manufacturer who was pretty prosperous and rich. It’s very interesting for me. What
could make a child from such a successful family enter the world of literature? I have no
doubt that you had more practical opportunities in inheriting your family business, for
example, but you have chosen your own, unique way to develop in life. This fact is much
respected.
You started your career as a newspaper and magazine agent, you wrote some very famous
articles and columns, which brought you fame. I wonder what could make a journalist and a
writer, who gained wide fame after publishing such famous books as “Is Sex Necessary”
or “One Man’s Meat”, who was an agent of The New Yorker magazine, publish
children’s books? And your books for children aren’t transient, as the majority are. I
consider them real masterpieces; they can be easily published in the compilations of works
of the world’s best children’s writers.
Though I am not especially young, I was thrilled and excited while reading your “Stuart
Little” and “Charlotte’s Web”. I would really love to direct your attention to
your first book for children, which you published in 1945 – “Stuart Little”. First
of all, I really liked the plot of the story; it’s very unexpected and touching. Younger
generations must have been impressed by the emotions expressed in the book, the swift
development of the action, the difficulties the main character had to overcome in order to
reach his aim – find a bird, whose life he had previously saved. The entire idea of an
independent and adventurous child of the size of a mouse entering a human family is very
unusual and amusing, I suppose. I’m sure that one day this masterpiece will be screened,
and then this movie will definitely become world-famous. Anyway, this book deserves it.
As I’m your great fan and admirer, I would like to check some information from your
biography. I found it really hard to learn anything about your life in our very reserved
country, so I brought myself to write you a letter. I certainly know that not so long ago,
in 1978, you were awarded a Pulitzer Prize with a special citation. For what concrete
merits were you honoured with this prize? Besides, I’m aware of your having held
honorary degrees from seven American colleges. Could you please name them for me? I’m
extremely interested.
The last point I want to mention is the problem I’m very concerned about – the total
absence of your books in the USSR. It was almost impossible for me to get access to your
works, which unfortunately and undeservedly aren’t very valued by the government and
publishers in my country. That’s a pity! Your works could teach Soviet children many
useful and correct things about their future life. Anyway, I am going to appeal to our
State Publishing Committee so that they will print some of your best works in the nearest
future. I’m extremely grateful to you for your attention to my letter! I look forward to
hearing from you.
Yours sincerely,
Boris P. Vladislavlev
By Boris Vladislavlev,
Grade 10, SAAS “Marina”
Letters from Rifka
By Karen Hesse
Review
Not long ago, I read a book; a deeply moving book. It is titled Letters from Rifka,
written by Karen Hesse. The book is a National Jewish Book Award winner.
This book consists of letters from a Jewish girl named Rifka to her cousin, Tovah. She and
her family escape from Russia as stowaways, because the Russian army is tracking two of
her brothers. They get out of Russia fine, but then Rifka gets sick with typhus and just
as she is getting better, her whole family (except for her brother Saul) gets sick! When
they are finally on their way, the doctors refuse to let Rifka board the ship to America,
so her family must leave without her! She lives in Belgium at a very nice couple’s
house. Rifka gets daily treatments for her ringworm. She is fascinated by the modern way
Europeans live. Finally, she gets to America, only to discover that the doctors there won’t
let her in. She lives at Ellis Island and meets a little Russian boy named Ilya. They have
many adventures together. Then, three weeks later, she finally enters America.
My favourite character is Rifka. I admire her for her bravery, her courage, her kindness,
her resourcefulness, and her intelligence. She is also very beautiful. It’s amazing that
she lived without her family for eight months and saw her own hair, her beautiful
hair, fall out!
I liked this book a lot and I recommend you read it. It teaches one to be thankful for his
(her) life.
Dear Rifka,
How is your life in America? Has your hair grown back yet? What are Reuben, Asher and
Isaac like? Do you like them? It must’ve been horrible to be away from your family for
so long. I wouldn’t have made it. I heard living in Belgium was interesting and great
fun, except for being away from your parents. Is life in America just as interesting? Are
you going to school? Have you made any friends?
I’ll tell you a little about myself. My name is Sasha White and I’m almost 11 years
old. I’ve got a pretty tricky life story. I’m half-Russian and half-American. I lived
in America for five years and I moved to Russia in April 2003. I take ballet seriously.
Can you tell me a little about Tovah and her family? How did they become wealthy? Is Tovah
older than you? I heard she has a crippled back. Does that make it hard for her to live? I
wish you great moments in America.
I wonder if you know a girl named Sasha Yanovskaya? She is also a Jew and her father is a
doctor. She goes to a school called a college. Her teacher is so mean! But her
father is a very nice person with a good sense of humor. Her friends are Manya Feygel,
Varya Zabelina, Lida Karseva and a girl named Yul’ka. Sasha has a baby brother named
Senechka. She likes him a lot. But her grumpy uncle, Miron, is bored by him! She used to
be friends with Rita and Zoya Shabanovy, but they were very mean to her. If you don’t
know them, I hope you get acquainted.
Sincerely,
Sasha
By Alexandra White,
Grade 4, SAAS “Marina”
“Strider”
By Beverly Cleary
A Letter
Dear Leigh!
Hello, my name is Paul. I’m from Russia, from Moscow. I’ve read a book about you
titled Strider. I liked the book very much. It seems to me that you are a great
boy. I want to be like you; although sometimes I don’t agree with your behavior. By the
way, I always wanted to ask you: why did you decide to write a diary?
Last year I tried to write one too, but I gave up this idea. I also didn’t like that you
quarreled with Barry. Though I often quarrel with my friends, too.
I want to congratulate you with your third place in the Olympics. You were great!
I am very excited about your dog. How do you train him? You know, we have a dog, too, so I
teach it different tricks. It’s great fun!
After your last letter I haven’t had any interesting experiences. Now I’m doing my
homework, sitting in my room, preparing for the first school day after the holidays.
How are you? Are Barry and Strider fine? Leigh, I have a great idea. When Strider has
puppies, give one to Barry. I think he will be happy. But don’t forget to give one to
me, too! }
Love,
Paul
By Paul Klevoshin,
Grade 6, SAAS “Marina”
“Junnie B. Jones and the Stupid Smelly Bus”
By Barbara Park
Letter to the Main Character
February 20
Dear Junnie B. Jones,
You are a very funny, happy and interesting girl. But I don’t understand why you are so
afraid of the bus. It’s very strange, isn’t it? I think you are right, people must be
happy, but they must also be brave. In this book you have many good friends. That’s
nice. I have many friends, too. You mustn’t be afraid of the stupid bus. Do you like the
colour yellow? I think you don’t like the driver Mr. Woo. This isn’t right. Mr. Woo is
a funny man, but his name is strange. Probably, Mr. Woo is from China. You must be
cleverer. I am very happy because I met you. Please remember what I said.
Best regards,
Mia
By Mia Andjelic,
Grade 4, SAAS “Marina”
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