Comments on Story Sleuths: EVERY DETAIL MATTERS: Alchemy and Meggy Swann (Pos...

Hi Heather-- I won't say that the references s...

2010-07-30T19:05:42.806-07:00

Hi Heather--
I won't say that the references spoiled the ending, but I did know that was how she was going to solve her problem--or at least I guessed it. Still, if I were to put myself in my 12-year-old-reader-shoes, I would have thought the ending really cool because of the build up from those references.

Hi Ginger, You bring up a good point. When is it t...

2010-07-28T16:53:30.964-07:00

Hi Ginger,
You bring up a good point. When is it too much? For me, although I kept noticing those ballad sellers, I was still pleasantly surprised when Meggy ended up writing her own ballad to solve her problem. The solution didn't feel obvious when it occurred, and yet, in retrospect, it seemed to be a natural development based on her own skills and her experiences with the ballad sellers. Did you feel like the references spoiled the ending?

Mary Ann,
Thanks for joining us! We'd love to hear what you think of the book.

Last night I started reading Alchemy and Meggy Swa...

2010-07-28T08:13:14.503-07:00

Last night I started reading Alchemy and Meggy Swann. I tend to read as a reader and a writer. Your posts make the experience that more enjoyable.

I, too, noticed all the ballad-selling going on, a...

2010-07-26T19:49:14.910-07:00

I, too, noticed all the ballad-selling going on, and while I agree that all details must matter, I wondered if this was a bit too heavy-handed? Perhaps it seemed that way to me--an adult reader--when it would be just right for its intended audience?