Thursday, August 12, 2010

The BCCB Weighs in on Cleopatra Rules!

The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books (BCCB), one of the nation's leading children's book review journals for school and public librarians, reviewed CLEOPATRA RULES! 
Here's what they said:

"Shecter debunks the common fund of shallow and misguided information with a humorous, teen-chatty biography that puts the young Egyptian pharaoh’s sexpot image into fresh perspective…. The text flows more like a gossipy blog than a stilted history lesson…this treatment guides readers to consider the value and biases of old-school sources on Cleopatra’s life and to rethink her image from non-Roman viewpoints—e.g., early Islamic writings and current archaeological scholarship… Even the extensive annotated notes make provocative reading…students on a research track will find a wealth of solid information and reference[s]…"

Yay!

It's always such a relief to get a good review. I wrote CLEOPATRA RULES! in a tone designed to entertain and entice younger readers, but my larger intention was to shift the way we think about the great queen. According to the BCCB at the University of Illinois, it sounds like I may have succeeded!


14 comments:

Elizabeth O Dulemba said...

WooHOOOOOO!!!!
:)
e

Karen Strong said...

That review rocks! Congratulations!

Now all I need is my book autographed. :)

vicki leon, historical detective said...

BRAVO and kudos all around! You hit it, Vicky, and I'm so glad to see that reviewers AND readers get it! I can hardly wait to interview you myself and to discuss Cleo's life AND death as portrayed in "the media" of prior centuries. Cheers, Vicki

Susan Spain said...

That is one AWESOME review, Vicky!! WOWSERS!

Vicky Alvear Shecter said...

THANKS, friends!

Gwen@ChewDigestBooks.com said...

Woot!! Congrats!

Tracy Barrett said...

Great review! Can't wait to read it!

Robyn Hood Black said...

FANTASTICE review, Vicky. Not surprised and I can't wait to read the book! YOU rule....

Robyn Hood Black said...

um - make that, Fantastic (!)

Vicky Alvear Shecter said...

Aw, now I'm starting to blush! Thanks so much guys.

Unknown said...

Praise well deserved!

Very much looking forward to our Q&A Vicky!! :)

Kind Regards
H

Donny Bailey Seagraves said...

Great review, Vicky! Congratulations.

Vicky Alvear Shecter said...

H, I can't wait to do your Q&A--I'm really looking forward to it.

Thanks for the support, Donny!

Sarah Campbell said...

Way to knock it out of the park!