OSC is the first writer I have read who has integrated the internet and the computer into the daily life of his characters. Enders Game has been assigned reading for my daughter twice now, in 4th grade and in 8th grade. We need more books for young people that relate to their lives! They live on AIM and MySpace and text messaging. Have you seen other writers who use current technology?
Posted by TomDavidson (Member # 124) on :
If by "current technology" you mean "modified near-future technology," there are LOTS of writers out there -- from Tad Williams to William Gibson to Neal Stephenson -- who meet those criteria. Few of them are suitable for children, though.
Posted by Orson Scott Card (Member # 209) on :
The fun thing is that all the writers Tom mentioned - and I, too - wrote those works BEFORE the internet was integrated into everyone's daily life. Now it feels contemporary - but twenty years ago, we were being futuristic <grin>.
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
*is amused by the absence of a comment regarding English teachers who assign EG* Posted by kaioshin00 (Member # 3740) on :
quote: We need more books for young people that relate to their lives! They live on AIM and MySpace and text messaging.
We don't need to encourage kids to chat online!
All authors should write book where characters plant trees and chop wood for those in need.
Posted by sands (Member # 8344) on :
where i live no one would dare to assign ender's game in 4th grade. We read it in high school. i definitly think we should read it earlier though.
Posted by CRash (Member # 7754) on :
I read it when I was eleven -- I liked it, but I like it more now, four years later.
Posted by Gsee (Member # 3479) on :
"All authors should write book where characters plant trees"
Pastwatch The true story of Johnny Appleseed
Posted by kojabu (Member # 8042) on :
myspace ::shudder::
Posted by Orson Scott Card (Member # 209) on :
I think if it's going to be required reading at all, it should be high school. It IS an adult novel, and it's hard to read for unmotivated readers. So when kids discover it on their own - even in grade school - they'll be motivated to go through all the hard places; but when REQUIRED to read it too young, it becomes very hard work, and all the joy is taken out of reading it.
![[Wink]](wink.gif)