Since its the NYC Teen Author Festival this week and I’m even more obsessed than usual with all things YA, I thought I’d present three classics for us to (figuratively) burn, read, and rewrite. Your choices: A Wrinkle in Time, by Madeleine L’Engle, The Giver, by Lois Lowry, and The Golden Compass, by Philip Pullman. Your mission: let me know in the comments which book you would read (your favorite), rewrite (second favorite and/or one that you have something you want to change about), and burn (least favorite). Lest you be worried, no books were harmed during the making of this blog post.
Since it’s only fair, I’ll list my choices here too:
- Read: The Giver (technically I think this is close to a perfect book, even though A Wrinkle in Time is and was much more of a favorite for me)
- Rewrite: A Wrinkle in Time (who couldn’t use a little more Calvin O’Keefe time in the book?)
- Burn: The Golden Compass (I found this one a bit too heavy handed, even though I have lots of friends who adore it so I’m obviously just missing something)
ALSO… I’ve been thinking of switching back to Marry, Date, or Dump in April. It’s been fun to switch things up, but I’m starting to miss the old game. If you have strong thoughts let me know in the comment. I could switch between the two games every other week or just go back to Marry, Date, or Dump all the time. Would love to know anyone’s opinions!
Alison Doherty 
Not as tough as usual for me but I am torn a little – as you say The Giver is a perfect book but I prefer Wrinkle in Time perhaps because I didn’t read The Giver until I was in my 50’s and Wrinkle in Time was such a childhood favorite. So I will say Read Wrinkle in Time rewrite The Giver make the ending more comprehensive and burn The Golden Compass.
I think switching it up either every other week or every other month could be fun.However, so many of the read, rewrite or burn – have been too hard!
Yeah, I tried to make it a little easier since I’ve been getting so many complaints that the last posts have been too hard. Mostly from family members *eyebrow raise*
I’ve read all three. I think the three are very talented authors, so I’m hesitant to say I’d rewrite their works. I don’t think I’d do any of them justice. Golden Compass is my least favorite of the three. There are some aspects I could wish were changed, however.
Good reasoning! Thanks for playing!
Definitely read A Wrinkle in Time. Rewrite The Giver ever so slightly. Burn The Golden Compass.
Good choices. I went back and forth between what I put down and this option!