When teacher Miss Gonzalez asks her class to write about their favorite part of any book, one student answers honestly: The blank space! This story, written in concrete poetry, conveys the experience of many striving readers who choose a book by the size of the margins and text. This book’s elegant design, lyrical language, and abundant white space offer striving readers lots of time to co-create … co-create the story. Blank Space by Beth Bacon is a simple yet powerful exploration of the act of reading. The story asks, where exactly does reading happen? It happens somewhere between the words on the page and the reader’s heart and mind. The themes in this easy-to-read story can aid teachers, parents, reading specialists, and librarians in sparking discussions on reading strategies. Children who are reluctant to read will see themselves in this hi-lo book for intermediate readers. Like Beth Bacon’s other books, I Hate Reading, The Book No One Wants To Read, and The Worst Book Ever, this book validates the experience of today’s striving readers.
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I really like this book. I’m glad I have a copy to look back on whenever contemplating the joy of reading. I think this is a wonderful adult children’s book, but not so sure how great it is as simply a children’s book.
The description clearly lists this book as a “hi-lo book for intermediate readers” which makes me feel a bit better about my apprehension. Clearly, there are youth readers at many levels and I don’t want to diminish or discount the intellect and comprehension abilities of young readers. Still, I know adults who would have a difficult time grasping the meaning and significance of this book.
Overall, I’d say this book is genius and a bit daring. Maybe it’s not for everyone or the average, but those who get it will definitely appreciate it. This book is a triumph for striving intermediate young readers and adults who truly love books and reading.
Recommended.
Interesting read
Blank Space – Beth Bacon – Books are magical things. Books can even understand readers who find reading an enormous weight. This is word art and poetry. Happy Reading!
An origin story l and interesting read.
This is a great book to read to children, especially those who don’t understand the magic of reading. It’s about a kid who really gets what reading is all about. In my town, kids are told to read just to take tests that check their level of comprehension. It becomes competitive as they earn points for every test they take, and they are grouped into certain levels of books they are allowed to read. This, however, doesn’t always fit their interests, so they fail to let the book become a part of them. They read because they must. This book is an eye-opener to the part of stories that a lot of kids overlook. The space where they fit in the story.
Very thought-provoking, and an excellent viewpoint on something that is often overlooked.
Read this with my young granddaughters. One is a new reader and I thought she might appreciate the approach that fewer words were enjoyable. She got the humor and whimsy and both appreciated the drama of the character fulfilling her assignment. I recommend.
This creative book shows children how to “think out of the box”.
I’m jealous that she can create a story that makes you think, using so few words. Marvelous.
I loved this book however my 7 year old grandson was not impressed. Maybe it’s for an older audience.
Great children’s book.
As a teacher, I have seen many kids look for large print, few words and lots of blank spaces or pictures. Loved this book. Will be interesting to share with some of my students.
I enjoyed the unconventional way the book was written. I wish I would have had this book available when I was teaching as it would have been a good example for my elementary students to see that it is ok to think outside the box. I also liked that the main character was strong enough to think for themself even when their peers laughed at them.
Smart, sweet book.
Using this the first day of school with my class
Children’s book for reluctant readers.