Roger Sutton
Editor-in-Chief, The Horn Book Magazine
"Readers, real ones, know that reading by its nature allows us to enter experiences
not our own. That's what reading is for. Faith -- in God, government, science,
humanity, or history -- encourages us to look beyond our immediate, individual
circumstances. Reading does just the same -- and to put our faith in that is powerful
indeed." (Roger Sutton, from his editorial, "A Governing Faith," in The Horn Book Magazine
Special Issue: Politics and Religion, Nov/Dec 2001.
The Horn Book Magazine, published bimonthly since 1924, is "for everyone
who needs to know about children's literature." It reviews the newest books for
young people, highlights articles about children's book creators, and publishes
columns that report on every aspect of reading, writing, publishing, promoting,
teaching, and advocating books for children. Ask your neighborhood children's
librarian for copies or look for it at your local bookseller.
What kind of books did you read when you were a young person?
I read omnivorously--whatever was around the house, including dozens of volumes
of Readers Digest Condensed Books!
What was the first book you bought with your own money?
I don't remember. But two "my own book" anecdotes stand out: In first grade when
I received a new copy of Batty Baker's "Little Runner of the Loghouse" as a prize
for reading aloud a certain number of books; and in fourth grade when I ordered
Dorothy Sterling's "Mary Jane" from the paperback book club. The class and the
teacher laughed at me for choosing a 'girl book.'
As a young person, did the experience of reading books give you something that
other media- television, movies, radio, and contemporary music- could not?
Yes. I could be left alone!
Many young people's critical sensibilities can be condensed down to one simple
question, "Am I bored by this book?" As a children's and young adult librarian
and literature critic, has your criteria for evaluating a book changed since you
were a young person?
Of course. Because I am evaluating for a wider audience than myself (or my child
self) and am also examining each book as an aesthetic work regardless of its perceived
appeal.
Contemporary technology provides kids with a wealth of story and information
sources. They can listen to stories on tapes and CD's. They can watch stories
on their television, movie and computers screens. They receive information and
news from a wide variety of audiovisual sources. Why should kids read? And, why
should they bother reading traditional print books, magazines, and newspapers,
in a world of new technological possibilities.
I have a very long answer to this, so long that I am currently writing a book
on the subject. Wait for it.
Why did you want to become the Editor-In Chief of The Horn Book?
I thought it would be fun and challenging to see what I could do with "the Little
Old Lady from Boston," as the company was called by my library school professor,
the legendary Zena Sutherland. The Horn Book had a reputation--neither completely
deserved nor undeserved--for conservatism and fastidiousness bordering on stuffiness.
Of course, the Horn Book has changed me as much as I have changed it, which is
exactly how a great job should work.
Who readsThe Horn Book, and why?
In rough order: librarians, teachers, scholars, writers and publishers, parents,
children. I hope they read it because they want to find out about good new books
and because they like to think about children's books and the issues they present
and confront as a genre.
The Horn Book, on occasion, has published special editions. What where
the themes or topics of some of those editions and what motivated their creation?
Do you have any special editions planned for the future?
We usually do one a year after kicking around a bunch of possibilities, choosing
one that seems to have appeal for our audience as well as one the staff regards
with enthusiasm.
Does The Horn Book have a website? Is there information on the
website of interest to parents and teachers, other than what is covered by the
print version?
Yes, www.hbook.com. There is a lot of stuff
on the site that is not included in the print magazine or guide, including several
features directly aimed at parents looking for help in buying books for their
children.
What are the most exciting new books, both fiction and non-fiction, for middle
grade and YA readers that you have read recently?
Go read the magazine; that will tell you what we like!
Has any one book "changed your life?" Or is there any book that remarkably
changed how you think or how you see and interpret the world?
READING changes my life everyday, READING comforts me, READING keeps me company.
It's not what you read that matters so much as that you read.
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