Gurdon

I try never to miss Meghan Cox Gurdon’s fortnightly reviews of children’s books in the Weekend Edition of the Wall Street Journal, and not just because they show consistently good taste and news judgment: Gurdon is a morally fearless critic who has the number of publishers who try to pass off patronizing twaddle as art.

2008 September 05 « One-Minute Book Reviews 2008

Next Saturday I’ll review one of them, Kate Feiffer and Diane Goode’s President Pennybaker, also included in Gurdon’s roundup online. wsj.com/public/article/SB121944276577664749. html? mod = 2_1167_1.

2008 September 05 « One-Minute Book Reviews 2008

But for the moment, I think the United Nations is turning a blind eye to the sale of crude by both sides, Gurdon said.

Oil Said to Be Key to Libyan Rebels' Fortunes 2011

Ms. Gurdon asks: How dark is contemporary fiction for teens?

Charlotte Safavi: Teen Reads? Charlotte Safavi 2011

I think the Gadhafi regime is trying to prevent oil reaching Tobruk because obviously oil is the only source of revenue the opposition has, Gurdon stated.

Oil Said to Be Key to Libyan Rebels' Fortunes 2011

And obviously, being on the right side of the Suez Canal gives it distinctive advantages, Gurdon said.

Oil Said to Be Key to Libyan Rebels' Fortunes 2011

Ms. Gurdon writes: "It is also possible -- indeed, likely -- that books focusing on pathologies help normalize them and, in the case of self-harm, may even spread their plausibility and likelihood to young people who might otherwise never have imagined such extreme measures."

Charlotte Safavi: Teen Reads? Charlotte Safavi 2011

But for the moment, I think the United Nations is turning a blind eye to the sale of crude by both sides, Gurdon said.

Oil Said to Be Key to Libyan Rebels' Fortunes 2011

I couldn't possibly vet every single teen book out there, so I appreciate that educators, librarians, and those who know their field well, such as Ms. Gurdon, help me do my job better by navigating the dark side.

Charlotte Safavi: Teen Reads? Charlotte Safavi 2011

Charles Gurdon, director of the risk analysis firm Menas, says he believes the outside intervention in Libya's conflict was motivated by a genuinely humanitarian effort.

Oil Said to Be Key to Libyan Rebels' Fortunes 2011