|
Nov. 22, 2013
Expanding reach of history
Writer publishes non-fiction work targeted to younger readers.
Olga Livshin
Grade 8 students are generally a hard audience, unless the topic or speaker is a pop star, but Linda Granfield managed to hold the attention of the entire class from King David High School during her presentation at the Isaac Waldman Jewish Public Library on Nov. 4. And she didn’t even talk about a pop star.
A writer of non-fiction history books for middle-grade children, Granfield’s presentation was timed for Remembrance Day, and she spoke mostly about one of her latest books, Remembering John McCrae. Although John McCrae is best known as the author of “In Flanders Fields,” in Granfield’s interpretation, his image is much more complex and wrought with contradictions, as was the man himself.
Granfield’s books often cover controversial and sometimes painful subjects: immigration and slavery, election systems, Afghanistan, the world wars – she has written about it all. The writer spoke to the Jewish Independent about her work. To learn more, visit lindagranfield.com.
JI: How and when did you start writing for children?
LG: My first book, All About Niagara Falls, was published in 1988. Up until then, I had been writing book reviews of children’s books and interviews with children’s writers for Quill & Quire. I did it for about 17 years. Then a publisher asked me when I was going to stop writing about children’s books and write one myself. I accepted that challenge and haven’t stopped writing books since.
JI: How do you select your books’ themes?
LG: I used to go into the children’s departments of libraries and look for the non-fiction titles that were very much out of date or areas that weren’t covered well. [Ever since] I noticed that there was nothing factual about our veterans, I’ve become dedicated to the war theme. I wanted to connect young readers with our veterans and their stories.
JI: Why do you write non-fiction for children?
LG: Although my books are listed as children’s books, they actually are enjoyed by a much wider readership: English-as-second-language folks, those who have trouble understanding more in-depth history books, those who enjoy the visuals I provide, etc. Sometimes I have to remind myself that I do write children’s history books. I have written for adults only (Brass Buttons and Silver Horseshoes: Stories from Canada’s British War Brides) but even that title is used by youth, high school students. The rewards of writing are not financial and never will be, as non-fiction titles do not sell the same way novels do. My reward is visiting with the children, hearing feedback from parents, educators and librarians, hearing from students who have remembered the books.
JI: You choose hard, emotional topics. What draws you to them?
LG: I challenge myself with the difficult topics because I spend years in the research and writing and I have to have topics I can dedicate myself to. Otherwise, the topic isn’t worth working on. I am careful of the vocabulary I use, given the audience, but I never censor myself, and if some words are beyond an age range, I see those words/terms as the ones a reader can look up and learn about.
I have had comments from teachers that my war books are “too gory,” which I don’t understand. What’s the point of writing about war if not telling about trenches, injuries, stress, etc.? If I couldn’t be truthful I wouldn’t write the book. I think if someone reads one of my “war” books closely, they will see that nothing in the facts is given gratuitously. There is a purpose for every line I write.
I have also been asked why I don’t write books about peace. In fact, I do. The more we learn about war, the more we learn about peace. It would do little good for me to write about failed peace initiatives through history (League of Nations, etc.). Reflection on past wars gives us knowledge that can lead to peace.
JI: How much research do your books require?
LG: I work in the archives, do interviews and travel for my research – anything that helps me get the information I need. I work like a detective, trying to find places, houses. I often go the extra mile with research because I want to find new information, not merely regurgitate past books, articles, etc. There has to be freshness to the text, and that’s why I may actually overly research for each book. For instance, I have 14 two-inch binders, plus another carton of research that needs binders, of John McCrae material – I used it for my 40-page book about him. I can’t just know about McCrae; I must put him in the context of the First World War, medical history of the time, Scottish history of his family, Montreal in 1900, etc. It takes a lot of notes to make even a slim book.
JI: Do you like doing readings and presentations?
LG: I very much enjoy doing presentations. I’ve met many wonderful children and adults via sessions. I’ve met with veterans, with aviators, with historical society members, with writing groups. I’ve spoken at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C., and at a one-room library in rural Canada. Each event is special because people are special.
JI: Do you have a hobby?
LG: I don’t have any hobbies but I have a collection – of red poppies used for remembrance since the First World War. All different times, countries, materials, about 100 pieces that I’ll be loaning out during the 100th-anniversary years. Do you know that a red poppy didn’t have any association with remembrance and war before McCrae’s poem? It was just a pretty red flower, used a lot in postcards for its prettiness but without any symbolism.
Olga Livshin is a Vancouver freelance writer. She can be reached at [email protected].
^TOP
|
