I can't believe I spelt 'genius' like that - it must have been too early in the morning ;)

I have to agree with you, Maia, re Rowling not stacking up against the 'real literary McCoy' - I just wish I could think of writers of kids' books that do. I don't read enough of them to be able to offer alternatives.

Then again a point to consider...writers of children's lit. have to take into consideration the inability of younger children to think in an abstract way. Up to a certain age they are concrete thinkers (which changes in their teens depending on the individual). This must impact on what kids' authors can offer. Perhaps it's unfair to even compare the two? To my mind they are in different leagues, neither better or worse than the other. Am I going to be shot down in flames here? *g*

With this in mind is it fair to compare them to authors like: Doris Lessing, Patrick White, Anton Chekov, Emile Zola, Balzac, Mario Vargas Llosa....etc, etc ad nauseum?

Deprivation: the inability of purchase at least one pair of Italian shoes on a yearly basis ;)