Thoughts Inspired by Eating Worms

I've read a lot of books that used to be called "juvenile" novels, and these days are called middle grade novels. But I never read How to Eat Fried Worms.

I think that omission is because the book came out in 1973, just as I was starting high school. That may have been a low point in the time when I was reading juveniles. Or maybe the title put me off, not being a big fan of worms. 

I know I saw it in the library because I remember the cover, with its illustration by Emily McCully, and the big fat Cooper Black type (though I didn't know that name at the time). 

Yesterday I learned that its author, Thomas Rockwell, was the son of illustrator Norman Rockwell. He co-wrote his father's autobiography. Thomas died in late September this year at age 91.

I also just learned that Fried Worms is one of the most frequently challenged books, which feels pretty quaint these days as far as challenged book topics goes. I guess it belongs in the Captain Underpants set of challenged books, rather than the Bluest Eye set. 

Cover illustrator Emily McCully has had quite a career, much of which I was unaware of. She's been working since the 1960s and is best known for winning the Caldecott Medal in 1993 for the memorable Mirette on the Hire Wire, which she also wrote.

I wonder if McCully knew Ellen Raskin, since the two of them were frequent children's book illustrators at the same time, working in the New York City market, who also wrote books.