Lloyd Alexander, R.I.P.

Lloyd Alexander wrote high-fantasy novels for younger readers that never quite achieved the stature of Tolkien's works, but which had legions of fans. I read several of his books when I was in Junior High, and I found them vastly entertaining. His writing was the best kind of writing for kids: Simple, yet full of music. I've never watched the Disney animated film made of one his Prydain novels, THE BLACK CAULDRON, because I've heard bad things about it; and one thing I don't want to see is bad movies made from good books.