Reason: My dear friend Natalie Crowson recommended this book to me. When I told my wonderful colleague Gwen Hines that I was reading it, she was amazed that I had made it this far in life without having read this book. Joy (Picirilli) Erickson told me once that she had named her daughter, Megan, after the Meg of this book. With such credentials, how could I not read this?
Book: This is a work of fantasy. Ever since Dr. Holley made us read Perelandra in World Lit., I have enjoyed this genre. This work moves fast, but the reader doesn't feel like anything important is being left out. From the first chapter, I was enchanted with the story of Meg and Charles Wallace. The second chapter brought Calvin, and then things took off in the quest for Father.
Quotes: I was impressed with some quotes from this book; I even dog-eared their pages in the JOHS library book! If they impress you, feel free to comment on them.
For use when teaching Animal Farm:
"But nobody's ever happy, either," Meg said earnestly. "Maybe if you aren't unhappy sometimes you don't know how to be happy" (p. 133).
Regarding how to handle life:
"We want nothing from you that you do without grace," Mrs. Whatsit said, "or that you do without understanding" (p .183).
Just to please my free-will-believein' English-literature-lovin' self:
"You mean you're comparing our lives to a sonnet? A strict form, but freedom within it" (p.186)?
Up Next: I have decided to tell readers what I am going to read next in case someone wants to read it with me and discuss it at some point. When Dad and I take the boys on a ride, we are listening to Rebel Angels by Libba Bray (see the post on A Great and Terrible Beauty). On the way to and from work, I am listening to The Devil in the White City by Erik Lasron; it is the story of serial killing at the Chicago World's Fair (non-fiction written like fiction). I am reading Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson. I love Anderson (Speak); this book was chosen by the Chicago public library as the best book of the last decade.
Monday, January 25, 2010
Friday, January 22, 2010
A Great and Terrible Beauty by Libba Bray
Book Basics: This book is set in 1890s England. Like all books set in 1890s England, it actually begins in India...with an orphan (or 1/2 an orphan, in this case). Said orphan is then exported back to England where she enrolls in a boarding school and discovers a new family among the girls there. The twist to this novel is that the heroine, Gemma Doyle, is a teenager (not a 10-year-old) who has latent magical powers. The bulk of the novel is spent with Gemma learning how to harness her magical powers; manage complicated teenage friendships (with Felicity, Ann, and Pippa); and sort through those first stirrings caused by Kartik, a young Indian man with secrets.
Judgement: This is a light read that ends with the reader feeling unsatisfied...which leads us to Rebel Angels (book 2). I listened to this book in the car with my dad. Surprisingly, he enjoyed it; we will start Rebel Angels on CD this afternoon.
Situation: One part of this book was uncomfortable for me (since I was listening to it with my dad). Gemma has a sexual dream involving Kartik. Since we were listening to it on tape, I fastforwarded immediately because of my embarassment at listening to it with my dad. When I got to school, I pulled out our copy of the book and read the passage (I mean, if it was bad, I needed to know! I don't want to be blindsided with a parent complaint.) The passage turned out to be fine; I was just afraid of where it might go with my dad sitting right next to me.
Discussion: At what age do people feel comfortable doing adult things in front of their parents? I imagine this question depends on the type of parents you have. If your parents drank, smoked, or used foul language, maybe you would feel more comfortable doing those things in front of them; it would mortify me to do so. Since I'm married with children, I believe my parents have accepted the fact that I am sexually active. This topic is not as embarrasing to encounter around my mom as it was around my dad (see Situation). If one is not married, when it is OK for someone's parents to know a person is sexually active (assuming some of my teenagers at school are)?
A converse question would be: at what age do people feel comfortable practicing adult behaviors in front of their children? Do people who drink, smoke, and cuss do those things in front of their children from birth? When will I feel OK watching a movie with a sex scene with my kids in the same room (answer: NEVER!)?
You can find out more about this book at http://libbabray.com/agreatandterriblebeauty.html.
Judgement: This is a light read that ends with the reader feeling unsatisfied...which leads us to Rebel Angels (book 2). I listened to this book in the car with my dad. Surprisingly, he enjoyed it; we will start Rebel Angels on CD this afternoon.
Situation: One part of this book was uncomfortable for me (since I was listening to it with my dad). Gemma has a sexual dream involving Kartik. Since we were listening to it on tape, I fastforwarded immediately because of my embarassment at listening to it with my dad. When I got to school, I pulled out our copy of the book and read the passage (I mean, if it was bad, I needed to know! I don't want to be blindsided with a parent complaint.) The passage turned out to be fine; I was just afraid of where it might go with my dad sitting right next to me.
Discussion: At what age do people feel comfortable doing adult things in front of their parents? I imagine this question depends on the type of parents you have. If your parents drank, smoked, or used foul language, maybe you would feel more comfortable doing those things in front of them; it would mortify me to do so. Since I'm married with children, I believe my parents have accepted the fact that I am sexually active. This topic is not as embarrasing to encounter around my mom as it was around my dad (see Situation). If one is not married, when it is OK for someone's parents to know a person is sexually active (assuming some of my teenagers at school are)?
A converse question would be: at what age do people feel comfortable practicing adult behaviors in front of their children? Do people who drink, smoke, and cuss do those things in front of their children from birth? When will I feel OK watching a movie with a sex scene with my kids in the same room (answer: NEVER!)?
You can find out more about this book at http://libbabray.com/agreatandterriblebeauty.html.
Monday, January 4, 2010
The Book Theif by Marcus Zusak
I think this book will always be special to me. You see, I ordered this book for the John Overton High Library Media Center. It came in right before the winter break. Bridget Riley's classes were in the library finishing their research for their papers. A group of girls was sitting at the tables near where I was looking through my new order of books to make sure they were printed correctly (no upside down pages, etc.) and had the correct spine labels. One of the girls stopped her research and asked me if these books were available to check out. I told her that they were not ready yet but that they might be when she returned from the holiday. She sadly told me that she wanted to read The Book Theif but that she was on a waiting list at the public library (a crisis which I have had to endure!). Well, I took that book right then, processed it, and checked it out to her in five minutes. She was so excited! I've helped other students find books before, but this was different. This was my book from start to finish. I found it the School Library Journal. I selected it as worthy of ordering. I checked it in for circulation. I checked it out to a student for the first time. I felt worthy of my job on that day because I had chosen a book that a student was actively looking for!
I finished this book myself over the Christmas break. I got my copy from the public library (our school's copy was checked out!). It was a wonderful book! It is set in Nazi Germany. It puts the average Germans in a new light, not as Nazis but as people trapped in a world where compliance was necessary for life. Read it; it's sad, but so was World War II, so it is to be expected.
I finished this book myself over the Christmas break. I got my copy from the public library (our school's copy was checked out!). It was a wonderful book! It is set in Nazi Germany. It puts the average Germans in a new light, not as Nazis but as people trapped in a world where compliance was necessary for life. Read it; it's sad, but so was World War II, so it is to be expected.
Friday, December 11, 2009
Fallen by Lauren Kate
I read an advance review copy of Fallen by Lauren Kate (it was recently published on December 8). I finished it last week sometime. It is an attempt to steal some of that vampire thunder from teenage girls by refocusing it on fallen angels who are among us. Weird. I don't recommend it.
Strange idea that among the fallen angels there are good and bad fallen angels. The heroine, Luce (for Lucinda...like this font), is reborn every 17 years and meets her fallen angel love, Daniel, right before she dies. When she finds out about his status as a fallen angel and their past loves, they always kiss and she is then consumed in fire as his punishment for telling his secret/loving a mere mortal. (Don't worry too much, though, because, like a phoenix, she will be reborn again and he'll meet in 17 years when she's 17 and just ripe for the kissing/fire consumption.)
Also included are references to one of the 24 elders living at the reform school with them (did I leave that bizarre detail out?) and speaking in tongues. (By the way, the last time I read the book of Revelation the elders were in the throne-room of God, not working as LIBRARIANS at a reform school.)
Question: Does anyone else find it strange to read a story about angels and 24 elders (Christianity), reincarnation (Buddhists and some Muslims), and a phoenix (myth)? Aren't those from opposing world views?
Strange idea that among the fallen angels there are good and bad fallen angels. The heroine, Luce (for Lucinda...like this font), is reborn every 17 years and meets her fallen angel love, Daniel, right before she dies. When she finds out about his status as a fallen angel and their past loves, they always kiss and she is then consumed in fire as his punishment for telling his secret/loving a mere mortal. (Don't worry too much, though, because, like a phoenix, she will be reborn again and he'll meet in 17 years when she's 17 and just ripe for the kissing/fire consumption.)
Also included are references to one of the 24 elders living at the reform school with them (did I leave that bizarre detail out?) and speaking in tongues. (By the way, the last time I read the book of Revelation the elders were in the throne-room of God, not working as LIBRARIANS at a reform school.)
Question: Does anyone else find it strange to read a story about angels and 24 elders (Christianity), reincarnation (Buddhists and some Muslims), and a phoenix (myth)? Aren't those from opposing world views?
Monday, November 9, 2009
The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks
I just finished reading The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks by E. Lockhart. This book was up for a Volunteer State Book Award. I am confused about how I feel about this book.
I really like the heroine's insights into boyfriend/ girlfriend relationships in high school. Some examples of great observations include:
"[Lots of girls] are so focused on their boyfriends that they don't remember they had a life at all before their romances, so they don't become upset that their boyfriend isn't interested [in their friends, interests, lives]."
"'He's letting me go,' she told Trish./ 'Letting you? Since when does he let you?'"
"Don't let him erase you."
The story is full of commentary on teenage relationships. I think this is a good story for a girl who is losing her identity in a relationship.
Where I become confused about my admiration for the character is when she infiltrates an all-guys secret society and starts living a life of lies. I still don't quite get her motivation for this. If you read the book, I think she should have just asked the guys (or just Matthew) at lunch one day if they had found the "Disreputable History." If she had done this and nothing more, she would have "show[n] them the tiniest edge of your secret, but the rest you keep under wraps." She would have made the guys feel like they were living in the panopticion.
Finally, I like the discussion of neglected negatives and other random grammar thingies. They made me smile.
Discussion: If someone reads this book, let me know what you think of it. Are you confused about Frankie's motivation as well?
I really like the heroine's insights into boyfriend/ girlfriend relationships in high school. Some examples of great observations include:
"[Lots of girls] are so focused on their boyfriends that they don't remember they had a life at all before their romances, so they don't become upset that their boyfriend isn't interested [in their friends, interests, lives]."
"'He's letting me go,' she told Trish./ 'Letting you? Since when does he let you?'"
"Don't let him erase you."
The story is full of commentary on teenage relationships. I think this is a good story for a girl who is losing her identity in a relationship.
Where I become confused about my admiration for the character is when she infiltrates an all-guys secret society and starts living a life of lies. I still don't quite get her motivation for this. If you read the book, I think she should have just asked the guys (or just Matthew) at lunch one day if they had found the "Disreputable History." If she had done this and nothing more, she would have "show[n] them the tiniest edge of your secret, but the rest you keep under wraps." She would have made the guys feel like they were living in the panopticion.
Finally, I like the discussion of neglected negatives and other random grammar thingies. They made me smile.
Discussion: If someone reads this book, let me know what you think of it. Are you confused about Frankie's motivation as well?
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
The Magical Worlds of Harry Potter
I just finished The Magical Worlds of Harry Potter: A Treasury of Myths, Legends, and Fascinating Facts by David Colbert (I don't think he's any relation to Steve...). It was so interesting because it explores the origin of many of the names and creatures in the Harry Potter books.
Unfortunately, it was written in 2001. Can you believe it has been that long since Goblet of Fire came out? That date really didn't sound that old to me when I picked the book off the shelf (I mean, I graduated in 1999 so anything published after that is way fresh, young, and hip, just like me...right?). One example of this book's datedness comes from the chapter entitled 'Who Was the Most Amazing Animagus?": "No doubt Harry, who often pushes himself beyond the usual boundaries, will face this risk [i.e. the risk of taking on the form of an animal]. But first we must wait to learn what sort of Animagus he will become." Dun, dun, dun...suspenseful music plays...still waiting on the answer to this question.
There is a revised edition out there.
Question: Should we purchase the revised edition, or is the time of Harry over in the dawn of Edward Cullen (get my play on celestial words...Twilight, Eclipse, New Moon, Breaking Dawn?)?
Unfortunately, it was written in 2001. Can you believe it has been that long since Goblet of Fire came out? That date really didn't sound that old to me when I picked the book off the shelf (I mean, I graduated in 1999 so anything published after that is way fresh, young, and hip, just like me...right?). One example of this book's datedness comes from the chapter entitled 'Who Was the Most Amazing Animagus?": "No doubt Harry, who often pushes himself beyond the usual boundaries, will face this risk [i.e. the risk of taking on the form of an animal]. But first we must wait to learn what sort of Animagus he will become." Dun, dun, dun...suspenseful music plays...still waiting on the answer to this question.
There is a revised edition out there.
Question: Should we purchase the revised edition, or is the time of Harry over in the dawn of Edward Cullen (get my play on celestial words...Twilight, Eclipse, New Moon, Breaking Dawn?)?
Friday, October 30, 2009
Radiant Darkness
Over Fall Break last week I read Radiant Darkness by Emily Whitman. It was published in May 2009 and its target audience is age 14 up and grade 9 up.
I confess, I enjoy reading Greek myths. I always have. I really enjoyed teaching The Odyssey, and I have been in a bit of a funk since I haven't been teaching it this fall; so when I found this book on our shelves of "advance copies" for the kids to read, I took it.
Book: It is a retelling of "The Rape of Persephone." You know, the story in which Hades comes from the Underworld to earth through a hole in the ground and steals Persephone, which causes her mother, Demeter the goddess of the harvest, to be so devastated that she causes no rain to fall and the earth falls into a drought. Finally, Zeus intervenes and Persephone stays with Hades 6 months (3 in some accounts) and on earth 6 months (or 9), thus explaining the origin of the seasons.
This book is an inventive retelling of the story with Persphone being a rebellious teen who meets Hades by accident and then begins meeting him secretly while her mother is out "goddessing" around. The two fall in love and she runs away with him without telling anyone...then the rest of the story covers the teenage ground of finding your place in the world and convincing your parents that you are an adult. I enjoyed the book as a light read and plan on purchasing it for my high school library.
Observation: When I finish a book, I always find myself imagining that I am the heroine and how I would have behaved had I been in her situation. I took me about two days of imagining what it would be like to be married to this nice hero named Hades and to be the queen of a realm before it dawned on me that the Greek god Hades is a type of Satan. He really is a nasty guy, what with his underworld realm and all. Why would I want to imagine being married to him? Answer: because the author made him attractive.
Discussion Question: What examples in modern works of literature or film can you think of when someone/something/some behavior that is actually bad/evil is made to appear acceptable or, at least, understandable?
I confess, I enjoy reading Greek myths. I always have. I really enjoyed teaching The Odyssey, and I have been in a bit of a funk since I haven't been teaching it this fall; so when I found this book on our shelves of "advance copies" for the kids to read, I took it.
Book: It is a retelling of "The Rape of Persephone." You know, the story in which Hades comes from the Underworld to earth through a hole in the ground and steals Persephone, which causes her mother, Demeter the goddess of the harvest, to be so devastated that she causes no rain to fall and the earth falls into a drought. Finally, Zeus intervenes and Persephone stays with Hades 6 months (3 in some accounts) and on earth 6 months (or 9), thus explaining the origin of the seasons.
This book is an inventive retelling of the story with Persphone being a rebellious teen who meets Hades by accident and then begins meeting him secretly while her mother is out "goddessing" around. The two fall in love and she runs away with him without telling anyone...then the rest of the story covers the teenage ground of finding your place in the world and convincing your parents that you are an adult. I enjoyed the book as a light read and plan on purchasing it for my high school library.
Observation: When I finish a book, I always find myself imagining that I am the heroine and how I would have behaved had I been in her situation. I took me about two days of imagining what it would be like to be married to this nice hero named Hades and to be the queen of a realm before it dawned on me that the Greek god Hades is a type of Satan. He really is a nasty guy, what with his underworld realm and all. Why would I want to imagine being married to him? Answer: because the author made him attractive.
Discussion Question: What examples in modern works of literature or film can you think of when someone/something/some behavior that is actually bad/evil is made to appear acceptable or, at least, understandable?
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