May 2008 - Posts
Jamaica Inn
By: Daphne DuMaurier
Did you think I'd abandoned you? Silly! Of course not! I just took a little time off to go see my sister and her husband, which, by the way, the long travelling bits offered some quality reading time!
We meet Mary Yellan on her journey to Jamaica Inn. Her father has been long dead and her mother has recently passed. She promised her mother that she would go to her aunt and uncle at Jamaica Inn, although she would have preferred to stay on their farm.
The first sign that Jamaica Inn may not be a very good place comes from the driver of the coach. When she tells him that the owner is her uncle a woman tells her, "I'm sorry...It's none of my business of course. Good night." (17). This set-up left me wondering just what was wrong at Jamaica Inn. It grabs you in hook, line and sinker.
When she arrives, Mary finds her aunt to be quite a different person from the lively young woman she once was. She now looks older than her years and she's quite skittish, but if you lived with Joss Merlyn you'd be skittish too. The man is a scary drunk, and his figure is threatening to Mary immediately. She takes courage and does stand up to him throughout the story. Sometimes it's to his face and at others it's behind his back.
Mary finds her life lonely and a bit strange. There are rarely travellers to the inn, but when there are Mary has the (dis)pleasure of serving them. The first night she works she hears strange things in the yard at a very late hour. Although she has already been warned to not look out her window she does anyways, and she sees quite a sight: men and wagons abound. Her curiosity is piqued and her investigation takes her further and further into her uncle's nefarious schemes. She really begins to wonder who she can trust: Joss's brother who makes her weak in the knees? What about the albino preacher? Secrets abound in this mystery, the only question is will Mary survive or will she be taken down with her uncle?
Recommended To:
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fans of Rebecca (same author - I did prefer Rebecca)
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mystery/whodunnit fans
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more towards the adult crowd - mature teens will be okay, some violence (which you expect once you meet Joss)
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everyone!
I know you are all excited to start your summers of sand and sun (hopefully!) and maybe even that great new job you've landed now that you're graduated, but since:
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I will be here all summer
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I will still be reading (always!)
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I have no plans for a mass-reading event like last year (Harry Potter people!)
I will be continuing to post my reviews of the books I'm reading. Now, if I hear from a person or two who would like to read a book and discuss it through the blog, then we will work something out and chit-chat through the comments- so send me an e-mail (erin.johnson@blc.edu). If there's a book you've heard about and want to read but aren't sure, let me know and if I can I'll read it and review it right here for you! (There is no guarantee I will get to it because: A. I have stacks of books and B. I read what I'm in the mood for - really, attitude is everything!)
So Happy Summer and we'll see you this fall! Don't be strangers to your local libraries!
The Wee Free Men
By: Terry Pratchett
I should start out by telling you this is my first Pratchett book. That is really surprising since he writes for both children and adults, and, well, I spend enough time around books that you would think I would have picked one up before now.....
So why did I? Well, I've been meaning to for quite awhile now, but sometimes the list I go into the bookstore with is NOT the list I leave with.....the troubles of browsing and having so much to choose from! Ach! And then I heard a sad thing - this man who has 45 million copies of his works published in 35 languages has the beginning stages of early onset Alzheimer's. One might expect him to quietly quit publishing his works, but he plans on 2-3 more from what I can tell. According to Wikipedia he is currently working with the BBC to document his illness. (The link will take you to a BBC page with some videos of Pratchett. I didn't see anything saying he really was working with them, but I just glanced at it and didn't watch the videos. Don't believe everything Wikipedia tells you!)
ON TO THE STORY!
Tiffany Aching wants to be a witch. And she definitely is tired of having to look after her little brother. Wentworth is a sticky little boy who eats sweets like there's no tomorrow (and gets sticky with nothing near him.) When Tiffany notices strange things happening around her, she thinks about the difference - and about what's happening. All of a sudden she whacks this screaming monster in the river with her frying pan. Yes, a frying pan! And you will see it again! Even better! (No, still not sure of the why of the frying pan, but it makes for great reading - your typical heroines are not usually using kitchen utensils to scare away the creepy-crawlies!)
Other than the monster coming out of the river, Tiffany has heard and seen some small little blue men with red hair. They're a mischevious bunch, but when they learn who the Hag of the Chalk (where Tiffany lives) is now that Granny Aching is gone, they shape up and do what they're supposed to - for the most part! Tiffany learns to work with the Wee Free Men (or Nac Mac Feegle) despite their, well, let's say rambunctious behaviour!
Tiffany's "power" comes from her understanding things and really noticing things. Being a witch isn't so much about magic in this book, but about being observant and taking control of things that are within your power - even if they don't seem like they are and you're wandering around lost!
Her feelings towards her little brother are probably quite normal for people who have younger brothers they have to watch and that drive them a little on the crazy side. Kids with younger siblings will identify with that annoying younger sibling that they wish would just go away, but when the youngster disappears, the older one will do whatever it takes to get them back. (Even if they don't like it one bit!)
This is the first in the Tiffany Aching Adventure series. The second is A Hatfull of Sky and the third is Wintersmith.
Official Terry Pratchett website
Children's/YA Books - scroll to the bottom and click on "See The Complete Booklist"
Adult Books - scroll down and you'll see a link for "The Complete Booklist" as well as comments about his works of the adult variety (which I'm going to have to look into, since the quote from The Times on this page about his satire - I love satire!)
Recommended To:
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Fantasy Readers
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fans of his adult work
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everyone!
A Curse Dark as Gold
By: Elizabeth C. Bunce
You know the fairy tale Rumplestiltskin? Do you think you have him all figured out? What about the crying girl who gives him the jewelry he asks for? What was her story? How did she really defeat him?
Charlotte Miller and her sister Rosie have been left all alone after their father dies. Their mother died years ago giving birth to a baby brother (who also died). The curse of the Miller family is still going strong: a son has not survived since the mill was built. It has continued on in the Miller family, but through male cousins and brothers. Charlotte and Rosie are the last of the Millers, and have they got their work cut out for them!
Charlotte and Rosie know they're up for whatever challenges Stirwaters throws at them; after all, they're familiar with the temperment of the mill. Yes, you read that right: this mill has an attitude all its own. If it doesn't want to let you open a door, it simply won't. After getting things started and the cloth going, things seem like they'll be okay - maybe not really profitable, but okay. Offers are made to the girls to sell their mill, but they refuse. Stirwaters is their home, and Charlotte feels personally responsible for making sure the families in their community have work and food on the table. Threats aside, the girls think they'll be fine. Then Mr. Woodstone visits with some devastating news their father never told them about. Charlotte and Rosie are determined to survive this trial as well. But then their Uncle (who they've never met) shows up and decidedly tells the girls they really should marry and give up all this mill business. Sensing his timing is quite off, he lets the matter drop after a decidedly negative reaction from both of the girls. When further tragedy and devastation strike, Charlotte isn't sure what to do.
Enter Jack Spinner. Charlotte is not into all the superstition and hulla-ba-loo that surrounds the mill and its workings. Rosie is more willing to accept it, but there's still something about this man who can spin straw into gold that just isn't quite right....His price is steep, not financially, but personally. He wants the ring Charlotte wears that was her mother's. She gives it up determined to keep her mill, family and friends going strong. This trial passes, but more are definitely on the way.
This tale is told to us from Charlotte's point-of-view. We learn why she makes the decisions she does, and the care she puts into most (no, not really all) of her decisions. We understand why she gives up some very important items, and how she has the pluck to navigate waters no one before her has dared to tread. Charlotte's bravery, sheer gumption, compassion and attitude are what makes her unique, and also gets her through some difficult situations.
Recommended To:
Every so often I have to clean out things I've tagged as favorites because: A. I really enjoyed that site or article B. I want to go back later and look at it some more C. Websites change and it's time to clean them out!
Well, this post is a bit of a hodge-podge of all three. I realized I have quite the folder with all sorts of sites that could potentially be helpful to our soon-to-be-graduating teachers (and those still in school! some of these sites could potentially help you with your homework!)
Book Plates is a section of a website where you can print out book plates in a small, medium or large format. These would be great prizes or incentives for students, especially those participating in a reading program. There's a pretty decent variety and just black and white illustrations that you could print on colored paper.
EEK! Environment Education for Kids is a product of the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. The Critter Corner focues on WI animals, but you can still use the information available while teaching an animal unit, or a unit that focuses the environment around us (hey, WI is close!). There's also a section for teachers where you can go to find activities that incorporate math, language arts, science and social studies. Other sections include: Our Earth, Nature Notes, Cool Stuff and Get a Job. Focus leans towards grades 4-8.
Kids Saving Energy offers games, tips and facts about energy use. Discusses how to be smart about energy in your home, also has a section for teachers and parents.
Lunar and Planetary Institute (Explore! Fun with Science) site contains video, activities and supporting resources. The explorations activities include: launching rockets (safely!), exploring space colonies, the solar system, comets, planets, ice worlds and more!
FREE: Federal Resources for Educational Excellence offers a plethora of information! Information on Arts & Music, History, Health, Language Arts, Math, Science, Time Periods and World Studies. This site will take you awhile to look through the amount of information available to you!
Google for Educators I thought about not including this one, as it is Google, but that would be a disservice to you. While I may have my issues with students using Google for homework assignments, this is potentially a very powerful tool for your classroom use. You can create a customized search (will search only the sites you pre-select), a blogging option for inter-active learning, photo software, page creators and more!
History Channel Classroom has a section on how you can use the classroom, tips for teachers, a this day in history e-mail sign-up (could be a fun timeline activity....) free resources, study guides and more!
K-12 Open Technologies new open-source options are becoming available to teachers (well, to everyone, really). What is open source technology? What do they consist of? What kind of work or set-up do they entail? This site will help you with these questions and more! I've included this because it seems many schools are trying to save money, and free, open-source technology is a great way, but it needs to be used properly and in-line with school policies.
KidsClick! was created by a group of public librarians who wanted to steer their younger patrons to age-appropriate websites. Something to keep in mind though (so you don't think you don't have to do any supervision):
Please note that KidsClick! is not an Internet filter. It does not prevent client web browsers from being used to surf any URL address that the user inputs. It is intended to guide users to good sites; not block them from "bad" sites. However, it could be used in conjunction with a filter product where law allows filters to be used. (From their About KidsClick page).
Alright, that's all for now! I don't want to totally overwhelm you! Yes, that means I do have more (but I haven't gone through them yet!)
The Hidden Diary of Marie Antoinette
By: Carolly Erickson
For fans of historical fiction this book is a treat. Told in diary format, Erickson puts us directly inside the mind of Marie Antoinette during the many remarkable events in her life. From her teenage years to her marriage, to her desire for a healthy son and heir, to her imprisonment and death we follow her as she grows and struggles to become French in order to protect Austria's alliance with France.
I love that her journal is started as a punishment - she is to write down all of her sins in order to reflect on them and to pray for forgiveness, starting with last Friday. Now, last Friday she did something that was dangerous, but she did it out of genuine care and concern. Young Marie feels she was not wrong, but Father Kunibert disagrees with her. She is a spirited young girl who decides to make her book of confessions more of a journal, which allows us that unique, inside-their-head look at royalty in the late 1700s.
Erickson has quite a few non-fiction titles under her belt. If that's more your style I would highly recommend you go and check her out - especially if the writing flows like it does in this book. Sure, there are times when we don't hear from Marie for months, but this usually occurs after someone has potentially found her diary (there are things that enemies of the monarchy would love to get their hands on) or after a major event - like giving birth, being crowned Queen of France, her lover leaving her....
An interesting point to me is the discussion of money - honestly, it's no wonder the people of France hated her (they were starving) and she was continuing to throw lavish parties and update her wardrobe practically constantly. Perhaps if she would have paid more attention to her expenditures she might have had a better chance of keeping her son and her head. Although, if Louis would have been a bit braver and more realistic he might have been able to save both of their heads.....
Recommended To: