Monthly Archives: February 2007

Book groups, Children's book reviews

Peter Pan in Scarlet

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Ok, I admit it, I haven’t finished the book for today’s fifth grade book group (I’ll have to speed read at lunch today), but I like what I’ve read so far.  Peter Pan in Scarlet by Geraldine McCaughrean is very British, and I’m sure her use of words is one thing that’s caused confusion with the kids, but it’s a fun romp.  McCaughread does perpetuate stereotypes, though: there is much offensive mention of the “little redskins.”  I’ll be interested to hear whether the kids in the book group picked up on that particular phraseology.  And I’ll be interested to find out whether the kids enjoyed the book and understood the storyline.  Update tomorrow!

Countdown:  12 days!!!

Children's book reviews, Spare time - Culture, Young adult book review

Audition results

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Heard from the publication with which I “auditioned” recently, and the news is great!  I’ve been selected as a temporary reviewer for this publication, which reviews children’s books, with the potential to become a permanent reviewer once they’ve detemined how well I fit in with their standards.  Needless to say, I’m pretty thrilled!  (Though one of my coworkers laughed when I told her the news, and said: “And just HOW are you going to fit this into your crazy schedule?”).

Children's book reviews, Spare time - Culture, Young adult book review

Assignment complete

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It was tough, but I finished.  The assignment that was due on the 19th is complete, and the finished product has been emailed to the person in charge of making the decision.  Though I put a lot of time and thought into this assignment, it was a challenge to complete, mostly because of the doubting voices that nagged me:  “Maybe this isn’t your strength…”  “Perhaps you’re just not any good at this…”  “This is probably your one chance at this opportunity – don’t blow it by turning in inferior product…”  “No pressure, but if you fail, then your chances in this line are null and void for the rest of your life…”

Years ago on Northern Exposure, Ed envisioned these self-doubts as the “little green men” in his mind.  My little green men had a field day this weekend.  Hopefully they wore themselves out with the exertion and activity, and will take a loooong nap and leave me alone for a while.

Book groups, Children

Confusion

Two of the fifth graders who are in the book group attended game hour yesterday, and as we were cleaning up the room at the end of game time, both boys started talking to me about this month’s book.  The book is Peter Pan in Scarlet by Geraldine McCaughrean, the first authorized sequel to the original Peter Pan.  And the boys are truly puzzled by it.  John told me that he’s totally confused by what’s happening: “First they’re old – then they’re kids – and there’s something weird going on with Wendy…”  Frank told me that he’s read about a hundred pages, but nothing is making sense to him.  John suggested that maybe it’s really a book for older kids, not fifth graders, and Frank agreed.

I haven’t read the book yet (I’m still working on that assignment that’s due on the 19th), so I couldn’t help them with specifics, but I did suggest that they jot down questions that they have as they read the rest of the book, to use as a starting point for our discussion.  And I also mentioned that some books are confusing, but intentionally so, and that such books often work towards resolution and solution by their conclusion.  It’s been a while since I’ve read it, but I seem to remember that McCaughrean’s Pack of Lies is one such book.
It’s too bad that the kids are struggling with Peter Pan in Scarlet, but they are all very bright, very literate kids, and hopefully they’ll be able to tease some sense out of this confusing text.  If not, at least we’ll have LOTS to discuss at the next meeting, on the 27th.

Library events, Spare time - Culture

Happy Valentine’s Day

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We’re socked in by a snow storm here; the library is closed today, and I’m home.  Jim took a personal day rather than drive the fishtail-happy, seventeen-year-old Honda in these slippery conditions.  So we’ve both been reading by the wood stove.  Jim’s working on a book Jean gave him for Christmas, Frank Conroy’s Time and Tide, and I’ve just finished reading Carol Gorman’s book Games.  I’m working through my thoughts on Games, trying to figure out how it ranks on the literary scale.  It’s one of those books that will need to sit at the back of my head for a few hours, or a day, before I can coherently and concisely say what I need to say about it.

In other news, since the library is closed today, the Create a Valentine workshop has been cancelled.  I spent the morning calling all the parents of the kids who had signed up to let them know that the program wouldn’t run.  One disappointed mom asked me whether it would be rescheduled.  “Hmmm,” I said, “Since today is Valentine’s Day, and it’s a Valentine card making workshop, I’m not sure that it would have any real relevancy after today.”  Not to mention, though I didn’t tell the mom this, there’s no room in the library calendar to reschedule this until February 28th, by which time a Valentine project would seem REALLY silly.

On the bright side, I’m all set for next year’s Create a Valentine program!

Library events, Spare time - Culture

hearts hearts hearts hearts hearts hearts hearts

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Man, am I tired of cutting out felt hearts for Wednesday’s Create A Valentine workshop.  Why oh why did I think it was a good idea to include them again this year?  Is my memory so bad that I forgot the blisters and pain of last year??????  No felt hearts next year: you read it here first.

Now if I can only remember to NOT do the cookie baking for the Annual Doll’s Tea Party in May…

Etc., Librarianship

Curiously fabulous

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Most of us at the library keep a tin of Altoids in our desk drawer.  It’s a functional thing: if you have garlic for lunch, you need a remedy.  After all, you are breathing on the public all day; might as well be minty fresh.

Much as I appreciate Altoids, I can’t say that I search them out.  I use them to fight garlic, and to keep my gastric equilibrium when suffering from a migraine (fact: peppermint oil defeats migraine nausea).  But I certainly don’t crave Altoids, nor do I really enjoy them. Altoids are what they are.

Or so I thought.  Yesterday in Brooks Pharmacy, I was brought to a dead stop in front of a display of a new Altoids product:  Altoids dipped in dark chocolate.  “Could be nasty,” I thought, “but then again, could be fabulous…”

And the verdict is — they’re fabulous.  Wow.  With dark-chocolate dipped Altoids in my desk, the work day will seem shorter and brighter.  Try them, if you haven’t already.  (I’m guessing that my sister is on her way to the store right now to buy some…hey, Jean, they have a goodly dose of caffeine, too!!)

Pop culture

Idol update

A couple more hours lost to Idol this week; it was a good escape, but it certainly wasn’t thrilling this week.  The only clear favorite, in my mind, was the guy who had sung as a back-up singer for Christina Aguilera.  No one else had fabulous talent (though I suspect they’re withholding the clips of the talented people until “Hollywood week”).

But how heartbreaking was the sixty-four year old guy who sang for his recently departed lady love?  That one got to me (many kleenex used), though I don’t really understand his motivation for auditioning.  What mattered was that his emotion was true, and his voice was sweet and heartfelt.

And since I’m multi-tasking right now:

JUST announced on the Today show:  Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows will be released at midnight on July 21, 2007.

And Al Franken will run for Senate.

That’s enough pop culture for one day.