Bang is another book, similar to Tyrell, about life in the " 'hood." Mann lives in a neighborhood where gunfire and drug traffic is normal, and two years before the story opened his little brother Jason is accidentally killed by passersby who are shooting at each other. After that, Mann refuses to go on his front porch again and tells his mother that the blood is still there , even though it has been cleaned up. Mann obviously is depressed and feeling guilty about Jason's death and needs professional help.
Instead, Mann's father tells him to be a "man" and not a "little boy." Mann says that "boys ain't men yet." Mann's friend Kee-lee is more support for Mann than his mom and dad are, but even Kee-lee is not the best example, buying into the drug, alcohol, and gun culture of the hood that Mann first tries to stay away from.
Even though Bang is a short book and did not take me long to read, a lot happened in the book. Also, although Bang had a somewhat happier ending than Tyrell, I really have a lot of misgivings about putting it on the shelves. Yes, it is realistic, but also quite gruesome and horrifying in its detail. Coach H., an African-American teacher who cares a lot about showing kids in poverty that there is a better way out than violence and drugs and also has the same concern that I do that there is a need for good YA novels for the African-American audience, is reading it for me over the break. I will take his opinion into consideration before putting the book out for the masses.
Friday, December 19, 2008
The Red Hat Club
I finished The Red Hat Club last night, and I really enjoyed it. The book is about 5 women who have been friends since girlhood. The book's main story line is the present in which the women are there for each other in the midst of divorces, affairs, money problems, and other ups and downs of adult life. However, I also enjoyed the chapters that "flashback" into the early lives of the ladies, showing how they became friends and how they overcame adversities even back in "the day." They all became friends by being in the exclusive "Mademoiselle" club, and then remained friends throughout their adult lives. The climax of the book is an elegant reunion of Mademoiselles which holds quite a few surprises for the ladies.
I liked the book and recommend it for a light, easy read.
I liked the book and recommend it for a light, easy read.
Thursday, December 18, 2008
The Chocolate War
The Chocolate War by Robert Cormier is a classic YA novel that has been around since the sixties. I've been meaning to read it for a long time and finally got around to it. Ironically, one of the English teachers came in and saw me reading it and asked me about it. It seems her fifth grade son had checked it out and asked his mom what the word "bastard" meant.
The story is pretty good. It is set in an all-male Catholic high school. A group of boys within the school who call themselves "The Vigils" are sort of the exclusive clique that everybody wants to join. A few kids are picked every year to join The Vigils and must complete initiation.
Every year the school has a huge chocolate sale, and this year the boys are pressured to sell double what they sold the year before. As part of his Vigil initiation, Jerry has to refuse to sell the chocolates. The story takes off from there, and I really liked it.
As for language, bastard was the worst word in there, and the talk is realistic. However, there are several references to masturbation (one boy buys a Playboy magazine, for example), which I thought not appropriate for elementary students. I think it is fine for high school reading, but not for any lower. I called the librarian at the fourth and fifth grade school and found out that the book had come from the AR cart in his teacher's room, not the library. The librarian quietly talked to the teacher and she removed the book from the cart. She had no idea of the content. Much like I received Tyrell (see entry below), she had gotten The Chocolate War in a group of AR books. Luckily, she is pretty sure that the English teacher's kid is the only one who had read it, and his mom is not the type to make a stink about it.
I do recommend this book for ninth grade and up, and I really liked it.
The story is pretty good. It is set in an all-male Catholic high school. A group of boys within the school who call themselves "The Vigils" are sort of the exclusive clique that everybody wants to join. A few kids are picked every year to join The Vigils and must complete initiation.
Every year the school has a huge chocolate sale, and this year the boys are pressured to sell double what they sold the year before. As part of his Vigil initiation, Jerry has to refuse to sell the chocolates. The story takes off from there, and I really liked it.
As for language, bastard was the worst word in there, and the talk is realistic. However, there are several references to masturbation (one boy buys a Playboy magazine, for example), which I thought not appropriate for elementary students. I think it is fine for high school reading, but not for any lower. I called the librarian at the fourth and fifth grade school and found out that the book had come from the AR cart in his teacher's room, not the library. The librarian quietly talked to the teacher and she removed the book from the cart. She had no idea of the content. Much like I received Tyrell (see entry below), she had gotten The Chocolate War in a group of AR books. Luckily, she is pretty sure that the English teacher's kid is the only one who had read it, and his mom is not the type to make a stink about it.
I do recommend this book for ninth grade and up, and I really liked it.
Tyrell
I read Tyrell, one of the books that I had received in a books for teen readers assortment that I got from BMI. I liked the book, but I have a lot of misgivings about having it in my library. Tyrell is a fifteen-year-old whose father is in prison, and he and his mother and little brother have just been put into the homeless system in New York City. His mother is sorry, not even trying to work, and it is up to Tyrell to try to scrounge money and food for them. He also takes care of Troy, the ten-year-old, most of the time. Tyrell has a girlfriend, Novisha, but meets another girl, Jasmine, at the "roach motel" where the homeless people are "temporarily" housed. I think that Tyrell is very realistic and I liked the book.
However, I'm not sure if I will put it on my shelves for several reasons. First of all, the language is pretty raw. It is written in the first person, so it is how Tyrell talks. Profanity is on every page, and I know that is realistic. Also, his grammar is horrible; I know that is realistic also, but because the book is in the first person, there is no good grammar anywhere in the book.
Second, as you can imagine, is the sex. It is not explicit at all, but it is there. Tyrell does not have sex with either Novisha or Jasmine in the course of the story, but the references are prolific and the making out that they do is pretty advanced, to put it mildly.
The third misgiving I have is the drugs. Tyrell smokes "weed," but only when he is given it. Remember, he has no money. He also drinks beer; again only when someone gives it to him.
Tyrell does have some redeeming qualities, however. He tries to provide for Troy and be a parent figure to him. He talks to Troy's teacher and finds out that Troy does not have to be in special education (his mother wants him there just to get a check). He knows that he can sell drugs to make some money and get himself and his family out of the situation that they are in, but he does not do it. He pressures Novisha to sleep with him, but does not dump her when she refuses. Also, he does not sleep with Jasmine when she presents herself to him and remains faithful to Novisha.
I asked one of the English teachers to read Tyrell and tell me what she thinks. I'm just not sure if I want it on the shelves. I will post what I decide later.
However, I'm not sure if I will put it on my shelves for several reasons. First of all, the language is pretty raw. It is written in the first person, so it is how Tyrell talks. Profanity is on every page, and I know that is realistic. Also, his grammar is horrible; I know that is realistic also, but because the book is in the first person, there is no good grammar anywhere in the book.
Second, as you can imagine, is the sex. It is not explicit at all, but it is there. Tyrell does not have sex with either Novisha or Jasmine in the course of the story, but the references are prolific and the making out that they do is pretty advanced, to put it mildly.
The third misgiving I have is the drugs. Tyrell smokes "weed," but only when he is given it. Remember, he has no money. He also drinks beer; again only when someone gives it to him.
Tyrell does have some redeeming qualities, however. He tries to provide for Troy and be a parent figure to him. He talks to Troy's teacher and finds out that Troy does not have to be in special education (his mother wants him there just to get a check). He knows that he can sell drugs to make some money and get himself and his family out of the situation that they are in, but he does not do it. He pressures Novisha to sleep with him, but does not dump her when she refuses. Also, he does not sleep with Jasmine when she presents herself to him and remains faithful to Novisha.
I asked one of the English teachers to read Tyrell and tell me what she thinks. I'm just not sure if I want it on the shelves. I will post what I decide later.
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
For Whom the Bell Tolls
I rented the movie on my Netflix and watched it last night. I thought that it was great adaptation of the novel. Ingrid Bergman and Gary Cooper manage to be very sexy without the blatant sex in today's movies. Gary Cooper is wonderful as Jordan, and the final scene is very moving. I know that it was done in those days to put Caucasian actors in minority roles, but I just did not like seeing Ingrid as the Mexican Maria. She played the part well; she just did not look it. I am reminded of Orson Welles playing Othello. Couldn't the movie producers see back then how ridiculous is would look? Oh, well; at least we have learned from the past.
I did like the movie and highly recommend it.
I did like the movie and highly recommend it.
Friday, December 5, 2008
Jayber Crow
Russell has been wanting me to read Wendell Berry for a long time, so I finally did. I read most of Jayber Crow while in the hospital with David. I really liked it. It reminded me of the Mitford books, Willie Morris, and Eudora Welty all rolled into one. As a matter of fact, one of the parallels that I was talking to Russell about this morning was "Thy will be done." Father Tim and Cynthia call this the "prayer that never fails" in the Mitford novels. Jaybe calls it the prayer that scares him to death. How true are both!!
I liked the portrait of the townspeople of Port William; they are all typical country, Southern folks whom I can easily picture and imagine the way Berry describes them. Jayber, as the narrator of the novel, is a wonderful character who manages to tell the reader a lot about himself as he tells about the people that he knows and the lives of those with whom he interacts. As the town barber, Jayber is not only a participant in much of the action, but also an omniscient narrator of the plot. Berry even manages to cover a pet topic, the mechanization of farming and the death of the small farmer, without being heavy-handed or preachy. This was a unique, wonderful story which I highly recommend. I will definitely read some more of Berry when I can.
As a side note, David is home from the hospital, out of pain, and doing well.
I liked the portrait of the townspeople of Port William; they are all typical country, Southern folks whom I can easily picture and imagine the way Berry describes them. Jayber, as the narrator of the novel, is a wonderful character who manages to tell the reader a lot about himself as he tells about the people that he knows and the lives of those with whom he interacts. As the town barber, Jayber is not only a participant in much of the action, but also an omniscient narrator of the plot. Berry even manages to cover a pet topic, the mechanization of farming and the death of the small farmer, without being heavy-handed or preachy. This was a unique, wonderful story which I highly recommend. I will definitely read some more of Berry when I can.
As a side note, David is home from the hospital, out of pain, and doing well.
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Reflections again
I forgot today was my birthday. I remembered after I got in the tub this morning, then forgot again after I went to work. When Russell called, I remembered again. Is this the true sign of old age? I love birthdays, mine and others, and we have always made a big deal out of them. But this year seems kind of anti climatic. Is it because of the recent engagement and the excitement there, or because of the surgery David faces tomorrow and the tension there?
Well, I guess that is doesn't matter. What matters is that I did finally remember it and that I am grateful for another year after having cancer at age 42. I am well; my family is well; my son is getting married to a sweetheart of a girl; my husband will be out of pain soon; there are so many other blessings that I could list.
I got several phone calls today to wish me happy birthday-Russell, Paula, Sharon, and Jennie. That means so much to me. And everyone has wished David well also and says they are praying for him.
As I enter my last year of my forties, I feel wonderful to be where I am in life and hope for at least 49 more years!
P.S. Johnette, if you're reading this, please complete your profile!
Well, I guess that is doesn't matter. What matters is that I did finally remember it and that I am grateful for another year after having cancer at age 42. I am well; my family is well; my son is getting married to a sweetheart of a girl; my husband will be out of pain soon; there are so many other blessings that I could list.
I got several phone calls today to wish me happy birthday-Russell, Paula, Sharon, and Jennie. That means so much to me. And everyone has wished David well also and says they are praying for him.
As I enter my last year of my forties, I feel wonderful to be where I am in life and hope for at least 49 more years!
P.S. Johnette, if you're reading this, please complete your profile!
Monday, December 1, 2008
For Whom the Bell Tolls
For Whom the Bell Tolls is not really my kind of book, normally. I am not a big Hemingway fan nor am I a fan of war stories. However, in my quest to read some classics that I had never read before, I picked it up a few weeks ago, and it has taken me a while to get it read. I had a little trouble with the language, but mostly it took me a long time to read it because it is not a book that is easy to stop and start. Reading a chapter or two at night (the way I normally read books) is not a good way to read this one. It is not easy reading and therefore hard to constantly pick up and down without losing some of the understanding. I was at Russell's a couple of weekends ago, and I was able to read for several long blocks of time. During those periods, I understood the book better, enjoyed it more, and wanted to keep reading to find out what happened. But when I got back home and to my old method of reading, I once again had trouble picking it up at night and lost some of my interest.
That being explained, I did like the book, although I did not love the book. I liked the love story of Roberto and Maria, and I really wanted to know if they would stay together. I wanted to know if Robert and friends were really going to blow up the bridge or not. I did not particularly like the way the book ended, but was not surprised at it. I have to admit that the ending, forshadowing Robert's death, was true to the story and answered for me who "thee" is. ("Ask not for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee" is a rough approximation of John Donne's poem.) Of course there are several other characters for whom the bell tolled!
This is what I found most perplexing about the book: there is a class set of them in the library! Why was this book with its obvious sex scenes (not explicit, but pretty close!) ever assigned to high school students? I was sickened when Maria describes her rape and amazed that a class of high school kids were ever assigned this book. Maybe I am too old-fashioned, but I could just foresee a lot of parent complaints and I personally would not have wanted my child to read this when he was a teenager. Don't worry; I never would have complained about it or not let him read it if he had been assigned it or wanted to read it on his own. I'm just saying that I would not have liked it.
I will keep a few of these books for general check out, but discard the rest of them. It was a good story, and I will be watching the movie soon and will post again.
That being explained, I did like the book, although I did not love the book. I liked the love story of Roberto and Maria, and I really wanted to know if they would stay together. I wanted to know if Robert and friends were really going to blow up the bridge or not. I did not particularly like the way the book ended, but was not surprised at it. I have to admit that the ending, forshadowing Robert's death, was true to the story and answered for me who "thee" is. ("Ask not for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee" is a rough approximation of John Donne's poem.) Of course there are several other characters for whom the bell tolled!
This is what I found most perplexing about the book: there is a class set of them in the library! Why was this book with its obvious sex scenes (not explicit, but pretty close!) ever assigned to high school students? I was sickened when Maria describes her rape and amazed that a class of high school kids were ever assigned this book. Maybe I am too old-fashioned, but I could just foresee a lot of parent complaints and I personally would not have wanted my child to read this when he was a teenager. Don't worry; I never would have complained about it or not let him read it if he had been assigned it or wanted to read it on his own. I'm just saying that I would not have liked it.
I will keep a few of these books for general check out, but discard the rest of them. It was a good story, and I will be watching the movie soon and will post again.
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Follower and Blogging
Sorry, I just don't understand blogging very well. I see that I have a new follower who has blocked me from reading his or her blog, which I would really like to do so that I will know who is reading my blog. If you're reading this, let me know how to get to your blog so that I can read it please.
I also don't understand how to do the pictures. I would like to shrink the picture of Russell and Callie and put it next to the engagement blog. How do I do that?
I like having this outlet of blogging but I'm just not understanding it all yet. All of you experienced bloggers out there, please be patient with me and give me some help!
Thanks.
I also don't understand how to do the pictures. I would like to shrink the picture of Russell and Callie and put it next to the engagement blog. How do I do that?
I like having this outlet of blogging but I'm just not understanding it all yet. All of you experienced bloggers out there, please be patient with me and give me some help!
Thanks.
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar; Jon and Kate Gosselin
OK, I know that having 17 kids is weird; a bunch of pro-life, conservative Southern Baptists who dress like Pentecostals and practice birth control like Catholics is even weirder. But I still can't help myself for being drawn to the shows that the Duggars have been in, most recently 17 Kids and Counting. I have to admit that it is fun to watch what all of these people do, and the fact that they genuinely seem to love and care for each other and NEVER FIGHT is phenomenal. Hey, Jon and Kate's 8 kids fight, and we know that is reality. I greatly admire Michelle's parenting skills; she never seems to raise her voice, always smiles (even in the throes of labor pains), and has the most well-disciplined bunch of kids who ever graced the small screen. Jon and Kate yell regularly at their kids and each other, and I cannot even imagine Kate gently taking a kid aside and murmuring to him or her softly and then the kid behaving like a gem. I'm getting a good laugh just typing that scenario!
I've read criticism of both the Duggar and the Gosselin families, and I do not necessarily disagree with a lot of it, even though I am a big fan of the tv shows that they respectively star in. But here is my bottom line (thanks, Frank Melton, another blog in and of itself). Both families are practicing Christians, are up front about it, and TLC does not try to hide that fact. Both families are shown praying, reading the Bible, and attending church (in the case of the Gosselins). Both families are shown trying to teach their kids right from wrong with a heaping dose of family values thrown in, albeit in completely different ways. Yea, TLC! Thanks for showing America that there are Christian families out there, and thanks for not trying to be "politically correct!"
I like both of these shows and will continue to watch.
I've read criticism of both the Duggar and the Gosselin families, and I do not necessarily disagree with a lot of it, even though I am a big fan of the tv shows that they respectively star in. But here is my bottom line (thanks, Frank Melton, another blog in and of itself). Both families are practicing Christians, are up front about it, and TLC does not try to hide that fact. Both families are shown praying, reading the Bible, and attending church (in the case of the Gosselins). Both families are shown trying to teach their kids right from wrong with a heaping dose of family values thrown in, albeit in completely different ways. Yea, TLC! Thanks for showing America that there are Christian families out there, and thanks for not trying to be "politically correct!"
I like both of these shows and will continue to watch.
Monday, November 3, 2008
Prayer: Key to Revival
I've had this book on my list for a long time, not because it has taken me long to read, but because it is a book that I constantly reread. I first read it over 20 years ago, and absolutely loved it. Paul Y. Cho is a pastor in Korea, and he attributes the fast growth of his church to prayer. He details in the book how he prays, how his congregation prays, and gives examples of types of prayer. I turned several of my friends on to this book, and we all loved it and talked about all the time how prayer changes lives.
A few months ago I picked up the book to read again. I had not read the book since it has become so easy to search online for information. Was I discouraged at what I found! Paul Y. Cho now goes by David Y. Cho because he had a vision from the Lord to change his name. Apparently his ministry has expanded and that he now has quite a following, almost cult like. He has also had some sort of falling-out with his son over the direction of the ministry.
I am reminded of Francine Rivers' book And the Shofar Blew. Rivers details the life of a young pastor, on fire for the Lord, who comes and turns a dying church upside down. In doing so, he becomes godlike and obsessed with money and power. (Of course, this change takes many years; it does not happen overnight.) After almost losing his career, his children, and his wife, he faces what he has become and makes the changes that he needs to in his life. This book, while it does not make the reader sympathetic to the main character, it does make one realize how these things happen and more understanding of the Jimmy Swaggarts and Jim Bakkers of the world.
Has Paul Y. Cho become another televangelist who has become enamored of himself and lost focus on what is right? I hope not, and I am certainly not supposed to judge him. But I was so disturbed by what I found on the Internet, that I will not be teaching this book in a small group setting (a friend and I were tossing around this idea), nor will I be recommending it to others.
I will still continue to reread this book occasionally and take it for what it was to me back when I first read it. However, I will read the old copy that I have and will not be buying the "new, revised" edition. I am saddened that this book which has probably touched so many lives has become a part of what seems to me to be a cult following of Cho and his teaching.
A few months ago I picked up the book to read again. I had not read the book since it has become so easy to search online for information. Was I discouraged at what I found! Paul Y. Cho now goes by David Y. Cho because he had a vision from the Lord to change his name. Apparently his ministry has expanded and that he now has quite a following, almost cult like. He has also had some sort of falling-out with his son over the direction of the ministry.
I am reminded of Francine Rivers' book And the Shofar Blew. Rivers details the life of a young pastor, on fire for the Lord, who comes and turns a dying church upside down. In doing so, he becomes godlike and obsessed with money and power. (Of course, this change takes many years; it does not happen overnight.) After almost losing his career, his children, and his wife, he faces what he has become and makes the changes that he needs to in his life. This book, while it does not make the reader sympathetic to the main character, it does make one realize how these things happen and more understanding of the Jimmy Swaggarts and Jim Bakkers of the world.
Has Paul Y. Cho become another televangelist who has become enamored of himself and lost focus on what is right? I hope not, and I am certainly not supposed to judge him. But I was so disturbed by what I found on the Internet, that I will not be teaching this book in a small group setting (a friend and I were tossing around this idea), nor will I be recommending it to others.
I will still continue to reread this book occasionally and take it for what it was to me back when I first read it. However, I will read the old copy that I have and will not be buying the "new, revised" edition. I am saddened that this book which has probably touched so many lives has become a part of what seems to me to be a cult following of Cho and his teaching.
Monday, October 27, 2008
Fahrenheit 451
I read Fahrenheit 451 while I was at Russell's house Friday night. I like Ray Bradbury and have always enjoyed most science fiction. I liked this book a lot; I liked the weirdness of it as well as the implied warning to society--don't quit thinking; be sure to continue to read and challenge yourself, and don't be afraid to be different. This theme sort of reminded me of one of the themes of The Giver in a way-don't resort to "sameness;" not only is it o.k. to be different, but also it is normal and expected.
This is a good book for teaching purposes. The symbolism is wonderful; the motifs and themes are not hard to pick out, and it is relatively short (length turns so many students off). I would put this at tenth grade. It is a little hard for ninth, but too easy for eleventh.
I am now deleting it from my list. I probably won't add another one until I catch up on what is on the list now.
This is a good book for teaching purposes. The symbolism is wonderful; the motifs and themes are not hard to pick out, and it is relatively short (length turns so many students off). I would put this at tenth grade. It is a little hard for ninth, but too easy for eleventh.
I am now deleting it from my list. I probably won't add another one until I catch up on what is on the list now.
Saturday, October 25, 2008
Reflections
What a special time in the lives of our children! Russell called today to say that he and Callie had gotten engaged. They are in Sewanee for the weekend at Homecoming.
He told us a couple of weeks ago that he was probably going to propose at Sewanee. When he called me on Monday about 11:00 a.m., I asked him if that was still the plan. He said that he still had not bought the ring or talked to her parents, so he just did not think so.
What a surprise when he called back about 9:30 on Monday night! He had gone to Tupelo that afternoon and bought the ring, then drove on to Columbus to talk to her parents. Unfortunately, Mr. Flowers was out of town, so he talked to Mrs. Flowers. After they talked for awhile, she called Mr. Flowers and put him on speaker phone, so they all three had a good conversation for about an hour. Naturally, they gave their blessing. How could they not?
David and I have been on pins and needles ever since, and it's been so hard not to tell anyone. I instructed Russell to call us just as soon as he could, and he called early this afternoon. She loved the ring, and she was very excited. I put him on speaker phone, so that David and I could both hear. David said, "Well, what did she say?" We could hear her holler, "Yes!" I jokingly said that she had not talked to us yet like he had talked to her parents. He said she couldn't talk right now because she was crying. I told him to call both sets of grandparents as soon as he could, and he said that he would.
I called Carol Anne and instructed her not to say anything to Mama yet because Russell was going to call her. Less than 10 minutes later, Carol Anne called back to say that I could call Mama because she had just called her! So I did, of course, and she and Daddy are excited as well. Then I called Russell again to make sure that he had gotten David's parents (he had) because I knew that David would want to call them. When I called, Mrs. Casteel answered the phone. I said, "Did you get a phone call?" She said yes and started crying. Apparently, she was very teary with Russell also. Anyway, they are excited as well, and it seems the Excitement is the word for the day. Later on, David called his brother Steve. Their conversation was much different than mine and Carol Anne's. I guess brothers just don't get as wound up as sisters do! What a concept!
I'm sure I will post more as the engagement progresses. I just wanted to write down the events of the day so that I will always remember them.
He told us a couple of weeks ago that he was probably going to propose at Sewanee. When he called me on Monday about 11:00 a.m., I asked him if that was still the plan. He said that he still had not bought the ring or talked to her parents, so he just did not think so.
What a surprise when he called back about 9:30 on Monday night! He had gone to Tupelo that afternoon and bought the ring, then drove on to Columbus to talk to her parents. Unfortunately, Mr. Flowers was out of town, so he talked to Mrs. Flowers. After they talked for awhile, she called Mr. Flowers and put him on speaker phone, so they all three had a good conversation for about an hour. Naturally, they gave their blessing. How could they not?
David and I have been on pins and needles ever since, and it's been so hard not to tell anyone. I instructed Russell to call us just as soon as he could, and he called early this afternoon. She loved the ring, and she was very excited. I put him on speaker phone, so that David and I could both hear. David said, "Well, what did she say?" We could hear her holler, "Yes!" I jokingly said that she had not talked to us yet like he had talked to her parents. He said she couldn't talk right now because she was crying. I told him to call both sets of grandparents as soon as he could, and he said that he would.
I called Carol Anne and instructed her not to say anything to Mama yet because Russell was going to call her. Less than 10 minutes later, Carol Anne called back to say that I could call Mama because she had just called her! So I did, of course, and she and Daddy are excited as well. Then I called Russell again to make sure that he had gotten David's parents (he had) because I knew that David would want to call them. When I called, Mrs. Casteel answered the phone. I said, "Did you get a phone call?" She said yes and started crying. Apparently, she was very teary with Russell also. Anyway, they are excited as well, and it seems the Excitement is the word for the day. Later on, David called his brother Steve. Their conversation was much different than mine and Carol Anne's. I guess brothers just don't get as wound up as sisters do! What a concept!
I'm sure I will post more as the engagement progresses. I just wanted to write down the events of the day so that I will always remember them.
Friday, October 24, 2008
Dicey's Song
I read Dicey's Song because the freshman English teacher is thinking about using it and asked me what I thought. I liked it and I highly recommend it as a good YA novel for any age, ninth probably being the best grade for it to be taught.
The four Tillerman children have been abandoned by their mother who is now institutionalized and have come to live with their grandmother who plans to adopt them. Dicey's Song explores how each of the children are coming to grips with their unique situation. Maybeth, who struggles to read and do math, finds herself through music. She excels at it, and Grandma and Dicey see that she is not "retarded," and manage to afford the music lessons for her. Sammy, after struggling with fighting at school, finds that his Grandma is very wise and her defeat of all of the second graders at marbles makes him a marvel to his peers and accepted. James finds himself in his tutoring of Maybeth and his success at helping her read. Dicey finally realizes that she has some help in mothering the younger children, and she and her Grandma bond as they travel to Boston to deal with the impending death of Momma in the mental institution. I really liked how the book ended; Grandma finally goes to the attic and brings down the photo albums from long ago. As the children gather round her, Grandma begins to point to photographs and tell stories about each one.
This was a very good book, and I think that the ninth graders will enjoy it.
I have now removed Dicey's Song and Sunset from my list and will be adding another book today, so watch for the title.
The four Tillerman children have been abandoned by their mother who is now institutionalized and have come to live with their grandmother who plans to adopt them. Dicey's Song explores how each of the children are coming to grips with their unique situation. Maybeth, who struggles to read and do math, finds herself through music. She excels at it, and Grandma and Dicey see that she is not "retarded," and manage to afford the music lessons for her. Sammy, after struggling with fighting at school, finds that his Grandma is very wise and her defeat of all of the second graders at marbles makes him a marvel to his peers and accepted. James finds himself in his tutoring of Maybeth and his success at helping her read. Dicey finally realizes that she has some help in mothering the younger children, and she and her Grandma bond as they travel to Boston to deal with the impending death of Momma in the mental institution. I really liked how the book ended; Grandma finally goes to the attic and brings down the photo albums from long ago. As the children gather round her, Grandma begins to point to photographs and tell stories about each one.
This was a very good book, and I think that the ninth graders will enjoy it.
I have now removed Dicey's Song and Sunset from my list and will be adding another book today, so watch for the title.
Sunset by Karen Kingsbury
I finished Sunset, the last of the Baxter family series yesterday, and, of course, loved it. I love all of Kingsbury's books, and this one is certainly no exception. Lots of loose ends are tied up with relationships; new beginnings are in store for John and Elaine, Landon and Ashley, and Luke and Reagan, to name a few. Enough information is given about the Flanigan family, including the Bailey, Tim, and Cody triangle, that leaves the reader knowing that they will be back in future books. Kingsbury has promised that the Baxter family will be peripheral characters in future novels so that fans will always be able to keep up with them.
Of course, what I like the most about Kingsbury's books, is that God's faithfulness shines through. I highly recommend this book.
Of course, what I like the most about Kingsbury's books, is that God's faithfulness shines through. I highly recommend this book.
Monday, October 13, 2008
Necessary Roughness
Out of the three books I read this weekend, I enjoyed Necessary Roughness the most. I read it because the ninth grade English teacher is planning on using it, and I applaud that. The lessons in the books are great. Conflicts between Chan and his father, Chan and the mostly white team mates, and Chan and the coaches will serve as good teaching tools. The relationship between Chan and his twin sister Young is the only thing that saves him when he moves to a new almost all-white town and school. Many young people will relate to Chan in some way, even if their own problems are not exactly like his.
I liked the book a lot and highly recommend it. I will now take My Antonia, Long Day's Journey into Night, and Necessary Roughness off my reading list and be watching for what I add to it.
I liked the book a lot and highly recommend it. I will now take My Antonia, Long Day's Journey into Night, and Necessary Roughness off my reading list and be watching for what I add to it.
Long Day's Journey into Night
I read Long Day's Journey into Night over the weekend, and it was a good play. I do not know much about Eugene O'Neill, and I read that Edmund in the play is the young Eugene and that O'Neill meant the play to be semi-autobiographical. Hopelessness, breakdown of communication, and substance abuse are big themes in the play, and the play never really comes to a satisfactory conclusion. It seems that the Tyrone family is doomed to repeat their mistakes over and over and never climb out of their dysfunctional ways.
I made a comment about My Antonia that applies here. I understand the play and appreciate it, but it was not something I really enjoyed.
I made a comment about My Antonia that applies here. I understand the play and appreciate it, but it was not something I really enjoyed.
My Antonia
I finally finished My Antonia. It took me a long time to read it, not because it was hard to read, but because it did not really interest me and I found it boring in several places. As a matter of fact, I did not really get interested in the book until toward the end when Jim comes home to find Antonia a "fallen" woman with an illegitimate child. From that point on, I read voraciously, as I wanted to know what happened.
I first read a story of Willa Cather's in high school (I have no idea which one), and I did not really like it and have never picked up Willa Cather again until now. The "local color" writers have never been ones that I liked to read. I feel about My Antonia as I do about several other "classics" that I have read: I understand it and appreciate why it is an important book of the local color style, but I just did not really like it.
I first read a story of Willa Cather's in high school (I have no idea which one), and I did not really like it and have never picked up Willa Cather again until now. The "local color" writers have never been ones that I liked to read. I feel about My Antonia as I do about several other "classics" that I have read: I understand it and appreciate why it is an important book of the local color style, but I just did not really like it.
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Drama High
I have just finished the sixth book in the series Drama High, books that I purchased for the library. I was first told about these books last school year by a student. I was a little wary at first about putting them on the library shelves. However, reading the books has eased my mind. First of all, these books are an answer to a plea that I made on August 28, 2000, in my amazon review of Tears of a Tiger; there are not enough young adult novels out there with African American students as the central characters. http://www.amazon.com/Tears-Tiger-Sharon-M-Draper/dp/0689806981/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1222972183&sr=1-1
Second, the books are realistic. Although I am not a fan of some of the dialect and slang, I know that it is how kids talk and might make them relate to what the characters are saying.
Third, the books teach good lessons. Jayd avoids fighting, drugs, and casual sex, to name a few things that pressure our young people today.
With pleasure, I have put these books on the shelves and am happy to report that they are checked out a lot. I have taken Drama High off my reading list and will report later what I am currently reading.
Second, the books are realistic. Although I am not a fan of some of the dialect and slang, I know that it is how kids talk and might make them relate to what the characters are saying.
Third, the books teach good lessons. Jayd avoids fighting, drugs, and casual sex, to name a few things that pressure our young people today.
With pleasure, I have put these books on the shelves and am happy to report that they are checked out a lot. I have taken Drama High off my reading list and will report later what I am currently reading.
Monday, September 22, 2008
The Good Earth, part 2
This weekend we rented The Good Earth on our Netflix. The movie came out in 1937 (the book was published in 1931), and Luise Rainer won an Oscar for her performance as O-Lan. Interestingly enough, Rainer is currently the oldest living Oscar winner (98, I think, unless she has died recently and I don't know it), and she was the first actress to win back-to-back Oscars.
Back to the movie--I did like it. Yes, there were some differences between the book and the movie; aren't there always? But I did not have too much trouble with most of the differences. The viewer does not know that the baby who dies was actually killed by O-Lan, but that fact is made clear in the book. The twins, boy and girl, are left out of the movie; Wang Lung has only three children rather than the five he has in the book. Although the uncle is not a good person in the movie, he is not painted nearly as evil as he was in the book. I guess there was just no way to get it all in. I really did not mind most of these differences; however, there was one major one that I thought should not have been left out of the movie.
In the book, Wang Lung tells his sons as he is dying in the end to never sell the land. The sons agree, but look over his head and smile at each other. So you know that they are going to do whatever they want once Wang Lung is dead. On the other hand, the movie ends with Wang Lung alone after O-Lan's death standing in his field making a soliloquy about the land, how it has indeed been "the good earth."
When I told my husband about how the book ended, he could not believe that the two endings were so different. The movie ending is not only absolutely nothing like the book, but is not even in the same spirit or vein as the book. The ending absolutely changed the perception of what would happen to Wang Lung's family in future generations and was totally not in keeping with the one of the themes of the book, the constant rise and fall, feast and famine.
Still, I'm glad I saw the movie, even though the ending spoiled it for me.
Back to the movie--I did like it. Yes, there were some differences between the book and the movie; aren't there always? But I did not have too much trouble with most of the differences. The viewer does not know that the baby who dies was actually killed by O-Lan, but that fact is made clear in the book. The twins, boy and girl, are left out of the movie; Wang Lung has only three children rather than the five he has in the book. Although the uncle is not a good person in the movie, he is not painted nearly as evil as he was in the book. I guess there was just no way to get it all in. I really did not mind most of these differences; however, there was one major one that I thought should not have been left out of the movie.
In the book, Wang Lung tells his sons as he is dying in the end to never sell the land. The sons agree, but look over his head and smile at each other. So you know that they are going to do whatever they want once Wang Lung is dead. On the other hand, the movie ends with Wang Lung alone after O-Lan's death standing in his field making a soliloquy about the land, how it has indeed been "the good earth."
When I told my husband about how the book ended, he could not believe that the two endings were so different. The movie ending is not only absolutely nothing like the book, but is not even in the same spirit or vein as the book. The ending absolutely changed the perception of what would happen to Wang Lung's family in future generations and was totally not in keeping with the one of the themes of the book, the constant rise and fall, feast and famine.
Still, I'm glad I saw the movie, even though the ending spoiled it for me.
The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants
I finished the fourth novel in this series, Forever in Blue. I was reading these books before I decided whether or not to put them on the shelves for the kids to read. I have decided that they are fine for teenage reading, and I have put them on the shelves to be checked out. To be sure, there are some things that I am not crazy about in the books, like Bridget losing her virginity in the first one. However, it is written in a way that is very tasteful, not explicit, and much more time is spent on her feelings of regret afterwards, so the message is there. I like the development of all of these characters, and even though the books are written for the teen audience, I did like them and can see other adults liking them also. All four of the books, especially the last one, have some really good lessons that the girls learn about families, friendship, and, most of all, themselves. Overall, good books for teens.
I have now taken that series off my currently reading list and will be deciding soon what to read next, so keep checking back.
I have now taken that series off my currently reading list and will be deciding soon what to read next, so keep checking back.
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Isaiah 40:31
When I was thinking about my blog, I first thought that I might do a regular devotional, like maybe weekly or every other week. Then I decided that committing to write a devotion might constrain the freedom that I have to write whatever is on my mind. If I don't feel like writing a devotion on a certain day, I need to have the option to write whatever I want. But I do want anyone who stumbles upon this blog to know my point of view and that I look at the world through the eyes of a Christian.
Then I thought about favorite Bible verses. I'm sure that, like most people, I can come up with a different favorite Bible verse any time that I am asked!
Then I thought about one of my plans for the blog, to write about the books that I am currently reading. Well, don't I currently read the Bible, and isn't that a book? Of course!
So I have decided to occasionally (no set time; I don't want to box myself in) to select a favorite Bible verse and expound on it somewhat. Please add your comments as I always welcome input.
Is. 40:31 has been a favorite verse for quite some time. But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint. (RSV)
My son the Hebrew scholar (he made an A in Hebrew both semesters--OK, moms can brag) tells me that the original Hebrew word for wait here means not waiting, as if you are waiting on a bus, but waiting as if you are waiting on a table. Yes, it is talking about SERVANTHOOD, waiting on the Lord, serving Him. If we wait on the Lord, He will hold us up no matter how weak we feel, no matter how tired we are, no matter how much we think that we are about to faint. Anyone who has ever served any kind of mission project at all can attest to that! No matter how worn out, how much you think that you can no longer put one foot in front of the other, you get it done and the Lord holds you up. He will continually renew your strength when you are serving Him! What a concept!
Now to throw a monkey wrench into this--I read my husband's NIV, and it says they who HOPE for the Lord will renew their strength. Is the meaning still the same as when we use WAIT? I am still pondering that, and would appreciate your input.
Then I thought about favorite Bible verses. I'm sure that, like most people, I can come up with a different favorite Bible verse any time that I am asked!
Then I thought about one of my plans for the blog, to write about the books that I am currently reading. Well, don't I currently read the Bible, and isn't that a book? Of course!
So I have decided to occasionally (no set time; I don't want to box myself in) to select a favorite Bible verse and expound on it somewhat. Please add your comments as I always welcome input.
Is. 40:31 has been a favorite verse for quite some time. But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint. (RSV)
My son the Hebrew scholar (he made an A in Hebrew both semesters--OK, moms can brag) tells me that the original Hebrew word for wait here means not waiting, as if you are waiting on a bus, but waiting as if you are waiting on a table. Yes, it is talking about SERVANTHOOD, waiting on the Lord, serving Him. If we wait on the Lord, He will hold us up no matter how weak we feel, no matter how tired we are, no matter how much we think that we are about to faint. Anyone who has ever served any kind of mission project at all can attest to that! No matter how worn out, how much you think that you can no longer put one foot in front of the other, you get it done and the Lord holds you up. He will continually renew your strength when you are serving Him! What a concept!
Now to throw a monkey wrench into this--I read my husband's NIV, and it says they who HOPE for the Lord will renew their strength. Is the meaning still the same as when we use WAIT? I am still pondering that, and would appreciate your input.
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Meat Loaf Again
OK, I'm guilty. I love rocknroll music. However, I never was much into Meat Loaf (except as Eddie in Rocky Horror), but I LOVE the Go Phone commercial! He has cut the hair, lost the weight and the black nail polish, and stepped into the middle-aged Dad role perfectly. I even admit that I think he looks pretty cute (reminds me of my husband).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o5YMVO7-8ns
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o5YMVO7-8ns
The Good Earth
I finished The Good Earth, so I deleted it from the Books I am Currently Reading list. I also looked up some of the criticism of it. It is hard to believe that the book was such an international sensation when it was first published! It is just difficult for me to fathom how the story of Wang Lung found such international appeal in 1931.
I did like the book. I did not love it, but I was intrigued, and read through it fairly quickly. I was very interested and wanted to know how it all would turn out. Wang Lung was both someone to admire and someone to pity, a paradox of a man. His growth from a poor peasant farmer just hoping for an ugly wife to give him sons to a wealthy landowner with concubines was paralleled by the downfall of the wealthy landowner Hwang. At the end of the book, one has to wonder if the same thing would happen to Wang Lung's sons that happened to the house of Hwang. It seemed to foreshadow that it would.
The criticism that I scanned said that the elements of the book are factual with the Chinese culture of that time, such as treatment of women, ignorance of modern inventions (the "firewagon") by the peasant farmers, and even the constant cycle of plenty and starvation that the farmers experienced. I did have to wonder, however, if Wang's rise from poverty to wealth was really something that could have happened. I have studied that in most societies with a clear lower and upper class that there really was no way to move out of your class; you were stuck where you were. But that is not so with Wang.
One reviewer wrote that Pearl Buck was very critical of Chinese treatment of women, but she did include those things, like the selling of young girls into slavery and the taking of young women as concubines by the wealthy, purposely to make the story realistic. However, Wang Lung desperately loves his retarded daughter and does not allow her to be sold. Also, he does take concubines, but regrets his treatment of O-Lan later. He even realizes that he loved O-lan all those years. These feelings of Wang's, not typical of the Chinese man at that time, show Pearl Buck's disdain for the Chinese regard of women as property. I even read that Buck was an ardent feminist! I was very impressed by that.
Overall, it was a good book. It was a classic that I have never read, and now I have read it. What shall I read next? Hmmmmm......
I did like the book. I did not love it, but I was intrigued, and read through it fairly quickly. I was very interested and wanted to know how it all would turn out. Wang Lung was both someone to admire and someone to pity, a paradox of a man. His growth from a poor peasant farmer just hoping for an ugly wife to give him sons to a wealthy landowner with concubines was paralleled by the downfall of the wealthy landowner Hwang. At the end of the book, one has to wonder if the same thing would happen to Wang Lung's sons that happened to the house of Hwang. It seemed to foreshadow that it would.
The criticism that I scanned said that the elements of the book are factual with the Chinese culture of that time, such as treatment of women, ignorance of modern inventions (the "firewagon") by the peasant farmers, and even the constant cycle of plenty and starvation that the farmers experienced. I did have to wonder, however, if Wang's rise from poverty to wealth was really something that could have happened. I have studied that in most societies with a clear lower and upper class that there really was no way to move out of your class; you were stuck where you were. But that is not so with Wang.
One reviewer wrote that Pearl Buck was very critical of Chinese treatment of women, but she did include those things, like the selling of young girls into slavery and the taking of young women as concubines by the wealthy, purposely to make the story realistic. However, Wang Lung desperately loves his retarded daughter and does not allow her to be sold. Also, he does take concubines, but regrets his treatment of O-Lan later. He even realizes that he loved O-lan all those years. These feelings of Wang's, not typical of the Chinese man at that time, show Pearl Buck's disdain for the Chinese regard of women as property. I even read that Buck was an ardent feminist! I was very impressed by that.
Overall, it was a good book. It was a classic that I have never read, and now I have read it. What shall I read next? Hmmmmm......
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Caring
What does it mean to care about others? I've been pondering that question these last few months, maybe even longer. As the body of Christ, we need to outwardly show that we care about others. I spent eight years keeping the church nursery, so I was never in Sunday School or worship. During those eight years, it was like I had dropped off the face of the earth to not only my Sunday School class, but also my church family. During those eight years, I experienced some deaths in the family and some serious illnesses of family members. Not a word did I hear out of anyone inquiring about how our family members were doing or how we were doing. (Incidently, I had a pretty rough bout with depression after my cousin's unexpected death.)
Now, I want to be honest here; I never inquired about anyone's families and how they were either. The fault certainly lies on both sides. But the flip side to that is communication. How could I ask how someone's mom, dad, brother, sister, etc. was doing if I did not know anything was wrong to ask?
When I voiced my opinion to my friend she disagreed saying that she did not want to be in anyone's business and felt like we did care about each other. I vehemently and respectfully disagree. It is not "being in your business" to ask after anyone's health or say that I missed you in church last Sunday. It is not "being in your business" to say "Hey, I'm glad you're here," or "Did you have a good trip last week?" It is not "being in your business" to say, "I'm glad that you're here today," or "I hope you're feeling better."
I feel so strongly about this issue that I left my last Sunday School class over it (the one that had not asked how we were in eight years). I started attending another Sunday School class when I quit the nursery, just knowing that things would be different. Were they? No! I've missed a number of Sundays, for various reasons, and no one has bothered to ask me anything; no one has inquired after the health of my mother-in-law; no one has even acknowledged that I have joined the class. OK, I know I sound like a petty, whining child, and I don't mean to. I will reiterate once again that I am certainly at fault also.
But here is the difference. I have recently started taking steps to correct my wrongdoing in the lack of caring that I outwardly show. I visited a sick friend, gave "happies" to a couple of kids, sent cards to some grieving families, and wrote a note to a friend who did us a favor. I know that it's not much, but it's a start! I am making a concerted effort to go out of my comfort zone and ask people how they are, let people know that I appreciate them, and ask them if I can do anything for them. It's a beginning for me, and I need to held accountable; I need someone to make sure that I am sticking to my resolution to be a more outwardly caring person. Who is going to hold me accountable? Well, certainly not this new Sunday School class! I guess that I will report to my husband, and I know that he will have good suggestions for me.
Caring about others is not being in their business. It's about being in the business of being the body of Christ.
Now, I want to be honest here; I never inquired about anyone's families and how they were either. The fault certainly lies on both sides. But the flip side to that is communication. How could I ask how someone's mom, dad, brother, sister, etc. was doing if I did not know anything was wrong to ask?
When I voiced my opinion to my friend she disagreed saying that she did not want to be in anyone's business and felt like we did care about each other. I vehemently and respectfully disagree. It is not "being in your business" to ask after anyone's health or say that I missed you in church last Sunday. It is not "being in your business" to say "Hey, I'm glad you're here," or "Did you have a good trip last week?" It is not "being in your business" to say, "I'm glad that you're here today," or "I hope you're feeling better."
I feel so strongly about this issue that I left my last Sunday School class over it (the one that had not asked how we were in eight years). I started attending another Sunday School class when I quit the nursery, just knowing that things would be different. Were they? No! I've missed a number of Sundays, for various reasons, and no one has bothered to ask me anything; no one has inquired after the health of my mother-in-law; no one has even acknowledged that I have joined the class. OK, I know I sound like a petty, whining child, and I don't mean to. I will reiterate once again that I am certainly at fault also.
But here is the difference. I have recently started taking steps to correct my wrongdoing in the lack of caring that I outwardly show. I visited a sick friend, gave "happies" to a couple of kids, sent cards to some grieving families, and wrote a note to a friend who did us a favor. I know that it's not much, but it's a start! I am making a concerted effort to go out of my comfort zone and ask people how they are, let people know that I appreciate them, and ask them if I can do anything for them. It's a beginning for me, and I need to held accountable; I need someone to make sure that I am sticking to my resolution to be a more outwardly caring person. Who is going to hold me accountable? Well, certainly not this new Sunday School class! I guess that I will report to my husband, and I know that he will have good suggestions for me.
Caring about others is not being in their business. It's about being in the business of being the body of Christ.
Monday, September 8, 2008
Randomness
I've thought for a long time about creating a blog. What exactly IS a blog anyway? OK, I know it's weblog. But who wants to read my random thoughts? Probably no one. But having a blog may satisfy my need for writing and letting my thoughts flow onto the page.
How does a blog start? Do I write my autobiography? BORING!! I may do that some later, but for now here are some basic facts.
Happily married to David
One son Russell
No pets
Love the empty nest
Librarian at a high school where many of the kids call me "that liberry teacher"
Love to read
Christian
Cursillista
United Methodist
Bladder Exstrophy
Ureterosigmoidostomy
Colon cancer survivor
Engish teacher (20 years pre librarian job)
Strictly "middle of the road"--I've been known to vote both Democrat and Republican in past presidential elections and still have not decided about this one. Really don't like either candidate too much.
Camping, nature, fishing, boating, TN state parks, MS state parks
First United Methodist Church
Mississippi State University graduate and fan
Wood Jr. College graduate
Kosciusko High School graduate and teacher
Contemplating retirement in 8-10 years
As I think of more to say, I will post it. After all, that is what a blog is all about, right?
How does a blog start? Do I write my autobiography? BORING!! I may do that some later, but for now here are some basic facts.
Happily married to David
One son Russell
No pets
Love the empty nest
Librarian at a high school where many of the kids call me "that liberry teacher"
Love to read
Christian
Cursillista
United Methodist
Bladder Exstrophy
Ureterosigmoidostomy
Colon cancer survivor
Engish teacher (20 years pre librarian job)
Strictly "middle of the road"--I've been known to vote both Democrat and Republican in past presidential elections and still have not decided about this one. Really don't like either candidate too much.
Camping, nature, fishing, boating, TN state parks, MS state parks
First United Methodist Church
Mississippi State University graduate and fan
Wood Jr. College graduate
Kosciusko High School graduate and teacher
Contemplating retirement in 8-10 years
As I think of more to say, I will post it. After all, that is what a blog is all about, right?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
