by Carolyn Howitt
PRMS hardcover 151 pages
genre: non-fiction, ancient history
Interesting, quick read. Lots I knew, but much more that I did not. Organized by theme (clothing, food, weapons, etc.) and included info from ancient Egypt, Greece, Rome, Sumer, Aztec, Maya, Viking, Anglo-Saxon civilizations. I was surprised with all the gorgeous images and cool info that a few tidbits were repeated . . . the picture of a cuneiform for practice writing appeared twice (pages 33 and 140).
What Hernando Cortes did to the Aztecs saddens and horrifies me. To think of him gaining their trust, robbing them blind, and then murdering so many people . . . he also destroyed native texts and art. The perceptions of good and evil were not exactly what Jesus teaches in Scripture.
Thursday, July 31, 2014
Tuesday, July 29, 2014
Code Name Johnny Walker: the Extraordinary Story of the Iraqi Who Risked Everything to Fight with the U.S. Navy SEALs
by Johnny Walker (alias) and Jim DeFelice
Hennepin County Library hardcover 277 pages
genre: non-fiction memoir, war stories
This was definitely not my kind of book. The war, killing, machismo, etc. just turns me off. The cultural differences between what he described about living in Iraq as a child (not to mention later during the war) and what is familiar to me are stunningly different. My notion of honor and the Iraqi notion of honor are radically different. Reading about Chris Kyle (and the recent Jesse Ventura lawsuit) makes me more curious about this man and his American Sniper book . . . though I still don't like war books.
Soheila and their kids coming to America - it would be interesting to hear their perspective on the difference between life in Iraq during war and life here. This book was very, very positive toward the SEALs. There were lots of different missions and it all seemed to blur together - both for the audience of this book and for the protagonist himself. DeFelice's author note at the end talked about this difficulty of remembered how things happened.
Iraq seems to be a very messed-up country. The destruction and corruption are so devastating! How can people have hope to see better days when there are so many factors conspiring against them? The Shia and Sunni . . . even though he explained them pretty carefully, it still doesn't make much sense to me. Why are these people so busy hating one another and trying to exterminate the others? When he talked about informants giving bad "intel" to cause their neighbors / enemies pain and distress, all I could think of was how messed up that is. So if I get mad at one of my neighbors, I can call the police, lie and say they are terrorists, and watch as their house gets torn up and they are terrified by men storming their home with guns? Not okay.
The author's emphasis was continually on building up instead of tearing down, but I don't think anyone in Iraq is listening to him.
Hennepin County Library hardcover 277 pages
genre: non-fiction memoir, war stories
This was definitely not my kind of book. The war, killing, machismo, etc. just turns me off. The cultural differences between what he described about living in Iraq as a child (not to mention later during the war) and what is familiar to me are stunningly different. My notion of honor and the Iraqi notion of honor are radically different. Reading about Chris Kyle (and the recent Jesse Ventura lawsuit) makes me more curious about this man and his American Sniper book . . . though I still don't like war books.
Soheila and their kids coming to America - it would be interesting to hear their perspective on the difference between life in Iraq during war and life here. This book was very, very positive toward the SEALs. There were lots of different missions and it all seemed to blur together - both for the audience of this book and for the protagonist himself. DeFelice's author note at the end talked about this difficulty of remembered how things happened.
Iraq seems to be a very messed-up country. The destruction and corruption are so devastating! How can people have hope to see better days when there are so many factors conspiring against them? The Shia and Sunni . . . even though he explained them pretty carefully, it still doesn't make much sense to me. Why are these people so busy hating one another and trying to exterminate the others? When he talked about informants giving bad "intel" to cause their neighbors / enemies pain and distress, all I could think of was how messed up that is. So if I get mad at one of my neighbors, I can call the police, lie and say they are terrorists, and watch as their house gets torn up and they are terrified by men storming their home with guns? Not okay.
The author's emphasis was continually on building up instead of tearing down, but I don't think anyone in Iraq is listening to him.
Monday, July 28, 2014
Freakboy
by Kristin Clark
Hennepin County Library hardcover 427 pages
genre: YA realistic fiction
Written in prose poetry, this is a story told from three viewpoints. Brendan is a wrestler who doesn't love wrestling. He has a little sister, Courtney, toward whom he is loving. His girlfriend Vanessa (another perspective) is also a wrestler. She enjoys ceramics and is struggling to maintain her friendship with two girls as she becomes more and more focused on Brendan. Angel is a transgender living as a young woman. Her perspective is the third. Angel's story is the most compelling, although Brendan's is clearly the focus of the book. Angel was abused by his biological father as a child. His mother died when Angel was quite young. He loves his little brother Frankie, but runs away to live with his aunt until her new boyfriend starts threatening him. Having sold his body, lived homeless, and gone hungry, he now works in a gathering place for GLBTQ youth.
Difficult to read and think about kids actually dealing with gender identity issues (Brendan decides on "gender fluid" since he identifies both ways), this book is a fairly quick read with lots of provoking themes. At one point as Brendan commits suicide, he is forced to think of how the discovery of his corpse would impact his little sister.
My favorite part was Angel praying and talking about God's love.
Hennepin County Library hardcover 427 pages
genre: YA realistic fiction
Written in prose poetry, this is a story told from three viewpoints. Brendan is a wrestler who doesn't love wrestling. He has a little sister, Courtney, toward whom he is loving. His girlfriend Vanessa (another perspective) is also a wrestler. She enjoys ceramics and is struggling to maintain her friendship with two girls as she becomes more and more focused on Brendan. Angel is a transgender living as a young woman. Her perspective is the third. Angel's story is the most compelling, although Brendan's is clearly the focus of the book. Angel was abused by his biological father as a child. His mother died when Angel was quite young. He loves his little brother Frankie, but runs away to live with his aunt until her new boyfriend starts threatening him. Having sold his body, lived homeless, and gone hungry, he now works in a gathering place for GLBTQ youth.
Difficult to read and think about kids actually dealing with gender identity issues (Brendan decides on "gender fluid" since he identifies both ways), this book is a fairly quick read with lots of provoking themes. At one point as Brendan commits suicide, he is forced to think of how the discovery of his corpse would impact his little sister.
My favorite part was Angel praying and talking about God's love.
Thursday, July 24, 2014
Far Far Away
by Tom McNeal
Hennepin County Library paperback 369 pages
genre: YA fantasy, mystery
This grabbed my attention! At first I thought it was just weird (reminiscent of Gaiman's The Graveyard Book) . . . and then I couldn't put it down! Jeremy Johnson Johnson can hear the voice of Jacob Grimm's voice. People just think he's strange. Ginger Boultinghouse is curious.
Mystery - where have the random children disappeared to over the years?
Tension - will Jeremy be able to save his home and his grandfather's legacy, The Two Book Bookstore?
Romance - does Ginger like Jeremy or Conk more? Will she and Jeremy kiss?
Creepy - why does Deputy McRaven seem to always be lurking around?
One thing I really loved about this book was that the foreign phrases - German, Swedish, etc. - were all translated. This was wonderfully written and a very engaging book. Weird, but quite good. It makes me curious about other books by this author and his wife (they write many together).
I marked one passage - on page 104, Ginger is praying and Jacob is listening. At the end of her prayer, she says, "Please give shelter to those without shelter, food to those without food, and hope to those without hope. Amen." The ghost observes, "A kind prayer . . . drawn from a well of pure belief. I had once had such a well from which to draw and felt a fresh pang that I no longer did." This made me think of people I really know.
Hennepin County Library paperback 369 pages
genre: YA fantasy, mystery
This grabbed my attention! At first I thought it was just weird (reminiscent of Gaiman's The Graveyard Book) . . . and then I couldn't put it down! Jeremy Johnson Johnson can hear the voice of Jacob Grimm's voice. People just think he's strange. Ginger Boultinghouse is curious.
Mystery - where have the random children disappeared to over the years?
Tension - will Jeremy be able to save his home and his grandfather's legacy, The Two Book Bookstore?
Romance - does Ginger like Jeremy or Conk more? Will she and Jeremy kiss?
Creepy - why does Deputy McRaven seem to always be lurking around?
One thing I really loved about this book was that the foreign phrases - German, Swedish, etc. - were all translated. This was wonderfully written and a very engaging book. Weird, but quite good. It makes me curious about other books by this author and his wife (they write many together).
I marked one passage - on page 104, Ginger is praying and Jacob is listening. At the end of her prayer, she says, "Please give shelter to those without shelter, food to those without food, and hope to those without hope. Amen." The ghost observes, "A kind prayer . . . drawn from a well of pure belief. I had once had such a well from which to draw and felt a fresh pang that I no longer did." This made me think of people I really know.
Tuesday, July 22, 2014
Rose Under Fire
by Elizabeth Wein
Hennepin County Library audiobook 10 discs
read by Sasha Pick
genre: YA historic fiction
What to say about this amazing book? I was moved by it. Rose Justice is an 18-year-old pilot moving planes for the RAF during WWII. She is sweet, smart, and strong. When she is forced to land by German Luftwaffe and sent to Ravensbruck, her life changes forever. Getting to know the Polish "rabbits," the women who have been experimented on, and experiencing the horrors of the camp traumatize Rose.
Pick's narration was exquisite. This book was simply amazing. Because it starts off in a more light-hearted manner, the contrast with the camp is sharp. Rose grows up more than any young woman should have to.
Hennepin County Library audiobook 10 discs
read by Sasha Pick
genre: YA historic fiction
What to say about this amazing book? I was moved by it. Rose Justice is an 18-year-old pilot moving planes for the RAF during WWII. She is sweet, smart, and strong. When she is forced to land by German Luftwaffe and sent to Ravensbruck, her life changes forever. Getting to know the Polish "rabbits," the women who have been experimented on, and experiencing the horrors of the camp traumatize Rose.
Pick's narration was exquisite. This book was simply amazing. Because it starts off in a more light-hearted manner, the contrast with the camp is sharp. Rose grows up more than any young woman should have to.
The House of Hades (Heroes of Olympus, book 4)
by Rick Riordan
PRMS hardcover 583 pages
genre: YA fantasy, mythology
It was easier for me to keep the characters straight in this book. Percy and Annabeth, Jason and Piper, Frank and Hazel. Leo. Nico. Coach Hedge has always been pretty clear . . . Kill! Anyhow, another fun romp through modern day Earth with a huge infusion of Greek and Roman mythology. The trip through Tartarus (Bob!) and Leo's exile to Calypso's island were my favorites. I am eager for the next book!
<Above posted 7.22.14 Below added 11.8.21>
With all the books that I've never read, I'm not sure why I'm "re-reading" these . . . but I do tend to want to finish a series once I've started. I listened to this on Libby audio. It's nice to have an audiobook when I do so much driving, though sometimes the car / phone bluetooth technology doesn't work the way I expect.
Friday, July 18, 2014
How Children Succeed: Grit, Curiosity, and the Hidden Power of Character
by Paul Tough
Hennepin County Library hardcover 201 pages
genre: non-fiction, education and research
Tough did a lot of research for this book and organized it by these sections: How to Fail (and How Not to), How to Build Character, How to Think, How to Succeed, and A Better Path. My favorite section was How to Think which primarily looked at the impact of studying chess on students' achievement. I also appreciated the specific students' experiences that he wrote about (and his observations of his parenting in light of all he learned in the course of writing this book).
page 21 - looking at executive function as malleable. ". . . researchers have found that there is something uniquely out of balance about the adolescent brain that makes it especially susceptible to bad and impulsive decisions." How do we teach teens to have better impulse control? One big factor appears to be nurturing parenting (surprise, surprise).
page 30 - affection and attention have an impact on development. First found in studies with rats (licking and grooming), the results were seen in humans as well (with other nurturing behaviors exhibited by mothers).
page 33 - " . . . regular good parenting - being helpful and attentive during a game of Jenga - can make a profound difference for a child's future prospects."
page 37 - "The early nurturing attention from their mothers had fostered in them a resilience that acted as a protective buffer against stress. When the regular challenges of life emerged, even years later - . . . - they were able . . . to assert themselves, draw on reserves of self-confidence, and make their way forward."
page 60 - talked about traditional character education being ineffective. This reminded me of the time I tried to get Alex out of a class at JHS that I knew was a filler class for a teacher's load. It was not "required" by the state of MN for graduation, but it was required by JHS. Bogus. As though a quarter-long class on character ed was going to make these 14 and 15 year olds become respectful, responsible people . . . this also makes me think about our efforts in advisory. What is our purpose?
I really love the idea of working with kids and emphasizing that both intelligence and character are malleable! Instead of acting as though kids are "done" as thinkers and be-ers by the age of 13 . . . we need to stress to them the importance of continuing to develop their intelligence and their character. That said, I definitely see a world of difference between high intelligence and low intelligence as students walk in the door. I just need to think about HOW they can CHANGE and help them to see their role in changing their intelligence and character.
Middle school . . . young enough to change and old enough to be metacognitive. Perfect!
page 116 - chess teacher "I try to teach my students that losing is something you do, not something you are." I definitely loved this "how to think" section best!
page 120-1 "Perhaps what pushes middle-school students to concentrate and practice as maniacally as Spiegel's chess players do is the unexpected experience of someone taking them seriously, believing in their abilities, and challenging them to improve themselves."
page 161 - "And so the traditional American high school was never intended to be a place where students would learn how to think deeply or develop internal motivation or persevere when faced with difficulty - all the skills needed to persist in college. Instead, it was a place where, for the most part, students were rewarded for just showing up and staying awake."
In some ways, this book has so much going on that I want to re-read it. In other ways, I am glad to be done with it. This might be one to read during the school year and think more deeply about my own students. Right now, I'm too immersed in summer.
Hennepin County Library hardcover 201 pages
genre: non-fiction, education and research
Tough did a lot of research for this book and organized it by these sections: How to Fail (and How Not to), How to Build Character, How to Think, How to Succeed, and A Better Path. My favorite section was How to Think which primarily looked at the impact of studying chess on students' achievement. I also appreciated the specific students' experiences that he wrote about (and his observations of his parenting in light of all he learned in the course of writing this book).
page 21 - looking at executive function as malleable. ". . . researchers have found that there is something uniquely out of balance about the adolescent brain that makes it especially susceptible to bad and impulsive decisions." How do we teach teens to have better impulse control? One big factor appears to be nurturing parenting (surprise, surprise).
page 30 - affection and attention have an impact on development. First found in studies with rats (licking and grooming), the results were seen in humans as well (with other nurturing behaviors exhibited by mothers).
page 33 - " . . . regular good parenting - being helpful and attentive during a game of Jenga - can make a profound difference for a child's future prospects."
page 37 - "The early nurturing attention from their mothers had fostered in them a resilience that acted as a protective buffer against stress. When the regular challenges of life emerged, even years later - . . . - they were able . . . to assert themselves, draw on reserves of self-confidence, and make their way forward."
page 60 - talked about traditional character education being ineffective. This reminded me of the time I tried to get Alex out of a class at JHS that I knew was a filler class for a teacher's load. It was not "required" by the state of MN for graduation, but it was required by JHS. Bogus. As though a quarter-long class on character ed was going to make these 14 and 15 year olds become respectful, responsible people . . . this also makes me think about our efforts in advisory. What is our purpose?
I really love the idea of working with kids and emphasizing that both intelligence and character are malleable! Instead of acting as though kids are "done" as thinkers and be-ers by the age of 13 . . . we need to stress to them the importance of continuing to develop their intelligence and their character. That said, I definitely see a world of difference between high intelligence and low intelligence as students walk in the door. I just need to think about HOW they can CHANGE and help them to see their role in changing their intelligence and character.
Middle school . . . young enough to change and old enough to be metacognitive. Perfect!
page 116 - chess teacher "I try to teach my students that losing is something you do, not something you are." I definitely loved this "how to think" section best!
page 120-1 "Perhaps what pushes middle-school students to concentrate and practice as maniacally as Spiegel's chess players do is the unexpected experience of someone taking them seriously, believing in their abilities, and challenging them to improve themselves."
page 161 - "And so the traditional American high school was never intended to be a place where students would learn how to think deeply or develop internal motivation or persevere when faced with difficulty - all the skills needed to persist in college. Instead, it was a place where, for the most part, students were rewarded for just showing up and staying awake."
In some ways, this book has so much going on that I want to re-read it. In other ways, I am glad to be done with it. This might be one to read during the school year and think more deeply about my own students. Right now, I'm too immersed in summer.
Survival Lessons
by Alice Hoffman
Scott County Library hardcover 83 pages
genre: non-fiction, self-help
Written when the author was struggling with cancer, this book is almost like a devotional (but without the element of faith in God Almighty). It's a beautiful book of reflections, advice, photographs, and wisdom. This is a book I would buy and give to people diagnosed with cancer. It is beautiful.
And I need to make some of these brownies . . . I'm intrigued.
Scott County Library hardcover 83 pages
genre: non-fiction, self-help
Written when the author was struggling with cancer, this book is almost like a devotional (but without the element of faith in God Almighty). It's a beautiful book of reflections, advice, photographs, and wisdom. This is a book I would buy and give to people diagnosed with cancer. It is beautiful.
And I need to make some of these brownies . . . I'm intrigued.
Wednesday, July 16, 2014
Winger
by Andrew Smith
Hennepin County Library hardcover 439 pages
genre: YA realistic fiction
Wow. This one had a bit too much swearing for me, but it is the perfect book for a ninth grade boy. Ryan Dean West is a 14-year-old junior at a private school. He plays rugby, but struggles to relate to his older peers in the junior class. He is in love with his best friend, Annie Altman, but gets frustrated when she sees him as a "little boy." He's also extremely horny and turned on by almost any female that he finds attractive.
Chas Becker / JP Tureau / Seanie / Joey / the various adults . . . the characters are wonderfully drawn and the story is very engaging. I was somewhat surprised by the ending.
Hennepin County Library hardcover 439 pages
genre: YA realistic fiction
Wow. This one had a bit too much swearing for me, but it is the perfect book for a ninth grade boy. Ryan Dean West is a 14-year-old junior at a private school. He plays rugby, but struggles to relate to his older peers in the junior class. He is in love with his best friend, Annie Altman, but gets frustrated when she sees him as a "little boy." He's also extremely horny and turned on by almost any female that he finds attractive.
Chas Becker / JP Tureau / Seanie / Joey / the various adults . . . the characters are wonderfully drawn and the story is very engaging. I was somewhat surprised by the ending.
Monday, July 14, 2014
Golden Boy
by Tara Sullivan
Hennepin County Library hardcover 347 pages plus a glossary of Kiswahili terms
genre: YA fiction
Habo is an albino living on a farm outside a small village in Tanzania. When his family can no longer afford to live there, they travel to Mwanza to live with his mother's sister and family. En route, they encounter a handsome "hunter" who illegally kills elephants for their tusks, teeth, and toenails. Alasiri is even more sinister than his poaching, though. Soon Habo is running for his life, since some people in Mwanza believe that the body parts of albinos have powerful properties. I both loved and hated this book. It is wonderfully written! The author includes notes at the end about her research for this story. The characters are very well drawn and I enjoyed "getting to know them" except for Alasiri. This is a wonderful book.
Hennepin County Library hardcover 347 pages plus a glossary of Kiswahili terms
genre: YA fiction
Habo is an albino living on a farm outside a small village in Tanzania. When his family can no longer afford to live there, they travel to Mwanza to live with his mother's sister and family. En route, they encounter a handsome "hunter" who illegally kills elephants for their tusks, teeth, and toenails. Alasiri is even more sinister than his poaching, though. Soon Habo is running for his life, since some people in Mwanza believe that the body parts of albinos have powerful properties. I both loved and hated this book. It is wonderfully written! The author includes notes at the end about her research for this story. The characters are very well drawn and I enjoyed "getting to know them" except for Alasiri. This is a wonderful book.
Sunday, July 13, 2014
Into the Wild
Warriors book 1
by Erin Hunter
PRMS hardcover 272 pages
genre: YA fantasy
Students have raved about these books for years. Some kids read them over and over and over . . . and so I finally had to read one so I could connect with the kids who love these. Sadly, I had to force myself to finish this. Warrior cats in four clans hunt, patrol their borders, and fight. Rusty is a housecat "kittypet" who leaves the humans ("twolegs") to explore the woods beyond the fence. He ends up joining Thunderclan and training to become a warrior. He is named Firepaw until the end of the book when he becomes Fireheart. The names, places, and events just didn't do it for me. I can gush enthusiasm for my students' sake but will NOT be reading any more of these. And I'm pretty sure Erin Hunter is a pseudonym for a host of writers who crank these stories out.
by Erin Hunter
PRMS hardcover 272 pages
genre: YA fantasy
Students have raved about these books for years. Some kids read them over and over and over . . . and so I finally had to read one so I could connect with the kids who love these. Sadly, I had to force myself to finish this. Warrior cats in four clans hunt, patrol their borders, and fight. Rusty is a housecat "kittypet" who leaves the humans ("twolegs") to explore the woods beyond the fence. He ends up joining Thunderclan and training to become a warrior. He is named Firepaw until the end of the book when he becomes Fireheart. The names, places, and events just didn't do it for me. I can gush enthusiasm for my students' sake but will NOT be reading any more of these. And I'm pretty sure Erin Hunter is a pseudonym for a host of writers who crank these stories out.
Saturday, July 12, 2014
Midwinterblood
by Marcus Sedgwick
Hennepin County Library audiobook 5 discs
read by Julian Rhind-Tutt
genre: YA . . . weird sort of fantasy but not
I'll just admit it up front. I did not like this book. I keep trying to think of readers who would enjoy this book and it's just not working for me. From the back, "In 2073 on the remote and secretive island of Blessed, where rumor has it that no one ages and no children are born, a visitor arrives. He is greeted warmly, but something is wrong. Something is hidden on the far side of the island. Something that, as if in a dream, he cannot reach."
Things I liked: the language at times was lyrically beautiful. I am intrigued by the going back in time, but not by how the stories did and did not connect. After 2073, it went to 2011 (with archaeologists), to 1944 (?) and a WWII pilot, to 1902 and an artist who painted Midwinterblood, to 1848 which was referred to as the witch part but was really about two children being told a story of two lovers by their nanny who isn't really there. Next up was tenth century Vikings and a vampire and last was an unknown time during a blood moon when the young lovers are first (last) introduced.
The reader changed his volume and accent so often that I wondered if he has ever listened to his work . . . especially in a car. Parts of the story were incomprehensible even after hitting rewind and re-listening.
Elements that were consistent between the seven "parts" of the story:
- Characters named Merle and Eric (though portrayed as lovers OR siblings OR mother and son, etc.)
- a hare features in each story (humorously, though, it initially sounded like "hair" and didn't make much sense)
- the dragon orchid whose properties (depending on how it is prepared) can heal, maintain youth, provide immortality, cause forgetfulness, cause impotence . . . don't drink the tea!
- references to the devil . . . "well, speak his name and his horns appear"
- the moon (flower, hunter, snow, etc.) I didn't track these carefully because I didn't want to go back and re-listen to the stories
This was a very strange story. Perhaps I'm just not sophisticated enough to "get" it.
Hennepin County Library audiobook 5 discs
read by Julian Rhind-Tutt
genre: YA . . . weird sort of fantasy but not
I'll just admit it up front. I did not like this book. I keep trying to think of readers who would enjoy this book and it's just not working for me. From the back, "In 2073 on the remote and secretive island of Blessed, where rumor has it that no one ages and no children are born, a visitor arrives. He is greeted warmly, but something is wrong. Something is hidden on the far side of the island. Something that, as if in a dream, he cannot reach."
Things I liked: the language at times was lyrically beautiful. I am intrigued by the going back in time, but not by how the stories did and did not connect. After 2073, it went to 2011 (with archaeologists), to 1944 (?) and a WWII pilot, to 1902 and an artist who painted Midwinterblood, to 1848 which was referred to as the witch part but was really about two children being told a story of two lovers by their nanny who isn't really there. Next up was tenth century Vikings and a vampire and last was an unknown time during a blood moon when the young lovers are first (last) introduced.
The reader changed his volume and accent so often that I wondered if he has ever listened to his work . . . especially in a car. Parts of the story were incomprehensible even after hitting rewind and re-listening.
Elements that were consistent between the seven "parts" of the story:
- Characters named Merle and Eric (though portrayed as lovers OR siblings OR mother and son, etc.)
- a hare features in each story (humorously, though, it initially sounded like "hair" and didn't make much sense)
- the dragon orchid whose properties (depending on how it is prepared) can heal, maintain youth, provide immortality, cause forgetfulness, cause impotence . . . don't drink the tea!
- references to the devil . . . "well, speak his name and his horns appear"
- the moon (flower, hunter, snow, etc.) I didn't track these carefully because I didn't want to go back and re-listen to the stories
This was a very strange story. Perhaps I'm just not sophisticated enough to "get" it.
Wednesday, July 09, 2014
The Nazi Hunters
by Neal Bascomb
Hennepin County Library hardcover 215 pages
genre: non-fiction, history
The location, capture, and trial of Adolf Eichmann for his crimes during WWII makes a captivating story. The focus is on the people who worked together to bring him to justice. The photographs and maps add a lot to the story. It's clearly written for teens. I haven't decided whether or not to buy it for school, though. I'm curious to hear other people's reactions at our Litwits gathering in August. In some ways, it almost made Eichmann seem like a sympathetic figure. The author actually does a stellar job of telling the stories, detailing the atrocities and the intensity with which Eichmann hunted down and deported Jews to camps. But he is such a pathetic figure by the end (and insists he did not kill anyone; he was just following orders) that you almost start to feel sorry for him . . .
I liked Peter Malkin's perspective the best of all in this book (filled with many, many people).
Hennepin County Library hardcover 215 pages
genre: non-fiction, history
The location, capture, and trial of Adolf Eichmann for his crimes during WWII makes a captivating story. The focus is on the people who worked together to bring him to justice. The photographs and maps add a lot to the story. It's clearly written for teens. I haven't decided whether or not to buy it for school, though. I'm curious to hear other people's reactions at our Litwits gathering in August. In some ways, it almost made Eichmann seem like a sympathetic figure. The author actually does a stellar job of telling the stories, detailing the atrocities and the intensity with which Eichmann hunted down and deported Jews to camps. But he is such a pathetic figure by the end (and insists he did not kill anyone; he was just following orders) that you almost start to feel sorry for him . . .
I liked Peter Malkin's perspective the best of all in this book (filled with many, many people).
Monday, July 07, 2014
Better Nate than Ever
by Tim Federle
Hennepin County Library audiobook 5 discs
read by the author
genre: YA realistic fiction
Interesting. I really like the fact that the author read his own work. Nate's innocence and ignorance are endearing, but I'm not sure if this book would appeal to many of my students. The immersion in Broadway shows and adventuring to NYC on a lark are fun. I enjoyed it and Nate's exploration of who he is and what he wants out of life.
Nate Foster is 13 and relentlessly bullied at school for being a "fag" and worse names. His best friend Libby helps him take off for New York to audition for E.T. the Musical but he is woefully unprepared for the Big Apple and all the new things he sees and hears. I almost cried when his aunt Heidi showed up. A sweet story.
Hennepin County Library audiobook 5 discs
read by the author
genre: YA realistic fiction
Interesting. I really like the fact that the author read his own work. Nate's innocence and ignorance are endearing, but I'm not sure if this book would appeal to many of my students. The immersion in Broadway shows and adventuring to NYC on a lark are fun. I enjoyed it and Nate's exploration of who he is and what he wants out of life.
Nate Foster is 13 and relentlessly bullied at school for being a "fag" and worse names. His best friend Libby helps him take off for New York to audition for E.T. the Musical but he is woefully unprepared for the Big Apple and all the new things he sees and hears. I almost cried when his aunt Heidi showed up. A sweet story.
Out of the Easy
by Ruta Sepetys
Hennepin County Library hardcover 346 pages
genre: teen historical fiction
Sepetys has done it again! This book is captivating and I could not put it down! Josie Moraine is a 17-year-old daughter of a prostitute living in the French Quarter of New Orleans. She wants to get away from the world she has known and the men who frighten her. Could she find a way to go to Smith College?
The characters are wonderfully drawn - Patrick Marlowe, his dad Charlie, the madam Willie Woodley, Cokie (Willie's employee), Jesse Thierry, the prostitutes . . . this was a very compelling story with elements of mystery and intrigue. The ending made me cry. I loved it.
Initially, I thought I wouldn't buy it for my middle school collection, but it's actually fairly clean (in terms of language and sex) and it's a very well-written story!
<Above posted 7.7.2014. Below added 11.8.2023.>
Sepetys is one of my favorite historical fiction authors. I listened to the audiobook on Libby. Read by Lauren Fortgang, I was surprised by aspects of the story I had forgotten. Josie trying to deal with Carlos' mob man on her own . . . Josie's mom stealing the watch Willie gave her for her 18th birthday . . . This book is quite good. I liked the author's notes after the story, too.
Friday, July 04, 2014
War Brothers: The Graphic Novel
by Sharon McKay, art by Daniel LaFrance
Hennepin County Library paperback 165 pages
genre: YA teen graphic novel based on reality
This was a beautifully done treatment of a horrifying topic. Joseph Kony's abduction and corruption of children to make them killers is a brutal reality. The writing and art are successful in asking some tough questions as they show us the story of Jacob and his friends. So much pain! This is an incredible book.
Hennepin County Library paperback 165 pages
genre: YA teen graphic novel based on reality
This was a beautifully done treatment of a horrifying topic. Joseph Kony's abduction and corruption of children to make them killers is a brutal reality. The writing and art are successful in asking some tough questions as they show us the story of Jacob and his friends. So much pain! This is an incredible book.
Chasing Shadows
by Swati Avasthi
Hennepin County Library hardcover 308 pages
genre: teen fiction, fantasy, relationships
Twins Corey and Holly have a girlfriend / best friend in Savitri. The three of them enjoy "freerunning" in Chicago and pushing their physical limits. Then their lives are changed in the blink of an eye. Most of the story is told from Holly's and Savitri's perspectives, with plenty of graphic novel pages thrown in to tell parts.
Liked:
- inclusion of graphic novel pages
- psychological depths in friendship and parent/child relationships
- details and descriptions
- Avasthi is a Minnesota author and I've met her!
Disliked:
- lack of clarity about Holly's delusions and future
- wouldn't get it for middle school . . . they already make careless decisions. I would hate for students to think "Hey, freerunning sounds like fun! I think I'll try it." It sounds terribly dangerous and I was surprised to learn that it's an actual sport.
Hennepin County Library hardcover 308 pages
genre: teen fiction, fantasy, relationships
Twins Corey and Holly have a girlfriend / best friend in Savitri. The three of them enjoy "freerunning" in Chicago and pushing their physical limits. Then their lives are changed in the blink of an eye. Most of the story is told from Holly's and Savitri's perspectives, with plenty of graphic novel pages thrown in to tell parts.
Liked:
- inclusion of graphic novel pages
- psychological depths in friendship and parent/child relationships
- details and descriptions
- Avasthi is a Minnesota author and I've met her!
Disliked:
- lack of clarity about Holly's delusions and future
- wouldn't get it for middle school . . . they already make careless decisions. I would hate for students to think "Hey, freerunning sounds like fun! I think I'll try it." It sounds terribly dangerous and I was surprised to learn that it's an actual sport.
Gulp: Adventures on the Alimentary Canal
by Mary Roach
Hennepin County Library audioCDs, 7 discs
read by Emily Woo Zeller
genre: non-fiction science
The problem with "reading" this as an audiobook is that I didn't get to see any of the pictures. I've just requested a print copy so I can look . . . because I'm just that curious. Roach did very thorough research and wrote with some humor. Zeller does a spectacular job with reading, though I didn't love some of her funny "character" voices on interview quotes. Overall, a fascinating and disgusting book about digestion, burps, farts, feces, etc. More than I wanted to know, but it held my attention!
addendum 7/11/14
I got the print book from the library. The images are disappointing. The black and white photos don't add much to the story; some look like stock images (a photo of a bathroom "occupied" sign). There is one per chapter and only a few really mattered (the drawing of Beaumont in his coat with epaulets and St. Martin with his bare chest and stomach hole) to the overall story.
Hennepin County Library audioCDs, 7 discs
read by Emily Woo Zeller
genre: non-fiction science
The problem with "reading" this as an audiobook is that I didn't get to see any of the pictures. I've just requested a print copy so I can look . . . because I'm just that curious. Roach did very thorough research and wrote with some humor. Zeller does a spectacular job with reading, though I didn't love some of her funny "character" voices on interview quotes. Overall, a fascinating and disgusting book about digestion, burps, farts, feces, etc. More than I wanted to know, but it held my attention!
addendum 7/11/14
I got the print book from the library. The images are disappointing. The black and white photos don't add much to the story; some look like stock images (a photo of a bathroom "occupied" sign). There is one per chapter and only a few really mattered (the drawing of Beaumont in his coat with epaulets and St. Martin with his bare chest and stomach hole) to the overall story.
Wednesday, July 02, 2014
Confessions of a Bad Teacher: the Shocking Truth from the Front Lines of American Public Education
by John Owens
Hennepin County Library paperback 241 pages
genre: non-fiction expose'
I need to start off by saying that some of this resonated with me but most of all, I was appalled. He taught for less than one full school year and he takes it upon himself to write this? If it were written as a memoir, telling his story of his life and this chapter in it, the book would work. "The shocking truth from the front lines" is a bit much. He was in one school for less than one year. He saw and talked to some other teachers who taught in other schools (also in NYC). Whatever.
My favorite parts were the specific stories of students (names changed, of course) and the actual messages from his administrators. Poor guy definitely had a tough situation! But then, he left a publishing career to get a teaching license to try to make a difference in the lives of kids who need more. Admirable!
page xiv - as he's going on about "if I were a good teacher . . . " in each situation, I thought of how it definitely feels as though teachers are expected to handle many, many different kinds of kids and situations (many beyond our control) with expertise. ". . . each lesson every day would be tailored to each of my 125 students' individual needs - targeting every gradation between illiterate and near-college - and revised constantly." Yep. That's pretty much what we're expected to do.
page 5 - Time and the demands on teachers . . . so true. And people just don't get it. "After climbing the corporate ladder and having had teenage jobs cleaning ovens and scooping dog poop, I can honestly say that I've never had a worse, more demoralizing, more enervating job than teaching at Latinate Institute. Every second of the day was filled with demands and - sadly - students whose needs still weren't being addressed despite all the efforts I could put in."
pages 102-3 - Classroom management. Yep. It's tough! I love his analogy to Cesar the Dog Whisperer. Funny! I wish it were something that were easier to learn. "From what I could see, classroom management skills come with experience." Yes, they do.
pages 120 - the school hugging phenomenon . . . I know what I've seen, but I didn't realize that it had become such an issue! The Today Show, the New York Times, sociologists studying it . . . Perhaps it's just not as big a problem in the Midwest. "In schools, widespread hugging can, at best, be a time-wasting hallway-snarler, at worst, it can become aggressive physical contact and harassment." Interesting!
page 131 - access to a school library . . . sigh. What a difference for the students in the two "small" high schools housed in one building. He sited a crowd-sourced Google Map "A Nation without School Libraries" . . . disheartening.
pages 186-7 - Voice of Mr. X, second grade teacher in southwest Florida . . . this type of anecdote gave more credence to Mr. Owens' account. Some of the issues and concerns he raised certainly are widespread. There are some real horror stories of good teachers treated as though they are deficient. "In my district here in southwestern Florida, 50 percent of my final evaluation for the year will be based upon the test scores of children in grades four and five. I taught second grade this year. This is my first year at this school. So, in effect, half of my effectiveness as a teacher is to be determined by test scores from students I've never taught and most of whom I've never even met."
pages 204-5 One of my pet peeves when we talk about education and accountability is the lack of stress on the impact of kids' home lives. Parents truly are a child's first and most important teachers! Poverty has more of an impact on educational success than any other factor! Teachers can't fix this.
page 218 - "I believe that America should return to the notion of teaching as a long-term career and recognize that the first few years really are an apprenticeship, and as such, new teachers should be matched with veteran teachers who are eager and able to serve as mentor-coaches." That's what a lot of us already do . . . perhaps the Midwest is better about mentoring and supporting new teachers than NYC?
Hennepin County Library paperback 241 pages
genre: non-fiction expose'
I need to start off by saying that some of this resonated with me but most of all, I was appalled. He taught for less than one full school year and he takes it upon himself to write this? If it were written as a memoir, telling his story of his life and this chapter in it, the book would work. "The shocking truth from the front lines" is a bit much. He was in one school for less than one year. He saw and talked to some other teachers who taught in other schools (also in NYC). Whatever.
My favorite parts were the specific stories of students (names changed, of course) and the actual messages from his administrators. Poor guy definitely had a tough situation! But then, he left a publishing career to get a teaching license to try to make a difference in the lives of kids who need more. Admirable!
page xiv - as he's going on about "if I were a good teacher . . . " in each situation, I thought of how it definitely feels as though teachers are expected to handle many, many different kinds of kids and situations (many beyond our control) with expertise. ". . . each lesson every day would be tailored to each of my 125 students' individual needs - targeting every gradation between illiterate and near-college - and revised constantly." Yep. That's pretty much what we're expected to do.
page 5 - Time and the demands on teachers . . . so true. And people just don't get it. "After climbing the corporate ladder and having had teenage jobs cleaning ovens and scooping dog poop, I can honestly say that I've never had a worse, more demoralizing, more enervating job than teaching at Latinate Institute. Every second of the day was filled with demands and - sadly - students whose needs still weren't being addressed despite all the efforts I could put in."
pages 102-3 - Classroom management. Yep. It's tough! I love his analogy to Cesar the Dog Whisperer. Funny! I wish it were something that were easier to learn. "From what I could see, classroom management skills come with experience." Yes, they do.
pages 120 - the school hugging phenomenon . . . I know what I've seen, but I didn't realize that it had become such an issue! The Today Show, the New York Times, sociologists studying it . . . Perhaps it's just not as big a problem in the Midwest. "In schools, widespread hugging can, at best, be a time-wasting hallway-snarler, at worst, it can become aggressive physical contact and harassment." Interesting!
page 131 - access to a school library . . . sigh. What a difference for the students in the two "small" high schools housed in one building. He sited a crowd-sourced Google Map "A Nation without School Libraries" . . . disheartening.
pages 186-7 - Voice of Mr. X, second grade teacher in southwest Florida . . . this type of anecdote gave more credence to Mr. Owens' account. Some of the issues and concerns he raised certainly are widespread. There are some real horror stories of good teachers treated as though they are deficient. "In my district here in southwestern Florida, 50 percent of my final evaluation for the year will be based upon the test scores of children in grades four and five. I taught second grade this year. This is my first year at this school. So, in effect, half of my effectiveness as a teacher is to be determined by test scores from students I've never taught and most of whom I've never even met."
pages 204-5 One of my pet peeves when we talk about education and accountability is the lack of stress on the impact of kids' home lives. Parents truly are a child's first and most important teachers! Poverty has more of an impact on educational success than any other factor! Teachers can't fix this.
page 218 - "I believe that America should return to the notion of teaching as a long-term career and recognize that the first few years really are an apprenticeship, and as such, new teachers should be matched with veteran teachers who are eager and able to serve as mentor-coaches." That's what a lot of us already do . . . perhaps the Midwest is better about mentoring and supporting new teachers than NYC?
Tuesday, July 01, 2014
The Scorpio Races
by Maggie Stiefvater
PRMS hardcover 404 pages
genre: teen fantasy, romance
killer water horses (capaill uisce)
Kate "Puck" Connelly (horse Dove)
brothers Gabe (wants to go to the mainland) and Finn (tinkerer, fixer)
Sean Kendrick (capaill uisce Corr)
Benjamin Malvern - owns half the island
George Holly - rich American, loves horses
Love of horses comes through! Weird story, but entertaining.
Loved page 252-3 where Peg is giving Kate advice about attracting a man.
Peg plucks a piece of straw out of Dove's mane. "It's easy to convince men to love you, Puck. All you have to do is be a mountain they have to climb or a poem they don't understand. Something that makes them feel strong or clever. It's why they love the ocean."
I'm not sure that is why Sean Kendrick loves the ocean.
Peg continues, "When you're too much like them, the mystery's gone. No point seeking the grail if it looks like your teacup."
"I'm not trying to be sought."
She purses her lips. "All I'm saying is that you're asking them to treat you like a man. And I'm not sure either of you want that."
There's something discomfiting about what she says, though I'm not sure if it's because I disagree or agree with it. I think of Ake Palsson backing his horse away from me and the combination of her words and the memory sit uneasily in my chest.
"I just want to be left alone," I say.
"Like I said," Peg replies. "You're asking to be treated like a man."
The killer horse concept (coming from the water, made of water, meat-eating) was really weird to me, but it worked. The personalities of the characters and the love of horses worked.
PRMS hardcover 404 pages
genre: teen fantasy, romance
killer water horses (capaill uisce)
Kate "Puck" Connelly (horse Dove)
brothers Gabe (wants to go to the mainland) and Finn (tinkerer, fixer)
Sean Kendrick (capaill uisce Corr)
Benjamin Malvern - owns half the island
George Holly - rich American, loves horses
Love of horses comes through! Weird story, but entertaining.
Loved page 252-3 where Peg is giving Kate advice about attracting a man.
Peg plucks a piece of straw out of Dove's mane. "It's easy to convince men to love you, Puck. All you have to do is be a mountain they have to climb or a poem they don't understand. Something that makes them feel strong or clever. It's why they love the ocean."
I'm not sure that is why Sean Kendrick loves the ocean.
Peg continues, "When you're too much like them, the mystery's gone. No point seeking the grail if it looks like your teacup."
"I'm not trying to be sought."
She purses her lips. "All I'm saying is that you're asking them to treat you like a man. And I'm not sure either of you want that."
There's something discomfiting about what she says, though I'm not sure if it's because I disagree or agree with it. I think of Ake Palsson backing his horse away from me and the combination of her words and the memory sit uneasily in my chest.
"I just want to be left alone," I say.
"Like I said," Peg replies. "You're asking to be treated like a man."
The killer horse concept (coming from the water, made of water, meat-eating) was really weird to me, but it worked. The personalities of the characters and the love of horses worked.
All the Truth That's in Me
by Julie Berry
Hennepin County Library hardcover 274 pages
genre: teen fiction, mystery
Creepy but a page-turner. Setting is reminiscent of The Scarlet Letter . . . Judith has returned to Roswell Station after two years of being missing. Her tongue has been cut out and she cannot speak. Her mother forbids her to even try to speak, so she becomes a mute who cannot remember what happened to her.
The book had very short chunks of text in each section. It made for an interesting flow to the book. (I have trouble putting a book down unless it's a major chapter break.)
Before / After / Book One (ends with battle ending and the Homelanders' defeat) / Book Two (ends with Lucas asking and Judith deciding to live in the colonel's cabin alone) / Book Three (Judith's return from the cabin and disaster, her mom won't let her back in) / Book Four (conclusion) / Now
Darrel - brother
Lucas Whiting - love interest
Maria & Leon - young couple, unlikely friends
Goody Pruett - busybody, surprise to me at the end of the book!
Rupert Gillis - icky school teacher
Abijah Pratt - Lottie's dad . . . and more
The main thing that didn't work for me was her mother's repugnance and lack of love for her daughter. Really? Because her husband died? Because she thought Judith had been tainted? Because Darrel was younger and cuter? This didn't work for me, but overall the book was gripping.
Hennepin County Library hardcover 274 pages
genre: teen fiction, mystery
Creepy but a page-turner. Setting is reminiscent of The Scarlet Letter . . . Judith has returned to Roswell Station after two years of being missing. Her tongue has been cut out and she cannot speak. Her mother forbids her to even try to speak, so she becomes a mute who cannot remember what happened to her.
The book had very short chunks of text in each section. It made for an interesting flow to the book. (I have trouble putting a book down unless it's a major chapter break.)
Before / After / Book One (ends with battle ending and the Homelanders' defeat) / Book Two (ends with Lucas asking and Judith deciding to live in the colonel's cabin alone) / Book Three (Judith's return from the cabin and disaster, her mom won't let her back in) / Book Four (conclusion) / Now
Darrel - brother
Lucas Whiting - love interest
Maria & Leon - young couple, unlikely friends
Goody Pruett - busybody, surprise to me at the end of the book!
Rupert Gillis - icky school teacher
Abijah Pratt - Lottie's dad . . . and more
The main thing that didn't work for me was her mother's repugnance and lack of love for her daughter. Really? Because her husband died? Because she thought Judith had been tainted? Because Darrel was younger and cuter? This didn't work for me, but overall the book was gripping.
The Energy Bus
by Jon Gordon
Hennepin County Library hardcover 166 pages
genre: motivational story
bus driver named Joy / George is passenger / allegory / kind of hokey / Christian-sounding, but more self-focused on one's own power
Rules:
#1 - You're the Driver of Your Bus
#2 - Desire, Vision, and Focus Move Your Bus in the Right Direction
#3 - Fuel Your Ride with Positive Energy
#4 - Invite People on Your Bus and Share Your Vision for the Road Ahead
#5 - Don't Waste Your Energy on Those Who Don't Get on Your Bus
#6 - Post a Sign That Says NO ENERGY VAMPIRES ALLOWED on Your Bus
#7 - Enthusiasm Attracts More Passengers and Energizes Them During the Ride
#8 - Love Your Passengers
#9 - Drive with Purpose
#10 - Have Fun and Enjoy the Ride
I like this (page 78): "It's got to be a habit. Positive energy is like muscle. The more you use it, the stronger it gets. The stronger it gets the more powerful you become. Repetition is the key and the more you focus on positive energy the more it becomes your natural state."
Five ways to love your passengers:
1. Make Time for Them (be with them and focus on them)
2. Listen to Them (care about their perspective)
3. Recognize Them (honor them, praise them / feed the good dog)
4. Serve Them (serve their growth)
5. Bring out the Best in Them (want them to succeed)
3 reflections from 95 year olds:
- Reflect more. Enjoy more moments.
- Take more risks and chances.
- Leave a legacy
The "steps" at the back of the book are different from the 10 rules . . .
1. Create Your Vision
2. Fuel Your Passion with Purpose
3. Write Down Your Vision / Purpose Statement
4. Focus on Your Vision
5. Zoom Focus (ID goals)
6. Get on the Bus
7.
8. <#6>
9. Navigate adversity and Potholes
10. <#8>
11. <#10>
All in all, I had two conclusions reading this:
1. Yes, attitude is important and mine was pretty bad this past year.
2. This won't matter if our building leader isn't planning on actually leading this way.
Hennepin County Library hardcover 166 pages
genre: motivational story
bus driver named Joy / George is passenger / allegory / kind of hokey / Christian-sounding, but more self-focused on one's own power
Rules:
#1 - You're the Driver of Your Bus
#2 - Desire, Vision, and Focus Move Your Bus in the Right Direction
#3 - Fuel Your Ride with Positive Energy
#4 - Invite People on Your Bus and Share Your Vision for the Road Ahead
#5 - Don't Waste Your Energy on Those Who Don't Get on Your Bus
#6 - Post a Sign That Says NO ENERGY VAMPIRES ALLOWED on Your Bus
#7 - Enthusiasm Attracts More Passengers and Energizes Them During the Ride
#8 - Love Your Passengers
#9 - Drive with Purpose
#10 - Have Fun and Enjoy the Ride
I like this (page 78): "It's got to be a habit. Positive energy is like muscle. The more you use it, the stronger it gets. The stronger it gets the more powerful you become. Repetition is the key and the more you focus on positive energy the more it becomes your natural state."
Five ways to love your passengers:
1. Make Time for Them (be with them and focus on them)
2. Listen to Them (care about their perspective)
3. Recognize Them (honor them, praise them / feed the good dog)
4. Serve Them (serve their growth)
5. Bring out the Best in Them (want them to succeed)
3 reflections from 95 year olds:
- Reflect more. Enjoy more moments.
- Take more risks and chances.
- Leave a legacy
The "steps" at the back of the book are different from the 10 rules . . .
1. Create Your Vision
2. Fuel Your Passion with Purpose
3. Write Down Your Vision / Purpose Statement
4. Focus on Your Vision
5. Zoom Focus (ID goals)
6. Get on the Bus
7.
8. <#6>
9. Navigate adversity and Potholes
10. <#8>
11. <#10>
All in all, I had two conclusions reading this:
1. Yes, attitude is important and mine was pretty bad this past year.
2. This won't matter if our building leader isn't planning on actually leading this way.
One Perfect Spring
by Irene Hannon
Carver County Library paperback 367 pages
genre: Christian fiction, romance
I really enjoyed this one! I like Hannon's style and want to read more of her books. Claire Summers is single mom (husband left) to Haley. Keith Watson is an employee for builder David McMillan. Watson just wants to do his job and thinks that his boss' charitable giving is a waste of time and money. When Haley writes a letter asking for help finding her neighbor's son (after overhearing an adults only conversation), David sets Keith to the task.
page 161 - talking about spending time in prayer, trusting God. Good stuff! So true . . . God has "impeccable credentials in the trust department."
page 218 - Shawn & Debbie (David's adult daughter) "Do you know how annoying it is being married to a guy who's always so smart and insightful?" Reminded me of Louie!
page 295 - spending time w/God - you won't regret it."Time spent with the Lord's Word and in worship is never wasted."
I loved Keith's mom, too. She was wonderful! Dealt with adoption issues, feelings of abandonment, living with no regrets, untimely deaths, faith, etc.
Carver County Library paperback 367 pages
genre: Christian fiction, romance
I really enjoyed this one! I like Hannon's style and want to read more of her books. Claire Summers is single mom (husband left) to Haley. Keith Watson is an employee for builder David McMillan. Watson just wants to do his job and thinks that his boss' charitable giving is a waste of time and money. When Haley writes a letter asking for help finding her neighbor's son (after overhearing an adults only conversation), David sets Keith to the task.
page 161 - talking about spending time in prayer, trusting God. Good stuff! So true . . . God has "impeccable credentials in the trust department."
page 218 - Shawn & Debbie (David's adult daughter) "Do you know how annoying it is being married to a guy who's always so smart and insightful?" Reminded me of Louie!
page 295 - spending time w/God - you won't regret it."Time spent with the Lord's Word and in worship is never wasted."
I loved Keith's mom, too. She was wonderful! Dealt with adoption issues, feelings of abandonment, living with no regrets, untimely deaths, faith, etc.
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