by Becky Albertalli
Hennepin County Library hardcover 303 pages
genre: YA realistic fiction
Simon is a likable seventeen-year-old with an older sister Alice and a younger sister Nora. His two best friends are Nick and Leah, and Abby has recently joined their group. This book has romance, adolescent angst, humor, and a coming-out story or two. It is delightfully written, though with plenty of swearing and using the Lord's name in vain. (Pretty normal fare for teenagers, but I'm a bit sensitive about it with many of my middle school readers not accustomed to it.) One part that made me laugh out loud is when Simon goes to a party with his friends even though he's not a partier.
"I take a sip of my beer, and it's - I mean, it's just astonishingly disgusting. I don't think I was expecting it to taste like ice cream, but holy f***ing hell. People lie and get fake IDs and sneak into bars, and for this? I honestly think I'd rather make out with Bieber. The dog. Or Justin."
Bieber is the name of the family's golden retriever. Anyhow, there is humor and honesty and difficult conversations. The author is a psychologist who apparently works with children and youth who are having gender concerns or coming out as homosexual. The book is very well-written, if perhaps a bit unrealistic (I won't give away the identity of his boyfriend, since that's the big "who is it really" throughout the book as they email one another using secret names.) But I think the happy resolutions at the end were not quite what kids' real experiences are like.
Friday, July 22, 2016
All American Boys
by Jason Reynolds and Brendan Kiely
Hennepin County Library hardcover 310 pages
genre: YA realistic fiction
This book was amazing. I put post-it notes on dozens of places, but I don't think I'll enumerate them in this entry. The story is told from two points of view: Rashad, a black teen junior ROTC officer who is an artist, and Quinn, a white teen basketball player whose dad died as a hero years earlier in the Middle East. When Rashad is beaten severely by a white police officer, people take sides, speak out, and struggle with what to say and do. There are so many layers and truths in this book. I will buy it for my school and I hope Carver County gets it as a book club kit - this would be a fantastic discussion book!
Some random thoughts / themes:
- I love how Rashad refers to his mom doing mom things (comforting, caring, etc.)
- Quinn's temptation (and others) to just not talk about it or deal with it (racism) . . . because for those of us who are white, that's an option. To just ignore the problem, since it doesn't "directly" affect us. Ouch. But so true!
- People's tendency to blame the victim. Rashad "must" have been doing something wrong (other than simply being black and having a white person trip over him) for the officer to attack him that way. Again, ouch. I've thought or said this of situations (not necessarily white officers and black people) . . . and I think of women being blamed for being raped because of the clothing they wore or the time of night they were outdoors alone . . . as a society, we are too quick to accuse and too slow to listen.
- So sad and true that we only seem to react when it's HUGE - a death, as opposed to the regular, every day stuff. I've heard black parents (especially dads) talk about how they prepare their children (especially sons) for how to react *when* they're confronted by police. Louie and I have three sons and we *never* had those kinds of conversations with them! This book is fiction, but from what I've read, heard, and seen, some of these experiences and feelings are VERY true to life.
- Whether for good or ill, people's perceptions about what constitutes a "thug" or an "All-American boy" often come down to physical appearance and snap judgments.
- Quinn: "I'm not racist!" She (Jill) hesitated and I sat there, stinking in my own sweat, needing her to say something. Eventually she did. "Not like KKK racist," she said. "I don't think most people think they're racist. But every time something like this happens, you could, like you said, say, 'Not my problem.' You could say, 'It's a one-time thing.' Every time it happened."
- When Rashad's dad talks about having been a cop and trying to do what's right, but having to make split-second decisions that might be life and death . . . there's just so much in this book that is worthwhile, especially in the current climate regarding race relations and police departments. I'm horrified by police officers being targeted by shooters. I'm so sad for the spouses, children, siblings, and parents of officers who are killed in the line of duty. But I also realize that we can't ignore the pain and fear and frustration of many black Americans who are tired of "same old, same old." I just don't want a backlash against police officers to be some sick "solution" for those who want change.
- I love Mrs. Fitzgerald from the gift shop! "Baby, I could tell by the look on your face that you ain't need none of that. Sometimes, when people get treated as less than human, the best way to help them feel better is to simply treat them as human. Not as victims. Just you as you."
This book is amazing! I hope we can afford a bunch of copies and get kids and adults reading and discussing it. There's a long waiting list at the public library so I'm glad I'm returning this today. Next reader!
Hennepin County Library hardcover 310 pages
genre: YA realistic fiction
This book was amazing. I put post-it notes on dozens of places, but I don't think I'll enumerate them in this entry. The story is told from two points of view: Rashad, a black teen junior ROTC officer who is an artist, and Quinn, a white teen basketball player whose dad died as a hero years earlier in the Middle East. When Rashad is beaten severely by a white police officer, people take sides, speak out, and struggle with what to say and do. There are so many layers and truths in this book. I will buy it for my school and I hope Carver County gets it as a book club kit - this would be a fantastic discussion book!
Some random thoughts / themes:
- I love how Rashad refers to his mom doing mom things (comforting, caring, etc.)
- Quinn's temptation (and others) to just not talk about it or deal with it (racism) . . . because for those of us who are white, that's an option. To just ignore the problem, since it doesn't "directly" affect us. Ouch. But so true!
- People's tendency to blame the victim. Rashad "must" have been doing something wrong (other than simply being black and having a white person trip over him) for the officer to attack him that way. Again, ouch. I've thought or said this of situations (not necessarily white officers and black people) . . . and I think of women being blamed for being raped because of the clothing they wore or the time of night they were outdoors alone . . . as a society, we are too quick to accuse and too slow to listen.
- So sad and true that we only seem to react when it's HUGE - a death, as opposed to the regular, every day stuff. I've heard black parents (especially dads) talk about how they prepare their children (especially sons) for how to react *when* they're confronted by police. Louie and I have three sons and we *never* had those kinds of conversations with them! This book is fiction, but from what I've read, heard, and seen, some of these experiences and feelings are VERY true to life.
- Whether for good or ill, people's perceptions about what constitutes a "thug" or an "All-American boy" often come down to physical appearance and snap judgments.
- Quinn: "I'm not racist!" She (Jill) hesitated and I sat there, stinking in my own sweat, needing her to say something. Eventually she did. "Not like KKK racist," she said. "I don't think most people think they're racist. But every time something like this happens, you could, like you said, say, 'Not my problem.' You could say, 'It's a one-time thing.' Every time it happened."
- When Rashad's dad talks about having been a cop and trying to do what's right, but having to make split-second decisions that might be life and death . . . there's just so much in this book that is worthwhile, especially in the current climate regarding race relations and police departments. I'm horrified by police officers being targeted by shooters. I'm so sad for the spouses, children, siblings, and parents of officers who are killed in the line of duty. But I also realize that we can't ignore the pain and fear and frustration of many black Americans who are tired of "same old, same old." I just don't want a backlash against police officers to be some sick "solution" for those who want change.
- I love Mrs. Fitzgerald from the gift shop! "Baby, I could tell by the look on your face that you ain't need none of that. Sometimes, when people get treated as less than human, the best way to help them feel better is to simply treat them as human. Not as victims. Just you as you."
This book is amazing! I hope we can afford a bunch of copies and get kids and adults reading and discussing it. There's a long waiting list at the public library so I'm glad I'm returning this today. Next reader!
<I published the above on 7.22.2016. I'm adding the below on 11.8.2023.>
When I was subbing at New Prague High School a few weeks ago, the students were reading this book. I thought I had read it before, but wasn't 100% sure. I had received a copy at some point in the past year, so I thought I'd just go ahead and read it again. Jason Reynolds is a fantastic author.
But I'm torn about re-reading it when I have so many other books waiting for me! And I feel as though this book isn't quite as powerful as Angie Thomas' The Hate U Give. Wow. Perhaps I should re-read that one!
Wednesday, July 20, 2016
Deadline
by John Sandford
Hennepin County Library audiobook 8 discs
read by Eric Conger
genre: murder mystery
Louise, Ann, and I listened to this on our lake weekend trip. I've not read much Sandford, and I like the Minnesota references. Virgil Flowers is the main detective. Johnson Johnson was funny. Most of this was more crude than I enjoy - lots of F-bombs. A corrupt school board (and some others) siphoning money off the school district. Some murders. I still don't understand why the dog-napping and the meth labs were intertwined. Perhaps I don't properly appreciate Sandford as an author.
Hennepin County Library audiobook 8 discs
read by Eric Conger
genre: murder mystery
Louise, Ann, and I listened to this on our lake weekend trip. I've not read much Sandford, and I like the Minnesota references. Virgil Flowers is the main detective. Johnson Johnson was funny. Most of this was more crude than I enjoy - lots of F-bombs. A corrupt school board (and some others) siphoning money off the school district. Some murders. I still don't understand why the dog-napping and the meth labs were intertwined. Perhaps I don't properly appreciate Sandford as an author.
Trashed: An Ode to the Crap Job of All Crap Jobs
by Derf Backderf
Hennepin County Library, hardcover 245 pages
genre: a mix of fiction and non-fiction about garbage in America, graphic novel
This was interesting and informative (and pretty depressing, actually). Landfills are filling and we keep generating more junk. I don't love Backderf's art style, but it is reminiscent of MAD magazine. He tells a story well. My Friend Dahmer was so creepy! This one is more straightforward, with a fictionalized story woven around a lot of facts. I would not be interested in getting this for my middle schoolers; this is definitely for older readers.
Hennepin County Library, hardcover 245 pages
genre: a mix of fiction and non-fiction about garbage in America, graphic novel
This was interesting and informative (and pretty depressing, actually). Landfills are filling and we keep generating more junk. I don't love Backderf's art style, but it is reminiscent of MAD magazine. He tells a story well. My Friend Dahmer was so creepy! This one is more straightforward, with a fictionalized story woven around a lot of facts. I would not be interested in getting this for my middle schoolers; this is definitely for older readers.
The Wall: Growing Up Behind the Iron Curtain
by Peter Sis (written & illustrated)
Hennepin County Library hardcover unpaged
genre: children's book, non-fiction, memoir
I'm not sure why this book is on our list since it was published in 2007. I like it as a counterpart to Stalin's Daughter, though. I feel as though I'm learning a lot about Russian history! My favorite parts of this book are the excerpts from his journals and the photographs and drawings throughout his life.
Hennepin County Library hardcover unpaged
genre: children's book, non-fiction, memoir
I'm not sure why this book is on our list since it was published in 2007. I like it as a counterpart to Stalin's Daughter, though. I feel as though I'm learning a lot about Russian history! My favorite parts of this book are the excerpts from his journals and the photographs and drawings throughout his life.
Forever Friday
by Timothy Lewis
Hennepin County Library paperback 278 pages
genre: Christian romance fiction
Liked, didn't love this one. The "modern" story was about sad, divorced Adam Colby and Yvette, the young woman whose mother helped the Alexanders. The historical story was the whirlwind romance of Gabe and "Huck" Alexander from the 1920s through to Huck's death in 2004.
I'll miss the book club discussion on Monday, but have an idea to communicate with the ladies . . .
I did *not* like Gabe's "Long Division" concept. It bugged the heck out of me each time it was mentioned. I liked most of the romantic stuff and really liked Gabe as a character, but the idea that "a marriage was filled with numerous obligations that divided time spent together."
I loved this passage on page 133: "Summer at last . . . Even though Huck was an adult, the season still evoked the carefree gladness of uninhibited freedom. Freedom from stale studies and chalk dust. Freedom to run barefoot down a warm sandy lane. Freedom to spend time loving the soul mate of her girlhood dreams." Yep! Summer is glorious!
Gabe's constant smoking finally resulting in what I expected . . . page 246 ". . . Gabe said, then coughed sharply as they crossed the Trinity River . . . " Emphysema. Duh. Early death. But they didn't know back then that they were killing themselves.
page 277 "That force is hope, the very bedrock of our souls. Hope has won wars, fed nations, conquered diseases. In the unquenchable human spirit, hope is the fire."
Overall, I enjoyed the story and found it very readable.
Hennepin County Library paperback 278 pages
genre: Christian romance fiction
Liked, didn't love this one. The "modern" story was about sad, divorced Adam Colby and Yvette, the young woman whose mother helped the Alexanders. The historical story was the whirlwind romance of Gabe and "Huck" Alexander from the 1920s through to Huck's death in 2004.
I'll miss the book club discussion on Monday, but have an idea to communicate with the ladies . . .
I did *not* like Gabe's "Long Division" concept. It bugged the heck out of me each time it was mentioned. I liked most of the romantic stuff and really liked Gabe as a character, but the idea that "a marriage was filled with numerous obligations that divided time spent together."
I loved this passage on page 133: "Summer at last . . . Even though Huck was an adult, the season still evoked the carefree gladness of uninhibited freedom. Freedom from stale studies and chalk dust. Freedom to run barefoot down a warm sandy lane. Freedom to spend time loving the soul mate of her girlhood dreams." Yep! Summer is glorious!
Gabe's constant smoking finally resulting in what I expected . . . page 246 ". . . Gabe said, then coughed sharply as they crossed the Trinity River . . . " Emphysema. Duh. Early death. But they didn't know back then that they were killing themselves.
page 277 "That force is hope, the very bedrock of our souls. Hope has won wars, fed nations, conquered diseases. In the unquenchable human spirit, hope is the fire."
Overall, I enjoyed the story and found it very readable.
Boundaries: When to Say Yes, How to Say No to Take Control of Your Life
by Dr. Henry Cloud and Dr. John Townsend
loaned to me by my pastor, Jamie Prip
paperback 302 pages
genre: non-fiction, relationships
This book was very interesting and helpful. The family I grew up in did NOT have healthy boundaries. I've gotten a lot better about this, especially with Louie asking me key questions when I'm struggling with some things. I'm glad I read it and I marked a lot of spots!
page 31 - "In the spiritual world, boundaries are just as real, but often harder to see. The goal of this chapter is to help you define your intangible boundaries and to recognize them as an everpresent reality that can increase your love and save your life. In reality, these boundaries define your soul, and they help you to guard it and maintain it (Prov. 4:23)." This came after a comparison to a fence around a physical property.
Ten Laws of Boundaries (starting on page 86):
#1 - The Law of Sowing and Reaping (cause and effect, consequences for choices)
#2 - The Law of Responsibility (loving others AND loving yourself; each person responsible for self)
#3 - The Law of Power (we have power to admit our weaknesses, submit to God, search and ask God, turn from evil, humble self, and seek out people with whom to make amends)
#4 - The Law of Respect (respect other people's boundaries; freedom begets freedom)
#5 - The Law of Motivation (give cheerfully; freedom first and service second)
#6 - The Law of Evaluation (hurt vs. harm; weigh the cost)
#7 - The Law of Proactivity (outgrow tantrums; express frustration without regressing)
#8 - The Law of Envy (question yourself; what is it that you are lacking?)
#9 - The Law of Activity (Take the initiative and actively seek God's will)
#10 - The Law of Exposure (make your boundaries visible and communicated to others)
page 115 - in the section on dealing with myths, this one resonated for me - "If I set boundaries, I will hurt others." The idea of saying "no" even when you *can* say yes is sometimes hard for me. "Boundaries are a defensive tool. . . . Saying no to adults, who are responsible for getting their own needs met, may cause some discomfort . . . . when someone has a valid problem, there are times when we can't sacrifice for some reason or another. . . . we have to allow others to take responsibility for their 'knapsacks' and to look elsewhere to get their needs met." Lots of good stuff in here!
page 132 - I marked this for someone in particular, but don't wish to be unkind. "An adult who does not stand on his own financially is still a child. To be an adults, you must live within your means and pay for your own failures." As I deal with being the executor of my dad's estate and my siblings' situations, I'm not sure how to share this lesson without sounding condescending.
page 133 - This hit more buttons in the "family I grew up in" shirt. In the section subtitled "Three's a Crowd," it says "Dysfunctional families are known for a certain type of boundary problem called triangulation." The authors go on to discuss how this works, with one person talking to a second person about a third person (but not directly to that third person) about what bothers them. The lack of direct communication in the Somers family drives me crazy! I'm guilty of it, too, but trying to get better. Actually, since my dad's death, I feel like we're all getting better about it.
page 159 - in the section on feelings, this reminded me of many conversations I've had lately about my frustrations with the LaMoore family. I feel how I feel, but how am I going to respond? "Feelings are also a warning signal telling us that we need to do something." I need to have a face-to-face meeting with my siblings-in-law!
page 160 - "Limits on what I can give" - this section is one I should probably scan and upload. I struggle with overtaxing myself . . . at work, at home, etc. I take on too much and then get tired, stressed, frustrated, and burned out. I need to make healthier choices. "Problems arise when we blame someone else for our own lack of limits." "We are finite creatures and must give as we 'decide in our heart to give' (2 Cor. 9:7), being aware of when we are giving past the love point to the resentment point."
page 203 - "Work is a spiritual activity. In our work, we are made in the image of God, who is himself a worker, a manager, a creator, a developer, a steward, and a healer. To be a Christian is to be a co-laborer with God in the community of humanity. By giving to others we find true fulfillment. The New Testament teaches that jobs offer more than temporal fulfillment and rewards on earth. Work is the place to develop our character in preparation for the work that we will do forever. With that in mind, let's look at how setting boundaries in the workplace can help us to grow spiritually."
page 205 in the section subtitled "Getting Saddled with another Person's Responsibilities," I put a post-it note with "Gaz." Let's see if I can learn / remember this! "Do not fall into the trap of justifying why you can't do his work for him. . . . . You owe no one an explanation about why you will not do something that is not your responsibility."
page 209 I marked for Ann. It's the section called "Difficult Coworkers." I think I'll just scan it and send it to her.
page 249 - Not sure why I marked this . . . unless the section on "guilt messages" triggered memories of how communication worked in the Somers household I grew up in.
page 265 - Another one I marked for Ann. "Have confidence in your ability to learn."
page 270-1 A section on Guilt . . . a powerful force which dominated much of my young life and lingers even now.
This was a very interesting book. It has given me a lot of food for thought.
loaned to me by my pastor, Jamie Prip
paperback 302 pages
genre: non-fiction, relationships
This book was very interesting and helpful. The family I grew up in did NOT have healthy boundaries. I've gotten a lot better about this, especially with Louie asking me key questions when I'm struggling with some things. I'm glad I read it and I marked a lot of spots!
page 31 - "In the spiritual world, boundaries are just as real, but often harder to see. The goal of this chapter is to help you define your intangible boundaries and to recognize them as an everpresent reality that can increase your love and save your life. In reality, these boundaries define your soul, and they help you to guard it and maintain it (Prov. 4:23)." This came after a comparison to a fence around a physical property.
Ten Laws of Boundaries (starting on page 86):
#1 - The Law of Sowing and Reaping (cause and effect, consequences for choices)
#2 - The Law of Responsibility (loving others AND loving yourself; each person responsible for self)
#3 - The Law of Power (we have power to admit our weaknesses
#4 - The Law of Respect (respect other people's boundaries; freedom begets freedom)
#5 - The Law of Motivation (give cheerfully; freedom first and service second)
#6 - The Law of Evaluation (hurt vs. harm; weigh the cost)
#7 - The Law of Proactivity (outgrow tantrums; express frustration without regressing)
#8 - The Law of Envy (question yourself; what is it that you are lacking?)
#9 - The Law of Activity (Take the initiative and actively seek God's will)
#10 - The Law of Exposure (make your boundaries visible and communicated to others)
page 115 - in the section on dealing with myths, this one resonated for me - "If I set boundaries, I will hurt others." The idea of saying "no" even when you *can* say yes is sometimes hard for me. "Boundaries are a defensive tool. . . . Saying no to adults, who are responsible for getting their own needs met, may cause some discomfort . . . . when someone has a valid problem, there are times when we can't sacrifice for some reason or another. . . . we have to allow others to take responsibility for their 'knapsacks' and to look elsewhere to get their needs met." Lots of good stuff in here!
page 132 - I marked this for someone in particular, but don't wish to be unkind. "An adult who does not stand on his own financially is still a child. To be an adults, you must live within your means and pay for your own failures." As I deal with being the executor of my dad's estate and my siblings' situations, I'm not sure how to share this lesson without sounding condescending.
page 133 - This hit more buttons in the "family I grew up in" shirt. In the section subtitled "Three's a Crowd," it says "Dysfunctional families are known for a certain type of boundary problem called triangulation." The authors go on to discuss how this works, with one person talking to a second person about a third person (but not directly to that third person) about what bothers them. The lack of direct communication in the Somers family drives me crazy! I'm guilty of it, too, but trying to get better. Actually, since my dad's death, I feel like we're all getting better about it.
page 159 - in the section on feelings, this reminded me of many conversations I've had lately about my frustrations with the LaMoore family. I feel how I feel, but how am I going to respond? "Feelings are also a warning signal telling us that we need to do something." I need to have a face-to-face meeting with my siblings-in-law!
page 160 - "Limits on what I can give" - this section is one I should probably scan and upload. I struggle with overtaxing myself . . . at work, at home, etc. I take on too much and then get tired, stressed, frustrated, and burned out. I need to make healthier choices. "Problems arise when we blame someone else for our own lack of limits." "We are finite creatures and must give as we 'decide in our heart to give' (2 Cor. 9:7), being aware of when we are giving past the love point to the resentment point."
page 203 - "Work is a spiritual activity. In our work, we are made in the image of God, who is himself a worker, a manager, a creator, a developer, a steward, and a healer. To be a Christian is to be a co-laborer with God in the community of humanity. By giving to others we find true fulfillment. The New Testament teaches that jobs offer more than temporal fulfillment and rewards on earth. Work is the place to develop our character in preparation for the work that we will do forever. With that in mind, let's look at how setting boundaries in the workplace can help us to grow spiritually."
page 205 in the section subtitled "Getting Saddled with another Person's Responsibilities," I put a post-it note with "Gaz." Let's see if I can learn / remember this! "Do not fall into the trap of justifying why you can't do his work for him. . . . . You owe no one an explanation about why you will not do something that is not your responsibility."
page 209 I marked for Ann. It's the section called "Difficult Coworkers." I think I'll just scan it and send it to her.
page 249 - Not sure why I marked this . . . unless the section on "guilt messages" triggered memories of how communication worked in the Somers household I grew up in.
page 265 - Another one I marked for Ann. "Have confidence in your ability to learn."
page 270-1 A section on Guilt . . . a powerful force which dominated much of my young life and lingers even now.
This was a very interesting book. It has given me a lot of food for thought.
Monday, July 18, 2016
The Promise of a Pencil: How an Ordinary Person Can Create Extraordinary Change
by Adam Braun
Hennepin County Library hardcover 251 pages
genre: non-fiction philanthropy
Adam Braun left a promising career in NYC finance to create "Pencils of Promise" (PoP) - a for-purpose (instead of "non-profit") organization committed to building schools in parts of the world where education is badly needed.
Liked:
His success in the face of pessimists and his youthful insistence on achieving the "impossible."
His specific details as he relates his experiences
Disliked:
Lack of photos! I'll have to go online to look . . .
Seems like he glossed over some of the challenges. He addressed some in a very positive manner, but the cheery upbeat tone made me think that he is no "ordinary person" . . .
page 13 "When you come from a lineage of Holocaust survivors, you grow up with an understanding that everything was once taken away from your family."
page 17 - the film Baraka . . . never heard of it. Curious to watch it. Life-changing for him.
page 25 - his experience on the SAS ship and the near-death fear. I love that he prayed and received peace, but his mish-mosh of Judaism, "higher power" New Age-ism, and willingness to explore any and every faith in the countries he visited were a bit disconcerting. This experience gave him a sense of purpose, which is powerful.
page 42 - love the Marcel Proust quotation: "The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes but in having new eyes." His changed perceptions remind me of friends who've worked in the mission field and then are horrified when they return to over-rich capitalist America.
page 44 - Scott Neeson, Steung Meanchey, and the Cambodian Children's Fund (CCF) - these were new to me and things I'd like to read about more.
page 113 - I cried at the part where he shared with his grandma (Ma, aka Eva Braun) that he'd dedicated the first school he built, to her. So sweet!
page 129 - the one photo in the book and "Go to the hidden URL www.AdamBraun.com/BookUnlock " to find photos, videos, etc. Grrr. When you go there, you have to enter your name and email to get access to this content. No thanks. I'll just use GoogleImages.
page 146 - the importance of recovery (from busy-ness) "This realization led me to institute a personal policy of going off email from Friday night until Sunday morning. I would use my weekends to rest, rejuvenate, and reconnect with those I cherished most. For one day a week, it's important to allow yourself to be a human being, rather than a human doing." I love this idea!
page 196 - conversation with a venture capitalist who changed attitude as soon as he heard what Adam was doing. This important conversation let to him changing his language about his work. "I knew that the only way to win the respect of our for-profit peers would be to wed our values and idealism to business acumen. Rather than thinking of ourselves as nonprofit, we would begin to refer to our work as for-purpose." I love this change in language which affects perceptions!
page 221 - This made me think of reading Stephen Covey's book! It also reminds me of the book I read about "eating the biggest frog first" - doing the one big important thing that you're tempted to procrastinate on, but really need to tackle first. I love reading cool books and making connections!
page 227 continues this theme - "We all know which tasks are the most important in any given day, yet we still choose to do them last. Choose to do those things first."
page 234 made me think of Malala Y. "The number of lives we impacted would not be determined by my efforts alone, or even PoP's efforts, but by the efforts of every person who decided that 57 million children without access to education wasn't just a concern, it was a crisis that urgently needed to be solved."
page 235 nice to hear him admit this . . . "What I have ultimately come to realize is that education is complex. You can't inject someone with education that way you can with a vaccine. You can't force it upon people. They have to reach out and work for it themselves. Such a fragmented issue requires a fragmented set of solutions." Yep.
page 249 "Purpose is found when you stop thinking about how you exist in the world and start trying to figure out why you are here. Once you solve that question, everything else falls into place." Wisdom from such a young man!
page 250 "Regardless of age or status, if you're not satisfied with the path you're on, it's time to rewrite your future. Your life should be a story you are excited to tell." I appreciate his comments on storytelling and humanity. Nice way to end the book!
Hennepin County Library hardcover 251 pages
genre: non-fiction philanthropy
Adam Braun left a promising career in NYC finance to create "Pencils of Promise" (PoP) - a for-purpose (instead of "non-profit") organization committed to building schools in parts of the world where education is badly needed.
Liked:
His success in the face of pessimists and his youthful insistence on achieving the "impossible."
His specific details as he relates his experiences
Disliked:
Lack of photos! I'll have to go online to look . . .
Seems like he glossed over some of the challenges. He addressed some in a very positive manner, but the cheery upbeat tone made me think that he is no "ordinary person" . . .
page 13 "When you come from a lineage of Holocaust survivors, you grow up with an understanding that everything was once taken away from your family."
page 17 - the film Baraka . . . never heard of it. Curious to watch it. Life-changing for him.
page 25 - his experience on the SAS ship and the near-death fear. I love that he prayed and received peace, but his mish-mosh of Judaism, "higher power" New Age-ism, and willingness to explore any and every faith in the countries he visited were a bit disconcerting. This experience gave him a sense of purpose, which is powerful.
page 42 - love the Marcel Proust quotation: "The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes but in having new eyes." His changed perceptions remind me of friends who've worked in the mission field and then are horrified when they return to over-rich capitalist America.
page 44 - Scott Neeson, Steung Meanchey, and the Cambodian Children's Fund (CCF) - these were new to me and things I'd like to read about more.
page 113 - I cried at the part where he shared with his grandma (Ma, aka Eva Braun) that he'd dedicated the first school he built, to her. So sweet!
page 129 - the one photo in the book and "Go to the hidden URL www.AdamBraun.com/BookUnlock " to find photos, videos, etc. Grrr. When you go there, you have to enter your name and email to get access to this content. No thanks. I'll just use GoogleImages.
page 146 - the importance of recovery (from busy-ness) "This realization led me to institute a personal policy of going off email from Friday night until Sunday morning. I would use my weekends to rest, rejuvenate, and reconnect with those I cherished most. For one day a week, it's important to allow yourself to be a human being, rather than a human doing." I love this idea!
page 196 - conversation with a venture capitalist who changed attitude as soon as he heard what Adam was doing. This important conversation let to him changing his language about his work. "I knew that the only way to win the respect of our for-profit peers would be to wed our values and idealism to business acumen. Rather than thinking of ourselves as nonprofit, we would begin to refer to our work as for-purpose." I love this change in language which affects perceptions!
page 221 - This made me think of reading Stephen Covey's book! It also reminds me of the book I read about "eating the biggest frog first" - doing the one big important thing that you're tempted to procrastinate on, but really need to tackle first. I love reading cool books and making connections!
page 227 continues this theme - "We all know which tasks are the most important in any given day, yet we still choose to do them last. Choose to do those things first."
page 234 made me think of Malala Y. "The number of lives we impacted would not be determined by my efforts alone, or even PoP's efforts, but by the efforts of every person who decided that 57 million children without access to education wasn't just a concern, it was a crisis that urgently needed to be solved."
page 235 nice to hear him admit this . . . "What I have ultimately come to realize is that education is complex. You can't inject someone with education that way you can with a vaccine. You can't force it upon people. They have to reach out and work for it themselves. Such a fragmented issue requires a fragmented set of solutions." Yep.
page 249 "Purpose is found when you stop thinking about how you exist in the world and start trying to figure out why you are here. Once you solve that question, everything else falls into place." Wisdom from such a young man!
page 250 "Regardless of age or status, if you're not satisfied with the path you're on, it's time to rewrite your future. Your life should be a story you are excited to tell." I appreciate his comments on storytelling and humanity. Nice way to end the book!
One Day, the End: Short, Very Short, Shorter-than-Ever Stories
by Rebecca Kai Dotlich
illustrations by Fred Koehler
Hennepin County Library hardcover
genre: children's picture book
Love this! The illustrations truly make the "stories" come to life. A girl and her dog (and imagination) make this a lovely book. I'm not sure I'll be able to buy it for PRMS, but this is one I'd like to have for my someday "grandma" shelf.
illustrations by Fred Koehler
Hennepin County Library hardcover
genre: children's picture book
Love this! The illustrations truly make the "stories" come to life. A girl and her dog (and imagination) make this a lovely book. I'm not sure I'll be able to buy it for PRMS, but this is one I'd like to have for my someday "grandma" shelf.
Monday, July 11, 2016
Roller Girl
by Victoria Jamieson
Hennepin County Library paperback 240 pages
genre: YA graphic novel, realistic
I loved this! What an amazing book with excellent middle school characters, storyline, art, etc. This is a must-buy for my collection. Twelve-year-olds Astrid and Nicole have been BFFs throughout elementary school. But the summer before junior high brings some challenges and changes to their friendship. Astrid gets excited to go to roller derby camp, but Nicole chooses dance camp instead. Astrid gets to know herself better as she explores her interests, new friendships (especially with Zoe), and her feelings. I love Rainbow Bite as a role model for Astrid and their exchanges of locker letters. Fantastic book!
Hennepin County Library paperback 240 pages
genre: YA graphic novel, realistic
I loved this! What an amazing book with excellent middle school characters, storyline, art, etc. This is a must-buy for my collection. Twelve-year-olds Astrid and Nicole have been BFFs throughout elementary school. But the summer before junior high brings some challenges and changes to their friendship. Astrid gets excited to go to roller derby camp, but Nicole chooses dance camp instead. Astrid gets to know herself better as she explores her interests, new friendships (especially with Zoe), and her feelings. I love Rainbow Bite as a role model for Astrid and their exchanges of locker letters. Fantastic book!
Wednesday, July 06, 2016
What Jamie Saw
by Carolyn Coman
PRMS weeded, hardcover, 126 pages
genre: YA realistic
This is one I had already decided to weed from the collection (published in 1995 but not checked out in ages) but I was curious enough to give it a read.
I think it fits better in an elementary school for more mature fourth and fifth grade readers. Jamie's struggle with his mom's boyfriend's violence and the precariousness of their lives when they leave is certainly more challenging material, but he comes across as so young and scared (eight years old? ten?), I'm not sure it would resonate with middle schoolers looking for this type of realistic book. It's hard for me to get rid of books, though! And this was a Newbery Honor book . . .
PRMS weeded, hardcover, 126 pages
genre: YA realistic
This is one I had already decided to weed from the collection (published in 1995 but not checked out in ages) but I was curious enough to give it a read.
I think it fits better in an elementary school for more mature fourth and fifth grade readers. Jamie's struggle with his mom's boyfriend's violence and the precariousness of their lives when they leave is certainly more challenging material, but he comes across as so young and scared (eight years old? ten?), I'm not sure it would resonate with middle schoolers looking for this type of realistic book. It's hard for me to get rid of books, though! And this was a Newbery Honor book . . .
Salt to the Sea
by Ruta Sepetys
PRMS hardcover 378 pages
genre: YA historical fiction, WWII
It was so interesting to read this fictional account at the same time as I was reading The Monuments Men. So many overlapping stories! I love Sepetys' writing style - she really makes history come alive! (I wish I had been able to read books like this as a teen; I might not have hated studying history so much.)
She tells the story from four points of view, with other characters included:
Joana - 21, Lithuanian, medical background, "guilt is a hunter"
Florian - 18 or 19?, Prussian, handsome, fit, injured, "fate is a hunter"
Emilia - 15, Polish, pretty, pregnant, "shame is a hunter"
Alfred - 19 or 20? German, coward with delusions of grandeur, "fear is a hunter"
I caught the (blank) is a hunter line right away at the start of the book . . . and wasn't surprised when it showed up again at the end. This was probably the one thing that didn't "work" for me as a reader. The character (and plot) development was wonderful, as the first three characters (along with others) traveled to the port of Gotenhafen to board a ship to escape the advancing Russian army. The dangers and fears were palpable. I loved Ingrid, the shoe poet, and the wandering boy!
From hearing Sepetys talk at an author event, I knew that this story was "about" the sinking of the Wilhelm Gustloff (the largest maritime loss of life EVER!). That was certainly a huge learning experience for me. Why do we know so much about the Titanic and the Lusitania and so little about this ship's sinking? Odd. I went to www.wilhelmgustloffmuseum.com based on her research and sources section (after the "author's note") and would gladly read more . . . later.
PRMS hardcover 378 pages
genre: YA historical fiction, WWII
It was so interesting to read this fictional account at the same time as I was reading The Monuments Men. So many overlapping stories! I love Sepetys' writing style - she really makes history come alive! (I wish I had been able to read books like this as a teen; I might not have hated studying history so much.)
She tells the story from four points of view, with other characters included:
Joana - 21, Lithuanian, medical background, "guilt is a hunter"
Florian - 18 or 19?, Prussian, handsome, fit, injured, "fate is a hunter"
Emilia - 15, Polish, pretty, pregnant, "shame is a hunter"
Alfred - 19 or 20? German, coward with delusions of grandeur, "fear is a hunter"
I caught the (blank) is a hunter line right away at the start of the book . . . and wasn't surprised when it showed up again at the end. This was probably the one thing that didn't "work" for me as a reader. The character (and plot) development was wonderful, as the first three characters (along with others) traveled to the port of Gotenhafen to board a ship to escape the advancing Russian army. The dangers and fears were palpable. I loved Ingrid, the shoe poet, and the wandering boy!
From hearing Sepetys talk at an author event, I knew that this story was "about" the sinking of the Wilhelm Gustloff (the largest maritime loss of life EVER!). That was certainly a huge learning experience for me. Why do we know so much about the Titanic and the Lusitania and so little about this ship's sinking? Odd. I went to www.wilhelmgustloffmuseum.com based on her research and sources section (after the "author's note") and would gladly read more . . . later.
Winnie: The True Story of the Bear Who Inspired Winnie-the-Pooh
by Sally M. Walker, illustrated by Jonathan D. Voss
Hennepin County Library hardcover unpaged
genre: non-fiction children's book
This was so sweet! I was vaguely familiar with the story, but enjoyed Walker's text, Voss's paintings, and the photographs on the endpapers. Wonderful way to introduce kids to non-fiction stories!
Hennepin County Library hardcover unpaged
genre: non-fiction children's book
This was so sweet! I was vaguely familiar with the story, but enjoyed Walker's text, Voss's paintings, and the photographs on the endpapers. Wonderful way to introduce kids to non-fiction stories!
The Monuments Men
by Robert Edsel
Hennepin County Library paperback, 534 pages plus notes and index
genre: non-fiction, history, WWII
I wanted to read this book because I had seen movie trailers and was curious. I only read to page 107 and then skim-read bits and pieces of the rest. The narrative and information were interesting, but not gripping to me. (I'm not a history buff.) I believe the author did a tremendous job and I learned a lot, but I couldn't see dedicating the time to read every word.
Part of my reluctance was the constant awareness that the human atrocities are far worse than the destruction of human-made objects. Yes, I appreciate the culture and the historic and emotional value of these objects (not to mention the dollar values!), but the loss of millions of lives (both of soldiers and civilians) and particularly the genocide of the Holocaust, will always remain the larger story of WWII. (Whew! What an unwieldy sentence.)
I had never before heard of Hitler's "Nero Decree" in which he declared that Germany's infrastructure should be destroyed so the Allies could not make use of it. Some of his people decided that meant that anything of value (ammunition, supplies, artwork, etc.) should also be destroyed. So incredibly sad! And to learn that even before this decree, he destroyed artwork that he didn't like - modern, cubist, etc. Wow! What a megalomaniac. But I already knew that.
I went online and watched a fantastic National Geographic piece on the Monuments Men - it had footage and photos from the 1940s as well as clips from the Hollywood film. (I love that George Clooney played George Stout!) It was also nice to see interview clips with Harry Etlinger, who is still alive (and in his 90s). There were some other clips. I was curious about so many things related to the art theft by the Nazis. Now I want to see The Monuments Men and The Woman in Gold! (Neither is currently available on Netflix.)
Hennepin County Library paperback, 534 pages plus notes and index
genre: non-fiction, history, WWII
I wanted to read this book because I had seen movie trailers and was curious. I only read to page 107 and then skim-read bits and pieces of the rest. The narrative and information were interesting, but not gripping to me. (I'm not a history buff.) I believe the author did a tremendous job and I learned a lot, but I couldn't see dedicating the time to read every word.
Part of my reluctance was the constant awareness that the human atrocities are far worse than the destruction of human-made objects. Yes, I appreciate the culture and the historic and emotional value of these objects (not to mention the dollar values!), but the loss of millions of lives (both of soldiers and civilians) and particularly the genocide of the Holocaust, will always remain the larger story of WWII. (Whew! What an unwieldy sentence.)
I had never before heard of Hitler's "Nero Decree" in which he declared that Germany's infrastructure should be destroyed so the Allies could not make use of it. Some of his people decided that meant that anything of value (ammunition, supplies, artwork, etc.) should also be destroyed. So incredibly sad! And to learn that even before this decree, he destroyed artwork that he didn't like - modern, cubist, etc. Wow! What a megalomaniac. But I already knew that.
I went online and watched a fantastic National Geographic piece on the Monuments Men - it had footage and photos from the 1940s as well as clips from the Hollywood film. (I love that George Clooney played George Stout!) It was also nice to see interview clips with Harry Etlinger, who is still alive (and in his 90s). There were some other clips. I was curious about so many things related to the art theft by the Nazis. Now I want to see The Monuments Men and The Woman in Gold! (Neither is currently available on Netflix.)
Monday, July 04, 2016
Becoming Maria: Love and Chaos in the South Bronx
by Sonia Manzano
Hennepin County Library audiobook 7 discs
read by the author
genre: non-fiction memoir
Her memoir of her early life (until young twenties) is told in three parts. The first part was very confusing - is she two? four? six? It's hard to not have context for her storytelling not knowing her age. In her early life, she makes the observation that "boys are better than girls" when her brother Joe is born. It's kind of amazing that she grew up to be such a strong woman with the social environment she had.
I hated the part when her teacher was ridiculing little Sonia for bringing sheets of TP instead of a "real" tissue or handkerchief. Who ridicules a small child for being poor?! Then her principal blames her when boys are trying to attack her on the playground . . . appalling.
Manzano's voice was a little off-putting to me. It was a weird mix of Sesame Street style articulation and overpronunciation with teenage theatricality without finesse. I'm not sure who she saw as her target audience for this. As a child, she was definitely day-dreamy, clueless, and a bit of a drama queen.
Her half-aunt tries to push her into a salvation decision when she's young and doesn't even understand what she's being asked to do. When she tells her mom, her mom says "Catholics only confess to priests" and starts her in catechism classes. Ugh!
I *love* the part where her older half-sister tells her to read the signs on the bus by herself . . . and she does! I love that discovery of reading.
Again with the crummy teachers . . . Mrs. Whitman tells the second graders during Brotherhood Week that there are three kinds of people: white, yellow, and black. It gets worse from there.
When her teacher in middle school, Mrs. Pellman, took her and two other girls to see West Side Story (the movie), it was a transformative event for her. That experience opened her up to the power of theatre! She ended up going to a performing arts high school and then Carnegie Mellon University. She was part of the original cast of Godspell (as it was developed by students at CMU) and went off-Broadway with it. Then she was cast in Sesame Street. What an incredible story; what an incredible woman.
Hennepin County Library audiobook 7 discs
read by the author
genre: non-fiction memoir
Her memoir of her early life (until young twenties) is told in three parts. The first part was very confusing - is she two? four? six? It's hard to not have context for her storytelling not knowing her age. In her early life, she makes the observation that "boys are better than girls" when her brother Joe is born. It's kind of amazing that she grew up to be such a strong woman with the social environment she had.
I hated the part when her teacher was ridiculing little Sonia for bringing sheets of TP instead of a "real" tissue or handkerchief. Who ridicules a small child for being poor?! Then her principal blames her when boys are trying to attack her on the playground . . . appalling.
Manzano's voice was a little off-putting to me. It was a weird mix of Sesame Street style articulation and overpronunciation with teenage theatricality without finesse. I'm not sure who she saw as her target audience for this. As a child, she was definitely day-dreamy, clueless, and a bit of a drama queen.
Her half-aunt tries to push her into a salvation decision when she's young and doesn't even understand what she's being asked to do. When she tells her mom, her mom says "Catholics only confess to priests" and starts her in catechism classes. Ugh!
I *love* the part where her older half-sister tells her to read the signs on the bus by herself . . . and she does! I love that discovery of reading.
Again with the crummy teachers . . . Mrs. Whitman tells the second graders during Brotherhood Week that there are three kinds of people: white, yellow, and black. It gets worse from there.
When her teacher in middle school, Mrs. Pellman, took her and two other girls to see West Side Story (the movie), it was a transformative event for her. That experience opened her up to the power of theatre! She ended up going to a performing arts high school and then Carnegie Mellon University. She was part of the original cast of Godspell (as it was developed by students at CMU) and went off-Broadway with it. Then she was cast in Sesame Street. What an incredible story; what an incredible woman.
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