Prez: The First Teen President

by Joe Simon (and others)
Hennepin County Library paperback
genre: graphic novel

I got this when the "new" Prez comic showed up on my summer reading list. This is a product of the 1970s, but very interesting. It reminds me of reading MAD magazine back in the 70s . . . Boss Smiley and others help to make some pointed observations about crooked politicians. The additional Prez stories at the end definitely highlighted other peoples' opinions and styles. The one by Ed Brubaker and Eric Shanower was especially harsh, filled with F-bombs and nudity.

I'm glad I read it, especially along with the new Prez.

Riding the Bus with my Sister

by Rachel Simon
PRMS paperback 293 pages
genre: memoir

I finally read it! This was a Chaska community read a few years ago.After having read Simon's beautiful book this fall (The Story of Beautiful Girl), I really wanted to read her memoir. It's wonderfully written, with honesty and insight. She organized the book into the twelve months of the year, sharing childhood reflections along with insight gained from riding the buses with her mentally handicapped sister, Beth. The story is both complex and simple, with family dynamics, personal feelings of failure, and striving for a better life. A truly worthwhile read!

I need to photocopy the discussion of words and names on pages 99-100 . . . excellent to use with students!

I marked pages 228-229 when the author loses her cool with Beth for constantly turning the conversation to her own complaints. This resonated with me far too much! When I get frustrated with my dad, I just want to scream. I try to tell myself, "this is just how he is, Jeanne. He doesn't want dialog or discussion; he just wants to complain and go over the same things he continues to drone on about." But it doesn't change how I FEEL. These pages jumped out at me.

10/7/13 - Finally added the pages with words & names. I made marks to show the section in context, rather than cropping out all the extra.

The Story of Beautiful Girl

by Rachel Simon
Dakota County Library, hardcover, 340 pages
genre: historical fiction

What an amazing, beautiful story! I can hardly wait until we discus it at book club! Simon follows Beautiful Girl (Lynnie), Number 42 (Homan), the old lady (Martha / Mathilda), and sundry other characters as their lives interact and are ripped apart. Lynnie and Homan are residents of The School (or as he calls it, The Snare), placed there because of their developmental disabilities. Set in the early 1960s, the warehousing of handicapped people was fairly common.

Tonette's death, Clarence's & Smokes' cruelty, Doreen's situation . . . . so many realistic, painful scenarios. But the story never gets confusing; Simon does an amazing job of weaving the different lives together. I love Hannah's role in her sister's life! I love the significance of the lighthouse. I indentified most closely with Kate. This is such an amazing book! Beautifully written!