Friday, June 28, 2013

Knit Your Bit

Knit Your Bit

Picture book
Does it seem like knitting is touted as a girls' only activity?
Chicks with sticks? This bias is nothing new. Back when I was
fourteen, taking up the needles for the first time, I couldn't imagine
what life would have been like for a boy my age who pursued the same
hobby. However, this prejudice hasn't held true for all times and
places. Deborah Hopkinson's Knit Your Bit: A World War I Story
beautifully portrays one exception to the rule.
Mikey wants to be a soldier like his father who has been sent
overseas. At home his mother and sister start knitting clothes for
the military. He rejects their invitation to join them. He wants to
do something important. Anyway knitting is for girls.
At school Mikey and his classmates learn about the Central Park
Knitting Bee--a three day event with prizes. His teacher says it will
be nice if one of her students wins a prize. Mikey and the other boys
make fun of the whole thing until a clever girl knows just what
buttons to push. At first it's all about winning. Then a spldier who
has lost a leg puts things in a whole different perspective.
In 1917 the United States joined World War I. When the Red
Cross detected a lack of warm garments for soldiers, it issued a
civilian challenge. Women and men took it up, wielding needles
everywhere. There were knitting bees and clubs. In 1918 there was a
Central Park Knitting Bee that raised $4000. Since the entry fee was
fifty cents, that must have been quite a crowd! One woman made a
whole sweater in six hours. Holy Hannah!
This is a wonderful read aloud that can be the start to much
fruitful conversation. I especially like the photographs on the end
papers. They would make great writing prompts.
On a personal note, I have been giving knitted and crocheted objects
since I wowed my mom with hand made slippers. Last Christmas close
friends loved the scarves I gave them. It's a very relaxing hobbie
that can help show the precious people in your life how much you
care. It's also a way to help a wide variety of good causes.
A great big shout out goes out to my incredibly talented yarn artist
buddy Leah!
Julia Emily Hathaway


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Monday, June 24, 2013

A Girl Called Problem

A Girl Called Problem

Very rarely a book will be like a magic carpet ride. It will
swoop you out of your comfortable American existence and deliver you
somewhere far far away. You'll come to see the people through
different eyes and really care what happens to them. One such book is
Katie Quirk's A Girl Called Problem.
Shida is a thirteen-year-old girl growing up in Tanzania in
1967. Her name literally translates to problem. It is a name given
to an infant if the family is believed to be cursed at the time of
birth.
As the story opens the people of Shida's village have been
summoned by drum to hear an announcement by their elders. Tanzania's
President Nyerere has decreed that villages consolidate so the people
can work together and get better education and health care
facilities. They are to pack everything and move to Njia Panda.
In Shida's mind a miracle has happened. She is a healer,
practicing traditional cures. Now she will be able to go to school
and learn so much more about healing, maybe even become like Nurse
Goldfilda.
Her mother is very much against this idea. Education will not
give Shida the skills she needs to become a proper young married
woman. Her chance for the only good future for a woman is already
shaky. In an arguement with her daughter she says, "How many fathers
will choose to have their sons marry a young woman without a father?
A young woman whose family has an unlucky history? Your best hope is
to get married now while people still think of you as a girl."
The conflict in Shida's family is reflected in her village.
People are sharply divided about whether the forced move is a blessing
or a curse. Some will do anything to get back to the old ways. A
Girl Called Problem is a poignant coming of age story of both a people
who must change everything of their traditional way of life and a
beautiful and spirited young girl who must risk so much to achieve her
dream. In my mind it is well worth reading for kids and parents
alike. It's perfect for mother daughter book clubs.
Katie lived and taught for two years in Tanzania. It is obvious
that she left a piece of her heart there. I just hope that she can
come up with more stories inspired by her sojourn.
On a personal note, I had the great good fortune to see Katie show her
amazing Tanzania slides at Orono's Artsapalooza, a night long
celebration of writing, music, and the visual arts. That was beyond
cool.
On a very personal note next year will be my year at Artsapalooza.
Leah and I will have our poetry book published and I fully intend to
do a reading. :)
A great big shout out goes out to all who worked so hard to create
such a vibrant celebration night!
Julia Emily Hathaway



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Monday, June 17, 2013

Breathing Room

Breathing Room

To my parents' generation antibiotics were truly miracle drugs.
The greatest generation grew up in a time when illnesses like
tuberculosis (TB) were death sentences for large numbers of people and
treatments involved equal portions of science and guess work. Marsha
Hayles' Breathing Room vividly illuminates those not so good old days.
Evvy, 13, has been admitted to Loon Lake Sanatorium, an
institution specializing in long term care of TB patients. She's away
from her family for an indefinite amount of time, trapped in a regimen
that seems to me like something from Dante's inferno. To rest her
lungs she must stay flat on her back until well enough to earn
privileges like sitting up and receiving mail. And she isn't even
allowed to talk.
Keeping teenage girls from talking is pretty much impossible.
It isn't long before Evvy gets to know and care about her roommates
and the precarious situation they are in. Going home is code for
death. It's impossible to tell who will succomb and who will achieve
a cure. Friendship is a big risk but one that is taken by these brave
young people.
Not long after the setting of this story it was discovered that
TB could be cured with antibiotics. This led to the closing of
sanatoriums. Hayles did not want the young people who came of age in
such inhospitable environments to be forgotten. So she wrote the
book. It truly is an eye opener.
Although it is billed as juvenile or YA literature I see
Breathing Room as also relevant to adults. TB is making a come back
with some truly terrifying strains that are resistant to all known
antibiotics. That's because antibiotics are not only prescribed like
candy (even though they are no darn good in treating viruses) but
given to food animals to fatten them up. Survival of the fittest
means that those bacteria that develop resistance will get to
multiply. Unless we want to see our kids or grandkids live through
experiences like Evvy's we had better get militant about our wonder
drugs and insist that they keep their potency by being used only when
really needed.
On a personal note, I took Joey cat to the vet where he was proclaimed
to be in excellent health. He did not appreciate that trip and was
very happy to be home again.
A great big shout out goes out to the healers of both people and our
beloved animal companions.
Julia Emily Hathaway


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So Rich, So Poor

So Rich, So Poor

I think there's one thing we can agree on, other than the
inevitability of death and taxes. The rich are getting richer. The
poor are getting poorer. The inbetween is getting smaller and smaller
in size. What we disagree on is the why. For conservatives it boils
down to lack of personal responsibility. If anything needs to be done
it's crack down more on those entitlement minded lazy folks. Liberals
see policy shortcomings and lack of opportunity as playing a role and
dictating a need for societal response.
Peter Edelman's So Rich, So Poor: Why It's So Hard To End
Poverty In America takes the second approach. He says things are not
as bad as they could be. Programs like SNAP (formerly food stamps)
and Medicaid make life more tolerable for a lot of people. But we're
very much on the wrong track. We have tens of millions of people
living in poverty and extreme poverty (less than $9,000 a year for a
family of three). Can you believe there are six million people whose
only income is food stamps?
Why are so many so poor? Edelman points to a number of
reasons. Bill Clinton ended welfare as we knew it, putting harsh
limitations on what had been a lifeline for disadvantaged women and
children. Corporations have sent the manufacturing jobs that helped
sustain a healthy middle class overseas. Many replacement jobs can't
lift families out of poverty even with two parents working. Not to
mention those many one parent households. While all this has been
going on, the wealthiest one percent has managed to grab up ever more
of the nation's GDP and resist paying taxes on it. "In a way we have
not seen since the Great Depression, the rich and the powerful are
adding every day to the bricks that make up the wall of their
seperation from everyone else"
If things keep going in this direction they can get a lot
worse. Edelman challenges us to realize that middle income folks have
a lot more in common with the poor than the ultra rich. There are
more of us than there are of them. If we can work together that's the
only way we can achieve a United States with jobs that provide
liveable incomes and adequate education to prepare for these jobs. It
will involve hard work and commitment. But it hasn't been the first
time in our nation's history this kind of effort has been called for.
If you have concerns about the fiscal direction the United
States is headed in, So Rich, So Poor is a really good book to read.
On a personal note, yesterday was a very good fathers day in our family.
A great big shout out goes out to all the dads who deserve their
special day.
Julia Emily Hathaway


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Saturday, June 15, 2013

Playing War

Playing War

Picture book
Often kids think of war as a glamorous and exciting adventure.
They play at it eagerly and aspire to military service. Kids who have
experienced the reality of war have very different perspectives. In
Kathy Beckwith's Playing War these two ways of seeing conflict create
stress in a group of playmates.
A group of boys decide it's too hot to play basketball. They'll
play war. Luke and Sameer end up on the same side. Luke is talking
about blowing heads off with grenades (pine cones) when Sameer
remembers he has to go home early.
Sameer lives in the United States with his Uncle Mustafa. One
day in his former country when he was in school his home was blown up
and his parents and little brother were killed. His family had not
been involved in the fighting. The shells had hit the wrong target.
With ads for its various branches glamorizing the military and
an us versus them mentality prevalent in many communities too many
kids get a very one sided vision of armed conflict. This wonderful
read aloud and discuss book with its credible characters and timeless
message could not be more needed.
On a personal note, today after library volunteering I saw John and
Shelley Jemmison working at Orono Community Garden. Of course I
pitched in. John put me to work watering. Seeing the beautiful clean
water made me feel so grateful. Millions of people lack this precious
resource. John and I talked about gratitude versus taking for
granted. I think a lot of people would be happier if they appreciated
all we have instead of taking so much for granted. The high from
getting new things is all too transitory. Appreciation for blessings
is far more lasting. Shelley and I talked about the beautiful setting
we were in, how being in nature feels like being close to God.
A great big shout out goes out to John and Shelley, our garden
organizers, teachers, and mentors, and the amazing Mika, our tail
wagging mascot.
Julia Emily Hathaway


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Car Care For Women

Car Care For Women

I am very bothered by the fact that even now in the twenty-first
century a lot of women who drive still feel that car maintenance and
repair can be outsourced to the male of the species. The way I see
it, no one should drive solo unless she knows at least the most basic
emergency repairs, particularly in a rural state like Maine. Also a
car is a serious financial investment. Taking good care of it can
keep it running better longer. Seems like a no brainer to me. If my
eyesight was good enough to allow me to drive I'd study Jamie Little
and Danielle McCormick's Essential Car Care For Women.
I think what is best about this beautifully organized book is it
gets right down to the nitty gritty. You learn not only what to do,
but why. There are lots of pictures and detailed diagrams.
Procedures are broken down into basic steps. The tone is upbeat and
empowering.
The authors have set out to instruct women in "everything they
need to know about owning and maintaining a car." They accomplish this
goal admirably. This book can pay for itself many times over, not to
mention being a great investment in safety.
Moms and dads of new drivers--I can't think of a better gift.
On a personal note, today was the yard sale to raise money for the Orono
Bog Walk. It is an amazing place. Wooden walkways allow people to
enjoy a beautiful and delicate green space without harming it.
A great big shout out goes out to Jim Bird and his legion of minions
whose hard work and dedication preserve this very precious space for
us to enjoy.
Julia Emily Hathaway


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Creating Room To Read

Creating Room To Read

Can you imagine a secondary school with over 600 students and
fewer than 20 books? Sadly that kind of reality exists in many parts
of the world. The stuff we take for granted when it comes to our
children's education--pencils, paper, books--is out of the reach of
many of their peers around the world. This frustrates me as a parent,
a school board member, and a member of the human race. We just don't
get how truly blessed we are and why it's crucial that kids all over
this planet at least start to catch up with us. It is also why I was
so excited to find John Wood's Creating Room To Read on a trip to
Bangor Public Library.
Wood says that he won the lottery of life. His father was able
to attend college on scholarship and bring John and his siblings up in
a nice neighborhood with access to good schools and library. John
himself was on a promising career path with Microsoft when a trek in
the Himalayas turned his life upside down. He was invited to tour a
local school and was horrified to see that the books for all the
students were crammed into a cabinet the size of a minifridge. The
headmaster made a most prophetic statement: "Perhaps, sir, you will
someday come back with books."
Wood left Microsoft to embark on what would become his life's
work: creating libraries for schools in the poorest and most neglected
parts of the world. Then one thing led to another. Schools were
built so children would have the literacy skills to read. Because
they are often disadvantaged educationally due to limited finances and
prejudice, scholarships were endowed to get girls through secondary
school. Publishing children's books by local authors was needed so
kids would have reading materials in their own language...
This is a truly heart warming and inspiring book. I consider it
a must read for all who truly care about children and education.
On a personal note, I had a truly magical experience last Thursday.
It was a Julie and the Bug Boys family concert out behind Orono Public
Library. The hill was covered with fans, all happy to be enjoying
perfect weather after a series of rainy days. The kids had just
started summer vaca. Lotta smiles all around. Tasty refreshments
were sold for very reasonable prices. The music was beautiful. My
friend, Pam, did not disown me for dancing with the little kids. Then
there was this song that felt like Julie had read my very soul. When
I heard the chorus which was about reaching for stars and following
dreams I just couldn't take my eyes off her face. After the concert
she told me she had noticed that. I was so lucky to have that
experience. It caused my soul to take flight. Many people go through
whole lives without moments like that.
A great big shout out goes out to Julie and the Bug Boys, Kiwanis,
Friends of the Library, TD Bank, our children's librarian, Louise, and
all others who went all out to make sure the community had such a
totally enchanting event.
Julia Emily Hathaway


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Wednesday, June 12, 2013

Night Science For Kids

Night Science For Kids

When the sun goes down there's a whole nother world out there:
a world of mystery, a world of enchantment. As darkness falls even
the most mundane places take on twilight allure. Terry Krautwurst's
Night Science for Kids: Exploring the World After Dark takes you on a
tour of the world of stars and planets, of luminescent fireflies and
eerie sounds, where the creatures of the night prowl. (Don't worry.
We're talking raccoons and opossums, not vampires and zombies).
Of course night offers different challenges than day. Seeing
clearly takes adaptation. Stealth is a must. Creatures of the night
are very cautious. The busy daytime noises that can mask your
footsteps just aren't there. The book begins with techniques for
nocturnal exploration, necessary equipment, and safety hints.
Ordinary objects can be used to make a night observation blind kids
would love. Heck, I want to make one. The night exploring trail
looks pretty cool too.
Subsequent chapters cover nocturnal animals and insects, the
night sky, and the twixt night and day world of sunrise. Information
is generous. Pictures are intriguing. There are ever so many projects:
*plaster casts of paw prints
*a bat house
*a batwing kite
*owl pellet dissection
*a screech owl house
*sugaring for moths and so many more.
I plan to plant a moonlight moth garden and make a mooncatcher.
If you're lucky enough to have young children or grandchildren
or a youth group and you want to instill scientific curiosity and
create lasting memories check out Night Science For Kids. You'll be
glad you did.
On a personal note, last night (when the sun went down) was the town
meeting. The first part where municipal items were voted on was the
wild, wild west. People were not happy with town council. One guy
drew applause by shouting, "Are you all on drugs?" They got a lot more
civilized when it got to school items. That meeting lasted 3 1/3
hours. Oh, yeah, I got 3 more years on school board. Plus I got
appointed to the fire department reorganization committee.
A great big shout out goes out to the Maine folks who got out and
voted despite the rain.
Julia Emily Hathaway



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Tuesday, June 11, 2013

Sticker Magic

Sticker Magic

In 1983 I converted a small unwritten in journal into a sticker
book. The first section is from my pre mom days. It's mostly teddy
bears, some fuzzy. Can you believe thirty-year-old scratch and sniffs
still work? The big middle section is where my daughters took over.
The selection is more eclectic. Some are hand colored. It evokes
such precious memories. There are pages left for the grandkids some
day. Yep, stickers are magic. No doubt about that.
I'd used stickers in little ways: to make cards and posters, as
little treats for my kids. I'd had no clue how much one can do with
them until one day I found a big, beautiful volume: Mrs. Grossman's
Sticker Magic by Andrea Grossman and Leslie Conron Carola. It
contains an amazing array of crafts that can incorporate stickers:
luggage tags, photo albums, boxes, picture frames, recipe cards,
bookmarks, matchbooks, Christmas ornaments, puppets, magnets, and an
amazing variety of cards, some which feature pop outs. Techniques
range from simple to sophisticated. Pictures are oh so sweet and
cunning. The sticker worlds at the end are enchanting.
Some people might see the book as clever advertising for a
certain brand of sticker. It doesn't bother me. I see it as a
stimulus for creativity and imagination. In my mind following its
ideas and adding your own unique touches is far better than
outsourcing your thoughts and feelings to corporate giant Hallmark.
On a personal note, well I voted for myself for a three year term on
school board. Based on what I saw at the town office I'd say there's
a pretty good chance of reelection. Not gonna take it for granted,
but not gonna stress out either. I'll let you know when I learn.
A great big shout out goes out to the voters in lots of Maine towns
who aren't letting the weather prevent them from getting out to vote.
Julia Emily Hathaway



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small as an elephant

small as an elephant

Sadly, there are a lot of kids who have parents who, through no
fault of their own, are unable to take care of themselves, let alone
their children. A child will have to take over care of self and
siblings and even parent the parent. I knew of a young lady who had
trouble doing middle school homework because her much younger sister
and brother were a handful and her mother had to be bailed out of
situations regularly. For other kids the abandonment is physical as
is the case with Jack, protagonist of Jennifer Richard Jacobson's
small as an elephant.
Jack knows that his mother isn't like other kids' parents. Her
life unfolds in roller coaster like cycles. In her "spinning times"
she's enthusiastic, confident, alive, unpredictable..."flying high.".
At other times she takes off, leaving no indication of where she's
gone or when she'll be back. Usually this is on home turf. Jack can
fend for himself but...
...this time she's disappeared on a vacation trip to Maine.
They're camping out on Mount Desert Island. Jack wakes up to find
that his mother's tent and car are gone. At first he thinks she'll be
back. He doesn't seem entirely sure though. He is very careful that
a family who has befriended him doesn't notice her absence.
Eventually the cold hard truth sets in.
At the age of eleven Jack must either find his mother or make
his way home to Massachusetts. He has pitifully little in the way of
resources. He can't call on adults for help like he knows other kids
can. The threat of DSS hangs over him. He's sure they and his
grandmother want to take over his custody.
If there's a sense of realism in Jack's trek there's a very good
reason. In Jacobson's words, "I struggled to figure out how Jack, an
abandoned boy, would survive in the wilderness, out in civilization.
I physically traced Jack's route (every place he visited actually
exists) and tried to imagine what the journey would be like for an
eleven year old, entirely on his own and with a big secret to keep."
On a personal note, last night was a perfect night at community
garden. Everything looks so good! I walked instead of taking the
bus. That let me save $1. Why? I will need a lap top when I start
grad school, hopefully in 2014. I'm saving my pennies. Literally.
Also I'm recycling beverage cans and walking instead of bussing when I
can. I have $24 toward Betsy Christine. And I have a lovely grey lap
top case with pink rosebuds. A wardrobe for the baby.
A great big shout out goes out to the human Betsy and Christine I saw
fit to name my future lap top after.
Julia Emily Hathaway


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The Lions of Little Rock

The Lions of Little Rock

Kristin Levine decided to set her second historical fiction book
in Little Rock. Her mother was born there. She was sure that 1957
when Central High was integrated would motivate a great story. When
she traveled to Little Rock and interviewed people, however, she
discovered that what they wanted to discuss even more was 1958, when
all public high schools were closed in a desperate effort to avoid
integration. This less known but equally fascinating "lost year"
provides the background for The Lions of Little Rock.
Marlee, Levine's protagonist, is a bright, shy girl who talks
very little to folks other than favored family members. She packs a
lunch so she doesn't have to tell the cafeteria ladies what she
wants. She's starting junior high and worried that she'll end up
eating by herself. "There are worse things in life than sitting
alone. Like leprosy. Or losing a limb. Or maybe getting your period
in the middle of gym when you're wearing white shorts and the teacher
is a man and you've left all your sanitary napkins at home."
Imagine her delight when an outgoing new girl, Liz, befriends
her and helps her start to come out of her shell. They work together
on an oral report. Liz teaches her ways to speak in front of the
class. Abruptly Liz leaves school. The official story is that she's
sick. Rumors fly that she's been discovered to be a black girl
passing for white. Marlee is desperate to not lose her only real
friend. However, in a time when police would ignore prejudice
inspired violence, even a secret friendship puts them both in danger.
Marlee's family is split on the issue of integration. Her
father thinks it's just plain wrong to keep the schools closed and
deprive students of education. He doesn't see why it would be so
dangerous for white and black kids to learn together. He refuses to
let her big sister, Judy, go to a segregated private acadamy, even
though it means she has to live with her grandmother to continue her
education. Her mother, however, wants the races kept separate, sure
that anything else will lead to racial mixing.
If you want a compelling coming of age story in which the
protagonist finds her voice under very challenging circumstances I
highly recommend The Lions of Little Rock.
On a personal note, well I just took a little walk to the town office
to put my name in to be on a committee to explore the town's fire
service options. I have no idea if I'll get appointed.
A great big shout out goes out to fire fighters who risk their lives
to keep us and our homes safe.
Julia Emily Hathaway


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Who put the B in the Ballyhoo?

Who put the B in the Ballyhoo?

Has anyone ever told you to hold your horses? If so you would
probably have known you were supposed to wait and be patient. Back in
the day before cars became the dominant mode of transportation this
expression had a lot more literal meaning. When a circus came to town
a parade was a pre Internet means of enticing potential ticket
buyers. The cry to hold one's horses was meant to increase
mindfulness and responsibility in their owners. A stampede caused by
the excitement and the sight of exotic beasts like tigers and
elephants would not have been a good thing.
Betcha didn't know that. I didn't either until a few minutes
ago. It's only one of the fascinating facts I gleaned from Carlyn
Beccia's Who Put the B in the Ballyhoo?: Most Amazing, Bizarre, And
Celebrated Circus Performers. I can't imagine how anyone could resist
picking up a book like that.
When I was a child small black and white television sets with 3
commercial and one educational channel were state of the art and
travel to other countries was pretty much the domain of the well off
and at least semi famous. The traveling circus was not only an
entertainment but a means of getting in touch with the exotic.
Imagine how much more this was true in the pre tv, pre radio, pre
airplane days. Who put the B in Ballyhoo? gives a fascinating glimpse
into the acts and sights that mesmerized our forefathers and mothers.
It's one of those richly researched alphabet books that can enchant
and educate both abecedarian (yes, there is such a word) and parent.
If you're wondering what in tarnation ballyhoo means...
...I'm gonna leave you in suspense. Read the book and find out.
On a personal note, when Harriet and I were children the circus was a
real big deal, combining the thrilling and exotic spectacle with the
glamour of a train trip to Boston. I would come back dazzled by the
experience, daydreaming of running away to become a flying trapeze
performer, amazing the crowd by feats of daring, clad in satin and
spangles. That I totally lacked the ability never entered my head.
Each year the neighborhood kids and I would earn a little money
putting on our own backyard version. I stage managed the whole thing
from props to publicity. Of course in my mind that justified casting
myself in the leads of ringmaster and flying trapeze performer. Other
kids received roles comensurate with how I felt about them at the
time. It irritated my mother no end that I unfailingly cast Harriet
(who was stockier) in the role of the circus animals including the
elephants. Hard to believe but for many adults in the working class
and poorer neighborhood I grew up in that was their sole experience of
circus.
A great big shout out goes out to all performers past and present who
contributed and continue to contribute to the greatest show on earth.
Let's stop, however, abusing animals and keeping them under heart
breaking conditions for our amusement. We now know better.
Julia Emily Hathaway



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Sunday, June 9, 2013

Outcasts United

Outcasts United

I don't care whether you're a sports fan or not. You have to
read Outcasts United. It's about young soccer players and their coach
persisting against seemingly insurmountable odds. I'm not talking
about white, suburban Bad News Bears type odds. Most of the athletes
in this book have experienced more heartbreak and tragedy in their
young lives than typical Americans ever do.
This is a story of young refugees from war torn nations we only
know about from the news media. They've had to flee murderous
regimes, sometimes tragically losing loved ones, travel long
distances, and endure the deprivation and uncertainty of refugee
camps. Even in America they and their families face daunting odds as
parents struggle to provide the necessities on low income jobs.
Then there's the coach, Luma. Originally from Jordan, she was
born into a financially well off family. Her parents could afford
private school where she enjoyed freedoms most girls in her country
couldn't. She was even able to play soccer with boys. College in
America left her with the realization that she could not go back to
life under Islamic law. Her father told her that if she remained in
the United States she would be cut off from her family. Can you
imagine having to make that choice?
Luma had to take on more than your average coach. Sometimes
it's a struggle to get even a far from adequate field. Many students
find school really difficult--denied education in their first
countries and having to play catch up in a foreign language. Economic
survival is challenging for families cut off from clan and community.
This is a true story and a compelling one. I hope it will
inspire you. I hope it will help you to see the very human faces
behind the immigrant stereotypes we are always being bombarded with.
On a personal note, one of my favorite signs of summer's arrival. The
hubby bought a bag of freezer pops. They are probably not so great
for my health. But they are so cold and sweet on hot, muggy days.
A great big shout out goes out to my friend Pam. The first time I saw
her she was saying something really wise that I could relate to a
problem I had. I decided I needed her as a friend. So I started
sitting with her at church lunch. It turned out she found stuff in me
to like too. How cool is that?


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Between The Lines

Between The Lines

YA fiction
My younger daughter, Katie, and I have been big Jodi Picoult
fans for quite awhile. We've pursued her adult works ever since I was
assigned to read My Sister's Keeper for book club. We value not only
the evocative richness of plot and setting and authenticity of
character, but the compelling ethical issues raised.
I was quite intrigued when I discovered a YA book coauthored by
Picoult and her daughter, Samantha Van Leer, who is a high school
student. Sammy, as her mom calls her, showed a flair for creative
writing quite early in life. One day she came up with an idea for a
YA novel that set the pair on a two year writing project.
"What if the characters in a book had lives of their own after
the cover was closed?...And what if one of these characters
desperately wanted to get out of his book?
Better yet, what if one of his readers fell in love with him and
decided to help?"
Daughter learned about the hard work that goes into writing a
book. Mother discovered that it can be harder to get a teen to focus
in the face of distraction than to motivate her to do housework.
Fortunately they stuck with their self appointed task. They have
created us a universe where characters move enchantingly and
believably between the worlds of realism and fairy tale.
Reading Between The Lines is quite the unique literary
experience even for a veteran bibliophile. I won't do it the
disservice of trying to describe the plot. I wouldn't begin to do it
justice. Take the plunge. You'll be glad you did.
On a personal note, today was the day the Sunday school kids ran the
church service. What a great way for them to show what they've been
learning! They did an excellent job.
A great big shout out goes out to the Orono United Methodist Church
Sunday school kids and their teachers.
Julia Emily Hathaway


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Saturday, June 8, 2013

Camo Girl

Camo Girl

In their class, Ella and Z, protagonists of Kekla Magoon's Camo
Girl, are the left out, bullied kids. Ella is called Camo Girl
because her skin is varigated shades of brown instead of one uniform
color. When she was younger she had other friends. Now her social
circle has shrunk to encompass the very fragile Z.
Z functions in a fantasy world of his own. Usually he's an
Arthurian knight in shining armor. Sometimes he's a spy on a
mission. He receives no services at school because he gets good
grades and doesn't misbehave. He has Ella to intercede between him
and the rest of the world. She also keeps his secret. Since being
abandoned by his father, he and his mother have been homeless,
sleeping in the store where she works.
Then a cute boy, Bailey, transfers to their school. He
introduces Ella to a whole different world. He teaches her how to
play basketball. They hang out at a soda shop. Some of the other
kids start to accept her.
There's a fly in the ointment. Z reacts strongly against Ella's
new friendships, leaving her torn. As much as she loves her new life
she feels guilty. Z needs her. She's the only one he has.
Maybe, though, he needs more than the help she can give him.
This is a powerful, evocative coming of age novel. I highly
recommend it.
On a personal note, Devin is staying over for the night. I'm staying
up late to watch episodes of That Seventies Show with the boys. Adam
and I used to watch that show all the time when he was a lot younger.
We have brownies with Nutella and milk. Life is good.
A great big shout out goes out to the boys.
Julia Emily Hathaway


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Wonderstruck

Wonderstruck

One of my most enchanted recent literary experiences was reading
Brian Selznick's Wonderstruck, curled up in my favorite chair with my
dear purring lap cat and an ample supply of candy. You know I have a
strong fondness for well done blending of words and illustrations in
books for folks beyond primary school. I had found a masterpiece.
You might say I was wonderstruck.
The protagonists, Ben and Rose, are separated by half a century
but united by a quest. In 1977 Ben has just lost his mother, the only
parent he ever knew, and has moved in with relatives he isn't all that
comfortable with. In his mother's possessions he finds what might be
a clue to his father's identity. He sets out from his Minnesota home
to a book store in New York. In 1927 Rose feels trapped. She's
deaf. Her grim looking father and tutor are working to teach her to
lip read and speak. She longs to be in New York with her famous
actress mother.
Their stories alternate in an intriguing way. Ben's chapters
are in words. Rose's are in pictures--beautifully detailed, evocative
pictures. As they go about their quests to find a place to belong,
another element becomes clear. Somehow their destinies are linked
together.
On a personal note, today my family and friends have been celebrating
the 10th birthday of our precious Joey Cat. He got tuna and lots of
attention.
A great big shout out goes out to Joey and all the other feline
friends who add so much to our lives.
Julia Emily Hathaway


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Hidden

Hidden

Helen Frost is a master of telling complex and emotionally
authentic stories through the medium of poetry. Her narrators emerge
as distinct and empathy worthy beings. In her Hidden two teens, each
of whom has reason to feel that the other ruined her life, must
confront their past and the ways it has shaped their present.
A man steals a mini van, not realizing a little girl waiting for
her mother has dived to the back seat floor and covered herself with a
blanket. Not knowing if she can trust anyone, the child, Wren, stays
hidden in the man's garage--hungry, cold, and terrified. A child her
age, Darra, the car stealer's daughter, learns of her existance and
covertly provides food and water. She has a plan to help Wren escape
and protect her dad. Before she can do this Wren gets away on her own
and leads the police to the garage.
Six years later Darra desperately misses her family as they had
been. Her dad is in prison. Her parents are divorced. She feels
like the life she has is nothing. Wren carries the scars of her
experience. She remembers her trusting, happy childhood self "the way
you might remember your best friend who moved away."
The girls have become cabin mates at camp. Each recognizes the
other immediately.
The more I read books like Hidden, the more I am convinced of
their need. Older kids for whom reading is a challenge deserve
material with emotional depth and credence and age interest that does
not have "dumbed down" written all over it. Pages solid full of dense
paragraphs can be intimidating. Think back to your absolute worst
school subject (for me, organic chemistry) and try to remember how you
felt each time you opened the textbook.
On a personal note, when I got back home and started making a grilled
cheese sandwich Adam realized he wanted one. That made me so happy.
And later the kids and a friend were home to eat my spaghetti and
brownies for supper.
A great big shout out goes out to all the kids for whom reading is a
challenge who don't give up and the teachers who give their all to
help them make sense of the written word.
Julia Emily Hathaway


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Better Than Normal

Better Than Normal

I've waited for this book probably at least half my life. I've
been accused of not being normal. Whatever that means. I heartily
concur. I wouldn't want to change a thing. In my mind my real
strengths and likeability are a direct result of my being wired a
little differently. In Better Than Normal: How What Makes You
Different Can Make You Exceptional Dr. Dale Archer totally vindicates
my way of thinking. He goes on to offer a transformational way of
seeing psychological functioning.
Archer calls the way we now conceive of personality "the box
called normal." It consists of folks who seem okay. The problem: like
the polar ice caps, that island of safety is shrinking much too
quickly. Our society is far too eager to diagnose and medicate.
Mental health disorders currently encompass 26% of our nation's
population.
Archer finds this state of affairs ludicrous. He posits that
there are eight important personality traits, each of which exists on
a continuum. The people who are way at the end of the continuum, who
have the trait to the extent that it interferes with their activities
of daily living or enjoyment of life, may need therapy and/or
medication. People closer to the midpoint would do better to adopt
life styles that make the most of their strengths.
For instance there's the adventurous continuum. At the low end
you have really focussed, calm people. The further up you land, the
more curious and energetic you are. It is only at the highest end
that ADD or ADHD will be dibilitating, despite what many classroom
teachers say. In fact one reason so many kids are diagnosed at school
is that sitting still is not their forte. How about we give them
active hands on learning rather than drugging them into docility? For
adults strong on this trait becoming entrepreneurs or working outside
might be preferable to the office cubicle.
My favorite is the magical continuum. Obviously the end point
of schizophrenia with its total break from reality is not desirable.
However, if you don't get that far but are still dominant you are
highly imaginative, intelligent, and intuitive. You can be a writer.
Because of your empathy and intuition you work well with others. You
can see not only what is, but what can be. You're the out of the box
thinker. Like me. How cool is that?
Ultimately I can't do justice to Better Than Normal. All I can
say is if you want a healthy alternative to pigeonholing and
diagnosing growing numbers of people in service to an increasingly
narrow definition of normal you will find this book really refreshing.
On a personal note, this morning the precip ranged from misting to
downright pouring. The children's wing of the library was quite a
popular destination. We had a great old time.
A great big shout out goes out to all our wonderful Orono Public
Library patrons.
Julia Emily Hathaway


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Season of Life

Season of Life

YA-adult fiction
Some of the toughest periods in anyone's life are those of
uncertainty, of limbo. Say you lose your old job and don't know what
your new one will be like. Or you have to move to a new place. The
space between the old life and the new unknown can be quite the
difficult time.
Genesis, protagonist of Diane Les Becquet's Season of Ice, is in
that kind of limbo. Her father doesn't return from mending a dock.
His truck is where he left it. A full fledged search and rescue
starts, only to become a search and recover when his boat is found
empty. Even that has to be suspended when Moosehead Lake freezes over.
Genesis' mom took off when she was very young. Her dad is the
only one in the family she feels close to. Her fragile stepmother is
a source of need rather than comfort. In fact Genesis must drop out
of high school to work full time so they and the very young twins can
survive financially. This puts distance between her and long time
best friend Annie.
As if that isn't bad enough, there are the rumors. Not everyone
is convinced that her father is dead. Some suspect that he faked his
own demise to start a new life with another woman.
The genesis of Season of Ice came about following a tragedy in
Les Becquet's life. Her cousin disappeared on a fishing trip. His
boat was found; his body wasn't. Not long after that a man vanished
from a cross country skiing trip. Search and rescue efforts had to be
put off until spring because of winter weather. Fortunately for us,
what ifs germinated in her writer's mind. What if someone went
missing on a lake that suddenly froze over? What would life be like
for the bereft family? How would their small town handle the tragedy?
On a personal note, my life is almost totally in limbo. Will I be
reelected to school board Tuesday or will my eight year reign come to
an end? What will board be like when Veazie is a stand alone town
instead of part of a regional school unit? Will I be able to grab
hold of some magic and get into grad school with a teaching
assistantship in 2014? When Leah and I get our first book ready will
it sell? Will I survive when the kids grow up and move out? It's
just about all up in the air.
A great big shout out goes out to my good friends whom I certainly
need in this time of uncertainty.
Julia Emily Hathaway


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Friday, June 7, 2013

Spirit of the Snowpeople

Spirit of the Snowpeople

Picture book
I can't think of a more magical read aloud to share with a
cherished child than Diane Keyes' Spirit of the Snowpeople. The story
and Helen Stevens' illustrations are enchanting. The message it
conveys is timeless.
The story is set in a time when folks were "more easily
pleased." The people follow the rhythms of day and night and seasons.
For the most part they're contented. But long winter days give
children a touch of cabin fever. The adults start a wonderful project
to bring them happiness. The youngsters join right in.
The many intricate snow people they create draw tourists. The
villagers welcome them and give them warm garments when they arrive
inadequately clad. They are there with an answer when spring brings
thaws and the impatient visiters ask if the effort of their creation
wasn't pointless.
If you have ever done something for the pure joy of it or
yearned to and not let yourself, this book is for you. Adults are
probably more in need of its gentle lesson than the children it was
written for. :)
On a personal note, I have decided that if I don't have a job by
September which is very likely I will volunteer at Asa Adams school
mostly for the pure joy of it.
A great big shout out goes out to the Asa Adams family.
Julia Emily Hathaway


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My Book Of Life

My Book Of Life

YA and up
You approach a swimming pool on a hot day. You debate inching
in bit by bit or diving into the deep end. You decide to take the
plunge. At first the water is so cold it takes your breath away.
Then before you know it you are immersed in the element.
That's what it's like to start reading Martine Leavitt's My Book
Of Life By Angel. On the first page you learn several things. You
learn that the narrator and her friend are prostitutes. You learn
that her friend has gone missing like others before her. Chances are
her friend is dead. You learn that these girls don't fit whatever
stereotype you may have of very young hookers. Speaking of her
missing friend, Angel says,
"She said her heart's desire was to see sn angel.
She said, if I could see an angel
That would mean I'm still God's little girl."
That's right. The book is in poetry. Leavitt uses tender, sensitive
verse where others deal in hard, blunt prose. You know what? It
works. Amazingly. It draws readers into a way of life most of us
would really rather not know much about and leaves us caring.
Call, her pimp, had caught Angel shop lifting a shoe and told
her her secret was safe with him. He began buying her meals and
listening to her. He turned her on to drugs. When her father caught
her using and kicked her out, he brought her into his home and his
world.
Now Angel stands on her corner, hooks up with johns, tells them
she's thirteen instead of sixteen to earn more money. She knows that
girls in her trade aren't just going missing. They're being killed.
"I tried to imagine being dead
And what if there was no feeling, no dreaming, no nothing
Just not existing?"
One night Call goes too far. He brings Melli, an eleven-year-
old child home to introduce her to the business. Angel is determined
to protect her and get her out of that environment. It will take a
miracle. Call has said if she leaves and takes Melli he'll hurt her
beloved little brother, Jeremy.
I have to say something about Widow. She's an older woman whose
turf is next to Angel's. She's been hurt so badly by a client she
can't remember her given name. Despite claiming not to be a
babysitter, she does her best to protect Angel and Melli. When you
read what the cops, the supposed good guys, do to her...
Although Angel and her friends are fictional characters, sadly
the story is based on truth. Pimps trap young girls into prostitution
by pretending to care. They keep them from leaving by methods such as
getting them hooked on drugs or threatening to hurt or kill family
members. Sometimes serial killers prey on sex workers. Police don't
seem really motivated to solve those cases.
On a personal note, it makes me livid that people would sell girls
like that.
A great big shout out goes out to all who try to help them get better
lives and futures.
Julia Emily Hathaway


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a creature was stirring

a creature was stirring

Harriet and I, back when we were little kids, had the hardest
time getting to sleep on Christmas Eve. We were sure if we were awake
when Santa arrived in the morning we'd find empty stockings and
nothing under the tree. This did not bode well for restful slumber.
Youngsters with similar anxieties will really be able to relate to
Carter Goodrich's A Creature Was Stirring: One Boy's Night Before
Christmas.
The book is split, each left page carrying Clement Clark Moore's
traditional verses in fancy gold lettering, each right page carrying a
young boy's anxious thoughts. He's awake. That in itself is a no
no. He's also peeked out the window. A friend has told him there's
no such thing as Santa.
It turns out to be a very good thing our young hero isn't in
dreamland. If you want to find out why...
...read the book already! :)
On a personal note, now I've also had the Christmas eves trying to get
three kids to sleep a few hours before the big day. I don't know.
When they go to sleep like it's any old night now, something is
missing. I don't want to think about what it will be like when they
aren't here.
A great big shout goes out to my wonderful kids.
Julia Emily Hathaway


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Finding Your Inner Moose

Finding Your Inner Moose

Oh my gosh! Did you ever find yourself at the end of the day
wanting to relax with an outrageously amusing book? Try Susan
Poulin's Finding Your Inner Moose: Ida LeClair's Guide to Livin' the
Good Life. If you're the mom of little ones, try to tuck them into
bed first. It might not be easy to explain exactly what is so funny.
Out heroine, Ida, is at the stage in life where she wonders just
exactly what she did to deserve a turkey gobbler neck. She and high
school sweetheart hubby, Charlie, Lord of the Barcalounger, live in a
double wide trailer in a Maine burg not included on many maps. She
wouldn't have it any other way. "I just love living in a small town--
it gives you a real sense of community when you're greeted by name."
Ida cashiers at Super Food World and enjoys crafts and line
dancing. She has adventures with her five best friends. They call
themselves Women Who Run With the Moose. (For some reason that beat
out Women Who Crawl With the Lobster.) Let me tell you--those girls
know how to live it up.
Whether Ida and Charlie are suffering through a cabbage soup
diet, the girls are training for the Super Bowl of shopping--Black
Friday at the Bangor Mall, or niece Caitlin is feng shui-ing the
double wide, the book is humor at its best. But it's more than
funny. Ida claims to be a certified Maine Guide. She dispenses
wisdom a lot of women need to subscribe to in this world:
*Don't limit your family to blood and in-laws. Create your own A-Team.
*Don't let other people trip you up with yeah-buts.
*Remember to laugh.
*Banish the energy vampires ("friends" who deplete your energy).
*Listen to your inner voice.
*Do the things you also wanted to do...
Words to live by! That's for sure!
Ida was the result of an epiphany Poulin had in 1996.
Traditional Maine humor was a Yankee thing, not reflecting her Franco-
American culture. She wanted to see the strong, confident women she
grew up loving and respecting represented. I want to see a lot more
of Ida in the upcoming years.
On a personal note, this a volume my book club needs to read and
discuss. Maybe it will give us some fun ideas.
A great big shout out goes out to my book club girlz.
Julia Emily Hathaway


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The Flying Santa

The Flying Santa

Picture book
Who can resist a true story about a flying Santa from the early
days of aviation? Not me. That's for sure. I was truly glad that I
gave in to temptation.
Back in aviation's early days Bill Wincapaw, protagonist of Joe
McHugh's The Flying Santa, worked on engines for planes. His longing
for the freedom birds had led him to take lessons and become a
certified pilot. He built his own plane. How cool is that? He was
living his dream.
Tragedy struck. Bill's brother, Sterling, was killed in a plane
crash. Bill and his wife, Edna, decided that aviation was too risky
for their family's future. He became captain of a lobster boat. He
never, however, forgot his love of flying. Read the book to see how
his regained passion led to a tradition of giving to isolated
lighthouse keepers' families.
The story is riveting and true. It leaves you believing in
wonderful possibilities. The pictures are lovely and, in some cases,
quite dynamic. If you want to learn a choice tidbit of Maine history,
if you are fascinated by aviation, or if you enjoy a truly uplifting
story--read The Flying Santa and share it with the youngsters in your
life.
On a personal note, I dearly love to fly, especially in small low
altitude planes that give such wonderful views of Polly Pocket size
towns, cities, farms, and forests. Of course because of my bad
eyesight I can only go as a passenger. I will never forget the day my
Adam asked his dad for money to try a flight lesson. The instructor
asked if I wanted to ride in back. Well yeah. I was there when my
son learned what he wanted to do with his life, where his passion
lay. I was truly privileged.
A great big shout out goes out to my future pilot who will take me
places I have never dreamed of going.
Julia Emily Hathaway


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World According To Dog

World According To Dog

Do you love dogs? Do you find beauty in their sweet faces,
their devotion and loyalty? Are you amused by their antics? If so,
you must read Joyce Sidman's The World According To Dog. It will put
a smile on your face.
Sidman's poems are delightful. They cover many aspects of
canine life. Always Take A Dog is a lovely observation of a dog
exploring nature. Dog In Bed explains how love will take up as much
space as you will let it have.
Interspersed are narratives by teens about their beloved pets.
There's everything from teaching a new arrival the rules of the house
through valuing pooch as trusted confidente to the heartbreak of the
final loss. The book can be summed up in one girl's words: "Comet is
the best dog. I wouldn't trade him for the world because he is my
world."
The heart warming pictures are a perfect accompaniment.
On a personsl note, one of my favorite dogs in the world is Oscar. He
lives across the street from me. When I step out of my house so often
he calls out to me for attention, dancing eagerly, tail wagging. When
I stratch him behind the ears he sighs with contentment. He never
fails to make my day some brighter.
A great big shout out goes out to Oscar and all the other dogs who
make the world so much more bright and beautiful.
Julia Emily Hathaway


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Anything But Typical

Anything But Typical

We don't know a whole lot about autism: how it develops, why it
is showing such a huge increase, perhaps most essentially what it
feels like. This is truly unfortunate. These days whenever someone
kills a lot of people one of the first questions asked is if the
person had autism. In too many people's minds autism spectrum and
aspbergers are becoming linked with violence and danger.
Jason, protagonist of Norah Raleigh Baskin's Anything But
Typical has been diagnosed with ASD (autism spectrum disorder). His
mother prefers NLD (nonverbal learning disorder) or PDD-NOS (pervasive
developmental disorder, non-specific). In Jason's words, "When
letters are put together, they can mean so much, and they can mean
nothing at all."
School can be quite the challenge for Jason. Neurotypicals (his
word for the nondiagnosed) can be difficult to understand. The school
librarian says he should show appreciation to a classmate. But how do
you show a feeling? Draw a picture? People get impatient while he
struggles to grasp the situation. The librarian makes things worse by
putting her hands on his shoulders. Jason has had a one on one aide
to help him with clues snd strategies through fifth grade. Now in
sixth grade he's on his own to navigate the noisy, complex known as
middle school.
Jason enjoys writing and posting stories. He's become friends
with a girl who also uses the storyboard website. Then he realizes
that she will be attending a writers' conference his parents have
signed him up for. How can she still like him if she meets him in
person?
I highly recommend this book, especially for folks who don't
understand that kids like Jason are far more at risk of being hurt by
neurotypicals than the other way around.
On a personal note, I have a sister who has brain damage. Growing up
I saw so many cruel things that neurotypicals did to a kid without a
mean bone in her body. I don't see things getting better. That is one
of the most important challenges of the 21st century.
A great big shout out goes out to Sharon Brady, special education
director extraordinaire, and the duprrb team she has assembled. Their
trailer is one of my favorite places on the face of this earth. Way
to be AWESOME!
Julia Emily Hathaway



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Fancy Nancy

Fancy Nancy

Picture books
Ooh la la! Jane O'Connor's Fancy Nancy is magnifique! That's
French (Fancy Nancy loves all things French) for magnificent which is
a fancy word for great. If you have not met up with this unique snd
splendiferous protagonist (fancy word for heroine), pop on over to
your library's picture book and essy section and make her acquaintance.
Fancy Nancy is no toddler in tiara. She's the exuberant (fancy
for energetic) antithesis of the sultry, pouty or defined as consumer
school child. She has a very vivid imagination and robust (fancy for
strong) self esteem. Those are the sources of her unique and
beautiful wardrobe. She doesn't have Mom running to the mall to shell
out big bucks so she can look like everyone else.
Fancy Nancy is resilient and resourceful. She can take the kind
of disasters that would have many a kid in full melt down mode and
save the day. When everything goes wrong so her parents can't get
her, her little sister, and a friend to a long awaited planetarium
field trip, she creates her own family star watching event. When the
elaborate Christmas tree topper she bought crashes and shatters (fancy
for breaks too badly to fix), with the help of her grandmother and
little sister, she creates a new one.
Finally Fancy Nancy is a girl of many words. She likes to find
just the right ones to capture the nuances of her thoughts and
feelings. In fact in the series there's an alphabet book of her
favorite fancy words. I believe fifty years from now our Nancy can
become a magnifique (magnificent, remember) writer, dressing vividly
and creatively and strutting her literary stuff like moi. (I'll let
you guess what that's French for.)
On a personal note, I embrace my inner Fancy Nancy. I am the only
school board chair I've heard of who has people ask a week ahead what
she will wear to meetings. Perhaps this is why when I graduated
college I was voted most unforgettable senior woman. Even now I am
still unforgettable.
A great big shout out goes out to all my sisters young and old who
embrace their Fancy Nancy and live in unique and unforgettable ways!
Julia Emily Hathaway


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Will At The Battle

Will At The Battle

There is a basic subgenre of coming of age books for boys. The
young hero has a romantic view of war. He encounters the real thing.
His attitude changes markedly. Laurie Calkhoven's Will at the Battle
of Gettysburg is a bright shining star of this type of novel.
As the story opens Will wishes he could have mustered in with
older brother Jacob to fight in the Union Army. He's sure he could
help hold the country together and gain glory. Heck, there are lots
of twelve-year-old drummers. The only problem: enlistees under
eighteen need parental permission. There is no way his mother will
ever sign off on that.
Jacob has been captured by the Rebs and is languishing in a
prison camp. His doctor father is in Washington DC trying to
negotiate a prisoner exchange. Will tries to be the man of the house
and make him proud. Even that small piece of importance is denied him
by bossy older sister Grace.
Unexpectedly the field of battle changes to Will's own town,
Gettysburg. There's shelling on his own street. His home becomes a
hospital for badly wounded soldiers. The actuality of war is nothing
like he thought it would be. "I had not imagined the sharp hot smell
of blood mixed with saltpeter. I had not imagined men running
scared. I had not imagined joy in the killing. The words, 'Got 'em',
echoed in my ears.". That's the point where he is given a vital
mission--to help a wounded officer deliver an urgent communication to
General Meade, the officer in charge of the whole Union Army. He
agrees to do so, even though almost paralyzed by the realization that
that act could be his last.
On a personal note, I had never imagined that any of my children would
be interested in the military. With my brother-in-law enamored with
the Navy I shouldn't have been blindsided. I was. Well my sincere
hope and prayer is that Adam's Navy years are ones in which the United
States has no involvement whatsoever in war. I don't want him to
learn first hand how different war is from promises of recruiters.
A great big shout out goes out to all peace activists. Blessed be!
Julia Emily Hathaway



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Children In Nature

Children In Nature

Kids in general don't go out and play like they did when I was
young. Increasingly they're inside, bonding with electronic devices,
learning about their world indirectly rather than through experience.
Writers like Richard Louv (Last Child in the Woods) have written
eloquently of the dangers of this trend and the need to reverse it.
Recently in the library I found two lovely hands on activity guides to
help parents do just that.
Jennifer Ward's i love dirt (forward by Richard Louv) consists
of 52 activities grouped by season. Spring (activities for warm days
and rainy weather) includes focusing on outdoor sounds and building a
nest. Summer (activities for hot days and warm nights) includes ant
observation, creating a butterfly garden, and, my favorite, back yard
tenting. Fall (activities for cool days and cloudy weather) includes
finding a thinking spot, camoflage hide and seek, and watching spiders
spin webs. Winter (activities for cold days and snowy weather)
includes making food treats for birds, playing in the snow, and
looking for tracks and trails.
Joseph Cornell's Sharing Nature with Children is a 20th
anniversary edition. Cornell's fifty games are based on his
experience as a nature-awareness instructor and built around five
principles:
*teach less and share more
*be receptive
*focus the child's attention without delay
*look and experience first; talk later
*a sense of joy should permeate the experience (my favorite).
Each game is prefaced by a box listing what it teaches, where and when
it can be played, how many people are needed, optimum age range, and
special materials that may be needed. Some games include blind walk,
predator prey, scavenger hunt, animal clue relay, and bat and moth.
Narratives from Cornell's experiences enliven the book.
i love dirt is a great introduction to outdoor play. Just about
anyone anywhere can make the activities work. A lot are great for
teen age babysitters. Sharing Nature With Children takes a bit more
organization but still seems quite doable. This book would be a great
resource for groups like scout troops.
On a personal note, I was very lucky to grow up with parents who
appreciated nature. I spent much of my childhood at the beach, the
woods, anywhere wild and wonderful. The hubby and I did the same with
our kids. Some wealthier peers parents thought me negligent. I don't
agree. I think some of their most enchanting childhood hours were at
camp or tenting or just at a nearby stream, waterfall, and field,
climbing a favorite tree, sledding down Cow Hill...
A great big shout out goes out to parents who encourage or at least
allow their kids to play outside.
Julia Emily Hathaway


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Simplicity Parenting

Simplicity Parenting

Being a parent myself, I have a healthy skepticism when it comes
to how to parenting books by experts. It's a minority that engage me
right through to the end. I have to say, however, I like Kim John
Payne's Simplicity Parenting. The premise feels right. Kids today
can have too much in every sense of the word and be suffocated rather
than empowered.
The first dimension Payne delineates is things. We give with
the best of intentions, not really seeing the downside. An
overabundance of toys can make it hard for a child to truly value
one. Some items are age inappropriate. Toys that are too highly
programmed can stifle the development of imagination. Ironically the
very toys touted as giving babies and toddlers an intellectual edge
can stand in the way of crucial developmental tasks. There are tips
for mindful pruning.
The second too much is randomness rather than security giving
rythym. This, I think, is the hardest with both parents often working
and kids in sports and other activities. Payne suggests that even
small rituals like brushing teeth and listening to bed time stories
could be a good start, providing islands of regularity.
The third too muchness is schedules. When Amber was in second
grade I tried to invite one of her friends over, only to be told that
she had lessons and activities every day of the week. Holy Hannah!
Some enrichment is good. Pursuing passions can be wonderful for
youngsters. However, a deficit in down time leaves a child no space
for rest, contemplation, inspiration, or referee less play where kids
learn to negotiate. Payne favors paring down to a child's favorite
activities. This can also bring much needed peace to the chauffering
parent.
The last area of too muchness Payne points out is the in your
face information overload of the adult world. It's not only kids
being exposed to content. It's them being exposed to our reaction to
content. If the constant discussion of frightening, rare instances
has us fearful for their safety, our sons and daughters will catch
this fear.
I would commend Simplicity Parenting to any mother or father who
feels overwhelmed or intimidated by the too muchness today's world has
to offer or simply wants a slower, saner family life.
On a personal note, I found a quote that relates to this blog.
"Loving something for its own sake--not for its potential in fame,
glory, or music scholarships is far from ordinary. It's an
extraordinary blessing...". Writing this blog for you, dear readers,
feels like an extraordinary blessing.
A great big shout out goes out to you, my dear readers.
Julia Emily Hathaway



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Thursday, June 6, 2013

Out Of Reach

Out Of Reach

YA fiCtion
The cover of Carrie Arcus' Out Of Reach says it all. "How do
you find someone who doesn't want to be found?". Protagonist Rachel
really needs to know. Older brother Micah has disappeared--maybe for
good. Her home has become a tomb with their parents so filled with
grief and fear they've ceased to notice the child still within reach.
Growing up, Rachel and Micah had played their roles
consistantly. Rachel had been the straight A, student government,
athlete achiever. Micah had not really been involved with anything
until he became hooked on meth. He went through rehab that didn't
really take. Now he's vanished. Rachel has received an email message
warning her that Micah may be in grave danger.
Rachel and Tyler, Micah's best friend, are searching for Micah
at places he's frequented, seeing a scary, shabby side of life.
Meeting people who have been in his world, learning whole new
dimensions of his personality. Rachel has to also deal with memories
and guilt. Maybe if she'd tried to help, maybe if she'd told their
parents he'd still be with them.
Out Of Reach is well written and evocative. I highly recommend
it to mature teen and adult readers.
On a personal note, during Amber's early high school years I used to
walk the two miles to the bus stop with her. One day a man who worked
near the bus stop commended me on having a clean daughter. His
daughter had then been addicted to drugs for years and almost died
twice by overdose. He talked about never being able to go to bed
secure in the knowledge he wouldn't hear from police, hospital, or
morgue. That really stuck with me. Now all three kids are doing
amazingly well. I am deeply appreciative, even more so from hearing
this poor man's story. I get very aggravated when the hubby only sees
what they don't do like cleaning and dishes. So many people would
give anything to be in our shoes.
A great big shout out goes out to parents who continue to love and try
to help their hard to reach kids.
Julia Emily Hathaway


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Ungifted

Ungifted

YA fiction
Gordon Korman's Ungifted is a really funny book that raises
serious questions. The adult ineptitude that sets the stage for
protagonist Donovan's escapades would have me calling for the
resignation of quite a few in charge of his fictitious school system,
starting with the superintendent.
Donovan's favorite moments are the fleeting ones between when he
pulls a prank and when the consequences hit. These happen quite
frequently. He habitually acts on impulse. So how does a boy who
admits to being a poster child for don't-try-this-at-home get into his
school system's prestigious gifted and talented academy? Combine his
impulsiveness with administrative ineptitude at all levels.
Donovan's new status comes about as an error on the part of his
quite left behind superintendent. He knows he doesn't belong. But he
has to hide out there. The superintendent is on the war path, looking
for him at his old school. He's caused major damage by knocking the
four hundred pound globe off a statue of Atlas (fastened quite
shoddily), enabling it to roll down a hill and trash his school gym
(which is poorly maintained).
Donovan is quite a few IQ points short of his new classmates.
But he has some important assets they lack. To see how he transforms
them in wonderful, unanticipated ways, read the book. You'll be glad
you did.
On a personal note, the kids around here are counting down. The last
day of school, the traditional field day and PTO cook out, is a week
from today.
A great big shout out goes out to all who go all out to give the kids
a great send off.
Julia Emily Hathaway


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Prairie Evers

Prairie Evers

Prairie, heroine of Ellen Airgood's Prairie Evers, has led an
idyllic life. She's been home schooled by her beloved grammie on the
basis of her interests rather than a standardized curriculum. She
hasn't harbored any desire to share a classroom with the few loud
youngsters living near her in the North Carolina mountains.
Change comes quickly. Her mother inherits a house up north. The
family moves. It's too much for her grammie who goes back home,
leaving Prairie with no educational program and the need to start
attending public school.
Prairie has started raising hens and selling their eggs. This
shows in the ways she thinks of her impending school experience.
She'll be caged in with loud kids all day. They'll have an
established pecking order. She'll be at the bottom of it.
Most of Prairie's peers live down to her expectations. However,
there's one quiet girl, Ivy, who, with some persistance on Prairie's
part, becomes a friend. This is a mixed blessing for Prairie. Her
first ever peer chum brings perplexing challenges as well as good times.
Ivy's mom, devastated by a former loss, pays very little
attention to her daughter. A new boyfriend begins to court her.
Plans are afoot for the little family to join him. Prairie thinks
this would be very bad for Ivy. But how can she step in and rescue
her friend, especially with her wise friend so far away?
Prairie Evers is a delightful coming of age story with a spunky
heroine, a true reading delight.
On a personal note, we're only four days away from the Veazie
elections. We get to see if the school budget gets passed and I get
reelected.
A great big shout out goes out to residents of Veazie who care about
kids and education to get out and vote.
Julia Emily Hathaway


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Animals Welcome

Animals Welcome

My Amber loves being read to. From earliest infancy up to when
she left home this was a major part of our quality time. (Boy, Howdy,
do I miss it!) Mysteries were a favorite genre. Needless to say, I
developed a deep appreciation for the writings of Peg Kehret.
Recently I saw that grand lady smiling and holding a grey cat on
the cover of a library book. The title: Animals Welcome: A Life of
Reading, Writing, and Rescue also grabbed my attention. When I
realized that the book was a real life memoir I was totally hooked.
Quite fittingly, when I chose to read it, sitting near our lovely
Christmas tree on New Years Eve, my Joey cat occuppied my lap, purring
contentedly.
Peg and her husband, Carl, built a log cabin dream house on ten
acres of woodland. The land has wildlife certification. All of it
except for house and driveway is maintained in a natural state and is
visited on a regular basis by critters great and small: elk, deer,
possoms, quail, grouse... In my favorite mental image from the book
white haired Peg uses a book award bell to scare a much heavier black
bear in pursuit of bird seed from her porch.
There were inside critters as well as outside ones. The Kehrets
shared their abode with cats and dogs. Some stayed on a long term
basis, others only long enough to get adopted. Some inspired
children's stories. The Pete the Cat books are a tribute to a feline
who would walk on Peg's keyboard, creating gibberish, when she left
her office.
Tragedy entered Peg's life when her beloved Carl died during
heart surgery. She chose to stay in the dream home they had shared.
She was not sure what to do with the workshop where he'd restored
antique musical instruments, but she desperately wanted it to continue
to be a warm, cheerful place. She turned it into a foster home for
cats who needed special care. Two days later she received a cat who
was "afraid of everything and everyone" and needed to be socialized so
he could be adoptable.
Animals Welcome, in my mind, is a must read for Peg Kehret fans,
animal lovers, and all who enjoy a heart warming story.
On a personal note, when I was a kid growing up I was always bringing
home unwanted cats. Once neighbors asked mom to have me bring over a
cup of sugar. When I arrived at their house I was perplexed to see a
full sugar bowl. The husband had been fishing when he saw a live
kitten in the ocean clinging to a piece of wood. They needed to find
her a home and knew which of Mom's daughters was overly fond of feline
friends.
A great big shout out goes out to all who help precious creatures find
homes and families.
Julia Emily Hathaway


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City Chickens

City Chickens

Little baby chickens are the cutest little balls of down, aren't
they? Our children ooh and aah when they hatch in a classroom
incubator. They can seem like the perfect Easter gift. But when the
lesson unit ends or they morph into smelly, gangly creatures who poop
a lot they can find themselves homeless, joined by the birds who are
found to be too much work for would be poultry farmers, turn out to be
roosters, or are liberated from illegal cock fighting operations. Ill
equipped for urban survival, where can they go?
If they're lucky enough to be abandoned in Minneapolis they may
end up in Chicken Run Rescue. Here they can receive vetinary care,
nourishing food, shelter, outdoor space to take dirt baths and hunt
for insects, names, and attention until they are adopted. (The ones
who aren't have a home for life.) Christine Hepperman's City Chickens
tells the story of this haven and the couple who have made it their
life mission.
Mary Clouse was deeply disturbed by the sight of a neglected
pony at a county fair. Although he grew up in a hunting tradition,
Bert Clouse gave his guns away after shooting a chipmunk. When they
moved to Minneapolis they bought a home, started a business mending
old books, and began taking unwanted animals. At first they took in
all kinds: dogs, cats, birds. Then Mary was told about thirteen
roosters taken when a cock fighting operation was broken up. Seven of
the birds were euthanized because they were too badly hurt to
survive. The other six were about to be put down because no one
wanted them.
Mary decided their home would become a home for unwanted
chickens. Bert went along with her. There was a lot of work: building
pens, acquiring a permit, getting in the loop to learn about abandoned
birds.. When they received their first feathered guest, Henrietta,
Mary knew how she wanted to spend her life.
The stories of Mary and Bert's feathered friends are
delightful. The pictures are lively and colorful. This gem of a book
is, in my mind, a must read for animal lovers.
On a personal note, if you take time to watch chickens you will see
they are very individual sentient creatures with many endearing
traits, beings who deserve much better than the inferno created by
factory farming.
A great big shout out goes out to all who enable chickens to enjoy the
lifestyle God and/or evolution designed them for.
Julia Emily Hathaway


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Kids of Kabul

Kids of Kabul

Four young girls gaze at us from the cover of Deborah Ellis'
Kids of Kabul: Living Bravely Through A Never Ending War. In the
text many children, some as young as ten and eleven, tell their photo
accompanied stories. You'll get to meet;
*Aman who lost fifteen members of his family in a Taliban killing spree
*Saoaf who lived through the rocket strike that destroyed her home and
killed her family
*Ajmal who begs on the streets with his sister
*Shyah who at fourteen is crippled from broken legs sustained in infancy
*Nilab who has lived with her mother in prison
*Sukina who at FIFTEEN has been on the run for several years after
escaping from an abusive forced marriage
It is quite the experience to read about these horrific experiences
told in the voices of the very young. It is amazing that one of the
threads running through the book is that of hope. Things that would
be commonplace for us are sources of joy for them: the chance to
learn to read, rescued relics from Afghanistan's past, sports, a safe,
fenced in garden, a library with ten shelves... Despite having
experienced the worst life has to offer they believe in a bright
future for themselves and their nation. Talk about the resilience of
the human spirit!
I think this book should be widely read. However, I have one
caveat. Not all children are ready for it. More sensitive kids might
find it much too disturbing. Middle schoolers might not be able to
handle the idea of kids their age being forced into often abusive
marriages to much older men.
On a personal note, this sure puts the stuff I kvetch about into
perspective.
A great big shout out goes out to the incredibly brave children and
families who must live through never ending wars and all who work to
help them.
Julia Emily Hathaway


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Countdown

Countdown

I do love reading books. You may have guessed by now. Even
after decades of bibliophilia I still have experiences that are unique
and memorable. A recent one was encountering Deborah Wiles' Countdown.
Protagonist Frannie and her fifth grade classmates are on the
playground at recess. The air-raid signal goes off. Even the teachers
aren't quite sure what to do. Outside with no desk to duck under,
Frannie is sure they are all going to die.
The year is 1962. The island of Cuba is on everyone's minds.
President Kennedy announces that Russia is preparing missile sites
there capable of launching attacks on any city in the United States.
Franny and her peers are constantly being reminded that no matter
where they go and what they do they must be prepared to protect
themselves from nuclear annihilation by way of atom bomb. You
understand the depth of the fear in kids' minds when you read
Frannie's reaction to her parents' evening plans the day after
Kennedy's speech: "Bowling, last night we were worried about being
incinerated, and tonight there is bowling?"
Frannie's personal world reflects the turbulance of the national
scene. Her war veteran uncle is gung ho to tear up the lawn to build
a bomb shelter. Her very proper mom feels that talk about bombs is
inappropriate for young ears. Her military dad is often away, dealing
with the crisis. Her college sister is involved in mysterious
activities. Her younger brother carries a dog eared volume of Our
Friend The Atom around like a security blanket. Her best friend is
ditching her for other girls in a very mean way...
If this was just a fascinating story with plausible characters
and a thought provoking premise, that would be enough. Its format
makes it so much more. Momentos from 1962 including:
*duck and cover literature featuring Bert the Turtle
*Miss America's crowning
*pictures from the Civil Rights Movement
*the cover of a Nancy Drew book
*pictures of families posing in bomb shelters
can really help bring that time alive for kids who weren't born then.
It's a brilliant melding of word and image. Some pages carry ironic
juxtapositions. The beginning of the Students for a Democratic Society
manifesto is superimposed on a picture of an immaculately coiffed and
groomed woman with the prerequisite pearl necklace pouring tea into a
china cup. A Civil Defense poster is overlaid with the words to Where
Have All The Flowers Gone?.
On the title page Countdown is billed as book one of a sixties
trilogy. I simply can't wait to see what comes next.
On a personal note, I remember the cold war. I did my best back then
not to think about it. In my mind there was not really anything we
could do. I was not at all convinced that school issue desks would
save us from nuclear anihilation. Poof. We'd be dust. At least it
would be fast. Now Smokey the Bear terrified me. When he announced
that "only you can prevent forest fires" I took that as a mandate. I
used to lie awake nights thinking how in the world I'd pull that off.
A great big shout out goes out to our schools' guidance counselors who
help our kids cope with concerns ranging from our nation's fears to
what goes down at home and on the playground.
Julia Emily Hathaway


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Wednesday, June 5, 2013

Dinner: A Love Story

Dinner: A Love Story

One day Jenny Rosenstrach, magazine editor, cookbook author, and
dinner diarist, went out to lunch with a friend who was feeling
extremely guilty about not cooking for her children. She offered to
help with meal planning, shopping, list creation, and other forms of
organization. As she did she came to a key realization. For many
women supper time had become a source of serious stress rather than a
tine to relax with the family.
"Every time that Mom makes a meal that her kid doesn't eat or that
ends up being devoured hyena-like in thirty seconds flat (without a
single word uttered between bites, let alone a thank you) or eaten
while siblings are screaming at each other across the uneaten
spinach...she sees it as a referendum on her own self worth. It's not
much dinner she's looking at; it's a giant report card."
Her concern for parents with faith in family dinners but not the
ability to pull them off led to a website entitled Dinner: A Love
Story and the wonderful book with the same name I'm reviewing.
Dinner: A Love Story is a must read for the recipes alone.
Beautifully photographed, I must say. They are based on wholesome
ingredients. Prep is not too complex for that late afternoon time
when hungry kids need supervision and sometimes a referee. See if
these dishes don't sound inviting:
*curried chicken with apples
*pomegranate pork loin with cabbage
*Greek style shrimp with feta
*rainbow salad
*spicy grilled pineapple salsa
*zucchini fries
*pan fried Hawaiian pizza
Even some of the meat dishes can be adapted for vegetarian cuisine as
in curried chik patties.
Wonderful narrative surrounds the recipes. Starting with her
childhood recollections, Rosenstrach shares memories over quite a few
years. These reflections range from the practical (expanding your
food horizons and those of your children) to the whimsical.
I found this combination of recipe and reflection simply
delightful.
On a personal note, the hubby complained about hot dogs and beans. He
was the one who bought them at the store. He has decided to cook for
himself. I have no objections to that.
A great big shout goes out to my fellow vegetarians including my three
kids who introduced me to the life style.


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Ruby Redfort

Ruby Redfort

I've long been a Lauren Child Fan. Her Charlie and Lola picture
books are the cat's pajamas. (Spoken as someone who has quite a bit
of Lola in her). So when I was shelving YA books at Orono Public
Library and saw that she had penetrated this demographic I was
intrigued. Let's face it. When taking this big of an age leap target
audience wise authors tend to succeed or bomb on a spectacular scale.
Child succeeds brilliantly with Ruby Redfort Look Into My Eyes.
Create a heroine like a cross between an older Lola and Roald Dahl's
Matilda, place her in an environment peopled by hopelessly clueless
adults, and throw in a high stakes mystery. You have a total page
turner.
Ruby is a gifted and observant young lady with a gift for code
cracking. As the book opens she is watching and making notes about a
suspicious looking cake delivery truck. She has accumulated 622 such
notebooks. Not even best friend Clancy has read them.
The adults in Ruby's world tend to be blithering idiots. "Ruby
had been born to parents who never would be giving Einstein a run for
his money." The adults at her school are in the same league. Mrs.
Digby who runs the household scene seems to be the only person past
teen years with any hope of Darwinian survival.
Things begin to happen. Mrs. Digby and the entire contents of
the Redfort home are stolen. Clueless Mom and Das hire a butler who
is obviously not a butler. The housemaids elbow he is nursing turns
out to be a gunshot wound. A series of intriguing codes lures Ruby to
an underground spy agency in need of her particular talents.
Oh, yeah, and did I mention a museum and neighboring bank in
Ruby's town are about to acquire very theft worthy treasures?
I just have one thing to say. I sure hope Lauren Child is
cooking up a sequel.
On a personal note, I've just about caught up on the house stuff. I
took time off to volunteer on Operation Clean Sweep. A group of
college students, Lisa who runs student volunteering, and I did up a
yard sale of items left behind by students. There was a lot of work
but also plenty of time to talk and joke around and be silly. Lisa
sent for restaurant food. It was like summer camp. The clothes room,
dubbed Julia's closet had piles taller than me. That sale netted over
$4,000 for campus volunteer programs. Multitudes were thrilled with
their finds. It was all good.
A great big shout out goes out to Lisa and the clean sweep gang. It
was, as always, a pleasure working with you.
Julia Emily Hathaway


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Talking Back To Facebook

Talking Back To Facebook

Parenting
When I was a kid we had three commercial channels and one
educational channel on tv. Movies were shown in down town theaters,
often beautifully constructed and adorned generations ago, and at
drive ins. Parents let you know what you could and couldn't see.
Coveted electronics were record players and transistor radios. I had
no idea growing up what my kids would have access to. I bet at least
a few of you can relate.
Modern technology is quite the mixed blessing for today's
families. On one hand there are amazing opportunities for learning,
communication, and discovery. On the other hand, unless you've been
hibernating in a cave for at least a decade, you're as much aware of
the challenges as I am.
Parents today have lots of questions:
*Is it dangerous to post cute baby pictures online?
*How can youngsters with older siblings be sheltered from age
inappropriate material?
*How do you maintain your household's media rules when your child is
on a play date?
*Does my child need a cell phone?
*How old is old enough for Facebook and YouTube?
*How do I shield my kids from online porn?
If you have those questions or similar ones, I highly recommend
James Steyer's Talking Back To Facebook. It's a highly readable
volume that intersperses theory and advice with anecdote. In addition
to being an authority in the field of media safety, Steyer has street
creds. He's a father of four who faces the same challenges the rest
of us do.
Talking Back To Facebook is divided into two sections. The
first is the more theoretical. Steyer eloquently discusses the
dangers he sees: implications for relationships and self image,
potential for attention and addiction issues, privacy loss dangers,
the collection of info on kids to fine tune sales pitches, and the
loss of innocence. He also suggests ways of embracing technology's
benefits. If you're tempted to skip this part don't. It builds an
excellent foundation for what is to come.
The second part is more slanted to the practical. The timeline
of birth to fifteen is broken up into two and three year segments.
Each one contains:
*a developmental overview
*frequently asked questions and answers
*guidelines for parent and child.
I think this highly readable volume can be very useful for
parents in this brave new world of lightning fast media evolution.
On a personal note, my personal media favorite right now is Netflix.
It gives the kids and me access to movies and episodes of favorite
shows for those times we end up to home at the same time. Still I'm
glad when I was a child we went out to movies. There were the rowdy
Saturday afternoon kids' matinees where no parent dared to tread:
horror double features, prize drawibgs, snacks to feast on including
penny candy, big boys throwing popcorn from the balcony and laughing
at evading angry ushers... There were the dress up family movies,
usually put out by Disney, often paired with dinner at Chicken in a
Basket. My favorites, though, were the drive ins. Balanced meals
gave way to pizza and soda, kids swarmed the playground before the
show, and you could fall asleep on the way back because you were
already in pajamas. Since movies were not constantly available they
were something truly special.
A great big shout out goes out to Joanne Harriman, incoming Orono
Superintendent of Schools. I was observing her at a recent board
meeting. She is taking to her job like a duck to water. I foresee
much good accruing to Orono schools as she takes command. You go, Girl!
Julia Emily Hathaway


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