We Are Like The Clouds

We Are Like The Clouds

Children's poetry
"This collection of poems describes the odyssey that thousands
of boys, girls, and young people from El Salvador, Guatamala,
Honduras, and Mexico undertake when they flee their countries because
of extreme poverty and fear of violence. They abandon everything in
hope of a better life."
Jorge Argueta fled El Salvador to escape war in the 1980s. Now
he works with young people in America and El Salvador. Their stories
(i.e., "I am afraid of being by the gangs. I don't know what to do.
My father lives in Los Angeles. If I go I have to go alone. Should I
go or stay?") are the basis of his We Are Like The Clouds, told in
both Spanish and English.
The poems are sparse and evocative. The Talker describes fear
of the mob boss who orders underlings to commit violence. In iPod a
boy wishes a friend luck in reaching America and promises to take care
of his dog. To me the most poignant one is written in the form of a
prayer:
"Santa Toribio,
saint of the immigrants,
show us the way.
Don't let us fall into the hands of the migra,
and never in the hands of the traffickers,
or worse, the minute men.
You who are the good coyote,
protect us, lead us.
Deliver us from all evil. Amen.
Migra is immigration services, people capable of sending immigrants
back to their home countries to start the perilous journey all over
again. Minutemen are armed civilian gangs, capable of great malice
and cruelty.
We Are The Clouds is a must acquire for school and public
libraries. It's a great way to help children understand the vicious
cruelty of "Build a wall! Build a wall!"
On a personal note, Eugene is back from camp. He gave me the most
incredible fuzzy one piece Christmas cat pajamas I've ever seen. I
know what I'm wearing to party New Years Eve!
We did some food shopping. I ran into a good friend from my acting
days. She wanted me to come back. I'm missed. I have to admit I
miss acting BUT grad school and my wonderful job don't allow enough
time. I did appreciate her kind words.
We have us a frozen pizza. That is going to be so yummy for supper!
A great big shout out goes out to Eugene and to my good friends from
my acting years.
jules hathaway


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Women Going For It!

Women Going For It!

Adult nonfiction
As you know if you've been reading this blog long enough, this
past fall I started graduate school just weeks short of my 67th
birthday. I'd taken the time to raise my children. When they were
grown and flown, I learned an inconvenient truth: people with good
jobs don't want to hire someone with a paid employment gap large
enough to drive a hummer through. It looked like I'd have to settle
for big store retail or fast food...
...only I wasn't going to give up on myself any more than I
would have given up on my kids. I searched for a meaningful next step
until I discovered the higher education student development program
that would prepare me for a career doing what makes my heart sing.
Now I'm living the dream: going part time and earning tuition, fees,
and textbooks with a student job in dining services.
I was thrilled beyond measure when I discovered that other women
over fifty are living their dreams. In Women Going For It! Diana
Coleman shares the stories of some pretty incredible women who took
the risks to achieve their goals in a society that expects women to go
quietly into that last good night. You'll meet:
*Claudia who entered seminary at 53 and became an ordained Episcopal
priest at 56;
*Carol who joined a Roller Derby team in her 60's;
*Elizabeth who was 52 when she adopted two foster children;
*Teresa Ann who became a woman at 53;
and 22 other unforgettable women.
But you don't have to settle for reading their amazing stories.
Coleman believes that women of any age have within us the power to
dream big and achieve our dreams. She includes exercises to help us
do just that.
Buy the book for yourself. Buy it for your mom. Buy it for any
older woman you know who's obeying society's mandate to sell herself
short. If enough of us decide it's our right to really live (as
opposed to just existing) before we die, ageism may cease being one of
our society's last accepted prejudices.
On a personal note, I will celebrate New Years Eve my favorite way:
reading near our beautiful tree with a good book, candy, and my
precious Joey cat purring on my lap. Eugene will join us for the ball
drop. I can't begin to imagine what I'll discover and achieve in the
year ahead. I hope you celebrate safely and responsibly and have a
lot to look forward to.
A great big shout out goes out to you, my dear readers.
jules hathaway


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I Am Loved

I Am Loved

Juvenile poetry
"On a rainy day
When I am sitting
In a tree
Looking for a friend
I hope you'll be the one
Holding out your arms
To gently catch
My fall."
Any book Ashley Bryan has a part in creating is a treasure. So
when I spotted his distinctive art I snatched up Nikki Giovanni's I Am
Loved. Of course I was very glad I did.
Giovanni's poems are vivid and evocative. In Leaves (quoted
above) she describes the yearning for a certain person to appear.
(Don't we all feel that way at times?) A tablecloth hopes that when it
can no longer serve its original purpose it will go into a quilt to
keep a child warm. A poem inviting readers to dance is written in a
musical cadance. My favorite asks how there can be no heaven
"When tears comfort
When dreams caress
When you smile
at me"
Bryan's paintings take readers into a fantasy kingdom where beautiful
brown people interact with vivid creatures. My favorites are a solemn
little blue and grey owl and a rainbow winged bird.
What's not to love about I Am Loved? Make sure your library has
a copy.
On a personal note, I have a big mission to accomplish over vaca:
shelf reading the whole children's wing of the Orono Public Library.
That means making sure every book is in its exact Dewey Decimal spot.
Everything from picture books to YA fiction and nonfiction. I have
time to volunteer over break and that chore is going to be my late
Christmas present to the library. Anyway the librarians are very
excited. My dining services manager, Jodi, will be pleased too
because accomplishing this good deed will reflect well on Wells. I
started with picture books and am up to S. I'll keep you posted on my
progress.
I was reading about how not enough people volunteer once the holiday
season is over. I decided I'll try to log at least 100 hours. It
shouldn't be impossible with the library, the community garden, and
Black Bear Exchange knowing where I live. I put in 5 hours so that
makes 95 to go before next Christmas. Jodi will like that.
A great big shout out goes out to the Orono Public Library staff,
volunteers, and patrons.
jules hathaway


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Brotopia

Brotopia

Adult nonfiction
"The unfortunate truth is that right now men's voices dominate
[technology] and we see the results. Popular products from the tech
boom--including violent and sexist video games that a generation of
children has become addicted to--are designed with little or no input
from women. Apple's first version of its highly touted health
application could track your blood-alcohol but not menstruation.
Everything from plus sized smartphones to artificial hearts have been
built to a size better suited to male anatomy...The exclusion of women
matters--not just to job seekers, but to all of us."
There are some really good books coming out on reasons why women
are way underrepresented in tech and what can be done to change
things. Emily Chang's Brotopia: Breaking Up The Boys' Club of
Silicon Valley is (so far) my favorite. It's very readable, even for
people like me who are struggling to catch up in this brave new
world. It's also very thought provoking.
One problem is the incestuous tendency of tech founding fathers,
one of whom believes that women's suffrage has hurt democracy, to
recruit people like themselves from their social networks rather than
casting a wider net. Why bring in a more diverse group that might
slow projects down? In other words, from the beginning this was not
an industry in which women could get the proverbial foot in the door.
The Paypal Mafia described their process as meritocracy. They
took the best and brightest. Chang has a quite different take on the
word. It was coined by Confucius in ancient China. Michael Young, a
British sociologist, sounded a warning note in 1958:
"...he did see grave dangers in the new embrace of meritocracy,
eeirily predicting that in this new world, status would still be
accessible only to a select few: those who has access to an elite
education. As a result, meritocracy would produce a new social
stratification and a new sense of moral exceptionalism."
Chang also goes into detail about how the brotopia lifestyle is
far from ideal or desirable for many women. Many places where
networking and desk making happen are venues in which many women would
not feel comfortable. Sexual harassment is rampant. Widespread
alcohol abuse enables it.
"Many of the women pointed out that declining to drink with the
boys is a double-edged sword. If women don't participate, they're
seen as uptight and not team players. And they miss out on group-
bonding time, which may cost them personal and political capital
within the organization. If they do participate, they're considered
not serious and, worse, risk being sexualized or, worse, as in Holme's
case, even assaulted."
Then there are the demanding hours that are expected of the work
force that make life work balance challenging, epecially after
children come along. Companies that spend gazillions on on site perks
and encourage bringing dogs on campus can't find money or space for
day cares...
If you are interested in bringing more women into tech, Brotopia
is a must read.
On a personal note, I had a totally amazing Christmas. Katie spent
the night in her old bed in the studio, opened gifts with Eugene,
Joey, and me, and spent the morning with us. Adam and Asia dropped
off gifts their cats, Beans and Delilah had purrrrrchased. Smart
kitties. They gave me a cat themed planner book for keeping class,
assignments etc. straight, money toward textbooks, and a snow globe
for my collection. The family all gathered at the event at the in-
laws. What I loved most about the day:
1) Spending time with Eugene and our kids;
2) Katie writing about being proud of how hard I'm working and how
well I'm doing;
3) Tim writing Jules on my card. I Jane hope for his kids and
girlfriend. I think Hell will freeze over before Cheryl and Arlene do;
4) Cuddling with my little friend, Joey cat;
5) Amber giving me home made decorations and donating money in my name.
I won't deny I got spoiled with gifts.
I woke up today very clear headed and ready to do the things I
want to over break. One is getting the house in better shape for when
I'm back in school. To make that fun I start with an area I haven't
tackled in ages. Joey needs a trip to the vet. I have tuition for
next semester to pay. I have a lot of writing I want to do. I have
New Years resolutions made. But you'll have to wait til New Years
Year to see what I've come up with.
A great big shout out goes out to my wonderful spouse, kids, and cat.
jules hathaway


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Together We Rise

Together We Rise

Adult nonfiction
"Where were you on January 21, 2017? If you were like five
million women from Washington D.C. to Dar es Salaam to Seoul, you
marched in towns large and small, on state capitals. You rode buses,
took trains, carpooled with others, scraped together cash to pay the
fare. You made signs, held your children in one hand and a sign in
another. [I did when my kids were little. Precious memories.] You
stood up to tyranny. You raised your voice."
If you watched the women's march or one of its around the world
spin offs--I'm betting even if you attended the event--it all seemed
so smooth. I know I had no clue to all the Herculean work that led up
to the event. Together We Rise gives a detailed chronology of the
"single largest protest in world history" from inspiration to reality
and beyond. Logistics (everything from permits to porta potties)
posed huge challenges. Then there was the whole Internet dimension.
With the diversity of people involved, there were differences that, if
not resolved, could have torpedoed the whole thing.
What did I like best about the book? First of all it was the
photographs. They occupy close to half of the pages. The faces and
body language of subjects are so eloquent. The signs are kick ass.
These are pictures to linger over, not flip through.
Pretty close was the diversity of voices included. This wasn't
the work of just one or a few. A wide range of people shared their
most intimate thoughts. I felt like I was given the privilege of
listening to private conversations.
Did you know that there was a march in Antarctica? The
organizer has trouble registering that march because initially it
required street addresses which didn't exist on thar continent. And
that wasn't the only extreme cold weather place where people
participated. The forty who marched in Unalakleet, Alaska braved a
windchill of -40!
There were two quotes that especially inspired me. One is by a
mother who marched for her child.
"Every parent loves their child and will do anything to protect
them. In my case, I happen to have a transgender child. I know he is
healthier and happier living the gender he identifies with. To take
his rights away in the bathroom, classroom, or work force would be
removing him from society. That I will not accept. For that I
marched and will continue to march."
The other by Gloria Steinem beautifully addresses a dilemma I
find myself in. Many activists in "my" generation take one of two not-
that-helpful positions. A large number are stepping aside entirely,
leaving the whole mess our world is in to our children and grands. I
consider that incredibly irresponsible. Others, still wanting to be
in charge, disrespect younger people. "You're not old enough to
understand." What the bloody Hell? Did they forget how we felt when
we were their ages and older people wrote us off the same way?
I feel that the world is in such a mess we can't afford to have
any generation missing in action in the fight for peace, justice, and
survival. So I love what Steinem had to say:
"At my age, in this still-hierarchical time, people often ask me
if I'm 'passing the torch.' I explain that I'm keeping my torch, thank
you very much--and I'm using it to light the torches of others."
Amen to that!
On a personal note, Eugene and I had a wonderful long dinner with
Amber, Brian, and Katie. We had burgers and fries with cookies for
dessert. Mostly we talked. That time together was precious beyond
measure. Soon Katie will be here to sleep in her bed in the studio
like old days and open gifts with us in the morning.
A great big shout out goes out to my partner, our children, their
significant others, and precious Joey cat.
jules hathaway



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The Red Pencil

The Red Pencil

Juvenile literature
"Finally I am twelve.
Old enough to wear a toob.
As soon as I wake
Mama whispers a birthday wish.
'Blessings for all the years to come, Amira'."
Amira, free verse narrator of Andrea Davis Pinkney's The Red
Pencil, is coming of age. She would like to go to school. Her very
traditional mother is very much against the idea, believing that farm
work and marriage are a woman's true vocation. So maturity comes with
a lot of responsibilities including raking cow poop for fertilizer.
Amira's mother begins to teach her about the Janjaweed, whom she
describes as 'devils on horseback'. She tells her daughter to run if
they are attacked. Soon Amira begins to see fear in the eyes of all
the adults in her life.
One day the Janjaweed attack, shooting people and torching
buildings. Amira's beloved father dies in front of her eyes. Her
special sheep is burned to death.
In a Displaced People's Camp Amira is despairing and mute. Even
her mother's tender coaxing doesn't bring her voice back. It takes a
very special present and the promise it symbolizes.
On a personal note, tis the day before Christmas. Eugene is out with
his brother. It's just Joey and me to home. Joey is napping under
our beautiful tree. I am so lucky he's still in my life. It's been
over 3 1/2 years since the vets operated 4 1/2 hours to save his
precious life. We've treasured every one of those days. This
afternoon Eugene and I will go to Amber and Brian's house for a
special family get together. Katie will sleep over in her bed in the
studio. Then tomorrow is the big day.
A great big shout out goes out to my little friend, Joey Cat, the vets
who recognized his strong will to live and used their skills to buy
him precious time, and the other companion animals who add so much
love and joy to our lives.
jules hathaway


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Not For Sale

Not For Sale

Adult nonfiction
"More than 30 million slaves live in our world today. Girls and
boys, women and men of all ages are forced to toil in the rug-loom
sheds of Nepal, sell their bodies in the brothels of Rome, break rocks
in the quaries of Pakistan, fight wars in the jungles of Africa, and
sew clothes in the garment factories of California.
Go behind the facade in any major town or city in the world
today, and you're likely to find a thriving commerce in human beings.
You may even find slavery in your own backyard."
David Batstone, author of Not For Sale, found slavery in his own
backyard. He and his wife were regulars at an Indian restaurant in
San Francisco. Then a 17-year-old died of carbon monoxide poisoning.
The same person owned the apartment complex where she died and a bunch
of businesses including the restaurant. He smuggled adults and
children from India, working them long hours, claiming their wages as
rent, and threatening to report them if they tried to escape.
Batstone, professor of business and social responsibility at the
University of San Francisco and cofounder and president of the Not For
Sale campaign, takes readers all over the world, sharing heartbreaking
stories. The world of child soldiers, for example, is horrifying.
Torn from their families and villages, they are forced to commit acts
of violence such as killing their parents that will make them pariahs
in their tribes. Rape, brutality, and starvation become their new
reality.
Batstone intersperses this content with stories of people who
take incredible risks to rescue slaves, often incurring the wrath of
international gangsters who fond human trafficking very profitable.
In Peru the government decided to "cleanse" Lima of street kids who
began to disappear or be found dead. Lucy Borja was directing an HIV/
AIDS prevention program. One night she invited two terrified boys to
sleep in its office and bring friends. Returning from a party, she
found kids sleeping wall to wall and smaller ones in cupboards. At a
stage in life where people who can afford to are often at least
contemplating retiring she changed her agency and life path to
rescuing children from powerful people in government as well as
traffickers.
Of course most of us can't make this our life's work. But
Batstone believes that the movement has room for all of us. His
explanation of the many ways in which we can get involved is, in my
mind, the most hopeful aspect of the book.
On a personal note, I am sitting near my lovely decorated tree wrapped
in peace, serenity, and joy. I wrapped up the shopping yesterday.
(Even snagged myself 6 shirts--including 2 cat ones--up to Goodwill
cheap.) I cleaned this morning. I am no Susie Homemaker. My heart
is full of joy.
A great big shout out goes out to you, my readers. May you have a
joyous Christmas!
jules hathaway



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January's Sparrow

January's Sparrow

Juvenile literature
Can you imagine this? As a young child you see a loved one
whipped mercilessly for running away. Then you're shaken awake in the
middle of the night by your mother. Your family has no choice but to
take the desperate risk of fleeing. Yup, we're back in the 19th
century plantation South.
That's the plight of Sadie, protagonist of Patricia Polacco's
January's Sparrow. Her parents had overheard plans to auction off her
brothers. She'd probably never see them again. Her mother wasn't
about to let that happen.
Now imagine you have to cross a huge part of the United States
on foot. On foot! You mostly have to travel at night through the
woods. People on horseback with dogs trained to be vicious are
tracking you and your loved ones, greedy for bounty money. Sometimes
you hear the dogs barking.
After walking from Kentucky to Michigan, Sadie and her family
find themselves in a town that is part of the Underground Railroad.
Both blacks and whites in Marshall are against slavery. The family
decides to stay at least a little while. Sadie's parents and one
brother get jobs. She and her other brothers are able to go to
school. They make the honor roll. Sadie gets a new baby sister.
But the family can never be truly safe south of Canada. In the
wee hours of a January morning their worst fears come true when armed
slave catchers break into their home.
Will they be taken back into bondage?
Well you'll have to read the book to see.
Sadie and her family, the Crosswhites, were real people. At a
time when a lot of folks are trying to sanitize and whitewash slavery
their story is a must read.
A lot of folks think slavery was only a bad chapter in America's
history. So not true. We'll look at the modern day plague in our
next review.
On a personal note, what was it I promised I'd reveal? Oh yeah, my
grade. A! I am grad school material for sure. I helped shut down
Wells for vaca. So now I'm out of school and work until next semester.
A great big shout out goes out to my classmates and work family who I
know I'll miss after Christmas.
Joey cat is loving our beautiful tree. Right now he's napping under it.
jules hathaway


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Diary Of A Waitress

Diary Of A Waitress

Juvenile historical fiction
"My new life is about to begin. I've been hired. I leave day
after tomorrow for Emporia for training to become a Harvey girl.
Feeling a little woozy--I didn't realize it would happen so fast.
More later. The streetcar to Leavenworth is here.
So excited I can hardly breathe."
Don't feel bad if you don't know what a Harvey girl is. I
didn't until I read Carolyn Meyer's Diary Of A Waitress. Meyer
herself lived on Harvey turf for years before discovering the story.
In the 1870's Fred Harvey, a British immigrant, was a railway
worker. Finding available food horrible, he decided he could do
better. His first depot restaurant was such a success it led to a
restaurant and hotel chain along the line from Kansas City to
California that would thrive for seventy years. A drunk brawl in New
Mexico in 1883 inspired Harvey to hire girls, providing a unique
living and working experience for over 100,000.
Protagonist Kitty has her heart set on college. She plans to
become a journalist. Needless to say, she's not a happy camper when,
after high school graduation as salutarian, she learns that her family
can't afford further education for her. Her older brother, a far from
stellar student with a penchant for partying, however, will be
returning for his junior year. He needs to make his way in the world,
maybe take over the family business. She will settle down with a nice
young man who will provide for her.
Kitty's father has put a good word in for her with a fellow
merchant who needs girls to work in his store. "Selling shoes!
Spending my life trying to please persnickity old women with smelly
feet." Before she has to submit to that grim future she sees an ad in
the newspaper.
"Young women 18 to 30 years of age, of good character, attractive and
intelligent, as waitresses in the Harvey Eating Houses on the Santa Fe
Railroad in the West.
Good wages with room and board furnished.
No experience necessary."
Her mother tried to veto her job choice. She's too young to
leave home. She isn't "that sort of girl." What sort of girl?
Waitresses aren't that far above saloon girls, "the lowest of the
low." She'll ruin her reputation and life (along of those of her
mother). Fortunately her father decides she'll have to learn better
the hard way.
Pack your valise and join Kitty at the depot. You're in for a
pretty exciting ride.
On a personal note, Tuesday was my poster presentation. For two hours
I stood in front of my posters answering a ton of questions. Then we
had the department Christmas party at my prof's house. Good food, a
scintilating crowd, a Yankee swap. It was a wonderful holiday
celebration.
Then Wednesday I was able to use the UMaine Bookstore gift card I got
at the Yankee swap (the most coveted item) to get an adorable puppy
wearing a UMaine sweater.
Today I learned my grade. But you'll have to read my next review to
find out if I bombed out or get to stay in my masters program.
A great big shout out goes out to my fellow students finishing out
their semesters with beat wishes for a wonderful vaca.
jules hathaway


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Wangari's Trees Of Peace

Wangari's Trees Of Peace

Juvenile herstory
"We are called to assist the Earth to heal her wounds and in the
process heal our own--indeed, to embrace the whole creation in all its
diversity, beauty, and wonder."
Recall awhile back we discovered 2004 Nobel Peace Prize winner
Wangari Maathai? I discovered a slightly older book about her. In
Wangari's Trees Of Peace Jeanette Winter combines eloquent text and
vibrant illustrations to fittingly celebrate her life.
I think my favorite aspect of Winter's narrative is its emphasis
on the small scale start and diligent building up of what became a
very large scale operation. Thirty million trees started out as nine
seedlings Wangari planted in her own back yard. The first people she
recruited were women in her village. In America we're so enamoured of
viral anything (except flu) we tend to lose sight of the potential of
small starting real grass roots change. It's what makes difference
making accessible to most of us if we can master the arts of patience
and dilligence.
I started this blog book by book with few people knowing about
it. This is my 1,347 book and my blog gets over 6,000 views a month.
I donate blood pint by pint and am working on my tenth gallon. I'm
attending graduate school part time and already making a difference.
What can you start small and stick with to make a difference in
our beautiful and fragile world?
On a personal note, I'm in the middle of what they say will be a two
day snow storm. The problem: over the weekend I'd finished my
40"x32" poster I have to present tomorrow afternoon.
It's too big for a garbage bag. I covered it with a blanket and
managed to get it in dry. I did my final paper and put it on
blackboard. Then I was confused. Suddenly I had no homework to do
and nowhere I have to be until the poster presentation tomorrow.
Could this be free time? Do I remember how to handle it?
A great big shout out goes out to my classmates who are presenting
their posters. Hopefully we'll all ace that.
jules hathaway



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Swoosh!

Swoosh!

Juvenile biography
You are your kids have probably had fun with super soakers. I
have fond memories of muggy summer day spontaneous wars during my
children's younger years. I also used one to teach my father-in-law
not to smoke in my baby's face. I bet you didn't think of the science
behind the development of this gigantic water pistol. I admit I
didn't. Crhris Barton's Swoosh! schooled me. I think you too will
find it intriguing and a great volume to share with kids in your life.
Inventor Lonnie Johnson started tinkering early in life. He had
challenges including finding space in the small house he shared with
his parents and five siblings. He dazzled his classmates with
homemade rockets. He yearned to become an engineer. Fortunately he
ignored the test results indicating that he would not be a good one.
In 1968 his high school team won first place at the University of
Alabama Science Fair (that had been whites only five years earlier)
with Linux, a robot made of scrap metal.
As a NASA scientist, Johnson worked on very challenging
problems. In his free time he worked in his own lab. One day,
seeking to invent a refrigerator cooling system that wouldn't hurt the
environment, he created a powerful water stream that he envisioned as
the core of a new water gun.
I can't say the rest is history. He still faced plenty of
challenges, especially after he quit his secure day job to invest
himself in his inventing. But he never gave up on himself and his
ideas.
Readers can find a lot more out about how super soakers work.
But Johnson encourages kids to put the books down, shut off the
devices, and start taking things apart to see how they work. That's
how he and a lot of other inventors got started. It's a great way to
engage the hands on learners too often neglected in public schools.
The motivation for the book came from a lunch conversation
Barton had with two Texas librarians. They had been at a seminar
where attendees, when asked to draw a scientist, sketched mostly
whites. He wanted to help send the message that today's scientists
are much more diverse.
Even as he works on his own projects Johnson makes time to
encourage the efforts of tomorrow's scientists and engineers. He
hopes the book will inspire them.
On a personal note, Thursday I had one of the most beautiful holiday
events possible. Wells had our Winterfest. Our dining commons was
transformed into Paris meets Victorian England with fairy lights and
fancy table settings and an ice sculpture sleigh and so much good
food. Our students were treated to a real feast. The hours before
the event were employees only. We put on finishing touches and also
had time to relax and talk and be so proud of what we had achieved
together. Those moments made me so happy to be alive.
A great big shout goes out to my treasured dining services family.
jules hathaway


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Sergeant Reckless

Sergeant Reckless

Juvenile nonfiction
Horses are capable of many amazing things. Patricia McCormick's
Sergeant Reckless is a fine tribute to a mare who earned two purple
hearts and retired from the Marines with full military honors as a
staff sergeant.
Korea was at war, split between North and South. America was
deeply involved. One group of marines was exhausted from carrying
ammo uphill. A mule would lighten the load. Unfortunately there were
none available. There was, however, a scrawny and very hungry mate.
Would such a small horse be able to carry the heavy loads? How
would she react to the noise and chaos of battle. Weren't racehorses
skittish?
You'll have to read the book to see.

ABCs From Space

Juvenile nonfiction
"As a science writer for a website called NASA Earth
Observatory, I spend lots of time making and writing about pictures
that come from satellites flying around Earth. A few years ago, I
noticed a cloud of smoke over Canada that had the shape of a V."
Adam Voiland's ABCs From Space: A Discovered Alphabet is one of
the most beautiful alphabet books I've ever seen. It's also versatile
enough to catch the attention of kids from abecederian through
elementary school and even enchant parents.
Voiland's parents had nurtured his love of the natural world.
Following his letter V discovery, he had not only the curiosity to see
if he could find the rest of the alphabet in satellite images of the
Earth, but the patience to study thousands of pictures. He found the
R especially difficult to locate.
"One of the best parts about the search was that I got to learn
about some of the most fascinating and beautiful places on our
planet. I explored rips in Earth's surface spilling hot lava, clouds
swirling around snowy mountains, fires chewing holes in lush forests,
glaciers slithering domwn icy mountain slopes, and much more."
Older kids can be encouraged to take smart phones or cameras
outside and find alphabets in their own environments. This would have
many benefits. It would get kids outside. It could increase
mindfulness which is much needed in today's fast paced world. It
could fuel curiosity.

On a personal note, the semester is hurtling toward the end. We're in
the final week of classes. Next week is finals week. I don't have
exams, but I will be presenting a poster in the Higher Education and
Student Life Academic Showcase. Talk about scary!
I had a work moment I'd been eagerly awaiting happen last Saturday.
I'd really wanted to train a new student. I'd reviewed in my head all
the necessary information. When I was told I'd been training a new
student in serving I was so ready. And it was even for satisfying
than I'd imagined it would be.
A great big shout out goes out to my fellow students getting their
posters ready and my fellow dining commons student workers, both
newbies and veterans.
jules hathaway



Sent from my iPod

Malala's Magic Pencil

Malala's Magic Pencil

Juvenile herstory
Many adults have read the inspiring story of Malala Yousafzai,
Nobel Peace Prize winning activist for girls' education. Now through
her Malala's Magic Pencil schoolchildren can read her story. This is
fitting as she began her advocacy as a school girl.
Malala used to wish for a magic pencil like a character in a
children's tv show in her native Pakistan. She could use it to make
her wishes and those of her family come true. As she grew older she
wanted a magic pencil to tackle larger problems like war and poverty.
Malala loved school. She felt bad for children who couldn't
attend because their family needed their income to survive. Then her
own education was threatened. Armed men began keeping girls out of
school. Many of her peers complied. In a situation in which many
people, adults as well as children, would have felt helpless she began
to write to tell the rest of the world what was happening.
"When you find your voice, any pencil can be magic."
I like the idea of magic pencils. When I write opinion pieces
for the Bangor Daily News, pen poems that touch people's hearts and
souls, and introduce you, dear readers, to excellent books you might
not otherwise hear about, I feel like I have a little pencil magic
going on.
On a personal note, two more weeks of school and then finals. I had a
totally stunning surprise. I went to Blackboard to read feedback on
two papers that had been graded to incorporate criticisms into the
paper I was working on. I saw e words like excellent and exemplary.
I was stunned. Maybe my pencil magic is working overtime.
We had a history making home football game Saturday. Of course I was
serving brunch to the fans up to Wells.
A great big shout out goes out to the UMaine football Black Bears who
have fought their way from tragedy (death of a teammate in preseason)
to triumph and the coaches who have guided them.
jules hathaway


Sent from my iPod