Dork Diaries: Tales from a NOT-SO-Secret Crush Catastrophe
juvenile/YA fiction
Middle school crushes don't always follow our fantasy scripts.
Back when I was about to start eighth grade and middle school was
junior high, two of my besties, both Kathys (a popular name choice in
the 50s and 60s), who were next door neighbors, had mad crushes on the
same boy who lived across the street from them. Their respective
fantasies had taken them to prom and beyond. They'd probably picked
bridesmaids for their formal Catholic weddings. In real life,
however, they never spoke a word to the object of their adoration.
They would sit on their lawns watching for him to come out and walk
his dog, mow his lawn, or ride his skateboard. Then they would
discuss every aspect of his appearance.
I was much less than patient with the Kathys. Romantic stalking
was not my idea of a good time. One day I told them to go over and
talk to him already. They looked shocked--as if I was suggesting
something truly improper. Fine, I'd talk to him myself. They watched
in helpless horror as I crossed the street. It turned out that he was
equally shy and had a crush...
...on me. Back then skateboards were considered to be boy
toys. I think I was the only girl in my school who had one. I rode
it whenever out of maternal eyesight. He'd been trying to catch my
eye, hoping we'd start skating together.
Anyone who has read the first eleven volumes in Rachel Renee
Russel's Dork Diaries series can guess that when Nikki's crush on
Brandon goes into overdrive, complications will arise and nemesis
MacKenzie will somehow be involved.
School is almost out for the summer. Nikki is unexpectedly
chosen to escort an exchange student from another school for a week.
Andrea turns out to be Andre, a seriously cute guy. Brandon, who has
started one-on-one obedience training with Nikki's dog, Daisy, is
suddenly jealous and distant. It doesn't help that someone (or ones)
starts posting pictures that make Nikki and Andre look like an item on
social media.
Oh, yeah, and Nikki has to make a very difficult summer vacation
decision.
Any of the Dork Diaries volumes would make for a delightful
read. You don't have to take my word for this. Over 36 million
volumes in 37 languages have been sold world wide.
On a purrrsonal note, Richards advises readers to let our inner dorks
shine through. I certainly do that. I mean what else would you call
someone who reads and reviews about 200 books a year? A decision I
just made also has dork written all over it. Recall when UMaine was
getting out for the summer, May 8 to be exact, and I made up an
ambitious list of summer goals. Then just hours later I learned that
precious Joey has cancer. As I adjusted to the new normal the goals
went out the window. Keeping the best little cat in the world as
comfortable and happy as possible became my new top priority. A
couple of days ago, with Joey still rallying and enjoying life, I
decided I might be able to accomplish just one goal: my criteria:
the one that would help most with school year time management. It is
a thorough reorganizing of my shed and house with a lot of thinning
out what I don't need like the bins of yarn in my shed and the ice
cream maker and all the clothes I don't actually use. If they have
sentimental memories I can take pictures. I think out of all my
options that is the dorkiest one possible.
Great big shout outs go out to all my fellow dorks and to the best
little cat in the world who loves me.
jules hathaway
Sent from my iPod
Wednesday, July 31, 2019
Tuesday, July 30, 2019
1968
1968
YA nonfiction
"Nineteen sixty-eight was a year of seismic shifts and splits.
In this collection of nonfiction stories, you'll read about this
pivotal year, when generations clashed and the world seemed to wobble,
trembling on the edge of some vast change--violent confrontation,
assasinations, people power, scientific discovery, and triumph."
The tantelizing format of 1968, edited by Marc Aronson and Susan
Campbell Bartoletti, is the recollections/impressions of sixteen
children's book authors of a year half a century in the rear view
mirror. As you can imagine, they wrote their pieces from very
different perspectives. It was the year that:
*Paul Fleishman took the first of his cross country road trips as a
boy on a Schwin ten speed,
*Laban Carrick Hill was mortified by familial bigoted responses to the
assasination of Martin Luther King Jr.,
and *Mark Kurlansky became a conscientious objector when drafted to
fight in Vietnam.
Pieces cover topics ranging from politics to sports and comedy.
Together they provide a fascinating look at a turbulent year in
American and world history. I can't help wondering what it would look
like if 50 years in the future authors reflected on 2019.
On a purrrsonal note, other than the oppressive heat and humidity,
Eugene and I had a purrrfect 30th wedding anniversary. I made a
special supper of steak cooked in olive oil, local organic beet
greens, and fries topped off with mollasses cake with cool whip and
tropical wine coolers. I'm sure the gift I gave him, a gift card to
his favorite store, did not surprise Eugene. But I had one trick up
my sleeve. I told him that I am going to transfer enough money from
my savings to our checking so he can write a check for the rest of my
old student loan. We'll have one less bill to worry about. And I'll
still have enough for fall term tuition, fees, and textbooks. That
act may not be up there with flowers, candy, and jewelery. But I
think it's pretty darn romantic.
Great big shout outs go out to the partner I'm still madly in love
with and the best little cat in the world who celebrated with us.
jules hathaway
Sent from my iPod
YA nonfiction
"Nineteen sixty-eight was a year of seismic shifts and splits.
In this collection of nonfiction stories, you'll read about this
pivotal year, when generations clashed and the world seemed to wobble,
trembling on the edge of some vast change--violent confrontation,
assasinations, people power, scientific discovery, and triumph."
The tantelizing format of 1968, edited by Marc Aronson and Susan
Campbell Bartoletti, is the recollections/impressions of sixteen
children's book authors of a year half a century in the rear view
mirror. As you can imagine, they wrote their pieces from very
different perspectives. It was the year that:
*Paul Fleishman took the first of his cross country road trips as a
boy on a Schwin ten speed,
*Laban Carrick Hill was mortified by familial bigoted responses to the
assasination of Martin Luther King Jr.,
and *Mark Kurlansky became a conscientious objector when drafted to
fight in Vietnam.
Pieces cover topics ranging from politics to sports and comedy.
Together they provide a fascinating look at a turbulent year in
American and world history. I can't help wondering what it would look
like if 50 years in the future authors reflected on 2019.
On a purrrsonal note, other than the oppressive heat and humidity,
Eugene and I had a purrrfect 30th wedding anniversary. I made a
special supper of steak cooked in olive oil, local organic beet
greens, and fries topped off with mollasses cake with cool whip and
tropical wine coolers. I'm sure the gift I gave him, a gift card to
his favorite store, did not surprise Eugene. But I had one trick up
my sleeve. I told him that I am going to transfer enough money from
my savings to our checking so he can write a check for the rest of my
old student loan. We'll have one less bill to worry about. And I'll
still have enough for fall term tuition, fees, and textbooks. That
act may not be up there with flowers, candy, and jewelery. But I
think it's pretty darn romantic.
Great big shout outs go out to the partner I'm still madly in love
with and the best little cat in the world who celebrated with us.
jules hathaway
Sent from my iPod
Monday, July 29, 2019
Just Mercy
Just Mercy
YA/adult nonfiction
"We [United States] have shot, hanged, gassed, electrocuted, and
lethally injected hundreds of people in the name of the law.
Thousands more await their execution in the section of prisons known
as death row. We've sent a quarter million kids, some under the age
of twelve, to adult jails and prisons. For years we've been the only
country in the world that condemns children to life imprisonment
without parole."
Bryan Stevenson had an epiphany during his senior year in
college: his philosophy degree did not guarantee employment. He
wasn't sure what he wanted to do with his life--just that it had to do
with rectifying poverty and injustice. Law school was disenchanting
until he worked for a few weeks with the Southern Prisoners Defense
Committee.
That was at the point at which executions had resumed in the
deep South. Prisoners with execution dates on the calendar were
unable to get lawyers. They could go to their graves without getting
any kind of legal help. That situation would not have launched many
people's careers. For Stevenson, however, it was a call to vocation.
He shares that call and where it led him in Just Mercy.
Woven through the book is the story of a black man, Walter
McMillan, who was wrongly accused of the murder of Ronda Morrison, the
white college student daughter of a well known family. There was a
lot of pressure to find the killer. Walter had angered a lot of
people by carrying on adultery with a white woman. When a man
indicted for another murder implicated McMillan in the Morrison
murder--even though the story was implausible, even though McMillan
had an alibi and dozens of witnesses--a guilty verdict ensued.
McMillan had to survive six years on death row--seeing fellow inmates
take that last walk--before Stevenson was able to get him freed.
Readers will also learn about other victims of injustice such as:
*Charlie, 14, who fatally shot his mother's abusive boyfriend who he
believed had just killed her and was repeatedly raped in jail,
*Trina, an abused, homeless, psychologically challenged teen who
unintentionally set a fire that killed two friends, was sentenced to
life with no possibility of parole, and was impregnated by rape by a
correctional officer,
and *Marsha, mother of six, who was sentenced to life without
possibility of parole for delivering a stillborn child.
"My work has taught me a vital lesson: each of us is more than
the worst thing we've ever done. I am persuaded that the opposite of
poverty is not wealth; the opposite of poverty is justice. Finally,
I've come to believe that the true measure of our commitment to
justice, fairness, and equality cannot be measured by how we treat the
rich, the respected, and the privileged among us. The true measure of
our character is how we treat the poor, the disfavored, the accused,
the incarcerated, and the condemned."
If you agree with Stevenson, you'll find Just Mercy to be a must
read.
On a purrrsonal note, I had a great weekend. Saturday I volunteered
at community garden, mostly weeding. It was hot, sticky work. We had
a good crew. Toward the end when it was just me and DJ. I turned the
hose on mist and sprayed myself. Then I sprayed DJ. We were like two
little kids. That's when I decided I'm not going to try to push
myself to make 100 volunteer hours this year. It's not like I won't
volunteer whenever I can. I just want it to be a source of joy, not
anxiety.
Sunday Eugene treated me to breakfast at Dennys. Then we were driving
all over Maine. We ran into a big old storm up near the Canadian
border. When we were back in Bangor Eugene treated me to supper at
Ruby Tuesday. At Brewer Goodwill he got me a cute shirt that says
DREAM
BIG
SPARKLE
MORE
SHINE BRIGHT
and a pair of adorable Beanie Baby bride and groom bears--just
purrrfect to find on our 30th anniversary eve. It was a purrrfect day.
Joey continues to be sweet and adorable and to gobble up his baby food
at night.
Great big shout outs go out to my beloved husband, Eugene, and to the
best little cat in the world who loves me.
jules hathaway
Sent from my iPod
YA/adult nonfiction
"We [United States] have shot, hanged, gassed, electrocuted, and
lethally injected hundreds of people in the name of the law.
Thousands more await their execution in the section of prisons known
as death row. We've sent a quarter million kids, some under the age
of twelve, to adult jails and prisons. For years we've been the only
country in the world that condemns children to life imprisonment
without parole."
Bryan Stevenson had an epiphany during his senior year in
college: his philosophy degree did not guarantee employment. He
wasn't sure what he wanted to do with his life--just that it had to do
with rectifying poverty and injustice. Law school was disenchanting
until he worked for a few weeks with the Southern Prisoners Defense
Committee.
That was at the point at which executions had resumed in the
deep South. Prisoners with execution dates on the calendar were
unable to get lawyers. They could go to their graves without getting
any kind of legal help. That situation would not have launched many
people's careers. For Stevenson, however, it was a call to vocation.
He shares that call and where it led him in Just Mercy.
Woven through the book is the story of a black man, Walter
McMillan, who was wrongly accused of the murder of Ronda Morrison, the
white college student daughter of a well known family. There was a
lot of pressure to find the killer. Walter had angered a lot of
people by carrying on adultery with a white woman. When a man
indicted for another murder implicated McMillan in the Morrison
murder--even though the story was implausible, even though McMillan
had an alibi and dozens of witnesses--a guilty verdict ensued.
McMillan had to survive six years on death row--seeing fellow inmates
take that last walk--before Stevenson was able to get him freed.
Readers will also learn about other victims of injustice such as:
*Charlie, 14, who fatally shot his mother's abusive boyfriend who he
believed had just killed her and was repeatedly raped in jail,
*Trina, an abused, homeless, psychologically challenged teen who
unintentionally set a fire that killed two friends, was sentenced to
life with no possibility of parole, and was impregnated by rape by a
correctional officer,
and *Marsha, mother of six, who was sentenced to life without
possibility of parole for delivering a stillborn child.
"My work has taught me a vital lesson: each of us is more than
the worst thing we've ever done. I am persuaded that the opposite of
poverty is not wealth; the opposite of poverty is justice. Finally,
I've come to believe that the true measure of our commitment to
justice, fairness, and equality cannot be measured by how we treat the
rich, the respected, and the privileged among us. The true measure of
our character is how we treat the poor, the disfavored, the accused,
the incarcerated, and the condemned."
If you agree with Stevenson, you'll find Just Mercy to be a must
read.
On a purrrsonal note, I had a great weekend. Saturday I volunteered
at community garden, mostly weeding. It was hot, sticky work. We had
a good crew. Toward the end when it was just me and DJ. I turned the
hose on mist and sprayed myself. Then I sprayed DJ. We were like two
little kids. That's when I decided I'm not going to try to push
myself to make 100 volunteer hours this year. It's not like I won't
volunteer whenever I can. I just want it to be a source of joy, not
anxiety.
Sunday Eugene treated me to breakfast at Dennys. Then we were driving
all over Maine. We ran into a big old storm up near the Canadian
border. When we were back in Bangor Eugene treated me to supper at
Ruby Tuesday. At Brewer Goodwill he got me a cute shirt that says
DREAM
BIG
SPARKLE
MORE
SHINE BRIGHT
and a pair of adorable Beanie Baby bride and groom bears--just
purrrfect to find on our 30th anniversary eve. It was a purrrfect day.
Joey continues to be sweet and adorable and to gobble up his baby food
at night.
Great big shout outs go out to my beloved husband, Eugene, and to the
best little cat in the world who loves me.
jules hathaway
Sent from my iPod
Thursday, July 25, 2019
Rising Out Of Hatred
Rising Out Of Hatred
YA/adult nonfiction
"No family had done more to help white nationalism bully its way
back into mainstream politics, and Derek was the next step in that
evolution. He was precocious, thoughtful, and polite, sometimes
delivering hand written thank you notes to conference volunteers. He
never used racist slurs. He didn't advocate for outright violence or
breaking the law. His core beliefs were those of most white
nationalists: that America would be better off as a whites-only
country, and that all minorities should eventually be forced to
leave..."
Derek Black, portrayed in Eli Saslow's Rising Out Of Hatred, was
the heir apparant to a legacy of white nationalism. His father, Don,
was the founder of Stormfront, a leading racist online community. His
godfather was none other than David Duke of KKK fame. He'd been
pulled out of third grade to be unschooled by his very insular
community. By the time he started college he had his own radio show.
"...As Derek explained it to his listeners, white nationalists
were not fighting against minority rights, but for rights of their
own. As the white population in the United States continued to drop,
Derek and other activists were 'simply trying to protect and preserve
an endangered heritage and culture,' he said. They were trying to
save whites from an 'inevitable genocide by mass immigration and
forced assimilation.' Theirs was the righteous cause. They were the
social justice warriors..."
Derek's parents agreed to pay his college tuition. His degree
would bring academic cred to the movement. When he chose a liberal
college they weren't worried. After all, none of those "little
commies" would get to him. If anything, he'd get some of them to see
the light. Many of his classmates just wanted him out of there when
they learned his identity. But a few wanted to understand him and
help him see the error of his beliefs...
...and you'll have to read the book to see what happens.
On a personal note, I had myself a really sweet adventure. Thursday I
decided I'd better take the buses to Hannaford to get ingredients for
the 30th wedding anniversary supper I plan to make for Eugene and more
baby food for Joey cat. I was so not in the mood to spend four hours
on a simple errand that would take less than half the time if I could
drive. I was channeling my inner grumpy cat. Things started looking
up at Goodwill where I found a picture of a sad brown horse labelled
you and a pole dancing unicorn with rainbow mane and tail labelled
me. Two perfect for words. Then at Hannaford the sun burst out. My
library friend Peggy and I were talking. She handed me a slip of
paper that was her store credit for the returnables she's cashed in.
I could use it toward the cost of my food. I got $20 worth of food
for $6. That felt AMAZING!!! Where we've had to replace the truck
and washing machine recently, Eugene and I aren't exactly anywhere
near affluent.
A great big shout out goes out to Peggy for her kindness and generosity.
jules hathaway
Sent from my iPod
YA/adult nonfiction
"No family had done more to help white nationalism bully its way
back into mainstream politics, and Derek was the next step in that
evolution. He was precocious, thoughtful, and polite, sometimes
delivering hand written thank you notes to conference volunteers. He
never used racist slurs. He didn't advocate for outright violence or
breaking the law. His core beliefs were those of most white
nationalists: that America would be better off as a whites-only
country, and that all minorities should eventually be forced to
leave..."
Derek Black, portrayed in Eli Saslow's Rising Out Of Hatred, was
the heir apparant to a legacy of white nationalism. His father, Don,
was the founder of Stormfront, a leading racist online community. His
godfather was none other than David Duke of KKK fame. He'd been
pulled out of third grade to be unschooled by his very insular
community. By the time he started college he had his own radio show.
"...As Derek explained it to his listeners, white nationalists
were not fighting against minority rights, but for rights of their
own. As the white population in the United States continued to drop,
Derek and other activists were 'simply trying to protect and preserve
an endangered heritage and culture,' he said. They were trying to
save whites from an 'inevitable genocide by mass immigration and
forced assimilation.' Theirs was the righteous cause. They were the
social justice warriors..."
Derek's parents agreed to pay his college tuition. His degree
would bring academic cred to the movement. When he chose a liberal
college they weren't worried. After all, none of those "little
commies" would get to him. If anything, he'd get some of them to see
the light. Many of his classmates just wanted him out of there when
they learned his identity. But a few wanted to understand him and
help him see the error of his beliefs...
...and you'll have to read the book to see what happens.
On a personal note, I had myself a really sweet adventure. Thursday I
decided I'd better take the buses to Hannaford to get ingredients for
the 30th wedding anniversary supper I plan to make for Eugene and more
baby food for Joey cat. I was so not in the mood to spend four hours
on a simple errand that would take less than half the time if I could
drive. I was channeling my inner grumpy cat. Things started looking
up at Goodwill where I found a picture of a sad brown horse labelled
you and a pole dancing unicorn with rainbow mane and tail labelled
me. Two perfect for words. Then at Hannaford the sun burst out. My
library friend Peggy and I were talking. She handed me a slip of
paper that was her store credit for the returnables she's cashed in.
I could use it toward the cost of my food. I got $20 worth of food
for $6. That felt AMAZING!!! Where we've had to replace the truck
and washing machine recently, Eugene and I aren't exactly anywhere
near affluent.
A great big shout out goes out to Peggy for her kindness and generosity.
jules hathaway
Sent from my iPod
Monday, July 22, 2019
Unpunished Murder
Unpunished Murder
YA history
"Democrats, virtually all of whom were white, loathed those
changes--most considered freed slaves little more than beasts. The
most ferocious of the white supremacists, who called themselves
redeemers, had banded together across the South in groups such as the
Ku Klux Klan to fight any attempt to raise the political and economic
status of freedman. Their weapons were terror and murder. In one
period, between April and November 1868, more than one thousand
freedmen were murdered by whites."
In the spring of 1873 army men made a gruesome discovery in
Colfax, Louisiana, a town in a recently formed black parish. Nearly
all of the men of that town had been slain by a huge mob of well armed
redeemers, including some who had traveled hundreds of miles (in those
pre automobile days) to participate in the blood sport. Many were
shot in cold blood after they had set down the weapons with which they
had tried to defend their families and community. Others died when
the courthouse in which they sought refuge was burned down.
The Colfax Massacre is the pivot on which Lawrence Goldstone's
Unpunished Murder spins. Goldstone considers its story to be
America's story. As proof of his hypothesis, he goes backward and
forward (from the event) in time.
Goldstone starts off in the 1780s when the issue of slavery
divided states that weren't all that excited about being united in a
nation. He visits the Supreme Court Dredd Scott decision in which the
majority asserted that blacks "had for more than a century before been
regarded as beings of an inferior order, and altogether unfit to
associate with the white race, either in social or political
relations; and so far inferior, that the white man was bound to
respect; and that the negro might justly and lawfully be reduced to
slavery for his benefit.". He examines the politics of the
Reconstruction Era and the rise of the KKK.
Moving Forward from the massacre, Goldstone traces the quest for
justice. Merely nine men out of a huge mob would be charged. Three
would be found guilty. Their convictions were overturned,
necessitating the involvement of the Supreme Court which issued a
disastrous ruling that led to Jim Crow.
The power of Unpunished Murder is its ability to tie the
decisions of the Supreme Court to brutal historical events for
students. I highly recommend the book for the middle and high school
set.
On a personal note, Joey is still with us and loving his baby food.
Life was made much better for him (and all of us) when Eugene
installed one of the air conditioners right before the heat wave.
The humans in the family had an eventful weekend. Saturday Eugene and
I had a lovely picnic with Amber, Brian, Katie, and Jacob. It started
at Webster park and soon moved to Amber and Brian's apartment. Sunday
we went for a ride in his new used truck. We drove through an intense
storm with pouring, pelting, torrential rain, which means it's pretty
safe. But it feels antiseptic compared to the old green truck with
its precious memories of the children's growing up years. Do I ever
miss that green truck!
jules hathaway
Sent from my iPod
YA history
"Democrats, virtually all of whom were white, loathed those
changes--most considered freed slaves little more than beasts. The
most ferocious of the white supremacists, who called themselves
redeemers, had banded together across the South in groups such as the
Ku Klux Klan to fight any attempt to raise the political and economic
status of freedman. Their weapons were terror and murder. In one
period, between April and November 1868, more than one thousand
freedmen were murdered by whites."
In the spring of 1873 army men made a gruesome discovery in
Colfax, Louisiana, a town in a recently formed black parish. Nearly
all of the men of that town had been slain by a huge mob of well armed
redeemers, including some who had traveled hundreds of miles (in those
pre automobile days) to participate in the blood sport. Many were
shot in cold blood after they had set down the weapons with which they
had tried to defend their families and community. Others died when
the courthouse in which they sought refuge was burned down.
The Colfax Massacre is the pivot on which Lawrence Goldstone's
Unpunished Murder spins. Goldstone considers its story to be
America's story. As proof of his hypothesis, he goes backward and
forward (from the event) in time.
Goldstone starts off in the 1780s when the issue of slavery
divided states that weren't all that excited about being united in a
nation. He visits the Supreme Court Dredd Scott decision in which the
majority asserted that blacks "had for more than a century before been
regarded as beings of an inferior order, and altogether unfit to
associate with the white race, either in social or political
relations; and so far inferior, that the white man was bound to
respect; and that the negro might justly and lawfully be reduced to
slavery for his benefit.". He examines the politics of the
Reconstruction Era and the rise of the KKK.
Moving Forward from the massacre, Goldstone traces the quest for
justice. Merely nine men out of a huge mob would be charged. Three
would be found guilty. Their convictions were overturned,
necessitating the involvement of the Supreme Court which issued a
disastrous ruling that led to Jim Crow.
The power of Unpunished Murder is its ability to tie the
decisions of the Supreme Court to brutal historical events for
students. I highly recommend the book for the middle and high school
set.
On a personal note, Joey is still with us and loving his baby food.
Life was made much better for him (and all of us) when Eugene
installed one of the air conditioners right before the heat wave.
The humans in the family had an eventful weekend. Saturday Eugene and
I had a lovely picnic with Amber, Brian, Katie, and Jacob. It started
at Webster park and soon moved to Amber and Brian's apartment. Sunday
we went for a ride in his new used truck. We drove through an intense
storm with pouring, pelting, torrential rain, which means it's pretty
safe. But it feels antiseptic compared to the old green truck with
its precious memories of the children's growing up years. Do I ever
miss that green truck!
jules hathaway
Sent from my iPod
Friday, July 19, 2019
Sad Animal Facts
Sad Animal Facts
YA nonfiction
The day Brooke Barker was born her grandmother gave her an
animal book in the hope she would become "a friend to every
creature". That was to be quite a challenge. She wasn't allowed to
have pets. So she read voraciously about animals. She learned about
the sad aspects of their lives. In third grade when she was stung by
a bunch of bees what she was upset about was the death of the bees.
When Barker became a reference librarian she had a lot of time
on her hands. She recycled old card catalog slips by drawing animals
on their backs. Her coworkers suggested critters.
Barker's Sad Animal Facts combines both interests. Each page
combines a fact with a drawing. An appendix expands on all the
facts. Did you know that:
*An alligator's brain weighs less than an Oreo;
*Hippos attract mates by peeing;
and *Shark pregnancies can last for years?
Those are only a few of the over 150 gems you'll discover in Sad
Animal Facts. Try it. I think you'll like it.
On a purrrsonal note, Joey cat is still very much in the game. He's
loving his baby food. He gets cat food in the day and his jar of baby
food at night. I'm worried for him though. We're supposed to get
brutal temps this weekend. They wilted him even before he had
cancer. Adam dropped off 2 window mounted air conditioners that could
really help him survive. Eugene won't set them up. I guess he thinks
they're a waste of electricity or something like that. As for me, I
can't lift one. I tried. I feel so frustrated because I just want to
keep Joey as happy and comfortable as possible.
A great big shout out goes out to Adam for his thoughtfulness and the
best little cat in the world whom I hope and pray I won't lose to heat
and humidity.
jules hathaway
Thank You, Earth
Picture book
Kids aren't spending enough time in nature. And they tend, when
outside, to be swooped from place to place by parents and other
adults. The ponds, streams, and woodsy places kids used to claim as
their own, even good sledding hills, stand empty.
April Pulley Sayre's Thank You Earth: A Love Letter To Our
Planet is a psalm of tribute to the beauty of our created world.
Concise verse accompanies gorgeous photographs, many of beings and
places children can see in their own neighborhoods. On a two page
spread "Thank you for tiny" shows a lady bug crawling across a leaf
while "and towering." gives an upward view through the leaves of a
towering tree. Text ranges from the profound "Thank you for
beginnings, for endings, for lifetimes." to the playful "even fishy
whale breath."
Share this beautiful book with the children in your life. Then
go outside and discover what you are personally thankful for. You
could even create a book that will become a family treasure.
On a personal note, yesterday I bussed to Bangor to get more baby food
for Joey cat (stopping on the way at Goodwill where I found two
awesome cat shirts). At Hannaford I ran into a friend from my writing
class whom I hadn't seen in ages. We went to her house and caught up
over an excellent lunch. Then she gave me a ride home. Today I
volunteered an hour at Orono Public Library when I went to pick up my
ILLs. On the way back I was rewarded by seeing a beautiful monarch
butterfly.
Great big shout outs go out to Sandra for being the hostess with the
mostesss on such short notice and the best little cat in the world for
loving me.
jules hathaway
Sent from my iPod
YA nonfiction
The day Brooke Barker was born her grandmother gave her an
animal book in the hope she would become "a friend to every
creature". That was to be quite a challenge. She wasn't allowed to
have pets. So she read voraciously about animals. She learned about
the sad aspects of their lives. In third grade when she was stung by
a bunch of bees what she was upset about was the death of the bees.
When Barker became a reference librarian she had a lot of time
on her hands. She recycled old card catalog slips by drawing animals
on their backs. Her coworkers suggested critters.
Barker's Sad Animal Facts combines both interests. Each page
combines a fact with a drawing. An appendix expands on all the
facts. Did you know that:
*An alligator's brain weighs less than an Oreo;
*Hippos attract mates by peeing;
and *Shark pregnancies can last for years?
Those are only a few of the over 150 gems you'll discover in Sad
Animal Facts. Try it. I think you'll like it.
On a purrrsonal note, Joey cat is still very much in the game. He's
loving his baby food. He gets cat food in the day and his jar of baby
food at night. I'm worried for him though. We're supposed to get
brutal temps this weekend. They wilted him even before he had
cancer. Adam dropped off 2 window mounted air conditioners that could
really help him survive. Eugene won't set them up. I guess he thinks
they're a waste of electricity or something like that. As for me, I
can't lift one. I tried. I feel so frustrated because I just want to
keep Joey as happy and comfortable as possible.
A great big shout out goes out to Adam for his thoughtfulness and the
best little cat in the world whom I hope and pray I won't lose to heat
and humidity.
jules hathaway
Thank You, Earth
Picture book
Kids aren't spending enough time in nature. And they tend, when
outside, to be swooped from place to place by parents and other
adults. The ponds, streams, and woodsy places kids used to claim as
their own, even good sledding hills, stand empty.
April Pulley Sayre's Thank You Earth: A Love Letter To Our
Planet is a psalm of tribute to the beauty of our created world.
Concise verse accompanies gorgeous photographs, many of beings and
places children can see in their own neighborhoods. On a two page
spread "Thank you for tiny" shows a lady bug crawling across a leaf
while "and towering." gives an upward view through the leaves of a
towering tree. Text ranges from the profound "Thank you for
beginnings, for endings, for lifetimes." to the playful "even fishy
whale breath."
Share this beautiful book with the children in your life. Then
go outside and discover what you are personally thankful for. You
could even create a book that will become a family treasure.
On a personal note, yesterday I bussed to Bangor to get more baby food
for Joey cat (stopping on the way at Goodwill where I found two
awesome cat shirts). At Hannaford I ran into a friend from my writing
class whom I hadn't seen in ages. We went to her house and caught up
over an excellent lunch. Then she gave me a ride home. Today I
volunteered an hour at Orono Public Library when I went to pick up my
ILLs. On the way back I was rewarded by seeing a beautiful monarch
butterfly.
Great big shout outs go out to Sandra for being the hostess with the
mostesss on such short notice and the best little cat in the world for
loving me.
jules hathaway
Sent from my iPod
Wednesday, July 17, 2019
Branded
Branded
Adult nonfiction
"Teens suffer more than any other sector of society from this
wall-to-wall selling. They are at least as anxious as their parents
about having enough money and maintaining their social class, a fear
that they have been taught is best allayed by more branded gear. And
they have taken to branding themselves, believing that the only way to
participate in the world is to turn oneself into a corporate product
or a corporate spy to help promote the product to other kids."
When I was a child, although there were product brands, branding
as a verb was reserved for cattle. But then corporations were less
grasping. Ads were produced for the purpose of getting as many
consumers as possible to chose one's brand of orange juice, breakfast
cereal, or laundry detergent over those of one's competitors.
Today corporations are demanding a level of long term brand
loyalty of consumers that inserts logos and what they stand for into
their very identities. For this reason I think that the title of
Alissa Quart's Branded is brilliant. In it Quart discusses many of
the ways tweens and teens package their identities and corporations
and other entities benefit.
Corporations gain intelligence on the high school crowd by
befriending and bestowing status and free products on teen "insiders"
and "trendspotters". They make their chosen few feel important and
connected, often turning them into unpaid advertisers for the brands
that seem to take such an interest in them.
"Teenagers have come to believe that consumer goods are their
friends--and that the companies selling products to them are their
trusted allies. After all, they inquire after the kids' opinions with
all the solicitude of an ideal parent. Tell us how to best sell you
our products, they ask. If you do, we will always love you."
There are the corporations that pay big bucks for product and
logo placement in popular video games. They're sure of a captive
audience. Avid gamers spend hours on end in their favorite virtual
worlds.
Even higher education gets into the act as students (and their
families) spend obscene amounts of time and money trying to get
accepted by the top branded trophy institutions such as the ivies.
In the 15 years since its publication I wish Branded has become
obsolete. Sadly it hasn't. So I recommend it to parents of and
people who work with Tweens, teens, and college students.
On a personal note, I made 2 major culinary discoveries concerning
Joey. When I opened a can of chicken to make Chicken Helper he really
perked up. When I gave him the juice he lapped up every bit. That's
another source of fluids and calories. The second came from following
the most excellent suggestion from my BFF Jodi to try baby food. Her
cat likes it. Joey adores it. It made such a positive impression on
him the next day he got excited at the sight of a jar of it. That was
fast learning! At this point nothing fills my heart with more joy
than finding things my little friend wants to eat.
Orono Community Garden is thriving and we're now giving out good
organic veggies every Tuesday.
A great big shout out goes out to the dearest little cat in the world
who makes every day a treasure and BFF Jodi who gave me such excellent
advice and has been helping me cope since the very sad day when I
learned that precious Joey has cancer.
jules hathaway
Sent from my iPod
Adult nonfiction
"Teens suffer more than any other sector of society from this
wall-to-wall selling. They are at least as anxious as their parents
about having enough money and maintaining their social class, a fear
that they have been taught is best allayed by more branded gear. And
they have taken to branding themselves, believing that the only way to
participate in the world is to turn oneself into a corporate product
or a corporate spy to help promote the product to other kids."
When I was a child, although there were product brands, branding
as a verb was reserved for cattle. But then corporations were less
grasping. Ads were produced for the purpose of getting as many
consumers as possible to chose one's brand of orange juice, breakfast
cereal, or laundry detergent over those of one's competitors.
Today corporations are demanding a level of long term brand
loyalty of consumers that inserts logos and what they stand for into
their very identities. For this reason I think that the title of
Alissa Quart's Branded is brilliant. In it Quart discusses many of
the ways tweens and teens package their identities and corporations
and other entities benefit.
Corporations gain intelligence on the high school crowd by
befriending and bestowing status and free products on teen "insiders"
and "trendspotters". They make their chosen few feel important and
connected, often turning them into unpaid advertisers for the brands
that seem to take such an interest in them.
"Teenagers have come to believe that consumer goods are their
friends--and that the companies selling products to them are their
trusted allies. After all, they inquire after the kids' opinions with
all the solicitude of an ideal parent. Tell us how to best sell you
our products, they ask. If you do, we will always love you."
There are the corporations that pay big bucks for product and
logo placement in popular video games. They're sure of a captive
audience. Avid gamers spend hours on end in their favorite virtual
worlds.
Even higher education gets into the act as students (and their
families) spend obscene amounts of time and money trying to get
accepted by the top branded trophy institutions such as the ivies.
In the 15 years since its publication I wish Branded has become
obsolete. Sadly it hasn't. So I recommend it to parents of and
people who work with Tweens, teens, and college students.
On a personal note, I made 2 major culinary discoveries concerning
Joey. When I opened a can of chicken to make Chicken Helper he really
perked up. When I gave him the juice he lapped up every bit. That's
another source of fluids and calories. The second came from following
the most excellent suggestion from my BFF Jodi to try baby food. Her
cat likes it. Joey adores it. It made such a positive impression on
him the next day he got excited at the sight of a jar of it. That was
fast learning! At this point nothing fills my heart with more joy
than finding things my little friend wants to eat.
Orono Community Garden is thriving and we're now giving out good
organic veggies every Tuesday.
A great big shout out goes out to the dearest little cat in the world
who makes every day a treasure and BFF Jodi who gave me such excellent
advice and has been helping me cope since the very sad day when I
learned that precious Joey has cancer.
jules hathaway
Sent from my iPod
Monday, July 15, 2019
The Execution Of Willie Francis
The Execution Of Willie Francis
Adult nonfiction
"Gruesome Gertie was the nickname the prisoners at Angola had
given the portable electric chair. What Ephie Foster delivered with
his truck was death. Or justice--it depended in whom you were asking...
Gertie's next guest was just across the cemetary, in the pure
white and stately New Iberia Courthouse that loomed to the East.
Foster knew he was in there. He knew that the boy--the one he called
'the nigger'--was up there in a cell above the courthouse, waiting for
dawn and probably not sleeping that well. Tomorrow, Foster told them,
we're going to fry a nigger. Show starts at noon."
A terrible crime had been committed in St. Martinville,
Louisiana in November 1949. The well known and liked white owner of a
pharmacy, Andrew Thomas, was discovered dead, riddled with bullets, in
his yard. Five shots had been fired at close range. Townspeople
became paralyzed with fear, afraid to go out at night.
There were plenty of rumors. A lifelong bachelor, Thomas had
been suspected of engaging in trysts with married women. Perhaps an
irate spouse had taken revenge.
The police chief and sheriff were not lucking out when it came
to clues. The murder weapon couldn't be found. There were no
fingerprints or eyewitnesses. Offers of reward money for information
produced no intelligence. It wasn't til nine months later that police
in Port Arthur, Texas arrested a black teen, Willie Francis, and found
him to have Thomas' wallet.
Willie's trial was a travesty. His court appointed lawyers
didn't lift a finger to defend him. All members of the jury charged
with determining his fate were white. The murder weapon and bullets
were missing. Not surprisingly, he was sentenced to death by
electrocution.
What was a big surprise was that Gruesome Gertie failed in her
mission. Willie was able to walk away from his execution. The powers
that be scheduled a second electrocution. Only before they could
carry it out a Cajun lawyer, Bertrand DeBlanc, intervened to try to
get Willie's sentence commuted to life in prison on constitutional
grounds. The case went as far as the United States Supreme Court.
In The Execution Of Willie Francis Gilbert King brings readers
the same balance of high drama and meticulous background research that
made his Devil In The Grove impossible to put down. History buffs and
civil rights advocates will find this fine book to be a must read.
On a personal note, Eugene installed the new washing machine Sunday
morning. After he went off on his motorcycle I tried it out. I was a
little spooked by the noises. At one point it sounded like it was in
labor and a couple of times it sounded about ready to blast off into
outer space. But it works perfectly. It has a sensor that determines
how much water to use and settings for everything from my delicates to
Eugene's work clothes. Little lights show what cycle it's in.
A great big shout out goes out to Eugene for getting and installing
the machine.
jules hathaway
Sent from my iPod
Adult nonfiction
"Gruesome Gertie was the nickname the prisoners at Angola had
given the portable electric chair. What Ephie Foster delivered with
his truck was death. Or justice--it depended in whom you were asking...
Gertie's next guest was just across the cemetary, in the pure
white and stately New Iberia Courthouse that loomed to the East.
Foster knew he was in there. He knew that the boy--the one he called
'the nigger'--was up there in a cell above the courthouse, waiting for
dawn and probably not sleeping that well. Tomorrow, Foster told them,
we're going to fry a nigger. Show starts at noon."
A terrible crime had been committed in St. Martinville,
Louisiana in November 1949. The well known and liked white owner of a
pharmacy, Andrew Thomas, was discovered dead, riddled with bullets, in
his yard. Five shots had been fired at close range. Townspeople
became paralyzed with fear, afraid to go out at night.
There were plenty of rumors. A lifelong bachelor, Thomas had
been suspected of engaging in trysts with married women. Perhaps an
irate spouse had taken revenge.
The police chief and sheriff were not lucking out when it came
to clues. The murder weapon couldn't be found. There were no
fingerprints or eyewitnesses. Offers of reward money for information
produced no intelligence. It wasn't til nine months later that police
in Port Arthur, Texas arrested a black teen, Willie Francis, and found
him to have Thomas' wallet.
Willie's trial was a travesty. His court appointed lawyers
didn't lift a finger to defend him. All members of the jury charged
with determining his fate were white. The murder weapon and bullets
were missing. Not surprisingly, he was sentenced to death by
electrocution.
What was a big surprise was that Gruesome Gertie failed in her
mission. Willie was able to walk away from his execution. The powers
that be scheduled a second electrocution. Only before they could
carry it out a Cajun lawyer, Bertrand DeBlanc, intervened to try to
get Willie's sentence commuted to life in prison on constitutional
grounds. The case went as far as the United States Supreme Court.
In The Execution Of Willie Francis Gilbert King brings readers
the same balance of high drama and meticulous background research that
made his Devil In The Grove impossible to put down. History buffs and
civil rights advocates will find this fine book to be a must read.
On a personal note, Eugene installed the new washing machine Sunday
morning. After he went off on his motorcycle I tried it out. I was a
little spooked by the noises. At one point it sounded like it was in
labor and a couple of times it sounded about ready to blast off into
outer space. But it works perfectly. It has a sensor that determines
how much water to use and settings for everything from my delicates to
Eugene's work clothes. Little lights show what cycle it's in.
A great big shout out goes out to Eugene for getting and installing
the machine.
jules hathaway
Sent from my iPod
Saturday, July 13, 2019
Raising Ryland
Raising Ryland
Parenting
"'Mom, when the family dies...can I cut my hair so I can be a
boy?'
My heart drops. Time stops. I look at her, but she is staring
ahead--my stoic little child, waiting for my answer. By the
expression on her face, I can see that she understands the
significance of what she's just asked me. But why should we have to
die for Ryland to cut her hair and feel happy, whatever that requires?"
At this pivotal moment in Raising Ryland, author and mother
Hillary Whittington had already been through one huge parenting
crisis. Ryland was over a year old when she was diagnosed as
profoundly deaf. A cochlear implant allowed her to hear. But it took
awhile for her to adjust to a hearing world and catch up with other
kids in language understanding and production.
While that crisis was ebbing another was brewing. Being able to
talk allows Ryland to start expressing her opinions. At two she's
admiring boys' clothes and throwing tantrums whenever Hillary tries to
dress her in anything feminine. She prefers boys' toys to anything on
the pink side of the store aisle. In preschool she calls and draws
herself as a boy.
The night of the hair conversation Hillary has been learning
about transgender children. She's sure Ryland is one. She comes to
the realization that she must do what it takes to make her child
happy. But how would she share this epiphany with her husband, their
respective families, their friends, and the rest of the world?
Raising Ryland is a very important book in today's world. It
will be enormously useful to parents negotiating this relatively
unchartered transition with their children. It also has the potential
to enlighten the communities in which these families live.
On a personal note, Eugene and I made the rounds of stores to look at
washing machines and talk about what features we found most
important. This was a first for us. Always before he chose an
appliance and brought it home. The good news: there are affordable
ones that have the features we want. The bad news: the salespeople
approached Eugene as if I was invisible. How hard is it to say folks
instead of sir? Aren't we supposed to be in the 21st century?
A great big shout out goes out to my sweet little cat who blessedly is
still with us.
jules hathaway
Sent from my iPod
Parenting
"'Mom, when the family dies...can I cut my hair so I can be a
boy?'
My heart drops. Time stops. I look at her, but she is staring
ahead--my stoic little child, waiting for my answer. By the
expression on her face, I can see that she understands the
significance of what she's just asked me. But why should we have to
die for Ryland to cut her hair and feel happy, whatever that requires?"
At this pivotal moment in Raising Ryland, author and mother
Hillary Whittington had already been through one huge parenting
crisis. Ryland was over a year old when she was diagnosed as
profoundly deaf. A cochlear implant allowed her to hear. But it took
awhile for her to adjust to a hearing world and catch up with other
kids in language understanding and production.
While that crisis was ebbing another was brewing. Being able to
talk allows Ryland to start expressing her opinions. At two she's
admiring boys' clothes and throwing tantrums whenever Hillary tries to
dress her in anything feminine. She prefers boys' toys to anything on
the pink side of the store aisle. In preschool she calls and draws
herself as a boy.
The night of the hair conversation Hillary has been learning
about transgender children. She's sure Ryland is one. She comes to
the realization that she must do what it takes to make her child
happy. But how would she share this epiphany with her husband, their
respective families, their friends, and the rest of the world?
Raising Ryland is a very important book in today's world. It
will be enormously useful to parents negotiating this relatively
unchartered transition with their children. It also has the potential
to enlighten the communities in which these families live.
On a personal note, Eugene and I made the rounds of stores to look at
washing machines and talk about what features we found most
important. This was a first for us. Always before he chose an
appliance and brought it home. The good news: there are affordable
ones that have the features we want. The bad news: the salespeople
approached Eugene as if I was invisible. How hard is it to say folks
instead of sir? Aren't we supposed to be in the 21st century?
A great big shout out goes out to my sweet little cat who blessedly is
still with us.
jules hathaway
Sent from my iPod
Thursday, July 11, 2019
Bitter End
Bitter End
YA/adult fiction
"A part of me couldn't believe what had just happened. Most of
me, really. Maybe it was just a bad dream, and I would wake from it,
shaky and upset but so glad it was over. But a part of me knew that
it was true, what I'd just experienced. Part of me had known it at
the lake party. Part of me had sensed something dangerous about Cole
even back then. But nothing like this. Never, not in a million
years, would I have sensed this."
Alex, protagonist of Jennifer Brown's Bitter End, lost her
mother at am early age. Her father and sisters seem to have moved
on. Alex still has lots of questions. What was in Colorado that had
such strong allure that her mom was determined to go there? Why
wasn't her home (and family) strong enough to hold her?
When Cole, a handsome new student, the only child of an
extremely dysfunctional marriage, seems to understand her better than
anyone else, she feels that she's met her soul mate. Only red flags
start popping up quickly. Jealous of the time Alex spends with her
best friends, Bethany and Zack, Cole manages to drive a wedge between
them. And Cole begins hurting Alex. Every time he does he seems
overcome with remorse, showering her with gifts and reassurances it
will never happen again...
...Bitter End is a suspenseful, poignant, and powerful narrative
that brings to life a topic only too relevant in today's world.
On a purrrsonal note, Joey is still in the game, still enjoying
life. We both treasure the precious time we spend together. Work is
going great. I am really enjoying the opportunity to work for
managers and supervisors and with CAs from other venues. For example,
Ann taught her much of what I know last summer. When she comes down
from Hilltop it is really great to work for her.
A great big shout out goes out to the best little cat in the world who
loves me.
jules hathaway
Sent from my iPod
YA/adult fiction
"A part of me couldn't believe what had just happened. Most of
me, really. Maybe it was just a bad dream, and I would wake from it,
shaky and upset but so glad it was over. But a part of me knew that
it was true, what I'd just experienced. Part of me had known it at
the lake party. Part of me had sensed something dangerous about Cole
even back then. But nothing like this. Never, not in a million
years, would I have sensed this."
Alex, protagonist of Jennifer Brown's Bitter End, lost her
mother at am early age. Her father and sisters seem to have moved
on. Alex still has lots of questions. What was in Colorado that had
such strong allure that her mom was determined to go there? Why
wasn't her home (and family) strong enough to hold her?
When Cole, a handsome new student, the only child of an
extremely dysfunctional marriage, seems to understand her better than
anyone else, she feels that she's met her soul mate. Only red flags
start popping up quickly. Jealous of the time Alex spends with her
best friends, Bethany and Zack, Cole manages to drive a wedge between
them. And Cole begins hurting Alex. Every time he does he seems
overcome with remorse, showering her with gifts and reassurances it
will never happen again...
...Bitter End is a suspenseful, poignant, and powerful narrative
that brings to life a topic only too relevant in today's world.
On a purrrsonal note, Joey is still in the game, still enjoying
life. We both treasure the precious time we spend together. Work is
going great. I am really enjoying the opportunity to work for
managers and supervisors and with CAs from other venues. For example,
Ann taught her much of what I know last summer. When she comes down
from Hilltop it is really great to work for her.
A great big shout out goes out to the best little cat in the world who
loves me.
jules hathaway
Sent from my iPod
Wednesday, July 10, 2019
The Day Of The Pelican
The Day Of The Pelican
Juvenile fiction
In 1999 Katherine Paterson's Vermont church sponsored a refugee
family from Kosovo. She got to know them and wrote a newspaper series
and then a juvenile novel about a fictional family undergoing their
experiences. The Day Of The Pelican is a powerful and poignant
glimpse at the terrible cost of civil war.
It's almost spring when Meli's world begins to fall to pieces.
Her aunt and uncle arrive unexpectedly. They bring terrible news.
"'Seventy people.' It was Mehmet who broke the silence. 'Adam
Jashari and his family. Those Serb butchers just went in and
slaughtered them all.'"
One day Meli has to stay after school. When she can go home her
older brother, Mehmet, isn't waiting for her. But he hasn't returned
home. Her father goes out to search for him. Her mother tells Meli
not to worry.
"How could Meli not worry? Her family lived in a country where
people were known to disappear without a trace. Men mostly--men who
were suspected of Kosovo Liberation Army connections. But for all his
posturing, Mehmet was only a boy. He wasn't part of the KLA. Surely
not even a Serb policeman would think...But who knows what those
people thought?"
Weeks later Mehmet returns with a tale of being beaten and left
for dead. KLA people nursed him back to health. The family realizes
that their home is no longer safe. Their journey will take them to a
primitive mountainside encampment, a refugee camp, and then...
...half way around the world to a very strange place.
Grab your literary passport and get ready to travel with them.
On a personal note, and now we're doing our best to keep people in
dire danger out! We disgrace the statue of liberty.
A great big shout out goes out to all who strive to get refugees to
safety.
jules hathaway
Sent from my iPod
Juvenile fiction
In 1999 Katherine Paterson's Vermont church sponsored a refugee
family from Kosovo. She got to know them and wrote a newspaper series
and then a juvenile novel about a fictional family undergoing their
experiences. The Day Of The Pelican is a powerful and poignant
glimpse at the terrible cost of civil war.
It's almost spring when Meli's world begins to fall to pieces.
Her aunt and uncle arrive unexpectedly. They bring terrible news.
"'Seventy people.' It was Mehmet who broke the silence. 'Adam
Jashari and his family. Those Serb butchers just went in and
slaughtered them all.'"
One day Meli has to stay after school. When she can go home her
older brother, Mehmet, isn't waiting for her. But he hasn't returned
home. Her father goes out to search for him. Her mother tells Meli
not to worry.
"How could Meli not worry? Her family lived in a country where
people were known to disappear without a trace. Men mostly--men who
were suspected of Kosovo Liberation Army connections. But for all his
posturing, Mehmet was only a boy. He wasn't part of the KLA. Surely
not even a Serb policeman would think...But who knows what those
people thought?"
Weeks later Mehmet returns with a tale of being beaten and left
for dead. KLA people nursed him back to health. The family realizes
that their home is no longer safe. Their journey will take them to a
primitive mountainside encampment, a refugee camp, and then...
...half way around the world to a very strange place.
Grab your literary passport and get ready to travel with them.
On a personal note, and now we're doing our best to keep people in
dire danger out! We disgrace the statue of liberty.
A great big shout out goes out to all who strive to get refugees to
safety.
jules hathaway
Sent from my iPod
I Am Nujood, Age 10 And Divorced
I Am Nujood, Age 10 And Divorced
Adult nonfiction
Yes, you read that right. This memoir by Nujood Ali concerns
her arranged marriage at ten. Her father had lost his job. Her
mother is running out of possessions to sell. There has been some
kind of scandal involving her sisters. When a man from his former
village tells her father that he wishes to unite their two families in
marriage he offers him Nujood.
Nujood must leave school. The males of the two families get to
draw up the details of the marriage contract and set the dowry.
Females, including the bride, have no say in the matter. The wedding
"celebration" is an occasion of sorrow rather than joy.
"...I didn't want to leave my family. I didn't feel prepared. I
already missed school painfully, and Malek [her best friend] even
more. Catching sight of my little sister Haifa's sad face during the
celebration, I realized with a pang that I would miss her as well. I
felt a sudden rush of fear. What if she, too, were condemned to
suffer my fate?"
Nujood meets her husband for the first time when he arrives to
take her to his home. Her mother-in-law obviously dislikes her. Her
new husband rapes her nightly and then begins to beat her. Her mother
and sister-in-law keep her constantly working and don't let her play
with neighborhood children.
When Nujood has a chance to visit her family, her parents say
she must stay with her husband. It's a matter of honor. Her father's
second wife, however, tells her she must go to court and seek a divorce.
This book is a must read for feminists and allies.
On a personal note, when I read the book I was horrified. I hope you
read it and become enraged.
A great big shout out goes out to all who work to end this terrible
custom of child marriage which BTW happens in the United States as
well as other countries.
jules hathaway
Sent from my iPod
Adult nonfiction
Yes, you read that right. This memoir by Nujood Ali concerns
her arranged marriage at ten. Her father had lost his job. Her
mother is running out of possessions to sell. There has been some
kind of scandal involving her sisters. When a man from his former
village tells her father that he wishes to unite their two families in
marriage he offers him Nujood.
Nujood must leave school. The males of the two families get to
draw up the details of the marriage contract and set the dowry.
Females, including the bride, have no say in the matter. The wedding
"celebration" is an occasion of sorrow rather than joy.
"...I didn't want to leave my family. I didn't feel prepared. I
already missed school painfully, and Malek [her best friend] even
more. Catching sight of my little sister Haifa's sad face during the
celebration, I realized with a pang that I would miss her as well. I
felt a sudden rush of fear. What if she, too, were condemned to
suffer my fate?"
Nujood meets her husband for the first time when he arrives to
take her to his home. Her mother-in-law obviously dislikes her. Her
new husband rapes her nightly and then begins to beat her. Her mother
and sister-in-law keep her constantly working and don't let her play
with neighborhood children.
When Nujood has a chance to visit her family, her parents say
she must stay with her husband. It's a matter of honor. Her father's
second wife, however, tells her she must go to court and seek a divorce.
This book is a must read for feminists and allies.
On a personal note, when I read the book I was horrified. I hope you
read it and become enraged.
A great big shout out goes out to all who work to end this terrible
custom of child marriage which BTW happens in the United States as
well as other countries.
jules hathaway
Sent from my iPod
Stories For Boys Who Dare To Be Different
Stories For Boys Who Dare To Be Different
Juvenile nonfiction
The subtitle of Ben Brooks' Stories For Boys Who Dare To Be
Different--True Tales of Amazing Boys Who Changed The World Without
Killing Dragons--says it all. In this book readers will find pictures
and biographies of 76 guys who achieved amazing things while stepping
out of the macho man stereotype. Among them are:
*Daniel Anthony (1794-1862) who started a school when his daughter,
Susan, complained that her teacher was refusing to teach girls long
division;
*Favio Chavez (born 1975) who, when asked by parents who made their
living scavenging metal and plastic from a huge dump to play music,
helped them make instruments out of trash and start an orchastra;
*Alan L. Hart (1890-1962) who was one of the first people to undergo
gender reassignment;
*William Kamkwamba (born 1987) who learned enough from library books
to create a wind turbine to provide electricity for his family's home;
*Jorge Munez (born 1965), a school bus driver who before and after
work prepares food for people in need;
and *Boyan Slat (1994) who invented a device for getting plastic out
of the ocean.
The scope of these stories is amazing. Public and school
libraries and parents of sons would do well to acquire this fine book.
On a personal note, at work I've figured out a way to get more hours.
I get up earlier than most student workers. By checking my iPod I can
see if Anna sends out a help needed message and call. It's like those
radio contests. The prize is the chance to earn more money.
A great big shout out goes out to my work family, especially the
people who are in other venues during the school year who I get to
work with during the summer.
jules hathaway
Sent from my iPod
Juvenile nonfiction
The subtitle of Ben Brooks' Stories For Boys Who Dare To Be
Different--True Tales of Amazing Boys Who Changed The World Without
Killing Dragons--says it all. In this book readers will find pictures
and biographies of 76 guys who achieved amazing things while stepping
out of the macho man stereotype. Among them are:
*Daniel Anthony (1794-1862) who started a school when his daughter,
Susan, complained that her teacher was refusing to teach girls long
division;
*Favio Chavez (born 1975) who, when asked by parents who made their
living scavenging metal and plastic from a huge dump to play music,
helped them make instruments out of trash and start an orchastra;
*Alan L. Hart (1890-1962) who was one of the first people to undergo
gender reassignment;
*William Kamkwamba (born 1987) who learned enough from library books
to create a wind turbine to provide electricity for his family's home;
*Jorge Munez (born 1965), a school bus driver who before and after
work prepares food for people in need;
and *Boyan Slat (1994) who invented a device for getting plastic out
of the ocean.
The scope of these stories is amazing. Public and school
libraries and parents of sons would do well to acquire this fine book.
On a personal note, at work I've figured out a way to get more hours.
I get up earlier than most student workers. By checking my iPod I can
see if Anna sends out a help needed message and call. It's like those
radio contests. The prize is the chance to earn more money.
A great big shout out goes out to my work family, especially the
people who are in other venues during the school year who I get to
work with during the summer.
jules hathaway
Sent from my iPod
Tuesday, July 9, 2019
American Prison
American Prison
Adult nonfiction
...My research took me inside a private prison, but it also took
me to history books, old newspapers, forgotten memoirs, and
penetentiary reports stuffed away in state archives. Through the
course of my digging, ithas become clear that there was never a time
in American history in which companies or governments weren't trying
to make money from other people's captivity. I have attempted to
weave this larger history into the story of my eyewitness reporting,
in the hope that I can convey the scope and stakes of what is surely a
national disaster."
Shane Bauer, senior reporter for Mother Jones, was faced with a
dilemma. He wanted to get the scoop on private prisons. Just what
went on behind their closed doors? Only going the conventional route
would just gain him the information the industry would want him to have.
"...when prisons do let reporters in, it's usually for carefully
managed tours and monitored interviews with inmates. Many states
don't allow reporters to choose who they want to interview; the prison
chooses for them. Phone calls are surveilled and letters are opened
and read by guards. Inmates who talk freely to a reporter risk
retaliation, including solitary confinement."
Under those circumstances he felt that he had no other option
than going undercover. He applied to work in the system. He was
hired for an entry level CO [corrections officer] job at Winn
Correctional Center in Winnfield, Louisiana. His observations and
research resulted not only in an expose for Mother Jones, but the book
American Prison.
His biggest take was that private prisons are all about turning
a profit for the stock holders. The way to do that is to slash costs
ruthlessly, denying inmates not only the services that could lead to
rehabilitation, but often basics. [Isn't this just like the American
healthcare system?] Education, training, and even recreation are
nonexistent. The prison doesn't provide staff for that; in fact, they
don't have enough people on duty to adequately keep an eye on the
inmates.
Health care for inmates is neglected big time. In an episode
that should enrage readers, Bauer meets an inmate who, during a four
month span, had made nine requests for medical help. Even when his
feet were oozing pus he was given "sole pads, corn removal pads, and
Motrin." A nurse threatened to write him up for malingering.
"...He tells me his name is Robert Scott and he's been there
twelve years. 'I was walking when I got here,' he tells me. 'Had all
my fingers.' I notice he is wearing fingerless gloves with nothing
poking out of them. 'They took my legs in January and my fingers in
June. Gangrene don't play. I kept going to the infirmary saying, 'My
feet hurt. My feet hurt.' They said, 'Ain't nothin' wrong wicha. I
don't see nothin' wrong wicha.' They didn't believe me or they talk
bad to me--'I can't believe you comin' up here.'"
One way Winn cut corners was by paying COs the same as WalMart
associates, only for twelve hour shifts of dirty [human feces are
involved], dangerous work. Some found less than legal ways of
supplementing their income. Many ignored things like fights. They
weren't being paid enough to intervene. Chillingly, Bauer finds
himself evolving from wanting to do the right thing to taking the
insults of prisoners personally and retaliating, caught up in the drama.
Bauer interweaves his personal narrative with history chapters,
showing that imprisonment for profit is a dark stain on American
history, going back to colonial days. English convicts were given an
offer they couldn't refuse. Instead of death by hanging, they could
be exiled to the colonies where they'd be auctioned off into
involuntary servitude. Well off colonists were really hard up for
servants, you know.
If you're bothered by what you hear about conditions in private
prisons--and remember they also include immigrant detention camps with
children--you'll find American Prison to be a must read.
On a personal note, last night there was quite the drama in the
Hathaway household. Walking into the kitchen, I found myself wading
in water, much too much to be the result of a knocked over water
bowl. I thought, oh, crap! The washing machine is spewing water!
Eugene and I had quite the clean up! And now we don't have a washing
machine. Laundromats are not an option because there are none in
walking distance and I can't drive. I can wash my clothes by hand and
hang them. It's Eugene's clothes and the towels that are too heavy
for that! What will we do? Keep reading my reviews to find out.
A great big shout out goes out to the best little cat in the world who
was confused by all that was going on.
jules hathaway
Sent from my iPod
Adult nonfiction
...My research took me inside a private prison, but it also took
me to history books, old newspapers, forgotten memoirs, and
penetentiary reports stuffed away in state archives. Through the
course of my digging, ithas become clear that there was never a time
in American history in which companies or governments weren't trying
to make money from other people's captivity. I have attempted to
weave this larger history into the story of my eyewitness reporting,
in the hope that I can convey the scope and stakes of what is surely a
national disaster."
Shane Bauer, senior reporter for Mother Jones, was faced with a
dilemma. He wanted to get the scoop on private prisons. Just what
went on behind their closed doors? Only going the conventional route
would just gain him the information the industry would want him to have.
"...when prisons do let reporters in, it's usually for carefully
managed tours and monitored interviews with inmates. Many states
don't allow reporters to choose who they want to interview; the prison
chooses for them. Phone calls are surveilled and letters are opened
and read by guards. Inmates who talk freely to a reporter risk
retaliation, including solitary confinement."
Under those circumstances he felt that he had no other option
than going undercover. He applied to work in the system. He was
hired for an entry level CO [corrections officer] job at Winn
Correctional Center in Winnfield, Louisiana. His observations and
research resulted not only in an expose for Mother Jones, but the book
American Prison.
His biggest take was that private prisons are all about turning
a profit for the stock holders. The way to do that is to slash costs
ruthlessly, denying inmates not only the services that could lead to
rehabilitation, but often basics. [Isn't this just like the American
healthcare system?] Education, training, and even recreation are
nonexistent. The prison doesn't provide staff for that; in fact, they
don't have enough people on duty to adequately keep an eye on the
inmates.
Health care for inmates is neglected big time. In an episode
that should enrage readers, Bauer meets an inmate who, during a four
month span, had made nine requests for medical help. Even when his
feet were oozing pus he was given "sole pads, corn removal pads, and
Motrin." A nurse threatened to write him up for malingering.
"...He tells me his name is Robert Scott and he's been there
twelve years. 'I was walking when I got here,' he tells me. 'Had all
my fingers.' I notice he is wearing fingerless gloves with nothing
poking out of them. 'They took my legs in January and my fingers in
June. Gangrene don't play. I kept going to the infirmary saying, 'My
feet hurt. My feet hurt.' They said, 'Ain't nothin' wrong wicha. I
don't see nothin' wrong wicha.' They didn't believe me or they talk
bad to me--'I can't believe you comin' up here.'"
One way Winn cut corners was by paying COs the same as WalMart
associates, only for twelve hour shifts of dirty [human feces are
involved], dangerous work. Some found less than legal ways of
supplementing their income. Many ignored things like fights. They
weren't being paid enough to intervene. Chillingly, Bauer finds
himself evolving from wanting to do the right thing to taking the
insults of prisoners personally and retaliating, caught up in the drama.
Bauer interweaves his personal narrative with history chapters,
showing that imprisonment for profit is a dark stain on American
history, going back to colonial days. English convicts were given an
offer they couldn't refuse. Instead of death by hanging, they could
be exiled to the colonies where they'd be auctioned off into
involuntary servitude. Well off colonists were really hard up for
servants, you know.
If you're bothered by what you hear about conditions in private
prisons--and remember they also include immigrant detention camps with
children--you'll find American Prison to be a must read.
On a personal note, last night there was quite the drama in the
Hathaway household. Walking into the kitchen, I found myself wading
in water, much too much to be the result of a knocked over water
bowl. I thought, oh, crap! The washing machine is spewing water!
Eugene and I had quite the clean up! And now we don't have a washing
machine. Laundromats are not an option because there are none in
walking distance and I can't drive. I can wash my clothes by hand and
hang them. It's Eugene's clothes and the towels that are too heavy
for that! What will we do? Keep reading my reviews to find out.
A great big shout out goes out to the best little cat in the world who
was confused by all that was going on.
jules hathaway
Sent from my iPod
Saturday, July 6, 2019
Sing You Home
Sing You Home
Adult nonfiction
New reproductive techniques have brought joy to so many people.
Parents are raising beloved children they would not have been able to
conceive back when conception was limited to Biblical begetting.
These same technologies, however, have raised many moral, legal, and
ethical issues. Jodi Picoult examines several of them in Sing You Home.
Zoe, a music therapist, wants nothing more than motherhood.
Since she and husband, Max, have fertility issues, they've gone the in
vitro fertilization route. After miscarriages and a stillbirth Zoe is
ready to try again; but Max wants out, convinced that her pregnancy
desire has overshadowed all other facets of their life including their
marriage.
Divorced and adrift, Zoe finds a very unexpected source of love.
"I have loved before, but it didn't feel like this.
I have kissed before, but it didn't burn me alive.
Maybe it lasts a minute, and maybe it's an hour. All I know is
that kiss, and how soft her skin is when it brushes against mine, and
that, even if I did not know it until now, I have been waiting for
this person forever."
Zoe and Vanessa decide to get married and have Vanessa carry Zoe
and Max's three embryos, frozen before the divorce, to term. They're
still at the clinic. Zoe has to get Max to sign off on this.
Max, however, has become deeply involved in his brother's
fundamentalist church, captivated by its charismatic minister. He's
convinced that it would be an abomination for the children (as he sees
them) to be raised in a lesbian household. He decides to sue for
custody and give them to his brother and his wife who are childless
despite valient efforts to procreate. His church is eager to use all
its resources and connections to work in his favor.
If a riveting drama with thought provoking ethical implications
is your cup of iced tea, you'll want to get your hands on Sing You Home.
On a personal note, the powerful emotions that are making me feel like
a small boat out at sea in the teeth of a hurricane are enabling me to
write my best poetry. People think it's therapeutic. Bullshit! When
I'm seriously grieving what I want is a low grade opiate that would
come without side effects like addiction, extreme weight loss or gain,
or felony arrest record. What I find therapeutic are my friends
surrounding me with their love, telling me they've been there, telling
me they know it sucks, not busting out into a chorus of tomorrow.
Maybe my writing is for people who go through similar situations
without such great friends--my way of telling them someone else has
been there and knows it sucks.
A great big shout goes out to the awesome people who are with me
through the sometimes unbearable seeming viscisitudes of human living.
jules hathaway
Sent from my iPod
Adult nonfiction
New reproductive techniques have brought joy to so many people.
Parents are raising beloved children they would not have been able to
conceive back when conception was limited to Biblical begetting.
These same technologies, however, have raised many moral, legal, and
ethical issues. Jodi Picoult examines several of them in Sing You Home.
Zoe, a music therapist, wants nothing more than motherhood.
Since she and husband, Max, have fertility issues, they've gone the in
vitro fertilization route. After miscarriages and a stillbirth Zoe is
ready to try again; but Max wants out, convinced that her pregnancy
desire has overshadowed all other facets of their life including their
marriage.
Divorced and adrift, Zoe finds a very unexpected source of love.
"I have loved before, but it didn't feel like this.
I have kissed before, but it didn't burn me alive.
Maybe it lasts a minute, and maybe it's an hour. All I know is
that kiss, and how soft her skin is when it brushes against mine, and
that, even if I did not know it until now, I have been waiting for
this person forever."
Zoe and Vanessa decide to get married and have Vanessa carry Zoe
and Max's three embryos, frozen before the divorce, to term. They're
still at the clinic. Zoe has to get Max to sign off on this.
Max, however, has become deeply involved in his brother's
fundamentalist church, captivated by its charismatic minister. He's
convinced that it would be an abomination for the children (as he sees
them) to be raised in a lesbian household. He decides to sue for
custody and give them to his brother and his wife who are childless
despite valient efforts to procreate. His church is eager to use all
its resources and connections to work in his favor.
If a riveting drama with thought provoking ethical implications
is your cup of iced tea, you'll want to get your hands on Sing You Home.
On a personal note, the powerful emotions that are making me feel like
a small boat out at sea in the teeth of a hurricane are enabling me to
write my best poetry. People think it's therapeutic. Bullshit! When
I'm seriously grieving what I want is a low grade opiate that would
come without side effects like addiction, extreme weight loss or gain,
or felony arrest record. What I find therapeutic are my friends
surrounding me with their love, telling me they've been there, telling
me they know it sucks, not busting out into a chorus of tomorrow.
Maybe my writing is for people who go through similar situations
without such great friends--my way of telling them someone else has
been there and knows it sucks.
A great big shout goes out to the awesome people who are with me
through the sometimes unbearable seeming viscisitudes of human living.
jules hathaway
Sent from my iPod
Drum Dream Girl
Drum Dream Girl
Picture book
Can you believe that not so long ago in Cuba girls and women
weren't allowed to play drums? Milla Castro Zaldarriega couldn't
accept that restriction. At ten she played drums in an all girl
band. At fifteen she played for President Roosevelt's birthday, much
to his wife's delight.
Milla's life story inspired Margarita Engle to write Drum Dream
Girl. It tells the story, in verse, of a girl who dreams of
drumming. She can hear music in the everyday sounds like woodpeckers
pecking and heartbeats. But she has to keep her passion to herself
because it's forbidden...
...until one day she finds a music teacher who is on her side.
On a personal note, Eugene has gone to camp. I'm glad he's getting
the chance to. It's his favorite place to chill. He invited me to
come with him. I just couldn't. I don't have the heart to leave Joey
who, after giving a lifetime of loyalty and love, needs me the most.
I'd have a really hard time forgiving myself if I left him for so long
and came back to find him gone. I was in DC protesting the war when
Sapphire, my little Siamese, died. But Sapphire was only three with
no red flags. With Joey we have been warned.
A great big shout out goes out to Eugene who very much loves Joey and
spends hard earned money paying for all he needs including two
operations that went well into the four figures with no guarantees of
success. He just wanted me to have some fun. I'm sure he knew it
wasn't just the heat that kept me from sleeping more than 3 1/3 hours
last night.
Rhetorical question: Why are human relationships so damn complicated?
jules hathaway
Sent from my iPod
Picture book
Can you believe that not so long ago in Cuba girls and women
weren't allowed to play drums? Milla Castro Zaldarriega couldn't
accept that restriction. At ten she played drums in an all girl
band. At fifteen she played for President Roosevelt's birthday, much
to his wife's delight.
Milla's life story inspired Margarita Engle to write Drum Dream
Girl. It tells the story, in verse, of a girl who dreams of
drumming. She can hear music in the everyday sounds like woodpeckers
pecking and heartbeats. But she has to keep her passion to herself
because it's forbidden...
...until one day she finds a music teacher who is on her side.
On a personal note, Eugene has gone to camp. I'm glad he's getting
the chance to. It's his favorite place to chill. He invited me to
come with him. I just couldn't. I don't have the heart to leave Joey
who, after giving a lifetime of loyalty and love, needs me the most.
I'd have a really hard time forgiving myself if I left him for so long
and came back to find him gone. I was in DC protesting the war when
Sapphire, my little Siamese, died. But Sapphire was only three with
no red flags. With Joey we have been warned.
A great big shout out goes out to Eugene who very much loves Joey and
spends hard earned money paying for all he needs including two
operations that went well into the four figures with no guarantees of
success. He just wanted me to have some fun. I'm sure he knew it
wasn't just the heat that kept me from sleeping more than 3 1/3 hours
last night.
Rhetorical question: Why are human relationships so damn complicated?
jules hathaway
Sent from my iPod
Friday, July 5, 2019
Shaking Things Up
Shaking Things Up
Juvenile herstory
Susan Hood's Shaking Things Up brings younger readers and
listeners the stories of fourteen fascinating sheroes in poetry and
prose. They can read about:
*Molly Williams, America's first female fire fighter;
*Annette Kellerman, a champion swimmer who cut bathing suits down to
the "obscene" modern one piece;
and *Jacqueline and Eileen Neare, WWII secret agent sisters.
Thirteen woman artists created the illustrations, making Shaking
Things Up a treasure to savor rather than flip through.
On a personal note, I achieved a body positivity milestone. I wore a
two piece bathing suit in public (yes, outside my house counts) for
the first time in almost a quarter of a century.
Now I need to wear a bathing suit swimming. I haven't gone swimming
since 2013. I used to take the kids to Dakin Pool a lot. I miss
swimming. At this point it's logistics. If I could drive I'd call a
friend and say, let's go swimming. But adding in all the bus time and
swimming myself while hearing other people talking and laughing would
feel too sad for words. People who can drive are so damn lucky.
A great big shout out goes out to the best little cat in the world who
makes reading even more wonderful.
jules hathaway
Sent from my iPod
Juvenile herstory
Susan Hood's Shaking Things Up brings younger readers and
listeners the stories of fourteen fascinating sheroes in poetry and
prose. They can read about:
*Molly Williams, America's first female fire fighter;
*Annette Kellerman, a champion swimmer who cut bathing suits down to
the "obscene" modern one piece;
and *Jacqueline and Eileen Neare, WWII secret agent sisters.
Thirteen woman artists created the illustrations, making Shaking
Things Up a treasure to savor rather than flip through.
On a personal note, I achieved a body positivity milestone. I wore a
two piece bathing suit in public (yes, outside my house counts) for
the first time in almost a quarter of a century.
Now I need to wear a bathing suit swimming. I haven't gone swimming
since 2013. I used to take the kids to Dakin Pool a lot. I miss
swimming. At this point it's logistics. If I could drive I'd call a
friend and say, let's go swimming. But adding in all the bus time and
swimming myself while hearing other people talking and laughing would
feel too sad for words. People who can drive are so damn lucky.
A great big shout out goes out to the best little cat in the world who
makes reading even more wonderful.
jules hathaway
Sent from my iPod
Remembering Vera
Remembering Vera
Picture book
Dog lovers, Patricia Polacco sure has a treat for you!
Remembering Vera is the story of a stray puppy who became an honorary
member of the Coast Guard.
Davie and his friends decided to keep a puppy on base. They
took good care of her and taught her tricks. They kept her presence a
secret from the the commander.
Then the Coast Guard got a distress call. A boat was sinking
fast under hazardous rescue conditions. The commander discovered Vera
under less than auspicious circumstances and was not a happy camper...
...only Vera might be the only hope for the men on the rapidly
sinking boat...
...Read the book and see what happens.
On a personal note, I had a good 4th of July. Eugene and I went to
the barbeque at his mother's house. Adam and Asia came up from
Westbrook which was really nice. The food, especially the steak, was
delish. Later Eugene and I went to the fireworks. They were amazing!
My favorites were the fizzy gold ones.
Of course I also spent time with good Joey cat and wrote some kick ass
seditious poetry.
A great big shout out goes out to my SIL Cheryl for providing the
feast, Adam and Asia for the distance driving, Eugene for taking me
where I needed to go, and Joey for being the best little cat in the
world and loving me.
jules hathaway
Sent from my iPod
Picture book
Dog lovers, Patricia Polacco sure has a treat for you!
Remembering Vera is the story of a stray puppy who became an honorary
member of the Coast Guard.
Davie and his friends decided to keep a puppy on base. They
took good care of her and taught her tricks. They kept her presence a
secret from the the commander.
Then the Coast Guard got a distress call. A boat was sinking
fast under hazardous rescue conditions. The commander discovered Vera
under less than auspicious circumstances and was not a happy camper...
...only Vera might be the only hope for the men on the rapidly
sinking boat...
...Read the book and see what happens.
On a personal note, I had a good 4th of July. Eugene and I went to
the barbeque at his mother's house. Adam and Asia came up from
Westbrook which was really nice. The food, especially the steak, was
delish. Later Eugene and I went to the fireworks. They were amazing!
My favorites were the fizzy gold ones.
Of course I also spent time with good Joey cat and wrote some kick ass
seditious poetry.
A great big shout out goes out to my SIL Cheryl for providing the
feast, Adam and Asia for the distance driving, Eugene for taking me
where I needed to go, and Joey for being the best little cat in the
world and loving me.
jules hathaway
Sent from my iPod
Wednesday, July 3, 2019
Manjhi Moves A Mountain by Nancy Churnin
Manjhi Moves A Mountain by Nancy Churnin
Picture book
In India two villages sit on opposite sides of a mountain. One
suffers from dire poverty while the other rocks prosperity. The
unfairness of it all bothers Manjhi. One day he begins chipping away
at the mountain with a hammer and chisel.
The people in his village think Manjhi has taken leave of his
senses. But after fifteen years they see the rightness of his project
and begin to help.
You know what's amazing? There really was a Manjhi who created
a road through a mountain. If that doesn't fill you with hope I don't
know what will.
On a personal note, I wish I had someone like Manjhi to take to the in-
laws' barbeque tomorrow. They call me Emily instead of Jules. Yuck!
My plan is take a pile of books, grab food, and find a cool quiet
place to read.
I thought I'd have the week off from work. But yesterday and today I
was the knight in clean uniform when my manager put the word out she
had shifts open. Those 12 hours will help with tuition and stuff.
Plus they were fun shifts.
Joey is still going strong. He's eating, keeping the ounces on, being
sweet and affectionate, and being happy. I'd like to stay home
tomorrow, prefering love and devotion to microaggressions.
A great big shout out goes out to you, my dear readers, with best
wishes for a safe and happy holiday weekend. Watch out for ticks. No
drunk driving. Remember to use sun screen and hydrate. And please
leave the fireworks to trained pyrotechnicians.
jules hathaway
Sent from my iPod
Picture book
In India two villages sit on opposite sides of a mountain. One
suffers from dire poverty while the other rocks prosperity. The
unfairness of it all bothers Manjhi. One day he begins chipping away
at the mountain with a hammer and chisel.
The people in his village think Manjhi has taken leave of his
senses. But after fifteen years they see the rightness of his project
and begin to help.
You know what's amazing? There really was a Manjhi who created
a road through a mountain. If that doesn't fill you with hope I don't
know what will.
On a personal note, I wish I had someone like Manjhi to take to the in-
laws' barbeque tomorrow. They call me Emily instead of Jules. Yuck!
My plan is take a pile of books, grab food, and find a cool quiet
place to read.
I thought I'd have the week off from work. But yesterday and today I
was the knight in clean uniform when my manager put the word out she
had shifts open. Those 12 hours will help with tuition and stuff.
Plus they were fun shifts.
Joey is still going strong. He's eating, keeping the ounces on, being
sweet and affectionate, and being happy. I'd like to stay home
tomorrow, prefering love and devotion to microaggressions.
A great big shout out goes out to you, my dear readers, with best
wishes for a safe and happy holiday weekend. Watch out for ticks. No
drunk driving. Remember to use sun screen and hydrate. And please
leave the fireworks to trained pyrotechnicians.
jules hathaway
Sent from my iPod
Monday, July 1, 2019
Memphis, Martin, And The Mountaintop
Memphis, Martin, And The Mountaintop
Juvenile nonfiction
"Several Memphis garbage trucks were old and unsafe. The trucks
were not maintained.
According to my daddy, a packer blade malfunctioned, crushing
his friends.
Daddy told Mama, 'It ain't right to die like that'."
Back in the 1960's sanitation workers in Memphis, Tennessee
labored under unsafe conditions for inadequate pay. Even full time
workers needed government help so they and their families could simply
survive. Mayor Loeb ignored all union attempts to improve things. In
February 1968 sanitation workers, feeling they had no other recourse,
went on strike and marched on a picket line. Ultimately Martin Luther
King Jr. was shot and killed during this crusade.
Alice Faye Duncan's Memphis, Martin, And The Mountaintop is
based on the memories of a woman who participated in the strike with
her parents as a child. Protagonist Lorraine speaks from a nine-year-
old's perspective. She provides the precise details that will make
her narrative come alive for the primary school set.
"With Daddy on the picket line and less money in the house, he
rolled pennies to pay our rent. The phone bill went unpaid. One week
we had no lights, and when classmates visited the candy lady on their
way home from school, they bought cookies, pickles, and peppermint
sticks. I walked home empty handed."
This fine book is a great way to introduce our children to the
fight against worker poverty and expiration, a topic that is sadly all
to relevant half a century after King's death.
On a personal note, something I did a couple of years ago is really
helping me cope with Joey having cancer. Reading Lynn Plourde's
Maxi's Secret nudged me into thinking of the loss of beloved companion
animals. It gave me the insights that are enabling me to make the
most of our precious time together instead of being paralyzed with
sadness when the best little cat in the world needs me most.
Bibliotherapy is very real and amazingly accessible. Whatever you may
be going through, it's highly likely that there are books by people
who have been there. You can search for them on the Internet or ask a
friendly librarian or library volunteer for help locating them.
A great big shout out goes out to Lynn and the other fine authors who
put into words what we feel and show us we are not alone.
jules hathaway
Sent from my iPod
Juvenile nonfiction
"Several Memphis garbage trucks were old and unsafe. The trucks
were not maintained.
According to my daddy, a packer blade malfunctioned, crushing
his friends.
Daddy told Mama, 'It ain't right to die like that'."
Back in the 1960's sanitation workers in Memphis, Tennessee
labored under unsafe conditions for inadequate pay. Even full time
workers needed government help so they and their families could simply
survive. Mayor Loeb ignored all union attempts to improve things. In
February 1968 sanitation workers, feeling they had no other recourse,
went on strike and marched on a picket line. Ultimately Martin Luther
King Jr. was shot and killed during this crusade.
Alice Faye Duncan's Memphis, Martin, And The Mountaintop is
based on the memories of a woman who participated in the strike with
her parents as a child. Protagonist Lorraine speaks from a nine-year-
old's perspective. She provides the precise details that will make
her narrative come alive for the primary school set.
"With Daddy on the picket line and less money in the house, he
rolled pennies to pay our rent. The phone bill went unpaid. One week
we had no lights, and when classmates visited the candy lady on their
way home from school, they bought cookies, pickles, and peppermint
sticks. I walked home empty handed."
This fine book is a great way to introduce our children to the
fight against worker poverty and expiration, a topic that is sadly all
to relevant half a century after King's death.
On a personal note, something I did a couple of years ago is really
helping me cope with Joey having cancer. Reading Lynn Plourde's
Maxi's Secret nudged me into thinking of the loss of beloved companion
animals. It gave me the insights that are enabling me to make the
most of our precious time together instead of being paralyzed with
sadness when the best little cat in the world needs me most.
Bibliotherapy is very real and amazingly accessible. Whatever you may
be going through, it's highly likely that there are books by people
who have been there. You can search for them on the Internet or ask a
friendly librarian or library volunteer for help locating them.
A great big shout out goes out to Lynn and the other fine authors who
put into words what we feel and show us we are not alone.
jules hathaway
Sent from my iPod
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