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May 11, 2004
In this issue:
A must-read.
"Little Loon and Papa" by Toni Buzzeo.
Two new Palatinis.
Two new Simons.
"The Quilting Bee" by Gail Gibbons.
"The Quilt" by Gary Paulsen.
Fantasy from Jane Kurtz.
Two about teen violence.
Educator Appreciation Day & Great Gobblet Giveaway, May 22.
Greetings,
Can't chat yet. I have to tell you about the book I just finished yesterday.
Learning Joy from Dogs without Collars by Lauralee Summer is one of the best
books I've read in recent years. You might remember Lauralee Summer from
headlines in 1994. She is the young woman who went "from homeless to Harvard"
and became a media sensation, much to her dismay. Learning Joy... is her
memoir in which she reflects on a childhood spent with her mother in shelters or
sub-standard housing or in foster care, often missing school, finding a passion
for wrestling in high school, and landing a scholarship to Harvard where she
graduated with a degree that she created, a B.A. in Children's Studies. When I
try to talk about this book with anyone I always get the same response, "Eeww,
sounds depressing." But it isn't depressing at all; it's uplifting. Summer
finds joy in her homemade tin foil Halloween costume. She finds joy in her
mother's eccentricities. She finds joy in her grueling workouts as the only girl
on her high school wrestling team. And, finally, she finds joy with the father
she never knew until they unite when she is at Harvard. There is often anger and
conflicted emotions in this book, but never blame or self-pity.
Of interest to you might be that Summer credits much of her success to Mr. Mac,
one of her high school teachers who taught outside the box and created
space in the school for disenfranchised kids and kids with alternate learning
styles. Summer and Mr. Mac are still close friends, and, in fact, she dedicated
this book to him.
She also dedicated her book to her mother. Because of a string of bad decisions,
Lauralee's mother was ultimately responsible for their precarious existence. Yet
it was through her mother that she learned bravery and dignity and tolerance and
resiliency.
You will love this book and so will your high school students. While searching
the web for info about the book, I saw it listed on several summer reading lists
for teens. And good news. It's due in paperback in July.
Read reviews at:
http://www.usatoday.com/life/books/reviews/2003-07-14-harvard_x.htm
http://www.post-gazette.com/books/reviews/20030629lauraleebookrevup6.asp
Read more about Lauralee at:
http://www.dce.harvard.edu/pubs/alum/2003/13.html
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Some of you might have met Toni Buzzeo last October when she was in Derby
and at our store. She spoke of her upcoming book, Little Loon and Papa,
which has just been released. This is a tale of fatherly guidance just right for
little listeners. Margaret Spengler, who collaborated with Toni on Dawdle
Duckling, is back with bright depictions of the loons watery world. (ages
2-5)
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It seems I'm always reviewing a Margie Palatini book and this time she has two
new ones for us. Moosekitos: A Moose Family Reunion has Moose attending a
gathering of moose relatives from Moosissippi to Moosachusetts and they're all
meeting up at, you guessed it, the Moose Lodge. But like all family reunions,
things don't go quite according to plan and Moose despairs when the family isn't
participating in his "togetherness" activities. But when the moosekitos attack
in the night, the Moose family finds a unique way to come together. As with the
other Moose books, Henry Cole provides the lively illustrations. (ages 4-8)
Stinky Smelly Feet: A Love Story is just silly...and kids will love it,
because it's about something gross. Douglas and Dolores are very taken with
each other and like to spend time together, but every time Douglas removes his
shoes--on a picnic, at the beach, to get a rock out--Dolores passes out from the
smell. How can they ever resolve this setback in their relationship? Ethan
Long's illustrations add just the right touch to this redolent romance. (ages
4-8)
http://www.margiepalatini.com/
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Seymour Simon has two new companion picture books, Dogs and Cats.
He
gives the reader a close photographic look at these two popular pets along
with specific information about breeds and general information about pet
care. (ages 4-8)
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I know that many of you do a quilting project with your students. The
Quilting Bee by Gail Gibbons is a good source to use with elementary
students, but even middle schoolers can learn about traditional quilt patterns
from this book. Gibbons covers the history of American quilt making, the
tradition of quilting bees, and the how-tos of quilt making. The simple,
colorful illustrations will appeal to kids. (ages 6 and up)
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Gary Paulsen keeps churning them out. The Quilt is Paulsen's third book
based on his relationship with his grandmother, the first being The Cookcamp
and then Alida's Song. Chronologically, this book comes between the two,
taking place when the boy (he is never named, but he is Paulsen) is six years
old and living with his grandmother while his father is fighting in WWII and he
is unable to live with his mother. This is a spare, moving story full of
everyday occurrences which show the bond between a boy and his grandmother.
(ages 8-12)
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Many of you have met Jane Kurtz and will be eager to read her new novel,
The Feverbird's Claw. This book is fantasy, a departure for Kurtz, but
she based it on her experiences in Ethiopia where she observed varied ethnic
groups in conflict and in cooperation. This is the imaginative adventure of
Moralin, a young girl in an ancient civilization who is captured by enemies of
her people. In her efforts to survive her ordeal, Moralin uncovers many secrets
about her enemies, her own people, and herself. (ages 10 and up)
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Two new books for teens picture yellow crime scene tape on the covers; both
are books dealing with violence against teens; both could be taken from
daily headlines. In Emako Blue author Brenda Woods writes with the same
poignancy she used in her award-winning The Red Rose Box. It is the story
of a promising life cut short on the streets of South Central Los Angeles.
The other book, Shooter by Walter Dean Myers, deals with the fatal
shooting of a student at a high school. Myers tells the story using the format
of the transcriptions of police interviews with the witnesses and others
involved. This style lends an air of authenticity to this event that could take
place in any high school. These books, full of teen angst and genuine problems,
will appeal to older readers. (teens)
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Don't forget to come by the store on May 22 for Educator Appreciation Day for
25% off all regularly priced items in the bookstore and cafe...and lots of
freebies. An added incentive to drop by this year is our Great Gobblet
Giveaway. Gobblet is a multi-award winning strategy game that can be
described as a cross between tic-tac-toe and chess and is fun for all ages.
We are giving away a jumbo version of the game which would be a great
addition to your classroom. The game pieces and board are made of wood so
are indestructible. This is a $90 value and can be yours by just dropping
by and filling out the entry form. You do not need to be present to win but
you do need to be an educator. Check out Gobblet reviews at:
http://www.gobblet.com/
You might think you live too far away to come to Educator Appreciation Day,
but you don't. On Saturday, Beth and I went to Atchison (3 hours from here)
just to take a ten minute tour of a house and garden. OK, we shopped a little.
We even took a detour to shop in Holton. We had a great day. So I highly
recommend a road trip to Watermark. We'll be waiting for you.
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That's about it for today. I know some of you are beginning the countdown
to school's end. Good luck with these next few weeks.
Carolyn
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