Hello, I'm Richard Nicholas Nimz, prospector of the written word. Well, it's the end of the season, and that means it's time for another controversial book. This one's a two-fer; not only does it have adult material, it's also a short story anthology, which means that it gets checked out less often than the library's big dictionary. It's also based on other books by the same author, which could trigger alarms of continuity lockout. However, even if you haven't read his other books, you can still read this on your own. This is Athletic shorts.
Crutcher, C. (1991). Athletic shorts: Six short stories. New York: Greenwillow Books.
Summary: There are six stories in the collection, all about teenagers.
1. A Brief Moment in the Life of Angus Bethune: Ugly and awkward Angus Bethune who is the son of two gay couples (a man and woman who divorced and married other people) gets elected prom king and agonizes over meeting his crush on the dance floor.
2. The Pin: Sarcastic aspiring writer Johnny Rivers wrestles with his controlling and abusive father to try and prove himself.
3. The Other Pin: High school wrestler Petey Shropshire is picked to take on a girl whose prowess is legend. His fear controls him, but he drives himself to find out about her in order to control his fear.
4. Goin' Fishing: Lionel Serbousek's parents and little sister were killed in a boating accident a few years ago, and he's been in self-imposed homelessness ever since. The boy who caused it comes begging forgiveness, but Lionel is unwilling to give it.
5. Telephone Man: Jack Simpson is a mentally atypical child who's been raised to be racist. One day, however, he finds himself embarrassed at a special school for 'eccentric' children, and at the mercy of those he looks down on.
6. In the Time I Get: Louie Banks has stood up against racism, but there are other kinds of prejudice to deal with. For example, there's his gay coworker, who's also dying of AIDS, and whom no-one else will have anything to do with.
Impressions:
1. I wasn't really impressed. I hate characters with anger issues (such as the main character) and the main character's crush goes out with a jerk that makes me question what made her ever decide to go out with him. Yes, there are two gay couples and the word 'faggot' gets thrown around a bit. The main character has a 'no-kiss agreement' set in place between both parents, but he defends them. Make of that what you will.
2. Johnny didn't endear himself to me, but I can see where he comes from. His father is more restrained than your stereotypical abuser which kept my interest, since abusers come in all shapes and sizes that need to be recognized. I have mixed feelings about the ending, since I don't know if it was foreshadowed enough to come off as forced. Overall, I was OK with this story.
3. I liked this story up to a point. Johnny from the previous story shows up to be a jackwagon. The story is pretty predictable, but I liked seeing it develop. However, I'm debating whether or not it was a good idea to turn Petey and his opponent's feelings into a relationship.
4. This is a necessary story. I wound up despising Lionel for the way he reacted to his parents death. While his animosity towards his parents killer is understandable, I was still impatiently waiting for him to forgive the killer. I'm not sold on how he's convinced to offer his forgiveness, but it was nice to see him called on taking his hatred too far for too long.
5. Jack looks like he has autism, which is a personal subject for me. That and the highlighting that he got his racism from his father goes a long way towards making him tolerable for me, even though I know not everyone will bear with him. The progression of events is believable and actually pretty touching. This one's my favorite.
6. This story makes a lot of important points without being sappy. The characters are quite believable. Its point about how people are still nervous around someone with a disease they can't spread still rings true today, as does its point that prejudices can have to be overcome one at a time instead of all-at-once.
All-in-all, I think that this would be a good book to show teenagers regarding social issues. While the stories weren't the best I've seen, they mostly get the job done.
Second Opinion: "A winning collection of stories... These Athletic Shorts will speak to YAs, touch them deeply, and introduce them to characters they'll want to know better."
Source: Morning, T. (1991). Athletic shorts (Book Review) (Undetermined). School Library Journal, 37278.
Friday, May 8, 2015
Module 14, Season II: Dark Emperor
Hello, I'm Richard Nicholas Nimz, prospector of the written word. I don't think I'm far off the mark in calling poetry a bit of a niche market. While most stories have a plot readers can get engaged with, a lot of poetry does not, meaning that it has a reputation for being ephemeral. Also, while the effort a poet put into a poem can be easily recognized by a layman through rhyme, meter, and even music, many poems have none, which can make them just seem like sentences that were chopped into funny shapes. Finally, a popular and untrue reputation of poets as being overly vague elitist drama-llama snobs makes them seem undesirable. Poetry advocates have said that they need to teach children poetry while they're young, and to such people, I recommend Dark Emperor.
Citation: Allen, R. i., & Sidman, J. (2010). Dark emperor and other poems of the night. New York: Houghton Mifflin Harcount.
Summary: When the sun goes down, the poets of the night come alive. One-by-one they introduce themselves, first in verse, than in prose. Many different styles are given as the creatures of the night come and go. Finally, with the break of day, the moon itself gives its final ubi sunt, and bows before the light.
Impressions: I actually want to buy this book for myself. It includes good poetry from a variety of genres, such as shape poems and free verse. In fact, this book contains the first free verse that I actually 'got'. Furthermore, after each poem comes interesting information about the subjects of the poems. My only regret is that it doesn't tell you what kinds of poems each poem is, but that wasn't the point of the book. Not only would this be useful in introducing children to poetry, but if the library ever decided to have a library night, this would be useful in introducing children to nature at night.
Second Opinion: " Each poem captures the unique voice of the flora and fauna of the woods through a nighttime lens using the perfect blend of poetic devices, description and imagery... The beautiful prose, informational facts, and glossary, coupled with Allen's detailed hand-colored linoleum cut prints, make this a must-have poetry collection for connecting science, art, and language arts."
Source: M., N. (2011). Dark Emperor & Other Poems of the Night. Journal Of Children's Literature, 37(2), 50-51.
Citation: Allen, R. i., & Sidman, J. (2010). Dark emperor and other poems of the night. New York: Houghton Mifflin Harcount.
Summary: When the sun goes down, the poets of the night come alive. One-by-one they introduce themselves, first in verse, than in prose. Many different styles are given as the creatures of the night come and go. Finally, with the break of day, the moon itself gives its final ubi sunt, and bows before the light.
Impressions: I actually want to buy this book for myself. It includes good poetry from a variety of genres, such as shape poems and free verse. In fact, this book contains the first free verse that I actually 'got'. Furthermore, after each poem comes interesting information about the subjects of the poems. My only regret is that it doesn't tell you what kinds of poems each poem is, but that wasn't the point of the book. Not only would this be useful in introducing children to poetry, but if the library ever decided to have a library night, this would be useful in introducing children to nature at night.
Second Opinion: " Each poem captures the unique voice of the flora and fauna of the woods through a nighttime lens using the perfect blend of poetic devices, description and imagery... The beautiful prose, informational facts, and glossary, coupled with Allen's detailed hand-colored linoleum cut prints, make this a must-have poetry collection for connecting science, art, and language arts."
Source: M., N. (2011). Dark Emperor & Other Poems of the Night. Journal Of Children's Literature, 37(2), 50-51.
Module 13, Season II: Skeleton Key
Hello, I'm Richard Nicholas Nimz, prospector of the written word. I love comic books and I've been on a bender recently to read more superhero books, such as Batman: Year One, X-Men: God Loves, Man Kills, and Iron Man: War of the Iron Men. However, there are other graphic novels out there, like any artform, to varying degrees of quality, I just usually stick to superhero titles for reasons of escapism. On the one hand, you have good stories like Spider-Man: The Death of Jean DeWolff, which tells a story about mental illness and the justice system versus vigilanteism and Iron Man: War of the Iron Men, about ethnic tensions and the dangers of weapons made for defense falling into the wrong hands. On the other hand, you have this.
Citation: Horowitz, A., Johnston, A., Damerum, K. i., & Takasaki, Y. i. Skeleton Key. New York: Philomel Books.
Plot: After being made a target by the Tongs for uprooting a gambling operation at Wimbledon, teenaged superspy Alex Rider is sent on an assignment with Americans to investigate a former Soviet general planning something in Cuba. However, his American companions leave him behind to investigate on their own, leaving Alex in the dark as to their mission. Thus Alex conducts his own investigation, finding nuclear weapons and plots to overthrow the Russian government. Even worse, said general has his eye on Alex for some purpose of his own.
Impressions: I freaking hate this thing. The pacing is good, the artwork is good, and the mystery is actually pretty interesting, but there's just too much stupid in it. This has little to do with the premise: I'm a James Bond fan and I want to see a more lighthearted James Bond. Furthermore, I grew up on Pokemon and I could buy minors getting involved in saving the world if it was made to seem normal; I understand wish fulfillment. However, when the author says that only Great Britain has teenage superspies because Americans think that the idea is too dangerous, which it is, then suspension of disbelief no longer exists.
This leads me to another sore point: Anthony Horowitz seems to think that Americans couldn't find water if they jumped off the Titanic. Alex Rider's two (adult) CIA partners leave behind a proven secret agent, constantly don't involve him, and then get themselves killed off-panel. Their sole purpose is to make Alex Rider look good in comparison. I repeat, two American, adult, presumably more experienced secret agents, are unceremoniously killed off to make the British snot-nosed punk look intelligent in comparison. By contrast, the James Bond films had Felix Leiter, Jack Wade, and several American Bond girls to look respectable and balance out any anti-American stereotypes they used. Even when Felix Leiter was maimed by a sharks in License to Kill just to kick off the plot, his near-death had dramatic impact because James Bond and Felix Leiter were portrayed as equal partners and close friends, not as antagonists where one had to die for dignified comic relief. Even then, you had the CIA and Pam Bouvier. In a book that has the Americans make the most sense, this is a bit of a problem.
Finally, several characters take very... odd actions. One of which is a airport security guard whose superiors do not think their guard is dead even though the gunshot that killed him takes up a fifth of a panel even with a silencer and he had a wire on him! HOW DO YOU MISS THAT! The villain is alright, with a rather sad backstory, but his plot is kind of ridiculous for reasons I can't spoil. This line, however, you must see to believe:
General Orlov: Nobody will suspect the truth.
James Bond, Jr.: Yes, they will! The CIA knows you bought uranium! They'll find out their agents are dead-
Here it comes...
General Orlov: Nobody will believe the CIA. Nobody ever does.
...I have no words. I don't know if this is true, but it just sounds too mind-numbingly stupid. And this is coming out of the bad guy's mouth. The man plotting this whole thing. Actually, his plot kind of makes sense now.
Not all of the book is bad. The artwork is nice and colorful (Skyfall, take note), the comic has great pacing, and I was actually interested in seeing what comes next. If I stocked this, I could easily include this as part of an event showing the impact the James Bond movies have had. Of course, that's if I stocked it, and I think I'd rather look for other books with less jarring breeds of stupid in them.
Second opinion: "This is an immensely entertaining romp, hitting all the thrill-buttons for an ideal summer blockbluster, even though it’s told – and very convincingly – from the viewpoint of an uncertain boy rather than a suave, sophisticated adult... These books and their comic counterparts are a fine addition to [Great Britain's] fiction tradition."
Source: Wiacek, W. (2010). [Review of Skeleton Key: the Graphic Novel - an Alex Rider Adventure, by A. Horowitz and A. Johnson]. Now Read This!. Retrieved from http://www.comicsreview.co.uk/nowreadthis/2010/05/14/skeleton-key-the-graphic-novel-an-alex-rider-adventure/
Citation: Horowitz, A., Johnston, A., Damerum, K. i., & Takasaki, Y. i. Skeleton Key. New York: Philomel Books.
Plot: After being made a target by the Tongs for uprooting a gambling operation at Wimbledon, teenaged superspy Alex Rider is sent on an assignment with Americans to investigate a former Soviet general planning something in Cuba. However, his American companions leave him behind to investigate on their own, leaving Alex in the dark as to their mission. Thus Alex conducts his own investigation, finding nuclear weapons and plots to overthrow the Russian government. Even worse, said general has his eye on Alex for some purpose of his own.
Impressions: I freaking hate this thing. The pacing is good, the artwork is good, and the mystery is actually pretty interesting, but there's just too much stupid in it. This has little to do with the premise: I'm a James Bond fan and I want to see a more lighthearted James Bond. Furthermore, I grew up on Pokemon and I could buy minors getting involved in saving the world if it was made to seem normal; I understand wish fulfillment. However, when the author says that only Great Britain has teenage superspies because Americans think that the idea is too dangerous, which it is, then suspension of disbelief no longer exists.
This leads me to another sore point: Anthony Horowitz seems to think that Americans couldn't find water if they jumped off the Titanic. Alex Rider's two (adult) CIA partners leave behind a proven secret agent, constantly don't involve him, and then get themselves killed off-panel. Their sole purpose is to make Alex Rider look good in comparison. I repeat, two American, adult, presumably more experienced secret agents, are unceremoniously killed off to make the British snot-nosed punk look intelligent in comparison. By contrast, the James Bond films had Felix Leiter, Jack Wade, and several American Bond girls to look respectable and balance out any anti-American stereotypes they used. Even when Felix Leiter was maimed by a sharks in License to Kill just to kick off the plot, his near-death had dramatic impact because James Bond and Felix Leiter were portrayed as equal partners and close friends, not as antagonists where one had to die for dignified comic relief. Even then, you had the CIA and Pam Bouvier. In a book that has the Americans make the most sense, this is a bit of a problem.
Finally, several characters take very... odd actions. One of which is a airport security guard whose superiors do not think their guard is dead even though the gunshot that killed him takes up a fifth of a panel even with a silencer and he had a wire on him! HOW DO YOU MISS THAT! The villain is alright, with a rather sad backstory, but his plot is kind of ridiculous for reasons I can't spoil. This line, however, you must see to believe:
General Orlov: Nobody will suspect the truth.
James Bond, Jr.: Yes, they will! The CIA knows you bought uranium! They'll find out their agents are dead-
Here it comes...
General Orlov: Nobody will believe the CIA. Nobody ever does.
...I have no words. I don't know if this is true, but it just sounds too mind-numbingly stupid. And this is coming out of the bad guy's mouth. The man plotting this whole thing. Actually, his plot kind of makes sense now.
Not all of the book is bad. The artwork is nice and colorful (Skyfall, take note), the comic has great pacing, and I was actually interested in seeing what comes next. If I stocked this, I could easily include this as part of an event showing the impact the James Bond movies have had. Of course, that's if I stocked it, and I think I'd rather look for other books with less jarring breeds of stupid in them.
Second opinion: "This is an immensely entertaining romp, hitting all the thrill-buttons for an ideal summer blockbluster, even though it’s told – and very convincingly – from the viewpoint of an uncertain boy rather than a suave, sophisticated adult... These books and their comic counterparts are a fine addition to [Great Britain's] fiction tradition."
Source: Wiacek, W. (2010). [Review of Skeleton Key: the Graphic Novel - an Alex Rider Adventure, by A. Horowitz and A. Johnson]. Now Read This!. Retrieved from http://www.comicsreview.co.uk/nowreadthis/2010/05/14/skeleton-key-the-graphic-novel-an-alex-rider-adventure/
Module 12, Season II: The Great and Only Barnum
Hello, I'm Richard Nicholas Nimz, prospector of the written word. Biographies are like the more thorough and (hopefully) more respectable version of the tabloids. They dredge up intimate details from a person's life to indulge peoples' hero worship or bile fascination about said person. When done poorly, it's just as sensationalist and dubiously true as the tabloids. When done well, it can create a life-like picture that helps people understand humanity, and even, in the my case with The Great and Only Barnum, can even inspire new role models.
Citation: Fenwick, R. i., & Fleming, C. (2009). The great and only Barnum: the tremendous, stupendous life of showman P.T. Barnum. New York: Schwartz & Wade Books.
Summary: In a small town in Connecticut, a boy who hated doing a hard day's work found out that his vaunted inheritance was actually a snake-infested swamp. Instead of being turned from his daydreams, he spent his life pursuing them. Over the course of his life, he went from making a humbug of an old black woman to respectfully portraying 'ambassadors of the wonderful', from an alcoholic to a champion of temperance, from a man with nothing to the organizer of what would become America's greatest circus.
Impressions: Even despite my admiration for the subject of this autobiography, this is a great book. It's a very thorough account of his life, even including context for his life to make some of his actions make sense. While it doesn't pull any punches about the less admirable aspects of his life, it also shows his moving beyond his flaws. I'd include this in a display on how to write a biography, but because of the numerous side-notes I could also use it as part of a career day display to encourage children to go into zoology.
Second opinion: As in a real circus, the largeformat pages include plenty to grab readers' attention: white-on-black sidebars that put the entrepreneur's feats in context... Audiences will step right up co this illuminating and thorough portrait of an entertainment legend.
Source: The Great and Only Barnum: The Tremendous, Stupendous Life of Showman P.T. Barnum. (2009). Publishers Weekly, 256(35), 60.
Citation: Fenwick, R. i., & Fleming, C. (2009). The great and only Barnum: the tremendous, stupendous life of showman P.T. Barnum. New York: Schwartz & Wade Books.
Summary: In a small town in Connecticut, a boy who hated doing a hard day's work found out that his vaunted inheritance was actually a snake-infested swamp. Instead of being turned from his daydreams, he spent his life pursuing them. Over the course of his life, he went from making a humbug of an old black woman to respectfully portraying 'ambassadors of the wonderful', from an alcoholic to a champion of temperance, from a man with nothing to the organizer of what would become America's greatest circus.
Impressions: Even despite my admiration for the subject of this autobiography, this is a great book. It's a very thorough account of his life, even including context for his life to make some of his actions make sense. While it doesn't pull any punches about the less admirable aspects of his life, it also shows his moving beyond his flaws. I'd include this in a display on how to write a biography, but because of the numerous side-notes I could also use it as part of a career day display to encourage children to go into zoology.
Second opinion: As in a real circus, the largeformat pages include plenty to grab readers' attention: white-on-black sidebars that put the entrepreneur's feats in context... Audiences will step right up co this illuminating and thorough portrait of an entertainment legend.
Source: The Great and Only Barnum: The Tremendous, Stupendous Life of Showman P.T. Barnum. (2009). Publishers Weekly, 256(35), 60.
Thursday, May 7, 2015
Module 11, Season II: Hitler Youth: Growing up in Hitler's Shadow
Hello, I'm Richard Nicholas Nimz, prospector of the written word. My last name is German, from a Polish idiom for 'German-speaker'. I'm proud of my German (Pomeranian & we-don't-know-what) roots, even though I don't know much about Germany, mainly because it's a part of me and I might as well be proud of it. And yes, I am aware of Nazis and the Holocaust, and I am well aware that, no matter how well Germany is doing in this day and age, with the swastika, Nazism and Nazi sympathy outright banned, that Adolf Hitler is the only thing that gets brought up about Germany, and I'm getting sick of it. It's not the biggest of problems, but it can be fixed. Naturally, I wasn't too enthused about reading a book about anything Nazi, but I decided to give this a try. I am pleased to say Hitler Youth: Growing up in Hitler's shadow pleasantly surprised me.
Citation: Bartoletti, S. (2005). Hitler Youth: Growing up in Hitler's shadow. New York: Scholastic Nonfiction.
Summary: The Hitler Youth existed since the earliest days of the National Socialists, fighting street wars with the Communists. Then, when Hitler ascended to power, they became a fact of life. Stool pidgons for the Nazis and soldiers-in-training. Some children became their victims, others fought out against them, often paying with their lives. Whether as survivors, victims, rebels, or enforcers these children shaped German history.
Impressions: I wasn't going into this expecting a 'feel good' read. However, I came out of this with a sense that the land of my distant cousins was treated quite fairly. While the Germans were still blamed for not doing enough (which is a well-defended accusation, and I believe it), the book also delved into the good things Germans did, such as the White Rose and the condemnations from the Catholics (in the world of Hitler's Pope, I find that very satisfying). Moreover, I got this sense of tragedy, not only for the lives lost, but also that it didn't have to be this way: that many of the kids' phenomenal abilities were put to bad use. This doesn't just belong as part of a display for Nazi Germany, to ensure a sense of fairness towards Germany, this should be part of a well-advertised reading list for all kids of this age, to show them what they can do, for good and for ill.
Second opinion: "The real strength of Susan Campbell Bartoletti's handsome book, which is illustrated with documentary photographs, lies in its interviews with former members, as well as with Jews and Mischling (half-Jews) who were forbidden to join the ranks. For high school students studying the Nazi regime, Bartoletti's book should be essential reading."
Citation: Hiller, S. (2005, August 15). CHILDREN'S BOOKS. The New York Times. Retrieved from http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9D00E3DF113CF937A2575BC0A9639C8B63
Citation: Bartoletti, S. (2005). Hitler Youth: Growing up in Hitler's shadow. New York: Scholastic Nonfiction.
Summary: The Hitler Youth existed since the earliest days of the National Socialists, fighting street wars with the Communists. Then, when Hitler ascended to power, they became a fact of life. Stool pidgons for the Nazis and soldiers-in-training. Some children became their victims, others fought out against them, often paying with their lives. Whether as survivors, victims, rebels, or enforcers these children shaped German history.
Impressions: I wasn't going into this expecting a 'feel good' read. However, I came out of this with a sense that the land of my distant cousins was treated quite fairly. While the Germans were still blamed for not doing enough (which is a well-defended accusation, and I believe it), the book also delved into the good things Germans did, such as the White Rose and the condemnations from the Catholics (in the world of Hitler's Pope, I find that very satisfying). Moreover, I got this sense of tragedy, not only for the lives lost, but also that it didn't have to be this way: that many of the kids' phenomenal abilities were put to bad use. This doesn't just belong as part of a display for Nazi Germany, to ensure a sense of fairness towards Germany, this should be part of a well-advertised reading list for all kids of this age, to show them what they can do, for good and for ill.
Second opinion: "The real strength of Susan Campbell Bartoletti's handsome book, which is illustrated with documentary photographs, lies in its interviews with former members, as well as with Jews and Mischling (half-Jews) who were forbidden to join the ranks. For high school students studying the Nazi regime, Bartoletti's book should be essential reading."
Citation: Hiller, S. (2005, August 15). CHILDREN'S BOOKS. The New York Times. Retrieved from http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9D00E3DF113CF937A2575BC0A9639C8B63
Module 10, Season II: Tomas and the library lady
Hello, I'm Richard Nicholas Nimz, prospector of the written word. I've heard about history being relateable to modern audiences, but this book takes the cake. While you can guess it from the pictures, there are literally no other clues that this book takes place in the past, and I think it's pretty good for it. This is Tomas and the library lady.
Citation: Colón, R. i., & Mora, P. (1997). Tomas and the library lady. New York: Knopf.
Plot: Tomas is the son of Hispanic itinerant farmworkers, who latches onto his grandfather's stories. One day, however, Tomas is declared old enough to go to the library while his parents are out working in the fields. There, he bonds with the librarian and discovers that there are even more stories in the books of her library. Through them, he becomes the storyteller of his family.
Impressions: The only problem I can think of is that this is supposed to be a story about astronaut Tomas Rivera, who is not mentioned until the epilogue. However, despite the outdated clothes, this could conceivably take place in the present day, which could make any fears of 'boring history' and makes it a lot more relateable. The illustrations are very good and the story is nice, too. I'd actually be perfectly comfortable including it in a display about modern poverty, how libraries help those people, and what they can become.
Second opinion: "Colón's sensitive scratchboard illustrations beautifully capture Tomás's apprehensions as he stands in front of the library doors, as well as his fantasies from the world of books. So many of us from Hispanic America, including this reviewer, who did not enjoy the luxuries of school or public libraries in our countries of origin but had wonderfully loving grandparents, will identify with Tomás's story about librarians' kindnesses and a grandfather's stories."
Citation: Schon, I. (1998). Tomás and the library lady (Book Review) (Undetermined). Multicultural Review, 7(2), 62.
Citation: Colón, R. i., & Mora, P. (1997). Tomas and the library lady. New York: Knopf.
Plot: Tomas is the son of Hispanic itinerant farmworkers, who latches onto his grandfather's stories. One day, however, Tomas is declared old enough to go to the library while his parents are out working in the fields. There, he bonds with the librarian and discovers that there are even more stories in the books of her library. Through them, he becomes the storyteller of his family.
Impressions: The only problem I can think of is that this is supposed to be a story about astronaut Tomas Rivera, who is not mentioned until the epilogue. However, despite the outdated clothes, this could conceivably take place in the present day, which could make any fears of 'boring history' and makes it a lot more relateable. The illustrations are very good and the story is nice, too. I'd actually be perfectly comfortable including it in a display about modern poverty, how libraries help those people, and what they can become.
Second opinion: "Colón's sensitive scratchboard illustrations beautifully capture Tomás's apprehensions as he stands in front of the library doors, as well as his fantasies from the world of books. So many of us from Hispanic America, including this reviewer, who did not enjoy the luxuries of school or public libraries in our countries of origin but had wonderfully loving grandparents, will identify with Tomás's story about librarians' kindnesses and a grandfather's stories."
Citation: Schon, I. (1998). Tomás and the library lady (Book Review) (Undetermined). Multicultural Review, 7(2), 62.
Wednesday, May 6, 2015
Module 9, Season II: Chet Gecko: The Mystery of Mr. Nice
Hello, I'm Richard Nicholas Nimz, prospector of the written word. I'm not a big mystery fan. I don't hate them, I just prefer straight-up fantasy/action. That being said, I've encountered a great many mysteries that I've enjoyed. Case in point, The Mystery of Mr. Nice.
Citation: Hale, B. (2000). The mystery of Mr. Nice: from the tattered casebook of Chet Gecko, private eye.
Plot: The name's Gecko, Chet Gecko. I'm a private eye. My specialty: the crimes that slip through the cracks of Emerson Hicky Elementary School. Case in point: One day I'm busted for my constitutional rights to artistic expression and redress of academia and sent to Principal Nero's office. Once I'm there, however, the principal complements me on my work. Something is wrong, deeply wrong. Our principal has obviously been replaced by an imposter. With the help of my assistant Natalie Attired, we're going to get to the bottom of this, no matter to what depths of conspiracy and corruption we have to descend.
Impression: This wasn't bad, but I imagine kids would like it better. The whole book is a parody of hard-boiled detective fiction, which was pretty stock for my tastes. The plot, however, is amazingly fun and you can tell you're not supposed to take it seriously. I wish I could enjoy it more, but I, as an adult, just laughed too little at it. It's no Tracer Bullet, but it's my tastes that keep me from enjoying it, and it works well at what it does.
Second opinion: "The swift plot, clever wisecracking, and hardboiled style make this chapter book a terrific read." - Cadance Fletcher, Booklist
Citation: Fletcher, C. (n.a.). The mystery of Mr. Nice : from the tattered casebook of Chet... Retrieved: May 6, 2015, from: http://esl.opac.marmot.org/GroupedWork/236c0569-7cd9-22a9-3dcb-f5f8867d6f86/Home
Citation: Hale, B. (2000). The mystery of Mr. Nice: from the tattered casebook of Chet Gecko, private eye.
Plot: The name's Gecko, Chet Gecko. I'm a private eye. My specialty: the crimes that slip through the cracks of Emerson Hicky Elementary School. Case in point: One day I'm busted for my constitutional rights to artistic expression and redress of academia and sent to Principal Nero's office. Once I'm there, however, the principal complements me on my work. Something is wrong, deeply wrong. Our principal has obviously been replaced by an imposter. With the help of my assistant Natalie Attired, we're going to get to the bottom of this, no matter to what depths of conspiracy and corruption we have to descend.
Impression: This wasn't bad, but I imagine kids would like it better. The whole book is a parody of hard-boiled detective fiction, which was pretty stock for my tastes. The plot, however, is amazingly fun and you can tell you're not supposed to take it seriously. I wish I could enjoy it more, but I, as an adult, just laughed too little at it. It's no Tracer Bullet, but it's my tastes that keep me from enjoying it, and it works well at what it does.
Second opinion: "The swift plot, clever wisecracking, and hardboiled style make this chapter book a terrific read." - Cadance Fletcher, Booklist
Citation: Fletcher, C. (n.a.). The mystery of Mr. Nice : from the tattered casebook of Chet... Retrieved: May 6, 2015, from: http://esl.opac.marmot.org/GroupedWork/236c0569-7cd9-22a9-3dcb-f5f8867d6f86/Home
Module 8, Season II: Thomas and the Dragon Queen
Module 8: Thomas and the Dragon Queen
Hello, I'm Richard Nicholas Nimz, prospector of the written word. Well, after my last post, it's time for something more lighthearted, and, to my delight, something fantastical. I've always liked fantasy, from cyborg heroes who can control the elements, to strange monsters that fight alongside humans to save the digital world, to elves, dwarves, wizards, goblins, dragons, hobbits, unicorns, pegasi, earth ponies, and alicorns. Too many people dismiss the genre as lacking in drama, but I call foul on that. There are plenty of good stories that feature fantasy: JLA/Titans: The Technis Imperative, The Sea of Trolls, the Sorahb trilogy, the Dragon Wars tetralogy, the entire works of Garth Nix, and today's book: Thomas and the Dragon Queen.
Citation: Crum, S. & Wildish, L. i. (2010). Thomas and the dragon queen. New York: Alfred A. Knopf.
Plot: Thomas is a short child for his age, but is hardworking and devoted. Thus, when his father helps a knight with his horse's shoe, he is able to give Thomas the chance to become a knight. He trains his hardest and eventually, the princess is kidnapped by a dragon. Because the kingdom is short of knights, Thomas is knighted and sent after the dragon. On the way, Thomas will find out that being a knight is not quite what he thought it was, nor is his quarry what he thought he was.
Impressions: This book fits together very well. It might be from personal experience regarding high expectations of myself, but I liked one of this book's themes: 'you're doing better than you think'. Also, this book does the 'other people are not what you think' theme well by not demonising the other side: most of the characters are perfectly likeable, just wrong. The book has good illustrations, simple but appealing. Finally, this book mentions a lot about how knights actually worked, including prayer, to my delight. Thus, this book would be good for medieval history day at the library, it has a lot of good information contained within a good story.
Second Opinion: "Amusing black-and-white drawings jibe well with the rollicking tone of the tale, especially later in the book when our hero, shirtless and unarmed, faces the enormous dragon mother. A sure-fire hit as a read-aloud, this is an engaging book featuring a hero filled with bravery, quick wits, and heart."
Citation: Smith, R. L. (2010). [Thomas and the Dragon Queen]. Horn Book Magazine, 86(4), 104.
Hello, I'm Richard Nicholas Nimz, prospector of the written word. Well, after my last post, it's time for something more lighthearted, and, to my delight, something fantastical. I've always liked fantasy, from cyborg heroes who can control the elements, to strange monsters that fight alongside humans to save the digital world, to elves, dwarves, wizards, goblins, dragons, hobbits, unicorns, pegasi, earth ponies, and alicorns. Too many people dismiss the genre as lacking in drama, but I call foul on that. There are plenty of good stories that feature fantasy: JLA/Titans: The Technis Imperative, The Sea of Trolls, the Sorahb trilogy, the Dragon Wars tetralogy, the entire works of Garth Nix, and today's book: Thomas and the Dragon Queen.
Citation: Crum, S. & Wildish, L. i. (2010). Thomas and the dragon queen. New York: Alfred A. Knopf.
Plot: Thomas is a short child for his age, but is hardworking and devoted. Thus, when his father helps a knight with his horse's shoe, he is able to give Thomas the chance to become a knight. He trains his hardest and eventually, the princess is kidnapped by a dragon. Because the kingdom is short of knights, Thomas is knighted and sent after the dragon. On the way, Thomas will find out that being a knight is not quite what he thought it was, nor is his quarry what he thought he was.
Impressions: This book fits together very well. It might be from personal experience regarding high expectations of myself, but I liked one of this book's themes: 'you're doing better than you think'. Also, this book does the 'other people are not what you think' theme well by not demonising the other side: most of the characters are perfectly likeable, just wrong. The book has good illustrations, simple but appealing. Finally, this book mentions a lot about how knights actually worked, including prayer, to my delight. Thus, this book would be good for medieval history day at the library, it has a lot of good information contained within a good story.
Second Opinion: "Amusing black-and-white drawings jibe well with the rollicking tone of the tale, especially later in the book when our hero, shirtless and unarmed, faces the enormous dragon mother. A sure-fire hit as a read-aloud, this is an engaging book featuring a hero filled with bravery, quick wits, and heart."
Citation: Smith, R. L. (2010). [Thomas and the Dragon Queen]. Horn Book Magazine, 86(4), 104.
Tuesday, May 5, 2015
Module 7, Season II: After Ever After
Hello, I'm Richard Nicholas Nimz, prospector of the written word. Misery poker is a terrible idea. Big problems may need more attention, but their existance does not make little problems go away. Likewise, people who suffer greatly may need help or patience, but they are still responsible for their own actions to some degree. Today's book addresses this problem, as well as one other. This is After Ever After.
Citation: Sonnenblick, J. (2010). After ever after. New York: Scholastic Press.
Plot: When he was five, Jeffery Alper managed to live through cancer, but at a price. He has mobility problems and he has additional problems with math, problems that are about to lead to his being held back a grade. As the date of the state test gets closer, he tries his darndest to pass, as well as navigate a world in which he is something almost no-one knows what to do with. Furthermore, Tad, a friend of his and fellow young cancer survivor, has something that he isn't telling.
Impressions: It's useful for displays about cancer, and very heartbreakingly insightful, but it can be hard to read. These characters are people, and they can be jerks at times. Tad can be a royal *#%!, even given everything wrong with his life, although it's the kind that other people might find entertaining (I'm not really able to tell), and he does get called on it in the course of the book. However, the book is excellent at conveying its theme with the right mix of sympathy and condemnation, even if I felt like it took a long time before the book made the flip. In short, it has its flaws, but bear with it.
Second opinion: "Sonnenblick’s writing style is vivid, humorous, and authentically reflects the conversations and thoughts of most teens... Both entertaining and thought-provoking, After Ever After is a must-read for both early teens and adults."
Source: Kennedy, M. (2010). [After Ever After]. Journal Of Adolescent & Adult Literacy, 54(4), 299-301.
Citation: Sonnenblick, J. (2010). After ever after. New York: Scholastic Press.
Plot: When he was five, Jeffery Alper managed to live through cancer, but at a price. He has mobility problems and he has additional problems with math, problems that are about to lead to his being held back a grade. As the date of the state test gets closer, he tries his darndest to pass, as well as navigate a world in which he is something almost no-one knows what to do with. Furthermore, Tad, a friend of his and fellow young cancer survivor, has something that he isn't telling.
Impressions: It's useful for displays about cancer, and very heartbreakingly insightful, but it can be hard to read. These characters are people, and they can be jerks at times. Tad can be a royal *#%!, even given everything wrong with his life, although it's the kind that other people might find entertaining (I'm not really able to tell), and he does get called on it in the course of the book. However, the book is excellent at conveying its theme with the right mix of sympathy and condemnation, even if I felt like it took a long time before the book made the flip. In short, it has its flaws, but bear with it.
Second opinion: "Sonnenblick’s writing style is vivid, humorous, and authentically reflects the conversations and thoughts of most teens... Both entertaining and thought-provoking, After Ever After is a must-read for both early teens and adults."
Source: Kennedy, M. (2010). [After Ever After]. Journal Of Adolescent & Adult Literacy, 54(4), 299-301.
Module 7, Season II: 13 Little Blue Envelopes
Hello, I'm Richard Nicholas Nimz, prospector of the written word. As a kid, I don't think I would've ever read this book. Not only because it's 'chick lit', but also because for the longest time, I just got bored with realistic fiction. Compared to the worlds of Pokémon (pronounced PO-kay-mon), Digimon, and BIONICLE, the ordinary world just seemed downright dull. However, my tastes have grown up, and thus, I gave this book a try. This is 13 Little Blue Envelopes.
Citation: Johnson, M. (2005). 13 little blue envelopes. New York: Harpercollins.
Plot: On getting a letter saying that her free-spirited aunt has died, teenage girl Ginny Blackstone gets a bank card and thirteen envelopes with instructions on what to do. This takes her all across Europe, from London, to Rome, to Paris, Amsterdam, and Greece. Along the way, she steps far out of her comfort zone, meeting new people and rediscovering two people she thought she knew: her aunt and herself.
Inpressions: I'm not really a big fan of the 'let go of your safe life to really live' kind of story (my form of Autism doesn't lend itself well to it). However, this story is done rather well. Everything adds up and I did find the main character's journey to be intriguing. However, it may not be for everyone. There is an Italian guy whom I thought was going to be a second possible romantic lead who just turned into a jerk and distraction from the first, British guy. Also, I imagine Romani (Gypsies) aren't going to be thrilled with their children being called thieves in the book (then again, given what I've read about antiziganism in Italy, it could be in-character by the person who said it). It could be useful for Travel Day at the library and people who like this kind of story might like this book. I'm just not sure what to make of it.
Second opinion: "The story is perforce rather traveloguish, but in a pleasing way... Johnson's style is comradely and ruefully humorous, inviting both strictly armchair travelers and wannabe world voyagers to accompany Ginny on her life-changing journey."
Citation: Stevenson, D. (2005). [13 Little Blue Envelopes]. Bulletin Of The Center For Children's Books, 59(2), 99-100.
Citation: Johnson, M. (2005). 13 little blue envelopes. New York: Harpercollins.
Plot: On getting a letter saying that her free-spirited aunt has died, teenage girl Ginny Blackstone gets a bank card and thirteen envelopes with instructions on what to do. This takes her all across Europe, from London, to Rome, to Paris, Amsterdam, and Greece. Along the way, she steps far out of her comfort zone, meeting new people and rediscovering two people she thought she knew: her aunt and herself.
Inpressions: I'm not really a big fan of the 'let go of your safe life to really live' kind of story (my form of Autism doesn't lend itself well to it). However, this story is done rather well. Everything adds up and I did find the main character's journey to be intriguing. However, it may not be for everyone. There is an Italian guy whom I thought was going to be a second possible romantic lead who just turned into a jerk and distraction from the first, British guy. Also, I imagine Romani (Gypsies) aren't going to be thrilled with their children being called thieves in the book (then again, given what I've read about antiziganism in Italy, it could be in-character by the person who said it). It could be useful for Travel Day at the library and people who like this kind of story might like this book. I'm just not sure what to make of it.
Second opinion: "The story is perforce rather traveloguish, but in a pleasing way... Johnson's style is comradely and ruefully humorous, inviting both strictly armchair travelers and wannabe world voyagers to accompany Ginny on her life-changing journey."
Citation: Stevenson, D. (2005). [13 Little Blue Envelopes]. Bulletin Of The Center For Children's Books, 59(2), 99-100.
Module 6, Season II: E-Mergency!
Hello, I'm Richard Nicholas Nimz, prospector of the written word. Something a lot of writers don't understand is that picture books aren't only written for children. Yes, children are their intended audience, but they're often read aloud by adults, who can easily get tired of reading substandard books. Thankfully, however, there are picture books that adults can appreciate. Case in point, today's book: E-Mergency.
Citation: Licthenheld, T. & Feilds-Meyer, E. (2011). E-Mergency. San Francisco, CA: Chronicle Books LLC.
Plot: All the letters of the alphabet live together in one big house. One day, however, one of the letters, the most used letter of all, 'E', is badly injured after a fall down the stairs. She's taken to the hospital, but the doctors warn everyone that she needs rest, and if everyone does not stop using the letter 'E', she will never recover. Thoroforo, tho woll-roundod 'O' is choson to pick up tho slack, but dospito thoro bost offorts, sho romains unwoll, and thoy can't find out why.
Improssions: I am romindod of Rogor Obort's positivo roviow- OK, I'm not doing this. Anyways, said film critic had an uncommon good opinion of Pixar's famous critical bomb 'Cars 2', saying that it was a kid's film that had an adult-worthy plot. That is this book. It has a 'kids' plot, and kids can onjoy it, but it has adult-worthy humor about graphology, too. It's also a smart book, with a smart twist at its conclusion. In short, if you worry that kids don't have smart books, find this book, although I warn you to look at pagina uno y dos if you plan to show it to your kids (nothing too bad, just a bit gaudy). I think that a library that wants to instruct kids in graphology and vocabulary should try working this book into its curriculum. Librarians would not go amiss in doing so.
Socond Opinion: "The g[o]n[o]rous trim siz[o] and luxuriously thick, cr[o]am-colored pap[o]r furth[o]r showcas[o] th[o] artwork, whil[o] an [o]ndnot[o] illuminat[o]s th[o] book-making proc[o]ss. Childr[o]n (and adults) will por[o] ov[o]r the minut[o] d[o]tails, whil[o] simultan[o]ously admiring th[o] grand maj[o]sty of [o]ach spr[o]ad in this [o]xquisit[o] offering.
Citation (sorry!): Sawyer, L. (2011). E-mergency!. Booklist, 108(7), 51.
Citation: Licthenheld, T. & Feilds-Meyer, E. (2011). E-Mergency. San Francisco, CA: Chronicle Books LLC.
Plot: All the letters of the alphabet live together in one big house. One day, however, one of the letters, the most used letter of all, 'E', is badly injured after a fall down the stairs. She's taken to the hospital, but the doctors warn everyone that she needs rest, and if everyone does not stop using the letter 'E', she will never recover. Thoroforo, tho woll-roundod 'O' is choson to pick up tho slack, but dospito thoro bost offorts, sho romains unwoll, and thoy can't find out why.
Improssions: I am romindod of Rogor Obort's positivo roviow- OK, I'm not doing this. Anyways, said film critic had an uncommon good opinion of Pixar's famous critical bomb 'Cars 2', saying that it was a kid's film that had an adult-worthy plot. That is this book. It has a 'kids' plot, and kids can onjoy it, but it has adult-worthy humor about graphology, too. It's also a smart book, with a smart twist at its conclusion. In short, if you worry that kids don't have smart books, find this book, although I warn you to look at pagina uno y dos if you plan to show it to your kids (nothing too bad, just a bit gaudy). I think that a library that wants to instruct kids in graphology and vocabulary should try working this book into its curriculum. Librarians would not go amiss in doing so.
Socond Opinion: "The g[o]n[o]rous trim siz[o] and luxuriously thick, cr[o]am-colored pap[o]r furth[o]r showcas[o] th[o] artwork, whil[o] an [o]ndnot[o] illuminat[o]s th[o] book-making proc[o]ss. Childr[o]n (and adults) will por[o] ov[o]r the minut[o] d[o]tails, whil[o] simultan[o]ously admiring th[o] grand maj[o]sty of [o]ach spr[o]ad in this [o]xquisit[o] offering.
Citation (sorry!): Sawyer, L. (2011). E-mergency!. Booklist, 108(7), 51.
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