Everything for a Dog

Did you ever read A Dog's Life? Ever wonder what happened to Squirrel's brother, Stone? The last time we saw him he was being carried away from the mall parking lot he and his sister were dumped in. Thankfully, Ann Martin has written Everything for a Dog, where we learn exactly what happened. I wish I could say he immediately ended up in a nice home where he lived happily ever after but then it would be a short book. Told in three voices, Everything for a Dog celebrates perseverance, both boy and canine.

Looking for Calvin and Hobbes by Nevin Martell

I can't tell you how often a student comes into the Media Center looking for a Calvin and Hobbes book - a boy and his tiger who we have not seen for fourteen years continues to entertain kids of all ages. Nevin Martell grew up on Calvin and Hobbes; he has very fond memories of reading the strip every morning while he ate his cereal and now that he's a writer decided to find out what exactly happened to the cartoonist, Bill Watterson who created the strip and why after ten glorious years (for us) he decided to walk away.

Looking for Calvin and Hobbes is a book for adults; a book that covers a whole lot of ground. Watterson never gave an interview to Martell so Martell interviewed other cartoonists about the reluctant legend. Put simply, Watterson walked away in 1995, disgruntled and disillusioned. What Martell describes is fascinating on a number of different levels - it is an intimate look at how cartoonists create characters; the cut throat environment of syndication and the power of the almighty dollar (did you know Charles Schultz earned 30 to 40 million dollars a year towards the end of his career).

Is it enough to say Watterson is a tortured artist? Probably not but if it is that simple then we are all the more lucky to have been gifted for ten delightful years.

A Blizzard of Books

One thing this weekend's snowstorm was good for was plenty of reading. I have three to recommend for the 8 - 10 year old set. All three charming and good fun, with a little bit of sibling rivalry thrown in.

Chicken Feathers by Joy Cowley is quite simply the story of a boy and his pet chicken, Semolina. Semolina isn't your run of the mill chicken either. She talks - but only to Josh and she likes her whisky. Josh has his own stuff to deal with - his pregnant mom is in the hospital on bed rest; his neighbor may have a new boyfriend and his grandmother doesn't like chickens in the house. Reading Chicken Feathers is a thoroughly delightful way to spend a winter afternoon.

The Lemonade War by Jacqueline Davies tells the story of a brother and sister. Born 14 months apart, Evan and Jesse are each other's best friend...until the letter from school arrives towards the end of the summer. Evan gets angry, Jesse reacts and suddenly there's a bet about who can sell the most lemonade. Will Evan's outgoing personality outsell the very deliberate business plan Jesse has drawn up? Wondering what the letter from school said? Read The Lemonade War to find out.

Star Jumper - Journal of a Cardboard Genius by Frank Asche chronicles the very vivid imagination of Alex as he builds a cardboard spaceship in an attempt to escape the trials of living with his little brother. As Alex often reminds us, Einstein has nothing on him.

U is for Undertow by Sue Grafton

I LOVE Sue Grafton. I LOVE her private investigator, Kinsey Millhone. I wait and wait for each new book and then when it arrives I savor it. Oh sure, I want desperately to dive right in and read until I'm done but I don't. I read a chapter or two and then go and do something. Come back and read some more. I just don't want the book to end. If you have never read a Sue Grafton mystery go find A is for Alibi and start.

In U is for Undertow, it's 1988; Kinsey still uses a typewriter to record her reports, still uses index cards to organize her investigations, still heads to the public library to search microfiche. There is a terrific mystery and Grafton artfully tells a story that started in the 1960s. Great character development; great plot; good, clean fun.

Websites to Checkout

I have come across a number of interesting websites about books and reading recently and thought I'd share.

Daniel Pink's 10 Favorite Books of the Year (for adults)

New York Times Best Books of the Year (for adults)

New York Times Notable Books for Kids

New York Times Best Illustrated Books for Kids

105 Ways to Give a Book

New York Public Library - 100 Titles for Sharing and Reading 2009 (for kids)

How Stories Save Us by Pam Allyn

The Hunger Games - Young Adult

When someone says, "Amy, you have to read this book - it's the best worst book I've ever read," what choice do I have?

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins grabs you by the throat and pulls you in. You quickly become appalled by what's going to happen and then can't walk away until you find out the resolution. If I were to break it down in it's simplest form I might say The Hunger Games is a futuristic version of survival of the fittest...for 12 to 18 year olds. Twenty four are chosen (12 male, 12 female) but there can be only one survivor. Collins weaves an incredible tale - twists and turns abound. It is not for the faint of heart but those who get through it, book two recently came out and book three is due next summer.

Time to Catch Up - Adult Reviews

I traveled to San Diego over Thanksgiving break which afforded me plenty of time to read. Twelve hours in an airplane and a little bit of insomnia work wonders when you have a list of books to get through.

The Crowd Sounds Happy by Nicholas Dawidoff is a memoir. We learn early on that Dawidoff's father suffers from mental illness and his mother leaves with the kids, settling in New Haven. Despite not having access to TV or a daily newspaper (limited money meant cutting corners where they could); Dawidoff develops a love for baseball, in particular the Boston Red Sox. This isn't a quick read but if you know someone who grew up with a transistor radio under their pillow, it may be a worthwhile purchase.

Speed Shrinking by Susan Shapiro would qualify as chick lit. Julia, an expert on sugar cravings, is left to fend for herself as her best friend moves away, her husband goes out to California to pursue an acting job and her long-time shrink relocates to Arizona. Is it great literature. Nope but I will say it brings up some interesting issues about food (not to mention the mental health profession).