Oh, he is stylish! Look at the pocket square! :D
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Poor Man's Provence (copy)
After hearing Rheta Grimsley Johnson speak last week on her new book Poor Man’s Provence at the Mississippi Library Association’s annual conference in Natchez, I really cannot wait to visit the region. I find myself fascinated with the Cajun lifestyle and swamps which shelter the culture.
It all began when Rheta accepted an assignment from her Atlanta newspaper editor to cover a wild boar hunt. Within 1,500 acres of wooded, hurricane-fenced Louisiana, Rheta, along with husband Don and a group of hung-over young men, proceeded to hunt the elusive boars. In this “glorified hog pen” they walked in a guided circle until they came upon a sleeping sounder.
They began to realize the cheesy situation as the guide commenced to jabbing at the snoring razorbacks. One-by-one the reluctantly groggy hogs began to stand and scatter through the woods. As the last one shook off sleep, the men allowed one virile hunter to take aim.
Like watching a golfer make a hole-in-one, the group stood stunned as the lone arrow sliced completely through one boar and into another. With one shot the hunt was over. The young men had hoped to bag a trophy boar at $325, but instead got two “meat” hogs at $165 apiece. They had spent the limit.
It was still early morning; therefore, Rheta and Don decided to explore the southeastern part of the state. They both love the water and boats and thought this a fun way to kill time. It was in the small town of Henderson, right beside the little marina, where they spotted a “pale lime vinyl” houseboat. Above the entrance hatch a piece of driftwood proclaimed, “The Green Queen.”
A nice man showed them around the little boat, and with a car dealer’s grin he said, “This is one heckuva deal.” They smiled, but neither showed any interest. The couple then pondered the boat all the way back to Atlanta without ever voicing aloud their secrets dreams. Rheta envisioned a quiet place to read, and Don saw a duck hunter’s paradise.
After unloading the car and sitting down to dinner, it took one quizzical look between them and Don was on the phone to the salesman. In the background he could hear the townies laughing as he reluctantly resigned to the fact that he was the fish on the hook and this salesman was reeling.
I cannot tell you how much fun this book is to read as Rheta and “One Duck Don” become residents of Henderson. They find a little slice of heaven in the swamps, and readers will too.
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Blog Tour Second Stop!
Something Wicked by Alan Gratz is the second book in his contemporary, Macbeth murder-mystery series for young adults. For a limited time (Till Nov. 30) one can read Something Rotten for free! Go visit Gratz here, and be sure to visit his active blog co-written by wife, Wendi.
Others participating in the tour can be found at The 160 Acre Woods, A Christian Worldview of Fiction, All About Children’s Books, Becky’s Book Reviews, Book Review Maniac, Cafe of Dreams, Dolce Bellezza, Hyperbole, Kidz Book Buzz, Looking Glass Reviews, Never Jam Today, Reading is My Superpower
Monday, October 27, 2008
Blog Tour First Stop!
Something Wicked by Alan Gratz is our featured book this week at Kids Book Buzz!
First line of the book states, "History is full of guys who did stupid things for women."
What a wondeful line!
Others participating in the tour can be found at The 160acrewoods, A Christian Worldview of Fiction, All About Children’s Books, Becky’s Book Reviews, Book Review Maniac, Cafe of Dreams, Dolce Bellezza, Hyperbole, KidzBookBuzz.com, Looking Glass Reviews, Never Jam Today, Reading is My Superpower
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Uncle Tom's Children (copy)
This year marks the centennial of Richard Wright’s birth. In celebration the “Mississippi Reads” program, sponsored by the state, features his book, Uncle Tom’s Children. All across Mississippi curious citizens are opening his works and joining in heartfelt discussions.
Just last week, I bumped into my friend and neighbor at the local grocery store. As we were sharing good news, she told me she was currently reading Wright’s Black Boy. Not only was she reading it for an Ole Miss class, but her youngest was reading it for Senior's English! How exciting to hear two unrelated schools are reading Wright as part of the curriculum.
Uncle Tom’s Children is an accessible read for most adults and upper level students. Readers are treated to a short autobiography in Wright’s essay “The Ethics of Living Jim Crow” which was not included in earlier versions but opens this book. (If one has read “Black Boy” it will seem familiar, although the tone is harsher.) Then readers face five short stories that emphasize the Jim Crow lifestyle. Each story is heart-breaking. Readers can discern early on that the main characters are all doomed.
In “Big Boy Leaves Home,” Big Boy and buddies skip school and trespass on property in order to swim in a pond. A white woman wanders down to the water. Within seconds, she lets out a scream as she perceives these naked boys running towards her as a threat. In reality, they are running to get their clothes which happen to be within six feet of her. Fiancée, with rifle in hand, comes to her rescue.
In “Down by the Riverside,” Mann’s pregnant wife is in labor as high waters threaten to cut them off from civilization. Uncle Bob is sent to trade the mule for a boat when the midwife declares she must have a doctor’s help. Bob returns with a stolen boat, and the family departs for the hospital. They get lost, and stop at one of the only homes with lights to ask for directions. It is the home of the white boat owners.
The violence that ensues makes this inaccessible to younger readers. May I suggest, Haiku: This Other World by Wright. In the tradition of real Japanese Haiku, Wright writes of the seasons and not racism. The 817 poems are perfect for teaching the art, and exposing young readers to a Mississippi treasure. Teachers could ask students to design a birthday card for the author with their own Haiku inside.
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
The Shack (copy)
Mackenzie Allen Phillips “Mack” is troubled. He spent his life serving God, married a better Christian than himself, and raised his children in the church. Why was he the target of such pain?
Before “The Great Sadness” overtook Mack, he thought his life blessed. A beautiful wife who loves him no matter his gruffness. Five children who are truly beautiful inside and out. He likes to joke, “They took his good looks because Nan still has hers.” Oldest sons are out making a living and his two middle kids, Josh and Kate, are getting good grades in college; although, they still live at home. And then there is Missy, the late in life little surprise.
It happened at the family’s last-hoorah camping trip before three of Mack’s kids had to return to school. Mack rose early to prepare a pancake breakfast in the wilds of Oregon for the crew. His wife Nan was still at work and would try to join the family later that day.
It wasn’t long before everyone was out of the tents and rubbing their eyes. Apparently, the cakes became stuck to the griddle and Mack burned two fingers trying to save them. His expletives could wake a hibernating bear, no wonder everyone was up.
While cleaning up his mess the group wondered off to the river for some canoeing. Mack joined them just in time to see the canoe capsize with Kate and Josh entering the water. He felt okay, they had on life jackets, but Josh didn’t surface!
Mack didn’t waste any time. He took two big strokes and was on the scene and under the water. Josh was pinned down between the canoe and a log which held his jacket. Mack surfaced for another breath then went back under to force the canoe over.
Josh popped out, but unconscious. It took a few seconds of Mack administering CPR and Josh was throwing up this morning’s eggs to everyone’s relief. Okay, Mack stood back and regrouped. Kate is fine. Josh is fine. Where is Missy?
The Shack, written by William P. Young, is an incredible story. The plot combines a modern day mystery with biblical theology that has America talking. The shack of the title is a metaphor for that which is our “great sadness.”
The controversy evolves from one man’s fictional opinion of the Holy Trinity. Readers may not like his choice of characters to depict the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost; although, they will not forget them. I personally love the book and thought Young’s voice refreshing.
Wednesday, October 08, 2008
Wesley the Owl (copy)
Two nights ago I was in the bathroom getting ready for bed when I heard a loud Whoo-Whoo-Whoo. The windows of our house were closed tight yet the noise felt like it was behind my back. I called hubby into the bathroom to confirm my hearing.
Of course, it was an owl in one of our willow oaks communicating with its mate. Somewhere in the darkness, possibly a block away, we heard the return hoot of another owl. We have barn owls in our neighborhood, but these were commuters who only stopped by for 20 minutes. What fascinating creatures!
Born February 10, 1985, Wesley the owl suffered nerve damage in one of his wings. Meaning, this barn owl would never be able to fly for long periods of time before succumbing to exhaustion. Wesley would never be able to hunt for himself and without a mother he would surely die.
Biologists at California Institute of Technology (Caltech) considered Wesley’s lot a great chance for someone to raise him as a pet. Enter Stacey O’Brien. New to the Caltech staff having only worked a year as a biologist, her superior called her to his office four days later to discuss the owlet’s fate. She enthusiastically agreed to take on the possible 15 years of research this little ball of down might provide.
Stacey considered this her opportunity to study a single animal on a 24/7 schedule just like her heroine, Jane Goodall. Little did she know Wesley Valentine, having entered her life that Valentine’s Day, would change it dramatically.
For the first six months he was taken everywhere Stacey went. He needed her warmth to survive. Thus, she wrapped him in blankets like a newborn when going to work or on little errands. One such errand to the grocery shocked an over-eager shopper when they pulled back the covers and asked, “Is that a dinosaur?!?”
Stacey is seen as a mother figure in the first couple of years, but as Wesley turns 3 she becomes his mate. Owls mate for life and Wesley is no exception.
For this Halloween season pick up Stacey O’Brien’s Wesley the Owl: The Remarkable Love Story of an Owl and His Girl. It is full of photos as Wesley goes from newborn to the ripe old age of nineteen.
Another excellent review of Wesley can be found at Sam's Book Chase.
Wednesday, October 01, 2008
Black Boy (copy)
I finished Richard Wright’s Black Boy last week and just shook my head. I kept coming up with one word to describe his life: hunger. He hungered for food, he hungered for love, he hungered for attention, and he hungered for knowledge.
Richard Nathaniel Wright was born September 4, 1908 near Roxie, Mississippi on Rucker’s Plantation. His family, gripped with poverty, was constantly moving from state to state in order to find work. Wright’s mobile lifestyle allowed for three months of school in Memphis, one large gap, then some more school in Arkansas, another gap, and finally graduated ninth grade at the age of 17 in Jackson, MS.
Through this autobiography and his other writings such as Native Son, I am convinced he was a genius. His early education was too sporadic to attribute to his speech and grammar skills. It was his hunger for knowledge that improved his life. One of America’s many self-taught men.
Wright began his self education with a burning desire to know more and the use of a white man’s library card. While working in a Memphis optical shop, he would come in early to read the complimentary Commercial Appeal in the lobby. One day he ran across an editorial denouncing H.L. Mencken with one short sentence, “Mencken is a fool.”
Who was this Mencken and how did he raise the ire of a normally even tempered editor? Wright needed to know, but the Memphis Public Library was for whites only. One of his many errands for the optical company included picking up books for fellow workers at the downtown library. He thought how easy it would be for him to check out books on one of those cards if he could only get the owner’s permission.
Wright talked a nice Irish Catholic—long forgotten his name—into sharing his card, but the plan still had obstacles. He would have to write a convincing note and the smart librarian would have to be duped.
With a humble face, Wright stood at the circulation counter watching the librarian’s reaction. She quizzed him, “What books does Mr. X want to read by Mencken?”
“I don’t know, Ma’am.”
“Are these books for you?”
“No, Ma’am.”
“Well, tell Mr. X to include a list next time.”
Pshew!
Kids have it so easy today in Mississippi with excellent public schools and libraries. Oh, how I wish I could give them Richard Wright’s hunger for knowledge.
Note: Richard is the older child on the left side of the cover. You can read an excellent review of Black Boy at Just a Reading Fool's blog.
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