“Most people don't realize how important librarians are. I ran across a book recently which suggested that the peace and prosperity of a culture was solely related to how many librarians it contained. Possibly a slight overstatement. But a culture that doesn't value its librarians doesn't value ideas and without ideas, well, where are we?”
Neil Gaiman

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

A Teen Trip Down the Rabbit Hole



Splintered
By A.G. Howard


Splintered is a magical and eccentric teenage ride through the rabbit hole into Wonderland.  A.G. Howard has created a sequel to the classics by Lewis Carroll that is filled with emotions that range from love to horror to mirth.  It is a wild skate ride that questions sanity and finds the miracle of true unselfish parental love.  The story centers around the great, great, great granddaughter of Alice Liddell, the “original” Alice, who has been hearing insects and flowers speak.  The problem is getting worse and she fears that she is losing her sanity, just like her institutionalized mother.  She soon discovers there is more to her mother’s story, however.  Splintered may well have you speaking to the insects and flowers yourself once you’ve closed the last page.  At the very least, it will leave you with fantastical images of a Wonderland in updated Technicolor cyber-punk style.

Saturday, November 3, 2012

These Children Have Politics Down Right... Take A Look At Their Videos

A Reminder To Vote On the 6th.. And A Chance To Vote For Some Great Kids As Well
"If I Were President" School Video Contest for Classroom Grants

My son and daughter both had a fabulous teacher named Eden Grassi.  We call her Miss Honey after the kind teacher in Roald Dahl's Mathilda.  She is sweet, creative, caring, and perhaps the most incredible teacher I've ever encountered.  Each year she seeks out opportunities for her students to enter contests and win classroom grants.  My sons year they were able to win a state contest and came in second for a national contest.  My daughter's year they came in second for a national contest.  She is still enamored with the issue of saving orangoutangs. This year her class entered the Pearson "If I Were President" contest and they are currently ranked second.  What I am amazed by is the beautiful sentiment these kids exude at such a young age.  As you all go to the polls, I hope you all gain as much as I did from watching these young children.

Somehow as we grow, we lose something.  There is such a beautiful wonder in these children.  They truly have the real answer if we can stop for a moment.  Don't bully.  Be nice.  Help one another.  Make sure everyone has good food to eat.  Take care of sick people.  Don't bully.  Be nice.  Help one another.  Make sure everyone can do their best.  Make sure everyone has an education.  Don't bully. Be nice to one another.  Take care of the Earth.  I think these children may be on to something.


Vote on the kids' videos at: http:  //www.weareteachers.com/grants-contests/grants/pearson-election-contest/vote/