Usually I don't follow the Onion News Network. I find them pretty unreliable. I swear, half the time it's like a total joke. However, in the current throes of Slutoween, mancandy and non-pagan parties; I've found that the following news brief is DEAD ON.
In The Know: Has Halloween Become Overcommercialized?
Thanks to Jeff (of all people) for sending this along. Also, I just posted a recent and time-consuming post about the Halloween cd. Don't let it get buried in the new post! Scroll down and read that one too.
Friday, October 31, 2008
it's here!
Well, Halloween is here. It's today. Not a moment too soon to finish up this year's Halloween cd. J.R. or I will be glad to burn you a copy, but if you don't want to deal with us directly, feel free to download all the songs below. You can even NOT download some of the songs you may not want. However, I will explain why you SHOULD download each and every track and blast it all day today (and maybe tomorrow too, you know, for the Mexican Dia de los Muertos (and all during the Christmas holidays when it's just too Yuley)).
1. "Date With the Night" by Yeah Yeah Yeahs
Everybody knows "Maps," but YYY has far less of a feminine side. The cd opens pumped and ready to dress the night up. Good song to play with friends before trolling around on Halloween.
2. "Disturbia" by Rhianna
This is the same chick who sings "Umbrella" right? Well this one is way better. It's also better than that Shia LaBeouf movie.
3. "Evil and a Heathen" by Franz Ferdinand
I met these guys once. I made the mistake of referring to their music as a throwback to 80s dance music. He was like "why does everyone always say that? We want people to dance, but we throw back way farther than the 80s." Anyway, he's probably right. It's like dance rock sorta. Plus their lyrics tend to be pretty off the wall. This one gets ya hoppin.'
4. "Vampires Will Never Hurt You" by My Chemical Romance
I was a bigger fan of "I'm Not Okay (I Promise)" and "Helena" than some of their recent stuff, but they know you can't go wrong with the classic theme of vampires.
5. "Rock the Night" by Europe
What party would be complete without Europe? Hot Rod has sort of messed and blessed my life.
6. "Walking With a Ghost" by The White Stripes
This is actually a Tegan and Sara cover. I thought I liked the original better, but I like how much fun Jack has with this one.
7. "Is It Scary?" by Michael Jackson
This song came out during one of Michael Jackson's bad publicity years. It's no "Thriller," but it beats hearing "Thriller" for the 500th time. Plus it's got the added subtext into Michael's psyche during a troubled time.
8. "Back In Flesh" by Wall of Voodoo
Too many people don't remember the 80s like I do. It was filled with weird stuff like this. Still, maybe you won't like it, but try to appreciate the way things were expressed back then. It's good weird, and a little deep too.
9. "Children of the Night" by NosfeROYtu
This is actually J.R.'s song that he composed in Garageband. It samples a little Dracula. It's legit spooky.
10. "Chill Factory" by Jondis and Thom Yorke
Here's my Garageband contribution. I stole some Radiohead vocals from their song called "The Reckoner."
11. "City of Delusion" by Muse
I fought for the inclusion of this song because it's Muse and Muse totally reigns. Nothing else needs to be said.
12. "Kingdom of Doom" by The Good, the Bad & the Queen
This band is from the Blur and Gorillaz guy. Some people put out new albums, he puts out new bands. Very British. It's sort of a protest, but the feel of it is very graveyard walky.
13. "Witchcraft" by Wolfmother
Obligatory Halloween air guitar song.
14. "Things That Scare Me" by Neko Case
Neko's got a voice made for Halloween.
15. "She's Lost Control" by Joy Division
Joy Division excel in bleakness. When you first hear the song you may think it's boring, but after a while the driving beat really riles you up. It's like fun despair.
16. "Children of the Grave" by Black Sabbath
Rock!
17. "Headhunter" by Front 242
Here's a blast from the past. This was popular in the early 90s I believe. If grunge didn't hit this sort of industrial dance sound would have been much bigger I think. It's almost a weird concept to have angry dance songs, but this one is mighty effective. Totally galvanizing.
18. "Mad World" by Michael Andrews
Here's another cover. You've seen Donnie Darko right? The movie sort of made this Tears for Fears song famous again. The movie version did a good job of showcasing the bleak lyrics which the original never did.
19. "The Beginning Is the End Is the Beginning" by Smashing Pumpkins
If you've seen the trailer for Watchmen, you know this song. Since the movie's coming out we had to put it on. Since it's titled the way it is, it closes the cd. Good thing it's so awesome.
Anyway, pop these into the 'ol iPod and enjoy. Oh and btw, we slipped in some great dialogue from 1408, Blacula, Poltergeist, Jeepers Creepers and Shaun of the Dead.
1. "Date With the Night" by Yeah Yeah Yeahs
Everybody knows "Maps," but YYY has far less of a feminine side. The cd opens pumped and ready to dress the night up. Good song to play with friends before trolling around on Halloween.
2. "Disturbia" by Rhianna
This is the same chick who sings "Umbrella" right? Well this one is way better. It's also better than that Shia LaBeouf movie.
3. "Evil and a Heathen" by Franz Ferdinand
I met these guys once. I made the mistake of referring to their music as a throwback to 80s dance music. He was like "why does everyone always say that? We want people to dance, but we throw back way farther than the 80s." Anyway, he's probably right. It's like dance rock sorta. Plus their lyrics tend to be pretty off the wall. This one gets ya hoppin.'
4. "Vampires Will Never Hurt You" by My Chemical Romance
I was a bigger fan of "I'm Not Okay (I Promise)" and "Helena" than some of their recent stuff, but they know you can't go wrong with the classic theme of vampires.
5. "Rock the Night" by Europe
What party would be complete without Europe? Hot Rod has sort of messed and blessed my life.
6. "Walking With a Ghost" by The White Stripes
This is actually a Tegan and Sara cover. I thought I liked the original better, but I like how much fun Jack has with this one.
7. "Is It Scary?" by Michael Jackson
This song came out during one of Michael Jackson's bad publicity years. It's no "Thriller," but it beats hearing "Thriller" for the 500th time. Plus it's got the added subtext into Michael's psyche during a troubled time.
8. "Back In Flesh" by Wall of Voodoo
Too many people don't remember the 80s like I do. It was filled with weird stuff like this. Still, maybe you won't like it, but try to appreciate the way things were expressed back then. It's good weird, and a little deep too.
9. "Children of the Night" by NosfeROYtu
This is actually J.R.'s song that he composed in Garageband. It samples a little Dracula. It's legit spooky.
10. "Chill Factory" by Jondis and Thom Yorke
Here's my Garageband contribution. I stole some Radiohead vocals from their song called "The Reckoner."
11. "City of Delusion" by Muse
I fought for the inclusion of this song because it's Muse and Muse totally reigns. Nothing else needs to be said.
12. "Kingdom of Doom" by The Good, the Bad & the Queen
This band is from the Blur and Gorillaz guy. Some people put out new albums, he puts out new bands. Very British. It's sort of a protest, but the feel of it is very graveyard walky.
13. "Witchcraft" by Wolfmother
Obligatory Halloween air guitar song.
14. "Things That Scare Me" by Neko Case
Neko's got a voice made for Halloween.
15. "She's Lost Control" by Joy Division
Joy Division excel in bleakness. When you first hear the song you may think it's boring, but after a while the driving beat really riles you up. It's like fun despair.
16. "Children of the Grave" by Black Sabbath
Rock!
17. "Headhunter" by Front 242
Here's a blast from the past. This was popular in the early 90s I believe. If grunge didn't hit this sort of industrial dance sound would have been much bigger I think. It's almost a weird concept to have angry dance songs, but this one is mighty effective. Totally galvanizing.
18. "Mad World" by Michael Andrews
Here's another cover. You've seen Donnie Darko right? The movie sort of made this Tears for Fears song famous again. The movie version did a good job of showcasing the bleak lyrics which the original never did.
19. "The Beginning Is the End Is the Beginning" by Smashing Pumpkins
If you've seen the trailer for Watchmen, you know this song. Since the movie's coming out we had to put it on. Since it's titled the way it is, it closes the cd. Good thing it's so awesome.
Anyway, pop these into the 'ol iPod and enjoy. Oh and btw, we slipped in some great dialogue from 1408, Blacula, Poltergeist, Jeepers Creepers and Shaun of the Dead.
Monday, October 27, 2008
Sunday, October 26, 2008
cyber stalker slaughter -- LIVE!
Watch this window at 9:15 Sunday for the showing of this year's Halloween movie. Hopefully it works. If it doesn't work, try refreshing.
Free video streaming by Ustream
Free video streaming by Ustream
Friday, October 24, 2008
plan on sunday night
I'm furiously putting the Halloween movie together right now. How furiously? My Google Reader is backed up to 35 items.
So we're still planning on the Sunday night premiere at my house at 9:15ish. Those of you who live more than 10 minutes away are probably sad that you are unable/too lazy to come. I'm planning on enclosing a Ustream feed into this blog at that time, so you can watch it live with us. Just keep that in mind.
Love to see you at my house or online!
So we're still planning on the Sunday night premiere at my house at 9:15ish. Those of you who live more than 10 minutes away are probably sad that you are unable/too lazy to come. I'm planning on enclosing a Ustream feed into this blog at that time, so you can watch it live with us. Just keep that in mind.
Love to see you at my house or online!
Thursday, October 23, 2008
halloween jambalaya
Yesterday I woke up with this incredible book idea. This is more unique than my other two book ideas, in that I know exactly how it will end. I also know that the book absolutely must be written before 2012. So my question is, should I write all three books in the next four years, or should I skip ahead to make sure the third book is written?
So yeah. I'm working on the Halloween movie right now. I'm getting pretty stressed about it. I love doing it, but I'm finding myself putting it off, like a school project to only have it come back and haunt me during crunch time.
A by-product of the stalling is actually something to help promote the movie. I figured the public deserves to have an official trailer for the 2008 Halloween movie. Here it is:
I've decided that I'm sort of like a Halloween parent. You know how Christmas is really stressful for parents, 'cuz they feel a need to make sure their kids have the best Christmas ever? I get more stressed out every year. Once again, J.R. and I are late on getting the Halloween cd done. Hey Roy, remember how those things used to take us one night to finish?
I'm not complaining. I'm just wondering if maybe I should take from the holiday more than I give. Perhaps that's not the best choice of words. I don't really give anything. All my projects I've made with me in mind.
So far I can't complain, though. Hit some haunted houses, watched some scary movies. Almost done with the cd, almost done with the movie.
So yeah. I'm working on the Halloween movie right now. I'm getting pretty stressed about it. I love doing it, but I'm finding myself putting it off, like a school project to only have it come back and haunt me during crunch time.
A by-product of the stalling is actually something to help promote the movie. I figured the public deserves to have an official trailer for the 2008 Halloween movie. Here it is:
I've decided that I'm sort of like a Halloween parent. You know how Christmas is really stressful for parents, 'cuz they feel a need to make sure their kids have the best Christmas ever? I get more stressed out every year. Once again, J.R. and I are late on getting the Halloween cd done. Hey Roy, remember how those things used to take us one night to finish?
I'm not complaining. I'm just wondering if maybe I should take from the holiday more than I give. Perhaps that's not the best choice of words. I don't really give anything. All my projects I've made with me in mind.
So far I can't complain, though. Hit some haunted houses, watched some scary movies. Almost done with the cd, almost done with the movie.
Saturday, October 18, 2008
this post is longer than some newberry award winners
My friend Emily is too good for a blog. She's kind of like my friend Pete, who's too primitive for a cell phone or like Rhett who's too scared for lasik.
Emily does have a lot to say, so sometimes it's up to one of us wired people to get the word out.
If anything, Emily's big claim to fame is that she's read every single Newberry Award winning book. I asked her to make a list of the best ones and she said that she didn't remember every single book in detail, so she decided to read them all again. How's that for ready (read: read-y (that was a lot of reads))! Earlier this week she emailed me the big list, with lots of insightful and funny comments. Looking for a book to read to your kids or a book that is written so well that it appeals to kids as well as adults? THIS is the DEFINITIVE list!
Her words follow:
The Newberry Award was established in 1922 to honor the best American book for children. I read all of the winning books in elementary school and decided to read them again after a discussion with a friend. So, I have spent the last seven marvelous months reading the best children's books in the United States. Needless to say, some of them were better than others. In an effort to save all of my dear friends the pain of a bad book I have written reviews. These reviews were written within minutes of finishing a book so it's really all about my first impressions. If you are looking for a good book to read, feel free to pick something from my list. However, I am not responsible if you don't like the book. Our tastes are just different. Enjoy!
Books to Read
1927 Winner: Smoky, the Cowhorse by Will James
One of my favorite books ever. Story written like an old cowboy would tell it -- grammar, spelling, and everything else. Smoky is a great horse, trained by Clint, then stolen and turned into a mean ornery thing. A story about what positive actions and words can do.
1923 Winner: The Voyages of Doctor Dolittle by Hugh Lofting
It was fun reading a book that is part of our popular culture. The bullfighting chapters made me laugh out loud. Really turned on my imagination.
1941 Winner: Call it Courage by Armstrong Sperry
Kind of reminded me of Robinson Crusoe and Life of Pi. A young man whose name means courage but doesn't have any sets out on a quest to become courageous. Set in Polynesia.
1956 Winner: Carry on Mr Bowditch by Jean Lee Latham
A boy is constantly told he can't do something. But, he uses his brain and helps others and accomplishes more than anyone thought possible. Brings a ship through a fog and learns Latin.
1955 Winner: The Wheel on the School by Meindert DeJong
I remember liking this one from childhood. There is a sweetness and energy in it. It's the story of a little girl's impossible dream and the way an entire village came together to make it come true.
1959 Winner: The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare
This is a good girl book. Kit from Barbados teaches a little girl to read and saves a supposed witch from death. Everybody marries the right person.
1952 Winner: Ginger Pye by Eleanor Estes
The story of a rather amazing little dog. I'd consider reading the other books in this series. I enjoyed the lesson about never stop looking for what you want.
1948 Winner: The Twenty-One Balloons by William Pene du Bois.
A man wants to get away from the world so he builds a giant balloon with the idea to be alone for a year. Lands on Krakatoa, meets an Utopian society and flees with the group when the volcano explodes. Ironically, there was a story in the paper just after I read this about a priest floating away in a balloon (or something like that.)
1963 Winner: A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle.
It's A Wrinkle in Time -- what else needs to be said?
1968 Winner: From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E.L. Konigsburg
The book that probably started me on the slippery slope of professional museum life. Because the next best thing to living in a museum is working in one! Also an interesting idea about wanting change and growth and something different about our lives.
1972 Winner: Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH by Robert C. O'Brien
Utopia building genetically altered lab rats totally rock. And there's a great story about fearlessly working for the benefit of others.
1978 Winner: Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson
Really great book. Really sad ending. Nice references to CS Lewis and other Newberry winning books. Captured the spirit of childhood
1979 Winner: The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin
Very clever. I was wrapped up in solving the mystery right along with the characters. Nice twist at the end.
1982 Winner: A Visit to William Blake's Inn: Poems for Innocent and Experienced Travelers by Nancy Willard
Poetry! Some nice nuggets in here. Should I know who William Blake is?
1991 Winner: Maniac Magee by Jerry Spinelli
One cool kid. His goodness, kindness, and love of the world changes the lives of everyone around him. I almost felt like a ten year old again when reading this.
1994 Winner: The Giver by Lois Lowry
A great book. The power and importance of memory -- good, bad, painful, happy, bitter, sweet. And the importance of choice. The utopian society they had built for themselves scared me a little.
1997 Winner: The View from Saturday by E.L. Konigsburg
On the surface a group of mismatched people accomplishes the seemingly impossible. I liked this one for the conclusions and connections it let you make on your own. You had to pay attention to catch it all.
1999 Winner: Holes by Louis Sachar
Very entertaining and nice mental images. A good story that doesn't beat you over the head with message. I can tell why it has been so popular.
2004 Winner: The Tale of Despereaux: Being the Story of a Mouse, a Princess, Some Soup, and a Spool of Thread by Kate DiCamillo
An unlikely hero saves the day. I smiled and chuckled through this entire book. Great lessons told in a fun and approachable way.
Books to read once. They might change your life but they might not.
1942 Winner: Adam of the Road by Elizabeth Janet Gray
Set in Medieval England. Story of the son of a minstrel and the lessons he learns about life as he is out on the open road.
1938 Winner: The White Stag by Kate Seredy
Really short (read it in an hour) Myth of how the Huns arrived in Hungary. Paints Attila the Hun in a different light. I liked it and the illustrations were very Art Nouveau and cool.
1937 Winner: Roller Skates by Ruth Sawyer
Nice story. A little girl has a wonderful year and touches many lives when her parents move to Italy. She gets to roller skate all over New York City and meets people her aunt wouldn't approve of. Kind of sad ending as she grows up at the end of the year.
1926 Winner: Shen of the Sea by Arthur Bowie Chrisman
Chinese folk tales -- how dynamite and kites were invented, how a tailor became a general and defeated the enemy, how a village beat away sea demons and stopped flooding. Liked this better than Tales from Silver Lands. (1925 winner) Felt more Chinese than Silver Lands felt South American.
1930 Winner: Hitty, Her First Hundred Years by Rachel Field
History told from a doll's perspective. She travels on a whaling ship, lives in India, is adopted by a Quaker family, kidnapped by crows, and ends up in an antique store. It made me wonder about the stories my toys could tell.
1929 Winner: The Trumpeter of Krakow by Eric P. Kelly
Cool story that for me came down to the importance of keeping your promises. Felt a little more advanced than previous winners. Made me want to visit Krakow.
1962 Winner: The Bronze Bow by Elizabeth George Speare
In the beginning, it's about a Jewish boy who wants to rid Israel of the Romans and bring to pass the physical kingdom of God. In the end it's about Jesus.
1961 Winner: Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O'Dell
Apparently based on a true story. The story of a girl who survives and thrives after being left on an island alone for twenty years. I was sad at the end for the loss of her civilization
1953 Winner: Secret of the Andes by Ann Nolan Clark
Story of a young Inca boy in the 1930s? and his place in the millenia of Inca experience. Not spectacular but not bad either. Maybe it would help if I knew more about Peru. Way better than the other South American book.
1951 Winner: Amos Fortune, Free Man by Elizabeth Yates
A young man, stolen from his tribe, brought to the US as a slave, buys his freedom and frees others. I think I was supposed to be more inspired by this than I was.
1950 Winner: The Door in the Wall by Marguerite de Angeli
Another medieval England story. A crippled boy learns no wall in life is so impenetrable that it doesn't even have a door in it. He saves the castle, reunites with family, and becomes friends with a monk. I liked Adam of the Road more.
1949 Winner: King of the Wind by Marguerite Henry
This was one of my favorite authors growing up. I guess I'm a sucker for a good horse book! Then and now I've been disappointed in the ending. I want Sham to have a triumphal race around the track -- beating his children.
1965 Winner: Shadow of a Bull by Maia Wojciechowska
One of the better coming of age stories so far. The best part though is reading all about bullfighting. Not spectacular, just good. Why are women writing all these coming of age stories about boys?
1966 Winner: I, Juan de Pareja by Elizabeth Borton de Trevino
Good one. Not only makes me want to read a real biography about the main characters but to look at Velazquez paintings. A nice story about a man's faithful life to a family he loved.
1970 Winner: Sounder by William H. Armstrong
Very sad. A boy's father arrested for stealing food. Dog almost killed during arrest. Boy goes on a quest to find his father, becomes a man. Learns to read -- a huge deal for the family. Incredible love and loyalty for and from a dog.
1973 Winner: Julie of the Wolves by Jean Craighead George
A girl leaves her modernized Alaskan village, lives off the wilderness and is adopted by wolves. Almost joins white society then realizes she would rather live by the ancient ways. A sad tale of the ending of the traditional way of life.
1976 Winner: The Grey King by Susan Cooper
Fourth book in a series of five. Another Welsh mythology story. It was good and there are some nice truths, but knowing the other books would probably help. This is a series I might go back and read.
1977 Winner: Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry by Mildred D. Taylor
Inequalities in 1920s Mississippi. In the end a father gives up (possibly) his most prized possession for the chance he might be able to save a life.
1980 Winner: A Gathering of Days: A New England Girl's Journal, 1830-1832 by Joan W. Blos
A nice coming of age story set in 1830s New Hampshire. I'm not sure if I would have liked it more or less if I hadn't put on my historian's hat while reading it.
1987 Winner: The Whipping Boy by Sid Fleischman
A fun story. A good reminder that boys constantly in trouble really need to be allowed to be boys. Jemmie's frustrations with Prince Brat are hilarious.
1990 Winner: Number the Stars by Lois Lowry
I liked the idea that all of Denmark is the kings bodyguard -- in a sense it extends much further than that. Stories about the Holocaust are always gut wrenching for me.
1993 Winner: Missing May by Cynthia Rylant
About love, accepting others as they are and moving on through loss. Set in West Virginia, includes a boy named Cletus.
1995 Winner: Walk Two Moons by Sharon Creech
Filled with all kinds of great overactive teenage imaginations and differences between families. In the end, a sad book on many levels that was starting to move towards healing.
2001 Winner: A Year Down Yonder by Richard Peck
Small town life during a recession. A girl and her grandmother have a bond. They were interesting characters and I wanted to connect with them but didn't for some reason.
2002 Winner: A Single Shard by Linda Sue Park
A 12th century Korean orphan grows up to become one of the best potters in the country. After he thinks he has failed, he finds a large enough remnant to accomplish his goal. I liked this one.
2008 Winner: Good Masters! Sweet Ladies! Voices from a Medieval Village by Laura Amy Schlitz
One of the better life in Medieval Europe books I read. (and there have been a lot in the Newberry winners) Monologues from different teenage residents in a village. Some of them consciously interact with each other, others interact but don't know it.
1984 Winner: Dear Mr. Henshaw by Beverly Cleary
I'm a Beverly Cleary fan -- I remember liking a lot of these books. I was drawn into Leigh's story -- his journey of discovery and his views of the world. He felt real to me.
1986 Winner: Sarah, Plain and Tall by Patricia MacLachlan
More of a short story than a book -- read it in 30 minutes. A story about coming to love the place you are for what it is. About a mail-order bride.
Read it... or not... whatever...
1939 Winner: Thimble Summer by Elizabeth Enright
A 9 year old girl's summer in the Midwest. Hitchhiking, county fairs, swimming, going to town. It was ok. It was comparable to Roller Skates but I liked Roller Skates more. Weren't really a lot of good life lessons in this one.
1936 Winner: Caddie Woodlawn by Carol Ryrie Brink
Has always felt like a cheap knockoff of Little House on the Prairie to me. (the books, not the 1970s tv show) Not one of my favorites. Little girl in Wisconsin -- grows up, has siblings, meets Indians, etc.
1935 Winner: Dobry by Monica Shannon
Follows a little boy in Bulgaria over the course of several years. What it means to be in a community. Grandfather is a master storyteller. The book ends as Dobry leaves his village to make his own way in the world. It ended where I wanted the story to begin.
1934 Winner: Invincible Louisa: The Story of the Author of Little Women by Cornelia Meigs
Was this really the best book of 1934? The whole point of it was that all of Alcott's life experience prepared her to write Little Women. Mostly hero worship. I think they wanted to give the award to Little Women but the rules wouldn't allow them to.
1933 Winner: Young Fu of the Upper Yangtze by Elizabeth Lewis
Yet another China book. I kept waiting for the big climatic moment but it never happened. Every chapter this coppersmith apprentice gets into a scrape, learns from it, then does something else stupid the next chapter. Exciting adventures left me disappointed in the end.
1932 Winner: Waterless Mountain by Laura Adams Armer
Kind of bland. A Navajo boy coming of age written by a white woman who made yearly visits to the reservation. Really a reflection of 1930s thought about Native Americans. Story set in 1920s or 1930s -- automobiles, airplanes, hogans, and ponies. Very idealized.
1931 Winner: The Cat Who Went to Heaven by Elizabeth Coatsworth
Really short (read in 30 minutes) A poor artist commissioned to paint an image of the dying Buddha. A kind and gentle cat can't be in the painting because it didn't honor the living Buddha. Redeemed in the end. Very Japanese.
1928 Winner: Gay Neck, the Story of a Pigeon by Dhan Gopal Mukerji
How to train a carrier pigeon. Set in India. Nice Hindu lessons about love, courage, etc but I couldn't get over the fact that it was about a pigeon!
1925 Winner: Tales from Silver Lands by Charles Finger
Short stories set in South America. Kind of like Hans Christian Anderson. Where armadillos come from, 400 young men who killed giants, origin of monkeys, etc. It was ok.
1922 Winner: The Story of Mankind by Hendrik Willem van Loon
History of the world (evolution into Western 20th century history) written for children. Definitely groundbreaking for 1922 but definitely not on my list of 600+ page books to read again. I got bored and stopped reading on page 160 just after the Normans invaded England. Has very cool illustrations.
1960 Winner: Onion John by Joseph Krumgold
Reminded me a lot of ...And Now Miguel. Not my favorite either! Why not just teach an Eastern European English and not try to remake his entire life! I didn't care as much about Andy either.
1958 Winner: Rifles for Watie by Harold Keith
Story of the western front of the Civil War. Kind of dumb. Jeff doesn't want Watie to get rifles and he becomes a spy for the Union army. Way down on my list of suggested Civil War reading. And, they spelled drought "drouth" (the old-fashioned way). It bugged me the entire book!
1957 Winner: Miracles on Maple Hill by Virginia Sorensen
Sweet story of small, daily miracles (and big ones too!) that happen to a family when they move to the country. Very sweet, wholesome. The biggest miracle is that the father recovers from the war.
1954 Winner: ...And Now Miguel by Joseph Krumgold
And yet another southwest Indian book. This time about a sheepherders family. Miguel is the middle child and doesn't quite know where he belongs. He dreams big, learns a lot, and finds even seemingly great dreams have unfortunate consequences.
1945 Winner: Rabbit Hill by Robert Lawson
How to keep animals from digging up your garden from the animals perspective. Kind of cute. Took a few pages to realize the book was from an animals perspective. I was kind of confused.
1944 Winner: Johnny Tremain by Esther Forbes
A young man comes of age at the dawning of the American republic. Johnny Tremain is an apprentice silversmith who becomes friends with Paul Revere, Sam Adams, Josiah Quincy, etc. Very patriotic. Seemed to be a big reflection of what was going on in the US and world in 1944. Seemed a real departure from previous winners.
1964 Winner: It's Like This, Cat by Emily Neville
Just ok. A New York City boy adopts a stray cat and takes it with him as he does his normal teenage boy things. Didn't stick out in any way.
1967 Winner: Up a Road Slowly by Irene Hunt
A girl's coming of age story. Nothing really happens -- she just grows up and learns to deal with everyday life. Nothing spectacular, nothing bad. Maybe because it happens slowly.
1969 Winner: The High King by Lloyd Alexander
I might like this more if I'd read the other four books in the series. Didn't understand the back story enough. Really clichéd ending. Part fantasy part welsh mythology -- not really my thing.
1971 Winner: Summer of the Swans by Betsy Byars
Should really be called "Two Days of the Swans." A young mentally disabled boy gets lost and his 14 year old sister learns some good life lessons. Kind of blah -- quick read but I was getting bored.
1974 Winner: The Slave Dancer by Paula Fox
This one confused me. Why write a book about a slave ship in 1974? This would probably give children nightmares -- people getting kidnapped, shot, thrown overboard, shipwrecked...
1975 Winner: M.C. Higgins, the Great by Virginia Hamilton
Felt like a book you would read in highschool to dissect all the symbolism. Couldn't really tell you the point of it what life lesson I learned.
1981 Winner: Jacob Have I Loved by Katherine Paterson
The message I learned from this book this time is that sometimes our "afflictions" are self-imposed because we're too selfish to look outside of ourselves. I really didn't have a lot of sympathy for Louise. Although as a 15 year old I totally related.
1983 Winner: Dicey's Song by Cynthia Voigt
It grew on me as the story progressed. My final feeling for these characters was pity -- which I doubt was the authors point. Another story of growing up and changing perspective.
1985 Winner: The Hero and the Crown by Robin McKinley
Fantasy. Such a departure from all other winners I don't know how to rank it. Good book on its own, but the whole ending section with Luthe left me confused and uneasy. Really enjoyed most of it.
1989 Winner: Joyful Noise: Poems for Two Voices by Paul Fleischman
Clever two voice poems about bugs. Kind of out of place for the rest. I thought it was interesting to write something for two people when reading is so solitary. Maybe I would have liked it more if I had convinced a roommate to read out loud with me.
1992 Winner: Shiloh by Phyllis Reynolds
A boy and his dog. Nothing special. Kind of a morally ambiguous ending.
2000 Winner: Bud, Not Buddy by Christopher Paul Curtis
Shares a lot of elements of other award winners -- orphan, living on the street, black kid in a white man's world, hard economic times, finding your place in the world, and finding a family. Nothing particularly enthralling.
2003 Winner: Crispin: The Cross of Lead by Avi
Orphan boy, Medieval England, falls in with a juggler. I saw the plot twist coming about 100 pages before it happened. Sadly, the really cool sword fight is in the last five pages. I felt like someone slammed on the brakes for the ending. And what's up with the author with only one name?
2007 Winner: The Higher Power of Lucky by Susan Patron
Middle of the road book. There is no way this book would have been accepted 30 years ago -- divorce, foster care, electrocuted mothers, mothers in prison, eavesdropping on AA meetings...
2005 Winner: Kira-Kira by Cynthia Kadohata
A Japanese-American family moves to Georgia and learns how to cope with grief and hard times. Not that good, not that bad.
Don't bother
1942 Winner: The Matchlock Gun by Walter Edmonds
More of a short story than a book. A Dutch family attempts to ward off an Indian attack in about 1700 New England. I wanted more of their story. In the end, the mother is injured and the house burns down. Did they really succeed?
1940 Winner: Daniel Boone by James Daugherty
Not that great. The noble settler, the evil savage. Seemed a step back in cultural awareness from previous winners. Written for children but not one I would recommend to children. The historian in me went eek! a lot when reading this.
1924 Winner: The Dark Frigate by Charles Hawes
Pirates and other bad people in the entire book. The story of Phillip Marsham -- has the sea in his blood and gets mixed up with pirates. Escapes, acquitted of piracy charges, becomes a hero, and returns to the sea in the very same ship he had sailed on as a pirate (spooky eh?) Not very excited to be reading this one.
1947 Winner: Miss Hickory by Carolyn Sherwin Bailey
Miss Hickory is made of a hickory nut and a twig. Reminded me of Hitty: Her First Hundred Years. Very creepy, Alfred Hitchcock type ending.
1946 Winner: Strawberry Girl by Lois Lenski
Set in rural backwoods Florida. All of it was in vernacular slang. Never got used to it. Never felt allegiance to any of the characters.
1988 Winner: Lincoln: A Photobiography by Russell Freedman
The historian in me came out and I was disappointed. The author contradicted himself and oversimplified things. Too much text, not enough photos!
1996 Winner: The Midwife's Apprentice by Karen Cushman
A girl comes of age in Medieval Europe blah blah blah. Is midwifery and childbirth an appropriate subject for young adult fiction?
1998 Winner: Out of the Dust by Karen Hesse
Not such a fan. It felt like she was trying too hard with the free verse poetry. Was the dust supposed to symbolize something?
2006 Winner: Criss Cross by Lynne Rae Perkins
Teenagers growing up together and learning about life. This author was trying to be literary and deep. I think I missed something. Would a teenager really understand this book?
Emily does have a lot to say, so sometimes it's up to one of us wired people to get the word out.
If anything, Emily's big claim to fame is that she's read every single Newberry Award winning book. I asked her to make a list of the best ones and she said that she didn't remember every single book in detail, so she decided to read them all again. How's that for ready (read: read-y (that was a lot of reads))! Earlier this week she emailed me the big list, with lots of insightful and funny comments. Looking for a book to read to your kids or a book that is written so well that it appeals to kids as well as adults? THIS is the DEFINITIVE list!
Her words follow:
The Newberry Award was established in 1922 to honor the best American book for children. I read all of the winning books in elementary school and decided to read them again after a discussion with a friend. So, I have spent the last seven marvelous months reading the best children's books in the United States. Needless to say, some of them were better than others. In an effort to save all of my dear friends the pain of a bad book I have written reviews. These reviews were written within minutes of finishing a book so it's really all about my first impressions. If you are looking for a good book to read, feel free to pick something from my list. However, I am not responsible if you don't like the book. Our tastes are just different. Enjoy!
Books to Read
1927 Winner: Smoky, the Cowhorse by Will James
One of my favorite books ever. Story written like an old cowboy would tell it -- grammar, spelling, and everything else. Smoky is a great horse, trained by Clint, then stolen and turned into a mean ornery thing. A story about what positive actions and words can do.
1923 Winner: The Voyages of Doctor Dolittle by Hugh Lofting
It was fun reading a book that is part of our popular culture. The bullfighting chapters made me laugh out loud. Really turned on my imagination.
1941 Winner: Call it Courage by Armstrong Sperry
Kind of reminded me of Robinson Crusoe and Life of Pi. A young man whose name means courage but doesn't have any sets out on a quest to become courageous. Set in Polynesia.
1956 Winner: Carry on Mr Bowditch by Jean Lee Latham
A boy is constantly told he can't do something. But, he uses his brain and helps others and accomplishes more than anyone thought possible. Brings a ship through a fog and learns Latin.
1955 Winner: The Wheel on the School by Meindert DeJong
I remember liking this one from childhood. There is a sweetness and energy in it. It's the story of a little girl's impossible dream and the way an entire village came together to make it come true.
1959 Winner: The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare
This is a good girl book. Kit from Barbados teaches a little girl to read and saves a supposed witch from death. Everybody marries the right person.
1952 Winner: Ginger Pye by Eleanor Estes
The story of a rather amazing little dog. I'd consider reading the other books in this series. I enjoyed the lesson about never stop looking for what you want.
1948 Winner: The Twenty-One Balloons by William Pene du Bois.
A man wants to get away from the world so he builds a giant balloon with the idea to be alone for a year. Lands on Krakatoa, meets an Utopian society and flees with the group when the volcano explodes. Ironically, there was a story in the paper just after I read this about a priest floating away in a balloon (or something like that.)
1963 Winner: A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle.
It's A Wrinkle in Time -- what else needs to be said?
1968 Winner: From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E.L. Konigsburg
The book that probably started me on the slippery slope of professional museum life. Because the next best thing to living in a museum is working in one! Also an interesting idea about wanting change and growth and something different about our lives.
1972 Winner: Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH by Robert C. O'Brien
Utopia building genetically altered lab rats totally rock. And there's a great story about fearlessly working for the benefit of others.
1978 Winner: Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson
Really great book. Really sad ending. Nice references to CS Lewis and other Newberry winning books. Captured the spirit of childhood
1979 Winner: The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin
Very clever. I was wrapped up in solving the mystery right along with the characters. Nice twist at the end.
1982 Winner: A Visit to William Blake's Inn: Poems for Innocent and Experienced Travelers by Nancy Willard
Poetry! Some nice nuggets in here. Should I know who William Blake is?
1991 Winner: Maniac Magee by Jerry Spinelli
One cool kid. His goodness, kindness, and love of the world changes the lives of everyone around him. I almost felt like a ten year old again when reading this.
1994 Winner: The Giver by Lois Lowry
A great book. The power and importance of memory -- good, bad, painful, happy, bitter, sweet. And the importance of choice. The utopian society they had built for themselves scared me a little.
1997 Winner: The View from Saturday by E.L. Konigsburg
On the surface a group of mismatched people accomplishes the seemingly impossible. I liked this one for the conclusions and connections it let you make on your own. You had to pay attention to catch it all.
1999 Winner: Holes by Louis Sachar
Very entertaining and nice mental images. A good story that doesn't beat you over the head with message. I can tell why it has been so popular.
2004 Winner: The Tale of Despereaux: Being the Story of a Mouse, a Princess, Some Soup, and a Spool of Thread by Kate DiCamillo
An unlikely hero saves the day. I smiled and chuckled through this entire book. Great lessons told in a fun and approachable way.
Books to read once. They might change your life but they might not.
1942 Winner: Adam of the Road by Elizabeth Janet Gray
Set in Medieval England. Story of the son of a minstrel and the lessons he learns about life as he is out on the open road.
1938 Winner: The White Stag by Kate Seredy
Really short (read it in an hour) Myth of how the Huns arrived in Hungary. Paints Attila the Hun in a different light. I liked it and the illustrations were very Art Nouveau and cool.
1937 Winner: Roller Skates by Ruth Sawyer
Nice story. A little girl has a wonderful year and touches many lives when her parents move to Italy. She gets to roller skate all over New York City and meets people her aunt wouldn't approve of. Kind of sad ending as she grows up at the end of the year.
1926 Winner: Shen of the Sea by Arthur Bowie Chrisman
Chinese folk tales -- how dynamite and kites were invented, how a tailor became a general and defeated the enemy, how a village beat away sea demons and stopped flooding. Liked this better than Tales from Silver Lands. (1925 winner) Felt more Chinese than Silver Lands felt South American.
1930 Winner: Hitty, Her First Hundred Years by Rachel Field
History told from a doll's perspective. She travels on a whaling ship, lives in India, is adopted by a Quaker family, kidnapped by crows, and ends up in an antique store. It made me wonder about the stories my toys could tell.
1929 Winner: The Trumpeter of Krakow by Eric P. Kelly
Cool story that for me came down to the importance of keeping your promises. Felt a little more advanced than previous winners. Made me want to visit Krakow.
1962 Winner: The Bronze Bow by Elizabeth George Speare
In the beginning, it's about a Jewish boy who wants to rid Israel of the Romans and bring to pass the physical kingdom of God. In the end it's about Jesus.
1961 Winner: Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O'Dell
Apparently based on a true story. The story of a girl who survives and thrives after being left on an island alone for twenty years. I was sad at the end for the loss of her civilization
1953 Winner: Secret of the Andes by Ann Nolan Clark
Story of a young Inca boy in the 1930s? and his place in the millenia of Inca experience. Not spectacular but not bad either. Maybe it would help if I knew more about Peru. Way better than the other South American book.
1951 Winner: Amos Fortune, Free Man by Elizabeth Yates
A young man, stolen from his tribe, brought to the US as a slave, buys his freedom and frees others. I think I was supposed to be more inspired by this than I was.
1950 Winner: The Door in the Wall by Marguerite de Angeli
Another medieval England story. A crippled boy learns no wall in life is so impenetrable that it doesn't even have a door in it. He saves the castle, reunites with family, and becomes friends with a monk. I liked Adam of the Road more.
1949 Winner: King of the Wind by Marguerite Henry
This was one of my favorite authors growing up. I guess I'm a sucker for a good horse book! Then and now I've been disappointed in the ending. I want Sham to have a triumphal race around the track -- beating his children.
1965 Winner: Shadow of a Bull by Maia Wojciechowska
One of the better coming of age stories so far. The best part though is reading all about bullfighting. Not spectacular, just good. Why are women writing all these coming of age stories about boys?
1966 Winner: I, Juan de Pareja by Elizabeth Borton de Trevino
Good one. Not only makes me want to read a real biography about the main characters but to look at Velazquez paintings. A nice story about a man's faithful life to a family he loved.
1970 Winner: Sounder by William H. Armstrong
Very sad. A boy's father arrested for stealing food. Dog almost killed during arrest. Boy goes on a quest to find his father, becomes a man. Learns to read -- a huge deal for the family. Incredible love and loyalty for and from a dog.
1973 Winner: Julie of the Wolves by Jean Craighead George
A girl leaves her modernized Alaskan village, lives off the wilderness and is adopted by wolves. Almost joins white society then realizes she would rather live by the ancient ways. A sad tale of the ending of the traditional way of life.
1976 Winner: The Grey King by Susan Cooper
Fourth book in a series of five. Another Welsh mythology story. It was good and there are some nice truths, but knowing the other books would probably help. This is a series I might go back and read.
1977 Winner: Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry by Mildred D. Taylor
Inequalities in 1920s Mississippi. In the end a father gives up (possibly) his most prized possession for the chance he might be able to save a life.
1980 Winner: A Gathering of Days: A New England Girl's Journal, 1830-1832 by Joan W. Blos
A nice coming of age story set in 1830s New Hampshire. I'm not sure if I would have liked it more or less if I hadn't put on my historian's hat while reading it.
1987 Winner: The Whipping Boy by Sid Fleischman
A fun story. A good reminder that boys constantly in trouble really need to be allowed to be boys. Jemmie's frustrations with Prince Brat are hilarious.
1990 Winner: Number the Stars by Lois Lowry
I liked the idea that all of Denmark is the kings bodyguard -- in a sense it extends much further than that. Stories about the Holocaust are always gut wrenching for me.
1993 Winner: Missing May by Cynthia Rylant
About love, accepting others as they are and moving on through loss. Set in West Virginia, includes a boy named Cletus.
1995 Winner: Walk Two Moons by Sharon Creech
Filled with all kinds of great overactive teenage imaginations and differences between families. In the end, a sad book on many levels that was starting to move towards healing.
2001 Winner: A Year Down Yonder by Richard Peck
Small town life during a recession. A girl and her grandmother have a bond. They were interesting characters and I wanted to connect with them but didn't for some reason.
2002 Winner: A Single Shard by Linda Sue Park
A 12th century Korean orphan grows up to become one of the best potters in the country. After he thinks he has failed, he finds a large enough remnant to accomplish his goal. I liked this one.
2008 Winner: Good Masters! Sweet Ladies! Voices from a Medieval Village by Laura Amy Schlitz
One of the better life in Medieval Europe books I read. (and there have been a lot in the Newberry winners) Monologues from different teenage residents in a village. Some of them consciously interact with each other, others interact but don't know it.
1984 Winner: Dear Mr. Henshaw by Beverly Cleary
I'm a Beverly Cleary fan -- I remember liking a lot of these books. I was drawn into Leigh's story -- his journey of discovery and his views of the world. He felt real to me.
1986 Winner: Sarah, Plain and Tall by Patricia MacLachlan
More of a short story than a book -- read it in 30 minutes. A story about coming to love the place you are for what it is. About a mail-order bride.
Read it... or not... whatever...
1939 Winner: Thimble Summer by Elizabeth Enright
A 9 year old girl's summer in the Midwest. Hitchhiking, county fairs, swimming, going to town. It was ok. It was comparable to Roller Skates but I liked Roller Skates more. Weren't really a lot of good life lessons in this one.
1936 Winner: Caddie Woodlawn by Carol Ryrie Brink
Has always felt like a cheap knockoff of Little House on the Prairie to me. (the books, not the 1970s tv show) Not one of my favorites. Little girl in Wisconsin -- grows up, has siblings, meets Indians, etc.
1935 Winner: Dobry by Monica Shannon
Follows a little boy in Bulgaria over the course of several years. What it means to be in a community. Grandfather is a master storyteller. The book ends as Dobry leaves his village to make his own way in the world. It ended where I wanted the story to begin.
1934 Winner: Invincible Louisa: The Story of the Author of Little Women by Cornelia Meigs
Was this really the best book of 1934? The whole point of it was that all of Alcott's life experience prepared her to write Little Women. Mostly hero worship. I think they wanted to give the award to Little Women but the rules wouldn't allow them to.
1933 Winner: Young Fu of the Upper Yangtze by Elizabeth Lewis
Yet another China book. I kept waiting for the big climatic moment but it never happened. Every chapter this coppersmith apprentice gets into a scrape, learns from it, then does something else stupid the next chapter. Exciting adventures left me disappointed in the end.
1932 Winner: Waterless Mountain by Laura Adams Armer
Kind of bland. A Navajo boy coming of age written by a white woman who made yearly visits to the reservation. Really a reflection of 1930s thought about Native Americans. Story set in 1920s or 1930s -- automobiles, airplanes, hogans, and ponies. Very idealized.
1931 Winner: The Cat Who Went to Heaven by Elizabeth Coatsworth
Really short (read in 30 minutes) A poor artist commissioned to paint an image of the dying Buddha. A kind and gentle cat can't be in the painting because it didn't honor the living Buddha. Redeemed in the end. Very Japanese.
1928 Winner: Gay Neck, the Story of a Pigeon by Dhan Gopal Mukerji
How to train a carrier pigeon. Set in India. Nice Hindu lessons about love, courage, etc but I couldn't get over the fact that it was about a pigeon!
1925 Winner: Tales from Silver Lands by Charles Finger
Short stories set in South America. Kind of like Hans Christian Anderson. Where armadillos come from, 400 young men who killed giants, origin of monkeys, etc. It was ok.
1922 Winner: The Story of Mankind by Hendrik Willem van Loon
History of the world (evolution into Western 20th century history) written for children. Definitely groundbreaking for 1922 but definitely not on my list of 600+ page books to read again. I got bored and stopped reading on page 160 just after the Normans invaded England. Has very cool illustrations.
1960 Winner: Onion John by Joseph Krumgold
Reminded me a lot of ...And Now Miguel. Not my favorite either! Why not just teach an Eastern European English and not try to remake his entire life! I didn't care as much about Andy either.
1958 Winner: Rifles for Watie by Harold Keith
Story of the western front of the Civil War. Kind of dumb. Jeff doesn't want Watie to get rifles and he becomes a spy for the Union army. Way down on my list of suggested Civil War reading. And, they spelled drought "drouth" (the old-fashioned way). It bugged me the entire book!
1957 Winner: Miracles on Maple Hill by Virginia Sorensen
Sweet story of small, daily miracles (and big ones too!) that happen to a family when they move to the country. Very sweet, wholesome. The biggest miracle is that the father recovers from the war.
1954 Winner: ...And Now Miguel by Joseph Krumgold
And yet another southwest Indian book. This time about a sheepherders family. Miguel is the middle child and doesn't quite know where he belongs. He dreams big, learns a lot, and finds even seemingly great dreams have unfortunate consequences.
1945 Winner: Rabbit Hill by Robert Lawson
How to keep animals from digging up your garden from the animals perspective. Kind of cute. Took a few pages to realize the book was from an animals perspective. I was kind of confused.
1944 Winner: Johnny Tremain by Esther Forbes
A young man comes of age at the dawning of the American republic. Johnny Tremain is an apprentice silversmith who becomes friends with Paul Revere, Sam Adams, Josiah Quincy, etc. Very patriotic. Seemed to be a big reflection of what was going on in the US and world in 1944. Seemed a real departure from previous winners.
1964 Winner: It's Like This, Cat by Emily Neville
Just ok. A New York City boy adopts a stray cat and takes it with him as he does his normal teenage boy things. Didn't stick out in any way.
1967 Winner: Up a Road Slowly by Irene Hunt
A girl's coming of age story. Nothing really happens -- she just grows up and learns to deal with everyday life. Nothing spectacular, nothing bad. Maybe because it happens slowly.
1969 Winner: The High King by Lloyd Alexander
I might like this more if I'd read the other four books in the series. Didn't understand the back story enough. Really clichéd ending. Part fantasy part welsh mythology -- not really my thing.
1971 Winner: Summer of the Swans by Betsy Byars
Should really be called "Two Days of the Swans." A young mentally disabled boy gets lost and his 14 year old sister learns some good life lessons. Kind of blah -- quick read but I was getting bored.
1974 Winner: The Slave Dancer by Paula Fox
This one confused me. Why write a book about a slave ship in 1974? This would probably give children nightmares -- people getting kidnapped, shot, thrown overboard, shipwrecked...
1975 Winner: M.C. Higgins, the Great by Virginia Hamilton
Felt like a book you would read in highschool to dissect all the symbolism. Couldn't really tell you the point of it what life lesson I learned.
1981 Winner: Jacob Have I Loved by Katherine Paterson
The message I learned from this book this time is that sometimes our "afflictions" are self-imposed because we're too selfish to look outside of ourselves. I really didn't have a lot of sympathy for Louise. Although as a 15 year old I totally related.
1983 Winner: Dicey's Song by Cynthia Voigt
It grew on me as the story progressed. My final feeling for these characters was pity -- which I doubt was the authors point. Another story of growing up and changing perspective.
1985 Winner: The Hero and the Crown by Robin McKinley
Fantasy. Such a departure from all other winners I don't know how to rank it. Good book on its own, but the whole ending section with Luthe left me confused and uneasy. Really enjoyed most of it.
1989 Winner: Joyful Noise: Poems for Two Voices by Paul Fleischman
Clever two voice poems about bugs. Kind of out of place for the rest. I thought it was interesting to write something for two people when reading is so solitary. Maybe I would have liked it more if I had convinced a roommate to read out loud with me.
1992 Winner: Shiloh by Phyllis Reynolds
A boy and his dog. Nothing special. Kind of a morally ambiguous ending.
2000 Winner: Bud, Not Buddy by Christopher Paul Curtis
Shares a lot of elements of other award winners -- orphan, living on the street, black kid in a white man's world, hard economic times, finding your place in the world, and finding a family. Nothing particularly enthralling.
2003 Winner: Crispin: The Cross of Lead by Avi
Orphan boy, Medieval England, falls in with a juggler. I saw the plot twist coming about 100 pages before it happened. Sadly, the really cool sword fight is in the last five pages. I felt like someone slammed on the brakes for the ending. And what's up with the author with only one name?
2007 Winner: The Higher Power of Lucky by Susan Patron
Middle of the road book. There is no way this book would have been accepted 30 years ago -- divorce, foster care, electrocuted mothers, mothers in prison, eavesdropping on AA meetings...
2005 Winner: Kira-Kira by Cynthia Kadohata
A Japanese-American family moves to Georgia and learns how to cope with grief and hard times. Not that good, not that bad.
Don't bother
1942 Winner: The Matchlock Gun by Walter Edmonds
More of a short story than a book. A Dutch family attempts to ward off an Indian attack in about 1700 New England. I wanted more of their story. In the end, the mother is injured and the house burns down. Did they really succeed?
1940 Winner: Daniel Boone by James Daugherty
Not that great. The noble settler, the evil savage. Seemed a step back in cultural awareness from previous winners. Written for children but not one I would recommend to children. The historian in me went eek! a lot when reading this.
1924 Winner: The Dark Frigate by Charles Hawes
Pirates and other bad people in the entire book. The story of Phillip Marsham -- has the sea in his blood and gets mixed up with pirates. Escapes, acquitted of piracy charges, becomes a hero, and returns to the sea in the very same ship he had sailed on as a pirate (spooky eh?) Not very excited to be reading this one.
1947 Winner: Miss Hickory by Carolyn Sherwin Bailey
Miss Hickory is made of a hickory nut and a twig. Reminded me of Hitty: Her First Hundred Years. Very creepy, Alfred Hitchcock type ending.
1946 Winner: Strawberry Girl by Lois Lenski
Set in rural backwoods Florida. All of it was in vernacular slang. Never got used to it. Never felt allegiance to any of the characters.
1988 Winner: Lincoln: A Photobiography by Russell Freedman
The historian in me came out and I was disappointed. The author contradicted himself and oversimplified things. Too much text, not enough photos!
1996 Winner: The Midwife's Apprentice by Karen Cushman
A girl comes of age in Medieval Europe blah blah blah. Is midwifery and childbirth an appropriate subject for young adult fiction?
1998 Winner: Out of the Dust by Karen Hesse
Not such a fan. It felt like she was trying too hard with the free verse poetry. Was the dust supposed to symbolize something?
2006 Winner: Criss Cross by Lynne Rae Perkins
Teenagers growing up together and learning about life. This author was trying to be literary and deep. I think I missed something. Would a teenager really understand this book?
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
good luck mom!
This is my wonderful mother. I love her a lot and she did a fine job putting up with me for 30 years. If for any reason at any time I've been wonderful or kind or noteworthy in any way it's been because of her.
Tomorrow afternoon she goes into back surgery. It's got something to do with a disc or whatever, I'm not really sure. The doctors say it won't be too big a deal, but hey, it's still surgery.
For the past week, I've taken special care to not step on any cracks.
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Thursday, October 09, 2008
greetings from the grave in my mind
The holiday season is upon us! Look! My supernatural ghostly powers are finally manifesting themselves! Sorry -- the video has like 30 seconds of black at the end.
It's all coming together people. I'm not totally ready for Halloween, but every single Halloweeny element is coming together. Most know that Halloween is by far my favorite holiday. Its lead over Christmas has steadily increased ever since I stopped buying gifts for people. This time, right now, is my holiday season. It's not all done, but it's coming together.
The script for the movie is finished and we'll be shooting this weekend (if people show up).
The Halloween 2008 cd playlist is finished and awaiting artwork and dialogue clips.
Nightmare on 13th is open and willing to accept us and our money.
My Frightmares pass is burning a hole in my pocket.
J.R.'s movie of the month is stacked scary.
My Netflix queue is filled with Suspiria, Ghoulies, House (the movie, not the tv show), and the like.
In the words of Garhalloweenfield -- "Candycandycandycandy."
About the only thing not working is my costume. I'm thinking of doing a repeat from a few years ago. Some people say that's lame and it totally is, but this is the 30th year in a row that I've costumed up. I deserve a break more than most.
Any ideas? And don't say skanky elephant. I've got some rules. It's gotta be scary. The weird, macabre stuff is what I like about Halloween, so I'm not gonna dress up as a roll of paper towels or something (unless it's an evil roll of paper towels).
Also, I don't want to wear a mask. Masks are annoying to wear and you also can't tell who someone is in a mask. I know that sounds weird since a costume is essentially a disguise, but I feel that a Halloween costume should represent some hidden recess about the self and not necessarily be something to hide completely behind. Also, I know the Church frowns on masks. I have no idea why. All I know is that there's this tenuous relationship with Halloween and I gotta play nice or pretty soon it's gonna be like "Alright, that's it. No more Halloween!" I'm thinking it'll happen in the next 15 years or so. It will be kind of cool to tell my kids about Halloween and be like, ha! In your face!
As long as we're talking about costumes, perhaps I should address the whole skank thing. Listen. I'm no prude, but I hope the sexification of the holiday ends. I don't like my holiday of fun darkness being replaced so exclusively by temporary sexuality. Like I said, I'm no prude -- save the skank stuff for the other 364 days of the year.
Hey, last note. Be sure to get out of Reader and check out the Song of the Moment on the site itself. I'm sure to adjust it for the times often this month.
Wednesday, October 08, 2008
approaching platinum
Looks like my YouTube video of Wild Mouse featuring the lovely Kaila has overtaken my video of Wicked as my most watched on-line movie. As of this typing: 20,231 views and 119 text comments. Thank you Wild Mouse video. Spread the viral fun. Here's to another 20,000 views!
Thursday, October 02, 2008
infinaggie playligulous
This weekend could be huge.
Tomorrow we're heading up to the BYU - Utah State game, which should be breezy. However, there are some strange superstitious factors that could spell disaster. First of all, my brother feels really nervous about the game. He's far from the most sporty person I know, but he is the most emotional when it comes to killer losses. I'm afraid he may have tapped into some kind of weird emotional space flux that only he's attuned to and the BYU team really won't see it coming. The other factor is that the only trash talk coming from the Utah State fans I know is that they're confident that the aggies will actually score. There is no pretension toward victory. The last time I remember this really well was back in seminary we did this thing called Seminary Bowl where we divided up into stakes and had a quiz show type thing testing our knowledge of the Old Testament and buzz-in proficiency. When the stake in last place went up against our first-place team, they had the same attitude of gracious humility. Somehow that humility must have built up to a glorious power because they... almost beat us.
Speaking of seminary, it's Conference Weekend everyone! That means we have more of a chance to have real fun, not just church fun.
Also worth noting is that Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist arrives in theaters this weekend (Saturday 10:30 PM anyone? anyone?). It's probably the last chance for Michael Cera to play his Arrested Development character without the rest of us getting mad. I think he'll go out with a bang. From the previews I like the look of the thing. It appears to be shot on dark film and has a sort of oldish classicish look to it. I have high hopes even though, as of now, Beverly Hills Chihuahua has a higher tomato rating.The other movie coming out is Bill Maher's Religulous. Does anyone else think that it's weird that this thing is coming out conference weekend? It's probably not weird, it's probably simply fitting. From the preview we see that the guy actually captured footage in front of the Salt Lake Temple. Maybe he planned this weekend's opening all along. I don't hate the guy. Maybe I should say I don't completely dismiss all of his opinions. I actually have one of his books. He says some stuff I actually like hearing (such as the value of individual sacrifice and the definition of patriotism).
Following him over the years, though, he's become more and more of a specific warrior against religion. His atheism used to be just one of his traits, but now it's beyond the defining one. Now -- to him -- every issue, every problem, every talking point is about how religion is the cause of every negative thing on earth. I actually saw him on his show point out a bad event in the newspaper and then say something like "Well is it any wonder stuff like this happens when," and then he'd turn to a different headline, "72% of the people in this country believe that the story of Noah's ark actually happened." Granted, I can totally understand the skepticism of someone who doesn't believe in Bible stories. The problem with Maher is, he sees the intolerance of fundamental extremist religious behaviour and then fights back with the same intolerance and zeal he denounces. As a religious person I'm glad. It's easy to see. His cause would be more effective if he wasn't so obvious about his bigotry. Perhaps since he started his career as a comedian, it's more natural for him to treat the subject as a joke rather than something that can be debated without mumbling that anyone who believes in God is an absolute moron.
In that same show where he pulled the Noah's ark story (and related it to whatever other story it was that had absolutely nothing to do with Noah's ark, or religion, or even belief) an annoying guest on his show finally asked him why he needs to bring religion into everything he talks about. The guest then said that his opinions on the matter go beyond debate and his rants are directed at religious people such as himself with a specific edge and tone that equates with bigotry. Maher's response to the accusation: "I am not a bigot." It seemed he wasn't able to elaborate on his defense without deepening the accusation.
Anyway, it's conference weekend. I've heard Maher say something to the effect that all religions are wrong, but Mormons are notable because they are even more wrong than everyone else. This weekend is probably not a coincidence.
Unfortunately, religion will always be on the losing side in a scientific debate. Faith is, after all, faith. I've always maintained that if God exists, he wants to be discovered in that method. No lab will ever disprove or prove the existence or merits of faith.
My religious stance will be the same despite the outcome of the BYU - Utah State game.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)