photo finish

here we are crossing the finish line...yes- i look lonely, that's because I was close to LAST!

Bliss

Just got back from the library...

a spot of bother, by mark haddon
digging to america, by anne tyler
short straw, by stuart woods
after this, by alice mcdermott
don't look down, by crusie/mayer
burning bright, by tracy chevalier

a little piece of heaven on earth... I'll let you know how they are...

And we're back!

Great weekend- lots of fun, lots accomplished!
I was so impressed watching Kath and Sarah cross that finish line- really neat!
Way to go ladies (all of you) you rock!

And they're off...

We are off to La Jolla for the 5K/Half-marathon. Most of us will do the 5K and then cheer Kathleen and Sarah at the finish line of the half. Today we pick up our materials and have a girls' night celebration for Karen's birthday!
I'll post pics on our return!

The Higher Power of Lucky

This is the Newberry winner for Children's literature this year, and it is an extraordinary book. The heroine, Lucky, is a ten year old girl whose mother has died and whose father has abandoned her. In their place is Brigette, the father's first wife, who came from France to care for Lucky. Set in the desolate, wind-swept high desert, the reader is along for Lucky's struggles with loss, her desire to be good so nothing bad will happen, and her search for her "higher power".

As part of her search for her "higher power", she eavesdrops on the town's various 12-step meetings. During one such meeting, the participants are discussing when they "hit bottom", and someone shares the story of almost losing their dog due to a snake biting it on the scrotum. Lucky does not know what this means, but knows it sounds serious...Serious, indeed, as this is the reason most children will not be exposed to this book. How does one read this aloud in class, for example?? It is pretty hard to send a note home explaining it to parents, without the benefit of the context of the story.

So, how will I share this moving, humorous, real story? With my daughter for one, who thanks to my in-laws, was lucky enough to hear the author speak and discuss her choices. Beyond that, I will share with my sons and students I come across whose parents are interested in the value and impact of good literature. (Of course, I'll tell the parents to read it first and decide for themselves).

It is too bad that many kids who have experienced loss and longing for security will miss out on this book. I would love to teach it in my class as there is so much worthy of discussion, and the writing is beautifully phrased and rich with metaphor and symbolism. However, for 5th and below, I wouldn't be willing to put it out there without prior approval. It would be great to examine the author's right to choices and how it effects their audience- fascinating !

Good Morning, George, How Are You??

Forgive the Veggie Tales reference- I am in a veggie tales sort of mood with the approach of Easter and that's what I sing to C. every morning when she gets up. She watched that episode for the first time yesterday and started to laugh and smile when the song came on...

C. is 8 months old today and it has all gone so very quickly. She is sitting, crawling, eating Cheerios and, yesterday- wait for it- she said MAMA! She continues to be happy, healthy and a big ol' bundle of love.

Today Big Daddy will continue to build out back and we will get to church for services. It has been a good break, but has gone waaaaaay too fast! Decorating eggs tomorrow and, hopefully, the bunny will pay us a visit on Sunday.

Grading is complete, laundry is done, and now I need to write a lesson for my observation on Tuesday- probability...

The Double Bind
by Chris Bohjalian

Well, well, well- I do love Spring Break and the chance to ignore the pile of grading that needs to be done so I can READ...This is the second book I have read this week. The first, The Thirteenth Tale, was as disappointing as The Double Bind was stirring.

The Double Bind, the title refers to a previously held theory about the effects of parenting on schizophrenia, opens with the attack of a young woman and follows her journey as she works with the homeless. One of her clients passes away and it is revealed that before mental illness claimed him, he was a successful photographer. The young woman, Laurel, is charged with researching his photos and his past. The reader is along for the ride as laurel tries to discover the truth about herself.

This books is so profound as it looks at mental health, the plight of the homeless, what kind of support systems exist to keep people from taking to the street. The author was inspired by actual photographs that came from a man in a homeless shelter and his love for the novel The Great Gatsby. The author prompts the reader to think about the capabilities of the human mind to protect itself, why people become homeless and consequences of violence.

This is the second book by this author I have read. The first was, Before You Know Kindness- a treatise of sorts on animal rights, gun control and parenting. An excellent book with a first rate sense of humor. In The Double Bind, the author proves extremely adept at capturing female characters and writing dialog that is genuine. Further, Bohjalian is a master at not telegraphing what is coming next in the plot and allowing the reader to savor their arrival at the conclusion of the book.

If a feel good book is what you are after, this is not for you. However, if a well crafted story, an engaging and thoughtful plot line and stirring characters that you can care about are what you are after- I can highly recommend this book.

Louisa

Visit this story to find out just a portion of why Louisa C. is so wonderful!

Teacher extraordinaire
Mommy fabulous
Wife- Hot!
Friend amazing

love her deeply...