all things english

seems to me, I have read a great deal of books centered in England of late- not sure why, just what I grab from the shelf at the library...so i was thrilled to discover that target is offering products from boots drug store. specifically- a very nice $10.00 lipstick that goes on great, doesn't dry my lips and doesn't taste like anything. i have just been saved a trip to the clinique counter.

pretty soon we'll be getting a tesco, which is a british grocery store- similar to Trader Joe's- can't wait and I hope they have "penguins" which are a really great tea biscuit

my last british item is: the queen, for which Helen Mirren won the academy award this year. splendid! loved it! would love to know how much of it is true. apparently this movie has made the queen once again beloved in her homeland as it shows how she has dedicated herself to her country at her own personal sacrifice.

of course it goes without saying, that I am fond of many english exports, including, but not limited to: Bridget Jones, Shakespeare, the Office, John Cleese, R. Dahl, Mary Poppins, Lewis Carroll, John Locke, William Blake

three down, three to go

Well, out of the first three books from my library outing- one is a hit. I expected so much more from Burning Bright, by Tracey Chevalier, as I have read all of her books. This one just left me cold, and I am unable to finish it. Perhaps I will have another go at it, but if a book doesn't grab you by page 100, when will it, really?

Don't Look Down by Cruisie/Mayer is another disappointment. I have had this on my fun/trach list to read for awhile now. I have read all of Jennifer Cruisie's books and enjoyed them for what they are- a fun, adventurous, sexy ride. I was intruigued with the authors' attempts to write main characters from their own perspective: Bob Mayer writing the male lead, Cruisie writing the female lead. I have been following their process on their blog, and enjoyed their sense of craft and humor, but it just doesn't work here. Again, with a book like this I give it 50 pages...I just wasn't feelin' it.

A Spot of Bother, by Mark Haddon: loved Curious Incident of the Dog at Midnight, especially since I have had autistic students on my classroom. In this new novel he looks at a modern English family whose father is in the midst of nervous breakdown, the wife an affair, the daughter not ready to committ, but planning the wedding anyway and the son at loose ends with his own love life. Haddon writes so convincingly of the breakdown that I felt like I was going mad. There were many times when I wanted to tell the other characters to get over themselves, but for the father I had a great deal of sympathy. This is a great dark comedy, that shows how far the "stiff upper lip" of the British can take them down the wrong road. A word of caution- if you are squemish about homosexual sex scenes, avoid this book!

Now I am in the midst of McDermott's After This, and so far so good...

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...