The Library Shelf: Educating Esme

A very real look at a teacher's first year of school. This book is written in diary form so it gives a firsthand account of Esme's first year of teaching a 5th grade class at an inner-city public school. She is a 24 year old teacher with the enthusiasm of a ten year old. She brings a fresh perspective to teaching that doesn't sit well with her principal as she is often rocking the boat, struggling against the bureaucracy.

I loved this book! All of the politics that go along with public school teaching in the US just don't make a whole lot of sense to me sometimes. It is great to read about someone who is willing to go out and buck the system for the betterment of her students.

The Library Shelf: Ana's Story

Another one already? Yes! LOVE summer time (well, except for the heat and the snakes and the ugly, dry grass and the no paycheck).

Today's book is Ana's Story by Jenna Bush (Yes, THAT Jenna Bush). This book is based on her work with Unicef. It tells the story of Ana's childhood and teen years in Latin America. She was born HIV positive, transmitted from her young mother, who died when she was only 3 years old. She lives with relatives being shuffled from one home to another, to a detention center and a group home for those infected with HIV. Her's is a long, hard journey.

While this is the story of one girl's life, it is also unfortunately the plight of many children throughout the world who are robbed of the innocence and carefree spirit of childhood due to poverty, illness and abuse.

This is a quick read because of the very short chapters, but it is also intense due to the nature of the story. I enjoyed the book, others may not because it is not sugar-coated but a true depiction of reality for so many young people.

The Library Shelf: Bud, Not Buddy

Up on the Library Shelf today is "Bud, Not Buddy" by Christopher Paul Curtis.
"Bud, Not Buddy" is a Newberry Medal Winner and winner of the Coretta Scott King Award. It's set during the depression of the 1930's in Flint, Michigan. Ten year old Bud, not Buddy, is a motherless boy trying to find his father. His momma never told him who his father was, but she left a clue: advertising flyers for a band. Bud decides to hit the road to find him.

The descriptive language makes you feel as if you are there as "a fly on the wall" watching all the goings-on. Some of it even made me laugh out loud.

The hardships of the depression, the Jim Crow laws and discrimination of blacks are entertwined with the journey of Bud through comedic episodes giving a different insight into the life of an orphan on the run.

This book is actually classified as a Young Adult's book, but I think "old" adults would enjoy it too. It's one of the choices given to the middle school students at CAVA to read as part of their literature course. I'm going to be doing online Literature Circles this coming school year. There are quite a few books on the reading lists that I have not read so I figured I'd better get to it if I'm going to be teaching these things. It's a good read!

The Library Shelf: Stones into Schools

It's supposed to be Wordless Wednesday, but this is probably the furthest thing from wordless, as the book has 448 pages!

I just looked and my last posting on The Library Shelf was last August. Oh My, that was a long time ago! I told you that I have no time to read for pleasure during the school year. I, myself, even thought I was exaggerating, but I guess that's actually the truth.

So, on the Library Shelf today:


Stones Into Schools:
Promoting Peace with Books, Not Bombs, in Afghanistan and Pakistan
by Greg Mortensen

This is a sequel (of sorts) to Greg Mortensen's first book, "Three Cups of Tea".

Several years ago, Greg had a failed attempt to climb the second highest mountain peak in the world, but came to love the people of the countries where he was climbing (Afghanistan and Pakistan).

In his first book, he tells of that "adventure" which included being rescued by the inhabitants of a tiny cliffside village. He bonded with his rescuers and made good on his promise to come back and provide schools for their children, most importantly the girls, who have been forbidden to go to school and learn.

One thing that must be remembered is this is Taliban territory. He has been kidnapped and threatened with death in the pursuit of his cause. Yet, he keeps going back, building more and more schools and bringing knowledge and education to these people. As the subtitle states, he truly believes, "Peace will come through books, not bombs."

In his latest book, he tells of traveling through the remote areas of Pakistan and Afghanistan with his trusted companions. This is a true account of not only his struggles and triumphs, but those of the citizens of some of the most rugged terrain in the world, all in the quest to get something that we take for granted every day, the opportunity to learn.

The current war in Afghanistan that involves US troops is not a war against the Afghan people, but against the Taliban, who happen to BE in Afghanistan. The majority of the citizens of Afghanistan would like for the Taliban to be gone too.

An enlightening and inspiring book showing just how much one man can do with a lot of sacrafice and determination (and a little help from his friends).

The Library Shelf: Didn't My Skin Used to Fit?

I'm not actually finished with this book yet, only half way through, but I just had to share something.

This book is a total spoof on life after forty, and it is HILARIOUS! Why? Because I can relate to it, if not from personal experience, then from the experience of those around me.

For instance, Chapter 16 is titled "Thanks for the Memory....Loss". The first paragraph on page 70 reads:

"What I don't get is why our memory has to go on the blink at a time when we're given so much to remember. Our doctors tell us to take three of one pill four times a day, four of another pill three times a day and one of yet another every ten hours for twelve days. How are we supposed to remember all that?......"

Well, I think Dear Ole Dad (DOD) has that one all figured out. Just look at this:

Yep, you're seeing it right. He's got alarm clocks lined up, set at different times throughout the day, with the pills he is supposed to take at said times on top of the appropriate alarm clock. Weird or Genius? Hmmmmmmmm..........

When I took this picture, I though weird, but it seems that Ms. Martha Bolton has been contemplating this very thing and put it in her book. LOL

The Library Shelf - Knit Two

It's been awhile since I have posted what's on The Library Shelf. Not because I haven't been reading. Quite the opposite. I'm in the process of reading SEVEN, yes SEVEN, books! I had to put myself on restriction from the library until I get them finished. Since the library is one of my favorite places in the entire world, that is quite a punishment for me. Even if I don't actually "need" any more books, I like to go there just to visit them.

SO, last night I finished one of the books.



I was so upset when I finished reading this author's "The Friday Night Knitting Club" because I just didn't think it was fair to leave us hanging like that and end the book. So, I was thrilled that she wrote this sequel. And, it's GOOD! We get to follow the members of the Friday Night Knitting Club of the Manhattan Walker & Daughter knitting shop as they rely on each other as they struggle with new challenges.

I can't say anything so as not to give away the story, but if you liked the first one, you'll love this one too!

The Library Shelf - I Closed My Eyes

The latest book on my library shelf was "I Closed My Eyes" by Michele Weldon. It is subtitled "Revelations of a Battered Woman". Some may ask, "Why would you want to read a book like that? Or, doesn't it scare you to read that kind of book?" Well, No, it doesn't scare me. It's research for me. It's an education. It's learning from other people's accounts of experiences.

This book is unlike others on this subject because it is the firsthand memories of someone who actually LIVED in a household with an abusive husband rather than the clinicians that usually write about what you SHOULD do and what you PROBABLY are feeling. This woman has been there. It's not light reading, but a very good and realistic look at how it REALLY feels to be in this situation, why she stayed, and how she did eventually leave with her three boys and start a new life. Recommended reading for those who are interested in this subject for whatever reasons you may have.

The Library Shelf

WHAT? Two posts in one day? I'm bored........ Not really. I don't get bored. I'm just taking a break from cleaning and working (yes, on the weekend). AND, I haven't posted here since last month and that's just not right.

I finished reading "Amazing Grace" by Danielle Steel last night. It's written in typical Danielle Steel fashion. (I never noticed before that she ends a lot of sentences with prepositions, and she has several misplaced modifiers. Hmmmmm....she'd better speak to her proofreader about that. - Can you tell that DD and I have been working on Grammar lately?)

Anyway, this is the story about what happens in the lives of 4 people who were at the same benefit concert during an earthquake. They all now share the unique bond of those who go through a catastrophic event together. It follows each of them through the year that follows the quake, through their triumphs and struggles.

A nice, easy read.

The Library Shelf

I just finished reading "Mother Warriors" by Jenny McCarthy. (What? You're in the middle of moving and you've got time to read? Hey....I've ALWAYS got time to read.)

Anyway......From the front jacket cover, "When Jenny McCarthy's son was diagnosed with autism, she refused to give in without a fight." This book tells a bit about her journey to help save her son and "how she ultimately healed him through an intense combination of behavioral therapy, diet, supplements, and other biomedical interventions."

The book also shares the stories of several other parents who navigated through many therapies and roadblocks to heal their children.

The stories that are shared indicate that these children all became autistic after receiving well-child vaccines (most from MMR and Chicken Pox). I had no idea! It seems that babies/toddlers which are given vaccines when they are already sick, have weak immune systems or other factors that their little bodies can't fight the live viruses that are in the vaccines, many times become autistic. These parents (and doctors) are saying that vaccines CAN trigger autism. It could be preventable if babies and children were tested BEFORE they were given their shots. WOW!

So, this book brings to light two things: Autism might very well be preventable (in a lot of cases) AND many children can be healed from autism instead of left as having "no hope at a normal life". Very interesting read as there seems to be an epidemic of autism diagnoses among this country's young people.

It is a very inspiring book and shows just what determination can accomplish when the whole world is telling you "it can't be done".

On the moving front.....DD and I packed up the last load, swept out the garage and drove down the gravel driveway for the last time today at noon. We're finished! (On that end anyway). We went for shakes at Jack in the Box to celebrate!