I'm reading every spare minute, when I'm not movie going. Started _Blue_ by
Joyce Moyer Hostetter yesterday at breakfast and didn't leave the table until I
finished it, three cups of coffee later. A retired Children's Librarian loaned
it to me. Set in 1943-45 in NC, the last half in the polio hospital in
Hickory, NC, so I guess it qualifies as historical fiction. Ann Fay, the
13-year old protagonist, becomes the man of the house when dad goes off to war
her dad gives her a pair of overalls as his parting gift since she has been
wanting to wear britches after contracting polio, she and a colored girl
in the hospital become friends and Ann Fay encounters the social barriers and
racism of the time as she and Imogene are separated. Other sub plots involve
the war, death of FDR, family trials, etc. My friend knows the homefront
during WW II is one of my favorite settings--this book focuses more on the
polio epidemic, but elements of llife on the homefront are infused in th
e setting. Not planning to read much other YA, although I've got A Taste for
Rabbit by Linda Zuckerman and Running the Dogs b y Thomas Cochran in my stack.
I've dutifully recorded all the recommendations here, though, and will
certainly read them later. i like for the kids to see me reading YA stuff
during SSR time.
I'm reading for me--losts of mystery, suspense, a touch of sci-fi. Read T is
for Trespass by Sue Grafton on Thursday (first day of holiday). enjoyed it.
Read Pyres by Derek Nikitas on Friday. A great thriller and a coming of age
novel, both. Terrific first novel by a promising young writer. Highly
recommend it. Have read several trashy but enjoyable lightweight things, too.
Lest you think I'm a complete philistine, I'm also finishing three prof. books,
a chapter at a time--I've strategically placed one in each of three rooms.
Getting to Got It! by Betty Garner, Checking for Understanding by Fisher and
Frey, and Losing our language by Sandra Stotsky. And, like some of you,
catching up on magazine reading.
Saw Sweeney Todd Saturday--gruesome and musical, sort of a cross between opera
and horror films. We're off to see Charlie Wilson's War in a few minutes.
Plan on several more, including Margot at the Wedding, Shotgun, For the Bible
Tells Me So (documentary), and Enchanted. Saw Golden Compass a week ago and
might see it again--love me some talking bears. Will go see Alvin and the
Chipmunks, but will have to go alone, alas...
How glorious to have free time--I'm sure my students are spending their free
time just as wisely,reading everything in sight. Ha!
Bev, having a jolly time in LR--also won the chickenfoot game yesterday! oh,
yeah!
-----
"A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough
people to make it worthwhile." --Herm Alvright, writer.
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