Just Finished:
Eggs by Jerry Spinelli
I wasn't as impressed with Eggs as I have been with Spinelli's other children's books. It's written in Spinelli's characteristically reader-oriented style, but is altogether not as winning or profound a tale as Stargirl, nor as relatable as Loser. David and Primrose, ages 9 and 13, are both missing a parent and, consumed with their respective losses, fail to appreciate the adults who are in their lives. Fortunately, they do learn to appreciate each other and oddball Primrose inaugurates the younger David into a world of trash-picking, flea markets, and childish pranks. I could see a child who relates to the particular characters appreciating this book, but the protagonists lack the more universal appeal of Spinelli's other outcast characters.
Currently Reading:
The Queen's Lover by Francine du Plessix Gray
The Queen's Lover has been on my TBR list since I read an intriguing review in The Washington Post. I found the audio book at the library so I have been listening during my morning and afternoon commutes to work. So far, it's more of a character study than a novel (which is fine with me!), but I'm not past the first disc yet.
Delaying the Real World: A Twentysomething's Guide to Seeking Adventure by Colleen Kinder
I had to buy something extra to get free shipping on my very necessary classroom order (see below) and I may be nursing an addiction to travel/adventure memoirs inspired by Wanderlust. Someday, someday soon...
For the Classroom:
The Hideaways dir. Fielder Cook, starring Ingrid Berman
I just wrapped up teaching From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler (complete with a visit from Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler, possible picture to come!) and I've been wondering if the movie is worth showing, so I ordered a copy of The Hideaways (movie based on the book). There's also a more recent movie with the same name as the book, but it's more expensive and I haven't seen positive reviews in any case. The main complaint about this version seems to be poor image quality that can't be helped. We shall see.
Eggs by Jerry Spinelli
I wasn't as impressed with Eggs as I have been with Spinelli's other children's books. It's written in Spinelli's characteristically reader-oriented style, but is altogether not as winning or profound a tale as Stargirl, nor as relatable as Loser. David and Primrose, ages 9 and 13, are both missing a parent and, consumed with their respective losses, fail to appreciate the adults who are in their lives. Fortunately, they do learn to appreciate each other and oddball Primrose inaugurates the younger David into a world of trash-picking, flea markets, and childish pranks. I could see a child who relates to the particular characters appreciating this book, but the protagonists lack the more universal appeal of Spinelli's other outcast characters.
Currently Reading:
The Queen's Lover by Francine du Plessix Gray
The Queen's Lover has been on my TBR list since I read an intriguing review in The Washington Post. I found the audio book at the library so I have been listening during my morning and afternoon commutes to work. So far, it's more of a character study than a novel (which is fine with me!), but I'm not past the first disc yet.
Delaying the Real World: A Twentysomething's Guide to Seeking Adventure by Colleen Kinder
I had to buy something extra to get free shipping on my very necessary classroom order (see below) and I may be nursing an addiction to travel/adventure memoirs inspired by Wanderlust. Someday, someday soon...
For the Classroom:
The Hideaways dir. Fielder Cook, starring Ingrid Berman
I just wrapped up teaching From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler (complete with a visit from Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler, possible picture to come!) and I've been wondering if the movie is worth showing, so I ordered a copy of The Hideaways (movie based on the book). There's also a more recent movie with the same name as the book, but it's more expensive and I haven't seen positive reviews in any case. The main complaint about this version seems to be poor image quality that can't be helped. We shall see.
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