Sometimes wonderful things come in small packages. Seedfolks is that wonderful thing. It is forty-eight pages of a warm and encouraging story that are actually many short stories. Yet, Seedfolks reads seamlessly as one story. The characters feel real. Their motivations change and each character finds purpose in the transforming garden.
Read Seedfolks experience the transformative nature of a community garden that brings a diverse group of people together in community. It is well worth your time!
Monday, November 16, 2009
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Mildred Taylor: Family Stories Revealing History
The Logan family’s story grows with the trio of novels, Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry; Let the Circle Be Unbroken, and The Road to Memphis. Two other smaller but powerful novels are The Well and The Land that tell the stories of the older Logan family members.
There are other books that she has written that are based on specific family stories: The Gold Cadillac, The Friendship, and Mississippi Bridge.
It is Ms. Taylor’s use of history and her unambiguous and unsentimental treatment of the characters’ period appropriate reactions make reading her stories challenging for older readers and frustrating for those readers born after 1970. Those post 1970 readers have a hard time relating to the social constrictions that the Logans and their friends must endure to survive. The beauty in the stories is Ms. Taylor’s deft hand at writing characters that even when a reader disagrees with their actions, they care enough about them to continue reading the story to its conclusion.
The aspirations and community that the Logans present are as relevant today as in the 1850’s and that is to have the closeness of family and friends, the space in rural life, the culture that sustains the soul and the will to survive life’s obstacles make for very meaty reading.
Mildred D. Taylor is a highly recommended author.
Read an interview by Mildred D. Taylor by clinking on the above link.
There are other books that she has written that are based on specific family stories: The Gold Cadillac, The Friendship, and Mississippi Bridge.
It is Ms. Taylor’s use of history and her unambiguous and unsentimental treatment of the characters’ period appropriate reactions make reading her stories challenging for older readers and frustrating for those readers born after 1970. Those post 1970 readers have a hard time relating to the social constrictions that the Logans and their friends must endure to survive. The beauty in the stories is Ms. Taylor’s deft hand at writing characters that even when a reader disagrees with their actions, they care enough about them to continue reading the story to its conclusion.
The aspirations and community that the Logans present are as relevant today as in the 1850’s and that is to have the closeness of family and friends, the space in rural life, the culture that sustains the soul and the will to survive life’s obstacles make for very meaty reading.
Mildred D. Taylor is a highly recommended author.
Read an interview by Mildred D. Taylor by clinking on the above link.
Thursday, October 29, 2009
The Well, by Mildred D. Taylor
The Well, by Mildred D. Taylor
Scholastic, Inc
ISBN: 0-439-05652-7
92 p.
The Well, is a small book with a powerful story. Set in the most frightening period for African Americans post Reconstruction (roughly, 1865-1878). It continues with the Logan family introduced in the previous books: Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry and Let The Circle Be Unbroken that experience the hardship of living in the south with grace and dignity. This story, although set in the past has modern implications like how to handle an adversary and the limitations of violence and retaliation.
Ma Rachel, the family’s matriarch has a heart-breaking story from her childhood that colors her perception of people even in her dementia. The Logan family lives with the immediate past of slavery as well as the promise of the future in their sons. Regardless of problems the Logans stick together and in the words of Maya Angelou, they “press on.”
This book is great for readers who find large chapter books intimidating but like good stories.
Recommendation: Worth the read
Scholastic, Inc
ISBN: 0-439-05652-7
92 p.
The Well, is a small book with a powerful story. Set in the most frightening period for African Americans post Reconstruction (roughly, 1865-1878). It continues with the Logan family introduced in the previous books: Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry and Let The Circle Be Unbroken that experience the hardship of living in the south with grace and dignity. This story, although set in the past has modern implications like how to handle an adversary and the limitations of violence and retaliation.
Ma Rachel, the family’s matriarch has a heart-breaking story from her childhood that colors her perception of people even in her dementia. The Logan family lives with the immediate past of slavery as well as the promise of the future in their sons. Regardless of problems the Logans stick together and in the words of Maya Angelou, they “press on.”
This book is great for readers who find large chapter books intimidating but like good stories.
Recommendation: Worth the read
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Welcome Back Gavin Eagles!
New School Year, New Good Books to Read!
First, I want to welcome back the now new seventh and eighth graders. You were a pleasure for me to work with last year as sixth and seventh graders. I hope to do a an even better job for you this year. Many new and exciting books are due to be published before December. I hope to get as many of them as I can onto the shelves and into your hands.
Now, I want to warmly welcome the sixth graders to The Gavin Library. I hope that you will manage to get some time to spend in the library doing homework, reading or searching for that really good book. Be sure to ask me if we own a copy of your favorite book. If we don't I will do my best to get it for you.
Finally, I want to remind you that Wikipedia is not a first level source for research.It is fine as a secondary source. It is still subjective. Our library has access to excellent fact based databases that can provide high quality research support for you. We also have an excellent Reference section in our library that is always there for your use.
Here's to a wonderful, fun, and productive year for us all!
Now, I want to warmly welcome the sixth graders to The Gavin Library. I hope that you will manage to get some time to spend in the library doing homework, reading or searching for that really good book. Be sure to ask me if we own a copy of your favorite book. If we don't I will do my best to get it for you.
Finally, I want to remind you that Wikipedia is not a first level source for research.It is fine as a secondary source. It is still subjective. Our library has access to excellent fact based databases that can provide high quality research support for you. We also have an excellent Reference section in our library that is always there for your use.
Here's to a wonderful, fun, and productive year for us all!
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Good Summer Reading
For young adults and young minded adults I recommend The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman. Also, great light reading for young people middle school and up... The Percy Jackson series (5 books) a swift moving series of books based on Greek Mythology laced with action, adventure and humor written by Rick Riordan.
I was very unhappy to learn that the Nicholas Flammel series that began with the Alchemyst is really a six book series. After reading the successive books The Magician and The Sorceress I can't see Michael Scott pulling off the series well. Frankly, I am tired of the story and peeved that it has not ended yet.
Finally, for adults consider reading the Stephanie Plum Mysteries. The latest book is out. It is the 15th in the series entitled Finger Lickin' Fifteen, by Janet Evanovich.
I was very unhappy to learn that the Nicholas Flammel series that began with the Alchemyst is really a six book series. After reading the successive books The Magician and The Sorceress I can't see Michael Scott pulling off the series well. Frankly, I am tired of the story and peeved that it has not ended yet.
Finally, for adults consider reading the Stephanie Plum Mysteries. The latest book is out. It is the 15th in the series entitled Finger Lickin' Fifteen, by Janet Evanovich.
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