A Little Slice of Life - Realize

Back in February my daughter accepted at Yale. Yes, we are super duper excited.

As just as sad.

My baby is going to college. She is so much more than my daughter. We are the best of friends. She has helped me move past my comfort zone in so many ways. She is also my staunchest supporter.

She's worked hard to get to this place. And she deserves it. And she will rock it.

But, I am already missing her.

I'm slicing it up with Two Writing Teachers for the month of March. The goal is to write something each day in March.

A Little Slice of Life - Time to Change

Lately I've been griping about everything and everyone.

I've been staying up way too late because I can't relax.

Constant headaches.

Can't keep up but won't accept help.

I've been here before. 

About 8 or so years ago, I would get up and I would dread going to work. No particular reason why. I was at a fabulous elementary school with a super staff. I loved, and still do, love those people. It wasn't them, it was me. 

Weirdly, I'm always looking to change these up and work. But, if it's a huge deal, I avoid the change. And that's what I was doing. There was a job opening in the library at the middle school but I didn't feel qualified. In my heart, I've always to own a bookstore and even though I could see this would be a great stepping stone, I didn't want to leave my comfort zone.

So someone stepped in and changed it from a comfort zone. 

Now I'm in he BEST.JOB.EVER.  I work with an incredible staff who have supported and encouraged me and believed in me. And that's not just the principal!! I am blessed.

But, that feeling is back. It's been here for about a year. Even though I only started to give it a name. 

There is something I want to do. Something.

else.

I'm slicing it up with Two Writing Teachers for the month of March. The goal is to write something each day in March.

Batty About The Archived by Victoria Schwab - Week Two

Batty About Books presents

The Archived

by Victoria Schwab

This week we tackled the first part of the book. In these pages, Victoria Schwab introduces us to the Archive and the people who work there as well as our main character, Mackenzie Bishop, AKA Mac.

If you missed it:

Week 1 - Cover Appeal

Here are my thoughts in blue (@thebrainlair) and Maria's (Maria's Melange, @mselke01) in purple.

Don't forget to head on over to Maria's Melange to see what she was thinking and my responses to her!

Week 2 - pg 1-110

This first part was all about the setup. I enjoyed learning about the Bishops, the Coronado, and how the The Archives work. I liked the way she used the text to cue us in to when we would read more about the Archive and how what Da taught Mac led us to the place we are in now. At first I thought we were just learning about the past, but when Mac looks back on when Ben died, we didn't get the change in font.

Maria: Oh, that’s perceptive! I didn't notice that - or at least that change. I did pick up on the different fonts, of course. I just didn't think about the difference in the types of memories. Neat!

The Writing

Schwab’s writing is beautiful. Even when not on an intentional hunt for quotes - I found myself pausing to re-read sentences and phrases. She has a way of making you slow down and pay attention to the story.

“The stairs run from the top floor down to the second, where they spill me out onto the landing...”

“The Narrows sigh around me as I enter, humid breath and words so far away they bled to sounds...”

Maria: Agreed! I had fun finding quotes to post on our page. Of course, around 50 pages in I got so sucked into the story that I had trouble slowing back down to pay attention to (or at least write down) quotes. I guess that’s a benefit to rereading a book, right? Ha! I only slowed down because I knew we were posting quotes! And doing this post!

SERVAMUS MEMORIAM (we protect the past)

I loved learning about the Archive and all it’s parts and people who keep it running. The Keepers, Crew, and Librarians. That it has branches. The Returns and the Narrows. The Doors. The cool archive paper where the keepers get their assignments. Roland whose “eyes are tinged with something between pain and longing...” I wonder how and why it all got started. Has it always existed? Why do Keepers choose to leave the fight and become Librarians? Why do Librarians need to have a longer lifespan?

Maria: Yes! I’m fascinated by Roland. I have a thing for this kind of librarian - he reminds me a bit of Giles from Buffy the Vampire Slayer. I wrote a note about the archive paper that Keepers use, but then didn't end up writing about that. I’m so glad you brought it up. I loved that detail. I’m also curious about this hidden world. Is it OUR world -- or a near future world where something has changed?

The Keepers

Mac - At first I wondered how old Mac was. She’s been through so much that sometimes she comes across as old. She has such a complicated relationship with her father and mother “I love you. The words taste strange...it’s the only thing I said that wasn't a lie.”  Why did Da choose Mac and not his son? What about her said - I can handle fighting and staying up all hours and keeping secrets? Also, sometimes it seems like her dad knows she is hiding something. Did he know what his father did? She calls reading the past her “talent”. Was she born with it? Or did Da bestow it on her?

Maria: I had a lot of questions about the family relationships, too. Dad seems almost ‘faint’. I wonder if Da considered choosing his son at some point? I know he talks about how his son wasn't a good choice for this calling. Mac does seem a lot older than the book makes her, but her lifestyle certainly had her grow up quickly. I also wrote some notes about teens and responsibilities. She is sure she is ready. Sometimes I think we overly hold on to the childhood of kids today beyond where THEY want to hold it. So hard to see them grow up! Even though it what’s you are trying to help them do! Such a conundrum!

Wesley - “I can’t tell if the eyeliner makes him attractive, or if he’s good-looking in spite of it.” Another Keeper! And he’s as young as Mac. He sounds like he has a different take on being Keeper. He makes it seem like a fun adventure! It appears he will be able to help Mac but what about his own territory?

Maria: I really like Wesley already. I like the fact that she has someone she can share her secrets with now. I wondered about his job as well. Maybe he lives in an area that isn’t very intensive… so he longs for more action and takes on jobs in other territories?

The Librarians (or as I like to call them - the brain lairs!)

So far we’ve met Patrick, Roland, Lisa, Elliot, Meredith, Allen, Carmen. They sound all hipster librarian with their cool glasses, gold fingernails, and Chuck Taylors. I love them. I am them. Without the hipster part. But definitely the chucks and nails.

My nails inspired by The Archive

Maria: I loved the red Chucks detail. I really hope we get to know more about these characters. Again, they definitely have a Watcher vibe for me. Maybe it was all those years of watching and reading Buffy. So, is the point I mention I’ve never seen Buffy? ::hangsheadinshame::   

The Histories

The Librarian have their own section in the Archives - The Special Collections. But everyone else is arranged - how? Mac can never find Ben on her own. To keep her moving forward I’m sure. And some of the histories escape the Archive and try to get home before they “slip”. Why are some so young again? Do grown ups never wake up? And where did Jackson get that knife?

Maria: I guess I made a few assumptions. One was that younger Keepers end up getting the responsibility of Returning the less dangerous Histories - and those tend to be the ones who died young. I assumed it was the Crew that takes on the older, more dangerous ones. I am curious about “slipping”... I’m still not clear on that.

Overall

This was a slow, but packed, beginning. Full of everything and everybody. We were introduced to many people and several places. All within 110 pages! We know about the family and how people are connected. We’ve met some of the people who live in the Coronado and some who work in the Archives. We’ve also been introduced to a mystery! A lot has happened and I’m left with so many questions!

Maria: What a cliffhanger, too! I’m ready to move on and find out what happens next!

Don't forget you can head over to:

Batty About Books Facebook

Batty About Books tumblr

We will continue to post quotes and talk about the book throughout the week in those places. Stop back here on Saturday, March 8th when we discuss part 2 pgs 111-224!

GIVEAWAY - Dear Mrs Parks - SIGNED BY ROSA PARKS

Dear Mrs. Parks autographed by Rosa Parks courtesy Lee and Low

This is not your ordinary giveaway! 

Lee and Low is giving away a signed copy of 

Dear Mrs.Parks: A Dialogue With Today's Youth 

by Gregory J Reed

SIGNED!

This book is signed by 

ROSA PARKS HERSELF!

Last date to enter is 

Wednesday, February 26, 2014 

SO HURRY

Head on over to Lee and Low's Facebook page to enter!

From Lee and Low's blog:

Rosa Parks received 500 to 1,000 letters a month from children throughout the United States and the world. Dear Mrs. Parks is a product of her desire to share her legacy with all “her children,” and create a conversation that will exist for generations to come.

Eloise Greenfield, author of Paul Robeson and When the Horses Ride By, reflects on Rosa Parks: 

When I think of Rosa Parks, the words that immediately come to mind are “self-respect,” “courage” and “dedication.”  Her self-respect is clearly expressed in her choice to walk to work on many days, rather than accept the demeaning rules of the Montgomery bus company. Her decision to keep her seat on the bus, on December 1, 1955, although it would mean going to jail, where history had shown that she could be beaten or even killed, was an extremely courageous act. Her years of work with the NAACP and the Montgomery Voters League, preceding the bus incident, were early signs of her dedication to the cause of freedom for black people.

For me, Rosa Parks is one of a multitude of African and African American people who, beginning with the kidnappings in Africa, have shown courage, self-respect and dedication in the cause of freedom.

Purchase Dear Mrs Parks by Gregory J Reed
Win Dear Mrs Parks by Gregory J Reed

Batty About The Archived by Victoria Schwab - Cover Appeal

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Welcome to all those who decided to do a read-along with Batty. Welcome to those who are just stopping by the blog to hear about The Archived. Today’s post is entirely spoiler free, as we are just chatting about the outside of the book! Want to join in the fun? 

Check out our…

Post on Nerdy Book Club explaining how we’re opening up our Batty Duo to everyone this time around!

Facebook Page

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Now, let’s talk Cover Appeal!

As always, Maria's posts are in purple and mine (Kathy) are in blue! Check out Maria's Melange for more science fiction fun. 

Since I've already read The Archived, we decided that I would only respond to Maria's thoughts because we wanted to keep this SPOILER FREE!

Spine:

Maria: I’m going to start with the spine. In some bookstores, The Archived may not end up facing out. Would that spine design be enough to pull me in? Between the intriguing title (I admit it, I love books… and the word “archive” sounds fascinating) and the parchment-like quality of the letters themselves, it would absolutely cause me to at least yank the book off the shelf to learn more. The spine seems designed to appeal to a bibliophile. I am curious about where it might be shelved in a larger bookstore, because that would impact who would even get to see the spine!

Kathy: I love the spine. Like you, I’m a book lover and I’ve been known to buy books because they have pretty spines! The faded look of the font and the deep, dark blue would have pulled me over. And once I touched it?? That suede-like feel would have me rushing to the cashier.  Did you notice the leaves on the spine??? Also, I bet in our Barnes and Noble it would just be in the teen section alphabetically. I will pop over there later and see if I can snap a picture. If I find it, I’ll post the pic on Tumblr!

Front:

Maria: Once that book is in my hands, the front cover would absolutely lure me in. The face in the smoke billowing out from a golden key looks so intent. Honestly, what appeals to me most about that face is that it is clearly female and yet is not “posing” for me. She’s gazing into the distance, with a clear purpose in her eyes. So often the women on covers look like they are overly aware of the people looking at them. They pose to be “alluring”. This young woman breaks that mold, and I like it.

Kathy: Agreed! She looks intent and focused. She also looks a little sad to me. And also young. Despite the dark color to the cover, I started to wonder if this was MG or YA based on past experience. At this point, I still haven't’ read the back!

Maria: One question I have about this cover, though, is will it draw in boys? I think with the popularity of Hunger Games, boys are less likely to just ignore books that seem to be mostly about a girl. I think the color scheme and the lack of any “frills” on this cover would also make boys feel comfortable taking it off the shelf. What do you think?

Kathy: I agree with this. Especially since it was brought to my attention by one of the male teachers.  Also, lately boys have pretty much been checking out anything from our library. They know I’m not judging. The City of Bones series is popular right now, despite the shirtless boy on that first cover. I think the less I (or other adults) act as if it means something, the more students will pick up whatever reading material they are interested in - despite its cover.

Maria: The background of blue and black really makes the golden key and face stand out. I’m curious about the walls behind her. Are they brick? Is she in an alley? Or does the glint on those blocks behind her mean that material is something else?

Kathy: It looks like brick to me with some light glowing down, just not everywhere.  I also think the key looks important since it’s at the top and it’s sending the smoke down that leads to the girl’s head.  I have to tread lightly here, though, based on what I can remember about the story.

Maria: I’m also a fan of the current trend toward velvety type texture on the book jacket.

Kathy: I mentioned this above! I love this suede-y velvety infinitely touchable cover. I’m sad that students won’t get to experience it because we cover the books with plastic before putting them out. Neither will the people who have the e-book.  There’s something about this that makes the book holdable.  I’m inclined to carry it around. Which will hopefully spark conversations about it... It also makes the book appear more literary? important? ancient? I think deckle-edged paper would have been another perfect touch.

Back:

Maria: Did you spot those gargoyles hunkered down on the top of the building? Is that a weather vane? Gargoyles are awesome. Sometimes they are part of a rain spout system, but traditionally they protect against evil. (Did you watch the cartoon series as a kid?) These two look slightly bored.

http://www.authenticireland.com/gargoyles/ (this link is information about gargoyles in Ireland!)

Kathy: I have never heard of a cartoon series called Gargoyles! Was it good? When was it on? The rest of this comment has been REDACTED. LAUGH! Now I’m extra intrigued!

Maria: The rest of the building seems creepy. Are the top windows boarded up, or is that just the reflection? The clouds above the building make it look like a storm is coming. All of these elements, combined with the color scheme, definitely give The Archived a haunted and creepy feel.

Kathy:I think the windows are just a reflection, though it does appear that all the windows have been shuttered from the inside. Add the crumbling paint and yes, it does look haunted! Is this why she needs the old-fashioned key? The building looks impossibly tall and I picture it on a hill somewhere sorta staring down at all who pass by. Huh, on closer look, those windows on the second floor do look painted over or boarded up at least on the bottom half!

Inside Cover Copy:

Maria: So the outside of the cover would definitely get me to pull it off the shelf and give it a chance, but the real test (for me) is the plot blurb inside the front cover.

Kathy: “Imagine a place where the dead rest on shelves like books.” I can imagine it! I like that the first paragraph sets up the entire book in less than 35 words! And again, she sounds like a young kid with a tough job. This will draw in the 7th and 8th graders.

Maria: I’m sold. Between my love of books and my love of history, it feels like this storyline is calling my name. Can you imagine walking up to the History of Joan of Arc, or Elizabeth I and getting the full truth? Now imagine that someone is purposefully destroying that information…. Yes, I know that The Archived is set in another world and my favorite faces from history won’t be in this tale, but I’m ready to hear about Mac’s world. Let’s get started!

Kathy: This appeals to my book lover and my librarian sensibilities! It’s beautiful on the outside and hints at beauty on the inside. Even without the jacket the book is appealing with it’s dark blue cover and silver writing. The end flaps have a nice silver fleur de lis on a black background. Did you notice that the author’s name matches the color of the key? And the title is actually a light blue instead of silver - same as the girl’s face? A lot of thought went into this book design. Let’s “uncover” how well it matches the story!

Pick up a copy of The Archived (Amazon Kindle Edition
| Amazon
| Shop Indie) and read along with us.  

Next Saturday, March 1st, we'll discuss pages 1 - 110.

Missing the Mocks

This is the first time in a quite a few years that I've neither hosted a Mock Newbery at school nor helped out with one at the public library.

I've been consumed by my committee reading, and not in a bad way.

Just in a way that I've invested in a lot of adult audio books.

So, I feel weird moving into what would be the month of power reading before our first official voting round. Here we would pick our top books and then release the list, assign students to champion some books, and make sure we've read all the books put forth so that we can discuss and discuss in January. SIGH!

Bright side: Beyond my second round CYBILS duties, I don't have any official committee work next year! This may mean a return to NerdPrintz, Batty About Books, the Mock Printz Goodreads Group, and other bookish things! HOORAY!

What I'm Thinking About - December 1, 2013

1. Book Committees
I have been quietly busy on the YALSA Award for Excellence in Nonfiction committee and have been perusing the CYBILS Middle Grade Fiction nominations (2nd round judge) and worndering:

How do librarians (school and public) or classroom teachers use these lists? 

Or any award/best of list.


2. Christmas Shopping
I just had a $1,000 problem fixed on my car. And that was the bare minimum to keep the car running.  That was money I was going to use for Christmas gifts and a real Christmas tree.  Luckily, I have a fake tree in reserve. But the presents, no clue.

3. #Nerdlution - December 2, 2013  - January 20, 2014
I'm jumping on the Nerdlution bandwagon. I'm committing to 30 minutes of blogging and 30 minutes of exercise for the next 50 days.  See here, here, and here if you want more information.

My 30 minutes are up.

I'm Alive AKA The Real Boy by Anne Ursu

Ursu, Anne. Real Boy, The. Walden Pond Press (HarperCollinsChildrens), 2013. 341p. $16.99. 978-0-06-201507-5.

Affiliate Link: Amazon
| Buy Indie

Genre: Fantasy (magic smiths, apprentices, wizard trees)

Cover Appeal: Fantasy lovers, cat lovers, artistic students. The cover begs to be studied: What's over the door? What's Oscar doing?

Immediately After:  "PHENOMENAL COSMIC POWERS, itty bitty living space." (Genie, Aladdin)

Right Before
We all have things we are good at and things we aren't.  And if at all possible, we avoid those things we aren't good at or don't like to do. Unfortunately for Oscar, there's no escaping the people.

Oscar, the 11-year-old hand for the magician Caleb, is very good with cats, small spaces, and plants. The plants speak to him, in a way people cannot. For the past five years, he's been responsible for picking and mixing the plants together to provide the magic needed for Master Caleb and his apprentice, Wolf.  And everything is fine, as long as he get's to stay out of the shop, away from everyone.

But, Master Caleb has to go on a trip and Wolf disappears. Now Caleb has to keep the shop running. And that is bad enough. But something was odd. About Oscar. About Caleb's leaving. About the Shining People on the hill. About everything he once believed.

During
"Once upon a time, magic flourished on all of Aletheia. And for centuries, legendary wizards worked the island's magic... Everyone knew the story." (13)

It too me until this paragraph to get into The Real Boy. Something about the writing style: the word choice, the imagery, the sense that I was being spoken to personally, all came together to transport me back in time. I felt like I was in The Barrow.  In the time of good old-fashioned magic with apprentices, sorcerers, poulitices and hidden charms. It reminded me of one of my favorite books, The Demon King by Cinda Chima and brings to mind another of Ursu's books, Breadcrumbs.

The beauty continues in the interactions between Oscar and Callie. Callie is mostly sure of herself and Caleb is mostly not. He has no censor, and when forced to talk to people, his thoughts pop out of his mind and into his mouth.  Callie, while careful what she says, uses her facial expressions, and the times when she can talk to Caleb separately, to get her point across.

Sometime After
I thought I knew what The Real Boy was about. Anne Ursu set me up beautifully, and then she left me hanging in the end. I'm still wondering what's going on with Callie and Oscar and have gone back and read the ending chapters over again. As a matter of fact, if I had more time, I would read the entire book again!  #winterbreakideas

You have the strange sickness affecting the "Shining People's" children; these mysterious and weird ailments that nothing seems to cure. You also have Caleb's frequent trips into the continent as well as Madame Mariel's, the healer and Callie's master, absence. Underneath it all, you have both Callie and Oscar trying to figure out their place in the land, as assistants, who they are, and what they truly believe.

Oscar is desperately trying to keep the shop running while Caleb's gone but he not only can't look a person in the eye, he doesn't know how to frame his responses in a non-offending manner. Callie has the gift of communication but doesn't really know all the properties of plants in order to provide the right healing for Madame Mariel's patients.

Even though Oscar is afraid and lacks confidence when he talks to people, even though he'd rather stay in his pantry and work with his plants, he forces himself to work in the shop each day. He continually steps outside his comfort zone, with no hint of a personal incentive. It's just who he is, even though he can't see it.

Quotes
"The apprentice's name was Wolf, because sometimes the universe is an unsubtle place." (3)

"He half expected a shelf to fall on Wolf's head. It didn't. Shelves never fell on Wolf's head when Oscar wanted them to." (10)

"These hours in the library were stolen things, and he had to be as careful as a thief about how he chose to spend them." (76)

"She promised, and so Oscar believed her." (104) <--profound in it's simplicity.

Overall
Can reading two of an author's books make you a fan? Because I feel like a fan. I don't want to say Ursu's writing is simple. It isn't. But, it doesn't have all the "trappings" you find in some contemporary fantasies. There's no instalove, no overwhelming action without cause, no overexplaining as if the reader can't be trusted to understand what the author is saying. The magic seems more organic. The characters seem more developed.

That being said, it's a hard sell in today's supernatural paranormal world. Books like Ursu's don't get the recognition they should. It's a book that requires the reader to engage. And a teacher or librarian to talk it up.

I've given the 6th grade teachers Breadcrumbs and they recommend it to their high ability students. I will do the same with The Real Boy. I'll give it a spot on the Good Reads table. I'll talk about it on our school news. And I'll make sure the teachers get a copy to read at home.

Giveaway


Find Anne Ursu
Website | Facebook | Twitter

Blog Tour
My Favies
Monday, 9/30 - Maria's Melange - Review and Giveaway until 10/15
Wednesday, 10/2 - Sharp Reads- Colby Interviews Anne
Monday, 10/14 - Heise Reads and Recommends - Editor Jordan Brown Interviews Anne

All The Stops

Thank you to Walden Pond Press for allowing me to jump on this tour and share my love of their books! 

Small Actions by Uma Krishnaswami - Guest Post - August 2013

Krishnaswami, Uma. Problem with Being Slightly Heroic, The. Atheneum Books for Young Readers (Simon and Schuster), 2013. 288p. $16.99. 9781442423282.



Read on and find out how you don't have to be the main character to keep the story moving. Also, take a sneak peak at Alana, Ollie, and Chef!

Small Actions That Count: 

The Role of Alana 

in 

The Problem With Being Slightly Heroic

Romantic love played a larger-than-life part in The Grand Plan to Fix Everything, in Dolly’s disarrayed love life, but it also had a smaller, quieter place in the characters of Lal the postman and his wife Lila. They were a kind of glue that held the story together. Lal carried the letters back and forth, but it was Lila who gave him the support and courage to speak up at the moments when that was needed. Lal and Lila, of course, could not travel to the United States for the grand opening of Dolly’s movie in The Problem with Being Slightly Heroic. As I wrote the second book, it became clear to me that their places needed to be filled.

Because of Dini’s fan letter, and Lal’s job, mail and the delivery of mail was very important in The Grand Plan. A cake and catering took up that spot in the second book, so it was only natural that the related action of this subplot would shift from post offices in India to the kitchen of an irascible chef in Washington, DC.

Enter Alana. She’s the sous chef. She’s competent, ambitious, and sensible. Dini, our protagonist, is in awe of her. Ollie the line cook—well to paraphrase a poem of a couple of centuries ago, Ollie laughs with delight at Alana’s smile and trembles with fear at her frown. He recognizes in Dini a kind of Alana-in-progress. Like Lal and Lila, Ollie and Alana are a team, and the fact that they’re falling head over heels in love is something our young characters are keeping a sharp eye on as well. Plot-wise, this resonates with Dolly’s Bollywood movies and offers Dini a kind of real-life envisioning of something yet to come in her own life, something magical and grownup and nearly impossible.

Alana with Ollie and the Chef

Alana is very much the glue that holds Ollie together, but she’s also the one who can speak truth to the bad-tempered chef, which in turn allows him to change and grow. Who but Alana would have the courage to meet Dolly’s unusual meal requests, combining ingredients that would surely outrage the chef? She’s the character who helps the slight heroics of the book gain momentum, becoming a dance of small actions that count.

About the Author
Uma Krishnaswami is the author of several books for children, including the first story featuring Dini, http://www.umakrishnaswami.com/.
Maddie, and Dolly, The Grand Plan to Fix Everything. She is also on the faculty of the Vermont College of Fine Arts MFA program in Writing for Children and Young Adults. Ms. Krishnaswami was born in New Delhi, India, and now lives in Aztec, New Mexico. To learn more, visit her website:





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