Diary of a Wimpy Kid 4

Today was our first day back in school after a five day break. School was closed to due to the high number of flu-related illnesses. We re-opened today, but still had many gone. The halls seemed quieter and the mood was definitely mellow. I spent the morning reading reviews and tidying my shelves. This afternoon, UPS delivered my copy of Jeff Kinney's new book. I picked it up while I ate lunch and began to read. Confession time: (I read the whole thing. I tried to put it down, I really did, but I HAD to finish it.) I felt like a kid trying to text during class. I kept the book down low and read while it looked like I was busy on my computer. The fact that I kept laughing out loud was probably a dead-giveaway.

In this book, Greg is faced with summer vacation. His parents are cutting back on spending and not taking their annual vacation to the beach. When presented with the alternatives, Greg would rather spend the summer indoors watching TV and playing video games. His mother has other plans. . . I don't know if it is the fact that I have a middle school son that makes this book so hysterical, but I love this series. So do boys. . . order copies for all the boys on your Christmas list this year. It will be their favorite gift.

Massacre at "M" Mountain

If you are at all squeamish, a vegetarian, thinking about becoming a vegetarian or a card carrying member of PETA, read no further. . . Seriously. stop right now. This is not the post for you.

Some good friends of ours were going to butcher their meat chickens last Saturday, and invited us to join them. Lance immediately declined (he joined us for dinner because you don't ever turn down a chance to eat Connie's cooking). I am always up for an adventure so I joined another set of friends, (also city transplants) for a day of murder and mayhem. . .


The chickens are everything an organic cook could wish for - they live in a beautiful cage free stall, eat from the garden and range (safely fenced) on the property.

On death row. . . literally.

Getting ready to be put on the chopping block. I could not carry the live birds, but I did hold the wire (with my eyes closed) that kept them on the block. Myron performed his duties as executioner quickly - yes, that is my children laying on the trampoline watching. . .

Honestly, when someone says they were "running around like a chicken with their head cut off" , it will carry a whole new meaning for me.

Um, yes, he is holding what you think he is. . . I prefer to think of him as a biologist in the making. . . One of the chickens "ran (w/o a head)" under the truck and A very calmly crawled under and pulled it out. . . country kids are very tough.

Yep, that's my boy. . . This was about as close as he got, well this and racing his scooter through the trail of blood on the floor in the shop. . .

My girl - she even worked up the courage to pluck the chickens with us. Very strong kid!

This smelled as bad as it looks. . .

An automatic chicken plucking machine - created by our high school FFA program. It did not work too well for the chickens so we ended up working by hand. . .

Right about now, I am so grateful for my college diploma and job in a library. . .

As we worked, Connie, who grew up Amish shared that her mother (with the three oldest children) would butcher 50 chickens at a time. What a life. . .

Really, it was a great day. Perfect weather, amazing friends and lots of laughter. I left with a renewed sense of gratefulness for my "easy" life. Would I do it again? Sure, if Connie is cooking dinner. . .

(photos taken by Elaine Sanders)

I'll read anything, except. . .

I am a pretty adventurous reader. While I have my favorite authors and genres, I will try anything, except. . . science fiction and horror. I have no desire. I still remember watching my first (and nearly last) horror movie in junior high. I refused to take the trash out alone for weeks afterward. I hate horror. . . I don't mind an occasional sci-fi movie (loved the Matrix and X-men series), but I have never read sci-fi. I have long held the theory (recently confirmed) that only REALLY brilliant people read science fiction. My husband, one of the smartest men I know, reads sci-fi almost exclusively. Our G/T coordinator at school prefers sci-fi (she was an astro-physicist in a former life), and my brother-in-law (very brilliant mind) reads sci-fi (he also reads other books - that I would consider textbook quality - for fun). Like I said, brilliant minds. . .

Last month our book club re-convened. Bigger, more diverse and better than ever. In hopes of keeping our few males members interested, we all agreed to read their book of choice. Hyperion by Dan Simmons. I half-heartedly started the book, and by the second page, I was so confused, I nearly quit. In all honesty, it took almost 100 pages for me to enjoy the story, but by then I was hooked. We all were. Only one member of our club quit, the rest finished, though for most, it was really outside of our comfort zone. It was a cleverly crafted story and most members of our club are already on the second book. In October, we're reading a mystery (a Nero Wolfe novel) and in November/December we are reading a western by Cormac McCarthy. Anyone want to join us?

I picked up a new YA book this week. The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan. It is a horror story about (wait, brace yourself. . .) zombies. Seriously. I read the whole book on Sunday afternoon and enjoyed the story. It has a strong female character, which I love, and is an easy, entertaining read. I thought the book ending somewhat abruptly, leaving me to wonder if there would be a book two. . . If so, I will read my second horror story.

So, now as I wander the stacks in search of the perfect book for a student, I can no longer say, "Well, I will read anything, except. . . "

The Wolves Are Back. . .

Last summer, my kids and I went with some friends to Mission Wolf. It is a wolf sanctuary nestled in the Wet Mountains. We arrived on feeding day and my boys got into the spirit of the activity. Kent Weber (in green), director of Mission Wolf, and his volunteers spent quite a bit of time educating us about wolves and their importance in the life cycle. All in all, it was a great adventure.

When we arrived, the volunteers were cutting up a recently donated animal for the wolves' lunch.

My boys feeding the wolves. . . it was quite a sight!

The wolves are kept in pens - very natural looking with lots of room to roam, rest and hide. . .

One of the ambassador wolves. . . Mission Wolf ( below) . . . Kent shared with us about the reintroduction of wolves to Yellowstone. He shared how bringing back the wolves has brought many unexpected, positive changes. The streams have grown colder, because the grasses and trees are now growing along the stream bed due to the wolves pushing the elk and moose back up into the meadows. Several songbirds have returned to the grasses and branches of the trees. I was fascinated with how the wolves have brought balance back to the wilderness.

Last month, I received a book in the library: The Wolves are Back by Jean Craighead George (author of Julie of the Wolves and My Side of the Mountain). It is a beautifully illustrated tale of the reintroduction of wolves into Yellowstone. This story teaches ecology and balance in nature. I read it to the fourth graders last week, and it fostered great discussion. . .

My Father, Maker of the Trees

I have read several accounts of the Rwandan Genocide, and each has moved me in different ways. I just finished My Father, Maker of the Trees: How I survived the Rwandan Genocide by Eric Irivuzumugabe. In 1994, Eric was 16 years old. As Hutu extremists plundered his village, he and his family fled to the nearby hills. Eric and his family were separated during the unthinkable violence. Eric found refuge in a cypress tree where he remained for fifteen days with little food or water. During this time, he witnessed the massacre of his people. One million Tutsis were killed in just one hundred days. Eventually, Eric finds two of his brothers and several uncles. The rest of his family were murdered by the Hutus. This is a story of God's sovereignty and grace in the midst of terrible suffering. Eric's story is a difficult one, but one that needs to be heard. There are 120,000 orphans in Rwanda as a result of the 1994 genocide (there were two other genocides - 1959 and 1972 - Eric's grandfather lived through the first two). This story offers a glimpse at a horrific event in global history, and tells the tale about the amazing restoration that is happening in Rwanda today.

Ya, Ya, Ya

I book talked to the sophomore class this past week. They were required to chose a book for an upcoming book project. Thought I would give you the same list of titles. All in all, it was a very satisfying sight to see an entire class checking out books and settling down to read until the bell rang. . . I love my job!

The Ghosts of War: the true story of a 19 year old GI by Ryan Smithson. Ryan was 16 years old when the Trade Centers were attacked. When he was 17, he joined the Army Reserves as a way to support his nation and help pay for college. By the time he was 19, he was in Iraq. This is the account of his year in Iraq. This is not a political rant, but simply the story of war from the point of view of a teenager.

Life as we Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeffer. The story begins with a prediction of an meteor hitting the moon. For Miranda, it seems to be just an excuse for teachers to pile on homework. Then the collision occurs, altering the earth's weather patterns and changing Miranda's life forever. The book is written in diary form and is hard to put down. A great teen read. . .

Audrey Wait! by Robin Benway. Audrey is a normal teenager who decides to break-up with her musician boyfriend. He then writes a song titled "Audrey wait!" and plays it that night at a local club. Audrey hears it for the first time in the audience, so does a rep for a major music label. The band shoots to instant fame with the song and Audrey's life changes dramatically as she is thrust into the spotlight. A funny story of a girl who is hounded by the paparazzi and just wants her life to go back to normal. . . this one was snatched up instantly. (Actually, two girls played rock, paper, scissors to see who got this book.)

Graceling by Kristen Cashore. I read this book last weekend. It is the story of Katsa, a young girl living in one of seven kingdoms. Some citizens of the kingdoms are born with a special grace, normally discovered by toddler hood. Katsa is orphaned at a young age, taken in by her uncle, the King, and her grace is revealed when she is 8 years old. It is the killing grace. Her uncle begins to have her trained and she becomes his private assassin. The story opens with her as a teenager, questioning her grace and struggling with her uncle's power over her. She has started to use her grace for good, and as the book progresses she discovers that her grace may not be killing, but something else entirely. This was a great read with a very strong female character. It also was taken as soon as I was done book talking. The young girl who took it informed me (after a few pages) that she "loved it already".

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. I know, this book is "so last year", but with the sequel due to arrive in my library any day, I decided to book talk this title. It is a futuristic book, set in a different North America. North America has been divided into twelve districts, and each year the Capital hosts "The Hunger Games". . .

Taking the kids from our districts, forcing them to kill one another while we watch—this is the Capitol's way of reminding us how totally we are at their mercy. How little chance we would stand of surviving another rebellion. (p. 18)

Two kids are taken by lottery from each district to fight each other while the nation watches. Katniss from District 12 ( they never win) steps up to take the place of her younger sister who is chosen. This book is impossible to put down. It contains violence (obviously), but it is not the over-all theme of the book. The young man who chose this title visited with me the next day, he had read the entire book in one night. . . It is that kind of book. My waiting list for the sequel is already a page long, and , yes, I am at the top.

Savvy by Ingrid Law. To be honest, I have not read this title, but it is up for several teen awards and has a great cover (very important) . . . it is in my pile of "to-read" books. Will review it at a later date. . .

Other great YA titles that were taken, as I book talked from the stacks:

Stormbreaker by Anthony Horowitz - this a great choice for a non-reader boy. Action packed, fast moving story - it a sure winner every time.

Deadline by Chris Crutcher. Love this book. The story of a young boy who goes in for his football physical and comes out with the knowledge that he is dying. He chooses to keep the information from his dysfunctional family and because he is 18, the doctor is forced to keep his secret. In typical Chris Crutcher style, this story is gripping and intense.

Bonemaker's Daughter by Tedd Dekker. He is always a popular choice in my library.

Other titles were taken and will be read, but these were the books that were grabbed before I could put them down. Like I said, I love my job.

Roomful of giggles

Those of you who know me, know I love Mo Willems. I originally thought the Elephant and Piggie series were his best work ever. I can't even pick a favorite book. I love them all (okay, I Love my new Toy is my #1 followed by Elephant and Piggie Play Outside.) My high school aides act like they're 6 years old when we get his books in the library. They sit next to me while I catalog, reading Mo Willems and giggling. I laugh along with them. . . his books are irresistible.

So, I thought Elephant and Piggie could not be replaced in my affections, and then I met the pigeon. Seriously, you have to read these books. If you don't have small children, rent one. . . I read Pigeon wants a Puppy today to the second grade. It was one of those moments where you wish you could capture the laughter and expressions - priceless. They begged for one more story, so we read Pigeon wants to stay up Late. And then because we couldn't stop ourselves, we read Elephant and Piggie Play Outside . One little boy almost fell out of his chair he was laughing so hard. Please don't make us pick our favorite, we only stopped reading because our time was up. . .

Needless to say, there is not a single Mo Willems book left in my library. . .