Meg Therese

Sunday, July 01, 2007

Book Review: Cuba 15

Cuba 15 by Nancy Osa. Delacorte (Random House) 2003
Genre: family
Cultural designation: Cuban-Americans, Hispanics
Grade levels: 7th and up
Found browsing the children’s/YA section of the college’s library

Synopsis: Coming of age story of fifteen year old Violet Paz, who spends the school year planning for her quinceañero, a celebration insisted on by her abuela, but which Violet at first doesn’t understand. She spends the year learning about and coming to terms with her Cuban heritage, and competing with her Original Comedy act about her crazy family.

Ideas for teaching:
As an independent read: I would probably recommend this mostly to girls, but to anyone who likes or doesn’t like to read. I think everyone can relate to the themes of family and growing up, and it’s interesting and funny in a way that I think would draw reluctant readers in. Also good to recommend to Hispanic students so they can see that there are books written about their culture.
It could also work as a lit circle read; I think there’s enough meat to discuss in groups.

Journal question: Violet creates her Original Comedy piece around her wacky family. Even though they’re crazy, she loves them. Do you have any crazy family stories of your own? Creative writing—turn this story into a crafted work.

Look up the Spanish words that you don’t know. What do they mean? The teacher can point out that even in books all in English there may be words or phrases that we need to look up to understand, and we should get in the habit of doing so.

Look up some information about the history of Cuba and the U.S.’s current political ties (or lack thereof) with it. Have any restrictions been lifted since this book was published?

Synergistic texts:
Before We Were Free. Julia Alverez. About a teenage girl growing up the 1960’s dictatorship in the Dominican Republic.
The House on Mango Street. Sandra Cisneros.
Y no se lo tragó la Tierra / and the Earth Did Not Devour Him. Tomas Rivera, Evangelina Vigil (Translator). Story of Mexican immigrants trying to survive as migrant workers.

Book Review: Escape From Warsaw

Escape From Warsaw. Ian Serraillier. Scholastic, New York, 1990. Originally published in 1956 under the title The Silver Sword.


This book is appropriate for middle school students, grades 5-8. I found it browsing through a used book store.


Escape From Warsaw is about four children surviving in war ravaged Warsaw at then end of World War II, and then traveling across post-war Europe to find their parents in Switzerland. The book begins by following Joseph, the father of three of the children, as he escapes from a prison camp. He meets the forth child, a boy named Jan, who helps him escape from Warsaw. Joseph tells him that if Jan ever meets his children to let them know he’s gone to Switzerland. The rest of the book focuses on the children, giving a Boxcar Children-like description of how they make a home under the ruble of Warsaw, and how they find food and even start a school. The overall tone is positive, especially for a book about war, but it does describe hunger, familial separation, and the psychological effects of war.


Though written soon after WWII, it would now fall into the historical novel genre. The main characters are Polish, and there are also Russians, Germans, French, Americans and Swiss. However, these nationalities don’t play a special cultural role, though they do add to the theme of international cooperation.


Themes: wartime, perseverence, family, prejudice

A small red flag would be the mention of religion, though it’s not integral to the story. It’s mentioned that Joseph taught scripture at his school, and Ruth, the oldest child, starts her school off with a Bible story. During an intense battle around Warsaw the people send a message to the Pope asking for international aide, and a radio announcer states that God will punish those destroying Poland.

I recommend this book as a classroom text because it can bring the history of WWII into the student’s world, since it’s about children living through the war. A synergistic text that can do this as well is Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl.

This book could be used in conjunction with history lessons about WWII.
Discussion questions: How did war affect the children in the book, especially mentally/psychologically? How does war affect children in the world today?

Research questions: What role did Poland/Warsaw play in WWII? What battles were fought there? Which armies occupied it? How did the Allies help Europe rebuild after WWII? What sorts of services did they provide?

Journal question: Family is very important to the characters. The children are constantly trying to stay together and find their parents. Write about a family member who is important to you and why.

Friday, August 18, 2006

Monastic orders explained

Br. Leon: Yes, Benedictines chant and make fruitcakes, Dominicans preach and write books, Carmelites—uh—live in cloisters and have mystical experiences—
Br. Matt: You’re oversimplifying.
Br. Leon: We’re Franciscans! We’re supposed to be simple!
Br. Matt: Simple! Not over-simple!
Br. Leon: Hair-splittin’ Thomist!
Br. Matt: You calling me a Dominican?
Br. Leon: Yeah! Next thing you’ll start arguing about pinheads dancing on angels!
Br. Matt: You calling me a pinhead?

-From Black as Night, by Regina Doman

Tuesday, August 08, 2006

Reading Comprehension Lesson

So in mid-July Ken Jennings (you know, that Jeopardy guy) posted a humorous fake letter to Jeopardy on his blog. But apparently, a lot of journalists failed to learn one of their three RSI, specifically Michael Starr of the New York Post. Then the AP picks up on the story. After Jennings pointed out on his blog that it was a humor piece, they changed the article title from "Jennings Bashes Jeopardy" to "'Jeopardy' champ Jennings jabs show." Sorry, but changing the title and the article a bit doesn't fix the fact that you need remedial reading lessons. Let's take a closer look.

Jennings "letter" starts out with this paragraph, which clearly sets the tone as a humor piece:


Dear Jeopardy!,

Hey, I hope you remember me. It’s been a while since we talked. We were a bit of an item a couple years back, in all the papers, but I think we both know that was just a summer thing. The last time we saw each other…well, the magic just wasn’t there. That’s why I don’t mind when I see you with a new special someone. Or two. Nearly every night! … I’m sorry, is this sounding passive-aggressive? I don’t mean to badger you. I remember that, when we were together, it seems like all I ever did was nag you with questions.The Michael Starr article picks up on Jennings's comments on the Jecategoriesatagorys:

That doesn't stop him, however, from bashing the show.
"I mean, wake me up
when you come up with something that middle America actually cares about," he
says of the show's question categories."

But what categories does the letter offer to address this issue?


PlayStation
The Arby’s 5-for-$5.95 Value Menu
Reality TV
Men’s Magazines
Skanks from Reality TV Who Got Naked in Men’s Magazines
Potpourri

"Skanks from Reality TV Who Got Naked in Men’s Magazines "? Can you seriously think anyone would seriously offecategorys a catagory?

Can anyone reading this also believe Jennings is serious when he suggests abandoning the Clue Crew in a forest? Or that Alex Trebek should sign off every episode with the phrase "Legalize cannabis"?

Now I'll grant that it's possible to view this piece as though thecriticizing jeopardizeg Jeopardy's flaws, and then throwing out farcical solutions as further humiliation--as though Jeopardy is so bad it doesn't even deserve serious treatment. But if that were the case, and Jennings was actually disgusted with the show, the suggestions would have more bite to them. But instead they're so over the top, that they border on the silly, not the bitter.

In conclusion, it's always important to make sure you've correctly interpreted something before you report on it. If you look at Jenningsf Jennings's blog, it's clear that he doesn't harbor any hidden anger at Jeopardy!, and that the tone of the letter is completely uncharacteristic with the rest of his writings.

Thursday, August 03, 2006

JKR in NYC--my thoughts

So last night I went to see Stephen King, John Irving, and JK Rowling at Radio City Music Hall with three of my friends. It was totally awesome. All three were great readers. I'd never heard Stephen King speak before, and for some reason I thought his voice would be lower. He was pretty amusing.

John Irving, whenever he answered a question, got real introspective, and it felt like the lights were lowering and only a dim spotlight shown on him. He read from his book A Prayer for Owen Meany, the part where the parts for the church Christmas pagent are being givin out. It was funny; I think anyone who's been involved in something like that would like it. "Nobody know what the turtledoves are. They look like alien turtledoves. And what are those streamers supposed to be?" "They're feathers!"

JK was awesome. Somebody asked the question I wanted to ask--What questions should fans be asking?"--but she couldn't answer, because it would give too much away. Is it too late for me to ask who's on the invite list for Bill and Fleur's wedding?

JK Rowling in NYC: My coverage

On either side of the stage were two podiums, the fronts of which looked like book spines, with the author’s names on them. There were two video screens above the stage, and two to either side to project videos and the event. Before each author came onstage to read a smaller stage was brought out for them to read from. Stephen King’s featured an electric chair (which he was afraid might go off) and two tall potted plants. John Irving’s had an old-world feel, with a high backed armchair, fireplace, desk lamp, and large globe. JK Rowling’s had a red upholstered throne flanked by two floor candelabras (like floor lamps only with candles).

Video introduction.
Intro to the writers: Whoopie
The writers are “equal to or greater than any of the supernatural forces of nature in their books”
“If that little wizard boy would have just asked that poor girl to the prom…” (meaning Carrie)
“I think I know why they [the HP fans] are screaming. I think all the Stephen King fans are whispering to them all the many ways Harry could die”


Tim Robbins introduced Stephen King, mispronouncing the Shawshank Redemption (which he stared) in many unique ways.
Short video.
Stephen King reads a story of a pie-eating contest in which a lot of people throw up, from Different Seasons, The Body (movie Stand By Me).

Stanley Tucci introduced John Irving.
Short Video
Irving reads from A Prayer for Owen Meany, a story of casting the church Christmas pageant, in which a boy unwittingly volunteers for the angel throws up in dismay.

Kathy Bates introduces JK Rowling.
She said she felt “like Ed Sullivan as he’s about to introduce the Beetles.”
She credited Rowling with “turning an entire generation of children into wild, screaming, frenzied fans of books.”
Bates noted how important this is in an age when computers and video games rule, and that the children have become not just readers, but re-readers as the wait for the next installment of the series. Even after the movies came out, the children continued to read, and read even more. “The magic she [Rowling] conjures turns children into readers for life.”
Short video. As yesterday, Jo in the video showed a notebook with the history of the death eaters, and a yellow folder containing the final chapter to book seven.
Jo enters the stage to music from the first Harry Potter movie.
Acknowledging the other authors Rowling said the felt “like Herman’s Hermits having to go on after the Stones and the Beetles.” (The Rolling Stones and The Beetles are iconic bands, while Herman’s Hermits, though good and popular in their time, are not nearly as legendary.) However, she did maintain that she had the best shoes—the snake sandals from Tuesday night.
She told the audience that while the video was playing she noticed they liked Snape. “You people never give up, do you?”
She said she didn’t know the theme was going to be puking, or she would have read something about Puking Pastils.

Question 1: If you could bring one character to life other than Harry, who would it be?
Rowling: Hagrid. “Although it’s a really tricky one.” “I think we’d all like a Hagrid in our life, liability that he is.” “I think if I met a Fundamentalist Christian” I’d say, talk to Hagrid.

Question 2: When Dumbledore told the Dursleys that Harry would be staying only one more summer with them, there was an odd flush on Petunia’s cheeks. Does this mean she has a love for Harry and the wizarding world that we haven’t seen?
Rowling: There’s “a little more to Aunt Petunia than meets the eye.” We’ll find out in book seven.

Question 3: [from an adorable little boy, painstakingly reading the long question] You said two main characters will be dying, possible Harry too…[I don’t remember how this segued into Dumbledore] Is Dumbledore really dead? Because he is such a powerful wizard…
Rowling [head in her arms, heart wrenching in her breast] Grahmn Green said that every writer had to have a chip of ice in his heart. She can’t answer …We “shouldn’t expect Dumbledore to do a Gandalf.”

Question 4: [follow up to Q3, asked by Salman Rushdie] Until book 6, Snape was unlikable, but essentially good. Dumbledore always vouched for him. Now, he’s a villain, and we “cannot, or don’t want to believe this.” His theory is: Snape is good, therefore Dumbledore is not dead. It’s a ruse Snape and DD did to put Voldemort off guard, so that in the final battle between Harry and LV, Harry will have more allies than he knows. What we need to know for this theory then is, is Snape good or bad?
Rowling: Your opinion is right… “I need to be more explicit—Dumbledore is definitely dead.” She apologizes to Dumbledoreisnotdead.com…We have the five stages of grief. “I’m helping you get past denial. I’m not sure what next stage is—it might be anger so…” moving on past the questions.

Q&A with all the authors.
Q1 to SK
Q2 to JI

Q3 to JK: Asked by a librarian, what’s next after HP?
Rowling: “I thought you were going to attack me for Madame Pince.” Sorry. “My escape clause is if they’d had a good librarian” half the plots would be gone. The answer is usually in a book. She answered that she had a half-finished, much shorter book for children, to work on.

Q to SK: What books scare him.
King: He was not prepared for the depth of scary things in Harry Potter. Especially the Death Eaters.
Rowling: “I scared Stephen King.”

Q to JK: What is a question fans haven’t asked and should ask?
Rowling: “Oh god. I—how can I answer that? I think I can think of a couple of things that would give away the end of book 7.”… “This after I believe I changed my mind on the title of book 7”…in the shower before coming. She thought she knew what is was and then thought, oh, that would be a good title too. She apologized for not being able to answer.

Q to all: What five of your characters would you take to dinner and why?
Stephan King is a bit bemused since most of his characters you wouldn’t take to dinner.
Jo immediately says Harry, “to apologize”, Ron and Hermione naturally follow, then she’s stumped—“the thing is I know who’s dead.” SK tells her that doesn’t matter. Well then Dumbledore, and Hagrid. (Suggestions from the audience included Ginny and others.)

Thursday, July 20, 2006

Pet Peeve #1

Since when has nachos and cheese been considered a meal? Okay, maybe if you had actual home-made corn tortilla chips and actual cheese it could work. But with the salty chips and processed liqui-cheese? You've got to be kidding me. Go have some PB&J.

Saturday, May 20, 2006

King of the Hill on churchs

Very funny look at different kinds of churches.


Monday, May 15, 2006

You know the price of gas is high when...

you run your tank down to empty because you know when you get back to college the gas there will be cheeper (2.99!!). Although the gas light wouldn't have gone on if there wasn't all that traffic on the Thuway...