This book is a historical fiction of the last days of Vincent Van Gogh as told by his friend, Dr. Gachet, a specialise in mental illness and a lover of art. Van Gogh shot himself in the chest and died two days later at 37.
http://vangoghletters.org/vg/
Saturday, May 28, 2011
THE LEGEND OF BASS REEVES: BEING THE TRUE AND FICTIONAL ACCOUNT OF THE MOST VALIANT MARSHAL IN THE WEST by Gary Paulsen
After just reading the title of this book, don't you just LOVE Gary Paulsen! "True and Fictional" you have got to love that!
This book has some of my favorite things: a cowboy, a hero, a true example of the American Dream, a person making tough decisions trying to do right when no one is really sure what right is, and Gary Paulsen! I want to research more about Bass Reeves, but Paulsen makes it clear what he thinks of the man. vii-xii This book is told in three stages. Most all our lives, if we live long enough, are in stages. One day I would like to talk to Gary Paulsen and ask him about what he says on xiii, " his boyhood is the longest because to em it was the most important part of his life, the fire that forged him, "Does he feel that way about all of us?"
This book has some of my favorite things: a cowboy, a hero, a true example of the American Dream, a person making tough decisions trying to do right when no one is really sure what right is, and Gary Paulsen! I want to research more about Bass Reeves, but Paulsen makes it clear what he thinks of the man. vii-xii This book is told in three stages. Most all our lives, if we live long enough, are in stages. One day I would like to talk to Gary Paulsen and ask him about what he says on xiii, " his boyhood is the longest because to em it was the most important part of his life, the fire that forged him, "Does he feel that way about all of us?"
RUINED: A NOVEL by Paula Morris
I chose this book because it had a cool cover and because a lot of students tell me they like to read ghost stories and mysteries - and I don't read many of either.
I can't believe I liked this book so much! Other than the cover being inaccurate, it was great! Realistic situation (who hasn't experienced having to move) with an interesting twist (having to go to live with an aunt who reads tarot cards for a living and believes in voodoo. She lives in New Orleans next to an old cemetery.) The narrator is forced to go to a snooty prep school who she feels invisible, but her best friend there is a ghost! This book has an interesting plot with a cool twist at the end!
I can't believe I liked this book so much! Other than the cover being inaccurate, it was great! Realistic situation (who hasn't experienced having to move) with an interesting twist (having to go to live with an aunt who reads tarot cards for a living and believes in voodoo. She lives in New Orleans next to an old cemetery.) The narrator is forced to go to a snooty prep school who she feels invisible, but her best friend there is a ghost! This book has an interesting plot with a cool twist at the end!
SAVVY by Ingrid Law
This book was one of my favorites of the year! But then I always love a story with a strong female character who has a mission! Mibs is getting ready for her 13th birthday. This is usually a special birthday for anyone because you become a teenager. However, if you are a member of the Beaumont family this birthday has even more significance. When they turn 13, each family member comes into possession of their own savvy - their own special supernatural power. Mibs' grandmother can catch sound waves and store them in mason jars. She has one brother who can create hurricanes and another who sparks electricity. As she looks forward to her big day with anticipation - disaster strikes. Her father is in a car accident and placed in ICU two days before her birthday. This event puts her on a mission to save her father and an odyssey that no one could predict. 62-65 "Maybe God has his eye on me after all."
Friday, May 20, 2011
THE EVOLUTION OF CALPURNIA TATE, by Jacqueline Kelly
This Newbery Honor book is a wonderful example of evolution=change. This historical fiction is set in 1899 and ends with the turn of a new century. It emphasizes not only the turbulence and change that we experience during our teenage years, but that that change is even greater when the world is also experiencing the beginning of another century, in this case the 20th.
The Tate's are a well-to-do family with all the conveniences and advantages of those who still live on a working farm in rural Texas. But their only daughter, Calpurnia, or Callie Vae, feels trapped in a role and future that she cannot avoid.
Read p.2 (First 3 sections of 1st full paragraph)
Calpurnia and her grandfather build a bond during this summer and begin spending large amounts of time together. Her grandfather has retired from the mill and spends all of his free time in scientific investigations and experiments. He is an eccentric character who makes it a priority to provide Calpurnia with an education that her schooling is lacking in his opinion. These ideas and pursuits only serve to aggravate her mother who wants her to focus on her housekeeping, sewing, and cooking skills. Read p.192 "My mother got one girl out of seven tries...It all seemed so muddled (193). Calpurnia's life seems to revolve around an invisible set of social rules for her brothers and another for her. "Why do I have to mind the babies?" (199-200) "Exactly how, Lamar?" Her dreams to go to college and become a scientist will not be squashed (217 top-218 top).
It was interesting for me to read this book about the turn of the 20th Century after I experienced the turn of the 21st Century. Even thought the 20th Century was a time of great discovery and innovation, some many things were much more advanced technologically in my time. But it was interesting to me how similar things was for teenagers of both periods. It has never been an easy time to be a teenager! :)
I had several reasons for starting this blog. The main reason was for me to be able to keep up with what I was reading and be able to share that information with others. I have not done so well so far. I hope to improve what I get recorded.
The Tate's are a well-to-do family with all the conveniences and advantages of those who still live on a working farm in rural Texas. But their only daughter, Calpurnia, or Callie Vae, feels trapped in a role and future that she cannot avoid.
Read p.2 (First 3 sections of 1st full paragraph)
Calpurnia and her grandfather build a bond during this summer and begin spending large amounts of time together. Her grandfather has retired from the mill and spends all of his free time in scientific investigations and experiments. He is an eccentric character who makes it a priority to provide Calpurnia with an education that her schooling is lacking in his opinion. These ideas and pursuits only serve to aggravate her mother who wants her to focus on her housekeeping, sewing, and cooking skills. Read p.192 "My mother got one girl out of seven tries...It all seemed so muddled (193). Calpurnia's life seems to revolve around an invisible set of social rules for her brothers and another for her. "Why do I have to mind the babies?" (199-200) "Exactly how, Lamar?" Her dreams to go to college and become a scientist will not be squashed (217 top-218 top).
It was interesting for me to read this book about the turn of the 20th Century after I experienced the turn of the 21st Century. Even thought the 20th Century was a time of great discovery and innovation, some many things were much more advanced technologically in my time. But it was interesting to me how similar things was for teenagers of both periods. It has never been an easy time to be a teenager! :)
I had several reasons for starting this blog. The main reason was for me to be able to keep up with what I was reading and be able to share that information with others. I have not done so well so far. I hope to improve what I get recorded.
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