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CELEBRATING THE LIFE OF
CELEBRATING THE LIFE OF
MARTIN LUTHER KING JR.
On this special day, take time to read a story or share a memory with a child about the man whose life we celebrate on this day, Martin Luther King, Jr.
Here are a couple of favorites that my young students loved listening to . . .
Martin's Big Words: The Life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
by Doreen Rappaport, illustrated by Bryan Collier
Collier's dramatic illustrations capture the spirit of Dr. King as Rappaport uses his words as a framework to tell the story of the strength, perseverance, and courage of this great man. This short but powerful book will help children to appreciate the sacrifices that Martin Luther King made in his life to try and help all people to live together in peace.
Happy Birthday Martin Luther King!
by Jean Marzollo, illustrated by J. Bryan Pinkney
Suitable for even the youngest listeners, this brief but touching book helps children to understand why we celebrate Martin Luther King's birthday. The love and hope that he gave so many people is expressed in Mazollo's simple language as well as the vibrant scratchboard illustrations by J. Bryan Pinkney.
Suitable for even the youngest listeners, this brief but touching book helps children to understand why we celebrate Martin Luther King's birthday. The love and hope that he gave so many people is expressed in Mazollo's simple language as well as the vibrant scratchboard illustrations by J. Bryan Pinkney.
In recognition of Martin Luther King Day, my book discussion group has chosen to read Elizabeth and Hazel: Two Women of Little Rock by David Margolick. Captured in this iconic 1957 photograph, Hazel Bryan spews hatred as Elizabeth Eckford walks calmly towards the entrance to Little Rock Central High School, proving ground for the landmark desegregation case, Brown v. Board of Education.
This book traces the eventual meeting of these two women and the fragile relationship that they maintained over the years while each struggled to overcome the trauma of racial hatred they had experienced in such a different ways.
SOME NEW FICTION TO CONSIDER
Gone Girl, a new mystery/thriller by Gillian Flynn, has made it to the best-seller lists but the writing is definitely not in the tradition of those writers who habitually frequent those lists such as David Baldacci and James Patterson. Flynn takes this genre to a whole new level with her fresh edgy style,making the language as important as the plot. Sure, we want to know what is going to happen and the author does not disappoint, as she draws us in only to startle us with another unexpected revelation. But what is most remarkable about this novel is the compelling narration by the two distinctly different voices of Nick and Amy Dunne, a young couple about to celebrate their 5th anniversary when Amy goes missing. Predictably, Nick becomes the prime suspect in her disappearance. The Dunnes alternately tell the dark story of their marriage and the reader is left to decide whom to trust. Believe me, don't trust either one - but do read this book.
In her debut novel, The Lotus Eaters, Tatjana Soli explored the conflicted journey of a young journalist as she traveled to Saigon during the Vietnam War to find her brother who was declared missing-in-action. Soli's latest novel, The Forgetting Tree, is set in the citrus groves of Southern California and traces the life of Claire Nagy Baumsarg, transplanted to the farming community when she marries Forster, son of a large landowner and heir to an agricultural dynasty. Claire falls in love with the orchards and the rhythm of nature, but eventually the farm becomes surrounded by housing developments and shopping centers, much to her dismay. When a tragic event occurs in the family, Claire clings to the fragile security of farm life, allowing her marriage to fall apart and even alienating her own daughters. Later, when faced with a life-threatening illness, she turns to a woman whom her younger daughter meets in a cafe and brings home to help with her care. Minna seems at first to be warm and nurturing, firmly guiding Claire in her regimen of treatments and medication. But Caribbean-born Minna also weaves a fantastic story of her past that Claire desperately accepts and finds comforting, blurring the lines between fantasy and reality. Soli writes with compassion and understanding about Claire and her struggle to adapt to the disturbing changes in her life and come to terms with her turbulent relationship with Minna. You will not be disappointed by this beautifully written novel of love, trust, and endurance.
There's an exciting stack of books in my reading nook this week. Being an armchair adventurer, I have picked up a book recommended by son Michael called Left for Dead: My Journey Home from Everest by Beck Weathers. We both became fascinated by stories of daring and dangerous mountain climbing expeditions after Michael was assigned Into Thin Air by Jon Krakauer as summer reading before 9th grade at Canadian Academy in Kobe, Japan. The book made the rounds of our family and we finally had those book discussions around the dinner table that I had always dreamed about! Weathers tells the story of the same Everest expedition that Krakauer painstakingly records in his account of the Mt. Everest disaster of May 10, 1996, but from an even more personal viewpoint: Weathers was the man that was left for dead on the mountain, only to be seen 12 hours later stumbling into base camp as a "dead man walking.' I am already hooked on this one!
This book traces the eventual meeting of these two women and the fragile relationship that they maintained over the years while each struggled to overcome the trauma of racial hatred they had experienced in such a different ways.
SOME NEW FICTION TO CONSIDER
Mark your calendars. . .
The 5th annual Tucson Festival of Books will be held March 9-10 on the campus of the University of Arizona. Join the festivities in beautiful sunny Tucson! It's an amazing free event featuring over 450 authors and illustrators, hundreds of exhibitors, a wide range of local food, and numerous presentations and panel discussions. A wide range of children's exhibits and activities are planned so it's a great day for the entire family. All the proceeds benefit local literacy groups - this festival has raised almost a million dollars to support these services in Tucson and Southern Arizona. For more information, go to
In my reading nook
There's an exciting stack of books in my reading nook this week. Being an armchair adventurer, I have picked up a book recommended by son Michael called Left for Dead: My Journey Home from Everest by Beck Weathers. We both became fascinated by stories of daring and dangerous mountain climbing expeditions after Michael was assigned Into Thin Air by Jon Krakauer as summer reading before 9th grade at Canadian Academy in Kobe, Japan. The book made the rounds of our family and we finally had those book discussions around the dinner table that I had always dreamed about! Weathers tells the story of the same Everest expedition that Krakauer painstakingly records in his account of the Mt. Everest disaster of May 10, 1996, but from an even more personal viewpoint: Weathers was the man that was left for dead on the mountain, only to be seen 12 hours later stumbling into base camp as a "dead man walking.' I am already hooked on this one!
I can hardly wait to open a very personal memoir, Home is Where My Earrings Are, by my former colleague, Dannie Russell, a woman of amazing talent and boundless energy. I look forward to reading her stories about life on the international education circuit in Africa, Asia, and the Middle East.
Keep reading and have a wonderful holiday!
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