The High King

A week ago, I finished my first summer reading goal: to reread the Prydain Chronicles in memory of Lloyd Alexander.

TARAN WANDERER is still my favorite, and THE HIGH KING was particularly hard for me to read this time. At its heart, this book is about war and conflict, power and leadership, ultimate evil vs. uncertain good. Friends die. Hard decisions must be made. It's all a little too close to current events right now to be a comfortable read.

At least in this book, we have a thoughtful leader who struggles with the need to use violence to preserve culture -- the culture he learned in TARAN WANDERER in the Free Commots. "My way is not the warrior's way; yet, if I do not bear my sword now, there will be no place in Prydain for the usefulness and beauty of any craftsman's handiwork. And if I fail, I will have lost all I gained from you." And later, Coll says of Taran, "It is harsh enough for each man to bear his own wound. But he who leads bears the wounds of all who follow him." (If only.)

The end of the book is filled with themes so huge that it seems impossible that Alexander could pull it all off and pull it all together. Certainly this is why the book was a Newbery winner. There is the nod to the Arthurian legend when Taran rolls a boulder off the enchanted sword Dyrnwyn and defeats the ultimate evil. There is the Biblical loss of enchantment and eternal life when the Sons of Don return to the Summer Country and Taran must stay behind and Eilowny chooses to stay behind, forfeiting her magical powers. Hen Wen becomes an ordinary, rather than an oracular, pig.

And there is the bittersweet realization that one's greatest accomplishment is only a beginning:

"Evil conquered?" said Gwydion. "You have learned much, but learn this last and hardest of lessons. You have conquered only the enchantments of evil. That was the easiest of your tasks, only a beginning, not an ending. Do you believe evil itself to be so quickly overcome? Not so long as men still hate and slay each other, when greed and anger goad them. Against these even a flaming sword cannot prevail, but only that portion of good in all men's hearts whose flame can never be quenched."

There you have it...

This rating was determined by the presence of the following words: poop (x7) and sex (x1). (I found two incidents of "sex" in our blog, here and here. I know where all the poop is!) I guess scrotum and other below-the-waist body part words managed to slip through this rating system, once again making us wonder what the big deal was... Thanks to the excelsior file for the link.

The Qwikpick Adventure Society

THE QWIKPICK ADVENTURE SOCIETY
by Sam Riddleburger
Dial Books for Young Readers
May 2007
review copy compliments of the author

Add this book to your stack of "Perfect BOY Books."

The author suggested that members of my literature circle might like it, but as soon as I read it, I knew better. All of the boys who had been reading Andy Griffiths' Butt books (THE DAY MY BUTT WENT PSYCHO, ZOMBIE BUTTS FROM URANUS, and BUTT WARS: THE FINAL CONFLICT) needed to read this book which prominently features poop. And not just poop, but a poop fountain.

Stay with me here. Poop is just the hook to get the reader into this book. Once you're hooked, you get three memorable characters, "handwritten" sections that are "taped" in, photos that give the whole thing an air of authenticity (you'll have to read the book yourself to find out why there's no actual photo of the poop fountain), haikus that each character wrote to describe the poop fountain experience, and an author who obviously can channel his inner middle school self -- his writing has impeccable voice and timing and humor. The story is ludicrous and impossible (it all happens on Christmas Day, for heaven's sake!) and completely and totally believable.

I didn't get the chance to watch this book work through the underground readers' network in my room this year because it came too late. Only one of the Butt readers had a chance to read it (and LOVED it). I can't wait until next year when I pick a boy who will read this book and then pass it along. Funny thing is, after it makes the round of the boys, I'm pretty sure there will be girls who want to read it. Partly to find out what the stink is all about (pardon the pun), but also because one of the characters is a really cool girl!

I'm looking forward to more well-written, easy-ish books (for boys or not, doesn't matter) from Sam Riddleburger!

Taking A Bath With The Dog

I just picked up Taking a Bath With the Dog and Other Things That Make Me Happy by Scott Menchin in Maine. (I cannot visit anywhere without making a trip to at least one bookstore!)

This is a great picture book that I hadn't seen before. A child is looking sad and her mother asks her what would make her happy. The little girl goes around and asks people what makes them happy, only to find out that different things make different people happy. Then she thinks about all of the things that make her happy!

It is a simple, predictable picture book that can be read by early readers. But the lesson is good for readers of all ages. I bought a copy for my classroom--I think I can use it when we start writers' notebooks in the fall as ideas for lists (Things that Make Me Happy). I also think kids would love it for the message and colorful illustrations. It might also be a good one for K-1 classrooms--books that kids could easily read on their own because of the picture supports and predictable text.

We've Been Memed!

NYC Teacher (who is now known as Literacy Teacher) tagged us with the Five Things Meme. We're going to play a guessing game with this. In each category, either Franki or Mary Lee will supply the five things, and then you will be able to vote on whose five it is. Sometimes the answers are a combination of Franki and Mary Lee. How well do you think you "know" us?!? (Surveys are located BELOW each set of five.) Five Things I Was Doing Ten Years Ago 1. Looking for a house. 2. Learning to train my first dog. 3. Walking to our favorite restaurant (Gottlieb's). 4. Using a computer mostly for word processing. 5. Baking bread frequently.  Five Snacks I Enjoy 1. DOTS. 2. red licorice. 3. Oreos. 4. orange slice candy. 5. dark chocolate.  Five Songs I Know All the Lyrics To 1. All of the songs from GREASE. 2. "I think I love you" by the Partidge Family. 3. Don't Worry, Be Happy. 4. Ring of Fire. 5. Lollipop Tree.  Five Things I Would Do If I Were A Millionaire 1. Take a nap every day. 2. Buy family members lots of vacations. 3. Redecorate the whole house all at once. 4. Give lots of the $$ away. 5. Hire someone to do the laundry.  Five Bad Habits 1. Procrastination. I'm get lots done, but not always what I need to do right now. 2. Talking on the phone. 3. Asking questions before I get the answer to the one I just asked. 4. Not folding laundry when it comes out of the dryer. 5. Being late for appointments because I do just one more thing before I leave.  Five Things I Like To Do 1. Take naps. 2. Read. 3. Write. 4. Teach. 5. Fly fish, bike, hike, garden.  Five Things I Would Never Wear Again 1. A bikini. 2. The 1980's version of the Bob Evans hostess uniform. 3. Pigtails. 4. Cowboy boots. 5. Shoulder pads.  Five Favorite Toys 1. iPod. 2. USB vacuum cleaner. 3. iMovie/iDVD. 4. Fishing gear. 5. Office supplies.  Lots of folks seem to be on blog holiday, so we won't tag anyone in particular. Join in if you want!

A Day With Lisa Yee and Peepy!

We had a fun afternoon with Lisa Yee on Saturday. We started with a quick tour of her digs at Thurber House. Then we took a rather circuitous trip to one of our favorite places to eat, Northstar Cafe. The one near Cover to Cover Bookstore. To get there, we had to dodge ComFest traffic and the Gay Pride Parade in the Short North.

Over the best veggie burgers ever, we chatted about families (specifically, teenage daughters), books, and blogging. Lisa told us about the work she's doing at Thurber House -- her own reading and writing, as well as the writing classes she's teaching. In breaking news, we learned that Nancy Pearl will be featuring Millicent Min on NPR this morning as one of books in her summer reading for young readers piece.

At Cover to Cover, Lisa met Sally Oddi, the owner, and Peepy met some new friends, as you can see in the picture. Franki was honored to be able to hold Peepy, and check out those for-real bunny ears that Mary Lee is getting. Someone didn't want to be left out of the picture!

Because we couldn't get to North Market on this trip, we do have some unfinished business before Lisa heads back to California -- salty caramel ice cream at Jeni's!

The Good News in the Kidlitosphere: The June Carnival of Children's Literature

It's Saturday, but for this month's carnival, we invite you to the relaxed feel of browsing the Sunday newspaper with a big cup of coffee. Enjoy!







Chris Barton shares his good news in Whoopee ti yi yo, get along little pseudonym posted at Bartography. Yipee!










Alyssa F. has some good news for all of you Carnival-goers at Contest, Contest, Contest! posted at The Shady Glade.









Becky Laney reviews Miss Spitfire: Reaching Helen Keller posted at Becky's Book Reviews.

Susan T. reminds us of an old favorite collection of folktales from around the world with Chicken Spaghetti: "Silly & Sillier," by Judy Sierra posted at Chicken Spaghetti.

Sonja Cole takes us to the beaches of Maui for a video blog of Mermaid Booktalks posted at Bookwink.

Sheila Ruth picked up a huge stack of promising new books at BEA. Check it out at Wands and Worlds: BEA: Books and other cool stuff posted at Wands and Worlds.

Royce Wells reviews Summerland posted at A Stack Of Books. Great timing!

:: Suzanne :: shares two family favorites -- Runaway Bunny and Handy-Dandy Helpful Hal: A Book about Helpfulness posted at :: adventures in daily living ::.

Niki Anders has found a new repeat read aloud: The-A-TEAM » A Seed Is Sleepy posted at The-A-TEAM.

Sandy D. read an adult book and a children's book that were both about the 1893 Worlds Fair in Chicago. Check it out to see which she liked best at Fair Weather and The Devil in the White City: Book Review posted at the imponderabilia of actual life.

Maureen O'Brien declares, "Another new book by Roland Smith is a winner!" Read Trinity Prep School - Peak Experience of the Week posted at Trinity Prep School to find out more.



Author Cynthia Leitich Smith presents Author Interview: April Lurie on Brothers, Boyfriends, and Other Criminal Minds posted at cynsations.

Author Liz Garton Scanlon throws down the gauntlet in Liz In Ink - C'mon and Tri posted at Liz In Ink.

Writer Kelly Fineman shares writing tips in kellyrfineman: Useful bits and photos, mmm mmm good posted at Writing and Ruminating.

Writer Emily shares picture book writing secrets in ...whimsy... - Part One: The Conference... posted at Whimsy Books.

polliwog interviews author Meg Cabot in Guest Frogger - Meg Cabot posted at Polliwog's Pond.

Jen Robinson interviews a book character in Sameera Righton (Sparrow) Interview posted at Jen Robinson's Book Page, saying, "This interview of Sameera Righton is good news because it was published on the release date of First Daughter: Extreme American Makeover, by Mitali Perkins."

DeputyHeadmistress remembers a favorite author in The Common Room: Lloyd Alexander, RIP posted at The Common Room.

Storytellers count as authors, don't they? Alkelda the Gleeful shares with us the story Little Monkey Face posted at Saints and Spinners.

The title says it all. NYCTEACHER presents I've come to believe you cannot ask your students to do what you don't do. posted at Mentor Texts and More.



Anne-Marie presents Summer school and a trip to the zoo with Sylvan Dell and Top 10 recommended summer reading lists posted at A Readable Feast.

Sherry Early presents Summer Reading List: Middle School Daughter at Semicolon posted at Semicolon.





Have you read THE TRUE STORY OF STELLINA to your NYC child yet? Get busy, says Mother Reader in MotherReader: Poetry Friday: Stellina posted at MotherReader.

Terrell shares some end-of-school-year thoughts in PTSW: Crystal Stair posted at Alone on a Limb.

:: Suzanne :: spotlights the poet Elsa Beskow in Around the Year - Elsa Beskow posted at :: adventures in daily living :: .




Allen Holman reminds us of the classic game Judge and Jury posted at Classic Kid's Games and Party Games.

Laurie Bluedorn introduces us to a dollmaker and illustrator at Trivium Pursuit » Blog Archive » Podcast #3 Interview with Eloise Wilkin’s Daughter, Part Two posted at Laurie Bluedorn.



Kelly shares some excellent news for girls who want more out of life than to be the best French braid maker in Excellent News (Finally) and a Feminist Rant posted at Big A little a.

Roderick Russell gives us a real conversation starter with Children's Book Preaches Cryonics posted at NOUMENON :: Art, Ideas, Culture & Capricious Opinion.

Rory Sullivan shares a conversation started by a book in Impromptu Sex Education - Is It Always When You Least Expect It? posted at hamelife.

Jeanne presents Kids Lit Itinerary posted at soultravelers3.com , saying, "Using books while you travel is a fantastic and fun way to home school on the move and helps enrich the experience for a child. We are on a multi year trip around the world but this same idea can be used for field trips at home or on any vacation or trip." You read that right -- a multi year trip around the world! You gotta check this one out!

The ultimate field trip for a book lover is probably the Book Expo. Liz reports on her BEA experience with BEA at A Chair, A Fireplace & A Tea Cozy.

Summer presents Thursday thirteen great books on conservation and the environment posted at Mom Is Teaching.

Veronica reports on a conversation prompted by AND TANGO MAKES THREE in What makes a family? posted at The Red Thread.

DHM debates the need to dilute children's intellectual food in Sesquipedalians and Children posted at The Common Room.

Phil shows how real life can be framed as a well-known fable in The Turtle and the Rabbit « Phil for Humanity posted at Phil for Humanity.

That's the good news for June in the Kidlitosphere!

Poetry Friday -- Barter

On the longest day of the year, what better than to use up every last minute of light on one of the few streams in Ohio with water cold enough to support trout?

No, I didn't catch any fish, but that's not always the point when fly fishing. We shared the river with a great blue heron. The woods were filled with evening birdsong. The drive out of the state forest twinkled with firefly lights.

Barter
by Sarah Teasdale

Life has loveliness to sell.
All beautiful and splendid things...
.
.
.
Spend all you have for loveliness,
Buy it and never count the cost;
For one white singing hour of peace
Count many a year of strife well lost,
And for a breath of ecstasy
Give all you have been, or could be.

The rest is here.

Roundup at a wrung sponge this week.

While We're Waiting For Your Carnival Submission...

(Six more hours before you miss the deadline. And even then, we'll work you in! Submit your Carnival of Children's Literature entry here.)

The Misadventures of Benjamin Bartholomew Piff: You Wish
By Jason Lethcoe

I wanted to like this book. It has footnotes, for heaven's sake! And a time line in an appendix! And maps on the end papers!

Unfortunately, I couldn't get past Benjamin's wishes for Playstations and flat-screen tvs for himself and all the other kids at the orphanage. The author threw in a "massive outdoor power generator" to add a tiny bit of plausibility. Then one of the boys was "so overcome with emotion that he just sat with the unopened Playstation box on his lap, wiping tears from his eyes with his tiny, grubby fist." Gag. I nearly wept, too. We went from wishes vs. curses and good vs. evil directly into consumerism at its very ugliest.

I agree with all of this, but the excelsior file said it better, so I'm going to be lazy and let you read his review.

After you're done reading the review, get busy and submit your Carnival entry.

2 New Writing Books by Ralph Fletcher

Ralph Fletcher has written two new books for writers. One is HOW TO WRITE YOUR LIFE STORY. This is part of the series that he has written that includes POETRY MATTERS, A WRITER'S NOTEBOOK and HOW WRITERS WORK. All of these books are written to help young writers grow as writers and in each Ralph Fletcher shares his own process. In this new book, Ralph Fletcher focuses on writing memories and memoir. He does it in a way that makes sense for kids, helping them think through things like ideas, focus and craft. He also deals a bit with writing difficult scenes or topics. As with his other books, he's included interviews with other children's authors who have written their life stories. (He has chosen authors who have written memoirs of their childhoods.) Author interviews included in this book are Jack Gantos, Jerry Spinelli, and Kathi Appelt.

The other new book about his writing process is REFLECTIONS: AUTHOR AT WORK. This one is a short text--64 pages--with lots of great photos. In this book, he shares his writing process and little things about his life as a writer. The photos allow readers to see how his writing happens. He has specific examples from many of his books that readers will know.

Between the two of these new books, I can see possibilities for lots of great minilessons in Writing Workshop next year. I can also see these two books as books that kids will pick up to read cover to cover.