Review – The Comeback Season

Once again the Chicago Cubs have broken hearts and seemingly handed a winning season away to the wind.  Oh, the disappointment; oh, the hurt; oh, the pain.  For what all true fans know is more than just a game.

So very much like the game of life as related by Jennifer E. Smith in her first novel, The Comeback Season.

The Comeback Season author Jennifer E. Smith is interviewed on The First Book.

The story of Ryan and Nick as they struggle to learn about life and loss is forever aligned when they both skip school to catch the Cubbies game.  Not just any game but the magical opening day in April at Wrigley Field.  Their trials, much like those of the historical Cubs baseball story, hold tight to bargains, curses, and hope.

But what if the one you loved wasn’t around to disappoint you any more?  What if Ryan didn’t have the bargains to blame?  What if Nick didn’t believe in some curses?  What if we, what if they, had no hope, no reason to remember, no way to hold on?

As the current Cubs hopeful season ends on a strike three and they’re out, The Comeback Season proves to us that the game of life is all about how you play it.  There is always next year, hopefully.

Ryan and Nick get my most valuable player award for knowing that there may not always be a “next year”.  They would rather cherish the deja vu than to risk never loving the magic that comes from both baseball and life.

They hope; they learn; they love for their Cubs and themselves. For just a game.  The game of life they play most beautifully.

The Comeback Season, published in 2008 by Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing, has been nominated as a YALSA 2009 Best Book for Young Adults.

Review – Sweetsmoke by David Fuller

Do you delve into murder mysteries?  Then I highly suspect you will devour Sweetsmoke.

Do you desire love stories?  Sweetsmoke should thoroughly satisfy your cravings.

Do you revere historical fiction?  Your journey though Sweetsmoke is sure to be enlightening.

Screenwriter David Fuller’s first novel, Sweetsmoke, combines all three of those genres by brilliantly entwining intrigue, romance and fact.

Sweetsmoke by David Fuller

We navigate the story by following the personal agenda of Cassius, enslaved but favored by his Virginia master Hoke.  His soulful narrative makes twists and turns much more resembling the undercover paths of the Underground Railroad than the long straight tracks that the troop trains travel of the time.

Fuller carries us along with a story of courage, faith and devotion that honors the lives of slaves most often left unrecorded.   Sweetsmoke provides us with a safe passage through the uncertainty doubt and fear.

Newly released by Hyperion, you can may read more reviews and ratings for Sweetsmoke on LibraryThing or find it in a library near you.

Breaking Dawn is Coming…

in 1 day, and some odd hours… depending on where you live and how you intend to get your copy of Stephenie Meyer’s new release in the Twilight Saga…!!

EMBARGOED - Do not open until August 2, 2008

Just so you know, these copies, delivered today, are under lock and key, protected by snarling, fanged librarians who are SO drooling to get their own claws on them.

The Twilight Saga Continues

Team Jacob T-Shirt

Originally uploaded by littlebrownbooks

For Stephenie Meyer fans, midnight tonight signifies a most thrilling darkness with not a shred of gloom. The countdown is almost complete. Eclipse is about to be released!

As an original, self-appointed, charter member fangirl of the Twilight Saga, I am extremely thirsty for this third book in the series. First Twilight and then New Moon seduced me. Teaser quotes, such as this one, #11- “Does my being half naked bother you?”— Jacob Black, released at StephenieMeyer.com each day for the past month, have done much the same.

All of the fan sites are intensely desirous as well. Little, Brown Books has updated the Saga’s site for the occasion. A new official discussion group is open there. Who will be the first to post? Do you love Bella, Edward or Jacob the most?

Absolutely do not miss their Cullen Family Photo Album on flickr or the streaming audio playlists for Twilight, New Moon and Eclipse! There is even a trailer with code to copy and paste on your blog or MySpace.

I confess now to howling at the moon for Jacob. Although the thought of a bite from Edward sends sweet shivers deep down my spine, Jacob is my fervent fantasy! How about you – Vampire or Werewolf?

This is Your Lucky Day…!!

Harry Potter 027

Originally uploaded by Canton Public Library (MI).

Imagine walking in to find a brand new popular title just ready and waiting for you. What a lucky day that would be and what a great idea for the customers of Canton Public Library…!!

We have tossed this idea around at McCracken County Public Library and this is an solution we might just try.

Wayne Onkst to Lead Kentucky Librarians

Known for his dedication to youth services, love for genealogy and historical document preservation, and successful library building projects, Wayne Onkst, Kenton County Public Library Director, has been named to take over as Kentucky State Librarian/Commissioner.

He succeeds James Nelson, whose recent retirement coincided with the 100th anniversary of the Kentucky Library Association.

Following rumors throughout the state yesterday, this writer found the news made official by The Kentucky Post.

Of extreme interest to the world of Library 2.0, Kenton County Public Library has developed under Wayne’s leadership as a premier Kentucky public library.

Their content managed website has drawn rave reviews.  They blog.  They flickr.  They feed.  Their presence online has been appreciated by Library Stuff and David Lee King.

As Kenton County Public Library’s vision, preserving yesterday, enriching today, inspiring tomorrow, catapults Wayne Onkst into his new role, Kentuckian’s and library professionals everywhere can expect libraries to continue to build community far and wide.

Cardinals 14 – Tornado 7 in OT… oh yeah!

Our local NBC station, WPSD NewsChannel 6, and Mike Smith Toyota invite all area high school students age 14-18 to attend a special sneak preview screening of “Friday Night Lights,” Wednesday, September 27, at 7:30pm at Maiden Alley Cinema in Downtown Paducah. There’ll be lots of prizes, and you can check out some hot new Toyota cars while you’re there.

To register for the sweepstakes and download a free pass to the screening, just go to NBC.com/FridayNightLights.

You can go behind the scenes of the new series on youttube.com and don’t forget the original book, Friday night lights : a town, a team, and a dream by H.G. Bissinger and the 2004 movie.

Want more new stories about living and breathing the football life in a small town?

Check out Dairy Queen by Catherine Gilbert Murdock and Knights of the Hill Country by Tim Tharp

Can You Help Me Find That Book?

Bookcase, originally uploaded by Morten Liebach.

 

You know the question, usually followed by a vague reference to a dog or a little girl or a doll. But further inquiries lead to the seemingly definite recollection of color and size.

“It was kinda green and kinda tall.”

“I remember some of the story and what the book looked like. But I don’t know the title.”

“I just want to see if you can find it!”

This kind of bookcase might cause a librarian to “go absolutely mad” but something tells me that it might make our browsers very happy!

Snakes on a Page

Prefer your snakes in a stilled, non-slithering style?  Check out these snake books @ your library.

Or are you just wondering what all the hoopla is about?  Check out Time’s Web Guide: Snakes on a Plane to find more about the movie, the blog, the title, the star, the music, the awards, the trailers, the merchandise, the games, and the real thing.

Me personally…??  Just shelving and checking out those pages scares me silly!!

Reviews – The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane and Toys Go Out

Hugs and snuggles.  Jumbles and tumbles.  So is the life of a child’s favorite toy. 

Whether wagged faithfully throughout the daily routine of a preschooler, relegated to the bottom of the toy box for weeks at a time, or mysteriously lost like socks in the washing machine, special toys often become loved friends but sometimes just don’t get the respect they deserve. 

Two new books this year, one released this spring and another scheduled for release this fall, give us rare insight into the secret lives of such toys.  You do know that toys have real lives, don’t you?  And surely you must be aware of what makes a toy come to life, I hope. 

Author Kate DiCamillo recently shared with us The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane.  Edward’s story, an adventure of friendship and love, is told from the viewpoint of Edward himself, a china rabbit held dear by his original owner, Abilene.  You may immediately think of another rabbit, of the velveteen kind, but do not let those impressions predict what you will learn of Edward.

Abilene does love Edward; he knows that.  But he also knows a torn heart and a tattered body due to circumstances beyond his control.  Even loving children are known to produce circumstances beyond their toys’ control.  As Edward’s tale unfolds across the globe, he meets others who love and understand his predicament and some who have no clue and not a care as to how his life has been molded.  With each circumstance, Edward gains new attire, a new name or a new story to either help or hinder him as he grows older.     

Published in March 2006, by Candlewick Press, and already the recipient of several national awards, The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane spans 27 chapters highlighted by the illustrations of Bagram Ibatoulline.  In addition to being suitable for children, all who have learned to find love again will enjoy Edward’s journey into their hearts. 

Just as you may have recognized another familiar rabbit in DiCamillo’s book, you may also personally know cousins or other relatives of the characters in Toys Go Out: Being the Adventures of a Knowledgeable Stingray, a Toughy Little Buffalo, and Someone Called Plastic by Emily Jenkins.  I am sure Pink Bear, Libearian, and Away, friends of my granddaughter’s with whom l am quite closely acquainted, are in fact distantly if not closely related.

Immediately, in the six short chapters of Toys Go Out, I could totally imagine my granddaughter’s own special friend, Libearian, competing verbally with Stingray in the backpack, as Pink Bear helps Toughy overcome his fear of Frank the washing machine, while Away and Plastic ponder the reason for their existence and find comfort in what they truly are.  To be honest, I must admit to sneaking peeks at the pictures by Paul O. Zelinsky in search of that comfort myself. 

Smiles abound and laughter is alive when reading this book, much like life joyfully shared with a special child.  Toys Go Out is planned for release by Schwartz & Wade, a new addition to Random House, on Sept. 12.  Plan now to add these intuitive pages to your reading list or bookshelf.