I'm Proud of You: My Friendship with Fred Rogers
Tim Madigan
Recommended for all ages
”It’s a good day in the neighborhood” was frequently spoken by a man who had a caring spirit for all those he came into contact with. It is none other than, Mr. Rogers, of Pittsburgh, Pa who hosted the show Mister Roger’s Neighborhood for young people because he cared about what they viewed on television.
The “I’m Proud of You” is a story about the friendship between journalist Tim Madigan and Fred Rogers. Fred learns one lesson that would carry him throughout his life and this lesson has lightened his load as he traveled down the road of life and increased his faith in God. The author shares his relationship and insights of Fred Rogers as they share many of life’s sorrows and joys together through their correspondence. The reader can find inspiration at many points as this is a book about real life and shared experience.
Reviewed by Mary Oberg
Information Services
Thursday, December 28, 2006
Thursday, November 30, 2006
Devil in the Details: Scenes of an Obsessive Girlhood by Jennifer Traig
Devil in the Details: Scenes of an Obsessive Girlhood by Jennifer Traig
Intended Audience: Adults
In this painful and humorous memoir, Jennifer Traig provides the reader with a first hand account of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and how it impacts both an individual and her family. Traig, the child of a religiously mixed marriage (Reformed Jewish father and Catholic mother) decides at an early age that she is an Orthodox Jew.
Despite the fact that her family is nonpracticing or perhaps in reaction, her efforts toward piety become a major facet of her OCD. Scrupulosity is a term used to describe OCD expressed by religious rituals and Traig's accounts illustrate this excellently. The reader is given an education in the history of scrupulosity and how hard it is to treat. Traig also suffered from other compulsions, including hair pulling and eating disorders.
Although at times somewhat overwhelming, Traig infuses the narrative with a sense of the absurd. Her parents' ability to remain balanced seems a miracle. The story ends on a positive note with Traig facing her anxieties and working toward a more normal life. This book is recommended for anyone who is interested in mental illness.
The Kewanee Public Library has one copy of Devil in the Details in Adult Biography.
Reviewed by Jill Gray
Kewanee Public Library
Information Services
Intended Audience: Adults
In this painful and humorous memoir, Jennifer Traig provides the reader with a first hand account of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and how it impacts both an individual and her family. Traig, the child of a religiously mixed marriage (Reformed Jewish father and Catholic mother) decides at an early age that she is an Orthodox Jew.
Despite the fact that her family is nonpracticing or perhaps in reaction, her efforts toward piety become a major facet of her OCD. Scrupulosity is a term used to describe OCD expressed by religious rituals and Traig's accounts illustrate this excellently. The reader is given an education in the history of scrupulosity and how hard it is to treat. Traig also suffered from other compulsions, including hair pulling and eating disorders.
Although at times somewhat overwhelming, Traig infuses the narrative with a sense of the absurd. Her parents' ability to remain balanced seems a miracle. The story ends on a positive note with Traig facing her anxieties and working toward a more normal life. This book is recommended for anyone who is interested in mental illness.
The Kewanee Public Library has one copy of Devil in the Details in Adult Biography.
Reviewed by Jill Gray
Kewanee Public Library
Information Services
Just Listen by Sarah Dessen
Title: Just Listen
Author: Sarah Dessen
Intended Audience: Older teens and adults
In Just Listen, Annabel and her family look perfect from the outside but underneath are isolated and unhappy. Annabel herself tries to get along with everyone by presenting an agreeable facade and when she is terribly wronged keeps it to herself. Her sisters and parents, all involved in their own problems fail to notice Annabel's decline. Ultimately, the heroine in this story must, with the help of an unusual new acquaintance help herself. This riveting tale by popular Young Adult author, Dessen shows Annabel's growth towards honesty and self knowledge.
This book is intended for a teen audience but will also appeal to adults, particularly parents of teens. It could serve as a source of interpersonal discussions on a variety of topics, such as depression, eating disorders, date rape and peer relationships. The relationships between the sisters in this book is especially well done and poignant. Although the book deals with some weighty issues, the resolution of the story is satisfying.
One copy is available in the Young Adult room of the Kewanee Public Library.
Reviewed by Jill Gray
Kewanee Public Library
Information Services
Author: Sarah Dessen
Intended Audience: Older teens and adults
In Just Listen, Annabel and her family look perfect from the outside but underneath are isolated and unhappy. Annabel herself tries to get along with everyone by presenting an agreeable facade and when she is terribly wronged keeps it to herself. Her sisters and parents, all involved in their own problems fail to notice Annabel's decline. Ultimately, the heroine in this story must, with the help of an unusual new acquaintance help herself. This riveting tale by popular Young Adult author, Dessen shows Annabel's growth towards honesty and self knowledge.
This book is intended for a teen audience but will also appeal to adults, particularly parents of teens. It could serve as a source of interpersonal discussions on a variety of topics, such as depression, eating disorders, date rape and peer relationships. The relationships between the sisters in this book is especially well done and poignant. Although the book deals with some weighty issues, the resolution of the story is satisfying.
One copy is available in the Young Adult room of the Kewanee Public Library.
Reviewed by Jill Gray
Kewanee Public Library
Information Services
Saturday, November 04, 2006
The Moments, the Minutes, the Hours: The Poetry of Jill Scott
Title: The Moments, the Minutes, the Hours: The Poetry of Jill Scott
Author: Jill Scott
Intended Audience: Older teens and adults
Jill Scott is best known for her Grammy winning, Neo-Soul Album, Who is Jill Scott? which launched her career as a recording artist by going platinum. Her book The Moments, the Minutes, the Hours gives her fans and anyone unfamiliar with her music an alternate glimpse at this talented and sensuous young artist. Her poems, some dating back to her middle school years, exquisitely capture the life of a modern African-American woman, her romance, friendships and religion. Scott’s language is real life but rich with sounds and images.
In this book Scott honors famous poets (Nikki Giovanni and Emily Dickinson) as well as some lesser known. For anyone who thinks that poetry is boring, I challenge them to read one of Scott’s poems. You may raise your eyebrows at some of the themes she pursues but will never think of poetry in the same way again.
A copy of The Moments, the Minutes, the Hours: The Poetry of Jill Scott is available in the new nonfiction section (lower level) of the Kewanee Public Library
Reviewed by Jill Gray, Kewanee Public Library, Information Services
Author: Jill Scott
Intended Audience: Older teens and adults
Jill Scott is best known for her Grammy winning, Neo-Soul Album, Who is Jill Scott? which launched her career as a recording artist by going platinum. Her book The Moments, the Minutes, the Hours gives her fans and anyone unfamiliar with her music an alternate glimpse at this talented and sensuous young artist. Her poems, some dating back to her middle school years, exquisitely capture the life of a modern African-American woman, her romance, friendships and religion. Scott’s language is real life but rich with sounds and images.
In this book Scott honors famous poets (Nikki Giovanni and Emily Dickinson) as well as some lesser known. For anyone who thinks that poetry is boring, I challenge them to read one of Scott’s poems. You may raise your eyebrows at some of the themes she pursues but will never think of poetry in the same way again.
A copy of The Moments, the Minutes, the Hours: The Poetry of Jill Scott is available in the new nonfiction section (lower level) of the Kewanee Public Library
Reviewed by Jill Gray, Kewanee Public Library, Information Services
Small Bites by Jennifer Joyce
Small Bites by Jennifer Joyce
If you’re an adventurous cook, and you’d like to impress some special guests or have some fun in the kitchen, take a look at Small Bites. Author/chef Jennifer Joyce specializes in creating elegant dishes that feature ingredients from all over the world. Hints for advance preparation, party decorations and beverages accompany recipes for such delights as Coconut Shrimp, Smoky Black Bean Dip, Glass Noodle Salad with Black Pepper Chicken and Chocolate Frangelico Pudding.
My first thought on spying the colorful cover of this book was, “fast snack ideas.” A closer look, though, suggests that this book is not mostly about yummy things that you’ll throw together quickly when the mood strikes. There are a few pages of speedy-preparation nibbles, dips and salads; but many of the recipes you’ll find here require some advance planning. Some call for items you may not keep on hand (fresh mozzarella, scallops, Thai curry paste) and most will take some time to prepare.
In keeping with the Small Bites theme, photos show the most delicate servings arrayed in tiny bowls or on undersized plates. Despite this suggestion of “just a little,” though, I think I could happily make a whole meal out of many of Joyce’s selections. The book provides a helpful list of food web sites at the end, so that lack of an ingredient won’t stop you from giving these intriguing recipes a try.
Gail Hintze
Joyce, Jennifer. Small Bites: tapas, sushi, mezze, antipasti, and other finger foods. New York: DK Publishing, Inc. 2005.
If you’re an adventurous cook, and you’d like to impress some special guests or have some fun in the kitchen, take a look at Small Bites. Author/chef Jennifer Joyce specializes in creating elegant dishes that feature ingredients from all over the world. Hints for advance preparation, party decorations and beverages accompany recipes for such delights as Coconut Shrimp, Smoky Black Bean Dip, Glass Noodle Salad with Black Pepper Chicken and Chocolate Frangelico Pudding.
My first thought on spying the colorful cover of this book was, “fast snack ideas.” A closer look, though, suggests that this book is not mostly about yummy things that you’ll throw together quickly when the mood strikes. There are a few pages of speedy-preparation nibbles, dips and salads; but many of the recipes you’ll find here require some advance planning. Some call for items you may not keep on hand (fresh mozzarella, scallops, Thai curry paste) and most will take some time to prepare.
In keeping with the Small Bites theme, photos show the most delicate servings arrayed in tiny bowls or on undersized plates. Despite this suggestion of “just a little,” though, I think I could happily make a whole meal out of many of Joyce’s selections. The book provides a helpful list of food web sites at the end, so that lack of an ingredient won’t stop you from giving these intriguing recipes a try.
Gail Hintze
Joyce, Jennifer. Small Bites: tapas, sushi, mezze, antipasti, and other finger foods. New York: DK Publishing, Inc. 2005.
Birdmen, Batmen and Skyflyers
Book Review: Birdmen, Batmen and Skyflyers
By Michael Abrams
Audience: Young Adult and up
When most of us think of flying, we think of riding in airplanes. A few imaginative people have tried a very different approach, though: wings attached to an individual who would then hurl himself from a precipice or tall building, or jump from an airplane. It sounds like a recipe for disaster, and for many people it was.
Who were these people? How and why did they pursue their wild dreams? What happened to them? Author Michael Abrams tells their stories, and amazing tales they are. Read about John Damian, who made himself wings with bird feathers and jumped from Stirling Castle in 1507:
“Beating the air with all his might, he soared through the sky and headed south for many miles before gliding across the channel and…no, no, my mistake. It was the ground below that he headed for…”
Frenchman Leo Valentin and American Clem Sohn were among those who had better luck, for a while at least. Perhaps most astounding, Abrams relates that thanks to modern materials and engineering, gliding through the air with a pair of wings attached has become a relatively popular sport. To call it a safe sport might still be pushing it a bit, but you can decide for yourself. Read all about it in Birdmen, Batmen and Skyflyers. Find a copy in the New Books section of the Young Adult Room on the lower level of the library.
Gail Hintze
Young Adult and Information Services
By Michael Abrams
Audience: Young Adult and up
When most of us think of flying, we think of riding in airplanes. A few imaginative people have tried a very different approach, though: wings attached to an individual who would then hurl himself from a precipice or tall building, or jump from an airplane. It sounds like a recipe for disaster, and for many people it was.
Who were these people? How and why did they pursue their wild dreams? What happened to them? Author Michael Abrams tells their stories, and amazing tales they are. Read about John Damian, who made himself wings with bird feathers and jumped from Stirling Castle in 1507:
“Beating the air with all his might, he soared through the sky and headed south for many miles before gliding across the channel and…no, no, my mistake. It was the ground below that he headed for…”
Frenchman Leo Valentin and American Clem Sohn were among those who had better luck, for a while at least. Perhaps most astounding, Abrams relates that thanks to modern materials and engineering, gliding through the air with a pair of wings attached has become a relatively popular sport. To call it a safe sport might still be pushing it a bit, but you can decide for yourself. Read all about it in Birdmen, Batmen and Skyflyers. Find a copy in the New Books section of the Young Adult Room on the lower level of the library.
Gail Hintze
Young Adult and Information Services
Monday, October 30, 2006
The World is Flat
By Thomas L. Friedman
If you have ever wanted to understand globalization and what it means for you and your children, then this book is for you. At 488 pages, The World is Flat is a book that requires commitment and is a bit daunting. However Friedman does a good job of making the technology related information understandable for the average reader, using layman’s terms and examples. The rise of the Internet is credited with much of the flattening of the world but Friedman also explains how several key world political events also influenced our current situation. The author also makes clear without taking a partisan stance why the US has seemingly missed its wake up call about globalization.
Unlike other recent publications which attempt to take on issues such as outsourcing, open source software and free trade policies, Friedman’s tome does not give simplistic answers. In fact readers will find themselves with some serious thinking to do about our national values as capitalists, consumers and citizens when they read the chapter titled “The Great Sorting Out.” This is a book that leads to a shift in how the business world is viewed. It will also make one look at their individual work habits differently. I highly recommend it to anyone willing to take the time to read it.
One copy available in Adult Nonfiction (303.48 FRI)
Jill Gray, Information Services, Kewanee Public Library.
By Thomas L. Friedman
If you have ever wanted to understand globalization and what it means for you and your children, then this book is for you. At 488 pages, The World is Flat is a book that requires commitment and is a bit daunting. However Friedman does a good job of making the technology related information understandable for the average reader, using layman’s terms and examples. The rise of the Internet is credited with much of the flattening of the world but Friedman also explains how several key world political events also influenced our current situation. The author also makes clear without taking a partisan stance why the US has seemingly missed its wake up call about globalization.
Unlike other recent publications which attempt to take on issues such as outsourcing, open source software and free trade policies, Friedman’s tome does not give simplistic answers. In fact readers will find themselves with some serious thinking to do about our national values as capitalists, consumers and citizens when they read the chapter titled “The Great Sorting Out.” This is a book that leads to a shift in how the business world is viewed. It will also make one look at their individual work habits differently. I highly recommend it to anyone willing to take the time to read it.
One copy available in Adult Nonfiction (303.48 FRI)
Jill Gray, Information Services, Kewanee Public Library.
Monday, July 24, 2006
Secrets of a Civil War Submarine: Solving the Mysteries of the H.L. Hunley by Sally Walker
Secrets of a Civil War Submarine: Solving the Mysteries of the H.L. Hunley
Sally M. Walker
6-10 grades
In 1863 the Union army had the busy Charleston Harbor surrounded. The Confederate army was in desperate need of gun powder and ship making supplies. If they did not reopen the harbor they were sure to lose the war. The Confederate army needed to find a way to attack the Unions ships without giving warning.
Down in Mobile Arkansas, James McClintock, with the financial support of Horace Hunley, started to work on a design for a submarine. After two failed attempts work began on the Hunley. The Hunley’s job was to transport a torpedo to the enemies’ ship unnoticed. After several disasters the Hunley was sent to bomb the USS Housatonic. The Hunley successfully destroyed the Housatonic but it never returned home.
The Union went on to win the war but what happened to the Hunley remains a mystery. Over the years many searched for the Hunley but nobody succeeded until May of 1995. Just 1,000 feet from where the Housatonic went down the remains of the Hunley were discovered. Using modern science and forensics many of the mysteries of the Hunley and the crew is revealed, but why did the ship go down?
All of this will be explored in Secrets of a Civil War Submarine by Sally M. Walker. Walker explains both the history of the Hunley and the science of going through the wreckage. The text is accompanied by many colorful pictures to explore. The ease of this book will be fun to read for kids interested in history or science and forensics. Kewanee Public Library has a copy of Secrets of a Civil War Submarine: Solving the Mysteries of the H.L. Hunley available in the Juvenile Nonfiction section on the second floor.
Sarah Barth, Kewanee Public Library, Youth Services
Sally M. Walker
6-10 grades
In 1863 the Union army had the busy Charleston Harbor surrounded. The Confederate army was in desperate need of gun powder and ship making supplies. If they did not reopen the harbor they were sure to lose the war. The Confederate army needed to find a way to attack the Unions ships without giving warning.
Down in Mobile Arkansas, James McClintock, with the financial support of Horace Hunley, started to work on a design for a submarine. After two failed attempts work began on the Hunley. The Hunley’s job was to transport a torpedo to the enemies’ ship unnoticed. After several disasters the Hunley was sent to bomb the USS Housatonic. The Hunley successfully destroyed the Housatonic but it never returned home.
The Union went on to win the war but what happened to the Hunley remains a mystery. Over the years many searched for the Hunley but nobody succeeded until May of 1995. Just 1,000 feet from where the Housatonic went down the remains of the Hunley were discovered. Using modern science and forensics many of the mysteries of the Hunley and the crew is revealed, but why did the ship go down?
All of this will be explored in Secrets of a Civil War Submarine by Sally M. Walker. Walker explains both the history of the Hunley and the science of going through the wreckage. The text is accompanied by many colorful pictures to explore. The ease of this book will be fun to read for kids interested in history or science and forensics. Kewanee Public Library has a copy of Secrets of a Civil War Submarine: Solving the Mysteries of the H.L. Hunley available in the Juvenile Nonfiction section on the second floor.
Sarah Barth, Kewanee Public Library, Youth Services
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