A Father/Daughter Reading Pact

Oh My Goodness! What an inspiring story. I dare you to read this and not cry. At the very least, your librarian's heart will be warmed.

Obituary: Sid Fleischman

Obituary: Sid Fleischman: "AuthorSid Fleischman died March 17 in his home in Santa Monica, Calif.,at..."

Intriguing Question of the Week

What are your favorite movies to recommend to kids? Here are mine:
1. My Neighbor Totoro
2. The Thief Lord
3. The Princes' Quest
4. The Secret Garden
5. Matilda

I owe how much?

While flipping through a new book "Weird but True!" I ran across this:

The most overdue library book was 288 years late!

Who wants to ask for directions?

I like that they have a map on their website (and catalog!) but I'd like it more if the Children's dept was also mapped and if those cool mouseovers linked directly to the catalog. Especially if they were subject searches in the catalog. Then it'd be a two way street - find out where you're going after you've found your book and browse for books electronically by subject. Nifty.

Frankfort Library Map.

Honeymoon= Over

I like Ramona. Really, I do. I'm just a little weary.

"LookMommylookMommylookMommy!"

"Cuuuuuuuute!!!!!"

"Is that a mouse?"

"What is it DOING?"

"Why is it DOING that?"

"Make it go on its wheeeeeeel! I want it go upstaaaaaaiiirs"

"It's eating its HOUSE-- why is it eating its HOUSE, Librarian?!"

etc. etc. etc.

but then of course,

I am a bad person.

Edgy and Updated

Fuse #8's top 100 books has done 100-41 so far and the choices have been great! Some of my favorites (Betsy-Tacy, All of a Kind Family, Little House, HP, etc etc) have already popped up, as well as some I really don't like at all (Pippi Longstocking, ugh). I've read 29/59 so far, though - I need to up my numbers, especially with things published in the 90s and early 00s.

While reading today's entry on Ramona the Pest, I followed her link to a Disturbing Article from April 1, 2008: Ramona faces 21st century topic in latest book. (As you read, keep in mind the blog date and comments.)

So what other books could use a modern and edgy update or sequel? Perhaps Anne Shirley's perpetual optimism is the result of uppers - or those highest highs and lowest lows are a form of manic depression. Maybe Peter Hatcher got so fed up competing for his parents' attention that he turned to drugs as a cry for help.

Meanwhile, I wonder if there's fic on Ramona the Ant. Everyone knows Beezus and Henry were destined for each other at some point...

Intriguing Question of the Week

Should we start a circulating J video game collection? YA is going to be the guinea pig first, but eventually we might be next in line. Problems? Concerns? Cool ideas? Best formats? I think Wii games are still hot right now, but who knows?