my guess the answer to the question above is “b/c it’s too hot…”

hope everyone is well – i finished the tony blair book about mid week – took a while to finish the last 600 pages – after that, i went to work on the list i have for BOB consideration:

“long walk to water” – awesome little book – might use it in class – definitely will buy it for class – story of southern sudan – of loss and redemption – of helping others – of expanding one’s world beyond the petty themes that tend to dominate YA (those themes typically being the “weighty” issues like – “gosh, life is awful b/c i don’t fit in at school” or “gosh, i really, really like that boy but he doesn’t like me” or “gosh, no one understands me” – then, you read a book where a kid watches his uncle murdered – where the kid has to walk across countries to find refuge – who makes something of his life – and you realize “hey, i have no problems”…)

“grimm legacy” – enjoyed this book too – makes me think the BOB list will actually be good this year – story that mixes in grimm’s fairy tales, mystery, and suspense – pretty good – not great – but no sequel to it either – and all done in 300 pages – so i’m pleased

“moon over manifest” – 100 pages in – not sure where it’s going – it’s a newberry so i suspect it’ll go somewhere good – and i suspect we’ll read it – i found it funny that the KKK was bashed as much as it was in the 1930s – i mean, if our all knowing adolescents knew the klan was awful – that it took advantage of race and ethnic differences – then, oh, i don’t know, dumb question… but why in the world did that klan keep on and keep its power for so long??? there are just times when i feel like authors get into revisionist history where events have to be construed to make historical figures fit our present morals (all one of them – tolerance seems to be the one value everyone loves in the modern world)

st. k – you marched beautifully – no word yet on when bristol is coming to town though – thanks for the word on seng – you knew more about what was going on at the school than i did…

adison – thanks for the sweet potato – it was wonderfully good (and nutritious:)

maf