Rapunzel by John Cech - ESSENTIAL

Cech, John. Rapunzel. Sterling, 2010 $14.95 Content G-PICTURE BOOK.  A classic fairy tale is great to add to any library.  In Cech’s version Rapunzel’s adopted mom (aka the evil witch) catches on to her plans to build a rope ladder and escape the tower she has been living in since birth. She whisks Rapunzel away and brings harm to the prince who is trying to court her. Years of pain and suffering ensue before Rapunzel and the prince have their happy ever after. I liked this version because it seemed to have more plot to it than other versions. An afterword follows the story telling how the story has evolved. EL - ESSENTIAL. Shauna, reading teacher.

Stay With Me by Paul Griffin - NO

Griffin, Paul Stay With Me, 304 pgs.  Penguin Group (USA), 2011. $12.10 Language – PG13; Mature Content – R; Violence: PG13; Cece and Mack are tow teenagers who come from dysfunctional families.  Mack is a dropout with a record and Cece is an honor student.  Cece lives with her mom who drinks and Mack’s dad is mean and angry.  Mack recues damaged dogs – pitbulls – and nurses them back to health.  They both work in a pizza restaurant.  Cece has a brother named Anthony who enlisted to go fight.  A relationship blossoms between Mack and Cece.  Mack has anger issues and hears noise like static in his head and it sets him off.  The relationship between Mack and Cece is doomed from the start and the book deals with the loss and frustrations they both face.  The story is told from the alternating voices of Mack and Cece.

I did not finish this book.  The sexual content was more than I would be comfortable with in my library.  The language was strong with several instances of the “F” word.  The online reviews were all very favorable of this book and wanted to be able to give it a good review.  However, because of the content I am not recommending it.HS – NO. Reviewer: W. Child - Cyprus High Library Media Specialist

Bedtime Bunnies by Wendy Watson - ADVISABLE

Watson, Wendy. Bedtime Bunnies. Clarion Books 2010 $15.99. Content G-PICTURE BOOK. The bedtime routine is different for all walks of life. These bunnies need to come inside, have a snack, brush teeth, have a bath and put on their pajamas before they go to bed.  Simple words are great for beginning readers and also great for teaching a unit on onomatopoeia or verbs to elementary and middle school kids.  EL, MS – ADVISABLE.  Shauna, reading teacher.

The Wizard of Dark Street by Shawn Odyssey - ADVISABLE

Odyssey, Shawn Thomas The Wizard of Dark Street, 346 pgs. Egmont, 2011. $17.00 Language: PG.  (1 swears, 0 “f”); Mature Content – G; Violence: PG; Oona Crate is a twelve-year-old girl who has been training to be a wizard by her uncle. Since her true desire is to be a detective, Oona asks her uncle to find a new wizard apprentice to replace her. As a new apprentice is about to be named, her uncle mysteriously vanishes. Oona must use both magic and some investigative skills to find her uncle and his attacker before magical glass gates swing open and mankind is taken over by faeries. The magical descriptions are fun, but at times became so tedious I longed for some kind of action to occur—especially at the beginning of the book. There is also a problem with the author trying to cram so many details into the story that some were unclear to me until the end. With that being said, this book is a fun mystery that left me wondering who the villain was until the end. Oona is a bright and resourceful heroine and her sidekicks Deacon (a bird) and Samuligan (a faerie servant) are likable characters. EL-MS – ADVISABLE. Reviewer: Michele

The Classic Treasury of Childhood Wonders by Susan H. Magsamen - PARENTS

Magsamen, Susan H. The Classic Treasury of Childhood Wonders: Favorite Adventures, Stories, Poems, and Songs for Making Lasting Memories.  National Geographic 2010 $19.95. Content G-PICTURE BOOK. Just like the title indicates, this book is full of poems, activities and such. It’s split into three sections: outdoor exploring, dream it/make it, and magic and make-believe. Within each section are at least one story and a corresponding activity. This book truly is a family keepsake. It is great for family game night, story time, craft activities, rainy days, and on and on.  It caters to young, old, young at heart, boys and girls.  It’s probably not as valuable to a public or school library, but absolutely perfect for FAMILY/HOME. Shauna, reading teacher.

What NOT To Do During The Holidays

Finally. It’s December. The month of Christmas. The month where it’s finally appropriate for stores to be playing Christmas music.

I decided to make a list on what NOT to do for the holidays.

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10. Don’t be offended when people say Merry Christmas. If you don’t believe, fine, but for goodness sakes, it’s a phrase.


9. Don’t block the toy aisles with your cart. I realize those areas are going to be crazy but keep your cart to the side so people can pass.


8. Don’t wear tacky Christmas sweaters...unless you’re going to a tacky Christmas sweater party.


7. Don’t prolong Christmas carols. I’m talking to you Christina Aguilara and Jennifer Hudson. It’s Silent Night. Not Siiiiiiiiiiiiillllllllleeennnttttt Nnnnnnnniiiiiiigggghhhhhtttttt. Just sing it already.


6. Don’t expect to find the Leapfrog Explorer Learning Tablet in stores or online. It seems to be sold out everywhere.


5. Don’t eat your weight in holiday treats. Oh wait, I’ve already done this. Shoot.


4. Don’t make fun of the way I wrap presents. I know. I suck.


3. Don’t force me to watch It’s A Wonderful Life. I don’t like it. But before you assume I’m not a fan of “old” movies, I absolutely love Miracle on 34th Street.


2. Don’t threaten to call Santa when the kids are acting up and not have a backup plan when one kid goes, “Prove it. Call Santa then.”


1. Don’t give fruit cake as a gift unless you know the recipient likes it. Most people think it tastes like fart.

New Leaders at the Helm

I have been in Montgomery since Thursday night at the AEA (Alabama Education Association) Delegate Assembly.  This is where an elected group of teachers get together and decide what is needed for the education of our children and what is needed for us as teachers to prepare them.  This was a bittersweet Delegate Assembly because our Executive Secretary, Dr. Paul Hubbard and our Associate Executive Secretary, Dr. Joe L. Reed are both retiring after 42 years of leading us.  On Thursday night Dr. Hubbard gave his closing remarks (for the last time) and introduced Dr. Henry Mabry as his successor.  On Friday morning Dr. Reed gave his final remarks and introduced his successor, Greg Graves.  When the Assembly ended last night....Dr. Reed and Dr Hubbard walked out of the auditorium through a deafening applause and many tears.  We are one of the most hated organizations in Alabama right now.  AEA is a democratic organization and now that the state of Alabama is a Republican run state we have many enemies.  Speaker of the House, Mike Hubbard said a couple of days before this grand meeting that "there was a new sheriff in town" and went on to say that AEA was going down.  His animosity towards our leaders is sad....mainly because AEA is more than an organization....it is individual people....it is many faces.....it is me.  I joined the AEA when I was a student in college and was very active in the SAEA.  When I became a teacher I joined the AEA.....for the insurance to protect me in case I was ever sued.  Fifteen years ago I became involved in the organization and was amazed at what all they really were...besides insurance.  Yes, AEA is a political organization.....the raises I have gotten in the past years were because they fought for me.  I have enjoyed a great insurance program through PEEHIP, retirement through RSA, and many more extras.  The funny thing is that people who don't belong to AEA....got these things too.....and they don't even realize it.  They joined other organizations because they did not like the political part of AEA.....but yet they have still enjoyed all the things Paul Hubbard and Joe Reed fought for and got for the TEACHERS of Alabama.  And now....there will be new leaders at the helm and I have to admit I am a little nervous.  Since the new government administration was sworn in....we have had a yet another year of proration (I have not had a cost of living raise since 2007.)....yet my insurance costs have gone up...and will go up a bunch until I retire with the new formula.  My retirement portion has increased....and at the beginning of the year I have seen a 100.00 decrease so far in my check....and as of January 1....will see an additional decrease in my check.  I lacked having 25 years in so I could not retire November 1 and not be affected by the new PEEHIP divisors.  Yet.....our part time representatives/senators (who work 3 months)....now all make so much more than I do (and I am a full time employee)....because they got a 64% raise.  Mr. Graves and Dr. Mabry have their work cut out for them....and that is all I am going to say on this matter!  Happy Friday.