Above: Still from Howl’s Moving Castle based on the book by Diana Wynne Jones.
Join us at 2 PM tomorrow at the Berthoud Community Center to learn about and delve into an underground subculture that is coming to the surface – Steampunk! This exciting movement was first inspired by alternate history science fiction and now has blossomed into other realms (like music, dress, role playing games, video games, movies and life styles).
Above: Christy’s alter ego: Lady Valkyrie
One of the projects I’ve asked my teens to do for the summer reading program is to compile a list of underground music that they love (especially if it isn’t easy to find). I thought I would make up a list but from back when I was a teen and into ‘underground’ music.
1) Head Like a Hole by Nine Inch Nails
2) Legendary Pink Dots http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YwU27t2DHcw
3) Gothic Love Song by Current 93 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ln5A1o-0x4A
4) Tear Garden Romulus and Venus http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sQ8IUl8lVms
5) Jordan, Minnesota by Big Black http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GuCs1aKzWiQ *WARNING MATURE CONTENT*
6) Thieves by Ministry http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dLCZhQX_Fm0 *MATURE LANGUAGE*
7) Over the shoulder by Ministry http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gQozjL_Xi88 (yes it really is the same guy)
8) Love’s Secret Domain by Coil *MATURE CONTENT* http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ZhpIDs_VQ4
9) I’m sneaking this one in…I was older than teen when it came out Once in a lifetime by Wolfsheim http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WkGGi_uUaPc
Youth programs welcomed Meghan Casey from Rocky Mountain Puppets to the Berthoud Community Center. Children and adults were entertained and amazed by this talented young ventriloquist. The children’s laughter rang throughout the center as Miss Casey and her puppets went on an expedition to discover a most valuable treasure-reading! Did you see the show and love it? Be sure to comment on the library’s facebook and find Aidan Casey the dragon on facebook to let him know he did a great job making Meghan talk! The Berthoud Community Library summer reading performers will entertain and educate throughout the summer each Wednesday at 2 PM at the Berthoud Community Center 248 Welch Ave. For more information for summer reading performers come in or visit us online at http://berthoud.colibraries.org/.
Hello all,
My first review for summer reading has been turned in today and it is my pleasure to post it.
Title: Little Einsteins Race for Space by Walt Disney Production
My favorite part was the start of the race. I also liked that he found the little red door with treasure behind it.
I don’t often watch movies of any kind, and I review them even less, but I think that both of these documentaries are worth reviewing.
Why Reading Matters was a BBC show about how the human species rewired our brains in order to read. Humans are not wired to read but have instead made a leap in understanding through connecting several different parts of our brain. When we read, centers light up in a certain order, connecting vision, physical experiences, past knowledge and then synthesises it so that our brains create the action that we read. In other words, if we read about dancing, kissing or fighting, our brains have instantaneously experienced that action. It was also postulated that reading promotes empathy which is the ability to understand what another person is feeling.
Waiting for Superman struck a deep chord with me because even when I was attending school I grew to understand that I was responsible for my own learning. I could recognize both good and bad teachers (I’ve had some of each at every level of my education) but in high school, I had no power to change who was teaching me. I was not surprised to have my understanding reinforced by the research showing how bad teachers have detrimental effects on students. I was surprised to see how difficult tenure made it to fire a bad teacher. I don’t agree with some of the more extreme views about breaking up the teacher’s union, but I do agree they should allow negotiation about the conditions of tenure (for example, if a teacher is on trial for a felony they should not continue to collect pay, in my opinion). I thought that the fact that the union leaders would not allow members to vote on the offer Michelle Rhee made in D.C. to increase annual pay for teachers or continue to support tenure.
I don’t think changing the requirements for tenure would ruin the union or the teaching profession. I think we should pay teachers more and / or allow parents more time to teach children at home. Parents who are dedicated teachers will naturally instil a love of learning in their children. A bad teacher can derail a child by souring his or her natural interest and curiosity. Parents who are rested and actively interested in a child’s learning are critical to create a good basis to build from. I think we should, as a society, look to the idea’s of Dr. Julius B. Richmond, founder of head start, and truly focus on the family. Good teachers can make up for a lack of support from parents, in the later years, but imagine a world where there really is no child left behind. Good teachers are most important, and we must remember that parents are the first teachers their children will have. Encouraging family time is paramount because school is set up like a factory and the students spend more time with their peer group and therefore trust peers more than anyone else.
OK I realize I am totally going off topic here – but that is the sign of a good movie – because it is making me think and wonder and imagine a different way to school.
Last note on Waiting for Superman: my nine-year old watched (most) of this movie with me (even though it wasn’t about Superman) and he was moved to tears by the plight of the children the documentary followed. He said, “When I grow up, I want to make a good school that has room for everyone!” It made me proud and hopeful.
Saenz, B. (2012). Aristotle and dante discover the secrets of the universe. (p. 359). New York: Simon and Schuster.
The main character of this award winning book has been named after his grandfather, Aristotle, but he has renamed himself Ari. Ari is an odd mix of maturity and cluelessness. He has grown up with secrets shrouded in silence; Ari knows his Dad was in Vietnam, he knows that his brother is in prison, he knows that a beloved aunt is ostracized from the family but these secrets are not talked about and have been off limit topics for as long as Ari can remember. Ari’s acceptance of silence begins to decay the summer he meets Dante. Dante is a friendly, self-assured teen and when they meet at the swimming pool, he offers to teach Ari to swim.
Dante seems to be good at everything, he knows how to talk to people, he is smart, he is bold and never seems ill at easy with himself. Ari wishes he had some of these qualities too. He doesn’t hang out with other guys much because they are a mystery and seem inscrutable. Dante is different though, he reads poetry and uses words you see on the SAT tests in everyday language. Dante knows who he is and what he feels. Dante’s tears make Ari very uncomfortable, even puzzled.
I thoroughly enjoyed this teen romance! It was sweet and sarcastic and totally rocked! These two teens start a cautious friendship over comic books and music.
Eleanor expresses astonishment that a boy she thinks is cute actually likes her, “He missed her…
Who knew what he missed. Her fatness. Her weirdness. The fact that she couldn’t talk to him like a regular person. Whatever. Whatever perversion caused him to like her was his problem. But he did like her; she was sure of it.
At least for now.” (p. 85)
The story is also sprinkled with delightful comic book references:
“That feeling she used to have when she was sitting next to Park on the bus-that feeling that she was on base, that she was safe for the moment-she could summon it now. Like a force field. Like she was the Invisible Girl.
That would make Park Mr. Fantastic.” (p.85)
“When he thought of someone writing that ugly thing on her book…it made him feel like Bill Bixby just before he turned into the Hulk.” (p. 91)
These references are appropriate and accurate – beautifully written!
If your teen is looking for a good romance this is a good one (they go to second or 2.5 bases but it isn’t graphic- the more offensive sexual references are those Eleanor finds written on her school book covers). This is a sweet and sometimes heartbreaking read.
