"Truthiness" in schools

Can you believe this? The term "truthiness", coined by the comedian Stephen Colbert, has actually made it into dictionary.com. Here is the definition for truthiness:

truth·i·ness [troo-thee-nis]
noun
1. the quality of seeming to be true according to one's intuition, opinion, or perception without regard to logic, factual evidence, or the like: the growing trend of truthiness as opposed to truth.
2. informal (of a belief) the quality of being considered true because of what the believer wishes or feels regardless of the facts.

I suppose that we operate, to some degree, with a bit of "truthiness"...believing something to be true just because it feels like it should be true. But it is starting to be quite alarming what some people believe and what they base their beliefs on these days.

Is there no one standing up for actual facts and reason? Enter the trusty librarian. Mark Ray, the 2011 Washington State Teacher of the Year is a Teacher-Librarian in Skyview High School in Vancouver, Washington. He wrote an excellent editorial about the importance of librarians today with so much "truthiness" around to combat.  Here are a few of the highlights from the editorial but I urge you to pop over to the Seattle Times link and read the whole thing for yourself,

• "As a teacher librarian, my job is to ensure that students are effective users and producers of information and ideas."
• "In this 21st century, we consume information by turning to a screen instead of a newspaper or book. In the past, we could go to the library and find materials that were likely to be accurate or at least balanced. While I'm not advocating a return to a time when libraries or books were the only place to go for information, I'm also sure that "The Google" is not a library. Today, we must make decisions about bias, currency and accuracy ourselves. Many students struggle with that."
• "Getting to the truth has never been harder than it is today. The loss of libraries, teacher librarians and the ascendance of truthiness fundamentally hurts our nation. We are losing the expertise, resources and skills necessary to be informed voters and citizens."

I'm with Mark Ray, I believe that we need more librarians to help students navigate the plethora of information out there so that less decisions are based on "truthiness" and more are based on facts!

If you are with me, thank a teacher-librarian you know today!


Source:  
Ray, Mark. "Opinion | Save the Children by Fighting 'truthiness' | Seattle Times Newspaper." The Seattle Times | Seattle  Times Newspaper. Web. 24 Oct. 2011. .

Sunday Salon, 10-23-11

Special Event of the week:

• My hubby and I jet to Hawai'i on Friday for a quick five-day sunny vacation/conference. I am busy planning my reading material for the trip.
• Parent's Week-end at Seattle University.  We went to my daughter's choir concert on Friday night. They sang a varied program in an effort to promote their new CDs. I love it that my daughter is still involved in music after a very musical high school experience. Saturday was a hosted dinner with the entertainment being The Coats, a NW favorite a cappella group. Check out the link.

I'm listening to: Entwined by Heather Dixon. The retelling of Grimm's 12 dancing Princesses fairy tale.

I'm reading: Entwined by Heather Dixon. (Yup, the same book.) I jump back and forth between listening and reading so that I can finish the book sooner.

Book reviewed this week:  Everybody Sees the Ants by A.S. King.  Loved, loved it.  Will it be another winner for Ms. King?  I think so.

Scripture lesson in church: Acts 8:24-40--- "Let's go down and be baptized right now."

Around the house:  The trees in the backyard are displaying their fall colors gorgeously! The yellows and reds are really brilliant this year.

From the kitchen: Went to a taste-testing at the caterer for my daughter's wedding. We enjoyed everything about the experience, especially the tasty hors d'oeuvres. (My favorite: Gorgonzola and pistachio rounds.) We signed on the dotted line.  Evey week a few more things are crossed off the wedding planning list.

Follow Friday

Hosted by Alisoncanread and Parajunkee

Featured blog of the week: The Bursting Bookshelf.  Lovely blog.  Congratulations!

Q.What superhero is your alter-ego?

I totally want to be Elastigirl (Mrs. Incredible). I'd love to have those stretchy arms to reach things or to glide if I fell from a high place. Plus I like the "i" on her uniform.  In my world "i" stands for Information!

Everybody Sees the Ants by A.S. King

I am now officially a fan of A.S. King! Please Ignore Vera Dietz, her second YA novel that won a Printz Honor, was no fluke.  Ms. King can write as she proved again with this gem, Everybody Sees the Ants.

Admittedly, the book is designed in such a way that it really is confusing in the beginning. But I urge readers to stay with the story and all the pieces will come together in a very powerful way. Unfortunately this story is one that needs to be told.

Lucky Linderman is a teen who really has a "sucky" life. He has been harassed for years by the school bully. His mother spends all her time swimming like a squid. His father is a workaholic. All his friends dropped him after his Social Studies questionnaire on suicide which got him in trouble in school. And his grandmother charged Lucky to find his grandfather, a MIA/POW Vietnam veteran, right before she dies. Lucky seems powerless to take control of anything in his life and it seems like nothing will every get better.

Then things do change. Nolan, the big bully, goes one step too far and finally Lucky's mom is activated to do something...She takes Lucky to Arizona for a "time out." Finally Lucky seems to find his voice and in the process starts to like himself and his family. He does this with help from a local girl and those "odd" dreams of his grandfather.

Though this story sounds very depressing it has some very lighthearted moments, many of them humorous. It is also contains an important message...bullying has consequences and bullies must be stopped. It also shows the reader that help doesn't always come from where we think it should. We can help others just by listening and being present.

I found myself cheering for Lucky and for all kids who are the bottom of  the "food chain." As I read I thought of several kids and teachers who would benefit from reading Everybody Sees the Ants. You see, last year a student at my school committed suicide. Afterwards it came to light that the young man had been the recipient of severe harassment and bullying. Those of us in education know that we have to do what we can to make school a safe place for everybody, every day.

“It’s a smart, funny, and passionate novel that embodies the idea that “It Gets Better”—when you take action.” --Publishers Weekly (starred)

Top Ten Titles and Covers

Book titles and covers that "made" me buy/pick up the book. (That doesn't mean I have necessarily read them, though.)

Top Ten Tuesday is Hosted by the gals over at The Broke and Bookish

The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making by Catherynne M. Valente

Who doesn't want to read a book that has the word circumnavigated in the title?

Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day by Judith Viorst

I feel like this quite often.  Don't you?

How Not to be Popular by Jennifer Zeigler

I think both the title and the cover are funny.

The Boy Who Couldn't Sleep and Never Had To by D.C. Pierson

When I received this book in the mail I actually thought someone had scribbled on the cover before sending it to me.

You're Only Old Once: a Book for Obsolete Children by Dr. Seuss

A lot of Dr. Seuss books could be on this list. This title struck me as funny when I purchased it a few years back.

Halo by Alexandra Adornetto

This is the only book on the list that I actually purchased because of the cover. It's lovely.

Jane Austen Ruined My Life by Beth Pattillo

I had to buy this book.  How could Jane Austen wreck anything?

Dogzilla by Dav Pilkey

Actually my sister was the one who bought this book.  But isn't the title compelling?

Withering Tights by Louise Rennison

One of my students checked this out because she is such a huge Wuthering Heights fan. Ha!

Unexpectedly Eighty by Judith Viorst

I found this book during the Borders end days (sigh) and gave it to my dad who is eighty. He and my mom love it.

Monday, Oct. 17, 2011...I'm reading

Hosted by Sheila at Book Journey

I'm reading:

• Everybody Sees the Ants by A.S. King---a young teenager has been bullied for seven years by another classmate, Nolan. He escapes from his daily life by daydreaming about his grandfather who is a POW/MIA Vietnam Vet. Or is he daydreaming? And why are these little ants always talking to him?

I'm listening to:

• Bossypants by Tina Fey---if you didn't know who about this comedian before, I'm sure you do now after the 2008 Presidential Campaign when she burst on the scene doing a parody of Sarah Palin on SNL. Now the you will recognize her due to her TV show, Thirty Rock.  This book is very funny. Tina Fey reads it herself.
• Entwined by Heather Dixon---a retelling of the Grimms' fairy tale, Twelve Dancing Princesses. I find myself thinking of the story when I am not listening and I look forward to getting back in my car so I can continue the tale.

I recently finished:

• The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making by Catherynne M. Valente.  Don't you just love the title?  Check out my review.
• Now is the Time for Running by Michael Williams. A touching story about a refugee boy in South Africa who finds redemption in soccer. This book is both depressing and hopeful. Review coming soon.
• Paper Covers Rock by Jenny Hubbard---Alex finds both his writing and his poetic voice after the death of a friend, Thomas. This is a beautifully told coming-of-age story. Check out my review.

What's up next?

• Divergent by Veronica Roth---For some reason I keep putting this off. I will start this book this week!

Sunday Salon 10-16-11

Special Event of the week: Sister Helen Prejean (author of Dead Man Walking) spoke at my parent's church this morning. She is an advocate against the death penalty. Her talk was passionate, inspiring, and convicting. I am a great admirer of her ministry and her efforts on behalf of loving compassion and forgiveness.

I'm listening to: Bossypants by Tina Fey.  She is very, very funny and I am enjoying this book in the audio format. My husband I and listened together on our trip to Oregon for the football game this week-end.

I'm reading: Everybody Sees the Ants by A.S. King. I have NO IDEA where this story is going. I am enjoying it though.

Book reviewed this week: The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making by Catherynne Valente; Karma by Cathy Ostlere; Paper Covers Rock by Jenny Hubbard

Scripture lesson in church: Micah 6:8- What does the Lord require of you? To seek justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with your God.

Around the house:  We drove to Eugene this week-end and attended an Oregon Duck football game.  This is one of the most fun things that my family does together.

From the kitchen: My sister made the most delicious olive and mushroom quiche with Swiss cheese. Yum! I must get the recipe.

The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland In a Ship of Her Own Making

I finished reading The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making by Catherynne M. Valente on Monday. Since that time I have tried to figure out how to write this review. How does one write a word of criticism or evaluation of the most creative book that she has read in years? Think of a mash-up between The Wizard of Oz, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, Chronicles of Narnia, and His Dark Materials trilogy and you will get a little idea of what this book is like.

With the comparisons to those well-known books, it also begs the question, what makes a book into a classic? I suspect that it has something to do with cross-over appeal to all age groups. Marketed to middle-grade students, this book will delight all age groups. I'd also say that classics are those novels which prove to have an influence over novels to come.  Time will tell if Fairyland will influence future books, but I suspect that it will. Using my divination powers I predict, if it hasn't happened yet, teachers will be reading this book aloud to the delight of their students soon.  Here are a few other things you should know about The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making:

•  The author Catherynne M. Valente has a fabulous website. I really appreciate her FAQ sections where she answers questions about the writing/publishing process.
• Valente offered the first eight chapters of Fairyland FREE. Read them here.
• The winner of the 2010 Andre Norton Award (Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America  for excellent Young Adult Science Fiction and Fantasy.) Fairyland won this award while it was only available in the e-book format.  That has to be a first!

Since you can read the first eight chapters right now, let me leave you with a very tantalizing quote from the end of the book which does a lovely job setting up a sequel:

 "All stories must end so, with the next tale winking out of the corners of the last pages, promising more, promising moonlight and dancing and revels, if only you will come back when spring comes again."

I'll be back which "spring comes again", will you?

2011 National Book Award Finalists Announced today....

The National Book Award Committee announced their finalists today. The winners will be announced on November 16th. So stay tuned.

Here are the finalists for the Young People's Literature category:

-My Name Is Not Easy by Debby Dahl Edwardson, published by Marshall Cavendish Corp.
-Inside Out and Back Again by Thanhha Lai, published by HarperCollins
-Flesh and Blood So Cheap: The Triangle Fire and its Legacy by Albert Marrin, published by Knopf Books for Young Readers
-Shine by Lauren Myracle, published by Amulet Books
-Okay for Now by Gary D. Schmidt, published by Clarion Books
-Chime by Franny Billingsley, published by Dial

Looking over the list I'd say that Chime, My Name is Not Easy, and Shine are YA novels; Inside Out and Back Again, and Okay for Now are for middle-grade readers; and Flesh and Blood so Cheap is nonfiction that would probably be suitable for grades 5 and up. I'll be eager to see which book wins. Last year Ship Breaker by Bacigalupi won both the National Book Award and the Printz Award, but that is rare.  Often the books on the two lists are completely different. If this year is like last year, I want Chime to win because a) it is the only one on my Mock Printz list and b) I've read it! (How's that for deep reasoning?)

Here is the whole list: National Book Award Finalists (LA Times) and National Book Award.

*****Update 10/17/11- I just learned that the National Book Award committee mistakenly announced that Shine by Lauren Myracle was a finalist, but they really meant to say Chime. Shine--Chime.  I get it that they sound alike but that is a terrible mistake to make.  Read more about this colossal mistake here.

Here is the announcement for the NBA Committee: "The National Book Foundation regrets that an error was made in the original announcement of the Finalists for the 2011 National Book Award in Young People’s Literature and apologizes for any confusion and hurt it may have caused Lauren Myracle. At her suggestion, we will be pleased to make a $5,000 donation to the Matthew Shepard Foundation in her name"

Review: Karma by Cathy Ostlere

Set in Canada and India in 1984, Karma by Cathy Ostlere is a story very much grounded in time and place. Maya, an  immigrant child from India, lives in Canada with her parents on the windswept plains of Manitoba. Her mother, a Hindu, is very unhappy and lonely. Her father, a Sikh, refuses her a visit home to India because of the expense. Maya knows of her mother's deepening depression but cannot save her from committing suicide. Maya and her father return to India, with her mother's ashes, on October 31, 1984. It is the day that Indira Gandhi is shot and all "hell" breaks out around the country as Hindu's seek retribution for her murder against all Sikhs. Traumatized and separated from her father, Maya ends up with Sandeep's family. A sweet relationship develops between the two teens even as the country simmers and the village gossips.

The book is written in verse, which adds a sense of beauty to the story (and makes the 500+ pages much less scary.).  When asked why she wrote the book in verse Ostlere replied: "The best answer I have to this question is that Karma’s poetic form suits the emotional lives of Maya and Sandeep. Their feelings are intense, their insights into the world are sharp and critical, and their understanding of what it means to be human is fresh, ragged, not yet smoothed by maturity, not yet smoothed by conventional narrative. Poetry is the perfect medium for their age."

Here's an excerpt from Karma :

A brand-new diary
How to begin.
Click.
How. To. Begin.
Click. Click. Click.
I like the sound of a ballpoint pen.
Click. Click. Click. Click. Click.
I’ll start with the date:
October 27, 1984.
Now the place:
Floating in air over ice.
Thirty-seven thousand feet, the pilot said.
But where exactly?
What latitude and longitude?
Is it Canada or Greenland
that fell away like a great sinking heart?
Is that a rising sun or a setting one?
The golden rays cut loose from India’s plains.
Where am I really?
Nowhere, I guess.
Somewhere between an old life and a new.

I really like Karma. I like reading books about historical events and in settings where I have never been. The poetry of the book is magical and lyrical, almost transporting me to India where I could experience the sites and sounds myself. My one problem with the book is the cover.  What's with all that pink? Didn't the publisher think that one single guy would want to read this book? I guess not, with such a pink cover. Yes, the book will likely be more attractive to female readers but the storyline is interesting enough and there is enough action to hold the attention of most male readers, too. I hope you can ignore the pink, the book is definitely worth it. And I recommend that you visit Cathy Ostlere's homepage, too.  It is very informative about why she wrote the book Karma set in India.