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Available at the Mary S. Biesecker Public Library Junior Fiction “The Rogues” By Jane Yolen & Robert J. Harris Published by Philomel Books Copyright © 2007 During the late 18th and early 19th century the proud but poor people of Scotland endured a terrible upheaval in their way of life. It was referred to as the Highland Clearances. Clan Chiefs were betraying their poor kinsmen who were tenants on their land by evicting them to make room for English sheep herds. Many were removed forcibly and violently. “The Rogue” is a gripping historical drama set within this conflict. Young Roddy Macallan and his family and friends have been evicted by their new laird. Roddy remembers fondly the story his mother, now deceased, told him and his brothers about the blessing that her grandfather had received from Bonnie Prince Charles many years previous. Though never seeing it himself he knows his mother wouldn’t make the story up. So even though the laird’s men have burned their homes and threatened them with death if they did not leave, Roddy leaves his family and sneaks back to his home to find the blessing. This decision runs him head long into a great adventure, involving a whiskey running rogue and the Beautiful Josephine McRory (Bonnie Josie), which almost ends in his death on quite a few occasions. This book brings the Scottish Highlands, its people, and its history to life. Even though this story is set in Scotland, the theme of injustice imposed upon the poor by the rich is one that all heritages have seen. This was a particularly enjoyable book that I could read over and over. Anthony Kendrick, reviewer
Adult Fiction “PONTOON” By Garrison Keillor Published by the Penguin Group Copyright © 2007 Evelyn, an old Lutheran Lady, has died at the age of eighty-two. She went in her sleep so they say. It was just the way she wanted to go. She left a letter describing her wishes for burial, and it has some Lutherans who thought they knew her well rather shocked. Evelyn doesn’t want a church Service, a viewing, a memorial, or a burial service. She wants to be dressed up in a green rhinestone dress, cremated and put into a hollowed out green bowling ball, and dropped into Lake Wobegon while Andy Williams “Moon River” is played. Evelyn wrote a letter to this effect for her daughter Barbara to find. That letter along with a few others that she finds that were never sent to her have a profound and freeing affect on her and her son Kyle. This same week thirty-five year old Debbie Detmer comes home to get married. She is a local wild child who moved to California when she was young and ended up making millions as a pet aromatherapist. She is set to marry a high-strung private jet salesman; the only problem is it isn’t really a marriage, it is a ceremony of commitment (which is not legally binding) replete with expensive champagne, shrimp, cheese, a pontoon boat, two gigantic decoy pedal ducks, a parachuting Elvis impersonator, and a hot air balloon. Oh, and this is also going to be on Lake Wobegon…the same day as the funeral. Throw in a parasail bowling ball deployment, a group of 24 liberal rebel Danish Lutheran pastors on a tour of the Midwest, and a old dog that smells moldy carrying a dead fish in his mouth and you have a recipe for a scene that is truly hilarious. Garrison Keillor, creator of the Prairie Home Companion on National Public Radio and author of many novels of his beloved Lake Wobegon, is a master of dry, Midwestern, Lutheran wit. He has managed to write another book about Lake Wobegon that will make you laugh and think at the same time. Some of his novels can be too crowded with characters and back stories which make his novels hard to follow, but this one is perfect. It wasn’t hard to figure out where the off track character and stories fit in. “Pontoon” is a wonderfully funny life affirming novel, and I loved every minute of it. If you like stories about small town communities that are just a little off kilter and slightly irreverent, you’ll love this one. -Tony Kendrick
Adult Fiction “Stories from the Old Squire’s Farm” By C.A. Stephens, Compiled and Edited by C.G. Waugh & E.J. Waugh Published by Rutledge Hill Press, Copyright © 1995 “Stories from the Old Squire’s Farm” is a compilation of stories originally written for the magazine “the Youth’s Companion” in the late 1800s and early 1900s. This compilation tells the stories of six children, orphaned by the civil war, who have been sent to live with their grandparents at their farm in Western Maine which they call the old squires farm. Though these stories are works of fiction they are based on C.A. Stephens own childhood, and it is his voice that plays the part of the narrator. These stories take the reader back to a simpler time, not necessarily an easier time, but a simpler time in America’s past that some today might still remember. These tales reflect the closeness of family and community, the value of hard work, and the importance of education and high moral standards. The fun these children have and even the trouble they get in is irrepressibly innocent. These stories are extremely enjoyable and are quite soothing to read, even as we are surrounded by a stress inducing society. For the fan of early American literature that harkens back to our agrarian past this is a wonderful book and I highly recommend it. Anthony Kendrick Book Review December 26, 2007
Adult Non-Fiction - Autobiography “Born Standing Up” By Steve Martin Published by Scribner Copyright © 2007 Steve Martin is one of the funniest comedians of our generation. We remember him for his movie roles: “The Jerk”, “Dirty Rotten Scoundrels”, “Planes, Trains, and Automobiles”, and more recently “Cheaper by the dozen”. His credits go on and on. Some might remember him from Saturday Night Live. But before that he was a stand up comic. “Born Standing Up” is the story of why he became a stand up comic and then why he abruptly quit. Steve martin’s road to the top started with his middle class family in Southern California. His father had aspirations of being an entertainer, and Steve, living and working in the shadow of Disneyland and Hollywood, had those same aspirations. His family relationships were quite strained, so he poured all his thought and energy into his performing career, which started out as a mix of magic and music and progressed towards comedy. “Born Standing Up” chronicles the years of his youth through the end of his stand up career. Before your eyes you’ll see Martin’s star rise, not only in words but also in surprising pictures of him, his family, and his acquaintances (who knew Steve Martin ever had anything other than white hair?!) This is a great book for the Steve Martin fan and for comedic historians, but also for those who enjoy stories of the human struggle for greatness in any occupation. Reviewer: Anthony Kendrick December 03, 2007
Adult Non-Fiction “Shakespeare – The World as Stage” By Bill Bryson Published by Atlas Books Copyright © 2007 People love a good mystery. Even more than that, people love to speculate on good mysteries and turn their opinions into facts. Such is the case with the poet and playwright William Shakespeare. But, what can we really know about Shakespeare? Volumes upon volumes of books have been written about Shakespeare, and yet here is another. But this one is a little different. Many Shakespeare researchers and authors often go into their work with preconceived notions, and they try to prove those notions anyway possible. Bill Bryson on the other hand removes suppositions and opinions and presents only the facts available. And from these he shows us what we can know for a certainty about William Shakespeare. One might find what we can know to be a little shocking considering his status as literary genius and legend. This book is a must read for those interested in literary history, or for those looking for a concise background on this most famous literary figure. Anthony Kendrick, reviewer Nov. 15, 2007
Science Fiction “Now and Forever” By Ray Bradbury Published by William Morrow Copyright 2007 If you are like me and you’ve heard of Ray Bradbury, you’ve seen his name in television credits on Alfred Hitchcock Presents, the Twilight Zone, or the Ray Bradbury Theater but you haven’t read many, if any, of his books. Well hopefully we can change that. “Now and Forever” is a recently released book of two beautifully written sci-fi novellas – “Somewhere a Band is Playing” and “Leviathan ‘99”. “Somewhere a Band is Playing” presents a utopia of letters and eternal life. Journalist James Cardiff, on the whim of a poet’s dream, seeks out Summerton, Arizona. It is a town that nobody really knows exists, full of happy and contented people, one of whom has been expecting James’ visit. The whole place seems very odd to James. No hospitals, funeral parlors, or big businesses. There is a school but no children. And, there is a graveyard but the gravestones do not have dates of death. How this all fits together and why James has found this place presents a wonderful mystery, and the biggest one of all is will he stay or leave. “Leviathan ‘99” is Bradbury’s space age take on Moby Dick. It is set in space in the year 2099. It is the story of an obsessed captain and his crew, experienced from the point of view of crew member Ishmael Hunnicut Jones. The captain has had something taken from him by the largest comet ever and he is obsessed with finding it once more, but this meeting is set to have much more dire consequences. Once more both of these stories are wonderfully written by a master of literature and science fiction and they would be a wonderful way to introduce you to his writings. Once introduced I’m sure, like me, you’ll be compelled to read more. Anthony Kendrick, reviewer November 5, 2007
Junior Picture Book “Water Dance” By Thomas Locker Published by Harcourt Brace & Company Copyright 1997 “Water Dance” is a beautifully written and illustrated book about the water cycle. In simple language it poetically describes the many forms water takes within that cycle e.g. rivers, lakes, rain, and mist to name a few. The accompanying illustrations are beautiful oil paintings and are more likely to appeal to adults, but many children will still see the beauty and will be able to match the written with the pictorial description. Provided at the end of this picture book is a small section called “the water cycle”. It provides factual information on the water cycle making it not only an entertaining book but also an educational book. Descriptive and informative writing and stunning pictures make this a must read for everyone. - Anthony Kendrick, reviewer November 2007
“The Dangerous Book for Boys” By Conn & Hal Iggulden Published by Harper Collins Copyright 2007 Are you a boy between the ages of seven and thirteen? Are you a man who is still a kid at heart? (Most of us still are.) Or, are you parents who are tired of your children whining that they are bored, or who sit in front of the television all day playing video games? If you fit into any of these categories this book is a must read. I spent my formative years in rural New England before video games were really big. My siblings, cousins, and I all spent much of our free time outside playing games, riding bikes, fishing, building forts, and scouting out the forests for Indian mounds (which were actually remnants of old stone walls). We were the last of a dying a breed, the independently stimulated. For everyone of the Play Station generation or who want to relive a little of their youth, and maybe even learn something new, I recommend this book: “The Dangerous Book for Boys”. “The Dangerous Book for Boys” does contain some dangerous activities like building a tree house, making a bow and arrow, and hunting and cooking a rabbit. Things every boy should learn, if not do. It also contains less dangerous instructions on things like making the best paper airplane, five important knots, and skipping a stone properly. There are also sections of the book which encourage exploration into Science, History, Geography, and English. For instance there are instructions and information on a simple electromagnet, famous battles of the world, the fifty states, and Shakespeare. This book even provides information on something that boys have never been able to understand and that is…Girls. While boys may never fully understand girls this book gives boys a head start on how to treat them and impress them. This book contains many weeks worth of reading and activities that boys (and girls) of all ages will love. There is also a website set up for this book, and I think the video alone makes the case for at least a quick glance at this book. Go to http://www.dangerousbookforboys.com and click on view trailer. Book review by Anthony Kendrick August 30, 2007
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