![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
Monday random six
Nov. 3rd, 2008 08:41 pm1. Okay, so if someone you know is looking for a boy book that's not fantasy, try Antsy Does Time, by Neal Shusterman. I've liked Shusterman for some time, and this one was really nice. It's a sequel of sorts to The Schwa was Here, with humor and some wisdom and a really great voice. Antsy is totally real--he could be one of the teenagers I worked with last year.
2. Also read this weekend (borrowed from my mom when we took a trip to see them--amazing, extended family you can drive to in only three hours!!): The Mysterious Schoolmaster, by Karin Anckarsvärd. Translated from Swedish in like the 1960s, with line illustrations by Paul Galdone. (If you saw the pictures you'd recognize him.) It's this fun mystery starring two fifth-graders in Sweden, and there are several sequels as they get older. I used to think the fantasy part was how much freedom these kids had--they go everywhere on their bikes, they don't have to ask permission or get driven to every little thing--they really can just go do stuff! But then when I was in Germany, I realized that actually, it's not fantasy. That's what life is like for European fifth graders.
3. Man, my kids are into this election. Two of my schoolkids are for one candidate (the one DH and I like), and my older daughter is holding out firm for the other one. I think it's because her friend at school wants to vote that way. The kids have interesting discussions. Second son is citing all kinds of famous politicians and activists to explain why his choice is better. Daughter is holding firm and saying she just likes her candidate's name better.
4. Our family night tonight (which we are doing totally in German to keep it up) starred a lot of St. Martin's Day songs. Next week we want to make lanterns. Only thing, I don't know where we're going with them. It's not like people um, celebrate this holiday here? My littlie loves Martinstag, though. We'll have to think of something. She's been looking forward to it for a year.
5. Will someone hide this candy, please?? We had three--count them, three--trick or treaters (aside from us, our street was pretty dark). Plus we have all the kids' candy, from trick or treating, and also a trunk or treat a couple days earlier. No wonder the Lap Child has been Awake! With all that chocolate milk... Pass the carrots, please.
6. Do you ever just have the urge to read a specific kind of book? Right now (probably due to the Antsy book) I'd really like to pick up something with an excellent boy-girl friendship. (I really liked how Antsy and his ex relate in the book, plus Michael and Cecilia in Schoolmaster relate well.) Alas, I don't see anything that fits the bill on my shelf. A complete friendship with the possibility for more, but down to earth--I'll have to keep a lookout when I go to the library this week.
2. Also read this weekend (borrowed from my mom when we took a trip to see them--amazing, extended family you can drive to in only three hours!!): The Mysterious Schoolmaster, by Karin Anckarsvärd. Translated from Swedish in like the 1960s, with line illustrations by Paul Galdone. (If you saw the pictures you'd recognize him.) It's this fun mystery starring two fifth-graders in Sweden, and there are several sequels as they get older. I used to think the fantasy part was how much freedom these kids had--they go everywhere on their bikes, they don't have to ask permission or get driven to every little thing--they really can just go do stuff! But then when I was in Germany, I realized that actually, it's not fantasy. That's what life is like for European fifth graders.
3. Man, my kids are into this election. Two of my schoolkids are for one candidate (the one DH and I like), and my older daughter is holding out firm for the other one. I think it's because her friend at school wants to vote that way. The kids have interesting discussions. Second son is citing all kinds of famous politicians and activists to explain why his choice is better. Daughter is holding firm and saying she just likes her candidate's name better.
4. Our family night tonight (which we are doing totally in German to keep it up) starred a lot of St. Martin's Day songs. Next week we want to make lanterns. Only thing, I don't know where we're going with them. It's not like people um, celebrate this holiday here? My littlie loves Martinstag, though. We'll have to think of something. She's been looking forward to it for a year.
5. Will someone hide this candy, please?? We had three--count them, three--trick or treaters (aside from us, our street was pretty dark). Plus we have all the kids' candy, from trick or treating, and also a trunk or treat a couple days earlier. No wonder the Lap Child has been Awake! With all that chocolate milk... Pass the carrots, please.
6. Do you ever just have the urge to read a specific kind of book? Right now (probably due to the Antsy book) I'd really like to pick up something with an excellent boy-girl friendship. (I really liked how Antsy and his ex relate in the book, plus Michael and Cecilia in Schoolmaster relate well.) Alas, I don't see anything that fits the bill on my shelf. A complete friendship with the possibility for more, but down to earth--I'll have to keep a lookout when I go to the library this week.
