Book Review - Zack's Choice

Zack’s Choice

By: Harry E. Gilleland, Jr.
Illustrated By: Ameshin Yossarian
Publisher: CreateSpace
Publication Date: February 2014
ISBN: 978-1495983290
Reviewed By: Kristi Benedict
Review Date: March 2014

An easy relaxing motorcycle ride across the country on his Harley was all Zack wanted to enjoy before going to Harvard Law School. After this little break he would check off his list, become a lawyer, work in his mother’s prestigious law firm, marry his long time girlfriend, make his parents proud and live happily ever after. However, a hitchhiker on a highway in New Mexico changes all of that in a second. Usually Zack would not think twice about picking up a hitchhiker but this sixteen-year-old boy, who claims his name is Bobby, pulls at his heartstrings and Zack offers to give him a ride, a free meal, and a place to sleep for the night. The next morning Zack discovers his wallet and money are gone, stolen by the boy he tried to help out. Completely frustrated with the situation he is now in, Zack calls his mother and asks her to wire him some money so he can at least finish his trip to Portland. Deciding to forget about the young thief, Zack makes a stop in Las Vegas to try his hand at gambling and enjoy what’s left of his break.

However, fate has other plans as Bobby shows up once again in Zack’s life. At first Zack is all for beating down this young thief and taking all his belongings back. In a dramatic twist though, Bobby willingly gives back all of Zack’s things and then tells him of a secret mission from God that he has been sent to accomplish. In addition, Bobby informs Zack that God told him in a dream that Zack was sent to assist him in this task. The mission involves stealing The Sword of Damascus that Bobby claims must be buried in hollow ground so the Devil’s evil minions cannot use it to create a portal between earth and Hell. Zack is weary but eventually agrees to help in this plan after seeing two extremely strange signs that he thinks could have only come from God.

Before the plan is able to be carried out however this so called ‘Bobby’ turns out to be a girl not a boy! Now Zack is really having second thoughts about everything he just agreed to do with this person, for if she was lying about her gender what else could she be lying about? Her excuse was that her parents were killed by evil minions of the devil that broke into their house and they have been hunting her. To stay hidden she had to completely change her appearance because obviously they would have been looking for a young girl, not a teenage boy. With this explanation Zack is on board once again with the plan to steal the sword and save mankind. He believes he is now on a mission for God and even if that mission involves stealing a valuable artifact it will be worth it, or will it?

Zack’s Choice is filled with twists that I did not see coming. Just when I thought that I had the story line figured out the author would change the plot in some way and send the story in a completely different direction. When I first started reading, it seemed that the life altering choice would be made by Zack at the beginning of the book and send him on a spectacular mission. In fact the life altering choice comes much later in the book and is actually not a choice about a mission but a choice of what kind of life to live. Honestly I was a little disappointed that the story was not centered on an exciting mission that keeps the reader holding on waiting to see if the characters will be able to make it through or not. However, I did end up enjoying the conclusion of this book as the author added a small bit of adventure in the last few chapters.

Quill says: This book will keep you guessing at all the twists and turns right up until the very end.

Interview with Author Philip Gaber

Today we're talking with Philip Gaber, author of Epic Sloth: Tales of the Long Crawl

FQ: Let me preface my question with a statement: I am a fan of your work! How is it that through the myriad of dark moments you write about, there seems to be a silver lining of humor surrounding the situation?

GABER: I suppose it’s just a coping mechanism. It’s how I deal with my life. Plus it’s a whole lot healthier than drugs and alcohol.

FQ: Have you ever had a person you know press you to admit he or she was the subject of the piece you wrote (and if so, how did you respond)?

GABER: Not really. I think because my kind of writing is so patchwork and such a big old melting pot that it’s almost impossible, even for me, to point to a character and say, “Oh that’s so and so.” The characters are such composites. I do have one friend who believes I base all my female characters on her, but I’m not really conscious of that. Maybe I do and don’t even realize it.

FQ: Your style is very conversational, yet fragmented. Is this intentional or simply your “writing zone”?

GABER: It’s both. The result of reading so many plays, I suppose. I’ve always been fascinated by the stage and always seem to take away a lot of life lessons from drama. More so than any other kind of writing. I’m unusual in that respect. I also like the idea of taking some of those playwriting tools and incorporating them into prose. I definitely have writing a play on my bucket list.

FQ: Your bio references “...seemingly random series of occupations...” What was your most fulfilling occupation and why?

GABER: I worked in the restaurant industry for several years. When I look back on all the jobs I’ve held, that’s the one that really stands out. Got to love restaurant folks!

FQ: In line with Question 4, would you mind elaborating further about your “...instructor role for an organization whose vision is for all people in its region to have the opportunity to develop to their fullest potential through family-sustaining employment...”?

GABER: I’m a career educator. I prepare people for entry or reentry into the workforce.

FQ: When writing Epic Sloth, is there a particular piece that was extremely difficult to write and if so, what did you do to overcome the discomfort of writing it?

GABER: If by “difficult” you mean, was there ever a time when I was overcome by emotion while I was writing something? I can’t recall an instance when that happened. For me the difficulty is proofreading, editing, paring down, shaping, etc.

FQ: My overall interpretation of your work is a consistent delivery of a life lived with intention and filled with ‘street-wise’ experiences. What words of wisdom would you impart on today’s youth to enlighten them and guide them safely along their journey toward adulthood and why?

GABER: Consult yourself. You’re going to get a lot of advice from people who don’t have a clue who you really are or what’s best for you. Most of that advice won’t apply to your life, anyway. Just look at these people and smile and keep it moving.

FQ: I find it difficult to zero in on one particular piece in your body of work because your overall delivery sparks so many emotions. However, my interpretation of “he had a few things to sort out” struck me. While I interpret many of your writings as sneak peaks of who the writer behind the pen is, it seemed as though you divulged some clarity toward who you truly are as a person. You point out: ‘Itzhak was a fraud…’, yet by the end of the piece (and Itzhak’s passing), you, along with many ‘...came by the half dozens in the rain to remember him...’ For me, it was as though you divulged you often have a ‘crap detector’ when first meeting people; yet you implement a ‘benefit of the doubt’ philosophy to size them up. Is this fairly accurate?

GABER: I just like to get to know people. The good, the bad, and the crazy! Listen to their stories. Learn about their perspectives, philosophies, their lives, where they’ve been, where they’re going. Out of curiosity.

FQ: It was an absolute pleasure to read Epic Sloth. I’m hoping you are working on your next writing adventure. If so, would you care to provide a bit of a preview?

GABER: Thank you! Currently working on a novella with a more linear and sequential plot-line.

To learn more about Epic Sloth: Tales of the Long Crawl please read the review at: Feathered Quill Book Reviews.

Book Review - Epic Sloth: Tales of the Long Crawl

Epic Sloth: Tales of the Long Crawl

By: Philip Gaber
Publisher: Philip Gaber
Publication Date: June 2013
ISBN: 978-0-615-72648-9
Reviewed by: Diane Lunsford
Review Date: March 18, 2014

Philip Gaber is back with a vengeance with an abundance of thought-provoking prose in his latest body of work: Epic Sloth: Tales of the Long Crawl.

Mr. Gaber has done a beautiful job of committing insightful perspective across the pages of Epic Sloth. There is a balanced blend of prose, short vignettes and poetry—each of which contains his signature tone of heartfelt angst. Having had the pleasure of reviewing Mr. Gaber’s first body of work last July (Between Eden and the Open Road), I welcomed the notion to dive into his latest work. Mr. Gaber is unafraid to get down into the grit and reality of every day life and address real issues that plague real people. There is a natural kinship the reader is able to form with the many troubled people (including himself, I would surmise), that he introduces through his writing. As soon as I began reading Epic Sloth, it felt as though I was reconnecting with an old friend because it didn’t take long to drift in between the sometimes sublime (often blatant) sentiments that is signatory to Mr. Gaber’s work.

I find it difficult to narrow the margin and select one specific piece over another due to the unique quality of each. Mr. Gaber has incredible grit when it comes to committing something visionary to paper such as: “…So I’d go to Washington Square Park in New York City, sit under a tree, light a Marlboro, turn on the recorder, and watch poverty and art having sex in public again…” (In his prose titled: “such a fine line between homage and plagiarism”). He is also a master of redirecting the reader to an opposite end spectrum when he recalls childhood memories; peppering such memories with darkness and using them as analogy for failed relationships. The reader can feel Mr. Gaber’s distinct edginess, i.e.: “My lousy luck with women began in the womb. I’d roundhouse kick my mother like a martial artist. She’d fight back by punching her belly. 'Don’t you ever do that to me again!' she’d scream. The match lasted nine months. The judges scored it a draw. There was not a rematch…” (excerpt from “the radar was awash with hot reds and blues”). Coming purely from a writer’s perspective, the most uplifting moment for me in Epic Sloth is when Mr. Gaber toys with the reader and provides a glimpse of his humor in “struggles and rebellion”: “…Critics said my influences included Clifford Odets and Mad magazine, but in interviews, I was cheeky like Dylan, and told them I was actually influenced by God. They’d become visibly pale and ask me, 'What gets you out of bed in the morning?' Wow. Basquiat had the best response to that question. He walked off camera and disappeared into his bedroom…”

There is something so compelling in how Mr. Gaber uses his pen to draw the reader in. While the nuance of a tortured and troubled life and mind oozes from many of the pages of Epic Sloth, Gaber tempers the emotions with accomplished and intentional word placement. He taunts the reader to keep turning the page to see what comes next. Truly, Gaber has created the perfect “people watcher” formula on paper and I thoroughly enjoyed reading his newest book.

Quill says: Epic Sloth: Tales of the Long Crawl is an admirable portrayal of “down and out” and is complemented by an absolute delivery of what it means to persevere throughout the journey.

READ THE INTERVIEW!

Book Review - Tractor Pulling

Tractor Pulling: Tearing It Up

By: Paul Hoblin
Publisher: 21st Century
Publication Date: January 2014
ISBN: 978-1467721233
Reviewed by: Deb Fowler
Review Date: March 2014

When you think of tractor pulling, you probably think of a John Deere pulling a wheel rake in a field. Not. If you’ve heard the ear-splitting roar of a tractor or truck engine at a fair, you think of those tractors tearing it up at a tractor-pulling competition. The heart-pounding sights and sounds probably have hooked you right into being a fan, but do you know the history of the sport? Believe it or not, tractor pulling, one of the largest motorsports event, began with horses. Even though John Charter invented the “first gasoline-fueled tractor” in 1887, farmers competed with horses.

Farmers wanted to see whose horse was the strongest so out came the doors. They lay them on the ground, hitched them up to a horse, added the weight of a few men, and tried to see how far a horse could go. In the 1920s tractors took over the competition and “farmers wanted to test their tractors against one another.” Their no-rules competitions grew until “people began modifying their tractors” and the competition grew fierce and dangerous. In 1969 the National Tractor Pullers Association (NTPA) came into play and “created a set of rules that tractor-pulling competitions began to follow.”

Instead of horses pulling doors, big tractors were pulling a lot of weight on sleds, including deadweight sleds. Safety pays in many ways and the rules disqualified driver’s whose tractors didn’t meet the requirements. Other safety features included helmets, concrete barriers to “protect spectators from engine fires,” tractor inspections, and things such as kill switches. The tractors were ever-changing and those engines grew more powerful. In fact, many “were trying to increase the number of engines in a tractor.” You’ll learn about the classes of tractors, modified tractors, divisions, you’ll meet the drivers, and how the tractors are “tearing it up” in competition.

This is an awesome look at the history and sport of tractor pulling young fans will love. The eye-popping layout of the book is quite exciting and action-packed. You can see them as they rev up those engines and spew smoke into the air as they try to pull a load. There’s a lot to be discovered and young tractor pulling fans will pore over these pages trying to get the scoop. There’s a two-page spread showing the "Breakdown of a Tractor-Pull Sled," one that showcases the design and gives out the specs. There are numerous informative sidebars and captions that add to the text. For example, in “Amazing Engines” we learn some very unusual sources for engines. In the back of the book is an index, a glossary, and additional recommended book and website resources to explore.

Quill says: If you have a young tractor pulling fan, this is an exciting book that he or she will get lost in!

Book Review - Monster Trucks

Monster Trucks: Tearing it Up

By: Brian Howell
Publisher: 21st Century
Publication Date: January 2014
ISBN: 978-1467721202
Reviewed by: Deb Fowler
Review Date: March 2014

Bob Chandler was into his Ford F-250 pickup truck, but unfortunately the parts he wanted were difficult to find. To remedy the situation, he “opened a four-wheel-drive parts shop in 1975,” a solution that gave him access to everything he needed. Apparently Bob was the experimental type and the bigger the better. The more he worked on his truck, the more powerful it became. Bob put the pedal to the metal and people decided to nickname him “Bigfoot,” a name that soon ended up on the side of his truck. With giant wheels on his pickup, it wasn’t long before Bob George “called Bigfoot a monster truck,” a name many youngsters these days are quite familiar with.

Bigfoot soon became very popular and quite famous in the Midwest. Things began to change for Bob Chandler when his truck was featured in a movie. He quickly discovered how easy it was to crush cars. Crrrunch! Needless to say, Bigfoot began performing before crowds of people. The “monster truck craze was underway,” but Bigfoot wasn’t the only competitor. Safety pays in many ways and by the time Chandler retired, he had “cofounded the Monster Truck Racing Association,” an organization to ensure safety among drivers and competitors.

The race was on and so was the mania surrounding monster trucks. Events cropped up around the world and included “races and freestyle contests.” The appearance of those trucks were a far cry from Chandler’s Ford F-250. In fact those tricky trucks are a big part of the excitement. El Toro Loco, the Monster Mutt, Maximum Destruction, the Prowler, and the Grave Digger can be checked out in the pages of this book. You’ll learn what it takes to be a monster truck driver, how the trucks are built, the kinds of stunts they can perform, the competitions, the drivers, how to get started in the sport, and you’ll learn many other interesting things about the sport of monster trucks!

This is an awesome look at the history and sport of monster trucks young fans will love. The eye-popping layout of the book is quite exciting and action packed. Monster trucks fly through the air as they race, crush those junk cars, and fly through the air. There’s a lot to be discovered and young monster truck fans will pore over these pages trying to get the scoop. There’s a two-page spread featuring Grave Digger, one that showcases the design and gives out the specs. There are numerous informative sidebars and captions that add to the text. For example, in “Creating the Track” we learn how a stadium is converted into a monster truck track. In the back of the book is an index, a glossary, and additional recommended book and website resources to explore.

Quill says: If you have a young monster truck fan, this is an exciting book that he or she will get lost in!

Book Review - Elan, Son of Two Peoples

Elan, Son of Two Peoples

By: Heidi Smith Hyde
Illustrated by: Mikela Prevost
Publisher: Kar-Ben Publishing
Publication Date: January 2014
ISBN: 978-0761390527
Reviewed by: Deb Fowler
Review Date: March 2014

Elan dreamily glanced out the railroad car window at a nearby trolley car. He and his parents were leaving San Francisco headed to Albuquerque, New Mexico. It was a special time in Elan’s life, an exciting one with lots of ceremony and excitement. Just the day before he’d celebrated his Bar Mitvah. With his grandfather’s tallit around his shoulders, he read from the Torah, chanting “from the portion called ‘Bamidbar,’ which tells of the Jewish people wandering in the desert.” Yet another celebration awaited the thirteen-year-old, but this one would be in the land of the Pueblo atop a mesa. Mama was an Indian and he would celebrate that part of his heritage.

As a boy of two worlds, two peoples, Elan “would take part in the Pueblo ceremony of becoming a man.” Mama gave him a special package on the train as they headed south. It was a special tallit that she had woven for him, a tallit he would wear when he read the Torah atop that mesa. There were Jewish symbols, but also “colorful stripes” symbolizing “yellow for the sun, blue for the corn, white for the rocks, and red for Mother Earth.” It was a time when Elan was becoming more aware of things, becoming aware of his Acoma Pueblo heritage, becoming a man. What would happen after his ceremony in the kiva?

This is a fascinating story of Elan, a boy with a Jewish father and a Native American Mother. The tale is based on the life of the eldest son of Solomon Bibo and Juana Valle, “granddaughter of a former Acoma Pueblo chief.” The tale, set forth in picture book format, doesn’t go into depth, but does bring out the symbolism, ceremony, and rites of passage for both the Jewish and Pueblo boys. The most striking line is when Elan’s mother says, “Always remember you are the son of two proud nations whose roots are as sturdy and deep as this oak tree.” The artwork is stunningly beautiful and adds tremendously to the tale. In the back of the book is a glossary and additional historical information about the Bibo family.

Quill says: This is a tale of the merging of two cultures with the coming of age of Etan, a Jewish, Native American boy that will fascinate young readers!

Book Review - Sadie's Lag Ba'Omer Mystery

Sadie's Lag Ba'Omer Mystery

By: Jamie Korngold
Illustrated by: Julie Fortenberry
Publisher: Kar-Ben Publishing
Publication Date: January 2014
ISBN: 978-0761390480
Reviewed by: Deb Fowler
Review Date: March 2014

The moon was full, lighting up the way for Grandpa, Sadie, and Ori as they walked down the street hand-in-hand. Sadie glanced up at the moon and wanted to know if it was a holiday. She’d learned lots of interesting things in Hebrew school and knew that “Jewish holidays often begin with a full moon.” Passover and Purim were two of the most recent, but what could this special holiday be? No one had said anything about it. There wasn’t any holiday on the full moon, but Grandpa declared that “there is a holiday soon after.” Ori and Sadie had no clue. “It’s a mystery!” Indeed it was and they were going to have to find out about this mysterious holiday.

Ori sat on a stool as Sadie checked out the big calendar over her bookshelf. Mmmmm ... one, two, three days after the full moon there was a funny notation, “Lag Ba’Omer.” What could that possibly mean? Yes, “It’s a mystery!” Ori and Sadie said again. They began to search their bookshelves for some clues. There were books about Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Hanukkah, Purim, Passover, and Shavuot, but no Lag Ba’Omer. They knew all about these other holidays because there were special things they celebrated with, including the “shofar their father blew on Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.” This was truly a mystery. Would Ori and Sadie find anyone who could help them solve the mystery of Lag Ba’Omer?

This is a fun mystery of a minor Jewish holiday, Lag B’Omer, that children will enjoy solving right along with Ori and Sadie. It’s a very interesting mystery that will interest many in learning not only about Lag B’Omer (Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai), but also about other Jewish holidays. They begin their search by asking the UPS man, but get their first real clue when Aunt Katy asks, “Isn’t that when you go on picnics?” The artwork is simple, yet lively, and seems to express the importance of family life and the role of children during holiday celebrations, even minor ones. In the back of the book is a brief vignette that offers up additional information about the mysterious holiday of Lag B’Omer.

Quill says: This is a fun, unusual mystery that will help children learn minor Jewish holidays!