Today, Feathered Quill reviewer Amy Lignor is talking with Russel Lazega, author of Managing Bubbie
FQ: Bubbie was a huge part of life (quite obvious from the book): What is one lesson that you take from her?
LAZEGA: That extreme people shine in extreme times. The very characteristics that made Bubbie unmanageable in the modern world (a singular focus, an unbending refusal to do as she's told and an inability to comprehend the word “no") made her able to do the things that so many others couldn't in times of chaos. Like Bubbie,I guess I’ve been successful in life becauseI just didn’t know any better.
FQ: Bubbie asked you to write her stories down, but when did that actually begin…and how? Was there a catalyst to beginning?
LAZEGA: People often ask me, “So what made you decide to write her story?” and I have to chuckle and answer “Like I had a choice?” From the time I could first hold a Crayola Mango Tango she’d been telling me “You got to write down dis book — a million dollars they’ll pay you for it. Forget vhat dis mashuginas (Jewish for “bozos”) sell on Oprah. Mine life got a better story. Vhat I did to survive and bring mine children here to dis country.” So many of our parents and grandparents (especially immigrant families)impart their incredible sagas of struggle — mine just handed me a pencil and said “Now listen good and write." Believe me, it stuck and I’m glad that it did.
FQ: Bubbie loved President Reagan, may I ask what she would say about a “Trump” in the White House?
LAZEGA: Of course, she only liked Reagan because she had a theory that he was her long-lost brother. Otherwise, like many immigrants, she was fiercely loyal to the party that she saw as opening the door to her family's freedom (in her case President Roosevelt and the Democrats) so I expect we'd have heard something like "Oy, he's got such a big mouth that one? Ach, and that shmata ("rag") on his head. Oh no, I von't vote for him. Ve need a voman running tings here."
FQ: The research must have been incredibly interesting when it came to the telling of her locations during WWII. Are you personally interested in history/historical tales?
LAZEGA: I am fascinated by history and had a rare opportunity to see many of the sites when my family was honored with an exhibit at the French holocaust museum at Camp Desmilles. This is the place where my grandfather was interned during the war (and where my grandmother later launched his escape). It was an abandoned brick factory that the Germans had converted into an internment camp. Thousands of France’s Jews, intellectuals, gays, and anyone else the Nazis hated were warehoused there to await deportation to the death camps. Nobel laureates and world-renowned artists slept by the dozen in soot-covered 12’ x 12’ brick ovens. To say it made an impression is an understatement.
FQ: How long did the research take to put this book together?
LAZEGA: It's a story about a lifetime so naturally writing it took what feels like a lifetime. I started the project in 1998 with just some scribblings that I pushed on to an author friend who then pushed it on her agent who by the weekend was faxing me a representation agreement. From there it started to snowball and big publishing houses were showing interest . . . in my writing but not my story. "We love the writing but how do we sell this very ethnic story in Kansas?" they answered. Years later I decided to dust it off and give it another go and what I have learned from the process is that the publishing industry is far more narrow-minded than middle America. People in Kansas and other parts really DO want to hear stories that aren’t their own — as long as the stories are good.
FQ: It is extremely difficult going from humor to drama in a book – fiction or non-fiction. Was it easy to do this so seamlessly because it was a personal subject, or was it a case of trial-and-error, being the first time you have written?
LAZEGA: I think Mark Twain once said, “Comedy is tragedy plus time” and I think that rings true here. Life is full of joy and adversity. What people do with adversity and how they look back on it is what makes some people the things books are made of.
FQ: Do you have a mentor when it comes to writing?
LAZEGA: My Grandma Ana was the bookseller who never read a book and, sad to say, I’m kind of the book writer that hardly ever read a book. I am a big fan of Mark Twain, though. He had the kind of wit that you just can’t replicate these days.
FQ: Have you ever traveled to the historical sites involved in Bubbie’s tales? Seen the German’s “Holocaust” past or traveled to the locations she spoke about?
LAZEGA: I did get the opportunity to retrace some of Bubbie’s steps through Nazi-occupied Europe when the whole Mishpucha (the whole extended family) went to France to receive a recognition from the French government at the national holocaust museum. One of the striking things that I hope leaps out in this book is that in places that today would read like a dream European vacation (Brussels, Paris, the French Riviera, Barcelona) people not long ago were running for their lives. It’s a tremendous testament to the power of change and also a powerful reminder that hate can happen anywhere if you let it.
FQ: I do realize that you are a professional in a different line of business, but has the writing “bug” perhaps bitten to the point where we will one day see more titles from you?
LAZEGA: Actually, Bubbie has really taken off and I have development funding to try to make it into a movie and multi-actor celebrity cast audiobook. So, fingers crossed...There’s more to come.
FQ: If so, is there a genre you would be interested in exploring?
LAZEGA: Yes, I’m a sucker for stories about family members that love you so much that it hurts (no,I mean really it hurts). So next up on deck is a Spanish-language romantic sit-com about a grande-dame Jewish widow who learns that her darling eldest son (whom she expected to dote on her until her dying days) has fallen madly in love with a humble immigrant girl from Guatemala and Mama hen will do whatever it takes to bring him back home.
To learn more about Managing Bubbie please read the review at: Feathered Quill Book Reviews.
Friday, October 30, 2015
Wednesday, October 28, 2015
Book Review - Tails From the Booth
Tails From the Booth
By: Lynn Terry
Publisher: Gallery Books
Publication Date: October 2015
ISBN: 978-1501100697
Reviewed by: Ellen Feld
Review Date: October 25, 2015
Publisher: Gallery Books
Publication Date: October 2015
ISBN: 978-1501100697
Reviewed by: Ellen Feld
Review Date: October 25, 2015
In 2006, photographer Lynn Terry, inspired by her love of dogs, agreed to help a local dog rescue by photographing a couple of their dogs in need of ‘forever homes.’ She came up with the novel idea of taking photos of those dogs in a recreation of an old-fashioned photo booth. And the rest, as they say, was history. The photos flew across the internet, racking up huge numbers of hits, likes and shares. Inspired to help even more rescue dogs find permanent homes, Lynn tweaked her photo booth and set to work sharing more photos. Soon afterwards, a book was suggested and Tails From the Booth was born.
Over 100 pages of photos (with a few pages of text here and there) of adorable dogs posing in a photo booth are captured in this book. Most pages have four shots per page, with one to three dogs in each shot and a nice mixture of color and sepia tone images. There are several pages of text by the author/photographer explaining how the idea was born, what she does to capture the dogs’ attention, and at the back of the book head shots, along with names, of all the dogs who participated in the making of this book.
What made the original photos so popular, and that is replicated within the pages of this book, are the personalities of the dogs that come screaming through loud and clear. While the single dog photos are nice, my favorites are those with two or three dogs. Why? Because you can really see the personalities and relationships the dogs have with each other. From loving (tongues out, licking each other) to total annoyance (eyes rolling, like a child who is upset at his/her sibling), it’s as if you know what they are thinking. I dare anyone to look through the pages of this book and tell me that dogs don’t have distinct personalities. I also dare you to go through the book and try to keep a straight face. Tails From the Booth will cheer up the grouchiest person.
Quill says: Having a bad day? Need a good laugh? If so, (and even if you’re having a great day!) then I suggest you check out Tails From the Booth. I guarantee you’ll be smiling from ear to ear after scrolling through its pages.
Book Review - Flossopher and the Brushing Trees
Flossopher and the Brushing Trees
By: “Dr. Mike” King
Illustrated by: Rick Ellis
Publisher: The Fifth Dentist
Publication Date: June 2015
ISBN: 978-0990948407
Reviewed by: Amy Lignor
Review Date: October 26, 2015
Illustrated by: Rick Ellis
Publisher: The Fifth Dentist
Publication Date: June 2015
ISBN: 978-0990948407
Reviewed by: Amy Lignor
Review Date: October 26, 2015
You know as well as I do the word “dentist” does not bring about the same happy, loving feeling as, say, “puppy.” In fact, the dentist’s office has been seen by many as the least favorite place to ever go during your lifetime. BUT, going to the dentist and taking care of your teeth correctly from the time you are a little boy or girl is one of the most important things to do in order to stay healthy...and not have to show up at the dentist one day looking forward to wearing dentures and/or “gumming” meals for the rest of time.
Flossopher is a very cool character who lives in the Brite Forest and makes sure to do his job of teaching everyone about good dental health and daily brushing. Far away from the forest of Brushing Trees and Flossopher’s friends (AKA: The Brushers, who work hard to pick the toothbrushes from the trees so that everyone can have one), lives a villain...Cavidorg! In the land of Durt high atop Mount Yuk, this shrewd businessman runs Denture-Con! A business that can certainly not make money if Flossopher keeps doing his job so well. Every once in a while a dark cloud will form above the Brite Forest, alerting Cavidorg that someone has not brushed their teeth - which makes him very, very happy. And this time around, Flossopher must save the teeth of Toothyl as the bad guys move in...
As stated above, this book is incredibly adorable, while showing all children (and adults) out there, how easy it is to brush and how important it is. The ‘battle’ between Flossopher and the evil Cavidorg is perfect for young readers; the names are perfect, and the illustrations are beautifully drawn. Adding on to the power and pleasure of this story is the fact that part of the sales of this book will be going to Smile Train (www.SmileTrain.org), which gives parents even more of a reason to buy this right away.
Quill says: A perfect educational tool on a much-needed activity in life, wrapped in a cool story that kids will absolutely love!
Sunday, October 25, 2015
Interview with Author Patrick Garry
Today, Feathered Quill reviewer Ellen Feld is talking with Patrick Garry, author of Blind Spots
FQ: Blind Spots is quite a departure from your last novel, Finding Flipper Frank. Are you as comfortable writing a tangled web of a mystery as you are creating a light-hearted, fun travel adventure?
GARRY: I’ve found that the characters and plot really drive the writing. So once I have characters that become compelling to me, and who find themselves in challenging or unusual circumstances, my writing seems to flow out of those characters and plot situations. If I have a character with a sense of humor, surrounding by other quirky or eccentric characters, then I seem to be able to sustain a novel with a humorous voice. But if the characters and plot are more tense or dramatic, then the novel becomes one with an intricate plot of mystery and suspense.
FQ: Speaking of writing in different genres, you are a very versatile author, having written books (and articles) in topics as varied as law, religion & society, romance and crime mysteries. Does each genre offer the same challenges to you as a writer, or are they each distinctive in their challenges?
GARRY: Yes, the different genres pose distinctly different challenges. My nonfiction books on law and religion require detailed and often academic-type research. But once the research is done, and an outline put together, the writing can be fairly straightforward as it follows this outline. A much different approach occurs with my fiction writing, where the writing cannot be organized ahead of time in a comprehensive or detailed outline. With fiction, I’ve found, the writing needs to accommodate the changes and developments with the characters. To get characters that come alive, the writing needs to be alive, in the sense that it has to be dynamic and unscripted.
FQ: Did your law background help you in writing the sections of Blind Spots where you discuss city politics and the inner workings of the judicial system?
GARRY: I think it did. You know the old adage: you should write what you know. I’m very familiar with law, politics and the judicial system, so it feels comfortable writing about those subjects.
FQ: In the story, the gun, the twelve-year-old boy using that gun, the mystery of who gave the boy the gun – mesh into the current gun debate – a very hot topic these days. Since Blind Spots has just recently been published, I have to suspect that you were working on it while events such as those in Ferguson, MO, were unfolding. Did these events help shape the plot?
GARRY: In a number of my other novels, social or legal events did influence the plots. Such events can prompt me to think of storylines or connections I might not otherwise have considered. Sometimes those events exerted a narrow or confined influence; other times the events had a rather profound influence on the direction of the novel. With Blind Spots, the rash of multiple-victim shootings in America did contribute to the background plot setting. In the novel, however, the focus turns not to the motivations of the shooter, but to an investigation of who provided the gun to that shooter.
FQ: You used Camden, NJ as the backdrop for the initial murder that sets off the story. Why Camden rather than, say, New York City, or perhaps Los Angeles?
GARRY: I’ve actually been to Camden several times. I’ve been invited to speak at the law school there on numerous occasions. So I had a feel for the city, and I thought it would make an appropriate setting for the novel. And I like situating a novel in locations other than the often predictable New York or Los Angeles.
FQ: I found Milo Krantz to be a very interesting character – on the surface, a person who is reviled by his neighbors. But there is more there, and that’s what really grabbed me. Was he a fun character to create/write?
GARRY: I’m glad you found Milo interesting. In a way, I was somewhat surprised how he developed as the novel went along. In fact, I liked him so much I am using a Milo-like character in the novel I’m currently writing.
FQ: And speaking of characters, Judge Donna Davis...let me say that I cheered more for Milo than Donna. Typically the reader will root for the ‘good guy’ (the judge) but not so much in the case of Blind Spots. Was this intentional on your part?
GARRY: I strive for multi-dimensional characters -- characters who are real. Characters who have what we all have – both good and bad sides. You’re right, on the surface the judge comes across as the good character. And Milo, the arrested suspect and slumlord rent collector, appears as the bad or unappealing character. But over time, we see the depth of Milo’s human side, such as his concern for the young girl and her dog. The judge, on the other hand, has a hidden side that seems absorbed with ambition, insecurity and selfishness. From the outside, the judge is the hero and Milo is the villain. But looking at the characters from their inside, Milo possesses a dignity and humanity that the privileged and wealthy judge does not have. With Milo, his rough exterior just seems to make his inner character all the more touching.
FQ: In this day and age of quick ‘Law and Order’ one-hour court case dramas, where everybody wants the criminal brought to justice quickly, Blind Spots shows us just what can happen when the justice system pushes for a speedy resolution. Do you see this as an issue in today’s judicial system?
GARRY: Good point. I don’t think I can put it any better than you just did.
FQ: Finally, the title of the book, is it taken from ‘blind spots’ within the judicial system, ‘blind spots’ that we all have (as seen in the book through the eyes/actions of Detective Gunther Mulvaney) or perhaps from something else?
GARRY: That’s a keen insight. Yes, I think the novel very much is about all the blind spots that can fill our individual and social fields of vision. We all know that the justice system can have blind spots. But our moral sense can also have blinds spots. Families can have blind spots to the needs of each other. Our memories can have blind spots too. So, in a way, life is all about trying to see past all our blind spots.
To learn more about Blind Spots please read the review at: Feathered Quill Book Reviews.
FQ: Blind Spots is quite a departure from your last novel, Finding Flipper Frank. Are you as comfortable writing a tangled web of a mystery as you are creating a light-hearted, fun travel adventure?
GARRY: I’ve found that the characters and plot really drive the writing. So once I have characters that become compelling to me, and who find themselves in challenging or unusual circumstances, my writing seems to flow out of those characters and plot situations. If I have a character with a sense of humor, surrounding by other quirky or eccentric characters, then I seem to be able to sustain a novel with a humorous voice. But if the characters and plot are more tense or dramatic, then the novel becomes one with an intricate plot of mystery and suspense.
FQ: Speaking of writing in different genres, you are a very versatile author, having written books (and articles) in topics as varied as law, religion & society, romance and crime mysteries. Does each genre offer the same challenges to you as a writer, or are they each distinctive in their challenges?
 |
| Author Patrick Garry |
GARRY: Yes, the different genres pose distinctly different challenges. My nonfiction books on law and religion require detailed and often academic-type research. But once the research is done, and an outline put together, the writing can be fairly straightforward as it follows this outline. A much different approach occurs with my fiction writing, where the writing cannot be organized ahead of time in a comprehensive or detailed outline. With fiction, I’ve found, the writing needs to accommodate the changes and developments with the characters. To get characters that come alive, the writing needs to be alive, in the sense that it has to be dynamic and unscripted.
FQ: Did your law background help you in writing the sections of Blind Spots where you discuss city politics and the inner workings of the judicial system?
GARRY: I think it did. You know the old adage: you should write what you know. I’m very familiar with law, politics and the judicial system, so it feels comfortable writing about those subjects.
FQ: In the story, the gun, the twelve-year-old boy using that gun, the mystery of who gave the boy the gun – mesh into the current gun debate – a very hot topic these days. Since Blind Spots has just recently been published, I have to suspect that you were working on it while events such as those in Ferguson, MO, were unfolding. Did these events help shape the plot?
GARRY: In a number of my other novels, social or legal events did influence the plots. Such events can prompt me to think of storylines or connections I might not otherwise have considered. Sometimes those events exerted a narrow or confined influence; other times the events had a rather profound influence on the direction of the novel. With Blind Spots, the rash of multiple-victim shootings in America did contribute to the background plot setting. In the novel, however, the focus turns not to the motivations of the shooter, but to an investigation of who provided the gun to that shooter.
FQ: You used Camden, NJ as the backdrop for the initial murder that sets off the story. Why Camden rather than, say, New York City, or perhaps Los Angeles?
GARRY: I’ve actually been to Camden several times. I’ve been invited to speak at the law school there on numerous occasions. So I had a feel for the city, and I thought it would make an appropriate setting for the novel. And I like situating a novel in locations other than the often predictable New York or Los Angeles.
FQ: I found Milo Krantz to be a very interesting character – on the surface, a person who is reviled by his neighbors. But there is more there, and that’s what really grabbed me. Was he a fun character to create/write?
GARRY: I’m glad you found Milo interesting. In a way, I was somewhat surprised how he developed as the novel went along. In fact, I liked him so much I am using a Milo-like character in the novel I’m currently writing.
FQ: And speaking of characters, Judge Donna Davis...let me say that I cheered more for Milo than Donna. Typically the reader will root for the ‘good guy’ (the judge) but not so much in the case of Blind Spots. Was this intentional on your part?
 |
| Author Patrick Garry |
GARRY: I strive for multi-dimensional characters -- characters who are real. Characters who have what we all have – both good and bad sides. You’re right, on the surface the judge comes across as the good character. And Milo, the arrested suspect and slumlord rent collector, appears as the bad or unappealing character. But over time, we see the depth of Milo’s human side, such as his concern for the young girl and her dog. The judge, on the other hand, has a hidden side that seems absorbed with ambition, insecurity and selfishness. From the outside, the judge is the hero and Milo is the villain. But looking at the characters from their inside, Milo possesses a dignity and humanity that the privileged and wealthy judge does not have. With Milo, his rough exterior just seems to make his inner character all the more touching.
FQ: In this day and age of quick ‘Law and Order’ one-hour court case dramas, where everybody wants the criminal brought to justice quickly, Blind Spots shows us just what can happen when the justice system pushes for a speedy resolution. Do you see this as an issue in today’s judicial system?
GARRY: Good point. I don’t think I can put it any better than you just did.
FQ: Finally, the title of the book, is it taken from ‘blind spots’ within the judicial system, ‘blind spots’ that we all have (as seen in the book through the eyes/actions of Detective Gunther Mulvaney) or perhaps from something else?
GARRY: That’s a keen insight. Yes, I think the novel very much is about all the blind spots that can fill our individual and social fields of vision. We all know that the justice system can have blind spots. But our moral sense can also have blinds spots. Families can have blind spots to the needs of each other. Our memories can have blind spots too. So, in a way, life is all about trying to see past all our blind spots.
To learn more about Blind Spots please read the review at: Feathered Quill Book Reviews.
Book Review - Tails From the Booth
Tails From the Booth
By: Lynn Terry
Publisher: Gallery Books
Publication Date: October 2015
ISBN: 978-1501100697
Reviewed by: Ellen Feld
Review Date: October 25, 2015
Publisher: Gallery Books
Publication Date: October 2015
ISBN: 978-1501100697
Reviewed by: Ellen Feld
Review Date: October 25, 2015
In 2006, photographer Lynn Terry, inspired by her love of dogs, agreed to help a local dog rescue by photographing a couple of their dogs in need of ‘forever homes.’ She came up with the novel idea of taking photos of those dogs in a recreation of an old-fashioned photo booth. And the rest, as they say, was history. The photos flew across the internet, racking up huge numbers of hits, likes and shares. Inspired to help even more rescue dogs find permanent homes, Lynn tweaked her photo booth and set to work sharing more photos. Soon afterwards, a book was suggested and Tails From the Booth was born.
Over 100 pages of photos (with a few pages of text here and there) of adorable dogs posing in a photo booth are captured in this book. Most pages have four shots per page, with one to three dogs in each shot and a nice mixture of color and sepia tone images. There are several pages of text by the author/photographer explaining how the idea was born, what she does to capture the dogs’ attention, and at the back of the book head shots, along with names, of all the dogs who participated in the making of this book.
What made the original photos so popular, and that is replicated within the pages of this book, are the personalities of the dogs that come screaming through loud and clear. While the single dog photos are nice, my favorites are those with two or three dogs. Why? Because you can really see the personalities and relationships the dogs have with each other. From loving (tongues out, licking each other) to total annoyance (eyes rolling, like a child who is upset at his/her sibling), it’s as if you know what they are thinking. I dare anyone to look through the pages of this book and tell me that dogs don’t have distinct personalities. I also dare you to go through the book and try to keep a straight face. Tails From the Booth will cheer up the grouchiest person.
Quill says: Having a bad day? Need a good laugh? If so, (and even if you’re having a great day!) then I suggest you check out Tails From the Booth. I guarantee you’ll be smiling from ear to ear after scrolling through its pages.
Friday, October 23, 2015
Books In For Review
Check them out! Here's the latest group of books to arrive for review.
Murdock Rocks Sedona: A Matt Murdock Murder Mystery by Robert J. Ray Wealthy investors in Sedona, Arizona, are dropping like flies--more accurately, lead weights. They are falling down staircases and off mountainsides, decks, and hiking trails. With so many similar "accidents," the victims had to have been pushed. Other than their wealth and weakness for beautiful young women, what the falling men had in common was a financial interest in Sedona Landing, a historic hotel in Oak Creek Village. They also shared a long history with the chief investor, billionaire Axel Ackerman. Fearing that he too will plunge to his death, Ackerman hires Matt Murdock and Helene Steinbeck to investigate. During his climb to the top of the heap, Ackerman crushed scores of rivals and broke many hearts. The culling of his "Crew" of investors is clearly personal. So who among this crowded field of enemies would orchestrate such a byzantine scheme of revenge? To keep their client safe, Matt and Helene will have to be on their best game. Too bad their last case in Taos took such a heavy toll, particularly on Helene, and caused a rift in their fragile bond.
S: Memoir of an Iconic Gentleman by Raymond S. Edge Everyone has a story a beginning a starting place. Although I am famous few know mine. Let me tell you where I came from and the journey I took to become the celebrity icon I am today. It is also an opportunity for me to set the story straight--on no occasion at any time in any place have I run over a grandmother.
A Cluster of Cancers: A Simple Coping Guide for Patients by Dr. Sherry L. Meinberg This book brings a positive approach to the subject, showing how readers can participate in the healing process-alongside their treatments. It covers the gamut of selfhelp issues that cancer patients contend with (thirtyone subjects). Half of the quotes are by medical doctors and psychologists, while the other half are by experts in their fields or famous names. Supportive and encouraging, the practical suggestions provide a different slant from other cancer books as it is written by a cancer survivor.
The Key, the Turtle and the Bottle of Schnapps by Phyllis W. Palm The author invites the reader to come along on an adventure. The journey is frightening and often sad. A 4,000 mile flight from evil aggressors will lead the reader from Frankfurt, Germany in 1938 to Tashkent, Uzbekistan in 1945. Ultimately, the family emerges triumphant, highlighting the resilience and the strength of ordinary people to overcome unimaginable challenges.
The Tiniest Tumbleweed by Kathy Peach Everyone feels small or inadequate at some point in their lives. The Tiniest Tumbleweed is a story written to help children learn more about what they can do to become their best selves, despite whatever may be making them feel small or limited. The characters are two Sonoran Desert neighbors, a tiny tumbleweed and a baby house sparrow, who are both small for their age. Guided by the loving encouragement of their parents, they learn to work within their physical limitations to grow to be the best they can be, rather than measure themselves against others. As a result, they also learn how they can help one another, providing a lesson about the synergy between living things and the boundless opportunities those relationships provide. The proven psychological concepts for building self-efficacy combined with a children’s literature writing method that helps young readers believe in limitless opportunities are what make The Tiniest Tumbleweed unique. The connection between the characters in the book, a tiny tumbleweed and a sparrow, provides a fascinating look into the real-life desert relationship between tumbleweeds and birds. Following the story, a well-researched curriculum guide captivates young readers, helping them develop a deeper respect for nature.
Murdock Rocks Sedona: A Matt Murdock Murder Mystery by Robert J. Ray Wealthy investors in Sedona, Arizona, are dropping like flies--more accurately, lead weights. They are falling down staircases and off mountainsides, decks, and hiking trails. With so many similar "accidents," the victims had to have been pushed. Other than their wealth and weakness for beautiful young women, what the falling men had in common was a financial interest in Sedona Landing, a historic hotel in Oak Creek Village. They also shared a long history with the chief investor, billionaire Axel Ackerman. Fearing that he too will plunge to his death, Ackerman hires Matt Murdock and Helene Steinbeck to investigate. During his climb to the top of the heap, Ackerman crushed scores of rivals and broke many hearts. The culling of his "Crew" of investors is clearly personal. So who among this crowded field of enemies would orchestrate such a byzantine scheme of revenge? To keep their client safe, Matt and Helene will have to be on their best game. Too bad their last case in Taos took such a heavy toll, particularly on Helene, and caused a rift in their fragile bond.
S: Memoir of an Iconic Gentleman by Raymond S. Edge Everyone has a story a beginning a starting place. Although I am famous few know mine. Let me tell you where I came from and the journey I took to become the celebrity icon I am today. It is also an opportunity for me to set the story straight--on no occasion at any time in any place have I run over a grandmother.
A Cluster of Cancers: A Simple Coping Guide for Patients by Dr. Sherry L. Meinberg This book brings a positive approach to the subject, showing how readers can participate in the healing process-alongside their treatments. It covers the gamut of selfhelp issues that cancer patients contend with (thirtyone subjects). Half of the quotes are by medical doctors and psychologists, while the other half are by experts in their fields or famous names. Supportive and encouraging, the practical suggestions provide a different slant from other cancer books as it is written by a cancer survivor.
The Key, the Turtle and the Bottle of Schnapps by Phyllis W. Palm The author invites the reader to come along on an adventure. The journey is frightening and often sad. A 4,000 mile flight from evil aggressors will lead the reader from Frankfurt, Germany in 1938 to Tashkent, Uzbekistan in 1945. Ultimately, the family emerges triumphant, highlighting the resilience and the strength of ordinary people to overcome unimaginable challenges.
The Tiniest Tumbleweed by Kathy Peach Everyone feels small or inadequate at some point in their lives. The Tiniest Tumbleweed is a story written to help children learn more about what they can do to become their best selves, despite whatever may be making them feel small or limited. The characters are two Sonoran Desert neighbors, a tiny tumbleweed and a baby house sparrow, who are both small for their age. Guided by the loving encouragement of their parents, they learn to work within their physical limitations to grow to be the best they can be, rather than measure themselves against others. As a result, they also learn how they can help one another, providing a lesson about the synergy between living things and the boundless opportunities those relationships provide. The proven psychological concepts for building self-efficacy combined with a children’s literature writing method that helps young readers believe in limitless opportunities are what make The Tiniest Tumbleweed unique. The connection between the characters in the book, a tiny tumbleweed and a sparrow, provides a fascinating look into the real-life desert relationship between tumbleweeds and birds. Following the story, a well-researched curriculum guide captivates young readers, helping them develop a deeper respect for nature.
Monday, October 19, 2015
Book Review - Whispers of the Wolf
Whispers of the Wolf
By: Pauline Ts'o
Publisher: Wisdom Tales
Publication Date: October 2015
ISBN: 978-1937786458
Reviewed by: Deb Fowler
Review Date: October 20, 2015
Publisher: Wisdom Tales
Publication Date: October 2015
ISBN: 978-1937786458
Reviewed by: Deb Fowler
Review Date: October 20, 2015
It wasn’t long before they heard a whimpering, a tiny voice that would change Two Birds’ life. What could that little sound be? It was a wolf pup, barely able to raise his head, who lay in the bottom of a hole. Two Birds wanted the pup and his grandfather agreed saying, “While the wolf spirit is powerful, this one may not live long.” Two Birds’ jaw was set as he leaned into the hole to take the pup. Would he live or was he just too small and sickly to make it? Two Birds would try and he took the wolf pup home and began to tend to it.
The wolf pup did not go unnoticed and Gray Bear excitedly asked to hold him. No, not yet because he wasn’t “strong enough.” A promise was made and soon Gray Bear was allowed to hold him. Other boys clustered around, anxiously awaiting their turn. Two Birds had made a friend in Gray Bear, but he made an even stronger bond and friendship with his wolf. The wolf whispered to Two Birds, a shy boy who began to slowly turn into a storyteller. Life was good, but something was changing. The wolf was being pulled by nature, but would Two Birds be strong enough to set him free?
Through the wolf Two Birds was able to learn many lessons, especially how to believe in himself. The tale is set 500 years ago, but the difficulties Two Birds was facing as a young boy will resonant with many children. The artwork beautifully captures the essence of Pueblo life and Two Birds’ tentative personality perfectly. In the back of the book are comprehensive notes discussing details of the Pueblo culture as depicted in the artwork and additional recommended books to explore.
Quill says: This is a poignant tale of Two Birds, a young Pueblo Indian who was learning the ways of the world.
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