Wednesday, April 29, 2009

The Good Neighbors: Kin

The Good Neighbors. Volume 1: Kin by Holly Black. Illustrated by Ted Naifeh.
Teen Graphic Novels – Main Level - GOO

Rue Silver is sixteen years old. She has a boyfriend and a group of friends who like to break into abandoned buildings and take photographs. Her mother has been quietly missing for three weeks and her father is suddenly involved in a murder case. And she’s starting to see things that she can’t tell anyone about, because they’ll think she’s crazy. They are the faeries of the old tales, the ones called Kindly and Good in hopes of preventing unwanted attentions. Rue learns that her vanished mother was a faery herself. A battle is beginning, and Rue must decide whose side she is on, and how much she can tell her friends. This is the first volume of what’s obviously planned as a much longer series. It’s a very solid start. The story strikes just the right balance between realistic and spooky, and the shaded paintings bring this out perfectly. I got a strong Buffy vibe off of it, not in a copy-cat kind of way, but in the circle of high school friends with a snarky sense of humor and a smart, tough girl going it with some help, but mostly alone. Black is also the author of The Spiderwick Chronicles. This does feel like it’s coming from the same imagination, but more from real older legend, and definitely more sophisticated and for an older audience. I’m really looking forward to the next one.



Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Bloom Blox


Boom Blox
Video Games Main Level – VG - BOO


Boom Blox for the Wii is a very entertaining game. The object of the game is to throw, push or blow up certain items before continuing to a new level. Before you even are able to play the game you need to go through a series of training exercises. These exercises give you a sampling of the different levels you will need to complete. They start off easy and gradually get harder. The game is much like Jenga, where you have to move items without knocking down the entire structure. In order to unlock new levels you need to get a gold, silver, or bronze medal on the previous level. The medals are based on the amount of points you receive while playing the level. This game can be played for hours at a time trying to beat your previous scores. You can also play with multiple players either cooperatively or against each other. If you want a few hours of mindless fun, check out Boom Blox.


Saturday, April 18, 2009

From Mao to Mozart: Isaac Stern in China


From Mao to Mozart: Isaac Stern in China Isaac Stern

Adult Nonfiction DVD 782.2S

This DVD, produced by Hopewell Foundation and Thirteen/WNET, documents the first visit of a Western Musician to China following the end of the Cultural Revolution. Isaac Stern was invited by the Chinese government to tour the country, teach students, and otherwise share musical experiences with musicians in China. The original film covers Stern’s 1979 journey, brief tours of the countryside, and the teaching of master classes. Only a few minutes are spent on the impact of the Cultural Revolution on musicianship… western musical education ceased… teachers of western music were imprisoned.
This DVD also includes documentary film of Isaac Stern’s return trip to China 20 years later (2000). He comments that the musicians are playing better now, more able to express themselves individually in music; and he reiterates the importance of music in the development of a civilized society.
I would refer you to one of the extras on this DVD… the film called “The Gentleman from Shanghai”. In this 26 minute retrospective, Professor Tan’s narration of his life in music is interspersed with historical accounts of Japan’s invasion of Shanghai in 1937 and subsequent surrender in 1945, the nationalization of the orchestra in 1948, the formation of the People’s Republic of China in 1949, and the beginning of the Cultural Revolution in 1966. Tan speaks at some length about his imprisonment, and later, about forgiveness.
View this DVD for a look at classical music education and cultural exchange against the backdrop of 20th century Chinese history.



Friday, April 17, 2009

I Will Never Not Ever Eat a Tomato


I Will Never Not Ever Eat a Tomato by Lauren Child.
Picture Book Shelves - Lower Level - CHI


Little Lola hates mushrooms, cauliflower, carrots, peas, fish sticks, potatoes, and most of all tomatoes. How will her brother Charlie feed her dinner tonight? He comes up with a clever way of getting Lola to believe that carrots are orange twiglets from Jupiter, and peas are green drops from Greenland. Likewise, fish sticks come from an undersea market, and mashed potatoes are really cloud fluff from Mount Fuji. Soon Lola is happily eating all of her supposedly least favorite foods. The biggest shock is when Lola herself comes up with a way to enjoy the dreaded tomatoes.

I Will Never Not Ever Eat a Tomato by Lauren Child is a funny and enjoyable picture book for all those fussy eaters out there. The illustrations mix different styles including real photography which makes this book a truly "delicious" treat!




Friday, April 10, 2009

God Grew Tired of Us



God Grew Tired of Us Directed by Christopher Quinn
DVD Collection - Main Level - DOCUMENT GOD

“God Grew Tired of Us” tells the true story of three Sudanese men who after facing genocide, starvation, and dehydration are relocated to the United States. After being split from their families and escaping government troops, thousands of displaced men known as “The Lost Boys of Sudan” were forced to travel on foot for months until they reached Ethiopia. However, they would soon be forced to escape Ethiopia when a civil war broke out there as well. During this journey to a refugee camp in Kenya, the group would suffer from disease, violence, and death. Within the camp the refugees formed a bond that would remain strong even when 3,800 of them are relocated to America.

“God Grew Tired of Us” chronicles the culture shock these men face by highlighting the challenges three of the men have as they attempt to achieve the American dream. Everyday conveniences such as garbage cans, supermarkets, and flushable toilets become strange new experiences. While some of the men cope better than others, one of the most remarkable aspects of the film is the way in which they make the best of their circumstances. It should serve as a lesson to those of us out there that whine about our situation in life and yet do nothing to better it.

One of the men in particular, John Bul Dau who worked 60 hours a week while obtaining an associates degree, is a prime example of taking what you have and making the most out of it. He has founded three non-profit organizations, The Sudanese Lost Boys Foundation of Central New York, The American Care for Sudan, and the John Dau Sudan Foundation which was founded in July 2007 to develop health facilities that currently do not exist for most of the populations of Duk, Twic East and Bor South Counties in the State of Jonglei in Southern Sudan. “God Grew Tired of Us” is not only a great film because of the social awareness it raises, but it also serves as a beacon of hope for those of us who find ourselves struggling to get by in life.

For More information on the Lost Boys of Sudan check out:

The Lost Boys of Sudan by Mark Bixler
Adult Non-fiction - Upper Level - 305.8B

The Lost Boys of Sudan by Megan Mylan & Jon Shenk
Teen Non-fiction DVD - Main Level - 973L



Saturday, April 4, 2009

Summer Dreams: The Story of Bob-Lo Island


Summer Dreams: The Story of Bob-Lo Island by Patrick Livingston

Adult Nonfiction 977.43L


In a detailed history of Bob-Lo Island, Patrick Livingston discusses international borders, illegal immigration, race relations, the advent of the auto industry, provocative dance, war economics, and, of course, the boats, dance halls, roller rinks and amusement parks. I had had no idea there was such intrigue associated with the Island, recalling only the mostly boring boat ride required to get to the amusement park.

The ferry company that serviced the island and other river destinations in the early years found itself in competition with the Ambassador Bridge, Windsor Tunnel and the popularity of the automobile. In later years, of course, competition came from Cedar Point. In between, there were management changes, bankruptcies, population shifts, morality shifts, and the like.

Summer Dreams is filled with pictured miscellany, photographs and advertisements from the Dossin Great Lakes Museum and the authors own collection. Read and reminisce.