2010 Newbery Medal Winner

It makes sense to me that a book where an integral part of the story relies on information from a past Newbery Medal winner would become an Newbery Medal winner itself. In When You Reach Me, the favorite book of Miranda is A Wrinkle in Time, the 1963 winner.

Miranda's life is pretty unremarkable until the day she finds a note in her library book. Miranda is 12 year old, living with her mother in apartment in a run down section of Manhattan in 1979. Beyond the normal middle school politics of who's cool and who's not, the biggest crisis in her life is the loss of her friendship with her childhood friend, Sal. Then she finds a note with a cryptic message that tells her “I am coming to save your friend's life, and my own...I will not be myself when I reach you,” asking her to “write me a letter.” This book is the letter Miranda wrote to her unknown pen pal.

There is plenty of suspense, intermingled with Miranda's struggles to connect with new friends, to keep this book a true page turner. The ending is ironically both expected, yet unexpected, as Stead neatly ties in all the gaps, leaving the reader thinking, “Aha! That's what that clue meant.” This book receives my vote as a worthy Newbery Medal winner.

Patricia Schroader
Children's Librarian

The man who sold the world

"The Man who sold the world" by William Kleinknecht could not have come at a more appropriate time for Americans. I personally found this book to be a very valuable insight into the so-called "legacy" of one of America's most revered and misunderstood presidents. At first I was a little bit shocked as to what I was reading, but the further I read the more I came to realize that sometimes things are not as them seem (especially when it comes to government).

Rather than take the easy way out and present empty social mores and personal attacks, the author presents evidence of cause-&-effect scenarios that were directly or indirectly the result of Ronald Reagan's influence (an influence that is still a very viable and dominant force in business and politics today, both in America and around the world). The author dares to question that influence, and does so not by making blanket statements with little real backing, but genuine qualifications of facts and figures that any honest man or woman would find hard to refute in any serious debate. This book is not a slam or attack towards the 40th president unlike other books tend to do when discussing the Carter or Clinton Administrations. Kleinknecht tears away at the legacy of "Reaganism": discussing the after-effects of that legacy and what it means to us today in our current situation.

I also found it interesting and fair that Kleinknecht's time-line of hypocrisy is not limited to the GOP. He allows the evidence to speak for itself. The main theme of the book is that Reagan's populism was more from his Hollywood past than his upbringing and the values he appeared to believe strongly in. By the end of the book we see how a misguided, mixed up Administration began a mess that sadly has led to today.

So what did I learn from reading this? We, as a country, cannot place blame on one person or political party,rather all who have served the past 25 years are to blame either because they have had their own agendas or simply turned a blind eye to the growing hurricane.The president and his administration should have a vision but he should also have his team together(both sides);the right people should be chosen and he/she should understand how Congress works. In my opinion the most important thing for a president is to study the previous administration and not fix or meddle in things that aren't "broke".

What should we, as Americans, be willing to do? We must learn to become bi-partisan when it comes to electing our leaders and be willing to place the blame where it should be placed and learn to be able to criticize someone we may support. Now wouldn't that be a more perfect union?

Coal keeps lights on!

After a hiatus I am glad to report that we are back and it couldn't have come at a better time as I've a review on a book and documentary about a subject that is very near and dear to my heart... “mountaintop removal.” Coal mining is and has been a part of my heritage for at least 4 generations. My grandfather and father, as well as my stepbrother, uncles, and cousins have all been coal miners at one time or another. I must admit at first I was on the fence when it came to being for or against coal mining and mountaintop removal. On one hand if it's done correctly I can see the positive side of mining. Coal mining has given Appalachia many jobs and opportunities that wouldn't have been afforded them had there been no mining. On the other hand I have witnessed first hand the mess, destruction and disease that is left behind once Appalachia has been pillaged and left bare. Needless to say when the documentary “Burning the future , Coal in America” came across my desk I was unable to resist watching.

While I sat back and watched I could not help but notice that it was very one sided. If one were to watch it without keeping an open mind you would be unable to stop yourself from wanting to grab a sign and head to Appalachia and begin the fight to stop mountaintop removal.

The documentary does a wonderful job of illustrating the effects of the coal industry on the lives of ordinary people in Kentucky as well as West Virginia. It features a group of uncomplicated people who have lived in the heart of the coal land for generations. Each and every one of these people have taken on roles they never saw themselves fulfilling as their communities struggle and fight to save the culture that is being threatened. Suddenly their lives have become very complicated because of the politics and greed of coal.

As I watched the profit-mad coal companies as well as congressmen turn a deaf ear to the whole mess I felt this overwhelming sadness that went all the way to my soul. I felt that something needed to be done to help these people, but what? I am well aware that coal generates more than half of all the electricity in the US as well as provides jobs for people so how could that be so wrong?

A few weeks after I saw “Burning the future” a book entitled “Something's rising, Appalachians fighting mountaintop removal” came across my desk so once again I found myself thrust back in the middle of this controversial topic. Like the documentary, the book seems to be one sided as well but with one difference...it is a book of beautifully written stories from all types of Appalachians, including country singer Kathy Mattea. The people who tell their story do not come across as angry or pushy individuals but instead as ones who have a genuine concern for their homeland and people. After finishing “Something's Rising” you may ask if I am still straddling the fence? Unfortunately I am but as I sit here I ask myself these questions... Is it true that coal has done little for my people and the land that they have loved for generations? Has Appalachia been used, abused and left for dead? The answers are not simple, but as with life nothing is ever simple. There is something rising and burning no doubt about it.

The Summer Kitchen by Lisa Wingate

This is a great read. Particularly in light of the Christmas season and the economic challenges this past year. It is a heart-wrenching story written in first person from two persons viewpoint, a middle-aged wife and an orphaned girl on the run.

It is a moving story of second chances involving two orphaned siblings attempting to making it on their own, a disintegrating family, and an once-thriving community slowly changing into a less savory area. The book takes us through a tale of how a family tragedy brings the community together once again. It makes the reader take a good look at their own life and how misplaced priorities might lead to missed opportunities. While inspirational, it is not preachy.

Kathy Stutzman
Public Relations Manager

Lost Symbol

The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown

Exciting, thrilling, a roller coaster ride mystery based in Washington, D.C. Full of twists and turns. A few parts were a bit gruesome (and creepy), however, they weren't a major part of the book. A few cuss words popped up but overall pretty clean. Definitely will be made into a movie! Loved the puzzles and codes. It was hard to put down. My only criticism was the romanticizing of the Freemasons. Having been in the Eastern Star in the past and knowing some Freemasons, it is not as innocent as made out to be in this book, despite Dan Brown's and others protestations made in the Matt Lauer interview last week. Outside of that, it is a good read.


Kathy Stutzman
Public Relations Manager

Ladies in Lavender movie

An English movie definitely. The story is built slowly, layer by layer. Two sisters befriend a mysterious foreigner who washes up on the beach of their 1930's Cornish seaside village. Multi-talented, Judi Dench plays her role wonderfully as Ursula. As the film progresses, you begin to wonder if she is a little slow, mentally handicapped somehow or just incredibly sheltered by her sister. It is actually a sad movie. The young foreigner brings out their maternal instincts while at the same time causes internal conflict with Ursula who has never experienced a love relationship. Very poignant tale.

Kathy Stutzman
Public Relations Manager

Chocolate is divine but Johnny is better!

Good movie! The only thing missing was a box of chocolates to eat while watching it. In the beginning, there is a love scene with nudity but you can always fast forward through it and I would suggest you do as the movie is worth seeing.

Set in a small French town, the movie chronicles town life and its residents. It is a movie about redemption and salvation from a battered wife rescued from her husband, to the Mayor who comes to grip with his judgmental attitude which nearly ends in the death of some visiting gypsies. In the end a mother stops smothering her son, a wife-beater gets his due, a love unrequited for years takes bloom, a grandson is reunited with his grandmother, a married couple regain their love and passion for each other, etc. All of this resulting from the compassion of the new chocolatier in town and her mystical chocolate recipes.

Be prepared and get some chocolate to nibble on before watching this movie! My husband and I ended up having a double chocolate fudge shake after watching this!

Kathy Stutzman
Public Relations Manager