The End of an Era

It feels that way. After several years of wondering about the future of the private school where I have worked for twenty years, I learned the answer today. While the school will continue, the Board of Directors has determined that the budget does not allow for the continued presence of a librarian on the faculty. Even though I reacted with equanimity, inside I am in turmoil. Even though I knew that my time here might be limited, I always thought I would be the one determining when I would say goodbye.

As I walked through the halls of the building I first entered in the fall of 1991, everything seemed different. How could things be the same when the building where I have come since my children were young (three are now married, two with children of their own) will, in a few months, no longer be my almost daily destination?

The class arriving in the library after I received the news, of course, knew nothing. The only difference was that I threw caution to the winds and allowed the kids to look at newly arrived books, without labeling or entering them into the record first. Better let children see and enjoy them now. With the school year winding down, and the future of the collections uncertain, who knows what will be in store for these treasures and the others already on the shelves?

I have always tried to keep the tone of this blog upbeat, so forgive me for deviating from the normal atmosphere. There is, there must be, a silver lining in this cloud. I must simply go out and find it.

The Books Are Coming!

The books I so painstakingly selected and ordered this past winter have been making their appearance in recent weeks, and they are still coming!  Even though so many duties await my attention, I am unable to resist open the boxes to take a peek at the treasures within.  (It’s a thinly veiled reason that all arrivals must be inspected for defects and damage.  We know better.)

The books I have feasted my eyes upon thus far have not disappointed.  Here are a few I would like to share with you:

Callie introduces us to her twin brother Charlie, who has autism.  She describes not only the difficulties he encounters, but all the areas where he excels.  Just in time for Autism Awareness Month, this book is sure to open the eyes of young readers and listeners to this disorder.

Katherine Paterson, teaming up with her husband John, has done it again.  Rewriting a story originally penned in 1910 by Eden Phillpott, the duo has created a fantasy masterpiece.

I am not normally a big fan of wordless books, but I am making an exception here: not only because this particular one is this year’s winner of the Caldecott Medal, but because it is a beauty.  Words are not necessary to share Daisy the dog’s every emotion.  Check out this book and see for yourself.

Back to the books!

A New Arrival

We are grandparents once again.  Last week, our son and daughter-in-law became the parents of a little baby girl.  We have not seen the newborn yet, but hope to make a trip to visit the family as soon as we can.

I just finished reading a phenomenal novel that I can’t wait to share with everyone.  It’s called Inside Out & Back Again by Thanhha Lai.  Somewhat autobiographical, it tells the story of ten-year-old Kim Ha’s escape with her family from Saigon (one step ahead of the invading North) to the United States.  The young protagonist narrates the tale in free verse, and it’s a blockbuster.  A more detailed review can be found at my site: http://bookandagarden.com.  Check it out and share this gem with a young reader in your life!

I’m touched. …

I’m touched.  I’m sheepish. I’m honored.  A fellow blogger has seen fit to nominate this humble blog for the Versatile Blogger Award.  When I began my posts a little over two years ago, I wanted to share my love of children’s and young people’s literature, and the world of libraries, with people everywhere.  To my delight, it seems I have been successful.  Even when life, duty, and family preclude writing as often as I would like, it is gratifying to know that readers appreciate my offerings.

To show my gratitude, here are a few timeless treasures that are must-reads for children of any age–and for the child in all of us.

City Dog has just moved to the country.  While enjoying the freedom of being able to romp as he pleases without a leash, he meets Country Frog.  The two become fast friends, and spend the spring and summer playing City Dog and Country Frog games.  This warm, delightful tale is destined to become a classic friendship story.

Catherine wants what any twelve-year-old girl wants: to be able to live a normal life, have friends, and be able to invite people home without embarrassment.  However, that isn’t easy with an autistic younger brother.  So, to prevent uncomfortable situations, Catherine devises a list of rules for David.  But her perception changes when she meets a severely disabled boy.

Ida Mae loves flying, but there are obstacles.  The year is 1941, this is the South, and she is Black.  But then she learns of an opportunity: to “pass for” white and join the Women Airforce Service Pilots.  Ida Mae enthusiastically becomes a member of the program, but discovers that her path is not an easy one.

Passover Thoughts

Passover is here once again.  It is a time when, as is well known, we as a people relive the awesome events leading to our liberation from bondage.  Yet it is more–at this season we recognize the ability in each of us to overcome our personal limitations to be the best we can be.  For the Hebrew word for Egypt is similar to to that for limitations–indicating that every man, woman, and child has the capacity to go beyond his or weak points and uncover strengths we may have been unaware we possess.

At this joyful, full-of-meaning holiday, families gather from far and wide to celebrate the occasion together.  Houses burst at the seams and tables groan under the weight of delicacies long anticipated.  When the Seder begins, the excitement is as palpable as the matzah occupying a place of honor at the table.  As the festive, food-for-thought-laden evening progresses, each participant finds something personally noteworthy.  For one, it may be the spirited singing.  For another, it may be the in-depth discussion of the miraculous events.  A third might enjoy the ritual.  Someone else might be thrilled to see Aunt Rosie again.  And, of course, there are those who come for the food.  Whatever brings one to the Seder, hopefully everyone comes away not only a little heavier but more spiritually awake than when he or she arrived.  And by the time Passover has come to a conclusion once again, each and every one of us should feel a bit closer to our remarkable and rich heritage.

It’s Completed!

After months of searching, evaluating, picking other librarians’ and educators’ brains, painful eliminating, and setting some aside “for future consideration,” they are complete–or as complete as they ever will be.  My annual book orders are now in the hands of the book vendor.  It only remains to be seen how this intense experience will bear fruit.

(An aside: I discovered what an efficient book vendor it is–within two weeks of sending off my first list, I arrived at work to discover several boxes with my name on them.  The timing could not have been more perfect, as their arrival coincided with the last day of school before vacation.  The second order, mailed on the final day before the break, might be waiting when I return.)

There are some gems that I am particularly excited about reading.

Breadcrumbs by Anne Ursu: a contemporary fantasy that should have kids enthralled.

The Busy Life of Ernestine Buckmeister by Linda Ravin Lodding: a little girl whose life is overfull of activities would like some time to be a kid–and play.  Another winner from Flashlight Press.

Every Thing On It by Shel Silverstein: family members of the beloved poet, who passed away in 1999, put together this collection of his poems and drawings.

Fire from the Rock by Sharon M. Draper: this novel powerfully describes the experiences and feelings of one of the first Black students to integrate Little Rock’s Central High School in 1957.

The Ogre of Oglefort by Eva Ibbotson: another delightfully unconventional fairy tale by a master, all the more wonderful since it’s one of Eva Ibbotson’s last.

Sugar Changed the World by Marc Aronson and Marina Budhos: the story of our fascination with sugar, and how human craving for the sweet stuff has changed lives and societies from early history to the present day.

Those Rebels, John & Tom by Barbara Kerley: a lively biography of John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, two men who were very different, but who had some very important things in common: their concern for the American colonies and their belief that they should be independent from England.

A joyous and meaningful Passover to all!