Book Review - me and jack by Danette Haworth

Book: me & jack
Author: Danette Haworth
Pages: 229
Age Range: 8-12

Background: me & jack was on my list of TBR “to be read” books because I loved Danette’s Violet Raines Almost Got Struck by Lightning story about spunky little Violet.

Review: me & jack is a middle grade fiction set during the Vietnam war. But the story is really a tale about a boy (Joshua) and his dog (Jack). This is a story about relationships, family, friends and having to make tough choices in hard times.

Joshua and Jack meet at the perfect time. Joshua’s mother has died and he’s living with his single father (Rich) who is working to support his only son as a war recruiter in the worst time: a time of war. No one likes the war and everyone wants to blame someone. Joshua’s dad is new to town and an easy choice.

Just about to enter seventh grade, in a new town, Joshua needs a friend in the worst way. Jack is a boy’s-best friend. Right from the start there’s a bond between the two that can’t be broken. Even at the dog pound they felt like old friends.

“The dog rested his eyes on me openly, as if he knew me, as if he trusted me. Staring back, I felt the same way.”

But trouble starts in the very beginning. No one likes Jack because they blame him for everything and anything that goes wrong in the small town. And, he doesn’t help things. He’s always getting loose and running into the woods, chasing things. He even hunts a rabbit and kills it. The bad thing is, he does it at the local ice cream shop where everyone sees and from then on they think he’s a killer.

Mixed into the matter is another boy (Ray the yo-yo slinger) and his cousin (Prater the spoiled brat). Joshua wants to be Ray’s friend but Prater keeps getting in the way. In the end, Ray has to make a hard choice.

Overall: There is plenty of drama in this “dog” story. And, it’s a great “boy’s book”, one with lots of adventure and even a little fighting. Plus there’s even a little suspense mixed into the mash. Of course girls will love it too. This is recommended, even if you don’t like war stories.

Publisher: Walker Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: June, 2011
Source of Book: Review copy from author

Fuzzy Wuzzy Was A Bear

Does anyone remember him - besides me?



And what the heck was the chemical that made the hair grow...?

Fuzzy Wuzzy
Was a bear
Fuzzy Wuzzy
Had no hair
Fuzzy Wuzzy
Wasn't fuzzy, was he?

Was he bare?

Earth-Friendly Friday - GO GREEN - the Irish way

St. Patrick's Day: it's the ECO-Warrior’s Favorite Holiday what with the “Wearing Of The Green" this celebration can take on more significance than ever today.

And, what better way to celebrate ECO-progess than with a holiday that screams green?

Here are a few ways to help you celebrate in an earth-friendly way:

Serve green mashed potatoes for dinner – it’s fun and makes the day unusual. Just add a few drops of green food coloring to your mashed potatoes and stir it up ;)

Buy organic green beer. Beer manufacturers :are producing a broad assortment of brews with ingredients that meet organic guidelines and standards.

Wear the Green (organics) proudly. It’s easier than ever before to find quality organic clothing.

Go vegetarian with your Irish cooking, cutting back on meat consumption for a day. It’s an earth-friendly option. The average cattle ranch can produce as much sewage runoff as a small city. Check out a meat-free version Of Irish Vegetable Stew.

Plant something green this weekend, like Irish Bells.

Do some good for Ireland: Find an Irish charity and lend them a hand.

Who is St. Patrick and What are we Celebrating?

St. Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland. The interesting thing about that is he wasn't even Irish. He was actually captured by the Irish and taken as a slave from his home in Britain. He worked and lived in Ireland for about 6 years before he escaped and went back to his family.

After entering the church, he returned to Ireland as an ordained Bishop and worked in Ireland. He became the Patron St. of Ireland in the 7th Century and we celebrate the date of his death on March 17, with St. Paddy's Day!

In Ireland the day is celebrated as a holy day. Here in America, it has become a celebration of Ireland and all that is Irish.

However you celebrate the day and whatever you are celebrating - I hope you have a Happy St. Paddy's Day!

Answer to Word for Wednesday

The word Flappable means easily upset or confused - especially under stress.

If you want to read more, check it out here.

Word for Wednesday - Game for Writers

Guess the meaning of the word. Put it in comments and then come back around 3:00 to see if you were "write" or wrong.

Word: Flappable

What does it mean?

SPEED DATING - LOVE ME OR LEAVE ME

(FIRST-PAGE LOVE)

Lisa Schroeder will be a guest speaker at this First Page - critique
session - April 30, 2011 at 10:00 a.m. to noon

Bring your first page and have multiple readers give you immediate
feedback.

"Do you Love it?" or want to "Leave It?"

It will be quick and "hopefully" not to painful. Like speed dating ;)

Refreshments served - afterward (feel free to bring a guest)
This event is free!
APRIL 30, 2011 at 9:30 a.m. at: Village Gateway Condo - 859 NE 90th ,
Portland (in the clubhouse)


Any questions, email me at kasch5 at comcast (dot) net