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Anything But Typical by Nora Raleigh Baskin

Jason Blake, a 12-year-old austic boy, relates the disturbing experience of life in a neurotypical world. I know very little about autism, so this works as an informative narrative as well as a story that gets under your skin. May make a good nominee for the Schneider Family Book Award, that honors an author for the artistic expression of the disability experience for children and teens.

Be Creative @ Your Library

Be Creative @ Your Library

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Bullying and Parenting

Parents should model appropriate behavior for their children. Show by your actions how to treat other people. If you are at a park and your child doesn't take turns or pushes, use it as a teachable moment.  Adults need to play their part. We are all empowered to contribute to the gentleness of the earth. Relying on teachers or national leaders and other groups can be just a piece of the puzzle.

The Mostly True Adventures of Homer P. Figg

What would you think of a Civil War book that was funny? Well, this is it.  Two brothers are separated because 17-year-old Harold is bamboozled into the war by his no-good-account Uncle Squirt. It is up to the younger one by the name of Homer to set things right. A mighty tall tale is mixed with some bittersweet goings on.

Olive Kitteridge

I was surprised at how easy it was to get into the new Pulitzer Prize winning book. So much of the narrative was about characters that spend more time looking back then they do looking ahead. A situation I find myself in. Don't get me wrong, I am happy to be in this situation. Instead of planning what I will do with my life, I am evaluating on how everything has been. The expectations met and unmet, surprises both welcome and unwelcome. What struck me so strongly about the book, is how deeply it evoked my own experiences and emotions.. Read the book. I am sure you will find a story or stories similar to yours.

Duluth by the Big Lake

As many times as I have been to Duluth, I am always amazed that we are a Great Lakes State. Living in the Twin Cities puts you in denial of this fact. Yes, we have 10,000 plus lakes, the 

Mississippi River and the City of Lakes but I'm always forgetting that huge body of water in which we can also lay claim. By surface, it is the second largest fresh water lake in the world.

Marshall High School, a college preparatory 5-12 school, was my real destination. Although it overlooks Lake Superior, once inside the conference room of the library/media center you soon forgot this fact.  The business for the afternoon was a presentation on the concept information commons, a new twist on library/media centers.