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June 06, 2008
From the Director 6-6-2008
RECOMMENDED SUMMER READING:
A BOOK IN COMMON
THE COLOR OF WATER
ARTEMIS FOWL
Looking back on last year’s summer reading selections, the theme of parenting in the 21st Century comes to mind. As you recall, we recommended a raft of books for adults including A Whole New Mind, Blessings of a Skinned Knee, and The Price of Privilege. We also recommended that the children read The Golden Compass, which definitely speaks to the opaqueness and the resiliency of children and the pitfalls of absentee parenting.
This year’s adult selection is topical for our current time in history because it involves race and being “the other” in society. Have we as a country changed (when it comes to race)? Absolutely! Do we still have a way to go before there is true equity and justice in this country? Also, a resounding, 'Yes!'
The Tenth Anniversary Edition of The Color of Water: A Black Man’s Tribute to His White Mother is out, and it could not be more timely in our nation's history. The Color of Water resonates even more deeply today due to Barack Obama’s political rise as well as his own racial excavation and biographical narrative about his (Barack’s) mother’s trials and triumphs in raising a family that doesn’t fit into the “myth of normalcy.” Color also speaks to a generation of children and adults, in and out of our school, who are looking at identity in an exciting way. Indeed, children living in multi-racial and transracial households hold a particular resonance in society at this time not because of the presumptive nominee of the Democrat Party but because many of these people exist in a world that is beginning to understand the complexities of the concept of race and family origin. The questions of identity are not just about “the other,” but are about all of us.
The other book recommended this summer is actually a series, Artemis Fowl, which will have a sixth book added to its incredible run on July 15th. Selecting a book that is actually a part of a series means that you always have more fun to look forward to. The Irish writer Eoin (pronounced “O-wen”) Colfer has crafted an ingenious series of mysteries that intrigues, delights, and engages without ever talking down to kids. Artemis Fowl is a boy genius who is also a criminal mastermind. It doesn’t really matter which Fowl book you start with; they all are good and Colfer does an excellent job of catching you up with what has happened in the past. The main reason I recommend Artemis Fowl for our children’s summer reading selection is because it’s a tremendous read and the audio CD is some of the most entertaining work ever done by a voice actor. Plus, look for the allegory in the book about how different races, ethnicities, and people get along despite their various interests. Eoin Colfer’s Artemis Fowl series is our other summer reading selection. Recommended reading or listening for grades 2nd through parents.
Warning: The Artemis Fowl series of books can be a bit on the violent and big explosion side (like a PG-13 movie), so families who don’t care for that sort of thing should pass on Artie, the boy genius or, at the very least, preview the book or CD before your kids read or listen.
Both books will be available at Books, Inc. in Laurel Village or you can order copies from a bookstore near you or online. The public library should also have plenty of copies. We here at PHS will also have two copies of Color of Water and the first Artemis Fowl book for lending at the front desk. If you do borrow our books, try to take no more than two weeks so that others might take enjoy them, too.
Book Descriptions from Ammazon.com
The Color of Water: Please don't be put off by [this books] pallid subtitle, A Black Man's Tribute to His White Mother, which doesn't begin to do justice to the utterly unique and moving story contained within. The Color of Water tells the remarkable story of Ruth McBride Jordan, the two good men she married, and the 12 good children she raised. Jordan, born Rachel Shilsky, a Polish Jew, immigrated to America soon after birth; as an adult she moved to New York City, leaving her family and faith behind in Virginia. Jordan met and married a black man, making her isolation even more profound. The book is a success story, a testament to one woman's true heart, solid values, and indomitable will. Ruth Jordan battled not only racism but also poverty to raise her children and, despite being sorely tested, never wavered. In telling her story--along with her son's--The Color of Water addresses racial identity with compassion, insight, and realism. It is, in a word, inspiring, and you will finish it with unalloyed admiration for a flawed but remarkable individual. And, perhaps, a little more faith in us all.
Eoin Colfer describes his new book, Artemis Fowl, as "Die Hard with fairies." He's not far wrong. Twelve-year-old Artemis Fowl is the most ingenious criminal mastermind in history. With two trusty sidekicks in tow, he hatches a cunning plot to divest the fairyfolk of their pot of gold. Of course, he isn't foolish enough to believe in all that "gold at the end of the rainbow" nonsense. Rather, he knows that the only way to separate the little people from their stash is to kidnap one of them and wait for the ransom to arrive. But when the time comes to put his plan into action, he doesn't count on the appearance of the extrasmall, pointy-eared Captain Holly Short of the LEPrecon (Lower Elements Police Reconnaisance) Unit--and her senior officer, Commander Root, a man (sorry, elf) who will stop at nothing to get her back.
Fantastic stuff from beginning to end, Artemis Fowl is a rip-roaring, 21st-century romp of the highest order. The author has let his imagination run riot by combining folklore, fantasy, and a fistful of high-tech funk in an outrageously devilish book that could well do for fairies what Harry Potter has done for wizardry. But be warned: this is no gentle frolic, so don't be fooled by the fairy subject matter. Instead, what we have here is well-written, sophisticated, rough 'n' tumble storytelling with enough high-octane attitude to make it a seriously cool read for anyone over the age of 10. --Susan Harrison
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