Site Orientation

INDEX OF RESOURCES 

(Alphabetical List)

 “All Things Bright and Beautiful” / by Owl City / (Music)

 A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Solider / by Ishmael Beah / (Book)

 Anne Frank: The Anne Frank House Authorized Graphic Biography / by Sid Jacobson / (Book)

Around the World the 80 Days / by Jules Verne / (Book)

Beneath the Wheel / (authored) by Hermann Hesse / (Book)

Billions & Billions / by Carl Sagan / (Book)

“Brand New Eyes” / by Paramore / (Music)

Catching Fire / by Suzanne Collins / (Book)

Civilization IV/ (Lead design) by Sid Meier / (Video Game)

Dark and Stormy Rides Again / by Scott Rice / (Book)

GamePro / (founded) by Patrick J. Ferrell / (Magazine)

Girl Stories / by Lauren R. Weinstein / (Book)

Hope in Patience / by Beth Fehlbaum / (Book)

I Am Number Four / (directed) by D.J. Caruso / (Movie)

I Kissed Dating Goodbye / by Joshua Harris / (Book)

InfoTrac Junior Edition / (produced) by Gale Cengage Learning / (Database)

InfoTrac Student Edition / (produced) by Gale Cengage Learning / (Database)

Into Thin Air / by Jon Krakauer / (Book)

Izzy, Willy-Nilly / by Cynthia Voigt / (Book)

John Elway: Armed and Dangerous / by Clay Latimer / (Book)

Juno / (written) by Diablo Cody / (Movie)

Left Behind / by Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins / (Book)

Little Brother / by Cory Doctorow / (Book)

Mario Kart Wii / by Nintendo / (Video Game)

Mental Floss / (founded) by Mangesh Hattikudur & Will Pearson / (Magazine)

MLB 2K10 / by Nintendo / (Video Game)

Ordinary People / by Judith Guest / (Book)

Pride and Prejudice / by Jane Austen / (Book)

Romeo and Juliet / by William Shakespeare / (Book)

Seventeen / (edited) by Ann Shoket / (Magazine)

“Speak Now” / by Taylor Swift / (Music)

Tantalize / by Cynthia Leitich Smith / (Book)

The Animatrix / (screenplay) by Andy and Lana Wachowski / (Movie)

The Blind Side / (adapted from book) by Michael Lewis / (Movie)

The Chosen / by Chaim Potok / (Book)

The Far Side Observer / by Gary Larson / (Book)

The Great Fire / by Jim Murphy / (Book)

The Hunger Games / by Suzanne Collins / (Book)

The Last Stand of the 300 / (produced) by The History Channel / (Movie)

The Lion, the Witch, & the Wardrobe (Chronicles of Narnia Series) / by C. S. Lewis / (Book)

The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring – Visual Companion / by Jude Fisher / (Book)

The Ninth Garfield Treasury / by Jim Davis / (Book)

The Professor’s Daughter / (artistic design) by Emmanuel Guibert / (Book)

The Stuff of Life: A Graphic Guide to Genetics and DNA / (authored) by Mark Schultz / (Book)

The United States Constitution – A Graphic Adaptation / (written) by Jonathan Hennessey / (Book)

The Voyage of the Dawn Treader / by C. S. Lewis / (Book)

This Present Darkness / by Frank Peretti / (Book)

To Kill a Mockingbird / by Harper Lee/ (Book)

Under the Radar / (published) by Mark Redfern & Wendy Lynch Redfern/ (Magazine)

War of the Worlds / by H. G. Wells / (Book)

(#50) / Pride and Prejudice / by Jane Austen / (Book)

Opening

Bibliographic Information:

Pride and Prejudice / by Jane Austen

ISBN-10: 0-486-28473-5 / Dover Publications  

p. 262 / $2.00 (Retail)

1813 (Original) / 1995 (Reprint)

Body of Content 

Summary: The novel Pride and Prejudice centers around the courtships and marriages of the Bennett sisters – numbering five in total – Jane, Elizabeth, Mary, Catherine, and Lydia.  Elizabeth Bennett represents the chief protagonist.  The novel starts with a bachelor – Mr. Bingley – looking for a partner to marry – visiting various social events.  His good friend, Mr. Darcy accompanies him – but Elizabeth immediately forms an ill disregard for the friend.  She is prejudiced against him.  But circumstances cause Elizabeth to visit his household attending to another friend who is sick.  Mr. Darcy misperceives her intentions.  The Bennett parents worry about all of their daughters’ futures – as a married life to a wealthy gentlemen is the chief aim of many British females at the time – as a necessary means to secure their future.  Another man, Mr. Collins asks for the hand of Elizabeth – but surprisingly, she declines his offer of marriage.  If Elizabeth does not marry Mr. Collins, then who will she marry?       

Critique: [Spoiler Alert] Novels are based upon building tension to “the climax” of the novel – the zenith of the story’s actions – before the story produces “falling action” to the novel’s conclusion.  But before the climax, it is not uncommon for multiple pivot points to stand as major markers within the story, which help build the tension – serving to complicate and/or resolve narrative issues up to that point.

One of these early pivot points occurs in the form of a letter – or more directly, upon Elizabeth reading a letter written to her by Mr. Darcy.  In the earlier parts of the novel, she had held a prejudice against him for various reasons – causing her to hold a resentment and cautionary attitude towards him.  After his role in breaking up her sister’s engagement, the prejudice only hardened.  Then, the letter came (p. 133).  In the letter, Mr. Darcy explains his actions – how he actually protected Elizabeth’s sister and the Bennett family from a playboy of a prodigal – from Mr. Bingley. 

Elizabeth’s thoughts and attitudes towards Mr. Darcy soften after reading that letter – and the letter itself stands as an early pivot point – which redirects the rest of the novel – towards a conclusion not possible without the inclusion of the handwritten correspondence.

Teaser: “Love is afoot – love is amiss – pray tell of this love!”  

Information about the Author: Jane Austen lived a few centuries removed from modern times – born in 1775 and dying at the age of 41 in 1817.  A famous author of British descent, Austen wrote a handful of novels including the aforementioned Pride and Prejudice, along with Emma, Mansfield Park, and Sense and Sensibility (Wikipedia, 2011).  Her works continue to spawn modern redactions in both literature and cinema including the satirical book Pride and Prejudice and Zombies and the recent film The Jane Austen Book Club.  Actual adaptions of her works are still popular – particularly Pride and Prejudice.  

Her themes often are comedic in nature – center on the perspectives of women – set against middle-class or affluent classes within English society – and deal with relationships, marriage, 
and/or courtship (Wikipedia, 2011).

Supplemental Material

Genre: Drama / Romance / Humor

Curriculum Ties: History – Victorian era, social customs, English history

Booktalking Ideas: 1) How does courtship compare to modern dating? 2) “Have you ever had to tread over a sibling while pursuing a shared love interest?”  

Reading Level: Women are more interested in the title – with readership including ages 15-18.

Challenge Issues and Defense: Some adult situations and content – overall, though, a pretty safe title.

Personal Reasons for Inclusion: I actually like this book – which is a rare circumstance, given my chromosomal predispositions.  

Last Thoughts

References:

Wikipedia. (2011). Jane Austen [Webpage]. Retrieved from

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jane_Austen

Listening to (Music):

Artist – Beethoven / Album – “Symphony #9” 

(#49) / Girl Stories / by Lauren R. Weinstein / (Book)

Opening

Bibliographic Information:

Girl Stories / by Lauren R. Weinstein

ISBN-10: 0805078630 / Henry Holt and Company  

p. 240 / $7.18 (Amazon)

2006

Body of Content

Summary: The comic book is a compilation of individual comic strips from writer Lauren Weinstein.  The vast majority of the book contains comic narratives – short humor stories in comic strip form – that might stretch from four to fifteen pages worth of information each.  The artistic style is rather simplistic – with the human faces bearing little difference between people.  The style of the comics, thus, contains a sketched, draft intentionality by the author.  The comics are in color – but the shading and tonality of the hues differs from one story to the next.   Overall, the book offers over 35 comic stories – stretching over 240 pages.  The basis of the comic series is the adventures experienced by the self-portrayed author at a younger age – as she relives 8^th grade and high school experiences – centering on teen issues like relationships, school work, interactions with her parents, and general experiences endured by teenagers. 

Critique: While some comics rely on puns or physical comedy, Girl Stories fully embraces the awkwardness of the teenage years in a person’s life.  This is painfully evident as the author discusses relationships with boys.  In one comic, the author writes about an awkward breakup experience – deciding to end the relationship – after returning from a visit to Washington D.C.:

            Lauren: “Well, I got a present for you, too!”

            

            Boyfriend: “A bag of dirt!?”

           

            Lauren: “Yeah, like soil from our nation’s capital!”

            

            Boyfriend: “Oh.”

           

            Lauren: “Um, I think we should just be friends.”

Boyfriend: [turning as he leaves, says] “I can’t believe you gave me a bag of dirt and then broke up with me!”  (pp. 167-168)

From covering up hickey marks after a “math study session” to enduring secret rashes caused by belly-button piercings, Lauren goes through the tumultuous teen years – trying not to die of embarrassment.  In another comic, frustrated by lack of success with boys, Lauren creates a home-made boyfriend from various household items:

            Robot Boyfriend: “Lauren, I am sexually attracted to you, may we kiss?”

            Lauren: “Yes, Robot Boyfriend, yes!”   … [Wait] … “STOP!”

            Robot Boyfriend: “What is wrong? Do you need space?”

Lauren: “No! I just don’t want to make out with someone whose tongue I made with a remote control!”   (pp. 222-224)

Lauren stumbles through the awkwardness of life and relationships.  Her teen audience can likely sympathize with her ordeals – given similar experiences that likely reside in their own personal backgrounds.

Teaser: Life is strange – and these stories are full of both life and strangeness.

Information about the Author: The 36-year-old cartoonist hails from Brookline, Massachusetts.  Educationally, she graduated from Washington University (St. Louis) before settling in New York City around a decade ago.  Her comic strips first appeared online – through gURL.com, along with Seattle Stranger.  Weinstein pick up a Xeric award – for her comic strip Inside Vineyland – an award given to non-mainstream comic artists.  Her next project was the aforementioned Girl Stories.  Over the last five years, her work has also fared in compilation books – The Best American Comics (2007 and 2010 editions).  In her personal life, Weinstein also dabbles in a rock band – as the lead singer to Flaming Fire – a band that has released three albums over the last decade (Wikipedia, 2011). 

Supplemental Material

Genre: Comics / Humor / Drama / Romance

Curriculum Ties: Art Class – drawing techniques, narrative writing

Booktalking Ideas: 1) If you think Weinstein’s humor is a little bit strange, her music is beyond description! 2) Relive the awkwardness of various romantic first-times.

Reading Level: The book probably has more of an interest from females – given the angle of the comics.  Reading level extends to all high school grades – i.e. ages 15-18.

Challenge Issues and Defense: The comic has some suggestive humor, along with some romantic/sexual situations.  The book is not horribly crass – but librarians should be aware that it is not squeaky clean.

Personal Reasons for Inclusion: I wanted a humor genre source from a female perspective (for the sake of balance).

Last Thoughts

References:

Wikipedia. (2011). Lauren Weinstein [Webpage]. Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/

wiki/Lauren_Weinstein_%28comic_book_artist%29

Listening to (Music):

Artist – Joy Williams / Album – “Genesis”  

(#48) / InfoTrac Student Edition / (produced) by Gale Cengage Learning / (Database)

Opening

Bibliographic Information:

InfoTrac Student Edition / 
(produced) by Gale Cengage Learning

(Access through Humboldt County Library)

Cost Unknown – Contact the company directly

2011

Body of Content

Summary: This is a high-level database resource for high-school students.  The formats are wide – allowing students to search within magazines, newspapers, standard reference books, along with more recent formats like podcasts.  The content is also diverse – helping students find resources throughout the majority of their coursework subjects– containing information on arts, science, history, sports, popular culture, etc.  The Student Edition searches a total number of nearly 16 million articles as part of its search matrix.  With the articles hailing from the years between 1980 and 2011, the database represents a good source of current information.  The database is very flexible for users – as the site contains a language toggle button to over 30 languages that are possible for information retrieval.  The site contains a simple design – with a homepage where the user does not need to scroll to perceive all options available to them (Gale, 2011).      

Critique: The search methodology is more professional than the Junior Edition.  And as such, the Student Edition contains more options – showing a more academic approach to research.  The site does contain a “basic search”.  But more interesting, the site contains an “advanced search” option presenting an excellent variety of retrieval options for the user.  For instance, the advanced methodology allows for searches according to keyword, abstract, full document, title of document, publication language, etc. – and contains further helps such as publication date and word count – all of which provide the user the option of creating a Boolean, word-string search with keywords –or a Boolean, organizational-string search with structural data.  The user’s previous research and content knowledge of their topic could certainly help them with so many options.  At the very least, it does not handicap the users – but allows them to search how they best see fit.      

Further search limits include searching only peer-reviewed publications, only full-text documents, and more interestingly, only documents with images.  As a modern database, Student Edition allows for faceted search results – which can receive further specificity and limitations post-search. Overall, this database presents a very clear, clean, and searchable database that any high school student could employ in their research projects.

Teaser: The convenience of Google – plus the expertise of a cache of database resources. 

Information about the Author: See entry #47.

Supplemental Material

Genre: Reference

Curriculum Ties: Library – information retrieval, electronic databases

Booktalking Ideas: 1) Did you know that you can search within different format categories?

Reading Level: The database is intended for use in high-school settings – for ages (15-18). 

Challenge Issues and Defense: Given the educational format and the types of articles as academic in nature, a lack of challenges is expected.

Personal Reasons for Inclusion: I wanted to include a few databases – unfortunately, the local library did not have much of a selection, though this database seems of high quality.   

Last Thoughts

References:

Gale. (2011) InfoTrac Student Edition (Homepage) [Database]. Retrieved from

http://go.galegroup.com/ps/start.do?p=STOM&u=locpac_hucl

Listening to (Music):

Artist – Phil Wickham/ Album – “Heaven and Earth”