I need a hair cut

I have recently begun a project at work to film our book talks to help kids choose which books (from off of our 71 page summer reading list) to read for summer reading. It is a slightly more personalized way to get an idea or feeling about a book. Great idea, right? I KNOW. That's why I thought of it!

Except one small problem. I am now on the interwebs. And high def is unforgiving. And now I am well aware that the back of my head has hair that is doing crazy gravity-defying things. Today's book talk(s) for Dairy Queen, by Catherine Gilbert Murdock, made this sad fact abundantly clear. Also, now you can make fun of my acting skillz. Or lack thereof.

Moral of the story: I need a hair cut (or them all cut, right Popstar?).

It only took three months!

I have been meaning to post these since the dawn of time. Lies. Really though, since February 23rd, whence I first actually wrote them. SO. Here are some very brief annotations for two books. This was done for my work summer reading list. Liked later, and was impressed by the writing skillz on the first...but I'll just say that I really only recommend one of them. The one I liked. That is all.

Ella Minnow Pea, by Mark Dunn

On a small island nation that reveres the English nation, tragedy strikes when a sign with the country motto “A quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog,” begins to loose its letters. With each fallen letter banned from being spoken or written under the fear of banishment or death, the islanders are in a race to find a new motto including every letter in the English language – before they are silenced all-together!

(Good for high schoolers who can appreciate the wordplay and/or are learning about exile).

Stardust, by Neil Gaiman

A young man sets off on a quest into the walled off world of Faerie to find a fallen star for his beloved, who has promised him a kiss if he brings it back to her. This new fairy tale is filled with adventure, humor, danger, romance, wit, and magic; in short, just what every non-Grimm fairy tale needs!

(Fun! Fun! I love fairy tales! Great for 8th-10th graders and older; some sexytimes if that is a concern for you. Probs an easier sell to girls than boys, but the added perk of a movie may sway reluctant readers.)