The Tyranny of Dead Ideas: Letting Go of the Old Ways of Thinking to Unleash a New Prosperity
I picked up this book upon learning that the author Matt Miller will deliver 14th Annual Governors Lecture in the Humanities Nov. 4 2009 at Joslyn Art Museum in Omaha. Miller delivers a scathing critique of many "dead ideas" that are holding back our economy and society. It is a timely book addressing topics such as free trade health care and education. Miller's premise is that ideas become accepted truths and are sometimes held onto long after they have lost their usefulness or even become harmful. This is the case in his opinion with ideas such as tying health care to employment allowing local control (and funding) of schools and promoting the idea of free trade at any cost. His critiques resonate although more conservative readers will criticize his solutions (Miller places most of his faith in government intervention and sees higher taxes as inevitable). All in all it is a quick but though-provoking read. Even if you disagree with Miller's proposed solutions his idea that we need to challenge conventional wisdom is a useful message.
I picked up this book upon learning that the author Matt Miller will deliver 14th Annual Governors Lecture in the Humanities Nov. 4 2009 at Joslyn Art Museum in Omaha. Miller delivers a scathing critique of many "dead ideas" that are holding back our economy and society. It is a timely book addressing topics such as free trade health care and education. Miller's premise is that ideas become accepted truths and are sometimes held onto long after they have lost their usefulness or even become harmful. This is the case in his opinion with ideas such as tying health care to employment allowing local control (and funding) of schools and promoting the idea of free trade at any cost. His critiques resonate although more conservative readers will criticize his solutions (Miller places most of his faith in government intervention and sees higher taxes as inevitable). All in all it is a quick but though-provoking read. Even if you disagree with Miller's proposed solutions his idea that we need to challenge conventional wisdom is a useful message.Psyche in a Dress
This book follows Psyche as she grows up under the abusive thumb of her film producer father (Zeus). She has a brief affair with a mysterious stranger (Eros). Then she becomes Echo as she dates the self-absorbed film star (Narcissus). Afterward she morphs into Eurydice to be with artistic Orpheus. As she leaves home to find herself she lands in the dark underworld of society as Persephone the consort to Hades. After her mother (Demeter) finds her... she starts to alternate living in depravity with Hades and living with in a sea-side cottage with her mother. Eventually Psyche returns to home and works for her fathers girlfriend (Aphrodite). She rediscovers Eros who turns out to be Aphrodites son. Psyche then gives birth to Joy and learns to live without Love as a man thus becoming Demeter. This book is better suited for high school or adult readers. It helps to have some background in Greek mythology before reading the book or the story may become lost in translation. The free verse/prose format and frank sexual language may not be suited for younger audiences. However it could promote interesting discussions in a mythology classroom.
This book follows Psyche as she grows up under the abusive thumb of her film producer father (Zeus). She has a brief affair with a mysterious stranger (Eros). Then she becomes Echo as she dates the self-absorbed film star (Narcissus). Afterward she morphs into Eurydice to be with artistic Orpheus. As she leaves home to find herself she lands in the dark underworld of society as Persephone the consort to Hades. After her mother (Demeter) finds her... she starts to alternate living in depravity with Hades and living with in a sea-side cottage with her mother. Eventually Psyche returns to home and works for her fathers girlfriend (Aphrodite). She rediscovers Eros who turns out to be Aphrodites son. Psyche then gives birth to Joy and learns to live without Love as a man thus becoming Demeter. This book is better suited for high school or adult readers. It helps to have some background in Greek mythology before reading the book or the story may become lost in translation. The free verse/prose format and frank sexual language may not be suited for younger audiences. However it could promote interesting discussions in a mythology classroom.The Lightning Thief (Percy Jackson and the Olympians Book 1)
Percy Jackson is in his sixth boarding school in six years. He is a good kid - but something always happens to get him kicked out of school. Soon he finds himself running from monsters and finding haven in Camp Half-Blood - a Long Island summer camp for demigods. There he learns the identity of the father he never knew - Poseidon the God of the Sea. Soon - with the help of two friends - Percy sets out on a quest to reach of the Underworld (located in Hollywood) to recover Zeus's lightning bolt from Hades and prevent an impending war between Zeus and Poseidon that could spill onto the earth itself. Along the way - Percy and his friend meet Medusa... Ares ... and multiple other people and monsters right out of the Greek myths. Eventually Percy must face his father on Mount Olympus (hovering above New York's Empire State building). If you like the Harry Potter series you'll love this first installment in Riordan's Percy Jackson and the Olympians series. The integration of Greek mythology into a present-day story holds much fascination and leads to intriguing developments.
Percy Jackson is in his sixth boarding school in six years. He is a good kid - but something always happens to get him kicked out of school. Soon he finds himself running from monsters and finding haven in Camp Half-Blood - a Long Island summer camp for demigods. There he learns the identity of the father he never knew - Poseidon the God of the Sea. Soon - with the help of two friends - Percy sets out on a quest to reach of the Underworld (located in Hollywood) to recover Zeus's lightning bolt from Hades and prevent an impending war between Zeus and Poseidon that could spill onto the earth itself. Along the way - Percy and his friend meet Medusa... Ares ... and multiple other people and monsters right out of the Greek myths. Eventually Percy must face his father on Mount Olympus (hovering above New York's Empire State building). If you like the Harry Potter series you'll love this first installment in Riordan's Percy Jackson and the Olympians series. The integration of Greek mythology into a present-day story holds much fascination and leads to intriguing developments.The Given Day: A Novel
The Given Day is a work of historical fiction based on the events that led to the Boston Police Strike of 1919. Lehanes fast-moving novel follows the parallel story lines of Danny Coughlin a young Boston policeman from a family of policemen and Luther Lawrence a young African-American man on the run who eventually moves to Boston and becomes the Coughlin familys servant and later Dannys friend. The end of World War 1 the Spanish Influenza outbreak the great Red Scare Prohibition and the baseball exploits of Babe Ruth are all incorporated into the story line. Important historical figures such as J. Edgar Hoover John Reed and Calvin Coolidge all make cameo appearances. Themes of racial prejudice urban poverty family honor and idealism are all explored. Even for non-historians I believe this would be a highly enjoyable book. Lehanes writing style makes this a difficult book to turn down and the story line is filled with drama and suspense.
The Given Day is a work of historical fiction based on the events that led to the Boston Police Strike of 1919. Lehanes fast-moving novel follows the parallel story lines of Danny Coughlin a young Boston policeman from a family of policemen and Luther Lawrence a young African-American man on the run who eventually moves to Boston and becomes the Coughlin familys servant and later Dannys friend. The end of World War 1 the Spanish Influenza outbreak the great Red Scare Prohibition and the baseball exploits of Babe Ruth are all incorporated into the story line. Important historical figures such as J. Edgar Hoover John Reed and Calvin Coolidge all make cameo appearances. Themes of racial prejudice urban poverty family honor and idealism are all explored. Even for non-historians I believe this would be a highly enjoyable book. Lehanes writing style makes this a difficult book to turn down and the story line is filled with drama and suspense.The Year the Swallows Came Early
Groovy (given name Eleanor) is devastated when her father is arrested right in front of her. What could be worse than that? Her mom called the police on her dad. . . .for stealing Groovys $25000 inheritance and gambling it away! Eleanors passion is cooking and the money was to pay for cooking school. Betrayed by her dad and struggling to come to terms with the fact that the money for school is gone Groovy has to heal. Despite the best efforts of friends and family Groovy has to find her own way through this situation. Can she find it in her heart to forgive her dads mistakes? How does she deal with the loss of her dream? This would be a great addition to any public or school library for middle school readers. Parents often make mistakes that kids have to deal with. Groovys story is a great example of coming to terms with this mistake and finding her own voice in an appropriate manner.
Groovy (given name Eleanor) is devastated when her father is arrested right in front of her. What could be worse than that? Her mom called the police on her dad. . . .for stealing Groovys $25000 inheritance and gambling it away! Eleanors passion is cooking and the money was to pay for cooking school. Betrayed by her dad and struggling to come to terms with the fact that the money for school is gone Groovy has to heal. Despite the best efforts of friends and family Groovy has to find her own way through this situation. Can she find it in her heart to forgive her dads mistakes? How does she deal with the loss of her dream? This would be a great addition to any public or school library for middle school readers. Parents often make mistakes that kids have to deal with. Groovys story is a great example of coming to terms with this mistake and finding her own voice in an appropriate manner.The Missing Girl
Someone is watching the Herbert sisters. The girls dont notice because they are busy with their own problems. . . self-esteem boys sexual orientation their parents fighting school work etc. Each chapter is told from a different point of view. We see the watching mans thoughts become more disturbing. All the while the girls dont know whats in store for them. As usual Mazer does an excellent job in getting you to turn the page. The short chapters make this a quick and exciting read. She writes the sad character so well. A good choice for any library collection geared towards junior high and high school students.
Someone is watching the Herbert sisters. The girls dont notice because they are busy with their own problems. . . self-esteem boys sexual orientation their parents fighting school work etc. Each chapter is told from a different point of view. We see the watching mans thoughts become more disturbing. All the while the girls dont know whats in store for them. As usual Mazer does an excellent job in getting you to turn the page. The short chapters make this a quick and exciting read. She writes the sad character so well. A good choice for any library collection geared towards junior high and high school students.Calder Game
Petra and Tommy team up for this mystery. This time they are looking for two Calders. . . .the artwork and Calder himself. Artist Alexander Calders Minotaur and the young Calder are discovered missing in the same day. Are the two connected? Will Petra and Tommy make it through this adventure unscathed? Will they find Calder before its too late? As with Chasing Vermeer and The Wright 3 Balliet does a fabulous job creating a plot that keeps you guessing the whole time. She also has the remarkable ability to get the reader interested in and excited about art. Balliets latest work is a worthy read for any juvenile or young adult reader. It is suitable for public and school libraries.
Petra and Tommy team up for this mystery. This time they are looking for two Calders. . . .the artwork and Calder himself. Artist Alexander Calders Minotaur and the young Calder are discovered missing in the same day. Are the two connected? Will Petra and Tommy make it through this adventure unscathed? Will they find Calder before its too late? As with Chasing Vermeer and The Wright 3 Balliet does a fabulous job creating a plot that keeps you guessing the whole time. She also has the remarkable ability to get the reader interested in and excited about art. Balliets latest work is a worthy read for any juvenile or young adult reader. It is suitable for public and school libraries.Peeled
Hildy Biddle is a high school journalist on a mission. To report the truth on the haunting of the Ludlow house shell have to ruffle a few feathers in town. Bauers writing is clean and makes for a quick read. Although I wouldnt rush right out to buy this book I do think its worth having in a Middle School or Public Library collection.
Hildy Biddle is a high school journalist on a mission. To report the truth on the haunting of the Ludlow house shell have to ruffle a few feathers in town. Bauers writing is clean and makes for a quick read. Although I wouldnt rush right out to buy this book I do think its worth having in a Middle School or Public Library collection.Paper Towns
Quentin Jacobsen cant believe his luck when the very popular Margo Roth Spiegelman selects him to help her enact her ingenious plan for revenge on several of her friends. Not only is he in love with her but the plan itself is so cool that it would make anyone jealous for not having thought of it themselves. The aftermath of the plan is two-fold: Q and his band-nerd friends are now popular; and Margo disappears the next very next day. Margos disappearance is nothing new. Shes done this several times in the past and leaves vague clues for her parents in hopes that they will find her. This time she leaves the clues for Quentin. Will the clues lead him to Margo alive and well? Or will they lead him to her body? John Green also wrote the 2006 Michael L. Printz award winner Looking for Alaska. True to his writing style he writes a fast paced book that is realistic in how teenagers talk and behave. I would highly recommend this for older young adult readers. The book has some foul language and deals with teen drinking and sex. School teacher librarians may need to occasionally defend this title to the overprotective parent but it is well worth it.
Quentin Jacobsen cant believe his luck when the very popular Margo Roth Spiegelman selects him to help her enact her ingenious plan for revenge on several of her friends. Not only is he in love with her but the plan itself is so cool that it would make anyone jealous for not having thought of it themselves. The aftermath of the plan is two-fold: Q and his band-nerd friends are now popular; and Margo disappears the next very next day. Margos disappearance is nothing new. Shes done this several times in the past and leaves vague clues for her parents in hopes that they will find her. This time she leaves the clues for Quentin. Will the clues lead him to Margo alive and well? Or will they lead him to her body? John Green also wrote the 2006 Michael L. Printz award winner Looking for Alaska. True to his writing style he writes a fast paced book that is realistic in how teenagers talk and behave. I would highly recommend this for older young adult readers. The book has some foul language and deals with teen drinking and sex. School teacher librarians may need to occasionally defend this title to the overprotective parent but it is well worth it.
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WSC Conn Library - 1111 Main St. - Wayne, NE 68787 CALL: (402) 375-7258 Email: Asklibrary@wsc.edu |
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