Bernstein, Andrew. Ayn Rand for Beginners.
( For Beginners) Steerforth Press 2009 105p 14.99 978-1-9343-8937-9 ms/hs
This Ayn Rand for Beginners provides a simplified graphic biography and summaries of two of Ayn Rand works: The Fountainhead and Atlas Shrugged. It also gives the reader an analysis for these two works. Ayn Rand was born in Russia 1905 and was able to escape in 1926 after the Bolshevik revolution occurred and just as communism was established. This experience left Ayn with strong negative feelings about communism and led her down the path of the individualist thought. At a very young age Ayn wanted to be a writer. When she arrived in America she began to follow her dream by going to Hollywood. There she did work as an extra in films, as a script reader, then as a filing clerk and from there she was able to be buy her own typewriter and she began to write her first novel. In this comic style book the author gives you Ayn Rand's biography and then offer the reader a summary, analysis and interpretation of two of her novels. It also discusses her philosophy. Includes Black and white illustrations and information about the author and illustrator Diaz, Magna
Showing posts with label Writers. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Writers. Show all posts
Friday, April 9, 2010
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Wells, Catherine Strange Creatures: The Story of Mary Shelley.
Wells, Catherine Strange Creatures: The Story of Mary Shelley.
Morgan Reynolds 2009 160p 28.95 978-1-59935-092-9 ms/hs
World Writers (Morgan)##7
The mercurial life of Mary Shelley including her childhood, her progressive marriage for the age, and her literary companions form a well-rounded picture of her as a person, as a writer, and as a family member. Strongly recommended for grades 6-12. Mary Shelley was best known for writing Frankenstein. The setting for the novel as well as the genesis of the idea behind the plot are revealed within the framework of her entire life. She went beyond the common story and plot related to ghosts and superhuman figures to create a novel that questioned man’s advances in science and what it is to be human. Her literary parents, her marriage to poet, Percy Shelley and her close friendship with Byron all seem to point to a person of brilliance. However, her life was tortured by a distant relationship with her father, the birth and death of three of her children, and her inability to really make close female friendships. She suffered bouts of writers block as well as depression throughout her life and its turbulent personal relationships. While respected by some, she was reviled by many as she ignored common mores of the times and spoke her mind on political and social issues. Illustrated with paintings and photos of places and people involved in her life, this book is a visual delight. A time line, index, further reading and source notes make this an excellent place to begin to understand the mind and times of Shelley. Strongly recommended for grades 6-12. An error appears on page 142, second paragraph -- the word her is spelled “he r”. LMN Shelley, Mary
Morgan Reynolds 2009 160p 28.95 978-1-59935-092-9 ms/hs
World Writers (Morgan)##7
The mercurial life of Mary Shelley including her childhood, her progressive marriage for the age, and her literary companions form a well-rounded picture of her as a person, as a writer, and as a family member. Strongly recommended for grades 6-12. Mary Shelley was best known for writing Frankenstein. The setting for the novel as well as the genesis of the idea behind the plot are revealed within the framework of her entire life. She went beyond the common story and plot related to ghosts and superhuman figures to create a novel that questioned man’s advances in science and what it is to be human. Her literary parents, her marriage to poet, Percy Shelley and her close friendship with Byron all seem to point to a person of brilliance. However, her life was tortured by a distant relationship with her father, the birth and death of three of her children, and her inability to really make close female friendships. She suffered bouts of writers block as well as depression throughout her life and its turbulent personal relationships. While respected by some, she was reviled by many as she ignored common mores of the times and spoke her mind on political and social issues. Illustrated with paintings and photos of places and people involved in her life, this book is a visual delight. A time line, index, further reading and source notes make this an excellent place to begin to understand the mind and times of Shelley. Strongly recommended for grades 6-12. An error appears on page 142, second paragraph -- the word her is spelled “he r”. LMN Shelley, Mary
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Rejected tales of the Failed, Dumped, and Cancelled.
Friedman, John ed. Rejected tales of the Failed, Dumped, and Cancelled.
Villard Books/Random 2009 249p 14.00 978-0-3455-0096-0 hs/adult
An entertaining collection of essays by writers or performers that either received rejection notices or stories of how that author had been rejected at the outset of their career.
Anyone who has suffered rejection will be reassured and entertained by the stories in this book. Each one tells about a painful story, in a humorous manner. In, "A Little Bad" Meredith Hoffa tells how life was good in the sixth grade ... that is until she got a bad haircut and the boys at a party told her they didn't think she was pretty anymore. Her solution was to focus on growing her hair. As if she could make it happen. Meredith is a former journalist and is now performing comedy in L.A..
Several of the stories are more than memorable. Peter Hyman's, "You are the Most Obnoxious Person Alive." describes an article written for New York Magazine. A month after the publication of this self-described, "lightweight, modestly funny ... story with a mix of facts and frivolity he received an E-mail describing him as the most obnoxious person alive. Hyman responded by preparing a PowerPoint addressing each of the letter writer's key points.
The variety of rejection is wide in scope and should provide a balm for those who's feeling are tender. TS
Villard Books/Random 2009 249p 14.00 978-0-3455-0096-0 hs/adult
An entertaining collection of essays by writers or performers that either received rejection notices or stories of how that author had been rejected at the outset of their career.
Anyone who has suffered rejection will be reassured and entertained by the stories in this book. Each one tells about a painful story, in a humorous manner. In, "A Little Bad" Meredith Hoffa tells how life was good in the sixth grade ... that is until she got a bad haircut and the boys at a party told her they didn't think she was pretty anymore. Her solution was to focus on growing her hair. As if she could make it happen. Meredith is a former journalist and is now performing comedy in L.A..
Several of the stories are more than memorable. Peter Hyman's, "You are the Most Obnoxious Person Alive." describes an article written for New York Magazine. A month after the publication of this self-described, "lightweight, modestly funny ... story with a mix of facts and frivolity he received an E-mail describing him as the most obnoxious person alive. Hyman responded by preparing a PowerPoint addressing each of the letter writer's key points.
The variety of rejection is wide in scope and should provide a balm for those who's feeling are tender. TS
Saturday, March 29, 2008
Lois Lowry: The Giver of Stories and Memories.
Albert, Lisa Rondinelli. Lois Lowry: The Giver of Stories and Memories.
Enslow, 2007. $31.93 128p 978-0-7660-2722-0
This book allows the reader an insight into a popular author. Lois Lowry has written many books, including two Newbery winners. Her most popular, The Giver and Number of the Stars, are covered in this book.
Lisa Rondinelli Albert has created an easy to read book for young readers that will inform the readers about the life and books of Lois Lowry. The factual details are interestingly presented as well as informative and educational.
The inclusion of several lists, where to obtain more information and a glossary/index make this a useful research tool. The inclusion of web sites for youngsters is also important in school classrooms today.
The flow and balance of both the text and full color visuals are integrated to present a very stimulating book for both young and reluctant readers.
This book is one in the _Authors Teens Love____ series. The series consists of __4_ books at this time. The general theme of the series is __teenage authors_____.
This is a very well written book that will relate well to many young readers. It is recommended as a basic book for any middle or junior high school library. LM
Enslow, 2007. $31.93 128p 978-0-7660-2722-0
This book allows the reader an insight into a popular author. Lois Lowry has written many books, including two Newbery winners. Her most popular, The Giver and Number of the Stars, are covered in this book.
Lisa Rondinelli Albert has created an easy to read book for young readers that will inform the readers about the life and books of Lois Lowry. The factual details are interestingly presented as well as informative and educational.
The inclusion of several lists, where to obtain more information and a glossary/index make this a useful research tool. The inclusion of web sites for youngsters is also important in school classrooms today.
The flow and balance of both the text and full color visuals are integrated to present a very stimulating book for both young and reluctant readers.
This book is one in the _Authors Teens Love____ series. The series consists of __4_ books at this time. The general theme of the series is __teenage authors_____.
This is a very well written book that will relate well to many young readers. It is recommended as a basic book for any middle or junior high school library. LM
Saturday, January 12, 2008
Tortured Noble: the Story of Leo Tolstoy
Heims, Neil. Tortured Noble: the Story of Leo Tolstoy.
Morgan Reynolds, 2007. 144p. $27.95
978-1-5993-5066-0
World Writer's series
For students looking to connect an author’s life with his fictional characters, Heims presents the personal struggles of Tolstoy. From his gambling and sense of self-loathing to his gentry lifestyle as an owner of an estate and considerable acreage, Tolstoy used every personal experience to better understand and portray his fictional characters. The social and political viewpoints that appear in Tolstoy’s writings come from his noble heritage laced with a desire to understand and work with the peasants on his estate. His desire to provide education to children, especially peasants, was a constant in his life. The activities he engaged in, including dressing as a peasant to determine reactions to them and their lifestyle and his desire to lead a life of ascetic purity, allowed him to write with authenticity about the thoughts and feelings of all manner of people.
Students will gain an understanding of the forces that drove Tolstoy and see the connection between Tolstoy’s beliefs and his novels. A timeline, index, footnotes, and bibliography make the information in this book easily accessible to the student researcher. Photographs, paintings, and primary source material are interspersed within the text. Fascinating reading about a giant among authors. LMN
Morgan Reynolds, 2007. 144p. $27.95
978-1-5993-5066-0
World Writer's series
For students looking to connect an author’s life with his fictional characters, Heims presents the personal struggles of Tolstoy. From his gambling and sense of self-loathing to his gentry lifestyle as an owner of an estate and considerable acreage, Tolstoy used every personal experience to better understand and portray his fictional characters. The social and political viewpoints that appear in Tolstoy’s writings come from his noble heritage laced with a desire to understand and work with the peasants on his estate. His desire to provide education to children, especially peasants, was a constant in his life. The activities he engaged in, including dressing as a peasant to determine reactions to them and their lifestyle and his desire to lead a life of ascetic purity, allowed him to write with authenticity about the thoughts and feelings of all manner of people.
Students will gain an understanding of the forces that drove Tolstoy and see the connection between Tolstoy’s beliefs and his novels. A timeline, index, footnotes, and bibliography make the information in this book easily accessible to the student researcher. Photographs, paintings, and primary source material are interspersed within the text. Fascinating reading about a giant among authors. LMN
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