Amazing Grace: The Story Behind the Song

Summary

Have you ever wondered how or why some songs get written? This book allows the reader to peek into the life of John Newton, composer of the ever-famous song Amazing Grace. Newton wrote the song in the 1760s; yet, it is still sung in churches, prisons, and at special events to this day. Throughout his childhood, Newton experienced God's grace in a variety of ways. By the age of four, he was able to read and knew the Bible well. His teacher and mother, however, passed away when John was just seven, leaving him in the care of his father, who at times was cold and distant. John was a rebellious teenager, one whom his father didn't know how to adequately handle. After trying his hand at several different jobs, John found himself a part of the slave trade, first as a servant who helped round up slaves that could be traded and last as the owner of his own slave trade business. During his multiple jobs, he gave up on God, believing that grace was not attainable for him because he screwed up too many times. He spent a large part of this time in trouble with various persons, usually his bosses. He was kidnapped and forced into the navy, something which was not uncommon at that time. Eventually he would gain freedom when a slave trade ship asked the navy to trade men. John was among the men traded to the slave trade ship known as the Harwich. He was treated very poorly by his new boss, actually treated more like a slave, even though he was an Englishman. When another Englishman came aboard the island, John's master was ashamed at being seen treating one of his own so poorly. He let John go to work for the new trader, who was hired by John's father to bring him home. During a violent storm, John cried out for God to have mercy. This would be the first time since becoming an adult when John called on God for help. Fortunately they survived the storm; however, they were thrown very off course and ended up in Ireland. He attributed his survival to God's grace. A second incident involving a ship that sank after he was called not to get on it would serve as further proof of God's grace. By age 23, he'd raised enough money to marry the girl he'd loved since the age of 17. After their marriage, he went back into the slave trade. He treated his slaves better than most other owners, but he still felt this guilt for being part of the slave trade. Eventually he would leave the slave trade when he caught a fever and had no choice. He met William Cowper, a famous poet, and together they wrote Amazing Grace  and other hymns known as the Olney hymns. Find out how the story ends and how John Newton played a part in getting rid of slavery in England when you read this book.

Personal Reflections

I've heard the song Amazing Grace all my life. It's one of those songs that I knew because I went to church but hadn't really given much thought. It wasn't until a fellow teacher of mine mentioned that the author of Amazing Grace was part of the slave trade when I really began to give it any thought at all. What an interesting and difficult life this writer had! I never would have guessed that such words came from a man who spent a good portion of his life not understanding God's grace at all. For anyone who has an interest in this type of story, I highly recommend it. You will find yourself surprised at how it all plays out.

Miracle's Boys by Jacqueline Woodson

Summary

Three-time Newberry Honor author Jacqueline Woodson delivers a novel about three brothers who are learning to cope with the untimely losses of both their father and mother and the struggles that come along with poverty, breaking the law, and having to grow up sooner than expected. Set in Manhattan, New York, this novel adequately depicts the heartache and frustration a real family might feel in a similar situation. Through the character of Ty'ree, Woodson captures how a very bright student would feel if he was suddenly pushed into the role of a parent and has to give up his dream of going to school. Through the character of Charlie (also referred to as Newcharlie in the novel), Woodson depicts the frustration and anger of a young boy who suffers from the realization that he was not present when either of his parents passed away and could do nothing to prevent it from happening. And finally, through the voice of the narrator, thirteen year old Lafayette, we see how it feels to have a brother who both ignores and dislikes you, to realize your socio-economic status is of the lower class, and to feel as if you are being blamed for the circumstances of your family. In the midst of everything, though, we embrace the moment when redemption is attained. Among the themes for this novel is the importance of family to get through difficult times.

Personal Reflections

I read this novel in one sitting from cover to cover. I found it to be very realistic. Woodson writes in a way that allowed me to play a movie in my mind of what was happening. Her characters are beautifully developed with real emotions, hardships, and thoughts. One might compare the story to S.E. Hinton's The Outsiders, although the similarity would mainly be in that both are the stories of orpahned siblings being raised by the oldest brother. We see a second similarity in the socio-economic status of the families. I thoroughly enjoyed this story and recommended it to a student who checked it out immediately after I put it back on the shelf. A second student checked out Feathers, also by Woodson, because of the recommendation I gave Miracle's Boys. Read it and enjoy. This story is something both kids and adults, male and female, would appreciate. A quick read because it's not too lengthy and goes by very quickly. Check it out today!

Out of My Mind by Sharon M. Draper

Summary

Out of My Mind is the story of 5th grader Melody, an unpopular, grossly undestimated young girl who also suffers from cerebral palsy. Melody takes in the entire world around her, absorbing every word anyone speaks to her, sensing colors and emotions when she hears music; yet, she cannot communicate to her family, classmates, or friends that she has little more than a single thought in her mind. As readers, we experience every frustration, excitement, and disappointment she feels. We listen idly as the doctor tells her mother that she and her husband have "options" to alleviate the burden of caring for a disabled child. We watch as the special education residents of room H-5 transition from grade to grade, getting a new and often incompetent teacher each time. We cheer when Melody's mother stands up for the children in room H-5, as they suffer through intolerable kiddie music and reviewing the alphabet despite their learning it years ago. We admire people like Mrs. V. and Catherine, two of of Melody's biggest supporters outside of her own parents. We wonder, along with Melody's mother and father, if their new baby will be born "normal;" and when she is, we breathe a sigh of relief on their behalf. When Melody becomes the victim of two girls' jests, we defend her in our minds. When she is finally given the chance to speak, through use of a Medi-Talker machine she names Elvira, we are right there smiling with her family and friends. As Melody goes through 5th  grade, attempting to prove herself to her classmates, teachers, friends, and family members, we go through it all with her, from the hurt she feels when her teacher claims he didn't make a hard enough test because she pulled a perfect score to the vast amounts of time she spends preparing for the Whiz Kids tryout and competition to the heartache she feels when she's left behind by her teammates. Learn more about Melody and her friends by reading this book today!

Personal Reflections

I honestly cannot say that I've read a more heart-wrenching book! Out of My Mind is really about more than a 5th grade girl growing up with an illness. It's about so much more . . . prejudice, having an open-mind when it comes to people with disabilities; perseverance, pushing through the hard times and conquering the world when all odds are against you. Melody could very well be based on a real person. She has very real emotions, which are more than adequately described in this book. I admit feeling some frustrations of my own as I was reading, but they were tied to the frustrations Melody felt when things weren't going her way. Draper is an excellent author, who is able to create an element of empathy in her writing. You feel what Melody feels. At the same time, I found it very sad in a lot of ways. Think about how the world views people who are different. Think about how you would treat a person like Melody. Would you be the one who stands up for her like Catherine, or would you be the one who shys away and pokes fun like Claire? A novel such as this one makes you think. Highly recommended.

A Midsummer Night's Dream (Graphic Novel)

Summary:

 

What can be better than a well-renowned Shakespearean play adapted into a graphic novel format? A Midsummer Night's Dream is the tale of love gone wild to say the least. When a mischievious fairy, Puck, teams up with the Fairy King, Oberon, in a plot to convince the Queen Titiana to "give" over an Indian boy she captured, all things break loose. At the heart of the story, we meet two groups of young lovers, Hermia, who loves Lysander but is being forced to marry Demetrius by her father and the Athenian king, Theseus, and Helena who loves Demetrius, but whom does not return her love. In a plot to escape Hermia's fate, Lysander and she agree to meet in the woods and flee to a country where they will be allowed to marry. In the mean time, Helena confronts Hermia and finds out about her plan to run away. Helena tells Demetrius, and the two of them also flee to the woods in an attempt to foil the lovers' plan. In his plot to make the fairy queen fall in love with someone else so she will give up the Indian boy, Oberon has Puck put the juice of an enchanted flower over her eyes. He then hears a troubled Helena fleeing after the man she loves as he desperately tries to find his betrothed, Hermia, and the man she loves, Lysander. In an act of sympathy for Helena, Oberon also tells Puck to put the juice over Demetrius's eyes so that he will fall in love with Helena. But, Puck puts the juice over a sleeping Lysander's eyes instead. Lysander awakes, sees Helena, and falls in love with her, while Hermia sleeps. A group of play actors, who just so happen to be practicing in the woods, wanders nearby the sleeping fairy queen. Puck plays a trick by turning one of the actors, Nick Bottom, into a donkey. Titiana awakes, sees Bottom, and falls in love with him. Puck attempts to right his wrong by putting the juice over Demetrius's eyes as well. Demetrius awakes, sees Helena, and also falls in love with her. Hermia begins to search for her missing love, and hears the two men quarrelling over Helena. They threaten to fight, despite Hermia's claims that Lysander loves her truly. Oberon gets what he wants from the fairy queen and discovers the quarrelling lovers nearby. He instructs Puck to undo what has been done by creating a heavy mist and crushing a powder over the eyes of all the victims of his original plan. Find out if Puck succeeds in undoing what has been done or if all is at a loss in this exciting comedy. You won't want to miss it!

 

Personal Reflections

 

I am a huge fan of anything related to William Shakespeare. I, along with most historians, rank him as one of the greatest writers of all time. Who doesn't love a good story filled with swords, love, heartache, parties, and more? This play has it all! The graphic novel adaptation does add a small element of cheesiness, but it also makes it easier for young minds to understand the true plot of Shakespeare's play, which is, of course, written in Old English. The graphic novel maintains some of the same language and all of the basics of the plot. I loved this version of Shakespeare's classic play. I think it is the perfect way to introduce young minds to the endeavors of William Shakespeare. Read it today!



Library Wordle

Skippyjon Jones: Cirque de Ole!

Summary

Meet Skippyjon Jones, the tight-rope-walking Siamese cat who really wants to be and believes he is a Chihuahua. His mother doesn't approve of his stunts, his sisters can't say Chihuahua, and the circus needs him to build musculos so he can hold all of the Chihuahua performers up while they build the highest dog tower in history. Will Skippyjon be successful in this high action feat, or will everything crash instead? Is his mother ever going to support his dream of being a Chihuahua? Find out in this hilarious picture book by Judy Schachner.

Personal Reflections

Last night I brought Skippyjon Jones home so I could read it to my 2 1/2 year old son and 4 year old daughter. They enjoyed the pictures most, being a little too young to understand everything that was going on in the story. But, they did think it was funny and interesting, just like I did. I think there's a little of Skippyjon in all of us. We all dream, sometimes of being someone completely different than we really are, sometimes of being successful in front of a crowd, sometimes even just of being accepted by a group that is not exactly like us. Skippyjon, although a Siamese cat who wants to be a Chihuahua, really is an example of human nature. I think we can learn from him. Dreams are important and special, part of who we are and who we will ultimately become. There's more to this story than just a funny little cat. You get cultural references, aspirations, and this obvious theme of confidence in self--something everyone needs.

Bones: Dead People Do Tell Tales

Summary

Author Sara L. Latta gives readers insight into the high interest world of forensic anthropologists in this non-fiction book. Learn how highly sought after forensic anthropologists use data collected from soil, bones, and DNA to identify the dead and even provide insight into how they might have died. This work includes several graphics that accompany the science behind the tales of those who still have stories to tell but can no longer tell them.

Personal Reflections

I found this story very enlightening, since I really had no idea what exactly it is that forensic anthropologists do. Television shows like CSI make it seem like a glamorous job, but in all reality, it is at times heartwrenching. The true stories behind this book range from a man who was murdered by a coworker, chopped up into pieces, and hidden in a secret compartment in a science lab to the story of Lakesha Levy, a woman whose entire leg was found amongst the debris after the famous Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City was bombed by a man named Timothy McVeigh. McVeigh would pay for the crime with his life when he was executed via lethal injection. Reading this book made me feel like I could answer some of the questions that might be asked on game shows like Who Wants to Be a Millionaire or Jeopardy! I love a good nonfiction book because they teach you about something that could prove of value later on. If nothing else, I now understand what my good friend, Nathan, is majoring in at Northern Illinois University in Chicago. Check it out at our library!