The American Library Association (ALA) began awarding the Caldecott Medal in 1938. The award is named after Randolph Caldecott, the famous 19th century English illustrator. The award is annually given to the American picture book deemed to have made the "most distinguished contribution" to the field of children’s literature.
Some of the most famous picture books since 1938 have won this prestigious prize. While all the winners have been outstanding, some have stood the test of time. One such book is the 1945 winner, "Prayer for a Child" by Rachel Field, which still cannot be recommended too highly.
"A Sick Day for Amos McGee" was announced as the winner of this high honor Jan. 10, 2011. It is an endearing book that will fill adult readers and children with pleasure.
Amos McGee is a man of faultless timing. Every morning he arises at the same time and makes himself a pot of tea. Then he makes a bowl of oatmeal and uses one teaspoon of sugar. Having contentedly started his day, Amos goes to the bus stop and waits.
When the bus pulls up at exactly 6 a.m., he takes out his pocket watch and states: "Right on time."
Amos rides the bus to the city zoo, where he is employed. He works diligently at the zoo, but has a deep interest in all the animals under his care. The zookeeper worries about the animals’ physical and mental health. Because of this, Amos always plays a game of chess with the elephant. For a man so dedicated to time, this is a great challenge, for the elephant must think and think before making a move.
Next, he moves on to the tortoise. Each day, to improve the tortoise’s spirit, he races him to the finish line. After the race the tortoise proudly smiles at Amos.
As he continues his rounds, he comes to the penguins’ pool. There Amos meets a very shy penguin needing some comfort. After that he goes to the yard of the rhinoceros. The rhino suffers greatly from allergies, and Amos wipes his great, horned nose and helps him to feel better.
At last Amos systematically visits the owl. The bird is greatly frightened by the night and needs to hear a story to settle down. All in all, each day ends pleasantly.
But one day, Amos wakes up and feels terrible. He begins coughing and sneezing and knows that he cannot go to the zoo. He lies back in bed, feeling terrible. The bus comes and Amos is not at the stop. The animals in the zoo are eagerly waiting for their dear zookeeper. As the day continues, he still doesn’t come to work. All the animals become alarmed and decide that something must be done. Where is Amos and what is is wrong with him? The animals decide to take action.
What decision do the animals make? How does their concern and love for Amos compel their actions? Do they find the zookeeper and help him?
Have you ever helped a sick person? Why is it so important to care for others? To find out, go to the library and check out this lovely book, "A Sick Day for Amos McGee," by Philip C. Stead.
This is simply a beautiful little story. It will make an outstanding book to share with younger children. Questions of care and consideration will naturally flow from the text and pictures. Do yourself a favor and read this charming book with a child you love.
Enjoy!
Tyranny is the malformed system of government that takes away basic freedoms from its citizens.
Throughout history, many tyrants have arisen. In the 20th century the evil twins of tyranny were fascism and communism. Though they looked somewhat different, both forms of domination denied basic freedoms to citizens and crushed dissent violently.
For either of these political sorrows to develop, the press, radio and other forms of communication need to be controlled. This all begins with a powerful leader deciding what direction the country is going to travel, and then getting rid of all opposition. George Orwell tells stages of this terrifying process in a brilliantly written animal fable. The name of this famous book is "Animal Farm."
Mr. Jones owns a somewhat typical farm in England. There are pastures, barns, ponds and fields. Jones is a somewhat lazy and brutal man and his techniques cause anger and resentment among the animals. After suffering for a number of years, an ancient boar named "Old Major" addresses the animals about their plight. He rallies all the animals and tells them that "all men are enemies, and all animals are comrades." The speech electrifies the animals and they go into full-scale revolution against Farmer Jones.
In short order the animals drive all humans from the farm and set up a new government. Two pigs, Snowball and Napoleon, are the leaders of the animals. Snowball is a dynamic speaker and creative thinker. He constantly tries to improve the new government through insightful plans and projects.
Napoleon has a very different type of personality. He says very little but is capable of violent action and cruelty. Soon the farm is under great stress as both pigs inevitably disagree with each other.
One day, Napoleon begins planning to take over the government and implement his will on all the other animals. He gathers a number of puppies and trains them to be vicious dogs while inculcating a cult-like devotion to himself. Napoleon then puts spiked collars on the canines and in the presence of all the animals, has the dogs attack Snowball. The harassed pig barely escapes with his life and Napoleon takes complete charge of the farm.
Immediately, changes begin showing up throughout the farm. Napoleon grooms other pigs to browbeat the animals into compliance. This begins by increasing the workload and reducing the food supply. Next, Napoleon vigorously propagandizes the animals. All the problems on the farm are blamed on nearby humans and the now-evil Snowball. In short order the animals are thoroughly brainwashed by the propaganda. Finally, beaten down, hungry and defenseless the animals are totally vulnerable. Napoleon’s time has arrived.
What does Napoleon do next? Can a leader deceive and brutalize his followers? What can the animals do in the face of this rising evil? What happens to the animals that disobey Napoleon? And finally, how does Orwell use this story to tell the chilling tale about the rise of despotic rule? To find out, go to the library and check out this famous fable detailing the rise of evil in a government.
"Animal Farm"is a classic work of fiction. Published in 1946, it predates by three years his equally famous and frightening novel, "1984." Orwell accurately and relentlessly addresses the abuses, lies and manipulations of an unscrupulous governmental leadership. He shows how corrupt leaders can take power away from their citizens through the use of raw force and deception.
As our world seems to be entering a period of great political uncertainty, this book is more necessary to read than ever. People in North America and Europe think their freedom can’t be taken away. Orwell has one response: "Think again!"
Pastor Martin Niemoller prophetically told the world the consequences of the loss of civil rights in his famous poem about the Nazi takeover of Germany. Though he changed the words somewhat in his many public addresses following his release from a seven-year imprisonment in two concentration camps for opposing the Nazi Regime, they are basically as follows:
"First they came for the communists, but I didn’t speak out because I was not a communist.
Then they came for the trade unionists, but I did not speak out because I was not a trade unionist.
Then they came for the Jews, but I didn’t speak out because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for the Catholics, but I didn’t speak out because I was a Protestant.
Finally they came for me, and there was no one left to speak for me."
Russell Freedman has written an important book on the meaning and importance of the Bill of Rights to the American Constitution. He tells the historical background and significance of the Bill of Rights and why the Founding Fathers of the United States were so determined to write these guarantees into the Constitution. Freedman states that the creator of the Bill of Rights, the future president, James Madison, wanted the Bill of Rights to be guarantees made to the citizens of the United States, not merely tolerant promises that could be revoked by executive will.
In his book, Freedman analyses the first 10 amendments to the United States Constitution that compose the Bill of Rights, but for this review, I will look primarily at the First Amendment: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or the press, or the right of the people to peacefully assemble, and petition the Government for a redress of grievances."
Religious persecution was one of the primary reasons for the founding of the American colonies. Many of the early colonists had been heavily fined and even driven into exile for their religious beliefs. Some of their ancestors had actually been brutally murdered in England for their religious convictions. These horrible events taught the Pilgrims in Massachusetts, the Catholics in Maryland, and the Quakers in Pennsylvania, among others, that the government can never be allowed to define religious beliefs.
State religions are created by rulers and focus on what is successful in the present world, paying virtually no attention to the next world. These state-imposed religions are always based on secular values; or what gets one ahead in this world, and will always be the enemy of true religion. Sometimes the colonists did not practice what they preached, but they all understood the immense problems of state religions.
While the Constitution was approved Sept. 17, 1787, the problem of civil rights remained. During the Constitutional Convention, Thomas Jefferson wrote a letter to James Madison urging the creation of a measure to permanently stop the problem of state religions. After some reflection, Madison created our magnificent Bill of Rights. The states gratefully approved the first 10 amendments to the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and it was added to the document Dec. 15, 1791.
Freedman gives a comprehensive review of numerous court cases that establish the basis of the first 10 amendments. He shows that if the government can attack one of the amendments, the others are in jeopardy as well. In the terrible decision made by the Obama Administration to impose its secular values on health care, we are again facing the establishment of a national religion, and the abrogation of the Bill of Rights. Do something! Educate yourself by reading Freedman’s book, write letters, speak to your friends about these encroaching evils, and pray. This revocation of the Bill of Rights can be stopped as we still have access to the voting booth in November. If the citizens of the United States are not diligent, we will soon learn the bitter truths that Pastor Niemoller experienced.
Adversities frequently happen to people. These challenges can come in many forms. They can be health issues or life situations. Regardless of the shapes of these trying times, the response of individuals to these occurrences is critical. Can people rise above difficulties or do they give up and accept smaller goals? Are the troubles building blocks in character development or crushing blows to aspirations?
The common denominator to conquer adversities seems to be personal choices to use these trying times as building blocks instead of stumbling stones. Jean Lee Latham has written such a story in her acclaimed adolescent biography, "Carry On, Mr. Bowditch."
As a young boy, Nathaniel (Nat) Bowditch witnesses many troubling events. His father has wrecked his ship off the coast of Massachusetts, harming the Bowditch’s family fortune. Instead of living the life of a wealthy shipman, Nathaniel sees his father struggling to support his family as a cooper by making barrels.
The Revolutionary War erupts at this time, causing great hardship throughout the American colonies. Periodically, diseases sweep though Salem, killing many local citizens. Nat’s mother weakens from all of these trials and eventually dies.
Now Mr. Bowditch realizes he cannot continue to take care of all of his children, and signs over Nat to be an indentured servant to an accounting firm. The 12-year-old boy knows that he will have to labor for the next nine years without pay.
At first, Nat struggles with loneliness and the difficulties of learning the intricacies of accounting. But the boy is quite intelligent and realizes that he can learn something valuable from this experience.
Quite talented in mathematics, Nat diligently studies everything he can on the subject. Soon he teaches himself algorithms, geometry and starts studying trigonometry. A chance visit with a Harvard University professor starts him off on the study of Latin so that he can read Isaac Newton’s "Principia Mathematica." He takes his struggles and channels that energy in his work and studies.
By the time Nat turns 21 years old, he knows as much mathematics as a Harvard graduate. What he doesn’t have is anyone to lead him when his indentured servitude is over. He is offered a surveying job and throws himself into the trade with his normal vigor.
A beautiful young woman named Elizabeth Boardman notices this virtuous young man and is impressed. Being born into a rich Salem shipping family, Elizabeth knows the perils and prosperity of sea life.
Nathaniel becomes such an accomplished surveyor, that a shipping company soon hires him to be a navigator for a voyage. Just before leaving, Nat meets Elizabeth and falls in love with her. As he leaves Salem on his first voyage, Elizabeth stands on the upper porch of her family’s beautiful home and wave’s goodbye. Having finally found the love he always wanted, Nat is again faced with the challenges of life.
What happens to Nat and Elizabeth? Do they marry and have a beautiful and long marriage? Or does life throw more trying and difficult ordeals Nat’s way?
What do you do when you are faced with hard times? What does Nathaniel do? To find out, read this outstanding biography about Nathaniel Bowditch.
Nathaniel Bowditch actually overcame the long odds described in Latham’s biography. He rewrote the navigation manuals of the time and published his famous book "Bowditch’s American Practical Navigator." The book was so much more accurate than any other books on naval navigation that it became a standard text in the sea world.
I hope you enjoy this biography as much as I did. It is well written and shows the power of making the most of opportunities and staying optimistic when trials arrive.
Conscience is the innermost sanctum where God informs everyone of their moral duty. This makes conscience one of the most treasured gifts given to humanity by God. In trying times it is even more important to listen to our conscience. To do this we need courage molded through fortitude; recklessness must not be confused with courage. Fortitude perfects courage by strengthening hearts to follow God’s will. Therefore fortitude overcomes fear through a reliance on God’s grace.
In the political arena many ominous events have recently arisen that will require a well formed, brave conscience. In our country’s history many people have been forced to choose between being liked by the populace and being true to conscience. In 1956, Senator John Kennedy wrote a detailed and interesting account of eight U.S. senators holding true to their consciences in spite of vicious personal attacks. The name of this compelling title is "Profiles In Courage."
John Quincy Adams, Daniel Webster, Thomas Hart Benton, Sam Houston, Edmund Ross, Lucius Lamar, George Norris and Robert A. Taft are the senators analyzed in the book. Each man was placed at a critical juncture in American history and had to make choices fraught with peril for themselves. All eight men knew the way to succeed in the American Senate was by going along with public opinion. But each knew in his conscience that public opinion is a false barometer of the truth.
Edmund Ross in particular found the bitter path of suffering for his conscience. In the trumped up impeachment trial of President Andrew Johnson, Ross knew in his heart that Johnson was not guilty of anything but imprudence and bad judgment. He realized that Radical Republicans in the House and Senate were trying to corrupt the U.S. Constitution. Public opinion in his home state of Kansas also wanted to see the president broken and the former Confederacy further humiliated. During the impeachment trial, Ross received repeated threats if he voted to acquit. He knew a vote for acquittal would mean his personal and financial ruin. On the fateful day of the verdict during the trial, the vengeful senatorial leadership was ready to turn its poison on the first-time senator from Kansas. The packed Senate gallery turned its eager eyes on the tortured senator. Would he falsely convict and be handsomely rewarded, or acquit and face the wrath of a nation?
What did Edmund Ross do? What would you have done if faced with this grueling choice? All the senators described by Kennedy faced equally daunting situations that demanded a fidelity to conscience. Kennedy relates the salty language used by their enemies to condemn them, but shows how their choice to be faithful to their conscience makes them examples of the virtuous life.
There is much to be learned from reading about the lives of these eight senators. This courage will be needed. In our own times, the American bishops, and Bishop Bruskewitz in particular, have shown the faithful how to be true to conscience during the appalling attack on religious freedom made by the Obama Administration. The bravery of the eight senators discussed in "Profiles In Courage" can guide us in the proper response of a well formed conscience.
"Profiles In Courage" won the Pulitzer Prize for journalism in 1957. Kennedy was later accused of having the book ghost written for him by his speech writer, Ted Sorenson, a Nebraskan. However in the forward of the book, Senator Kennedy publically thanks Mr. Sorenson for his assistance in the "assembly and preparation of the material on which the book was based." In Chapter 13 of his own autobiography, "Counselor," Mr. Sorenson, a Lincoln native, discusses his role in the writing of "Profiles In Courage" and ascribes authorship to Senator Kennedy. "Profiles In Courage" is well written, interesting and continues to speak to our current times. I hope you get a chance to read this outstanding book about the importance of living courageously and being true to conscience.
Presidents Day is celebrated in February. Many biographies have been written about the presidents of the United States of America. Some of them were military heroes; others were university presidents while some came from the business world. As a group, they are quite remarkable.
But equally interesting are the First Ladies of the United States. In recent times some First Ladies have been heavily involved in social justice. All First Ladies have had social responsibilities during the presidential term. Of these none is more beloved than the fourth First Lady, Dolley Madison. Her grace, wit and courage continue to serve as an inspiration.
Don Brown has written a funny, informative biography about this remarkable woman. The name of this attractive book is "Dolley Madison Saves George Washington."
Dolley married the brilliant James Madison, the future fourth president of the United States. Their marriage was long and happy. When the widowed Thomas Jefferson became the third president, James Madison became his Secretary of State. Jefferson occasionally called on Dolley to host parties at the presidential residence. Her charm and generous nature immediately set all visitors at ease. Dolley also helped select the furniture, drapes, silverware and paintings at the presidential home. After Jefferson retired in 1808, Dolley’s own beloved husband was elected the fourth president of the nation. During Madison’s administration, Dolley became famous for her gracious parties, beautiful dresses and cordial nature.
Unfortunately, during the Napoleonic wars, Great Britain began seizing American ships for alleged supplies being sent to the French, (contraband) and kidnapping American sailors (impressment) to become British sailors. This led to the ill-advised war of 1812, and to Dolley Madison’s great acts of courage during the British burning of Washington D.C.
During the war of 1812, the British landed armies and bombarded American cities at will. On August 14, 1814, the British Army routed the American forces at the Battle of Bladensburg and immediately marched on the capital, Washington D.C. So overwhelming was the English power that President Madison and his cabinet fled the city. But Dolley wasn’t about to give up all the priceless items of the presidential mansion. She began collecting copies of famous documents, papers and household items in the residence. As her servants were begging her to leave, she looked at the most famous painting in the home, the portrait of George Washington. Dolley decided that this painting was not going to be burned by the British. She put her plan into effect as Washington D.C. was already on fire.
What did Dolley do? How much courage is required to refuse to let your national heritage be burned by an invading army? Why were her actions in August 1814 seen as heroic by the citizens of the United States? Why is Dolley Madison even today seen as one of the finest women ever to serve the United States as a First Lady? To find out, read this entertaining biography of a graceful, beautiful woman with a heart of a hero, "Dolley Madison Saves George Washington."
Dolley Madison’s name is historically spelled in a number of ways. For many years it was simply spelled "Dolly," but later study indicates that the correct spelling is Dolley. Along with her famous husband, James Madison, Dolley made a great contribution to the establishment of the American presidency. I hope you get a chance to read this charming biography. I found it delightful and think you will as well. Enjoy!
Raw power has been used by tyrants for centuries to accomplish their evil intentions. These cruel rulers establish some principle and then declare that it represents truth. Anyone opposing this unjust measure is therefore said to be an enemy of the state.
We see an obvious example of this in the Books of Maccabees, where the Jews were oppressed by a foreign government. In the 20th century there are many examples of this calculated malevolence, none more obvious than the Holocaust.
When such dire peril falls on a society, people react in many different ways. Some participate in the oppression, others ignore it, hoping it will go away, but some brave souls fight against tyranny. These heroic people give saintly examples of literally giving up their lives for others.
At the end of World War II, Raoul Wallenberg was one such man. Louise Borden tells his courageous and heartbreaking story in this splendidly written biography, "His Name Was Raoul Wallenberg."
Born in 1912 in Sweden, Raoul Wallenberg came from a family of wealthy businessmen and bankers. Though his father died while Raoul was still an infant, his grandfather lovingly looked after the child. Eventually his widowed mother remarried and Raoul was blessed with a generous stepfather. Young Wallenberg was gifted in languages and excelled in school. Desiring to know more about the world, Raoul left Sweden and studied at the University of Michigan. Returning home some years later, he began working for an international trading company. But this happy interlude was about to end because of the dark clouds being spread across Europe by Adolph Hitler.
With the outbreak of World War II, Wallenberg’s Sweden found itself in the happy position of neutrality. But it soon became obvious that others weren’t so lucky. After several years the terrifying information about the Holocaust was known by governmental leaders. Pleas were made to the Swedish government to send a diplomat to Hungary to try to save the Jews of that country. The government knew that a courageous man gifted in languages would be needed for this task. They asked Raoul Wallenberg to immediately go to Budapest and save as many people as possible. He accepted at once.
In Budapest, Wallenberg immediately began issuing hundreds of Schutzpasses (protective passports) to the endangered Jews. So many were issued that the Nazis and their diabolical Hungarian sycophants, the Arrow Cross, finally demanded the Swedish diplomat stop this process. They said that only 4,500 Schutzpasses could be now issued. Ever resourceful, Wallenberg then developed collective Schutzpasses that included the names of every member of the family on the same document.
Fighting daily against the horror that was falling on Hungary, Raoul delayed trains, had Jews removed from the deportation lists and slowed down the processing of the Holocaust victims. He even had certain buildings declared to be under Swedish control and flew the flag of Sweden on them. In this heroic work, he was aided by many other officials including the Vatican Nuncio to Hungary, Archbishop Angelo Rotto.
When the Nazi defeat became certain, General Gerhard Schmidhuber was given orders to machine gun the remaining Jews in Budapest. Partially because of Wallenberg’s work and influence, he disobeyed these commands and actually ordered the capture of the SS men and Arrow Cross thugs sent to commit the murders.
After the German defeat, Wallenberg then met with officers from the Red Army. One day he suddenly vanished. What do we know about his disappearance? Why was Wallenberg arrested by the Russians? What seems to be the most likely explanation? Why did some countries, including Sweden, show so little courage in investigating his disappearance?
And finally, what does Our Lord really mean when He says: "Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends" (Jn 15:13)?
I hope you take the opportunity to read this outstanding biography of one of the heroes of the 20th century. I am sure that the life of Raoul Wallenberg will be an inspiration to you and your family.
Few husband and wife writing teams have been as successful as Stanley and Janice Berenstain. For over 40 years the Berenstains have created books that have been widely loved and eagerly collected.
It is fitting to honor the Berenstains as Janice Berenstain recently died on February 28, 2012. Beginning in 1962, they began exploring several types of children’s books. At this time, some educators taught early reading techniques with teaching resources such as rhyming books. Following this movement, the Berenstains entered the literary and educational world with a Dr. Seuss look-alike, "The Big Honey Hunt." But this book was soon followed by a more realistic type of story that discussed family problems. Though the second trend clearly marked their writing for the rest of their careers, I have chosen "The Big Honey Hunt" since this was their first book published.
The story starts out with the Berenstain Bears having a disheartening discovery. There is no honey left in their house. Mama Bear hands the empty jar to Papa Bear and joyfully tells him to go and get some honey. Though there is a honey store nearby, Papa Bear decides to show Small Bear how it is possible to find wild honey. Spying a bee, Papa Bear charges after the buzzing guide believing a beehive is close. Small Bear cannot believe how exciting it is to run after a bee on such an adventure. Soon Papa Bear sees the bee go into a tree and proudly turns to Small Bear with the discovery. He thrusts his hand into the tree to find the sweet goodness and instead wakes up the owl living in the tree. Infuriated that his house has been invaded, the owl begins attacking Papa Bear. Running for dear life, Papa Bear manages to evade the owl. At the same time, Small Bear fortunately spots the bee. Pointing out the flight path to Papa Bear, they watch the honeybee fly inside another tree. Now Papa Bear is doubly proud, he has persevered in the chase and believes he has found the beehive. Confidently reaching into the tree, Papa Bear makes an unpleasant discovery. Not only is it not a beehive, it is the home of a porcupine. Beating a hasty retreat, the bears run for their lives to avoid the angry porcupine. Still undaunted, they continue chasing the bee through several more trees. At last they come to a tree that is buzzing with bees. Papa Bear knows he has found a gold mine of honey. After breaking off a branch of the tree, he turns to Small Bear and watches honey pour out of the tree. But a massive buzzing starts and much to Small Bear’s surprise, Papa Bear grabs his hand and tells him to start running away from the hive. A large black swarm of angry bees begin flying after the fleeing bears.
What happens next? Do the Berenstain Bears get stung by the angry bees? How do they avoid being attacked? What happens when you don’t do things sensibly? Do the Berenstain Bears learn from their mistakes? To find out, go to the library and checkout "The Big Honey Hunt" by Stanley and Janice Berenstain.
The adventures of the Berenstain Bears have charmed children for more than 40 years. The authors do not try to turn the books into "great literature." Rather, the stories address problems young children have in starting school, going to the dentist, making friends and learning to make good decisions. Because of this the Berenstain Bears books will continue to be popular with younger readers. I hope you get a chance to read one of the many Berenstain books to your children. They are usually very well liked. Have fun!
Death will always be a mysterious event. Our Lord tells us in Genesis that death came into the world because of the sinful behavior of man. Because of this, everyone must die and render an account for their actions on earth. And yet St. Paul states that "no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man conceived, what God has prepared for those who love Him." (1 Cor. 2:9). Because of this faith, death doesn’t have to be seen as a dreadful terror. Many saints have had similar revelations about heaven and have been unable to describe its beauty.
Unfortunately, many modern people frequently only think of this world and completely discount the possibility of heaven. They will sometimes even ridicule people believing in eternity. In reply to this ignorant skepticism, a book on the New York Times Best Seller List about a 4-year-old boy’s visit and return from heaven has captivated thousands of readers. The name of this remarkable story is "Heaven is for Real," written by Todd Burpo.
Colton Burpo is 4 years old when all of these events occur. Colton’s father Todd is a minister in the town of Imperial, Neb. The family begins a trip to Colorado for a vacation and Colton starts complaining of terrible stomach pain. His parents eventually decide to take him to a hospital, but doctors are unable to diagnose any problems. In the meantime, Colton’s appendix bursts. As the child begins to die, his father first rages at God and then begs for his son’s possible death.
After some time, Colton miraculously recovers from the deadly situation. Later, when his parents take Colton home, he begins telling them of events that were impossible for him to know. First, Colton tells his parents that angels sang to him in the operating room. Second, he says he sat on the lap of Jesus. Finally, he tells them exactly where they were and what they were doing during his operation. Stunned, both parents do not know what to believe and what questions to ask about these events.
In the following months, Colton continues to inform his parents about all sorts of facts a 4-year-old could not possibly know. Some of these involve family events, and some concern heaven and the people he met in paradise. As his theologically trained father continues to probe the child, his own ministerial training begins to seem small and limited. Colton explains some of the deepest religious problems about man’s relationship to God in the simplest, most complete answers his father has ever heard.
As more and more of the stories pour out of the child, the Burpos began testing Colton to see if he was making up these experiences. They discover that Colton is not lying and his answers completely stagger them. One day he tells his dad why Jesus died on the cross and his father’s jaw drops.
What was the beautiful, touching explanation Colton gives his father for the crucifixion of Our Blessed Savior? Why are all of Colton’s answers to these difficult theological issues so simple and convincing? What does he tell his amazed Protestant parents about the Blessed Mother? Why does the reader of this book begin to understand the phrase "out of the mouths of babes and sucklings thou hast brought perfect praise?" (Mt 21:16). To find out the answers to these questions, go to the library and check out "Heaven is for Real" by Todd Burpo.
Todd Burpo never states that Colton’s experiences form some new type of doctrine. He simply uses his son’s childlike language to tell of Colton’s amazing encounter with Jesus and his intense desire to go back to heaven. The book will cause you to weep at times, but they will be tears of joy. Colton’s story will leave you yearning to be in heaven in the arms of Our Lord. I hope you get a chance to read this beautiful story of a 4-year-old boy’s encounter with his Savior. I loved it and think you will as well.
Easter is the highest religious celebration in the religious calendar. On this glorious day, Our Lord defeated the bonds of death by rising from the tomb.
While this will always be the most significant aspect of Easter, many enjoyable secular activities have arisen for this happy time. Some of the most common gifts given at Easter are eggs. While many of these are made from candy, some eggs are dyed and can be eaten. Eggs are particularly appropriate for Easter since they signify life.
The gifted artist/writer Jan Brett has given us a beautiful, spectacularly drawn picture book about this secular side of Easter. The name of this gorgeous book is "The Easter Egg."
As winter is ending, all the rabbits in the forest begin creating Easter Eggs. The Easter Rabbit visits the forest on Easter Sunday and judges the eggs. The winner of the event then is allowed to help the Easter Rabbit hide the eggs.
Hoping to be the Easter Rabbit’s assistant, all the rabbits eagerly work on their eggs. The eggs are made out of all kinds of material. Some are made out of chocolate, others from finely carved wood, while still others have hand-drawn designs on the shells.
Hoppi is a young bunny able to enter the Easter Egg Contest for the first time. As he goes through the forest, he first meets Flora Bunny. The grandmotherly rabbit is planting wild flowers in her eggs, creating a fantastic effect. Hoppi starts picking flowers thinking these eggs will surely win. Flora kindly gives Hoppi several flowers to begin his project.
Down the lane, the young bunny meets Buster Birch. Standing in amazement, Hoppi watches as Buster carves a gorgeous egg from wood. The wood-carving rabbit gives Hoppi a piece of wood to begin a similar egg. Next, Hoppi sees Aunt Sassyfrass decorating creamy chocolate eggs. They look so delicious that Hoppi is sure this type of egg will impress the Easter Rabbit.
But the further into the forest he goes, Hoppi gets more bewildered. All of these eggs are beautiful but they don’t really seem like eggs he could create. So he lies down in the forest and an accident happens. A frightened mother robin knocks a lovely blue robin egg from her nest. Hoppi knows that the robin egg cannot survive without someone sitting on the egg to keep it warm. He also knows that this will take up all the time he has to make an Easter Egg. He so wants to win the contest and have the Easter Rabbit acknowledge him. But his assessment makes things painfully clear, without his help the baby robin will die. He makes his decision.
What choice does Hoppi make? What comes with a sacrifice? Have you ever made a hard decision? What was it? What reward comes from dying to self? What wonderful thing happens to Hoppi because of his sacrifice? To find out, go to the library and check out this lovely book, "The Easter Egg" by Jan Brett.
Jan Brett is a master artist and story teller. Her books have won numerous awards for their artistic brilliance and beauty. The stories told by this remarkable woman are very comforting for children. Brett has been a prolific writer/artist as well. You need to pour over the pages of her books with children since she imbeds so many clues to the story in the elaborately drawn sidebars. I love all of her work and think you will as well. I hope you get a chance to go the library and begin sampling Jan Brett lovely stories. Enjoy and savor!
Americans tend to be practical people. We want things to work efficiently and tend to be impatient with dreamers. After all, what good does it do to sit around thinking? What does this mental and emotional effort accomplish?
Since we are a "can do" nation, Americans tend to see such people as productive. This of course raises the question of what is work supposed to accomplish. Frequently in American schools there is an intense desire to raise reading, writing and math scores. While these areas are vital in a society, so too is the ability to develop thoughts and ideas. If students aren’t ever shown there is something other than being "productive," they will likely soon have little to read, write or think about. This is why the development of imagination is so important and "useful." Creative students can develop their classrooms with new and exciting ideas.
The famous children’s literature writer Leo Lionni has written a delightful story about what is really useful and necessary in a society. The name of this charming book is "Frederick."
As the spring breaks forth, a family of mice begin gathering all kinds of food for the next winter. Four of the mice sweat and labor to bring nuts, grains and other types of products into a wall in which they live. The fifth mouse, Frederick, sits with his eyes closed as the others labor throughout the spring and summer. Soon the hard-working mice begin to chide Frederick for his lack of production. They continue to call to him asking what he could possibly be doing. Frederick tells his family that he is gathering colors for the long days of winter. This seems absolutely preposterous to the other mice and they keep laboring all the while thinking Frederick is both lazy and irresponsible.
Each time the mice ask Frederick what he is doing; his answer is similar to the first reply. Frederick tells his brothers and sisters that he is gathering sun rays and words for the long dreary winter. The hard-laboring mice have little time for such antics and continue gathering large quantities of provisions for the approaching cold.
At last, the family contentedly burrows back into the stones in the wall, unafraid of the approaching storms. After all, they had prudently worked hard all summer to ensure they would not suffer when the snowstorms fell. Frederick moves inside the stone wall with his family as winter descends. At first the mice can’t believe their good fortune. There is an abundance of corn, nuts, grains and other types of food. But as the winter drags on, their food supply begins to dwindle, and their spirits sink. The mice are learning a hard lesson that there is more to life than just eating.
As their spirits hit rock bottom, they all turn to Frederick for help. They begin to ask him to tell them about a beautiful world beyond their narrow imaginations. The practical ones are now begging for solace from the dreamer. In a generous and kind manner, Frederick stands up and begins to eloquently inspire his family.
What does Frederick say? What lovely colors and images does he create for his unimaginative brothers and sisters? How do Frederick’s dreams sustain his family? Have you every inspired someone with your ideas and dreams? What does "useful" really mean? To find out, go to the library and check out "Frederick" by Leo Lionni.
This charming book was written in 1967 by the talented children’s writer/illustrator, Leo Lionni. Young children will love the story as it is very approachable and packed with meaning. I hope you get a chance to share this delightful book with your family. Lionni makes us reassess what we think about the meaning of the word "useful." I really like this story and think you will as well. Enjoy!
The Catholic Church especially reveres the Four Gospels. Each of the Evangelists gives the faithful a different understanding of Our Blessed Savior. The Church has always understood that these accounts were inspired by the Holy Spirit. While allowing the Sacred Writers to use their own knowledge of the Lord, the Holy Spirit inspired their writing, directed the composition, and protected them from error. As a result, the laity joyfully hears these marvelous gospels each day at Mass.
The first Gospel, that of St. Matthew, is particularly rich in the portrayal of Our Lord as the fulfillment of the prophesies from the Old Testament and in the description of the establishment of the Church. The prayers at Mass during the consecration draw heavily from St. Matthew’s Gospel. Because of the power and majesty of this Gospel, parents and relatives of younger children would do well to read the Passion account to their children and relatives during Holy Week.
Peter plays a prominent role during the Last Supper and later during the trial of Jesus. Trusting his own strength, he confidently proclaims that he will never deny or fall away from Our Lord. Calmly, Jesus tells him that he will fall from faith before the cock crows three times. Peter then states that he would die for Christ before he would deny Him. In a few short hours, Peter discovers how little strength he has when not united to Our Blessed Savior.
Saint Matthew portrays Pontius Pilate as a conflicted man. He knows that Jesus has done nothing deserving death. Only St. Matthew shares that fact that Pilate’s wife writes him a letter telling him to "have nothing to do with that righteous man, for I have suffered much over him today in a dream." (Mt 27:20) St. Matthew tells us that Pilate repeatedly tries to save Jesus, but discovers that the mob is about to riot. The scene of Pilate washing his hands of the whole affair is only found in St. Matthew’s Passion account.
At the terrible hour of Christ’s death, the curtain is torn in the Temple, and the Roman centurion states what so many people do not understand: "Truly this was the Son of God." (Mt 27:54)
After Our Lord’s burial and Resurrection, St. Matthew completes his magnificent account with the commissioning of the apostles to "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe what I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, to the close of the age." (Mt 28:19-20)
Please read this beautiful Gospel story with your family during Holy Week. It will feed the souls of your family. The only caution that I give you is to pay attention to the words of Nostra Aetate, the famous document given at the close of Vatican II. In paragraph four, the Church writes that "Even though the Jewish authorities and those who followed their lead pressed for the death of Christ, neither all Jews indiscriminately at that time, nor Jews today, can be charged with the crimes committed during his passion." So the phrase "his blood be upon us and our children" (Mt 27:25) cannot mean that all Jews were "Christ killers." A more likely explanation is the mob shouted this formulaic phrase as Pilate was hypocritically washing his hands to ease the Roman’s conscience and to speed up his condemnation of Jesus. The rabble had no intention of calling down condemnation on Jews throughout history. This horrible phrase, Christ killers, was used for centuries to justify attacks on Jewish people. This hateful interpretation is condemned in Nostra Aetate. The Passion of Our Lord happened because all people had sinned and needed redemption.
St. Matthew’s Gospel is powerful and enriching. St. Jerome made the oft quoted phrase that "Ignorance of the Scriptures is ignorance of Christ." So share this splendid account of the Passion with your family and have a blessed Holy Week.
One of the most satisfying sounds of spring is the phrase "Play Ball!" With this happy statement, baseball season begins. While baseball does not hold the cultural dominance it had in the 1950’s, it is still followed avidly by millions of fans. There is nothing quite like sitting in the stands on a beautiful summer evening and rooting for the home team. Many teams routinely draw over three million fans a season, and some teams, like the Boston Red Sox, have to cap season ticket sales to have a few seats available for individual games. Some of this writer’s most enduring memories of childhood revolve around this fascinating sport. Baseball has a long written history dating back to the inspirational poem "Casey at the Bat" in 1888. Wayne Stewart has carried on this literary tradition with this interesting book "The History of the Kansas City Royals."
In 1969, the expansion team named the Kansas City Royals began playing. As an expansion team, they were able to draft players from other major league teams. Of course the best players on those teams were protected, which left the Royals drafting second rate athletes. Because of this, the first several seasons for the Royals were summers of mediocrity. The franchise began building a powerful team by the later 1970’s and had become a dominant force by the 1980’s. Famous players for the Royals during this period were Frank White, Willie Wilson, Hal McRae and George Brett. Interesting pictures and short summaries of their accomplishments accompany this part of the book. The October post season successes and failures are told in detail. While the late 1970’s tended to end in losses in October, the 1980’s were another story. The two World Series appearances by the Royals were exciting, and the 1985 World Series Championship was the crowning achievement of the franchise. Unfortunately, as the author states, the Royals have fallen on hard times in recent years but are hopefully on the upward surge today.
This book and others like it about major league teams are very popular with students from Grades 2-8. All these series books about baseball teams have exciting pictures of famous players and stadiums. The writing level keeps readers turning the pages to find out more about their favorite team. While this review is about the Kansas City Royals, similar books about most big league teams can be found in the library. Like most good non-fiction books, these accounts are often filled with charts and statistics as well. This allows readers to develop analytical skills in math and logic. While the books may seem like they are purely informational, don’t short sell their ability to teach students in a number of academic areas. So if you are looking for fun books for youngsters to read, these baseball team books are just the ticket. They can be found in the children’s 796.357 section of the library. After you have enjoyed reading these books yourself, just remember to go out and play catch with your son or daughter. After all, it is spring and that great phrase, "Play Ball" is in the air. Enjoy!
Ever since the Fall in the Garden of Eden, mankind has been engaged in the constant struggle between choosing good or evil.
Human disobedience brought about the consequence of Original Sin. Because of this fallen condition, people must struggle to achieve good. This is only possible with the help of divine grace. But all people will wrestle with sinful inclinations their entire lives. C.S. Lewis has written a perceptive and at times humorous account of this conflict in The Screwtape Letters.
In this short novel, Lewis places a senior devil, Uncle Screwtape, writing a series of letters and instructions to a junior devil named Wormwood. The whole point of the letters is to help the junior devil ruin a man. Few works of literature show the uncanny wiles used by "Our Father Below" to trap and seduce people to commit sin.
The novel begins with Uncle Screwtape counseling Wormwood on whether he should take glee in the beginning of World War II. The death, violence and horror caused by the war is very agreeable to the diabolical world, but unfortunately, many dying people call out to Christ (named the "Enemy" in the novel) and throw themselves into God’s hands. This causes all the pleasures the war brings to the devils to be lost. Now many dying people frantically cling to grace which leads them to the heaven. So, though Uncle Screwtape loves the mayhem of the carnage, he tells Wormwood that many souls are lost to the kingdom below because of the repentance of dying men. Because of this it is hard to recommend for or against war.
Wormwood’s instructions are increasingly focused on wrecking the soul of the man to which he has been assigned. Screwtape tells Wormwood to provide more information on the growing love the man has for a young woman. The Enemy frequently develops love between men and women which is a grave threat to the diabolical world. Temptations need to immediately be placed in front of the young man to cause his downfall. Since Wormwood is little versed in these evils, Uncle Screwtape gives detailed lessons in how to build up pride, lust, selfishness and the like.
Certain things such as music and peace are terrifying to Screwtape. The things almost always turn people’s hearts to the Enemy. They are to be avoided at all costs. What Wormwood needs to do is learn how to unsettle the young man with noise, novelty, boredom and distraction.
The senior devil also advocates playing off the natural feelings men and women have for each other to create havoc in relationships. In this way he can maneuver personal feelings into sinful actions. This gives the greatest pleasure to the Father Below.
But in spite of the many letters and temptations, the young man continues to progress in grace, much to Screwtape’s disgust. It seems that only the carnage of war has any possibility of bringing the man under the devils’ power. Then during a violent air raid, the worst possible occurrence happens.
What was this event? Does the man lose his soul? Do Wormwood and Uncle Screwtape eat their prey? Or does the Enemy win and take the man’s soul to paradise? To find out, go to the library and check out The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis.
This book is a masterpiece of spiritual understanding into the processes involved in human temptations. Though readers will likely find the book is funny and clever, Lewis is deadly serious about the causes of temptations. He deeply loves Our Lord, and wants to warn us about the great danger and subtlety of demons.
The novel will leave you with a healthy respect for forces of evil, and a great love for the blessings given to mankind by Our Lord. I hope you get a chance to read this important book.
After the long winter, people look eagerly forward to spring. Everything seems to be lovely until a heavy rain falls. Then people sometimes find ants scurrying across their kitchen countertops. This usually is a most unwelcome sight. Some people take this ant invasion personally and attack the insects with powerful sprays. Others try using natural spices such as cinnamon and bay leaves to keep the tiny pests away. But one thing people rarely do is ask why the invasion has happened to begin with. What might be in the ants’ hearts and minds, compelling them to come into your home? What is their point of view? The renowned children’s writer/illustrator Chris Van Allsburg provides an interesting possibility to account for the home invasion in the delightful tale, "Two Bad Ants."
A scout ant returns to the anthill carrying a remarkable shiny crystal. The dogged ant presents this odd-shaped object to the queen ant. After she tastes the delicious sweetness of the present, she eats the entire crystal. Oh, she must have more of this exquisite delight! The ants of the colony are only too happy to please their mother. Dozens of them soon set out on the perilous journey to find more of these wonderful, mouthwatering stones. They trudge through field after field of towering grass canopies, all the while fearing an attack from hungry spiders. But the scout ant keeps leading them closer and closer to their far-off destination. At last they arrive at what appears to be a mountain. It seems to be made of bricks, and after a daunting climb they arrive at a square of glass, surrounded by a wooden frame. The scout shows them a tunnel under the wooden frame. Squeezing between the wood and the bricks, the ants walk down a wall and onto an immense flat surface. This whole area smells and looks so strange that the ants want to quickly get the shiny rocks and leave. The brave scout leads the ants to an odd-shaped glass dome named SUGAR. Sensing their prize is inside the glass bowl, the ants doggedly climb up the steep, curved sides and choose a beautiful crystal. As soon as they have taken their treasure, the ants leave the odd room and begin their long and dangerous journey home. That is except two small, disobedient ants. They begin eating crystal after crystal until they are completely stuffed. Then they fall asleep. As light begins to break through this strange-looking room, a silver shovel is plunged into the glass SUGAR dome. They are scooped up and plunged into a bitter, swirling brown sea. The shovel spins them around in a dizzy circle and then they are tipped sharply and begin to be hurled into a dark, frightening cave. The two naughty ants hang on for dear life.
Do the ants drown in the hot brown lake? Are they sucked into the cave? What happens when they take shelter in a toaster? Is it really such a good idea to eat all the sweet crystals you can? Have you ever had too much of a good thing? What did you find out? What do the ants learn? To discover the exciting conclusion to this book, go to the library and check out "Two Bad Ants" by Chris Van Allsburg.
This is a delightful story to share with your younger family members. Children will enjoy the storyline and the troubles the ants create. This is not "transforming" literature, but rather a first rate rollicking adventure. I hope you get a chance to read this book with young children. I will bet you will enjoy the tale. Have fun!
The founding of the American Republic is filled with heroes and stirring accounts of daring deeds. Though about 25% of the colonial population remained loyal to England, another 25% advocated for rebellion from the mother county. The remaining 50% stood on the sidelines waiting to see which side would gain the upper hand in the rebellion. Eventually, most of the fence sitters would join in the Revolution against Great Britain. The colony of Massachusetts was at the forefront of the American Revolution, and the famous 19th century poet, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow wrote a stirring poem about one of the most famous night rides in American history. The name of this thrilling verse is The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere.
In the early 1770’s, various incidents such as the killing of five men in the event known as the Boston Massacre had aroused insurrectionist passions in New England. As relations continued to deteriorate between England and the colonies, acts of rebellion such as the Boston Tea Party occurred. Finally the British Crown became angry enough to send a Corps of Grenadiers and Light Infantry to the villages of Lexington and Concord, Massachusetts to destroy all military provisions found in the towns. Additionally, it is believed that the British soldiers were to arrest the leaders of the uprising, John Hancock and Samuel Adams. Due to the delicate nature of the operation, the crack British troops left quietly on the night of April 18, 1775. Fortunately, the colonists had already sensed that the Imperial Army was going to attack outside of Boston. The trouble lay in warning all the nearby settlements of the invasion. The central question was how the British planned to move their forces outside of Boston. Night riders would then be needed to daringly gallop across darkened, dangerous roads to tell the colonists about the attack. Through their accurate intelligence gatherers, the Americans learned that the British would transport their troops by ship. The method of deployment was the critical report needed by the American militiamen to establish a defense. After gaining this valuable information, a night watchman would then climb up the steeple of the Old North Church and signal the warning. The number of lamps placed in the tower would tell the night riders how the English forces would be deployed. "One by land, two by sea!"
The famous silversmith, Paul Revere, was to carry this important message by horseback to a number of towns outside Boston. Having evaded British warships in Boston Harbor through skill and daring, Revere waited in Charlestown, Massachusetts for the signal lights in the tower of the Old North Church. When the second lamp was placed in the steeple, Revere knew, the British were coming by sea. He sprang on his horse and started his famous ride which Longfellow’s poem commemorates with the captivating phrase: "Listen my children and you shall hear of the midnight ride of Paul Revere."
Though all Americans know that Revere’s ride alerted the Massachusetts militia to the British invasion, Longfellow’s poem captures the heroic and dangerous qualities of the night ride, and the heroism of Paul Revere. Though a number of other riders also carried the invasion message, Longfellow chose to center his telling of the dramatic tale through the actions of Paul Revere. Having said that, the silversmith did warn many people of the impending attack, and deservedly should be considered a hero. I hope you get a chance to go to the library and checkout this beautifully painted rendition of the famous verse. The poem makes thrilling reading as Longfellow is a master of the cadence and meter of the English language. Enjoy!
Science fiction is an entertaining form of literature that uses advanced technologies and interplanetary travel to discuss important problems on earth.
Traditional science fiction does not allow any activity that cannot be explained scientifically in the story. The great writers of science fiction such as Jules Verne strictly followed this code. But this intense desire for scientifically accuracy sometimes made for overly technical books with a limited readership. The "Narnia Chronicles" by C.S. Lewis is a brilliant example of fantasy. But pure fantasy has the reverse problem of science fiction in that the stories sometimes become so farfetched as to be unbelievable. This led to a new style that combines the best of science fiction and fantasy. This blending of the two literary forms can be quite effective and Lewis’s book "Perelandra" is a fine example.
Dr. Elwin Ransom is a famous philologist from Cambridge University. This great skill in learning and understanding foreign languages has been exceedingly helpful as he has just returned from Malanandra (Mars). While on this interplanetary journey, he has met good supernatural spirits named Eldils. Unfortunately, some of these supernatural beings have rebelled against their Creator and have become twisted and depraved. These Bent Eldils have only one concern: to drag everyone they meet into an underworld filled with sinful pride and burning hate. Ransom has been summoned by the Eldils to teleport to Perelandra (Venus). No instructions are given to him other than to remove all his clothes and follow the direction of the Good Eldils. With great faith the philologist follows this request and finds himself on Perelandra.
Ransom soon meets a beautiful creature named the Green Woman, who also is undressed. Though both Ransom and the Green Woman are nude, neither has any sense of shame as there are no lustful thoughts in either of them. The woman is filled with a great innocence and tells Ransom that only she and one man live in Perelandra. The Creator desires the man and woman to live together in great peace. Ransom has a hard time believing the pure, naïve simplicity of Green Woman, and wonders why he was sent to Perelandra to converse with such a chaste, unblemished soul.
Unfortunately, Ransom is not the only human to be transported to Perelandra. Dr. Edward Weston, a world-famous physicist, lands and soon tracks down the virtuous Green Woman. Weston has given up his will and reason to the Bent Eldils, and has come to Perelandra to trap Green Woman into an act of defiance that will break the holy bond she has with The Creator.
A series of cunning and brilliantly contrived temptations are quietly presented to the unsuspecting Green Woman. According to Weston and the Bent Eldil possessing him, the Creator is keeping good things from the woman, which she can gain by rebelling against the Creator. The seductive temptations become overwhelming to the lovely Green Woman. Ransom valiantly battles back against these enticing but vile thoughts. So powerful and effective are "forbidden fruits" that Green Woman is starting to collapse. In desperation, Ransom takes a fateful step.
What does he do? Is he able to save Green Woman from the bewitching snares of Weston? Where does free will come into the story? What strengthens our desire for good and protects us from making evil choices? To find out, go to the library and check out "Perelandra" by C.S. Lewis.
C.S. Lewis is a world renowned Christian writer. "That Hideous Strength" and "Out of the Silent Planet" are his other novels utilizing science fiction. "Perelandra" starts slowly but builds up to a dramatic, stunning conclusion with a brilliant climax.
One final piece of advice: Never converse with a talking snake
In the Book of Genesis, after God created the earth, it was declared good. But this wonderful world has been often abused by God’s highest creation, man himself. In the 1950’s chemicals such as DDT were routinely sprayed in many American cities. When the insects being attacked dropped over dead, man felt assured that his scientific knowledge was nearly infallible. Not until the early 1960’s with the publication of Rachel Carson’s famous book "Silent Spring" did the awareness of the interconnectedness of the environment begin. In the late 1990s a terrible decline in the honey bee population started happening worldwide. Since most fruits and vegetables are pollinated by honey bees, this issue had to be solved. Loree Griffin Burns has written a compelling account of this crisis in the book entitled "The Hive Detectives: Chronicle of a Honey Bee Catastrophe."
The book begins with a fascinating account of a beekeeper’s taking care of a beehive colony. The apiary, as a bee colony is known, is filled with thousands of worker bees bringing nectar back to the hives. There they regurgitate the nectar into the mouths of receiver bees. The honey is then carefully deposited into the honey combs inside the hives. When examining the hives, a beekeeper must be careful not to startle or frighten the bees. Left to themselves the bees will busily work and produce pounds and pounds of wax combs filled with honey.
In the late 1990s, this happy scenario was being severely threatened when a massive worldwide die off of honey bees was discovered. Commercial beekeepers found many productive hives full of honey, but lacking in bee populations. Where were the bees? This caused a worldwide crisis in agriculture since honey bees are responsible for the pollination of many fruits and vegetables. The catastrophe was named Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD.) As beekeepers around the world opened up their hives, they were staggered by the disappearance of the bees. After professional beekeeper Dave Hackenberg discovered that four hundred of his three thousand beehives had no bees, he immediately sought help through the assistance of bee scientists. Some of these experts were university professors and others were state agricultural extension experts. They quickly found that bees with CCD had any number of deadly maladies. The combination of these ailments doomed the bees. Curiously enough, the investigators had initially thought CCD might have been caused by parasites, but it was found that these deadly invaders did not cause CCD. Scientists in France began making progress in identifying the causes of CCD. American researchers used this research and discovered that pesticides commonly used in agriculture had been altered to make them work systemically. This seemed like a simple way to continuously protect plants throughout the growing season. This process allowed the plant to never lack pesticides. Unfortunately for honey bees that also meant that they would never go to flowers and vegetables that were continuously treated with pesticides. At last the scientists felt they were on the edge of a breakthrough with CCD.
Were systemic pesticides found to be the cause of this world wide collapse in honey bees? Were other predators part of the problem as well? Do you like honey, blueberries, almonds and the many other wonderful foods dependent on honey bee pollination? To find out how the scientists contained this apiary plague, go to the library and check out this well written, beautifully photographed book. It has a superb index and the engaging pictures and text draw readers into the story. While this title would be very useful in science classes in Grades 5-7, curious readers will also find the story of bee keeping and the scientific response to CCD interesting. This is a very fine book.
Sigrid Undset is one of the 20th century’s great writers. In 1901 the Nobel Prize for Literature was established and 108 winners have been named through 2011. Sigrid Undset was awarded the medal in 1928, one of only 12 women to have ever won this famous prize. These accomplishments make her something of a literary pioneer.
Yet today her powerful voice is too little heard. Why is this? The answer is very simple to this writer; Sigrid Undset was a devout Catholic and believed that ultimate truth can be found in a life surrendered to Jesus Christ. This puts her in opposition to secular humanism with its emphasis on man being the measure of all things. Her books are filled with women struggling with life issues such as a desperate need for love, abandonment, adultery and brokenness. Her literary characters eventually find the answers to their problems in the loving and forgiving heart of Our Lord. Though many of her characters are set in medieval Norway, their lives are timeless and their problems are modern.
All of these qualities are seen in the life of Kristin Lavransdatter, the main character in Undset’s three volume masterpiece "Kristen Lavransdatter 1: The Wreath"; "2: The Wife"; "3: The Cross."
Kristin is a young girl growing up under the loving guidance of her parents Lavrans and Ragnfrid. Both parents are pious and Lavrans is particularly virtuous. When Kristin is 17, as was the custom, the family betroths Kristen to a fine young man named Simon Darre. When the maid and the youth meet, Kristin cannot find anything lacking in the young man, but continues to feel unease in her heart. Simon seems too predictable and provincial. Kristin wants a great and consuming love that will soar upwards. She wants a dramatic man to help her unlock her heart.
The meetings with Simon become lukewarm and all agree it would be best for Kristin to go to a cloister for rich young women preparing for marriage. There she can learn humility and tame her pride. Kristin tries to fit into convent life, but her heart continues to be restless. One day she visits a nearby town with another girl and is accidentally engulfed in a melee that causes both girls to be carried into the countryside. They hire two local men to take them back to the convent, but the men begin assaulting the young women on the edge of a forest. Just before they will be raped, a knight and three men ride down the road and attack the assailants. After thoroughly beating the brutes, the knight releases the pair at Kristin’s request. She looks at her savior and sees an exceedingly handsome man named Erlend Nikulausson.
Instantly smitten with overpowering passion, Erlend and Kristin begin plotting a love affair. Several problems arise: first, Kristin is already betrothed, and second, Erlend has a blighted past of adultery and financial ruin. However, when she thinks of the virtuous but uninspiring man her father has chosen for her, she decides to risk her soul and her family’s reputation on the dashing knight on a horse. She chooses against the Church, the Commandments and the loving heart of her father. She decides that nothing will stand in the way of her will.
How does all of this turn out for Kristin? Why does she feel so empty? What does she find out about Erlend? What are the wages of sin? Finally, where does Kristin begin to find the answer for the turmoil she has brought upon every one? To learn the answers to these questions, check out this masterpiece by Sigrid Undset.
While this great trilogy has been published in English several times, the 1997 translation by Tiina Nunnally is by far the best. The English translations in some earlier editions are stilted and hard to understand. Nunnally’s award winning translation is outstanding and the best choice for readers.
This the second book in Sigrid Undset’s masterpiece "Kristin Lavransdatter." In Book One, "The Wreath," Kristin has disobeyed her holy parents and committed adultery with a dashing but irresponsible knight named Erlend Nikulausson. Now married to Erlend, Kristin is beginning to learn that you must drink a freely-chosen cup of iniquity to the dregs.
All of Kristin’s dreams of her dramatic husband begin to crash down around her head. In this second book, Undset shows the necessity of begging for God’s forgiveness when we sin. Otherwise the wages of sin will overwhelm us. Kirstin and Erlend are both faced with these heart-searing choices in "The Wife."
Having seduced young Kristin Lavransdatter and taken her for his wife, Erlend Nikulausson seems to have gotten away with breaking the commandments. He is unable to grasp why Kristin is so guilt-ridden by these same events. Pregnant with child, Kristin is tormented by her fall from grace and desires to go to the shrine of St. Olaf and be forgiven. Erlend’s brother Gunnulf Nikulausson is a priest. Gunnulf has all the virtue lacking in Erlend and bluntly confronts his brother about his dishonest scheming with Kristin. Unable to answer his brother’s accusations, Erlend flees from the house and rides through the forest with bow and three hounds.
Meanwhile, Kristin, with her newborn son, walks 20 miles barefoot to the shrine of St. Olaf to beg for God’s forgiveness. There at the shrine, Kristin begins to experience the merciful forgiveness of her Savior.
Discarding her sinful past, Kristin returns to Husaby, to manage the estate she and Erlend own. There she begins giving birth to a number of sons. Erlend, ever restless, becomes oppressed with all the virtue Kristin is bringing to the estate. She is so responsible that the manor begins to thrive. But all of this peace and prosperity burns in Erlend’s heart. He wants to be free of responsibility and the demands of his growing sons. Kristin’s dedication to the boys also irritates him. He wants what he wants, when he wants it.
Now Kristin’s zeal for the faith and her family forces Erlend to face who he really is. How can he escape from all this familial benevolence? A war suddenly looms against Sweden. O blessed conflict, now Erlend volunteers to defend Norway from the attackers. He is secretly glad to be rid of his family obligations. For months he is gone patrolling the coast of Norway and rejoices in a simple world of attack nor be attacked.
But when he returns to Husaby, he once again is thrust into the loving family he wants to abandon for a carefree, lustful life. He is tormented by his own irresponsible desires. Is he just a selfish man devoid of responsibility? How do Kristen and his sons respond to Erlend? Can he learn to accept the responsibilities of being a husband and father? What choices do Kristin and Erlend make? To find out the answers to these questions, read Book Two, "The Wife" of the Kristin Lavransdatter series.
Undset has a particular genius in developing the response of the characters in the series to sin, mercy and forgiveness. Modern day people struggle with the same issues today that Undset discusses. "The Wife," sometimes entitled "The Mistress of Husaby," poignantly tells of courage and weakness in human nature. But undergirding this powerful story is the sustaining and healing power of God. I hope you get a chance to read these fine books.
Fatherhood is one of the most important roles given to men by God. While physical fatherhood is very important, spiritual fatherhood is equally important. This second type of fatherhood is the kind that builds character, confidence and self-acceptance in children. This is why it is appropriate to call a priest by the name of father. When fathers are absent or unconcerned with their children, problems develop that are very hard to overcome. In this compelling novel, John Grisham addresses these issues through the life of a fading major league pitcher and his 11-year-old son. The name of this fascinating story is "Calico Joe."
Warren Tracey is a 34-year-old major league pitcher pitching for the New York Mets. He is a hard-living, bean-ball throwing, mean-spirited man. He occasionally uses salty and profane language when trying to teach his son the unwritten "code" of baseball. One of the first rules is to deliberately hit batters after they have homered. Warren is known as a "head hunter" capable of throwing a fastball 95 mph at the heads of hitters. He enjoys hitting batters.
His sensitive son Paul pitches in Little League and has become an All-Star but Warren despises Paul’s generous nature as a sign of weakness. As his big league career is in decline, a brilliant rookie, Joe Castle, arrives in the majors to play for the Chicago Cubs.
In a matter of weeks, Joe sets the baseball world on fire with his sensational home runs and stolen bases. Since he is from Calico, Ark., the press dub the young man Calico Joe. Castle’s first 38 games are so remarkable that he singlehandedly propels the hapless Chicago Cubs into play-off contention. Paul begins collecting every article on the young phenom and he and his friends want to become the fabulous Arkansas player.
Luckily, the Mets are playing the Cubs soon in New York. Paul and his mother go to the first game of the series in which his father is the starting pitcher. Calico Joe hits a homerun in his first at bat against Tracey. The next time Joe comes up to bat, Paul knows that his father is going to hit the batter. Warren winds up and sends a brutal fastball at the rookie’s head and afterwards smiles. But the miserable consequences are just beginning for everyone. Paul is frightened, Warren is released and Joe is badly injured.
The author then flashes forward 30 years and we see Warren and Paul struggling with the old man’s recent diagnosis of cancer. Though Paul has little reason to love his father, he reaches out to him. He proposes that they go to Calico, Ark. and visit Joe Castle.
In denial, Warren defends his actions as being part of the "code." Paul will have none of this lying and confronts his father on his deception. When they arrive in Calico, Warren meets Joe face to face. All the ghosts of the past are there to be seen.
What happens? Does Joe curse Warren for the bean-ball? Does Warren ask forgiveness for his terrible act? How does honesty and forgiveness triumph over spitefulness and cowardice?
Finally, how do we learn how men show true courage and manliness? To find out read this exciting novel, "Calico Joe," by John Grisham.
John Grisham is an outstanding writer of thrilling adult mystery, detective and legal novels. This book can be read and appreciated by high school students. The book includes occasional profanity, but is written in a compassionate style. The story is beautiful and is a testimony that love can conquer evil. My wife and I both read the book in one day. I hope you get a chance to read this excellent novel.
Coming-of-age stories have always held an attraction for adolescents. As youngsters mature from childhood to adolescence, their physical bodies change and emotional lives develop. It is a confusing time in most people’s lives. The security of childhood with its comfortable boundaries begins to vanish and a large world full of choices and opportunities emerges.
Carol Ryrie Brink has written a touching story of a young girl trying to make sense of this journey. The name of this award-winning book is "Caddie Woodlawn."
The Woodlawn family is living on the Wisconsin frontier in the late 1850s. Indian tribes mingle with the settlers in an uneasy truce. John and Harriet Woodlawn have a large frontier family. Mrs. Woodlawn was raised in Boston and came west with some trepidation. Mr. Woodlawn was born in England but orphaned as a young boy. He immigrated to the United States and has built up his small farm through hard work and tenacity.
Harriet has tried to raise her daughters in a "civilized" manner. Unfortunately, Caddie is something of a tomboy and is little interested in the "finer things." Mr. Woodlawn has encouraged Caddie to explore the woods with her rambunctious brothers, which does little to tame her.
Caddie has made friends with an Indian named John and has visited their camp. This visit shocks the white settlers as there are recent memories of Indian attacks on white communities. A wild rumor begins to spread that John’s tribe is about to go on the warpath. Immediately settlers flee their farms seeking the safety in numbers at the Woodlawn farm.
There, some militant farmers decide that the whites should save themselves by attacking John’s village. Caddie listens to all of this talk and secretly takes a horse and rides to John’s camp. This has to be stopped.
Several years later, Caddie is now trying to understand why men and women have different roles in the wilderness. Her refined cousin Annabelle visits from Boston. Caddie feels totally outclassed by Annabelle, so she and her two ornery brothers play three cruel practical jokes on Annabelle. They succeed in making the young girl cry. At this point Mrs. Woodlawn begins looking for a switch. Caddie in particular is told that women do not mistreat guests. She is sent to bed without supper. While crying in bed, she plans to run away.
Soon her father puts his soothing hand on her head and gently tells Caddie all the beautiful things women bring to family life. Caddie takes her father’s kind words to heart. Maybe she should give this woman thing a chance. She takes action.
What does Caddie do? Was she able to stop the attack on John’s village? Is she able to bring peace between the settlers and the Indians? When she finally begins to understand that the feminine aspects of life are beautiful, can she begin to enjoy them? How have you settled confused things in your heart? How does Caddie? To find out, read this 1935 Newbery Award winner by Carol Ryrie Brink.
This book has been a favorite coming-of-age story for girls since its publication in 1935. The father-daughter relationship is sensitively and poignantly described. Caddie is a real person facing issues similar to all early teenagers. Her courage and honesty are refreshing. I hope you get a chance to encourage your younger family members to read this fine novel. I enjoyed the story and think you will as well.
With wonderful foresight, the United States Constitution calls for presidential elections every four years. Candidates try to win the approval of their parties and then need to convince the populace to vote for them.
Because of this, the individual personalities of the presidential hopefuls are important. Later, when running the government, presidential quirks are often the subject of cartoons and television shows. Hanoch Piven has written a clever book using ordinary objects to show the egocentricities of a number of famous presidents.
Through the use of everything from nails to marshmallows, Piven literally shows readers what presidents are made of.
Above each president, the author writes a phrase in a box describing the man. Piven states that George Washington is made of good deeds. As befitting the "Father of the country," Washington is pragmatically dramatized helping put out a fire that actually occurred several months before his death. The author uses flags for Washington’s eyes and has him dressed in a fire fighter’s outfit. Appropriately enough, George is pumping a well handle with his foot while throwing a cup of water on the blaze.
Andrew Jackson is described as having a hot temper. His eyes are made of bullets and his mouth is formed by a pistol. True to his personality, Piven has made Jackson’s nose out of a boxing glove. Jackson is known to have fought many duels resulting in his opponents being wounded and killed. Jackson was so tough that in one duel after he had been shot through the chest near his heart, he calmly took aim and shot his opponent. The stern character of "Old Hickory," as Jackson was nicknamed is clearly evident in his portrait.
Ulysses S. Grant’s picture is comical. Grant was known to be a man in a hurry and once was arrested for recklessly driving his carriage through the streets of Washington D.C. Though fined $20 for his speeding buggy, Grant actually paid the fine and then wrote a letter praising the diligence of the policeman. Piven places Grant on a racing chariot drawn by a horse crafted from a knife, pliers and wheels. Appropriately enough, Grant is dressed like a modern NASCAR driver with a racing helmet. His famous beard is made from nails and screws while an ignition key cleverly forms a pair of sunglasses for the charging general.
Theodore Roosevelt is stated to have "endless energy." As befits a man whose favorite expression was "bully," Teddy can be seen playing tennis, rowing boats, climbing mountains and playing hide-and-seek with his children. The author turns his pinz nez eyeglasses into the beginning of an electrical outlet for his red light bulb nose. It doesn’t take the reader long to see that Roosevelt is a charming man with boundless enthusiasm for life while having the capacity to light up his surroundings.
Piven continues to create unusual and interesting settings for the presidents. What president gets stuck in the bathtub? Who is a picky eater? Which president could voraciously devour an apple in three bites? What type of jelly bean did Ronald Reagan like so much that he hid them from others? To find out the answers to these and many other questions, go to the library and check out "What Presidents Are Made Of" by Hanoch Piven.
Elementary school students will enjoy this book. They will find the drawings of the presidents from all kinds of everyday objects to be amusing. Adults will find the pictures interesting as well. I hope you get a chance to share this fun book with a family member.
Writing is a solitary craft that depends on social experience. Hence writers need to have lived in the world to be able to understand and explain life. But this group knowledge is finally expressed in prose within the solitude of a study or writing room. Furthermore, since writing is often based on autobiographical experiences, many novelists zealously guard their privacy as they fear ridicule from the public. No one was more aware of these issues than Willa Cather, the great Nebraska writer. In today’s sex obsessed culture, there seems to be an endless appetite concerning Cather’s sexual orientation. The fact is that no defining statement can be made about this as most of her correspondence was destroyed upon her death. This fixation likely says more about the pathetic state of modern public discourse than it does about Willa Cather. While not avoiding these questions, Milton Meltzer has written a sensitive account of her life in this fine book, "Willa Cather: A Biography."
Willa Cather was born on December 7, 1873 in rural Virginia. Her family was from a relatively prosperous class. As a young girl, Willa often accompanied her father on their farm and carefully noticed the beauty of the physical world. At the young age of 9, Willa’s family moved to the flat plains of Nebraska. She grew up in the thriving town of Red Cloud and became interested in reading, music, drama and science. The vast swirl of European immigrants settling Nebraska through the Homestead Act exposed the young girl to an array of cultures and languages. Many of the characters would later appear in her famous novels under different names. Upon graduating from high school, Willa entered the University of Nebraska. During her college years she began developing her immense literary talents as a drama critic and editor. These skills would prove valuable as she became an editor for leading journals while still in her twenties. Unfortunately, all of this journalistic work left little time for creative writing. At last she was able to publish the powerful novel, "O Pioneers," which gave her the financial independence to leave the field of journalism and write creatively for the rest of her life.
As short stories and novels continued to flow from her handwritten drafts, World War I erupted. This calamity caused a severe psychological problem for intellectuals. If mankind always strove for the good, why were millions killed in this hateful war? By about 1922, a break was happening in the literary classes. While many writers made a sad peace with modern society by accepting a pessimistic view leading to a godless existentialism, Willa Cather seems to have rejected modern problems and turned to a simpler time when the United States was being settled. Her books from this time in her life until her death include "My Antonia," "Shadow on the Rock" and the famous "Death Comes for the Archbishop."
What continued to motivate Willa Cather? Where did her passion to write originate? Why were so many of her novels set in Nebraska? What allowed her to describe the geography of an area so poignantly that readers will feel they can see and experience the land before visiting it? Why do some of her greatest novels have a distinctly "Catholic" feeling? To find out the answers to these and other questions, read "Willa Cather: A Biography" by Milton Meltzer.
I believe this unhealthy fixation on Cather’s personal life, mentioned above, should be laid to rest. Her novels are beautifully written and need no "informed critics" to understand. I hope you read Meltzer’s excellent biography and then move on to Cather’s outstanding novels. May I suggest "My Antonia," and "Death Comes for the Archbishop"? They are magnificent testimonies to the transforming power of love. Enjoy!
The Great Plains stretch for hundreds of miles. This vast area has a harsh geography in many places. Drought is always a possibility for the area as are spring tornadoes and winter blizzards.
When settlers came west in the 1860s, they encountered enormous amounts of grassland. Accustomed to forests and trees in their home states, the Great Plains seemed like a windswept grass ocean to many. But the Great Plains actually are quite attractive if people develop perception. But how is this possible? Jane Yolen discusses these questions in this lovely story of an immigrant family settling in Nebraska after the Civil War. The name of this charming tale is "Elsie’s Bird."
Elsie lives in Boston with her recently widowed father. They have a pleasant enough life, and Elsie loves the city with its interesting harbor and fishermen. Her grandparents love the child and she returns their affection. But each Sunday after church as she and her father walk home, Elsie notices a heavy sadness in her father’s heart. She knows he is grieving the loss of his beloved wife. To cope with her feelings, Elsie has developed close friendships with all the birds in the neighborhood. These flying beauties give the young girl happiness. But Elsie’s pleasant childhood changes abruptly when her father decides to leave Boston and its painful memories, and move to a farm in rural Nebraska.
To make the journey easier, her father lets Elsie take her yellow canary, Timmy Tune. As she waves goodbye to her sobbing grandparents, Elsie tries to figure out what going west means. But as they cross the Appalachian Mountains and continue through the prairie states of Illinois and Iowa, she begins to understand. Soon the train reaches Nebraska. For the first time in her life, Elsie looks out and sees a vast ocean of grass swaying in the wind. The Nebraska plain is so huge that Elsie becomes frightened that she might become lost in the grass sea.
When they finally get to their sod house, the child cannot believe the nearest neighbors are several miles away. An immense fear and loneliness descend upon Elsie. In particular she fears getting lost in the waving grass surrounding the sod house.
Though she quietly cries herself to sleep each night, Timmy Tune’s lovely chirping brings her joy each day.
One day, her father drives the wagon to the nearest town to get supplies alone, as Elsie is still too timid to leave the sod house. After her father’s departure, she accidentally leaves Timmy’s bird cage door open. He flies out into the tall grass fields. Elsie runs after him and quickly becomes lost. But as she searches for the canary, Elsie began to see flowers and other birds she hadn’t noticed before. She had no idea the grass ocean was so alive, and so interesting. But she is still lost and needs to find Timmy Tune and her path home.
What does Elsie do? How can she find Timmy Tune in an ocean of grass? What does she do when fear grips her heart? Have you ever been lost? Did anyone come to help you? What does Elsie’s father do to find the child? To discover the answers, go to the library and read this charming book, "Elsie’s Bird," by Jane Yolen.
Jane Yolen is one of the most prolific and beloved authors in the field of children’s literature. This picture book is a beautiful story of a family healing from past hurts and discovering the beauty of Nebraska. I highly commend this lovely read -aloud to you and your family.
This summer the world sat on the edge of their seats to watch the Olympic Games in London. Though the athletes all have individual stories, the common thread in all of these examples is the enormous effort of the Olympians to excel.
Many families have spent large amounts of their income to help train the athletes, even to going bankrupt. The United States maintains an Olympic training center in Colorado to foster this success, and some athletes are separated from their families during training. This does raise certain ethical questions about the price of success.
Other countries have taken even more severe measures to win internationally. China is currently the prime example of this win at all costs philosophy. Though this book is about the development of ballet dancers, the underlying issues are the same and the story needs to be told. What does a country gain and lose when it takes 8- to 11-year-old children and intensively trains them in national academies designed to develop stars? This beautiful, yet painful book, "Dancing to Freedom: The True Story of Mao’s Last Dancer," tells one such story.
Li Cunxin, a poor peasant boy, lives with his parents and five brothers in the rural town of Quindao in northern China. The wretchedly-run Communist economy continually produces starvation and misery throughout the country. But Chairman Mao needs fresh faces of success to show the world the wonders of the "workers’ paradise." So throughout the country talented children are recruited in sports, dance and other activities to give China prestige.
Li is given a series of exercises by party officials and it is determined that he has the potential to become an outstanding ballet dancer. He tells his desperately poor family about this opportunity and they encourage him to accept the offer from the Communist officials. At least he may have a better life than the other six family members.
So, frightened and alone, he moves to a dance academy in Beijing to train with other young boys the Party has selected. For years the training continues and Li gradually becomes a brilliant ballet dancer. He is so talented that the government chooses him to study advanced ballet in the United States.
But as he grows in his talent as a ballet dancer there is a deep pain in his heart for his family. His only memory of his family is an old picture of his parents and Li thinks of them constantly. As he dances in "The Nutcracker" he receives the wonderful news that his parents have arrived from China to see his performance. The curtain rises and as he dances across the stage he anxiously looks for his aged parents. Suddenly his dreams come true and he soars through the air. What caused Li’s jubilation? Did his impoverished parents see him dance? Why did so much suffering accompany his rise to success? How much different are things today in China? To find out, go to the library and check out this fine autobiography of Li Cunxin.
While it is hard not to be thrilled by Li Cunxin’s accomplishments, the brutal system founded to create such champions is toxic. Numerous examples of this could be seen in the recent Olympics in the shattered faces of Chinese athletes only capable of winning silver medals. Success has to be more than just winning if it is to be worthwhile. This book is well worth reading to your children when discussing success in any area. Otherwise we will see repeats of the life of the Boston Red Sox star outfielder Jimmy Piersall. Written after he actually climbed the screen behind home plate during a game and his subsequent nervous breakdown, it is appropriately entitled "Fear Strikes Out."
In the elementary grades, reading is the subject that unlocks the excitement of education. Early readers move from wordless board books to illustrated picture books. As children gain reading competence, they frequently ask for chapter books. Youngsters skilled in reading move seamlessly into higher level stories.
But many students need formula stories to increase their love of reading. Famous formula series from the past, such as the Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew, helped several generations of readers discover the pleasure of reading.
In the last 20 years a number of popular series have been written. Of these, the Encyclopedia Brown series has been extremely popular. Donald Sobol has written more than 20 books in this series and children like to read the tales. The name of this interesting book is "Encyclopedia Brown and the Case of the Slippery Salamander." This particular story describes 10 different cases that Encyclopedia Brown successfully solves.
Ten-year-old sleuth Leroy Brown frequently helps his father, Chief Brown, the commander of the local police, to solve crimes. Leroy is so knowledgeable at discovering criminals that everyone simply calls him Encyclopedia Brown.
A particularly difficult case has just arisen at the local aquarium. The chief tries to figure out who might have stolen a recently purchased tiger salamander. This amphibian is so valuable that it can be sold on the black market for a large sum of money. Only three people could have stolen the tiger salamander. The first is Mrs. King, a volunteer at the aquarium. Mrs. King is a likely suspect as she has a tremendous fascination with salamanders and has dozens at home as pets. Why not top off her collection with the famous tiger salamander?
The second person is Sam Maine, the director of maintenance for the aquarium. Maine has access to the entire building and has proudly told the chief that he has worked with salamanders and other lizards for 19 years.
The third suspect is Dr. O’ Donnell, an expert on reptiles and amphibians working for the aquarium. But Chief Brown is stumped because each suspect has an alibi. Mrs. King was seen by a cashier at the time of the theft in the cafeteria. Sam Maine told the policeman that he was cleaning the cages at the time the tiger salamander was stolen. Several people vouched that they had seen Sam working during the time period. Dr. O’Donnell was known to have been examining a new crocodile all morning, which eliminated him as a suspect. This was turning into a very difficult case. The Chief asked Encyclopedia for help. The young detective closed his eyes and cogitated on the facts. When he opened his eyes, the answer was clear.
What clues had given away the true thief? Why was the real crook so obvious to Encyclopedia? Have you ever solved a puzzle? What helped you find the answer? Why is Encyclopedia Brown so effective in solving crimes? To find the answers to these questions, go to the library and check out "Encyclopedia Brown and the Case of the Slippery Salamander."
The Encyclopedia Brown books have been popular for the last two decades. Donald Sobol (1924-2012) created the Encyclopedia Brown series for reluctant readers. The series makes no pretense about being "serious" or "life changing." The books are written to be enjoyed, and the series has never been out of print. Right before his death, Donald Sobol finished his final book in the series. Children in many countries will be grateful for this last literary present. I hope you get a chance to encourage the children in your life to read these entertaining books. Enjoy!
Every four years Americans have the privilege to vote in the presidential election. It is critical that those of voting age take advantage of this right and go to the ballot box. This great gift of choosing our president distinguishes the United States from many other countries.
There have been 44 presidents in the nation’s history. Each of these leaders has brought an array of skills and abilities to the office. Some have been intellectual giants while others were smooth politicians. The human foibles and unusual traits of our presidents have long been the staple of cartoons and comedy. This humorous and entertaining account of the first 41 American presidents is a delight to read. Judith St. George has entitled her enjoyable book "So You Want To Be President?"
It helps to have the right name to become president. For example, six presidents have been named James and four have been named John.
Some of the presidents have come from very rich and privileged families, but others have come from backgrounds filled with poverty. Andrew Johnson came from such a deprived background that he could not read until he was 14 years old. On the other hand, Thomas Jefferson was one of the most brilliant men ever to become president. He was an architect, a political theorist, a diplomat and a writer. He is one of the primary authors of the Declaration of Independence and of the United States Constitution. Both of these brilliant documents have served as models for other countries in the 19th and 20th centuries.
Some presidents hated the presidency, with John Quincy Adams stating the presidential years were the unhappiest times of his life. On the other hand, Teddy Roosevelt loved being president. Characteristically, Teddy enjoyed most everything about being president. Ebulliently crying "bully" at all the adventures and interesting events he encountered each day, Teddy had a grand time as president. Teddy frequently had pillow fights with his equally energetic children during his presidential terms.
Several presidents have followed in the footsteps of other family members to become president. The first such father-and-son combination was John Adams and his son John Quincy Adams. President Benjamin Harrison was the grandson of President William Henry Harrison. Franklin and Teddy Roosevelt were cousins and the two Bush presidents were father and son. So there must be something to family gene connection.
St. George does not shy away from disgraced presidents either with a dark picture at the end of the book showing President Nixon and President Clinton leaving the White House under suspicion. But most of the book is filled with funny drawings of the presidents which leaves readers asking questions about the events during the presidential terms.
Why would a president allow his children to take a horse up the White House elevator? Who had 11 brothers and sisters? How many of the presidents played golf? How many served in the military? To find out the answers to these questions and many others, go to the library and check out this humorous book, "So You Want To Be The President?" by Judith St. George.
This book is simply charming. The information is entertaining and the pictures are comical. My favorite picture is the one showing Woodrow Wilson dancing. Talk about poetic license, the stern Wilson would likely not find the picture humorous, which of course makes it very funny.
I hope you get a chance to read this book with a younger member of your family. I am sure you will have a delightful time. Enjoy!
The baseball season sadly ends for those of us enthralled with the sport. Fortunately, the playoffs begin and fans are treated to another two weeks or so of exciting play.
Many fans avidly follow particular teams throughout the season and during the playoffs. The Chicago Cubs have a huge fan base despite years of hapless play. The New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox also have large followings.
But the St. Louis Cardinals are one of the most popular teams in major league baseball. Year after year, the Redbirds, as they are called, provide some of the most compelling drama of any major league team. Why is this? Mark Stewart answers this question in an interesting account of the franchise entitled "The St. Louis Cardinals."
The story begins in the late 1800s when the team was originally named the St. Louis Browns. An early owner with the name of Chris von der Ahe changed the color of the players’ ‘sox’ from brown to red and then called them the Cardinals. For a number of years the Redbirds were cellar dwellers, but the early 1920s saw the rise of dominant St. Louis teams. Over a 20-year period, the Cardinals won the National League title nine times.
The greatest Cardinal player on these teams was Stan Musial. This left-handed slugger was such a good hitter that the Brooklyn Dodger fans just started calling him "Stan the Man." The team began to decline in the 1950s but fortunately rebounded in the 1960s. From 1964 through the 1980s, the Cards won six more National League titles.
The 1985 World Series became known as the Interstate 70 series because St. Louis played the Kansas City Royals. Kansas City prevailed in the 1985 World Series with the great George Brett leading the Royals to victory over the Cards. But St. Louis kept rebuilding their team decade after decade. Some of the teams were centered on base runners like Lou Brock or Vince Coleman. Both men stole more than 100 bases a year in some seasons. Talk about terrifying a pitcher!
Then in other years the Cardinals had great home run hitters on their teams. The greatest of these sluggers was Mark McGuire and his astounding blasts sometimes went all the way into the top deck of Busch Stadium. This section became known as "Big Mac Land." To this day the Cardinals continue to be one of the great teams in baseball, and their players and team are still terrific.
Mark Stewart gives the readers all kinds of fun and interesting information about the Redbirds. What great shortstop is known by the nickname of the "Wizard of Oz?" What famous St. Louis catcher has two brothers playing the same position in the major leagues? How many times did Albert Pujols win the Most Valuable Player Award? Who is the most famous manager in Cardinal history? And finally, what did David Freese do in the 2011 World Series to "ice" the victory for the Cardinals?
To find out the answers to these and many other delightful tidbits, go to the library and check out "The St. Louis Cardinals" by Mark Stewart.
This book is a blast to read. The pictures are excellent and the text abounds with details and stories about the Cardinals. The book will keep readers turning the pages. A "can’t miss" story for sports fans, take the time to read this book with your children and share your own baseball stories with them. Always remember it’s time to "Take Them Out to the Ballgame!" Have fun!
Children usually look forward to the first snowfall of the year. If it snows so hard that school is called off, the event can become a glorious holiday. Young children sometimes try to catch snowflakes in their mouths, while older youngsters want to ride their sleds down steep hills.
Of course the snow itself needs to be shoveled, which makes people pay close attention to the type of snow on the ground. Snow has different shapes, weights and shades of color. But all snowflakes have one thing in common: they are all six-sided, or hexagons. Jacqueline Martin has written an interesting book about the scientist/photographer responsible for this unique knowledge. His name is Wilson Bentley, but he is usually known as Snowflake Bentley.
Wilson Bentley was born on a Vermont farm on February 9, 1865. He finds nature fascinating as a young boy and learns of a new science called photography. His commonsense father feels that studying nature is fine, but the real purpose of a farm is to produce food and make money. But questions continue forming in the young man’s mind.
In particular, he ponders the shape and contours of snowflakes. Why are they so fragile? What makes some snowflakes large while others remain small? Do they all look alike, or are some unique? As Wilson puzzles over these questions his neighbors scoff at his curiosity. Snow is everywhere in Vermont; why would you ever study it?
But Wilson is so persistent that he eventually convinces his skeptical father to buy him an expensive camera to photograph snowflakes throughout the winter. With this new tool Wilson begins photographing snowflakes with patience and determination.
This becomes an arduous process as the young scientist must learn how to handle the tiny, fragile snowflakes. A breath on a photo slide can cause snowflakes to melt. Even slight movement on the photo negative can cause the snowflakes to shatter. Sometimes there is little snow, and at other times the photographing is a failure.
But Wilson is resolute. He is going to photograph hundreds and hundreds of snowflakes and then write a book on the topic. Finally, after years and years of selfless study, Bentley is ready. In 1926, Wilson publishes his remarkable book on snowflakes. All the years of toiling in the freezing cold reaches its successful conclusion.
How did the public receive his book? Why did this simple Vermont farmer begin to be seen as a world -wide authority on snowflakes? How much money did Bentley make for all of his masterful study? Why did he have such deep satisfaction in his heart for the project? Why do children simply call him "Snowflake Bentley?"
Have you ever risked failure to try to accomplish an important project? Why is it so important to try? What can we learn from Snowflake Bentley’s interesting life? To find out, go to the library and check out "Snowflake Bentley" by Jacqueline Martin.
This book won the 1999 Caldecott Medal for distinguished art. It is a serious biography done with beautiful illustrations and text. I hope you get a chance to share this book with your family. The next time you wonder at the beauty of the shapes of snowflakes, say a prayer of thanksgiving for the years of diligent work by Snowflake Bentley explaining these lovely, white, hexagon marvels.
The American Revolution is a very complicated event. Normally revolutions begin in countries suffering from famine, want and oppression. For the most part, these reasons were lacking at the outbreak of the American Revolution. If these problems were not present, then why did this great conflict begin?
Benjamin Franklin believed that the Revolution began because England had become similar to an old mother incapable of letting her now-grown children walk alone.
Similarly, Theodore Roosevelt stated that the Revolution started because the American Colonies had matured into a country without England realizing this important fact. Britain still held the belief that the Colonies were too immature to rule themselves. Consequently, the mother country was needed to make the important decisions for North America.
So the issues relating to the control of the colonies lay behind the mounting differences with England. These tensions eventually set both nations on a collision course.
This outstanding book written by Janis Herbert details the many events comprising the American Revolution. The writing is superb and many fascinating details are included. The name of this fine history is "The American Revolution for Kids."
With the end of the French and Indian War in 1763, England became the dominant power in North America. Unfortunately, the war left the English government with large war debts. Money is normally raised through new taxes, and the British government began proposing a number of revenue proposals.
As subjects of the kingdom, the British felt the Americans should pay more of the cost of the British Empire. The Americans responded by stating they had already paid for the war through increased taxes and by suffering many causalities. The British were unmoved and instituted taxes on tea, paper, stamps and other projects.
In addition to having to pay more money in taxes, the Americans also felt that they had no say in the political process. This turned into the cry of "no taxation without representation."
Herbert repeatedly points to turning points in the escalating struggle between England and the colonies. For example, after the famous Boston Tea Party, the British government forced the Intolerable Acts and other laws on the colonies. Boston Harbor was closed; the Massachusetts legislature dissolved, the ruined tea was to be paid for by the colonists and the borders of Quebec extended into New England. With these threatening actions by the Crown, war finally broke out.
Throughout this book, that author fills fascinating sidebars with information about famous Revolutionary men and women.
In addition to the descriptions of many battles during the war, the author further engages young readers by including recipes from the 1700s and actual games played by colonial children. Herbert continues teaching students through the participation in real life activities, such as colonial bread baking and learning how to churn butter. This gives the book an authentic life quality that draws children into the colonial period and the Revolutionary War.
This title would be an outstanding addition to any 5th- to 7th-grade social studies class on the subject of the Revolutionary War. It is packed with information, pictures, drawings and other interesting facts.
Teachers and parents would do well to encourage their students and children to read this book. It is well worth the effort. Enjoy!
Economic desperation can create terrible situations leading to evil. People in want are less likely to listen to the voice of reason and are more likely to follow leaders promising security and prosperity.
The 1920s and early 1930s were such a time in Germany. Crushed by the millions of causalities suffered in World War I, burdened with an unjust peace at Versailles, the German nation saw its once vital economic life ebb towards extinction by 1932.
In these terrible times Hitler gathered support in this shattered land. Promising prosperity and a rebirth of national pride, the Nazi Party actually won 37% of the national vote in the 1932 elections. Only four years earlier, the Nazis had won 3% of the vote. Frightened people will often listen to false prophets. Within several years, the brutal Third Reich fell upon Germany.
In short order, Hitler rearmed the nation and began annexing land bordering Germany. The country was to be cleansed of those "unfit for living" and systematic euthanasia began being practiced on the weak and ill. Any persons or groups opposing the Fuhrer’s demands were arrested, with the normal punishment being prison, a concentration camp or execution.
The Reich exerted so much power that most citizens either supported the government’s goals or were cowed into silent submission. Either way, this allowed the Nazi Party to have near total control of the nation. Germans opposing the government seemed to have no way to change this awful situation. But one small group of students at the University of Munich decided to challenge the Nazi menace. They called themselves "The White Rose."
Hans Scholl, a medical student, organized the revolt. In the face of such overwhelming force, Scholl began practicing nonviolent resistance to the government. He obtained a typewriter, a duplicating machine, and soon began writing pamphlets denouncing the Nazi government. He was quickly joined by his younger sister Sophie and several others in this dangerous work.
The Scholls felt that the world must understand that some Germans opposed the Nazis and tried to organize a revolt against the horrible evil of National Socialism. They based their actions on a deep-seated love for Christian values, which they had built up through prayer and the study of great writers such as St. Thomas Aquinas and St. Augustine. Their pamphlets soon started a sensation in Munich and other nearby cities where they had been distributed.
Denounced as traitors to Germany, the Gestapo quickly began searching for the members of the White Rose resistance group. After writing the sixth pamphlet, they were seen throwing a stack of writing over a balcony at the University of Munich and were arrested. The Gestapo’s subsequent interrogation then led the young heroes to their preordained deaths.
What do the Scholls and other members of the White Rose movement tell their evil judges during their trials? Why can a legally passed law be immoral? Why do White Rose participants freely confess that they carried out all the actions listed in the indictments? How did their courage continue to inspire people such as the Gestapo interrogating agent? Why does Sophie Scholl’s inner peace stagger so many people throughout her rigged interrogation? And finally, why are the Scholls considered heroes in modern day Germany? To find out, check out "The White Rose: Munich 1942-1943" by Inge Scholl.
This is a powerful story of a group of heroic young students opposing a malevolent government. The actual White Rose pamphlets are included at the end of the book, as well as the indictments by the Nazis against the White Rose members.
This is a sorrowful, beautiful story of courage and humanity in the face of grave moral evil. Sophie and Hans Scholl have much to teach us today.
"But standing by the cross of Jesus were His mother, and His mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw His mother and the disciple whom He loved standing near, He said to His mother, ‘Woman, behold your son!’ Then to the disciple, ‘Behold your mother!’ " (Jn 19:25-27)
Through this great act of love, Our Lord authorized Mary to be the Mother of the Church and enjoined the faithful, represented by St. John, to her maternal solicitude.
Throughout history, in times of grave distress, Our Lord has sent His mother to call us back to His divine heart. Three notable examples of this are the apparitions of Our Lady at Guadalupe, Mexico in 1531; at Lourdes, France in 1858; and Fatima, Portugal in 1917. In all three cases, Our Blessed Mother was seen and conversed with very simple, ordinary people. As our mother, Mary comes with vital messages from her Son.
The three children from Fatima visited by the Mother of God were given revelations. The first two messages, called the secrets of Fatima, were once known by virtually all Catholics.
The first secret was a terrifying vision of hell where grave sinners suffered terrible torments. The second secret was a series of prophecies: WWI would soon end, but a worse war would occur if mankind did not repent from their sins. This second war would be preceded by a sign in the heavens.
Due to the seeming hardness of heart in mankind, this prophecy occurred with a solar display on the night of January 25, 1938, about one month before Hitler’s annexation of Austria.
Additionally, people were told to pray for Russia and that Russia needed to be consecrated to Mary’s Immaculate Heart. If the Blessed Mother’s requests were not followed, Russia would spread its errors throughout the world.
The Third Secret was finally published June 26, 2000 and concerns a future catastrophe caused by the refusal of mankind to turn to God.
The Fatima apparitions caused enormous interest in Portugal and elsewhere in the world. The three humble shepherd visionaries told the world that a miracle would occur during the final appearance of the "beautiful Lady" on October 13, 1917. This interest caused thousands of pilgrims and skeptics to descend on Fatima that day.
In a dreary, cold, soaking rain thousands waited for the appearance of Our Lady and for the foretold miracle. At about 12:30 p.m. that day, the clouds parted and the sun began to shine. Our Lady appeared and the Miracle of the Sun occurred. During the miracle, which lasted for about 10-12 minutes, the sun actually spun around in the sky, and threw off astonishing colors. During the miracle, sometimes called The Dance of the Sun, everyone could look directly at the sun without hurting their eyes.
At the climax of the vision, the sun came hurling straight towards the earth in an apocalyptic manner. People were so terrified that they cried out for God’s mercy and thought the world was ending. Then the sun stopped its descent and returned to its place in the sky.
So powerful was the phenomenon that even hardened atheists in the crowd were shaken and agreed that a miracle had happened. At the end of the Dance of the Sun, the rain-soaked people and earth were dry.
In this book, John Haffert gives us the personal accounts of 18 people present at the Miracle of the Sun. He gives detailed information where they were standing and how the miracle affected them.
Though he mentions the entire events regarding Fatima, his primary purpose is to record the thoughts and feelings of people present during the miracle. Though the participants had different emotional responses during the Dance of the Sun, all of them agree on the basic details of the wondrous event.
If you get an opportunity to read this book, you will be enlightened about the importance of the Fatima apparitions. Continue to pray for the conversion of the world, and thank Our Blessed Savior for sending His holy mother to help us return to Him.
Armistice Day occurred on November 11, 1918. World War I (WWI) ended on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918.
Supposedly World War I was to be the war to end all wars. This false illusion was built on the philosophy of The Enlightenment, an intellectual movement beginning in the early 1700s holding that mankind was inherently good.
Whereas Catholicism and other Christian denominations believe that humanity is wounded by original sin and must be redeemed by a Savior, many Enlightenment thinkers, like some secular humanists today, felt that mankind could be perfected through human values. They believed that the Incarnation of Our Lord was not needed, and churches should stand aside. This removal of religious restrictions would allow the human race to flourish and be happy.
In 1914, the philosophy of the Enlightenment had made great headway in Europe. Man’s intellect and science had triumphed creating a glorious present. This development had proven that the Enlightenment was correct about the goodness of humanity and showed the futility of most religious ideas.
Unfortunately, world events were soon to demonstrate how incorrect this pleasant view was.
With the outbreak of World War I in August 1914, the world would begin a four-year-long slaughter of the finest youth of their civilizations.
For decades after World War I, people sold red poppies on Veterans Day in remembrance of the millions who perished during the horrendous battles of World War I. People would proudly wear these pretty little flowers as a tribute to these fallen heroes.
But where did this beautiful practice come from? The answer is found in one of the most moving poems written during World War I. Dr. John McCrae worked in field hospitals during the war on the Western Front of WWI. He treated an endless stream of wounded and dying soldiers after many battles. He used poetry to tell of the pain and beauty he encountered during WWI. So moving was McCrae’s great poem "Flanders Fields" that school children memorized its stanzas for years after the war. His beautiful poetry has always touched the deepest chords of the heart. This is the poignant poem "Flanders Fields" by Dr. John McCrae:
In Flanders Fields
In Flanders fields
the poppies blow
Between the crosses,
row on row,
That mark our place;
and in the sky
The larks, still bravely sing, fly Scarce heard
amid the guns below.
We are the Dead.
Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn,
saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie, In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel
with the foe:
To you from failing hands
we throw
The torch; be yours
to hold it high
If ye break faith
with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow In Flanders fields.
As our society becomes more secularist, the important lessons so beautifully written about by Dr. McCrae are being forgotten. The red poppies worn so proudly for generations demonstrate the need we have for God’s mercy and guidance. Let us pray that our country remembers this most important fact, or else we may be like the people in the poem who "loved and were loved, and now we lie, in Flanders fields."
Hanukkah is the eight-day Jewish feast celebrating the rededication of the Jewish Temple in the 2nd century B. C. The Temple had been desecrated by invaders and spiritual abominations carried out through the worship of false gods. After Judas Maccabee, the great Jewish warrior, had driven out the foreigners, he rededicated the Temple through an eight-day period of prayer and celebration.
This happy time is also called the Festival of Lights and uses the famous Menorah. This well-known candelabrum has eight candles, one for each day of the Festival, and one additional candle should anyone need to light something in the house. The eight candles are level, with the ninth candle being elevated over the rest. The Menorah is one of the most famous symbols of the Jewish religion. Hanukkah can fall at any time from late November to late December. Patricia Polacco has written a touching account of a Hanukkah from her childhood. The name of this lovely story is "The Trees of the Dancing Goats."
The snow is beginning to fall and all the families outside Union City, Mich. start preparing for the religious holidays occurring in December. Almost all the families begin chopping down Christmas trees and getting ready to celebrate the birth of Our Lord. But the author’s family is Jewish; they commence getting ready for Hanukkah. However, since most of their neighbors are Christian, they often assist their Christian friends preparing for Christmas celebrations.
As the festival draws nearer, the family eagerly anticipates the joyful time of Hanukkah. Shortly before the feast, young Patricia visits her best friend Cherry Kremmel. When she arrived at the Kremmel house, she finds the entire family in bed with a fever from an epidemic. Patricia watches helplessly as Cherry lies in bed groaning in pain. When Patricia returns home, she is immediately quarantined by her family so that she can’t spread the epidemic. But the dangerous fever spreads throughout the area.
Fortunately Patricia has not contacted the illness and begins looking forward with anticipation to the Festival of Lights. While the older women start preparing baked chicken and potato pancakes, Patricia’s grandpa busily carves beautiful little wooden toys for the children. As the first candle is lit on the Menorah, the family joyfully embraces the beautiful holiday.
But after a while Grandpa wonders about all of the Christian neighbors in the area unable to prepare for Christmas. Ideas for helping them get ready for Christmas form in his mind. When he tells the family about this idea, they respond with generosity. The women start cooking again, and he and his grandson head into the forest with an ax. Soon the plan is complete.
What does Patricia Polacco’s family do for their sick neighbors? What is the cost and joy of friendship? How does the young girl learn that charity is such a blessing to the giver? Have you ever gone out of your way to help someone? Have you discovered the joy of giving? To find out the answers to these questions, go to the library and check out this delightful story "The Trees of the Dancing Goats" by Patricia Polacco.
This beautiful tale is another gift from Patricia Polacco. She is one of the most poignant and endearing author/illustrators in the field of children’s literature. You will love reading this story with the children in your family. It teaches us the great joy of charity. Enjoy!
Each December, people around the world await the joyful event of Our Lord’s birth. Christmas is the wonderful day that God was born in a stable in Bethlehem. In plays, celebrations and family festivities people enjoy this happy moment.
"But when time had fully come, God sent forth his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons." (Gal 4:4-5) The magnificent gift of Our Lord’s birth has been celebrated in music and art throughout the ages. While reading the first chapters of St. Matthew and St. Luke are of inestimable value, a marvelous picture book such as "The Story of Christmas" will nourish the love of Christ in the hearts of young readers.
Since all the Sacred Scriptures are divinely inspired, the Bible in a sense is one very large book detailing God the Father’s plan for mankind. Pope Benedict XVI, in his book "Jesus of Nazareth," follows this idea when he treats the Infancy Accounts of the St. Matthew and St. Luke as one basic narrative. This blending of events in both Gospels helps readers better understand the events of the Nativity.
Dalton uses the Annunciation as the opening illustrations of the book. The Angel Gabriel greets Mary with the regal word "Hail." Only a queen is addressed in this manner. The beauty of the Angel Gabriel and Our Lady in the first two pictures set the tone for the entire book.
Next readers see St. Joseph leading Mary, seated on a donkey into Bethlehem, the birthplace of King David. The drawing of Jesus in the manger is simply wonderful. Beautiful angels then appear to the shepherds watching over their flocks. The two-page drawing of the angels saying "Glory to God in the highest" takes my breath away. As Our Blessed Mother lovingly holds the Christ Child, the shepherds come and reverentially pay homage.
Then the artist shows the Three Wise Men pointing to the star leading to Jesus. As they later kneel in front of the newborn King of the Jews, they give their gifts of gold (acknowledging His kingship), incense (stating His divinity) and myrrh (foretelling His death.)
The warnings given to the Three Wise Men to avoid Herod, and to St. Joseph to flee into Egypt are then presented. The two-page drawing of the Flight into Egypt is very detailed and instructive.
Finally the book concludes with an uplifting picture of the Holy Family busy at work after they have returned to Nazareth.
Readers will find this picture book both beautiful and comforting. Though the story of the Nativity is well known to most people, the artwork of Pamela Dalton will draw young children into the heart of the magnificent account of the Incarnation. Your heart and spirit will be lifted as you read this inspiring story from the Bible and point out the endearing pictures accompanying it. Young children will want to kiss the picture of the Christ Child in the manger. And this is how it should be.
I hope you take the opportunity to check out or buy this lovely book for your family. "For to us a Child is born, to us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder, and His name will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace (Is 9:6)." Amen.
Each December, people around the world await the joyful event of Our Lord’s birth. Christmas is the wonderful day that God was born in a stable in Bethlehem. In plays, celebrations and family festivities people enjoy this happy moment.
"But when time had fully come, God sent forth his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons." (Gal 4:4-5) The magnificent gift of Our Lord’s birth has been celebrated in music and art throughout the ages. While reading the first chapters of St. Matthew and St. Luke are of inestimable value, a marvelous picture book such as "The Story of Christmas" will nourish the love of Christ in the hearts of young readers
Since all the Sacred Scriptures are divinely inspired, the Bible in a sense is one very large book detailing God the Father’s plan for mankind. Pope Benedict XVI, in his book "Jesus of Nazareth," follows this idea when he treats the Infancy Accounts of the St. Matthew and St. Luke as one basic narrative. This blending of events in both Gospels helps readers better understand the events of the Nativity.
Dalton uses the Annunciation as the opening illustrations of the book. The Angel Gabriel greets Mary with the regal word "Hail." Only a queen is addressed in this manner. The beauty of the Angel Gabriel and Our Lady in the first two pictures set the tone for the entire book.
Next readers see St. Joseph leading Mary, seated on a donkey into Bethlehem, the birthplace of King David. The drawing of Jesus in the manger is simply wonderful. Beautiful angels then appear to the shepherds watching over their flocks. The two-page drawing of the angels saying "Glory to God in the highest" takes my breath away. As Our Blessed Mother lovingly holds the Christ Child, the shepherds come and reverentially pay homage.
Then the artist shows the Three Wise Men pointing to the star leading to Jesus. As they later kneel in front of the newborn King of the Jews, they give their gifts of gold (acknowledging His kingship), incense (stating His divinity) and myrrh (foretelling His death.)
The warnings given to the Three Wise Men to avoid Herod, and to St. Joseph to flee into Egypt are then presented. The two-page drawing of the Flight into Egypt is very detailed and instructive.
Finally the book concludes with an uplifting picture of the Holy Family busy at work after they have returned to Nazareth.
Readers will find this picture book both beautiful and comforting. Though the story of the Nativity is well known to most people, the artwork of Pamela Dalton will draw young children into the heart of the magnificent account of the Incarnation. Your heart and spirit will be lifted as you read this inspiring story from the Bible and point out the endearing pictures accompanying it. Young children will want to kiss the picture of the Christ Child in the manger. And this is how it should be.
I hope you take the opportunity to check out or buy this lovely book for your family. "For to us a Child is born, to us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder, and His name will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace (Is 9:6)." Amen.
Dear Readers: I hope that you have enjoyed the Children’s Literature Bookshelf during the past year. Buying books for your children, grandchildren, nephews and nieces is one of the most pleasant Christmas activities of the season.
Below is a list of books that have been reviewed in the last weeks of 2011 and through mid-December of 2012. I hope that this list will give you some ideas for books that might make nice Christmas presents.
It has been an honor to have written these book talks for the Southern Nebraska Register. Thanks for the book recommendations and encouragement you have given me. I hope that you and your families have a joyful Christmas.
DiCamillo, Kate. Illustrated by Ibatoulline, Bagram. Great Joy. Candlewick Press, Cambridge, Massachusetts, 32 pages, 2007, K-2.
Editorial and Art Staff of World Book. Christmas In The Holy Land. World Book, Inc., Chicago, 1987, 80 pages, Grades 4-6.
Wood, Douglas. Illustrated by Moser, Barry. Franklin and Winston: A Christmas That Changed the World. Candlewick Press, Somerville, MA 2011, 38 pages, Gr. 3-5.
Corporate Author. Williams, Garth, Illustrator. Baby Farm Animals. Classic Little Golden Book, Random House, New York, 1953, 24 pages, pre-school-Grade 1.
Stead, Philip C. Illustrated by Stead, Erin E. A Sick Day for Amos McGee. Roaring Book Press, New York, 2010, 32 pages, K-2.
Orwell, George. Animal Farm. Penguin Press, New York, 1946, reprint 2003, 97 pages, Grades 9 and higher.
Freedman, Russell. In Defense of Liberty: The Story of America’s Bill of Rights. Holiday House, New York, 2003, 196 pages, Grades 7-9.
Latham, Jean Lee. Illustrated by Cosgrave II, John O’Hara. Carry On, Mr. Bowditch. Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston, 1955, 251 pages, Grades 6-8.
Kennedy, John. Profiles In Courage. Harper-Collins, New York, 1956, reprinted in 1983, 282 pages, Grades 10 and above.
Brown, Don. Dolley Madison Saves George Washington. Houghton Mifflin Company, New York, 2007, 32 pages, Grades 2-3.
Borden, Louise. His Name Was Raoul Wallenberg. Houghton Mifflin Books for Children, Boston, 2012, 135 pages, Grades 4-7.
Berenstain, Stanley and Janice. The Big Honey Hunt. Random House, New York, 1962, 64 pages, Preschool-2.
Burpo, Todd and Vincent, Lynn. Heaven is for Real. Thomas Nelson, Nashville, 2010, 162 pages, Grades 6-8.
Brett, Jan. The Easter Egg. G.P. Putnam’s Sons, Penguin Young Readers Group. New York, 2009, 32 pages, K-2.
Lionni, Leo. Frederick. Pantheon, New York, 1967, 32 pages, K-2.
St. Matthew’s Passion Account Chapters 26-28. The Holy Bible: Revised Standard Version, Catholic Edition. Oxford University Press, 2001, 1516 pages.
Stewart, Wayne. The History of the Kansas City Royals. Creative Education, Mankato, MN, 2002, 32 pages, Grades 2-4.
Lewis, C.S. The Screwtape Letters. 67 pages. Included in The Complete C.S. Lewis Signature Classics. Harper Collins Publishers, New York, 2002, 499 pages, Grade 10 and higher.
Van Allsburg, Chris. Two Bad Ants. Houghton Mifflin, New York, 1988, 32 pages, Grades 2-4.
Longfellow, Henry Wadsworth. Painted by Bing, Christopher. The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere. Handprint Books, Brooklyn, New York, 2001, 32 pages, Grades 4-6.
Lewis, C.S. Perelandra. Scribner Classics, 1944, reissued in 1996, 190 pages, Grades 10 and higher.
Burns, Loree Griffin. The Hive Detectives: Chronicle of a Honey Bee Catastrophe. Houghton Mifflin Books, Boston, 2010, 66 pages, Grades 5-7.
Undset, Sigrid. Kristin Lavransdatter: 1 The Wreath. Penguin Classics, 1920, new translation, 1997, 304 pages, Grades 9-12.
Undset, Sigrid. Kristin Lavransdatter: 2 The Wife. Penguin Classics, 1920, new translation, 1997, 379 pages, Grades 9-12. Also available in E-book.
Grisham, John. Calico Joe. Doubleday, New York, 2012, 194 pages, Grades 9 and higher.
Brink, Carol Ryrie. Illustrated by Hyman, Trina Schart. Caddie Woodlawn. Macmillan Publishing, New York, originally published in 1935, republished in 1973, New York, 275 pages, Grades 4-6.
Piven, Hanoch. What Presidents Are Made Of. Atheneum Books For Young Readers, New York, 2004, 32 pages, Grades 2-4.
Meltzer, Milton. Willa Cather: A Biography. Lerner Publishing Company, Minneapolis, 2008, 159 pages, Grades 5-7.
Yolen, Jane. Illustrated by Small, David. Elsie’s Bird. Philomel Books, New York, 2010, 32 pages, K-3.
Cunxin, Li. Illustrated by Spudvilas, Anne. Dancing To Freedom: The True Story of Mao’s Last Dancer. Walker and Company, New York, 2007, 32 pages, Grades 1-3.
Nelson, Vaunda Micheaux. Illustrated by Christie, R. Gregory. Bad News for Outlaws: The Remarkable Life of Bass Reeves, U.S. Marshall. Carolrhoda Books, Minneapolis, 2009, 32 pages, Grades 2-4.
Scholl, Inge. The White Rose: Munich 1942-1943. Wesleyan University Press, Middletown, Connecticut, 1983, 160 pages, Grades 9-12.
Sobol, Donald J. Encyclopedia Brown and the Case of the Slippery Salamander. Delacorte Press, New York, 1999, 87 pages, Grades 3-4.
St. George, Judith. Illustrated by Small, David. So You Want To Be President? Philomel Books, New York, 2000, 52 pages, Grades 1-3.
Stewart, Mark. The St. Louis Cardinals. Norwood House Press, Chicago, 2012, 48 pages, Grades 4-6.
Haffert, John. Meet The Witnesses Of The Miracle Of The Sun. The American Society For The Defense Of Tradition, Family And Property, Spring Grove, Pennsylvania, 1961, 120 pages, Grades 7-12.
McCrae, John. "In Flanders Fields." Widely published poem during World War I. Appeared in magazines and poetry anthologies. 1915, Grades 6 and higher.
Martin, Jacqueline Briggs. Illustrated by Azarian, Mary. Snowflake Bentley. Houghton Mifflin, Boston, 1998, 32 pages, Grades 2-4.
Polacco, Patricia. The Trees of the Dancing Goats. Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers, New York, 1996, 32 pages, Grades 2-4.
Dalton, Pamela. The Story of Christmas. (From the King James Bible) Handprint Books, San Francisco, 2011, 32 pages, Reading Level: Grade 5 and higher, Interest Level: All ages.
Buck, Pearl S. Illustrated by Buehner, Mark. Christmas Day in the Morning. Harper Collins Press, New York, 2002, 32 pages, Grades 2-4.
It has often been noted that "He who sings, prays twice."
Music is a beautiful way to express our joys and hopes during the Christmas season as many uplifting concerts are presented. The reason for this phenomenon is that Our Lord Jesus Christ took on flesh and was born of the Virgin Mary on Christmas Day. This marvelous event needs to be celebrated in song as the birth of the Divine Child began building the bridge across the divide caused by the sinful disobedience of man.
The music that has been composed for Christmas ranges from Handel’s majestic symphony the "Messiah," to simpler songs such as "Silent Night." The number of instruments needed to play the music for Christmas songs is not really important for the success of the music. "Silent Night" was composed for a single guitar and is one of the most popular Christmas songs of all time.
The most important aspect of Christmas music is its uplifting spiritual or festive qualities. While secular Christmas songs bring much joy and happiness to the season, it should be remembered that Christmas is primarily a religious holiday. This is why religious Christmas music is so important to a culture.
The book "The First Noel" is a compilation of 13 favorite Christmas carols. Given the reluctance of many public institutions to encourage the singing of religious carols during the Christmas season, this book is particularly beneficial.
After the introduction, readers are presented the music and lyrics of "O Come All Ye Faithful." Opposite the music is a lovely picture painted by J. Latham entitled "Christmas Eve." The painting is warm and inviting, and readers will be drawn to the lovely lighted church. Appropriately, the artist shows people arriving at the church to praise Our Lord on His birthday.
The second song develops the theme of travelling to the site of Christ’s birth. This song is the famous "We Three Kings Of Orient Are." The picture is painted by Linda Benton and shows the three kings eagerly looking at the star in the heavens as they hurry to Bethlehem.
The third song is "Hark the Herald Angels Sing." A stunning picture of an angel playing a trumpet has been chosen to represent the song. The painting is so gorgeous that it is a perfect match for the uplifting music of this hymn.
The songs continue one after the other leading to the most famous Christmas hymn of all, "Silent Night." The painting chosen for this wonderful song was painted by Sassoferato in the 1600’s and is entitled "The Virgin and Child Embracing." It is breathtakingly beautiful and conveys the love and innocence of the Christ Child, and touching eloquence and beauty of Mary whom the Angel Gabriel declared to be "Full of Grace."
"It Came Upon a Midnight Clear" soon follows and is accompanied by lush painting of angels by the Renaissance artist Bernardino Luini. The book then closes with the rousing song, "We Wish You a Merry Christmas."
After singing these 13 songs and looking at the inspiring paintings, I’m sure you and your family will be assisted in having a thoroughly joyful Christmas season. The music is sonorous and the paintings are descriptive of the feelings evoked by the carols. I hope you get a chance to go to the library and check out this delightful book. As well, I wish you and your entire family have a very Merry Christmas!
Martyrdom is the sacrifice of one’s life for another person or religious ideal. Since Roman times, the Catholic Church has repeatedly faced periods of great attacks resulting in the martyrdom of many believers.
During the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass mention is made of many of the early martyrs of the Church. In the First Eucharistic Prayer, (the Roman Canon) the names of the Apostles and a number of popes and consecrated virgins are prayerfully intoned. Nearly all of these saints were martyrs for the faith. So from the very beginning of the Church, as the theologian Tertullian states, the blood of the martyrs has been the seed bed of the Faith.
While it is easy to think of martyrdom as a dark period from ancient times, Christians throughout the world are being martyred on a massive scale today. In fact, the recently concluded 20th century was a time of unparalleled suffering for the faith. The amount of martyrs dying for Christ in the 20th century dwarfs the number of all martyrdoms prior to 1900. Catholic scholar Professor Robert Royal has masterfully gathered an immense amount of information on the great sacrifice for the faith of these 20th century martyrs. The name of this powerful work is: "The Catholic Martyrs of the Twentieth Century: A Comprehensive World History."
Dr. Royal begins with an account of the savage persecution of the Church in Mexico during the 1920s. When the Mexican Revolution of 1910 finally ended, the first presidents of the country were violently anti-Catholic.
President Plutarco Calles in particular attacked the Church with vengeance. This venomous hate by Calles came from his total acceptance of Karl Marx’s ignorant idea that religion was "the opiate of the people." As a result, Calles began passing laws to strip Holy Mother Church of Her schools and social ministries. Following this was a direct attack on the clergy and the faithful. Calles may have been an evil, misguided leader, but he meant what he said. The clergy was to be killed or exiled and the faithful cowed into submission. So in this deeply Catholic country, visited by the Virgin of Guadalupe, Calles ordered the deaths of hundreds, if not thousands of faithful Catholics. So violent was this assault that in some states in Mexico all the dedicated priests were either martyred or driven into hiding. Nor did Calles spare the laity in his hate-filled war on Catholicism. Writers, catechists, teachers, housewives and even children were executed by his wrath filled attempt to build the "workers’ paradise."
But the most famous martyr of this blood filled time was Father Miguel Pro. After successfully dodging the government agents determined to execute him, Father Pro was captured. The government decided to film his execution to prove the uselessness of Catholicism. So before being shot, with his arms extended like His Master’s on Calvary, Father Pro uttered the words that will always defeat the forces of Satan: "Viva Christo Rey." (Long Live Christ the King)
By the 1930s the terrible direct attack on the Church had ended in Mexico and a semblance of balance returned to the country. Father Pro’s magnificent testimony to Jesus Christ still endures as a witness to the faith of the Mexican people.
Professor Royal gives accounts of martyrdoms in Nazi Germany, Soviet Russia, Ukraine, Latin America and parts of Asia and Africa. In all of the faith-filled example of millions of Christian martyrdoms, the perseverence of Christians is repeatedly chronicled. I hope you get an opportunity to purchase this insightful title for your personal reading. Bishop Bruskewitz has warned the faithful in Nebraska that a time of suffering may be upon us in the United States. If that occurs, let us pray that we, like Father Miguel Pro will cry out "Viva Christo Rey."
Snowfall is usually an exciting time for children. While looking out their windows, they see the snow drifting down out of the heavens. If this happens on the night before a school day, they eagerly hope that school might be cancelled due to the weather. If that happy event occurs, children begin thinking of many exciting games to play in the cold, crisp air. These include sled riding, ice skating and snow ball fights. As long as the temperature is somewhat moderate, the day will be filled with adventures. The famous author, Ezra Jack Keats, has written a classic account of one such day. This delightful story recounts the enjoyable winter activities of a young boy named Peter. The name of this award winning book is "The Snowy Day."
Young Peter wakes up and looks outside his window. Much to his delight, the entire neighborhood is covered in a thick snow. The boy is attracted by the wonder of this white blanket and quickly decides to play in the winter wonderland. After breakfast, Peter dresses for the weather and hurries out his front door. The snow has piled up all around the house. His mind fills with the many adventures he can have in this frosty world. He begins by dragging his feet and making various designs in the snow. So pleased is Peter with the patterns that he throws himself into a snowdrift and rotates his arms to make a snow angel. Looking up ahead, he sees an inviting hill and decides to slide all the way to the bottom. This is an exhilarating feeling for the young boy. But the day is getting late and it is time to go home. When he arrives safe and sound, his mother is waiting for him. Peter tells his mother of his many adventures and she runs a hot bath for him. That night Peter dreams that the sun has melted all the snow, but when he wakes up he looks out and sees that the snow is still falling. Happily he jumps up, goes across the hall and asks his friend to join him for another winter adventure. They head out.
Have you ever had adventures like Peter on a snowy day? Did you have as much fun as he did? Do you like sled riding? Have you ever thrown a snowball? To find out all the things that Peter did on his snowy adventures, go to the library and check out "The Snowy Day" by Ezra Jack Keats.
This classic title still brings joy to young children. Though it will not seem unusual today, in 1962 it was one of the first children’s books to use an African American child as a protagonist. In this sense, Ezra Jack Keats created a new world for minority characters in picture books. Besides being a delightful book to read to children, this new world of positive minority characters was an important contribution to American culture by Keats. I hope you get a chance to read this lovely title to a child you love. It is a beautiful story. Enjoy!
While all children enjoy books filled with action, boys in particular seem to like books filled with heroes, villains and adventure. These robust stories often contain swashbuckling characters, spine-tingling sword fights and hair-raising plots. Frequently these books have plotlines with treacherous pirates and tales of sunken treasure.
In 1883, Robert Louis Stevenson wrote a novel with these thrilling scenes. It is sometimes noted in lists of the 100 greatest books ever written. The name of this special novel is "Treasure Island."
The Admiral Benbow Inn sits near the sea. The Hawkins family manages the modest business. Since Mr. Hawkins is quite ill and near death, his young son Jim has many responsibilities.
One day a frightful-looking sailor named Captain Billy Bones appears at the inn. Coarse and vulgar, the Captain drinks heavily and seems to harbor a deep secret. He closely guards a trunk in his room and pays Jim to be on the lookout for another sailor with a peg leg.
After a few weeks another terrifying buccaneer named Black Dog arrives. A threatening conversation between the scoundrels takes place and soon a swordfight breaks out. Black Dog barely escapes with his life, but the captain is badly shaken.
The local physician, Dr. Livesey, visits the dying Mr. Hawkins one last time and becomes aware of the strange Captain Bones and his mysterious treasures. The pirates threaten to attack the Captain at 10 p.m. that night to open his footlocker.
After they have left, Bones is so distraught that he dies from apoplectic stroke. Jim and his mother run to the Captain’s room and open the footlocker. They find all manner of gold coins from many nations and Mrs. Hawkins is determined to get back the money that Bones owes her. But Jim hears a mob of pirates breaking into the inn and tells his mother to flee. The last thing he takes from the chest is an oilskin packet.
The leader of the thieves is a blinded sailor named Pew. He curses his men and tells them to find the Hawkinses. Flailing about in the dark, the desperados are about to find Jim and his mother, but a group of horsemen surge over a nearby hill and frighten the pirates - all except the blind, evil Pew who is tromped to death by one of the chargers.
The next day Jim visits Dr. Livesey and a well-to-do country gentleman named Trelawney. The older men open up the packet and take out a document containing an extensive financial ledger and a map of an island with buried treasure. Livesey and Trelawney agree at once to make a sea voyage to Treasure Island. They feel it will be easy to find the treasure with the map. Both decide to take Jim along as a cabin boy.
The naive Trelawney buys a ship and prepares for the voyage. One of the first sailors he hires is a man with a peg leg. His name is Long John Silver. He has long awaited some fool to hire him for this treasure voyage. The ship casts off on what will be an action-packed, murderous adventure.
"Treasure Island" is a must-read classic for children. Robert Louis Stevenson has created a number of unforgettable characters in this gripping novel. He also interjects some interesting moral observations throughout the story.
But most children will simply have a rollicking good time reading the book. Just remember "Fifteen men on The Dead Man’s Chest, Yo-ho-ho and a bottle of rum." Aarrgh, you’re a pirate!
Though baseball has long been considered the national pastime, professional football has captured the imagination of many during the last 40 years.
While today’s football teams have intimately detailed offensive and defensive schemas requiring a playbook resembling a city’s phone directory, there is a certain gladiatorial primitiveness about football that engages viewers. Quite simply, the game can be thrilling.
As in all sports, the playing season ends in a series of championship games. This final game in the playoffs is the Super Bowl. Interest in the Super Bowl began to build prior to the inaugural game in 1967 and over the years has evolved into a passionate fervor.
The Super Bowl is today the most widely-viewed event in the United States. Where did all this enthusiasm come from? Mark Stewart attempts to answer these and other questions in his highly readable book entitled "Super Bowl."
In 1967, professional football is divided into the National (NFL) and American (AFL) football leagues. The question of which league has the better players becomes a source of national conversation. Vince Lombardi’s famous Green Bay Packers are the champions of the NFL and the Kansas City Chiefs are the champions of the upstart AFL. With bragging rights and reputations on the line, the game is played in the Los Angeles Coliseum.
Numerous future Hall of Fame players are on each team. Then in one of the curious foibles that happens so frequently in the Super Bowl, an unexpected player rises to the occasion. Early in the game, Boyd Dowler, a starting end for the Packers, goes down with an ankle injury. His replacement, Max McGee, enters the game.
McGee is known as much for partying the night before games as he is for catching passes. In fact, before the first Super Bowl, McGee went to a number of pregame parties and tumbled into bed in the early hours of the morning. Not feeling exactly rested, McGee gets to the stadium just before kickoff. His coach, the stern disciplinarian Vince Lombardi, now has little choice but to insert the freewheeling McGee into the game.
Though his mind is still foggy, McGee somehow begins running precision pass routes and makes a sensational one-handed catch for a touchdown. Before the game comes to an end, McGee torches the Kansas City secondary by catching seven passes for 138 yards and two touchdowns. McGee later admits that he did not feel very perky at game time because of his self-induced illness. But he starts a trend that continues throughout the history of the Super Bowl of unusual players having the game of their lives at the contest.
Which Super Bowls are the most memorable for you? Do you have a favorite player you follow during the post-season playoffs?
Have you ever witnessed some play that is clearly bizarre during a Super Bowl? One of my favorite plays comes from Super Bowl XXVII when the speedy Buffalo Bills split end Ron Beebe runs down a Dallas Cowboy lineman showboating his way to a touchdown. Beebe causes a fumble and restores some pride to the Buffalo team getting trounced by the Dallas Cowboys. It is one of the most remarkable plays in any Super Bowl.
Do you have a favorite play? What is it? For fascinating information about the first 36 Super Bowls, go to the library and check out "Super Bowl" by Mark Stewart
This is a fun-filled story about the first 36 Super Bowls. There are interesting stories of each game and brief accounts of many famous plays and Most Valuable Players. This is your book if you or one of the other family members is interested in professional football. It has concise accounts of all the Super Bowls through 2002. Check it out of the library; you’ll be glad you did.
When people venture into an unknown land they may have many dangers and perils. But with the risk comes the possibility of great gain.
In the early 1600s many hardy souls left England to come to the New World. They find a vast land with great possibilities. Among these groups are the Pilgrims. They are devout Calvinists and want to escape the Anglican Church of England.
On September 6, 1620, they leave England for the colony of Virginia. Their ship is named The Mayflower and the sailing crew numbers about 30. Below the decks, 102 intrepid Pilgrims gather as the ship casts off.
In this fascinating book, Kate Peters gives an interesting account of the voyage through the use of re-enactors. The photographs of crew and the passengers are very revealing. The story is seen primarily through the eyes of the ship’s youthful apprentice, William Small, and a young Pilgrim girl named Ellen Moore.
As they cast off, readers see the sails filling with a hearty breeze. William Small is nervous and excited, as this is his first voyage to the New World. As the ship leaves Plymouth Harbor and England is left behind, all kinds of work begin on the Mayflower. Though William is young, he must help pull the heavy rigging that control the sails.
The captain of the ship decides that William must learn to be an accomplished sailor and starts teaching him how to measure the position of the sun and the horizon with a quadrant. The first night, William attends to his other duties of serving food to the officers. Meanwhile, the Pilgrims are down at the bottom of the ship eating dinner and getting ready for their first night at sea.
The next morning a young girl named Ellen Moore walks up to the deck. She and William begin talking about their lives and homes. Ellen tells William that she is quite busy below. She helps the older women preparing the meals for the other travelers. There is constant mending of torn clothes and attending to passengers suffering from sea sickness. For being a girl no older than 10, Ellen is an accomplished sewer and dutiful helper on the sea voyage.
But suddenly frightening news comes from the captain. A severe storm is about to strike that will test the courage and tenacity of both the crew and the Pilgrims.
What effect do the storms the Pilgrims encounter have on the ship’s navigation? Why do they wind up in Massachusetts inside of Virginia?
Do many people get sick during the storms? Is there ever a fear that the ship might sink? How do the children react? Do you think you would be up to the challenges faced by William and Ellen?
To find out the answers to these and other questions about the Pilgrims, go to the library and check out "On the Mayflower: Voyage of the Ship’s Apprentice & a Passenger Girl" by Kate Waters.
This is a very interesting story about the voyage of the Mayflower. The pictures throughout the book are taken on an exact replica of the original Mayflower. All the re-enactors are dressed in clothing of the time. Waters gives readers a feeling that they are part of the Pilgrim experience throughout the book. There is a useful glossary of terms at the end of the book.
I enjoyed reading this book. It gives important historical information in a very intuitive manner. It is always good to learn in a manner that is also entertaining. Share this book with a member of your family. You will enjoy the experience.
In the founding documents of the United States, we hear the soaring themes of inalienable rights and the fact that all are created equal. The sad fact is that these majestic ideas are violently abused by the institution of slavery. Though not all slave owners practice the malignant evil of Simon Legree from Harriet Beecher Stowe’s "Uncle Tom’s Cabin," everyone involved in continuing slavery contributes to the brutal subjugation of African Americans. Although state’s rights versus the power of the federal government are part of the cause for the outbreak of the Civil War, unquestionably slavery is the overpowering issue during the four years of awful bloodshed. During the conflict, Lincoln wrestles with the idea of emancipation. There are many reasons for Lincoln to immediately free the slaves, but serious consequences for the North if he issues the edict. Justice demands an immediate emancipation of the slaves, but the military necessity of keeping the four states (Delaware, Maryland, Kentucky and Missouri) bordering the Confederacy loyal to the Union remains foremost in Lincoln’s mind. Tonya Bolden tells the story of the monumental heroism needed to finally write the Emancipation Proclamation. The name of this outstanding work of nonfiction is "Emancipation Proclamation: Lincoln and the Dawn of Liberty."
For over 200 years, African Americans are enslaved in North America. During this time, black people have no rights in slave states and can be violently punished, whipped or sold like animals to other slave owners. As the United States expands westward, the slave issue begins pitting the northern states against the slave states in the South. Finally, with the election of Abraham Lincoln, the southern states begin seceding from the Union. Lincoln is not an absolutist on the abolishment of slavery. He will put the reunification of the rebelling southern states ahead of black emancipation. In fact, Lincoln will publically state that "My paramount object in this struggle is to save the Union, and is not either to save or to destroy slavery. If I could save the Union without freeing any slave, I would do it, and if I could save it by freeing all the slaves I would do it; and if I could save it by freeing some and leaving others alone I would also do that. What I do about slavery, and the colored race, I do because I believe it helps to save the Union; and what I forbear, I forbear because I do not believe it would help to save the Union." (p. 64) But Lincoln begins to develop a plan that will result in the writing of the famous Emancipation Proclamation. However, an incredible series of political maneuvering, battlefield victories and losses must first occur.
Why is the policy of colonizing parts of South America with freed slaves considered? How many drafts of the Emancipation Proclamation are written? Why are they so very different? Why are people like John Brown revered in the North and hated in the South? Does Lincoln actually free all the slaves in the United States with the Proclamation? Why does Frederick Douglass write that the Emancipation Proclamation was not about logic, but the triumph of jubilee. To find out the answers to these and other questions about this great event, go to the library and read "Emancipation Proclamation: Lincoln and the Dawn of Liberty."
This is a must read book for middle school students. Bolden does a masterful job in writing about the issues involved in issuing the Emancipation Proclamation. We see the great leaders of the movement struggling to overturn slavery while Lincoln desperately tries to hold a fractured nation together. This book poignantly tells the story of the people and events that cause the writing of the Emancipation Proclamation. I hope many students get the opportunity to read this marvelous account.
Throughout history, people change locations when things are bad and hope lies somewhere else. Most of the people coming to the New World are driven by this idea. Since life is hard for many in Europe, Asia and parts of Africa, people are attracted to the freedom and promise of North America.
Of course, many African Americans are carried to the United States against their will on brutal slave ships. For about 250 years these hard-working, long-suffering people toil in the harshest, most demanding jobs in the American South. After the Civil War, sharecropping takes the place of slavery. While not officially slavery, sharecropping ensures that the poor farmers will never make enough money to escape its clutches. Sharecropping keeps people destitute and economically imprisoned.
This terrible situation begins changing at the end of World War I. Many jobs are created in the North and there is a need for manpower. To many poor African Americans, this is the opportunity they have been waiting for, and more than one million African Americans start moving north. Eloise Greenfield describes this massive cultural event in her excellent book, "The Great Migration: Journey to the North."
The story begins with a poor African American family in North Carolina hearing about the wonderful opportunities in the North. Having lived with racially discriminatory laws their entire lives, these letters and newspaper articles sent by relatives seem too good to be true. There seems to be a great deal of work available in stock yards, factories and railroads. Compared to the bare existence being eked out in the tobacco and cotton fields of the South, these comparatively well-paying jobs promise a completely different life.
But most of these people had never been out of the areas where they were born. How do people find the courage to strike out in a completely different manner? Will the terrible economic times give the first push to begin the migration?
The father receives word that his relatives will let him stay with them as he finds work. So with a mixture of fear and hope, he moves to Washington, D.C. His wife waves goodbye and tearfully walks back home with her two little babies. True to his word, one month later, the father sends his wife three train tickets to Washington, D.C. She packs their possessions and leaves behind the only life she has ever known. On the way north, they meet countless other poor African Americans waiting in other train stations heading out of the South. After one day and night of travelling, the train pulls into Washington, D.C. There they are met by the father and he guides his family to a better life.
What do these southern African Americans find in the northern cities? Racial discrimination is also found throughout the North. Why do so many millions believe the migration will lead to a happier life? Why are the inner cities seen by these immigrants as a protective oasis from societal problems? How does this great movement of people change American culture? To find out, go to the library and read "The Great Migration: Journey to the North," by Eloise Greenfield.
A second migration of African Americans occurred during World War II. This movement totaled more than five million people coming north and some moving west after 1940. In recent decades, as racial discrimination and prejudice has lessened, and economic opportunities have improved, a substantial number of African Americans have returned to the South.
Middle elementary school teachers will find this book useful in social studies classes. I hope you get a chance to read this book and discuss its contents with your children.
In the United States after the Civil War, African American leaders face a number of daunting questions: How can a formerly enslaved people live in an emancipated world? Should the impetus be given to developing a strong sense of black identity before addressing economic concerns or developing a powerful set of skills to overcome the problems of racism?
Unfortunately, few ever think of combining these two ideas. The great African American leader W.E.B. Du Bois favors the first approach as this philosophy will create a positive sense of identity in the black community. This in turn will enable African Americans to overcome the continued effects of racism. Another productive way to empower the newly freed blacks is to develop an outstanding educational system that will teach them important skills.The society will need these newly acquired talents, which in turn will make African Americans more valued in the larger society.
These two approaches are long debated in the United States. Jabari Asim has written an excellent biography about Booker T. Washington, a proponent of the idea of educational empowerment. The name of this book is "Fifty Cents and a Dream: Young Booker T. Washington."
Born into slavery in 1856, young Booker can only dream of learning to read. Under punitive laws, blacks can be severely punished if they try to learn to read. He watches the daughter of his owner reading from her elementary reading primer. The young boy longs to understand the written word.
By the time he is 9, the Civil War ends and emancipation begins. His parents encourage his studies and give him an early reader and later, a copy of Noah Webster’s "The American Spelling Book." Fortunately, a school starts in the area and Booker is able to attend. Much to his surprise, the teacher is black. The more the young man learns, the more he thirsts for knowledge.
But times are hard and Booker is forced to work long hours in a coal mine to help his family survive, although the dream of education still dominates his mind. He hears that Hampton Institute, about 500 miles from his home, will educate African Americans. So with hope in his heart the 16-year-old begins walking the long hard road to the Institute. He arrives with 50 cents in his pocket.
What happens to Booker T. Washington? Does he fulfill his love for books and learning? What phenomenal accomplishments does he achieve? What powerful statue of him adorns the campus of Tuskegee Institute today? To find out the answers to these questions, go to the library and check out this fine biography, "Fifty Cents and a Dream: Young Booker T. Washington."
Booker T. Washington has been vilified for his acceptance of segregation. Since he lived in a time when the KKK lynched blacks and burned crosses in front yards of those deemed enemies, the philosophy of integration might have seemed impossible. But far from being an accommodating "Uncle Tom," Booker T. Washington led an educational movement that resulted in the establishment of African American colleges throughout the South. The inspiring statue of him entitled "Lifting the Veil of Ignorance" (p. 42 of the text) on Tuskegee University depicts his aspirations for African Americans. A man can only be judged by his own time, not ours. If he didn’t get the whole picture right, did any of our Founding Fathers do better? I doubt it. The country owes a debt of gratitude to Booker T. Washington for what he accomplished. I hope your students and children get a chance to read this book and to get acquainted with this great American educator. His life story is well worth knowing.
Happily, at the end of a long winter, those exciting words are uttered: "Play Ball."
This soothing statement points to that joyful baseball time known as Opening Day. For the following 162 games, more than 30 million people will go through stadium turnstiles to watch Major League Baseball. Though football has begun capturing the imagination of the nation, there is still a magic about watching baseball with your family on a beautiful summer evening. So many writers have eulogized about baseball that it is difficult to pick out the best.
In the field of poetry however, one poem seems to continue to be the most popular. This poem is the famous "Casey at the Bat" by Ernest Lawrence Thayer. Published in 1888, the poem is still widely recited today. Though Casey did not hit a home run in the original poem, Thayer wrote more poems about Casey in which he did make a successful comeback. Dan Gutman has written a modernized version of Casey’s exploits in a delightful tale called "Casey Back at Bat."
The fans of Mudville are still bemoaning great Casey’s failure in the first poem. The hardy slugger shrugs off all this scorn and returns to the ballpark. There the Mudville Nine will face the powerful team from Rutland. The victor will get fame and glory and the loser will get, well, second place.
In the ninth inning Mudville is losing by two runs and there are two outs. Again grim tidings set upon the beleaguered Mudville fans. The thought of losing to the hated Rutland warriors is almost too much to take. But the Mudville players refuse to say die and put two runners on base. Finally, the Mudville fans begin to cheer as they see that it is mighty Casey’s turn to bat. The towering batsman sneers at the Rutland players. Some young ladies catch their breath merely looking at the great hitter. Others feel that Casey is simply a jerk.
The pitcher winds up and hurls the first pitch toward the plate. Casey is fooled and takes strike one. The next pitch nips the outside of the plate and leaves Casey with his last swing. The final pitch flies towards home plate and Casey takes a ferocious hack at the ball. Unlike the last game, Casey crushes the pitch and it rockets out of the stadium. The Mudville fans begin cheering as their hero proudly rounds the bases. But the ball continues to go and go. When is it going to land?
Where does it land? How far can someone with the massive arms of Casey hit the ball? Have you ever really connected on a fastball? Isn’t it a sweet sound and feeling? Does Mudville finally win the game? To find out the answers to these and other questions, go to the library and check out "Casey Back at Bat" by Dan Gutman.
This is a delightful story that would make an outstanding oral read in Grades 1-3. The paintings throughout the book are interesting and children will easily identify with the characters. The picture of Casey connecting on the third pitch is the fulfillment of young baseball lovers’ dreams.
Dan Gutman has written many fine sporting books and sports biographies. I hope you get a chance to share this book with younger children in your family. I guarantee that you will have as much fun as they do. Enjoy!
An enduring problem in contemporary fiction is to find exciting books that are not filled with profanity or aggressive sexual themes. At times it seems very difficult to find interesting contemporary novels reflecting the values of Judeo/Christian culture. Hence, I was absolutely overjoyed to find this book at the public library. It is an exciting story and readers can see the leading characters mature and grow in virtue as they are forced to face dangerous situations. The title of this gripping book is "Wildfire Run," by Dee Garretson.
At 5:41 a.m. the New Madrid earthquake fault in southern Missouri violently moves, sending massive shock waves across North America. Four minutes later the surging energy reaches the presidential retreat of Camp David. The entire compound begins shaking and numerous computer alarms go off. Luke Brockett, the 12-year-old son of President Pierce Brockett, feels the movement in his room and wakes up. His ‘computer geek’ friend, Theo Ellias, sleeps through the entire event. Luke’s mother, the First Lady, has stayed behind at the White House. Of course Luke is not really alone since Secret Service agents are nearby to take care of him. But the massive quake continues to have repercussions. Campers quickly leave the nearby national forest without completely putting out their campfires. Sparks blow to the nearby tinder dry forest. Soon a massive forest fire begins.
The president and his advisors have to return to Washington D.C. to handle the evolving crisis in Missouri. The president asks Luke if he would like to return to the White House by helicopter. Luke can think of nothing so boring, and asks to stay at Camp David. The president agrees after telling the Secret Service to leave quickly if the forest fire moves towards the presidential retreat. With this he leaves by helicopter. Luke then begins telling Theo about the layout of Camp David and all the security fences and defensive electric devices in place. Luke has overheard his father saying that some of the microwave defenses can actually cripple intruders. You have to know where you are going or you could get severely shocked. Theo is impressed with Luke’s accounts. Nobody can seemingly break through all these sophisticated defenses.
Meanwhile, Luke’s old friend Callie Lansa arrives from Colorado with her father. Mr. Lansa is to be the new chef at Camp David. No sooner do they get there than the Secret Service orders everyone to leave as the forest fire is heading directly towards them. Callie, Luke and Theo jump into one SUV with three agents. As they pull out of the complex, their SUV crashes into the front gate. One agent is electrocuted, two are severely injured and Theo sustains a concussion. Unfortunately, the wrecked vehicle is on the wrong side of the electric fence. The earthquake and fire have damaged the control switches, so the electricity cannot be turned off. Unable to get out of Camp David, Luke is forced to make some dangerous and heroic decisions. Behind the boy is a raging forest fire, ahead of him is an electric fence and numerous crippling microwave devices. Only he has the knowledge of Camp David necessary to save to the others. He has to lead. But where do you find courage when you are absolutely frightened? Luke reaches deep inside himself and plans an escape through the burning fire. The odds are stacked against the children.
What happens to the group? How do you escape through a burning forest still filled with active electronic devices set to shock people from any direction? Have you ever faced a situation that forced you to become brave? Where did you find the courage? What does Luke do? To find out, go to the library and read this exciting book.
"Wildfire Run" is a Golden Sower nominee for 2012-13. The Golden Sower award is given each year by the Nebraska Library Association to the books voted most popular by school children of the state. There are three different levels, and this book is in the Intermediate Level, Grades 4-6. I hope your children get a chance to read this book. It’s a great read. Enjoy!
Each of the Four Gospels tells the faithful a beautiful and inspiring account of the life of our Blessed Savior. The first gospel, St. Matthew’s, is a majestic account of how Jesus is the fulfillment of the promises made to the Chosen People during the times of the Old Testament. There is a great amount of detail about Jewish life in the First Gospel.
St. Mark’s account of Christ is very brief and has a human freshness about it. In this Gospel, we see Jesus becoming angry at times and showing His human nature.
St. John’s Gospel is quite different than the first three Gospels in that we are often shown the divine side of Our Lord. Because of this, St. John’s Gospel often seems to soar above the world.
St. Luke’s beautiful Gospel is different in its nature since it was written for the Gentiles. St. Luke repeatedly shows Jesus loving the poor, downtrodden and those outside the Jewish covenant. His Passion account is very important since some of the pivotal events occurring during the suffering, death and resurrection of Jesus are only found in St. Luke’s writing.
A Gentile companion of St. Paul, St. Luke was a physician and carefully relates the physical effects of these brutal days on Our Lord’s body.
At the Last Supper, St. Luke carefully relates the events surrounding the First Mass and the Institution of the Holy Eucharist. In Chapter 22:19, St. Luke writes that Jesus states: "And He took bread and when He had given thanks, He broke it and gave it to them saying. "This is my body which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me." This one verse helps explain the nature of the Holy Eucharist as well as the establishment of the sacrament of Holy Orders.
After the First Mass had ended, St. Luke alone among the Evangelists tells us that Jesus warns Peter that he will be sifted "like wheat" (Lk 22:31-34) but when Peter has "turned again, strengthen your brothers." (Lk 22:32)
In the Garden of Gethsemane, true to his background as a physician, St. Luke singularly tells us about the Agony in the Garden being so painful to Jesus that He sweats blood during the ordeal.
During the trial of Jesus, only St. Luke describes Pilate trying to avoid his responsibility by sending Our Lord to King Herod for judgment.
In the moments before His holy death, St. Luke relates Jesus turning to the Good Thief and telling him that "Truly, I say to you , today you will be with me in Paradise." (Lk 23:43)
The last major detail St. Luke alone writes about is the marvelous walk on the road to Emmaus. As the two completely downcast men are walking to the village of Emmaus, Jesus begins walking with them. When He asks them why they are so sad, they incredulously ask Him if He does not know about the death of Jesus. This is followed by the account of Christ opening their minds to the meaning of the Bible. But even with all this phenomenal instruction, they still do not recognize Him. It is only at the Eucharist, the breaking of the bread, that they realize Jesus himself has been talking to them.
During the final weeks of Lent, read the Last Supper and Passion Account of St. Luke. There are a number of important events and ideas relating to Our Lord’s Passion found only in St. Luke. The charity, beauty and striking personality of the Third Evangelist are also clearly seen in these final chapters of St. Luke’s gospel.
I hope you get a chance to read this wonderful gift from the Holy Spirit to the Church. Let the marvelous grace of this gospel fill your heart.
Alphabet books are some of the most interesting titles published in the field of children’s literature. Since they are published for young children, authors and illustrators need to make the text interesting and the pictures enjoyable. Some authors will set their alphabet books to a rhyming chant so that children can clap their hands during the reading. Since preschoolers have little or no written language development, the illustrations and paintings will provide much of the information in the book.
Additionally, authors realize that they must activate different learning styles to make the book effective with youngsters. Because of this, alphabet books are usually some of the most creative books children will encounter. The beloved author/illustrator Patricia Polacco has incorporated all of these concepts in an absolutely delightful alphabet book entitled "G is for Goat."
As the book begins, we see a young Ukrainian girl tending a flock of goats. Dressed in traditional Ukrainian clothes, she is gamboling with her goats under an apple tree. Appropriately, Polacco shows the child reaching up for an apple as the goats look on. The text states: "A is for Apple, the best treat of all."
Of course the billy goats see the apples as well. They begin leaping up to bite an apple as well. The little girl and the goats are surrounded by rabbits, chickens, cats and geese. All the animals are looking for different kinds of food to eat, or simply playing with other animals. Tired of walking, the child hitches a goat up to her cart and begins driving around the pasture. As she and the billy goat race down the lane, the dogs race them to the end of the path. The race is so delightful that the rabbits decide to get in on the fun and sprint ahead of the dogs and the cart.
As the letters of the alphabet fly by, we see that the goats do not always obey well as when: "F is for Flowers which goats eat a lot." Fortunately, the flowers will grow back.
The picture Polacco uses for "G is for Goats" is one of the most comforting, pleasant illustrations children will ever encounter in a picture book. All of the gentleness and innocence of childhood can be seen in this beautiful portrayal of the young girl holding her goats.
But the action continues as the goats munch on hay, tug at the child’s dress and get ready to go back to the barn. Of course goats are sometimes stubborn and the girl must "P is for Push, when goats just won’t go." Goats are also not known for being the most intelligent of animals and this can be seen in the R and S illustrations. The S is particularly funny. The book concludes with a precious scene for the letter Z.
Young children will love to have this book read to them by their parents, grandparents, uncles and aunts. Polacco has a gift for portraying the innocence and beauty of childhood. She is from a Ukrainian/American family that settled in Michigan. The head scarves and colorful dresses of herself and her grandmother always lend an endearing quality to her books. This book simply can’t be beat for a beautiful bonding moment with young children. I hope you get a chance to go to the library and check out this fine title. You will like it as much as your little one. Enjoy!
The Eternal City, Rome, is one of the most influential and famous cities in world history. Within Rome lies a tiny country known as The Vatican. St. Peter’s Basilica, the famous gardens of the Vatican, the Sistine Chapel and the Vatican Museums comprise this small area. This is the home of the Holy Father, or the Pope.
The Holy Father is the successor of the first pope, St. Peter, and is the head of the Catholic Church. While hundreds of years ago popes had a great deal of secular power, in recent centuries the power of the popes lay in spiritual areas. Though only the commander of a small force, the Swiss Guard, the moral influence of popes on world affairs is immense. Vatican City itself is a fascinating place. Victoria Parker has written an insightful account about the Catholic Church in an interesting book entitled "The Vatican and Other Christian Holy Places."
After a brief summary of the founding of Christianity, Parker begins writing about St. Peter’s Basilica. Stunning pictures accompany her writing about the great Basilica. Included in these photographs is a picture of the High Altar over St. Peter’s Tomb. The dome over the High Altar is one of the greatest works of art ever created by mankind.
Parker next tells readers about the residence of the popes in the Vatican, and the roles of cardinals within the church. A picture is shown of Pope John Paul II blessing an immense crowd in front of St. Peter’s at a Sunday audience.
Next, the author takes readers to the Sistine Chapel. Here the marvelous paintings and frescoes of Michelangelo can be seen. Quite simply, the Sistine Chapel is the greatest work of art ever created, and its biblical figures and ideas demonstrate the consequences of choosing for or against God. Parker continues by writing of the Vatican treasures in various museums and archives. Some of the most famous letters in the history of the world lie in these invaluable museums and archives.
Feast days and festivals come next in the story of the Vatican. Parker concludes the book by detailing holy places in Jerusalem and neighboring cities such as Bethlehem. The Marian apparitions at Lourdes are mentioned toward the end of the work, as are the many cures that have occurred at Lourdes. The book concludes with a description of Pope John Paul II. Throughout the book, the author always explains the significance of buildings, persons and concepts in clear, understandable language.
This is a very useful book to understand the Vatican and the many treasures in its museums and archives. As well, readers will get a sense of power, majesty and workings of the Vatican.
One word of caution is needed in understanding the Marian apparitions mentioned in the text. Since books are usually written over a period of several years before the publication date, there was still some debate in the church about the authenticity of the alleged apparitions of Our Lady in Medugorje. Because of this, I feel we can give Parker the benefit of the doubt for including the section on Medugorje. It was not an act of bad faith. However, the Catholic Church has not approved these apparitions as authentic. Hence they cannot be compared with valid Marian apparitions such as Guadalupe, Lourdes or Fatima. The Church is quite careful before declaring an apparition authentic for fear of misleading the faithful.
Having said that, I still feel that this book can be highly recommended. The pictures are interesting and the writing is simple, yet comprehensive. I hope you get a chance to either read the work yourself, or encourage younger children to read the book.
An exceptional book has the ability to lift, inspire and transform people. Written in an engaging style, readers will "get lost" in the story and eagerly identify with the characters in the novel.
But the story must rise above mere interest to truly move readers. The author must create a compelling plot that reflects the reader’s own fears, joys and aspirations. The more moving the story, the greater is the connection the author has made with our lives. The reason for this is that the writer has described and touched our human dignity. When treated with grace, the author is able to help us see the importance and connection we have with each other and ultimately, with God Himself. Clare Vanderpool has written such a book. The title of this powerful novel is "Moon Over Manifest."
Abilene Tucker looks out over the sun-baked southeastern Kansas countryside and jumps off the train before it pauses briefly in the town of Manifest. It is 1936; the Great Depression and years of drought have just about left Kansas in a state of desperate misery. Abilene walks into town with a satchel filled with a few clothes, two dimes, a letter of introduction and a gold compass. Inside the compass the words: "St. Dizier; October 8, 1918" are inscribed. Her daddy, Gideon, wants her to live with an old friend, Shady Howard.
On introduction, Abilene looks at Shady and sees an older, broken down man carrying a lifetime of pain. He takes the girl to his dilapidated house, which once served as a church and later as a saloon. Now however, it is primarily an old "speakeasy" (outlawed tavern) where illegal moonshine whiskey was brewed.
Curiously, Shady has made her go to class on the last day of the school year, and she meets her teacher, Sister Redempta. Some of the children are overbearing toward the child, but two girls, Ruthanne and Lettie, decide to become her friends. Sister Redempta assigns Abilene a summer project of writing an essay about any topic of interest.
After school is dismissed, Abilene goes back to Shady’s house and begins looking through her meager belongings. The girl begins reading old newspapers from 1918 trying to discover some clues to why her father sent her to this strange place. An ache also grows in her heart as she tries to understand her father’s absence and the loneliness that surrounds her.
The newspaper articles lead her to the local editor, Hattie Mae Harper. There she senses some terrible painful event happened to Gideon in 1918. As she explores the rundown town, Abilene meets a Hungarian diviner of future events named Miss Sadie. While the old lady doesn’t seem to be able to predict events very accurately, she appears to know everything about the past.
As the stories slowly come out of Miss Sadie, Abilene begins to learn how the past and present begin to form each other. She also learns that these events transform people for good or ill and even the gift of love can crush your heart. But Abilene must know the past to understand the present. She needs someone to enlighten her.
On her own Abilene finds out two young men named Jinx and Ned are central to understanding who she is. Somehow part of the answers to her life can be found in the inscription inside the compass. But what do the words mean? She has to know and anxiously walks to Miss Sadie’s house to find out the painful truth about her father’s life.
This marvelous novel is a coming of age story of a young girl. The book won the Newbery Medal for the most distinguished book in children’s literature in 2011. The flashback techniques incorporated throughout the story build suspense and interest. We find that life is filled with both pain and joy but by reaching out in love people are healed.
When you have finished the book you may feel like you have enjoyed a sweet and satisfying butterscotch candy. I hope you get a chance to read this fine book and that you encourage your children to do the same. It is a beautiful tale.
Frequently, television and talk shows bemoan the fact that many children play computer games incessantly. There is talk that a cultural change is occurring, and that children have lost interest in the natural world. The latest focus is on childhood obesity and steps that can be taken to help solve this problem.
Jim Arnosky gives parents and grandparents a very valuable hobby to combat these problems. This activity is centuries old and doesn’t require much money to successfully accomplish. It is the exciting sport of fishing.
Arnosky begins the adventure with a discussion of the species of trout. This breed is one of the most famous and sought-after types of fish. The first type is the 8- to 14-inch rainbow trout, so named because of its beautiful colors. The second kind is the brook trout, which has dappled sides and averages 6 to 10 inches in size. The third member of the family is the much larger brown trout.
Trout fishing is usually somewhat sophisticated with fly rods being used. Fly rods come in many sizes, but they require a great deal of skill to properly cast. This demands that trout fishermen become dedicated to the demands of sport.
The second family of fish described in the book is the sunfish. Bluegills, crappies, smallmouth bass and largemouth bass comprise this group. All species of sunfish are exciting to catch and Arnosky encourages beginning fishermen and fisherwomen to experience the joy of these fish. Bluegills are frequently caught with bobbers, which are always exciting to see dip below the water after a strike. Crappies are equally fun to catch and will fight with vigor before being landed. The last two types of sunfish are the largemouth and smallmouth bass. These two types of fish put up vigorous battles before being landed and are much larger than bluegills or crappies.
The author moves on to describe the perch and pike family. Yellow perch and walleyes make up this family. Many people will swear that walleyes are the best tasting fish in freshwater. They can grow quite large and put up vigorous battles. The pike family has the pickerel, northern pike and the giant muskellunge. Frequently shortened to "Muskie," this fish is difficult to catch and the most highly prized catch in North America. Muskies put up furious battles after being hooked and must be handled with great care when handled in the boat. Muskies’ teeth can easily slice through fingers, so be careful if you ever land one.
The author concludes the book with a discussion of carp and catfish. These fish are commonly found throughout the Midwest and are frequently sought during hot summer days. While some people dislike carp, they put up a great battle when hooked and are highly prized in countries like China. Catfish are very numerous throughout the United States and make a delicious meal when pan fried.
In the final pages Arnosky gives important advice on cleaning fish, preparing lures and showing novices how to tie various kinds of knots.
The drawings in this book are beautiful and the information is excellent. Children need to be introduced to fishing by their parents and older relatives. Arnosky speaks of the many other benefits of fishing for children which include an appreciation for the beauty of nature.
If you just can’t seem to get your children away from video games, try to introduce them to the great sport of fishing. It is a delightful activity and a wonderful way to spend time together. I hope you get a chance to read this fine book. Enjoy!
The history of baseball is rich and varied. At one time, rubbing of saliva (spitballs) was commonly done. This made pitches drop rapidly near home plate, causing hitters to swing and miss. Baseball bans this type of pitching as being unfair in the 1920s.
With the appearance of Babe Ruth in the 1920s, the home run becomes the defining element of the sport. In the late 1940s, major league baseball becomes integrated when Jackie Robinson begins playing for the Brooklyn Dodgers.
Another signature epoch for the sport happens in the mid-1940s. This is the development of the first professional baseball women’s league. It is named the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League (AAGPBL). The AAGPBL was started in 1943 and lasted through 1954. This book tells of the championship game that took place on September 16, 1946. The title of this interesting historical book is "Dirt on Their Skirts: The Story of the Young Women Who Won the World Championship."
During World War II, most of the baseball players in the country are serving in the military. The owners of major league teams need to create something to keep up the interest of fans throughout the country. Since most of the men are not available, the owner of the Chicago Cubs, Philip Wrigley starts the AAGPBL. There are eight teams in the league, which is centered in the Midwest. Though the season is only four months long, the women play a grueling 120 games.
Since it is unladylike to wear baseball pants, the women play in skirts. Needless to say, sliding into second base daily in a skirt causes many strawberries (skin abrasions on the legs), but the players gamely play every day. Nor do they get any breaks on the weekends since doubleheaders are always scheduled. To put it mildly, these women are tough and they gather an avid following.
On September 16, 1946, the Rockford Peaches play the Racine Belles for the league championship. One family in attendance for the championship game has a young daughter named Margaret. The girl’s favorite player is Sophie Kurys of the Racine Belles. As Margaret feels the scabs on her own knees from sliding into rock-hard infield ground, she feels a special kinship with the speedy Kurys.
Born in Flint, Michigan, Kurys’ nickname is the Flint Flash and she has stolen an incredible 201 bases in the 1946 season. But neither team is able to drive in any runs and the game goes into extra innings.
By the 14th inning the tension begins to build to a fever pitch. The Flint Flash beats out an infield single and immediately steals second base. The next hitter, Betty Trezza, fakes a bunt and then lashes the ball into right field. Margaret screams, "Go, Flash, go!" The ball comes zinging home as the Flint Flash plows into the catcher. A tremendous collision happens.
Is Sophie safe? Do the Racine Belles win the championship? Who gets carried off the field at the end of the game? Why is Margaret so happy? To find out the answers to these questions, go to the library and check out "Dirt on Their Skirts" by Doreen Rappaport and Lyndall Callan.
The story of the AAGPBL was made into a fine movie entitled "A League of Their Own." Though all the characters in Margaret’s family are fictitious, all the players in the book are real. The Major League Baseball Hall of Fame has an exhibit for the 650 players of the AAGPBL. I hope you get a chance to read this interesting book. It tells an important part of baseball history.
When Nebraska was still a territory of the United States, it was a vast sea of grass stretching from the Missouri River to Wyoming. While a few trees could be found along the river systems of the territory, for the most part this enormous area had no trees.
With the passage of the Homestead Act in the 1860s, immigrants flocked into Nebraska. As could be expected, the eastern part of Nebraska was the first to be settled. In Nebraska City, a prominent businessman named J. Sterling Morton decided that the Great Plains needed to have trees. He organized the first Arbor Day April 10, 1872.
This event grew in popularity throughout the United States and eventually spread to many other nations. Kathryn O. Galbraith writes a lovely story of how Arbor Day began on the Great Plains. The title of this touching story is "Arbor Day Square."
Papa and Katie have just moved west. They are excited about the land they are farming. Everywhere you look people are creating farms, schools and towns. It is exciting to see all these changes. But all of the people have come from eastern states that have many types of trees and forests. As they look across the swaying grass of the Great Plains, they feel a need to begin planting trees. Without trees there is no shade, little fruit, and no wood to burn in the winter.
So the town people come up with an idea. Why don’t we take up a collection to buy 15 trees and have them shipped to the town? The money is quickly gathered and the order is placed. In a short time the immigrants look across the huge horizon and see a train chugging into town. The trees are unloaded and the people begin planting the trees at various important places in town.
Katie and her dad have a special reason to desire a tree. Katie’s mother has recently died and they want to plant a tree in her memory. They find a quiet part of the city square and plant a flowering dogwood for their beloved wife and mother. Afterward, the entire town has a celebration with music, food and dancing. Katie calls it "Mama’s Tree" and feels comforted lying next to the sapling. She wants the small tree to grow quickly and wonders how long it takes for it to become large.
Katie’s dad tells her that she will just have to be patient, but he promises that the tree will grow. They go back to their farm and Katie can’t wait to see the trees grow and bloom.
A year later they have a second Arbor Day and more trees are planted. This continues year after year as the young girl grows into a lovely young woman. The people like the trees so much that they just keep planting them year after year, making the Great Plains more beautiful.
So how many trees do they plant on the first Arbor Day? Why did Mr. Morton’s idea bear such great fruit? Do you like to climb trees? What is your favorite tree? How does Mama’s Tree help to heal Katie’s sad heart? To find out, go to the library and check out this touching picture book, "Arbor Day Square," by Kathryn O. Galbraith.
This is a poignant tale of a young father loving his daughter in the settlement days of Nebraska. Both have suffered from the loss of his wife. Galbraith uses Arbor Day to help the healing process of this family. The pictures in the story are simple, beautiful and joyful. I hope you get a chance to read this fine picture book with your family. I liked it and think you will as well. Enjoy!
The American Civil War is an extremely complicated event. Supporters of southern secession believe that the Federal Government is acting in a dictatorial manner leading to tyranny. To their way of thinking, their rights are being suppressed by the Federal Government.
Northern supporters of the invasion of the South by the North believe that states cannot leave the Federal Compact. Additionally, allowing the South to secede would leave intact the violent and evil system of slavery. The "peculiar institution" as slavery is known in the South is a dehumanizing system that robs the humanity of both the enslaved and the white slave owners.
Because of all these conflicting ideas, the Civil War is inevitable. After war breaks out, thousands of soldiers are called to arms by both sides. In the North, the idea of black regiments begins to form. One of the most famous black regiments is the Fifth United States Colored Cavalry. Alison Hart writes a gripping account of the battle of the Fifth Cavalry at Saltville, Virginia. The name of this compelling story is "Gabriel’s Journey."
Thirteen-year-old Gabriel Alexander is a free black boy living on the Kentucky horse farm of Mister Winston Giles. Gabriel’s parents, Lucy and Isaac Alexander, live in a Union military post in Kentucky named Camp Nelson. Isaac has enlisted in the northern army and has been promoted to the rank of sergeant Company B of the Fifth Cavalry. Lucy works nearby as a washerwoman. Gabriel is an excellent horseman, having learned the craft from his gifted father.
After much inner turmoil about whether he should leave the farm and join his parents at a Union military base, he decides to attach himself to the northern army. He walks to Camp Nelson, where the Federals are stationed, and soon becomes the assistant to Captain Henry Waite, the white officer commanding the Company.
Lucy can’t believe her son has left such a comfortable position at the farm of Mister Giles, and begs him to return. Isaac also thinks his son is too young to live at a military base. But Gabriel is steadfast and soon earns the respect of Captain Waite by training his wild horse named Champion.
As the days pass, the black cavalrymen train hard for combat. They endure insults from the northern white soldiers and usually receive the worst equipment. But they are stalwart in their determination to fight in the war and end the evil system of slavery.
Soon word comes down from headquarters that a major attack is being planned for the salt works at Saltville, Virginia. While not completely trained, the Fifth Cavalry is assigned an important role in the battle. But first the entire army must march over a series of mountains in order to attack the Confederates in Virginia. Captain Waite tells Gabriel that he wants him to accompany Company B to Saltville. His task is to care for the horses if the cavalry has to dismount and fight. Full of vim and vigor, Gabriel prepares for battle and sets off with the Fifth United States Colored Cavalry. After several perilous days passing through the mountains approaching Saltville, the attack begins. Gabriel watches Company B disappear over a ridge into an infernal din of gun powder, bullets, artillery shells and agonized screams of wounded soldiers.
As the battle rages, a retreat is sounded. When Company B staggers back, Gabriel sees that his father and Captain Waite are missing. He must find them. Springing on the back of Champion, he rides straight into the battle where Confederate troops are already shooting wounded black soldiers and their white officers.
What happens to Gabriel? Does he find his father and Captain Waite? Is he captured? How can love and courage overcome fear and doubt? To find out, read this fictionalized yet gripping account of the Fifth United States Colored Calvary’s Battle of Saltville, Virginia.
This is the third book in Alison Hart "Ride to Freedom Trilogy." Gabriel Alexander is the central character in each book. The stories are exciting and Hart is able to write a compelling tale without resorting to profanity and vulgarity. Let us hope that she starts a trend. I hope you get a chance to read this or any of the other books in the series. They are well worth your time. Enjoy!
A dog is frequently called "man’s best friend." Throughout the United States, many families have a dog as a treasured friend. When people come home after a bad day, it is always a welcome sight to see your canine pal wagging his tail at your entrance.
Different breeds do different things for their masters. A hunting dog will go into the field and point pheasants. A retriever will plunge into icy water to retrieve a downed duck. When a dog comes from two or three different breeds of dogs, he is called a mutt. This kind of dog frequently has a good disposition and makes an excellent pet. A mutt is usually exceedingly loyal to his owner.
Major Brian Dennis found such a dog during a tour of duty in Iraq, and has written an interesting account of his relationship with this dog. The name of this touching book is "Nubs: The True Story of a Mutt, a Marine & a Miracle."
In October 2007, three military vehicles roll into an outpost in the Iraqi desert. Major Brian Dennis deploys his soldiers at this small fort. The nights are cold and there is little water or vegetation in the area. The soldiers soon see a pack of dogs approaching their compound. One dog’s ears have been cut nearly off. This dog is the leader of the pack and carefully walks up to Major Dennis. It is clear that his dog has had an extremely hard life, but he wants the Major to pet him. The commander finds the dog to be extremely intelligent and quickly teaches him tricks like shaking hands.
A fond relationship begins to grow between the two and Dennis names the dog "Nubs" because of his short ears. On the long military watches in the night, Nubs accompanies the Major on patrol. Both man and dog help keep the fort safe.
But the Marines move to a new outpost and Nubs is left behind. Fortunately for Nubs, the soldiers return to his area several times and he runs up to Major Dennis to be petted. But the war has been very hard on Nubs and he now has a wound in his side. The Marines tenderly care for the injured dog and Nubs begins to get better. Dennis frequently rubs Nubs’ stomach, which the dog enjoys immensely.
But the Marines are ordered to the Jordanian border, 70 miles away. Marine orders do not allow the Major to keep Nubs, so as the soldiers leave, Nubs again is left alone in a hostile desert. But Nubs’ love for Major Dennis is so strong that he limps to his feet and begins a staggering journey to the far-off border. Though a dangerous desert, Nubs pushes on in his quest to find Dennis. Finally he sees something that looks familiar and one of the soldiers shouts to Major Dennis: "You are not going to believe who’s here."
So did Nubs find Major Dennis? Does the Marine Corps allow the two to stay together? What set of events change Nubs’ hard-scrapple life into that a famous celebrity? What wonderful ending happens for both Nubs and Major Dennis?
To find out, go to the library and check out this lovely story of friendship between a caring Marine and a gallant dog.
This book won the Golden Sower Award by being voted the most popular K-3 book in Nebraska in 2012/2013. It is an endearing story that you will delight in reading with the younger members of your family. A story that just can’t be beat, I hope you get a chance to enjoy the book as much as I did. A beautiful tale like this doesn’t come around very often. Enjoy!
When young children come to the library at the beginning of 2nd grade, they will frequently ask for "chapter books." This means that they are beginning to be able to read and would like something more challenging than a picture book.
One of the difficulties many children have is that they are still learning basic reading skills, such as decoding letters and words, and so they struggle with reading text. It is always important to assist early readers so that they feel "grown-up" and beyond the supposed simplicity of picture books. The best picture books are actually quite complicated, but these aspiring readers see them increasingly as books for "little kids."
So the challenge for teachers, parents and librarians is to find interesting chapter books that expand the children’s interests, while not being too difficult to read. Kevin Henkes has written a lovely set of early chapter books with a mouse named Penny as the central character. This delightful book is entitled "Penny and Her Marble."
It is early in the day and Penny is pushing her baby doll named Rose in the stroller. Her mother calls out that Penny is not to go past Mrs. Goodwin’s house. Penny and Rose start on their adventure down the sidewalk. Penny tells her doll to pretend that they are in a city with tall buildings. Next, Penny says that all the trees are a forest and it is important that they don’t get lost. With her imagination soaring, Penny invents an imaginary airplane and she and Rose soar above the earth.
After they return to the ground, Penny finds that she and her doll have arrived at Mrs. Goodwin’s house. As she is about to turn back a shiny marble catches her eye. It is as blue as the sky or a robin’s egg. She bends down and examines the marble. It is so irresistible that Penny wants it more than anything. She knows that the marble isn’t hers, but the temptation is so great that she reaches down and picks up the exquisite treasure. Glancing around quickly to see if anyone saw her picking up the marble, she hurries home with occasional looks over her shoulder.
When back in her room, Penny begins playing with the marble. It rolls so nice and is so smooth. Its blue color is so beautiful that she is captivated. But as Penny continues to play with the marble, her conscience becomes unsettled. She knows the marble doesn’t belong to her. Why did she pick it up? The marble begins to feels heavy and her heart grows increasingly anxious. She begins to feel dishonest and deceitful.
Wanting to get away from these painful feelings, Penny tosses the marble in her dresser and goes downstairs. But all day long she feels guilty and ashamed. Her parents notice it but can’t get to the problem she is facing. After a trying night, Penny decides to act. She takes the marble and leaves the house.
What happens to Penny? Does she keep the marble or give it back? What wonderful consequence happens because of her decision? Have you ever picked up something that didn’t belong to you? How did that make you feel? What did you decide to do? How does Penny feel at the end of the book? To find out, go to the library and check out this touching story, "Penny and Her Marble," by Kevin Henkes.
This book is one title in a series of books written about Penny’s adventures by Kevin Henkes. He is a marvelous writer and tells the most beautiful stories for young children. I hope you get a chance to read this title or any of the other "Penny" books. I think you will like them; I certainly did. Enjoy!
In the 1930s, dictatorial governments come into power in a number of European countries. In Italy, Benito Mussolini becomes the fascist ruler of the land, while in Germany, Adolf Hitler seizes power. In Spain, a brutal and bloody civil war is fought between nationalist forces under General Francisco Franco and communist armies. The bloodbath in Spain ends with the victory of Franco’s forces.
But all the fighting has left people yearning for peace and tranquility. Into this politically charged situation, American author Munro Leaf writes one of the most touching books of the decade. It is illustrated by the great artist/writer, Robert Lawson. The name of this important book is "The Story of Ferdinand."
Ferdinand is a young bull calf running across the pastures of his native Spain. All the other calves want to become famous in the bullring in Madrid and constantly practice banging their heads together and trying to stomp the other calves. Oddly, Ferdinand has little interest in these games, or in becoming a famous bull in Spain. Each day he meanders up the hill to his favorite cork tree and lies down. Up in the fresh breezes, he can smell all the beautiful fragrances of the flowers in the meadows. He lies in the shade, enjoying himself full of peace and tranquility. Below him, the other young bulls continue attacking each other with ferocity.
As time passes, Ferdinand grows into a massive, powerful bull. He looks like he could knock down any bull in the country, but his gentle nature surpasses his great strength and he passes his days smelling the flowers and enjoying life. One day a group of fighting-bull buyers comes to the farm where Ferdinand lives. They are impressed with the strength and savagery of the bulls in the lower pasture. They look up and see Ferdinand smelling the flowers and are about to forget him when a sentinel event occurs. Ferdinand sits down on top of a bumblebee and is stung. The pain causes him to jump up and run violently around the farm. The bull buyers see this and are very impressed. Now here is a ferocious bull! They quickly decide to buy him for the bullring in Madrid.
Ferdinand is placed in a cart and transported to Madrid. All the beautiful ladies see him being taken to the bullring and become enamored with the bull. They place lovely, fragrant flowers in their hair, as is the Spanish custom, and eagerly look forward to seeing Ferdinand in the bullring.
As the bullfight begins, the matador and other bullfighters taunt Ferdinand. But suddenly the fragrance of the flowers flows over the bullring. Now Ferdinand is interested and the bullfight suddenly changes.
What does Ferdinand do? Why do his actions cause so much admiration and animosity? Is smelling the flowers more important than fighting and killing? What is the final result, and what happens to Ferdinand? To find out, go to the library and check out this charming book, "The Story of Ferdinand" by Munro Leaf.
"The Story of Ferdinand" was one of the most controversial books of the mid-1930s. Ferdinand’s desire for peace and his disavowal of violence created anger. The book was attacked in both Spain and Germany. Of course when one of your main enemies is Adolph Hitler, you must be doing something right. Robert Lawson, the illustrator of the story, later became a famous children’s writer with the Newbery Award-winning book, "Rabbit Hill." Munro Leaf wrote dozens of children’s book over his storied career and made a substantial contribution to the field of children’s literature. I hope you take the opportunity to read this delightful story. It brought numerous smiles to my face, and I’m sure it will for you as well. Enjoy!
Rulers in ancient times often felt that they were the descendants of the gods. It is quite convenient for political leaders to claim divinity, since that makes all of their decrees infallible.
While the Roman Emperors sometimes stated that they had descended from the gods on Mount Olympus in Greece, the Chinese Emperors called themselves the "Sons of Heaven." Like the Pharaohs of Egypt, Chinese Emperors built elaborate tombs so that their afterlife would be enjoyable and a place of protection.
One of the greatest Chinese Emperors, Qin Shihuang, (259 B.C.-210 B.C.) constructed one of the most remarkable burial sites in all of history. This now world-famous site contains thousands of life-sized terracotta soldiers in battle formation, protecting the grave site of Qin Shihuang. Jane O’Connor tells the account of this archeological discovery in the fascinating book called "The Emperor’s Silent Army."
In the spring of 1974, three farmers begin digging a well in northern China. As they dig down 10 feet or so, they hit something hard. Perplexed, they uncover the area around the object and discover it is a life-size figure of a warrior. Stunned, they immediately go to a local government official and tell him about the find. Soon a group of archeologists arrive in the area and begin unearthing the buried soldier.
Much to their surprise, one soldier leads to another and then to another. Shocked, they begin uncovering hundreds and later thousands of clay soldiers, horses and military officers. All the figures are life-size and carved with great precision and beauty. The faces are not uniform, but look as though the artists used hundreds of different people as models. All the figures are found in three pits, with the first pit being the size of two football fields.
By the time the archeologists have excavated Pit One, they have unearthed more than 6,000 soldiers and horses. The soldiers are in full battle dress and appear to be defending the east, which is the part of China still independent of Qin‘s rule. Within the army, various soldiers such as archers, footmen and cavalry, appear ready for combat. The horses in the army are carefully carved with flaring nostrils, wild eyes and excitable spirits. They are beautiful and fierce, just the type of horses warriors would ride into combat.
As the archeologists discover the other pits, they begin finding more and more warriors, horses and combat weapons. In the field of archeology, the terracotta warriors of ancient China rank in historical importance with the discovery of King Tutankhamen’s tomb.
What else do the archeologists find at this world famous site? How could so many stunning carvings have survived for 2,300 years? Why are they so well preserved? How many millions of visitors come each year to see this amazing site? How do the emperor’s warriors have a direct relationship to the Great Wall of China?
To find out the answers to these questions, go to the library and check out this fascinating book, "The Emperor’s Silent Army: Terracotta Warriors of Ancient China," by Jane O’Connor.
This book is extremely interesting and contains a wealth of historical data and compelling photographs and paintings. This book is nonfiction at its best for middle school readers. It is an award winner that will entertain and teach elementary and middle school students about the majesty of ancient China.
I hope you get a chance to encourage your children and grandchildren to read this fine book. I learned a great deal and had fun doing so. I think you will, too. Enjoy!
It is hard for Christians to imagine the time before the Incarnation. With the exception of the Jewish Nation, the entire world struggles to understand the meaning and purpose of life.
There is much futility in many societies during this quest for the eternal. In Greece, for example, the gods were considered untrustworthy and not capable of leading people to the truth. Greek legends tell of many unusual and strange exploits by Zeus and other gods. Clearly, no one is going to rely on these false gods for an understanding of life. Because of this, the Greeks turn to philosophy to make sense of the world.
About 100 years before Socrates begins his famous search for the truth, a great Chinese philosopher is born. In China his name is Kong Qui, though most people in the West know him by his Latin name of Confucius. Russell Freedman has written a powerful biography of this great Chinese thinker entitled "Confucius: The Golden Rule."
Confucius is born in the state of Lu in the year 551 B.C. While his birth is surrounded in legend, most accounts agree that he is a large and homely child. He grows up in very humble circumstances and begins to prize learning above all else. Confucius constantly asks questions about Chinese society: What characteristics are necessary for a ruler to justly govern his people? What virtues are the most beneficial in interpersonal relations? What do I need to do to improve myself? The questions asked by Confucius address the political and familial concerns of all people.
Behind each question the virtues of honesty and compassion are the most important. This constant attention to the physical world leads Confucius to be primarily interested in the here and now. The great thinker does not question the great issues of life and death, but focuses on how to create a just and harmonious society.
Students begin flocking to Confucius for the lectures he gives in homes and in the countryside. Many of his questions, however, threaten the ruling classes of China. Most Chinese leaders are interested in gaining power and wealth and frequently war on their neighbors. Because of this, Confucius frequently has to leave cities and provinces to escape persecutions by governmental officials. But his worldly wisdom is compelling and students want to learn from him. By the time of his death in 479 B.C., Confucius has conferred a wealth of practical knowledge and a sense of human dignity on the world.
Confucius never states that his thinking is a religion. Buddha will later say the same thing. The philosophy of Confucius can give a society many practical ideas for a just society and for virtuous living. Unfortunately, Confucius was born in pre-Christian times and is not able to be led by the fullness of truth found in Jesus Christ. For all the benefits Confucius gives to the world, his philosophy can never answer St. Augustine’s famous phrase in Book One of "The Confessions," "Thou hast made us for Thyself oh Lord and our hearts will be restless until they rest in Thee."
It should be noted that the same can be said of all great thinkers prior to the Incarnation. I say this to merely point out that the philosophy of Confucianism cannot answer eternal questions.
After his death, a book entitled "The Analects of Confucius" was written. Many of the sayings of Confucius are found in "The Analects," and modern readers can learn many useful insights into human nature and much practical wisdom from the text.
I hope you get a chance to read this fine biography by Russell Freeman. The thinking of Confucius has had a great impact on the world and it is useful to know about this great Chinese thinker.
Fear and dread will often fuel irrational responses. Some people, normally clear thinkers, will make conscious decisions that violate the basic dignities of mankind. This can be clearly seen in some of the actions taken by American citizens and the United States Government during World War I.
The reasons for these evil decisions have many causes. First, there has to be a clear enemy. Second, this enemy must be seen as a grave threat to a country’s way of life. Third, those attacked must seem different and unwilling to accept the popular point of view. Fourth, the extreme nature of the threat causes people to panic and seek scapegoats to blame for their troubles. Ann Bausum has written an outstanding account of the loss of freedoms during the First World War in the United States. The name of this important title is "Unraveling Freedom: The Battle for Democracy on the Home Front During World War I."
With the outbreak of World War I in 1914, Europe becomes engulfed in carnage and mayhem unknown in history. Battles accomplishing nothing are fought again and again. The slaughter is so great that some justification for it is needed. The Allies (Great Britain, France and later the U.S.A.) demonize the German armies. The Germans cease to be seen as people and are transformed into "the Huns." When the U.S.A. joins the war in 1917, the Allies are very close to losing the war. The "Huns" are seen as a clear threat to Western Civilization. President Wilson creates the Creel Committee to produce propaganda to convince the American public that the heroic sacrifice of the nation is necessary to defeat the barbaric Huns. George Creel, the committee’s director is the original "spin master." The nation becomes convinced that anything seen as being able to defeat Germany is the right thing to do.
Wilson and the Congress pass the Espionage Act and the accompanying Sedition Act at this time. The Postmaster General begins censoring mail deemed to be "unpatriotic." Normal citizens start turning in their neighbors on the alleged charges of treason. The teaching of German in public schools is forbidden and German books are taken from libraries and publically burned in some towns. People speaking German are questioned about their loyalty to the United States. Even the word sauerkraut is changed to "liberty cabbage" (p. 43 of text). Vigilante groups repeatedly take action into their own hands by assaulting German-Americans.
While formally stating that he is making the world "safe for democracy," Wilson allows laws to be passed that create a sense of fear and loss of democracy throughout the country. Eventually, social critic H.L. Mencken states: "Between Wilson and his brigades of informers, spies, volunteer detectives, perjurers and complaisant judges…the liberty of the citizens has pretty well vanished in America" (p. 55 of text).
Were the measures imposed on the American people during World War I justified? Can the American government ever abandon the First Amendment of the Constitution because it is inconvenient? Should the government be able to read the mail of citizens and newspaper editors, as was done throughout World War I? How does fear and panic cause normal people to give up liberty for a supposed protection? Was Mencken right? Did a form of tyranny fall on the United States during World War I? And finally, what does it actually mean to be a loyal American? To search for the answers to these issues, check out this unsettling book, "Unraveling Freedom," by Ann Bausum.
I found reading this book to be a haunting experience. The questions raised by Bausum are quite pertinent today. In an electronic world, power can be easily abused. This is not a happy read, but it is very important to be aware of the issues she raises. It has often been said that the price of liberty is eternal vigilance.
One of the great joys of childhood (and later) is to follow a major league baseball team. Each morning the sports page welcomes you to a new day. How did your team do? How many hits did your favorite player get the night before? When you go to play baseball, you think of these players and teams and want to do some of the things they do. Naturally, major league teams within driving distance of your home draw your interest. One of these teams close to Nebraska is the Kansas City Royals. Mark Stewart has written an interesting account of the team’s history entitled “The Kansas City Royals.”
The first picture you see in the book is Lincoln native, Alex Gordon, returning to the dugout after a home run. Stewart soon draws readers into the story of the glory days of the franchise. Dan Quisenberry’s strange submarine delivery is pictured. When the great relief pitcher let go of the ball, his knuckles were close to the ground. The story of George Brett’s beautiful hitting stroke is on display next. Stewart then names all the great pitchers and hitters on the Royals 1985 World Series team.
Royals Stadium, later renamed Kauffman Stadium in honor of Muriel and Ewing Kauffman, is described in detail. An absolutely picturesque place to watch a baseball game, the water fountains in the outfield make the stadium one of the loveliest in the major leagues. All together the fountains are 322 feet wide and shoot the water 10 feet into the air. If you are lucky enough to get there for batting practice, you may see some of the hitters splash a home run in the fountains. Believe me that is cool. Kauffman Stadium now has a number of statues including the early owners of the franchise, Muriel and Ewing Kauffman, and many of the stars throughout the team’s history.
Stewart includes portraits of many of the stars in Royals history. Among these are the great fielding second baseman Frank White, the hard hitting George Brett, the great base stealing sensation Willie Wilson, the incomparable Bo Jackson and current day star Alex Gordon. Great moments in the careers of these stars are discussed, including the famous “Pine Tar Incident” in Yankee Stadium. The Yankee manager Billy Martin challenged a home run by George Brett claiming there was too much pine tar on Brett’s bat. The umpire carefully measured the amount of pine tar and ruled Brett out. The famous scene of the enraged Brett charging out of the Royals dugout was endlessly replayed on sports shows. Martin thought he had been clever, but the American League officials later overturned the call and gave the home run back to Brett. Stewart shows a picture of Brett kissing the bat he used in this famous at bat.
Stewart continues listing interesting events and personalities from Kansas City Royal history. But I want to save some of the fun for you. To find out more about the team, go to the library and check out this fine book about the franchise, “The Kansas City Royals.”
I have many great memories of going to major league baseball games. I hope you get a chance to read this interesting book and then take your children to a big league game. Remember when you root, root, root for the home team at Kauffman Stadium you might not care if “you ever get back.” Have fun!
Children’s books rarely generate controversy and bitter anger. As well the Lincoln Journal Star rarely dedicates an exhaustive review to a children’s book as it did Saturday, July 20.
What caused this reaction? The title of the book in question is "God Made Dad and Mom," by Amber Dee Parker. The reason for debate is the current challenged belief that marriage is between a man and a woman. Parker’s traditional viewpoint of marriage stands in sharp contrast to the raucous, bitter dispute over same-sex marriage. Drawing on the traditional Judeo-Christian understanding of the Old and New Testament, Parker emphasizes that sexual relations between members of the same sex are sinful. Because of this, same-sex ‘marriage’ is always morally harmful.
The book begins with young Michael getting up and going to eat breakfast with his parents. He lives in a biracial family and the mother and father love Michael and each other. Michael’s dad tells him that he is going to give him a surprise after school, which fills the child with excitement.
At school, Michael’s teacher, Ms. Kenzie teaches a lesson based on Genesis 1:27: "God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created them, male and female He created them." This makes Michael anxious to grow up so that he can become a man like his father. After school, Michael’s father takes him to the zoo and they view various groups of animals together. The male and female animals live together in families with their young. The adult animals protectively walk toward Michael when he gets too close to their young.
As they continue their walk, the father begins telling Michael that God has a plan for everyone’s life. He states that marriage is the natural plan God has for men and women. Then he tells the child that some people do not get married but serve God through the single life. The single state is a holy state as well since these people strive to love and serve God in this world. He then tells Michael that two men or two women being married is contrary to God’s law. The father tells his son that some couples can’t have children naturally and choose to adopt children. Michael then asks his dad if he was adopted, and he is told that he was. His father explains that he and his wife couldn’t have children so they adopted Michael. When Michael tells his father that his friend Jimmy has two dads, his father explains that Jesus came to earth to forgive sins. He tells the son that Jimmy’s two dads can be forgiven for the sin of being together (in effect, homosexual marriage). They pray for Jimmy and his two dads and ask that they be forgiven for their sins. With this, they go home.
This book has created a firestorm on the Internet. There are some 275 book reviews on Amazon, most of which are filled with venom, anger and hatred. I was stunned when I began reading them. This book would not even have raised an eyebrow 30 years ago. Today it is being decried as hate speech, and efforts are being made to ban the title. Same-sex marriage seems to be one of the defining issues of our times. The Catholic Church and other Christian denominations do not condemn those who have homosexual inclinations. It is the acting out of these inclinations that are sinful. While many apologists for same-sex marriage try to spin biblical passages to support their belief in homosexual marriage, a normal reading of the verses repudiates these attempts.
All of us need to pray for Amber Parker and also for those opposed to traditional marriage. In the end we must seek the truth in Christ. But like St. Paul, we must "preach the Gospel in season and out." (2nd Tm. 4:2 ) If the virulence of these book reviews is any indication, a time of persecution may not be far off.
Wordless, or nearly-wordless books usually have outstanding pictures and illustrations. The reason for this is that there is very little text to carry the plot. So artists must create the story through the use of intriguing drawings. The massive explosion in graphic books is a testimony to the success of wordless or nearly-wordless picture books. Since these types of books create a learning environment based on iconography, or the substitution of pictures in the place of text, a very different reading experience is created.
This genre has been around for hundreds of years and in the 1950s found its way into the common culture through comic books. It is important not to deride wordless books as lacking literary merit since many people gain valuable insights through these books. Additionally, though there isn’t much text, every word really counts in graphic books.
This book, "Blackout," is an outstanding example of a nearly wordless book. Rocco draws readers into the subject and lets them experience the setting of a hot summer night when the electricity goes out.
It is a sweltering night in the city. All of life spins around a young child. His family is far too busy to pay any attention to him. Both parents are working getting supper ready and balancing figures on the computer. The older sister is talking to friends on the phone about many important topics and can’t be bothered to talk to a lonely little brother.
Not knowing what to do, he climbs up the stairs into a secluded room and takes out his video game. With the cat sitting next to him, the boy begins playing the game. His interest in the game is only slightly above zero, but the rest of his family is too occupied to pay any attention. Then suddenly the power grid has a breakdown and all the lights begin going out throughout the city. Soon everyone is sitting in the dark and can’t quite figure out how to manage.
The boy has an idea. What would happen if everyone got a flashlight and the family began playing a board game? This simple idea seems revolutionary to the overly busy parents and sister, but they try it. Soon everyone is laughing, talking and having a good time.
Next, the boy asks his parents if they can go up to the rooftop and look at the stars. As the family ascends the steps, they open the top door and walk into an inky, black, starry wonderland. Everyone is overwhelmed by the beauty of the night. Looking around, they see that the entire neighborhood is also out that night. In fact, a party is beginning in the street. They start wondering if they should go down and enjoy the festivities, or just stay up on the roof and experience the spectacular evening. It is a tough decision.
What choice does the family make? Would you prefer to gaze peacefully at the stars scattered so beautifully across the Milky Way Galaxy or go down stairs and have fun at a street party? Did you ever just spend an evening playing board games with your family? What did you experience? What do you think happens to the family when the lights come back on? What does the family in the story learn about a night without electricity? To find out, go to the library and check out this Newbery Honor winner, "Blackout" by John Rocco.
While many people have attacked wordless, nearly-wordless books and graphic novels as lowering the literary culture, parents should just relax on this matter. It is okay that some fourth-graders are not yet drawn to "great literature." Just let them eagerly read the books they find interesting and allow development take care of the rest. "Blackout" is a really fun book. I hope you get a chance to read it with your younger family members. Enjoy!
On August 6, 1945 the first atomic bomb was dropped on the city of Hiroshima. Three days later, on August 9, 1945, another atomic bomb was dropped on the city of Nagasaki. With these two terrible events, the Second World War came to an end. These bombings also created the Atomic Age with all of its terrifying implications. In the last year there has been a continuing series of reports about the development of a nuclear bomb in Iran. The Iranian government has not been shy about stating its desire to destroy the nation of Israel. So the threat of a nuclear war today is not simply something that can be discounted. In this interesting, harrowing book, Steve Sheinkin describes the development of the atomic bomb by the United States in the famous Manhattan Project centered in Los Alamos, New Mexico. He also details the intense and successful efforts made by Russia to get physicists working on the Manhattan Project to commit treason by betraying the United States. The name of this jarring book is "BOMB: The Race To Build and Steal The World’s Most Dangerous Weapon."
The story begins with the successful splitting of atoms in Germany in 1938. By this time Hitler is firmly in power and is clearly seen as a threat to world peace. One of the many Jewish scientists to have fled Germany is Albert Einstein. Upon hearing of this development, he writes a letter to President Roosevelt urging the American development of the atomic bomb. If Germany gains the weapon before the United States, a world-wide calamity will ensue. As World War II breaks out, Roosevelt starts the atomic bomb project in Manhattan, New York which leads to the program being called The Manhattan Project. The brilliant physicist, Robert Oppenheimer, is named to head the development. Within several years, Oppenheimer has gathered together a massive team of physicists, chemists, engineers and other workers. The site chosen for the development of the bomb will be the remote hamlet of Los Alamos, New Mexico. The whole project is top secret and well-funded. After several years of immense effort by some of the greatest scientific minds in the world, the atomic bomb is completely built. Before being dropped on Japan, the bomb is exploded at a test site which Oppenheimer has named "Trinity." It is a complete success to the jubilation and horror of the huge scientific team. On seeing the successful explosion, Oppenheimer quotes a Hindu scripture: "Now I am become death, the destroyer of worlds."
The author also describes the immense effort made by the Allies to destroy the German atomic program throughout World War II. These successful raids effectively stop the Nazi Regime from building an atomic bomb. Sheinkin then goes into elaborate description of Russia’s effective spy penetration of the Los Alamos Project. An American physicist, Theodore Hall and a German scientist, Klaus Fuchs both become spies for the Soviet Union and betray the United States. The author gives accounts of their treason in specific detail. But the story is so large that I can only encourage you to go to the library and check out this gripping book, "BOMB: The Race To Build and Steal The World’s Most Dangerous Weapon."
This book is an extremely interesting account of the race to build the atomic bomb. Since the current crisis over Iran building a nuclear bomb is so widely discussed, the story of the development of the first bomb is eerily pertinent. I give a warning to parents about this book as there is some profanity in the text. Most of these statements are direct quotes from President Harry Truman. He is still well known for his colorful and salty language. Having said that, this is an excellent book for junior high school students to study the controversies surrounding nuclear weapons.
Sometimes necessity is the mother of invention. This is especially true in the teaching profession. Each class is different, and good teachers constantly look for ways to reach students. This will occasionally result in improvised games that are quite successful.
In 1891, Dr. James Naismith has a difficult gym class and normal instruction just wasn’t getting the job done. In a creative burst, Naismith tries to match a game with his energetic students. But how do you invent such a game? John Coy tells Naismith’s amazing creation in the book "Hoop Genius: How a Desperate Teacher and a Rowdy Gym Class Invented Basketball."
A young teacher is hired in Springfield, Mass. to teach a gym class of overly energetic young men. They have already driven two gym teachers out of the program and look with disinterest as James Naismith takes over the class. The gym class is boring due to the exercises in calisthenics. After all, how many times do young men want to do sit-ups and stretching drills?
So Naismith tries a number of sports. First, he attempts to have the men play indoor football. It quickly is apparent that this sport will not work because the students tackle and injure the other players.
Second, he thinks that indoor soccer might be successful. This too is a colossal mistake as the men now begin kicking the ball directly at the other men.
With tackling and kicking sports not working, Naismith next tries lacrosse. This proves to be a greater failure than the first two sports since the students now have wooden rackets with a ball net attached. The players sometimes miss the lacrosse ball, but seldom fail to club their classmates. With this third disaster, Naismith goes home and tries to think of a sport that is both interesting and fun.
He recalls a game he played as a child, named, "Duck on a Rock." In this game the players put a small stone on a larger rock and then threw a rock at the smaller object. If the smaller rock was struck and knocked off the bigger rock, the player won the game. Naismith is pleased with this memory, because no violence is done to anyone. An idea begins to form in his head of having a ball thrown into some kind of receptacle. The ball will travel in an arc and points can be made for successfully landing the ball in the receptacle.
With excitement, Naismith returns to the gym the next day and decides to use a soccer ball for his new game. But what should the ball be shot into? He asks the building inspector if he has any square boxes that he can use. The inspector says he doesn’t have any boxes, but he does have two old peach baskets. Why not let the men try to shoot toward the peach basket? If it lands inside, it counts. Naismith eagerly goes to the gym class. The men come into the class and stare at these strange objects. Is this going to work?
What happens to Dr. Naismith’s experiment? Do his students like his new game? Why do the peach baskets play such an important part in the development and name of Naismith’s game?
Do you play Dr. Naismith’s game? Why does the game become so popular internationally that the sport is entered into the Olympic Games in 1936?
To find out the answers to these and other interesting questions, go to the library and check out this interesting book, "Hoop Genius: How a Desperate Teacher and a Rowdy Gym Class Invented Basketball" by John Coy.
This is a fun and enjoyable story about the invention of basketball. The illustrations of the gym class reveal why Naismith needed to invent a new game. The original rules are listed on the inside and back covers of the book. You will have fun reading this book with your youngsters. Enjoy!
Sometimes incidents become embedded in the imagination. These events can be famous speeches, such as President John Kennedy’s Inaugural Address asking Americans, "Ask not what your country can do for you, but ask what you can do for your country." Other less-exalted occurrences can also become part of the American fabric. These frequently happen in sporting events. For example, many Nebraskans fondly remember Tommy Frazier’s great touchdown run in the national title game.
One sport that has had a number of these epic moments is baseball. One bad play in the World Series that costs a game is usually not forgotten, no matter how great the player’s career has been. Of all the brilliant defensive plays made in the World Series, Willie Mays’ spectacular catch in the 1954 World Series is likely the most famous. In this interesting book, "You Never Heard of Willie Mays?" Jonah Winter tells the fascinating story of the great New York Giant (and later San Francisco Giant) Willie Mays.
In 1931 Willie Mays is born near Birmingham, Ala. In the middle of the Great Depression, the Mays family struggles to survive. Mr. Mays works in brutally hard, difficult jobs. The Mayses have very little money, but they possess the most important blessing a family can have: They all have a deep love and respect for each other.
Willie’s dad had been a successful semi-pro baseball player and teaches his son the intricacies of the game. Willie takes to baseball naturally, and soon becomes an outstanding player.
Since segregation is still the norm in the United States, black players cannot play in the Major Leagues. The great black athletes play in the Negro Leagues. The stars of the Negro Leagues are equal to the great players in the Majors, but are barred because of their race. This all changes when Jackie Robinson breaks the color barrier with the Brooklyn Dodgers. Now most Major League teams begin signing the stars of the Negro Leagues.
It isn’t long before the New York Giants see a skinny, enormously talented centerfielder on the Birmingham Black Barons. After watching him steal bases at will and flying around the outfield, everyone knows this young man is special. But what stuns people is how far he can hit the ball. Though he is not quite 6 foot tall and weighs about 185 pounds, Willie can simply crush the ball.
The Giants know a good thing when they see one and bring Willie to the Majors in 1951. His batting, defense and baserunning change the way people think about the game.
Though he will miss two years because of military service, Willie is back with the Giants in 1954. Mays leads them to the World Series and in the crucial inning of the Series, the Cleveland slugger, Vic Wertz, comes to the plate. He smashes the ball to deep center and Willie Mays begins running like a deer. With his back to home plate and his hat falling off, Willie taps his glove and reaches up for the ball. What happens next changes the way people will forever view baseball.
Does he make the catch? Do the Giants win the World Series? What else does Willie Mays accomplish in the sport? What is a basket catch? Why is Willie so universally loved during and after his career? To find out, go to the library and check out this fine biography: "You Never Heard of Willie Mays?" by Jonah Winter.
This is a great book for young children to read or have read to them. The illustrations are not necessarily beautiful, but have a deep charm about them. You will love them. I hope you like this book as much as I did.
A beautiful quilting museum is located in Lincoln, Neb. Quilting is one of the time-honored arts that is both decorative and useful. Throughout history, quilts have been made for many reasons. The first reason is that homes were cold in the winter and everyone needed protective covering at night. But it quickly became evident that quilts could also be works of art. Though some men quilt, this art has traditionally been a female endeavor. In colonial times, women would carefully sew lovely, informative patterns into their quilts. These patterns frequently represented many aspects of family life. In this book, Gail Gibbons writes and draws illustrations about this delightful art. The name of this fine book is "The Quilting Bee."
The book begins with the words "design, snip, clip, pin, sew and stich." Readers now know the basic parts of quilting. Frequently groups of quilters come together to create quilts. This allows everyone to catch up on what is happening in the community and to build friendships. The name "quilting bees" arises from these gatherings because the ladies work together like bees in a hive.
Quilters are usually assigned a square or one block of the quilt. Before they make their block, they must as a group pick the colors and designs desired in the completed quilt. This of course necessitates the group working together to complete the quilt. After much work and numerous gatherings, the quilters lay out all their blocks and sew the beautiful top layers of the quilt.
Quilts have three layers. The top layer is the most colorful as it consists of all the blocks sewn by the quilters. The middle layer is the padding which provides the warmth for the quilt. The third layer is the bottom of the quilt and provides a softness necessary to make the quilt enjoyable for sleepers.
Gibbons then gives readers an extensive account of many of the most famous patterns used in quilt making. Pioneer women sewed warm and cozy quilts to keep their families warm on cold winter nights. To make the quilts interesting, the ladies began to place designs of events and seasons of the year into the blocks.
As the country began to move westward, the quilts began reflecting the migration of the population to the West Coast. The "Road to California," "Hill and Valley," and "Rocky Glen" patterns show what the settlers encountered on their westward journey.
Many of the patterns that Gibbons writes about are still commonly used today. Among these famous patterns are "Rail Fence," "Log Cabin," "Water Wheel," and "Milky Way." Sometimes the quilters had many left over scraps and would sew together a "crazy quilt." These fun quilts had every color in the rainbow and many unusual shapes. They are great fun to look at.
Gibbons closes the book with a look at modern quilting. While earlier quilters had few sewing tools to make quilts, today’s quilters have many sophisticated ones, such as sewing machines, rotary cutters and measured cutting mats. But the principles modern quilters use are based on these earlier quilting ideas.
If you want to read a fun and informative book, Gail Gibbons has given us one in "The Quilting Bee." It is a book you can share with your families. While you are at it, take out a family quilt and tell your youngsters what all the blocks represent. They will like listening to the family stories and learning about their history. I liked this book and think you will as well. Enjoy!
In the Book of Genesis, God gives man power over all animals and plants in the physical world. Unfortunately, people have overlooked an important aspect of this gift. Just because one has dominion over the world, this does not mean man can foolishly use the natural world. It is understood that prudence is the underlying virtue necessary to govern the physical world. When people do not use prudence the results are quickly apparent as forest, rivers and animals begin disappearing from the world. In North America the natural splendor of the continent has suffered a great deal of abuse. At the turn of the 20th century two far sighted people decided to do something about the problem. In this delightfully illustrated book, Barb Rosenstock tells the story of a president and a naturalist saving vast areas of beauty in the United States. She entitles the book, "The Camping Trip That Changed America."
John Muir is a grizzled lover of nature living in California. As he grows older, he continues to see the reckless exploitation of the forests in northern California. He is particularly concerned that the Yosemite area will be totally "developed" if something is not soon done. But what can he do? He is a poor man and has few resources. So he writes a book about Yosemite which is later read by the adventure-loving President Theodore (Teddy) Roosevelt. The book ends with a plea for help in preserving this awe-inspiring area. Roosevelt begins musing on Muir’s thoughts. He writes to the famed naturalist and asks Muir to take him camping in Yosemite. After ordering a train to take him across the United States, Teddy makes numerous speeches to crowds along the way. When he gets to California, Muir doesn’t know what to make of him. Can this rambunctious man actually settle down long enough to help? Adoring crowds want to hear Teddy make speeches and he willingly gives them to his followers. The nearly silent Muir keeps wondering why it is taking Roosevelt so long before journeying into the wilderness. Finally, Teddy gets on a horse and rides off into the Yosemite forests with Muir. Does this ever look like it is going to be fun. Off they go into the pristine mountains for a camping trip. There, Muir shows Roosevelt the spectacular beauties of Yosemite. He explains that the wilderness is being threatened by people wanting to cut down the forests to develop the area. But Muir questions whether all this physical destruction is really development. The camping trip lasts for days and Teddy is deeply impressed with Muir’s warnings. He returns to Washington determined to do something about the problem. With determination, Teddy boldly acts.
What does President Roosevelt do to ensure the safety of the spectacular forests, rivers and mountains in the United States? How do people today still benefit from his foresight? Why does Muir show the value of prudence in utilizing nature? Have you ever visited a National Park? Have you ever camped in one? Why did one camping trip by two completely different individuals result in such magnificent results? To find out, go to the library and read this outstanding picture book, "The Camping Trip That Changed America."
This book is an absolute delight to read. The pictures are exhilarating and capture the personalities of both men. The beautiful national park system throughout the United States is a direct result of Muir’s vision and Roosevelt’s courage. I hope you get a chance to read this compelling story. All I can say is, "Bully."
Daydreams are escapes from the humdrum of daily life. Many people will dream of being a famous actor, sports star or politician. If people don’t daydream for hours on end, these fantasies can help be a refreshing pause. The problem begins when people daydream too much and don’t find enjoyment in normal things.
Many years ago, the famous American writer James Thurber wrote a funny story known as "The Secret Life of Walter Mitty." A movie was later made from the story with the irrepressible Danny Kaye starring as Walter Mitty. Jean Hicks has written an animal version of this popular story with a cat as the protagonist. She entitles this charming story. "The Secret Life of Walter Kitty."
As the tale begins we see the corpulent Walter Kitty sleeping in a tree. He longs for adventure, but unfortunately is treated as a lap cat by his owner, Mrs. Biddle. Every time she calls out "Here Walter, here kitty, kitty" his spirit rebels. Her insipid call taunts him as he desires to be a brave and famous cat. He even gives himself a new name; Fang.
This is the cat that he wants to be: A fearless feline, fighting dangerous foes as he lives in a hyper-packed world of danger. He imagines attacking all the mice in the neighborhood and gloats over their supposed cries for help. He is truly a fearsome animal.
Then, awakened once again from his fantasy, Mrs. Biddle calls out, "Breakfast." Well, eating is better than starving, even if you are a superhero, so Walter lumbers over to the house. Mr. Biddle sternly tells his wife that she is spoiling the cat. Walter condescends to Mr. Biddle’s presence, knowing that Mrs. Biddle wants him in the home.
The cat simply cannot figure out why both Biddles have such difficulty seeing all the benefits he brings to the home. For example, Walter always licks the plates after supper, thereby cleaning them. He also sweeps shelves for Mrs. Biddle. Is it his fault that objects keep falling off the stupid shelves? Of course not! But instead of thanking the cat for his thoughtfulness, she orders him sharply out of the house.
The husband is no better. A neat freak, Mr. Biddle is always doing the laundry and making the bed. Walter tries to help him by jumping up on the clothes hanging on the clothesline to help take out the wrinkles. He then runs into the bedroom and twists all the bed covers to help arrange them. Again, does he get any thanks for this? Absolutely none! With this kind of rejection the only thing to do is lay down, take a nap and daydream. Upon closing his eyes a new world of adventures begin. Once again, Fang is born.
What does Walter do in his daydreams? Does he become a heroic figure? Why does he dream of hanging on to the Empire State Building and fighting off biplanes? What courage and bravery does Walter begin to show? What finally happens to Fang? To find out, go to the library and check out this delightful book, "The Secret Life of Walter Kitty," by Barbara Hicks.
This book is a funny spoof on the original story by James Thurber. I encourage you to read both of these humorous tales. They will keep you laughing and smiling as you witness the thrilling adventures of daydreamers. Enjoy!
Hope is the belief that your life is going to improve and that your life will become better. Hope is a theological virtue in the Catholic Faith, along with Faith and Charity. This means that hope ultimately comes from God. Hope enables us to endure suffering and gives us the strength to go on when life becomes trying.
Since we encounter the world in each minute of our lives, it is only natural that God will use people, events and activities to help us find hope. Marissa Moss has written a powerful story about how the sport of baseball gave hope to Japanese Americans imprisoned in incarceration camps during World War II. The name of this impressive story is "Barbed Wire Baseball."
Kenichi Zenimura watches his first baseball game at the age of 8. He is immediately fascinated with the sport and is determined to become a great baseball player. As he charges onto the field and into various leagues, people at first laugh at him. Zeni, as he is called, is barely 5 feet tall. No one believes that someone so small can be a good baseball player. This makes him all the more determined. He practices hitting, fielding and throwing.
In several years he becomes one of the finest Japanese-American players in California. He is so talented that the New York Yankees take Zeni and several other Japanese-American players on a baseball tour of Japan. Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig both dwarf Zeni on the field. But his aggressive and talented play makes a big impression on the Japanese nation during the tour. Back home in the USA, Zeni continues to star and coach in the minor leagues in California.
This pleasant world painfully changes after the Pearl Harbor Attack in 1941. Japanese-Americans on the West Coast come under immediate scrutiny and racial prejudice. The Roosevelt Administration sends 120,000 Japanese-Americans to 10 internment camps in the western states. There they are stuck in desolate areas where many begin to lose hope.
Zeni decided that he needs to do something to lift the spirits of these stricken people. He remembers all the pleasure baseball has brought to him and determines to use the sport to uplift the people. He begins forming work details and turning the desert into a verdant baseball diamond. It is hard work and there are few supplies. Zeni and his fellow workers are undaunted and begin building a complete ballpark in the desert. Fellow Japanese-Americans begin to help and soon building the ball field becomes a unifying beacon of hope for the people. The men plant the grass; the women sew the uniforms and bases from sacks. The great day is coming and 6,000 people come to the new stadium for the first game.
As the anticipation builds, Zeni steps to the plate. As the ball speeds toward him, Zeni connects with a mighty crack of the bat. As the ball soars upward, the people begin to cheer and Zeni feels lifted above the internment camp. Hope has arrived.
Does Zeni’s ball go out of the park? Does the sport of baseball lift the spirits of an entire people? How can one person make such an impact during such a dreadful period? Why is Kenichi Zenimura a true American hero? To find out, go to the library and check out this inspiring book, "Barbed Wire Baseball," by Marissa Moss.
Kenichi Zenimura made such an impact on the nation of Japan that he was elected into the Japanese Shrine of the Eternals in 2006. This is the Japanese equivalent of the Baseball Hall of Fame. This powerful account has excellent pictures and tells a magnificent story. I hope you get a chance to read this fine book as it is an important story that can teach the country much today. I think you will find it inspiring.
The Constitution of United States of America is a rare work of genius that has guided the country for 225 years. At the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia in 1787, delegates from all 13 states labored to make a document that could govern a republic.
It was a remarkable gathering of brilliant men, including James Madison and Thomas Jefferson. Madison in particular is known as the "Father of the Constitution." Deeply rooted in the Judeo-Christian belief system, the Founding Fathers understood the connection between religion and morality. This belief in God is the undergirding of the work of the Constitutional Convention.
For nearly two centuries, this same religious mindset governed the United States. But in the last 30 years, this belief system has come under assault by the insidious influence of secular humanism. Whereas our country was founded on Divine Law with its eternal truths, secular humanism touts the falsehood that there is no truth outside of that which persons declare to be the truth. The chaos that ensues from this foolhardy choice is the subject of this book.
David Bowman places George Washington, James Madison and Benjamin Franklin into a time machine and fast-forwards them into the 21st century. There they enter into a chat room and begin talking to young students. The name of this interesting book is "What Would the Founding Fathers Think?"
The three founding fathers are somewhat stunned at what they find in the 21st century. Some of the students in the chat room don’t seem to see that religion is the foundation upon which the nation stands. From this religious understanding, a set of morals and virtues develop. These virtues become habits in the society and allows democracy to function.
The students are very surprised that the founding fathers all argue for a "limited federal government." They all contend that the purpose of the Constitution is to limit the power of the national government. If this does not happen, the federal government will grow in power beyond what is useful for the country. This will lead to an overregulated country in which citizens lose freedom.
As the students continue asking the founding fathers questions, it is clear that all three leaders believe that the country needs to be grounded on a strong family. Here young people learn to work and study, which allows them to make good decisions as they mature.
The beliefs of the founding fathers are listed in the shape of a large layered cake. At the bottom is the understanding of the need for God and religion. The next layer is the development of values leading to an enlightened citizenry. The third tier is the knowledge the people have that they can govern themselves. The successive levels of the cake move upwards from local to state to the national government. Because the foundation is based on religion, the federal government will never been seen as a threat to religious liberty.
In the second part of the book, the author places the lack of religion, or as some people state, "secular humanism," at the bottom of the cake. Then as the cake is built higher it increasingly becomes unstable and is in danger of collapsing. The Founding Fathers wonder where the country is today.
This is an excellent book to discuss these basic issues in what is happening in the United States today as the country increasingly turns away from religion. Bowman also gives a number of remedies for the problems. The drawings are humorous and filled with insight. This title would be very helpful in a middle school social studies class. It is filled with information and enjoyable to read.
This book can be ordered online or purchased in fine book stores like Gloria Deo in Lincoln. I hope you get a chance to read "What Would the Founding Fathers Think?" by David Bowman.
In spring, Nebraska is treated to the spectacle of thousands of cranes flying over the state. Having wintered over in a number of southern states, the cranes begin their northern journey.
The Platte River Valley is the natural layover for the cranes as they wing their way to Canada and Alaska. But the flight is dangerous for a number of reasons. First, the cranes can become ill and die from the hundreds of miles they have to fly. Second, they can fly into power lines and windmills, which is usually fatal. Finally, they can be killed by predators such as foxes, eagles and coyotes.
Within this enormous migration of cranes are the rare whooping cranes. Nearly extinct 60 years ago, the "whoopers," as they are fondly called, have made a tremendous comeback.
Jeff Kurris has created a fictional account of a pair of sandhill cranes named John and Mary. Since many sandhill cranes mate for life, this is an account of John and Mary losing track of each other on the migration northward. The name of this attractive story is "Have You Seen Mary?"
John and Mary land on the Platte River with thousands of cranes. Most of these sandhill cranes are exhausted and begin eating corn, insects and bugs to regain their strength. They drink deeply from the shallow Platte River, which is ideally suited for the cranes.
John is so tired from flying hundreds of miles from the New Mexico wintering home of the cranes that he just tucks his head under his wing and goes to sleep. Mary has landed in a different part of the Platte and doesn’t know where John is resting.
The next day John watches the cranes take to the air and decides to look for Mary. But it is a fruitless search as he continues flying over Nebraska, looking for Mary. He sees other cranes fighting, dancing and looking for mates. When he asks, no one has any idea where Mary might be.
Depressed, John keeps flying from one Nebraska crane site to another. One day he finds a feather that looks like one of Mary’s. Could it be that she is still alive? Is it possible to still find her in the vast area along the Platte River?
Finally, John decides to fly near the power lines and search for her in this dangerous area. He lands and looks about him at the enormous group of cranes. And then he hears the sweetest sound and his heart jumps. What is this resonance? He turns to look.
What does John see? Does he find his lifelong mate after this painful search?
What has Mary been doing all this while? What does the feather tell John, and why was it left?
Have you ever searched a long time for someone you loved? How did you feel when you found the person you loved? How do John and Mary feel? To find out, go to the library and check out this charming story, "Have You Seen Mary?" by Jeff Kurris.
The writing and the photographs in this book are beautiful. While the love story between John and Mary is refreshing, the real point of the book is to show the life of cranes while they rest on the Platte River. You will find sharing this book with young children to be a special event in your lives. This is a delightful tale that blends a love story of two cranes with the ecology of the cranes on the Platte River. It is just a great book! Enjoy!
November 11th is Veterans Day. For decades, people wore poppies on their clothing to commemorate those killed and wounded in World War I, or "The Great War," as it once was called.
Many ominous warning signs could be seen in Europe before the war was ignited by the assassination of the Archduke of Austria in the summer of 1914. First, while Europe was basking in an era of unrivaled material prosperity, all nations began building up vast military systems.
Second, important European countries signed alliances with other countries. These alliances were military defense pacts, stating that the allied countries would declare war on any country attacking those within their alliance. Finally, European countries believed they would never use the terrible weapons they had created because all the nations were so "enlightened." This will all come to a horrible cataclysm in August 1914 with the beginning of World War I.
Renowned children’s writer Russell Freedman has written an outstanding book on the causes of the Great War as well as the actual combat from 1914-1918. Entitled "The War to End All Wars," Freedman captures the titanic struggle of World War I and the consequences of nations making selfish and self-centered decisions.
With the assassination of the Austrian Archduke Franz Ferdinand, Europe is dangerously balanced on a precipice. Since the assassins were Serbian, Austria immediately declares war on the country of Serbia. This, in turn, causes Russia, Serbia’s protector, to declare war on Austria. Within a few days, France and England declare war on Germany and Austria. Austria and Germany then declare war on France and England, and the war begins.
Throughout all the cities of Europe the troops are wildly cheered as they march off to the front. Never have the men felt more like heroes than when they march off, as the women throw flowers over them. Everyone believes the war will be over by Christmas.
As the German juggernaut sweeps through neutral Belgium and into France, there is a possibility of a quick victory. But the zeal of the French and English forces causes a military draw at the critical Battle of the Marne in September 1914. After this, both sides dig in for hundreds of miles and the horrible trench warfare battles begin.
Freedman carefully shows that all the countries fighting in World War I are guilty of callous leadership by repeatedly ordering their troops into frontal charges on machine-gun emplacements. While common soldiers fought with bravery and immense courage, the backward thinking of the officers of the General Staffs in each army led to enormous numbers of causalities on the battlefield.
As well, Freedman points out that both sides had to justify the reckless slaughter of their armies by planning greater and greater attacks. After all, if their thinking wasn’t based on keen military thought, these offensives would have been criminal. Freedman relentlessly shows the narrow-minded stupidity of each side. When the war ends, both sides must answer the question of why they had fought the war in the first place.
The answers aren’t forthcoming, and the victors, the Allies, decide the problems were all on the German side. At the Versailles Peace Treaty, they force the Germans to accept the war guilt clause or face invasion. According to the Allies, they were simply victims of an evil Germany. After all, they were enlightened. Freedman shows that this Allied "foresight" ensured that Adolph Hitler would someday rule Germany.
This is an outstanding book about the causes, military battles and consequences of World War I. In our own times countries have too often relied on their own reasoning to solve international problems. "The War to End All Wars" is an excellent book to demonstrate what happens to countries when they believe human reason and the foolish belief in the innate goodness of humanity alone can solve all political problems. It would be particularly useful with middle school students studying political issues. Let’s pray that we have learned something from this tragedy so as not to repeat it.
Honey bees are some of the most interesting insects found in nature. They continually work to produce honey by flying from one flower or plant to another. This seemingly simple work is a vital part of agriculture as bees are the primary pollinators of fruits and vegetables.
Pollination is the process by which plants are fertilized thereby becoming capable of bearing flowers and fruits. All orchards and many vegetable gardens are dependent on bees for pollination. Throughout history, bees have held people’s fascination and are frequently found in stories, poems, and even within the Bible.
This delightful book is another in the Magic School Bus series. Ms. Frizzle (The Friz) is again at work introducing her class to a new adventure. While studying insect life, she tells her class to get ready for a new adventure. This time she is taking them into a beehive, delighting some and frightening poor Arnold. After boarding the Magic School Bus, which immediately shrinks, Ms. Frizzle drives the class into a beehive.
Somewhat shocked, the class finds that they have all changed into bee-like creatures. They have wings and antennae, which allows them to fly and act just like bees. The Friz immediately tells the students to collect nectar and pollen on their front, middle and back legs.
Much to their surprise, Ms. Frizzle then tells the students to fly into the beehive. Formidable guard bees stand at the front entrance and protect the hive from all strange bees. The Friz tells the students that they need to be sprayed with a bee scent named pheromone. This smell is how the guard bees know that that the bees belong to the hive. The children and Ms. Frizzle become covered with pheromone and fly to the entrance of the hive. There the guard bees carefully smell the students and determine that their scent is the same as that in the hive. With this they all enter into the hive and begin to see the remarkable activity that takes place in the many levels of the hive.
Most of the bees are workers, flying out of the hive and collecting nectar and pollen to be used in making wax and honey. One worker bee does a strange dance in front of the class. The bees understand this "language" and fly out of the hive to gather more honey. The Friz tells the class that this is how bees communicate and tell the other bees where the honey is located. Soon the class is climbing up the side of a honey comb. They are amazed at the intricate six-sided cells that the bees make to store honey. But this happy work is soon under attack. A black bear has decided to attack the hive and steal honey. The bees immediately swarm and attack the intruder. The children follow and Ms. Frizzle develops a plan to save the hive.
What plan does she develop? Do the children change back from being bees? How many things have they learned on their adventure? Why do modern beehives come in a number of sections? Why is there only one queen bee? Have you ever seen a bee getting nectar from a flower? To find out the answers to these questions, go to the library and check out "The Magic School Bus Inside a Beehive" by Joanna Cole.
This is another delightful book in the Magic School Bus series. The story is very interesting and Ms. Frizzle is her usual funny, quirky self. This is the book for you if you have ever wondered where we get that delicious honey that you put on hot, buttered bread. I hope you enjoy the story as much as I did. Yum, Yum!
What follows is an obscure and curious tale. It’s the tale of a legislative bill that was passed by the Nebraska Unicameral during its 2013 session. Passage happened without a bit of objection from any legislator. The final vote was 45-0 (with four absences). The bill became law just a few days later when the governor gave his approval.
It’s the tale of LB 361, legislation of 14 pages in length that coasted through the full process "on the floor" –where a bill is subject matter for consideration by all for 49 legislators—over a period of just 14 days and with about five minutes of actual attention.
The bill’s sponsor, Senator Sara Howard of Omaha, used less than five minutes for her opening/explanation on General File, the first stage of floor "debate." There were no amendments. There were no questions or comments by any other senator. The sponsor waived closing. The vote to advance the bill to Select File was 32-0, with 15 not voting and two excused.
Consideration on Select File, the second stage of floor "debate," was considerably briefer, just enough seconds for a voice vote, advancing the bill to Final Reading. At that subsequent stage, a full reading of the bill was waived, but there were a couple of minutes of pause for last thoughts and for the votes to be recorded.
A curious aspect of the tale of LB 361 is that the bill had substance. The 14 pages of changes in law are not meaningless or mere clean-up or administrative formalities. The scope and authority of state government are expanded by this legislation, including the extent to which the state can obtain information from segments of the private sector.
The tale of LB 361 epitomizes how the scope and authority of government can be expanded without anyone paying much attention. It epitomizes the trust phenomenon that characterizes a portion of every year’s legislation. In this case, the state Department of Health and Human Services urged, "trust us."
Legislation enacted in 1993 mandated that the chief executive officer of NE-DHHS appoint a state child-death review team, and directed and authorized this team to review and conduct a comprehensive, integrated investigation of all deaths in Nebraska of persons from birth through 17 years of age. The public-health purposes of this law have been to identify trends and to create a cohesive method for responding to certain child deaths, e.g., accidents, suicides.
LB 361, a.k.a. the "Child and Maternal Death Review Act," expands the policy by adding all "maternal deaths" to the duty and authority of the death-review team.
The definition of "maternal death" is broad. It means every death of a woman during pregnancy or during the period of time "ending one year after the woman ceases to be pregnant." Based on the way the legislation is drafted, every woman of child-bearing age who dies in Nebraska will have to be presumed to be a "maternal death" for purposes of the law, unless and until it is determined that the definition doesn’t fit.
What’s more, LB 361 newly mandates a statewide retrospective review of records relating to each of these deaths; and not only with respect to the deceased, but his/her family members as well.
Other factors are involved in the tale of LB 361: it adds "educational records" (undefined) to the government-obtainable, reviewable records relating to both "child deaths" and "maternal deaths;" it newly imposes on public-school districts and non-government schools an obligation—for which subpoena authority is prescribed for the review team—to turn over information and records relating to individuals who become a child death or maternal death, and their family members; it newly imposes on all social-services agencies an expanded obligation—subject to subpoena authority—to provide information and records pertaining to any deceased pregnant or post-partum woman who had been provided with services and even if services had been provided, or are being provided, to one or more members of her family.
The extent to which this legislation can impose reporting obligations on schools and social-services agencies, including issues of confidentiality, was a matter of concern for the Nebraska Catholic Conference, resulting in inquiry-based testimony at the public hearing and some follow-up. NCC has bought into the "trust us" response.
There are some other aspects that add to the curiousness of this tale. LB 361 expands the death-review team from a previous number of eight to 12 members to 12 to 15 members; they have to meet at least four times a year and they aren’t compensated, but their expenses must be reimbursed. The new law requires and authorizes Nebraska-DHHS to employ or contract for a "team coordinator." It newly authorizes the death-review team to consult with experts. Experts usually charge fees.
Presumably, these aspects could have monetary costs. Yet, the fiscal analysis on LB 361 predicts, "No fiscal impact." Perhaps some federal funds are involved.
Notwithstanding all these factors, LB 361 somehow qualified for the "Consent Calendar," an expedited process that was the main cause for quick movement into law.
It is not uncommon for at least some legislators to express concern—at times it’s full-blown opposition—about government expansion. The obscure and curious tale of LB 361 is that no one paid much attention.
Chances are this summer has been a bit hotter, stickier and more uncomfortable than usual for one of Nebraska’s most economically, socially and educationally significant organizations. The twists and turns of recent events involving the Nebraska School Activities Association can be described as bizarre and shrouded in intrigue.
The NSAA is a long-existing, privately organized and administered membership organization, the members of which are the public, private and religious high schools statewide. The association’s structure, rules and processes regulate interscholastic competition, including student eligibility, in sports and co-curricular activities. The NSAA also administratively organizes and conducts district- and state-level competitions—a multi-million-dollar enterprise. Overall, it’s sort of a mini-NCAA.
Apparently, its executive director has determined that the NSAA needs a policy and processes to govern the potential circumstances, regardless of how rare, in which a student who identifies and expresses himself or herself in the gender opposite his or her biological sex requests to compete in a sex-segregated sport or activity as a transgender individual. For instance, how would it be handled if a biologically male student, who consistently identifies and presents himself as a transgender female, would seek to be on the girls’ team for interscholastic competition? The idea and objective presume a policy that would allow such participation, pursuant to prerequisite evidence of genuineness. Issues involving locker rooms, training rooms and bathrooms might also be involved.
On or about June 14, at least two media outlets, the Omaha World Herald and the on-line Nebraska Watchdog.org, reported that the NSAA’s eight-member governing board had unanimously approved a gender-identity eligibility policy and process in December 2012, after it had been presented by the executive director a month earlier. The executive director was a source for the reporting and was quoted extensively. Oddly, the approval was not recorded in the official minutes of either the November or December meeting, but the policy was in effect; the gist of the reporting was that it had not been invoked or even given much attention since being approved. Both articles also reported that the policy was available on the NSAA website.
Not for long, however. The news generated interest and concern, including inquiries by the Nebraska Catholic Conference on behalf of the diocesan superintendents.
Whoa, did the facts change at that point! Within a matter of days, new reports from the same outlets, plus the Lincoln Journal Star as well, were quite different: the policy/process hadn’t been voted on at the December meeting, merely discussed—although again, no such discussion is reflected in the official minutes.
The policy/process that had been publicly available on the website, as first reported, had been removed by the time of the second reports. Few saw it, apparently.
Another part of the revised news was that the policy/process would be an action item on the agenda of the NSAA Board of Directors meeting taking place Aug. 21; and would be voted on then. Those who inquired were told that the proposed policy/process would be publicly available in early August.
Subsequently, the release date was prescribed as Aug. 12, but nothing was posted on that date. Mid-morning the next day, there was a posting, but it wasn’t the policy/process; it was the agenda for the Aug. 21 meeting. It did not show the policy/process as an action item, but as an item of the executive director’s report.
In addition, the posting included a link to a "Q & A" document that asked and answered these three questions: "Why does the NSAA need a Transgender Policy?" "How many State Associations have a policy?" "Is there a sample policy already written?’ The answer to the third question was as follows: "Yes. This policy had not been approved by the Board of Directors and will not be made public until submitted in a membership proposed format. The recommendation from the Board of Directors is that a ‘policy’ should come through the membership legislative process. Several administrators and I (presumably the executive director) are working together to have a Bylaw proposal submitted by the District Meeting deadline on November 1."
Confusion aplenty, but the right and responsible road for this to travel has probably resulted. The subject matter is complex and sensitive, morally, socially, legally. Such a proposal warrants thorough evaluation and discussion; for instance, how much of the "need" is real and compelling; how much of it is ideological? What consequences would such a policy have on schools that operate in accord with religious beliefs?
Such concerns now at least will have a forum, even though the text itself remains a secret. It has been consistently reported that the phantom policy/process is modeled after that adopted by the Colorado association in 2010. But Colorado’s is more than a gender-identity eligibility policy. It encompasses sexual orientation as well, which is another, broader context of issues.
Interestingly, the "Q & A" document posted Aug. 13 stated that as of March 1, 2013, "37 States currently have a Transgender policy in place." The Nebraska Catholic Conference asked for the list in order to review these policies. NCC was told this information was based on a survey undertaken by the National Federation of State High School Associations. Checking that source, NCC learned that only 33 state associations responded to the survey, of which only 17 or 18 actually have policies, which overall are varied. As of Aug. 15, the NSAA’s "Q & A" came up amended, as follows: "In a recent survey conducted by the NFHS and released this spring, of the 33 states that responded, 50 percent of those states currently have a policy. A large number of states surrounding Nebraska including Iowa are working towards adopting a policy." (Emphasis added.)
Public-policy reforms affecting the juvenile-justice system were a point of emphasis and a substantial accomplishment for the Nebraska Legislature during its 2013 session. LB 561 was the main vehicle for these reforms. When Governor Heineman signed the bill into law on May 29, efforts to reduce reliance on detention and put greater focus on rehabilitation and community and family responses were launched.
Of LB 561, the Governor said, "This bill represents an important step forward as we continue to find ways for the state to deal with youth in the juvenile-justice system." He approved reforms that shift substantial parts of the supervision of juvenile offenders out of the Department of Health and Human Services and into the state’s probation system. That also creates a byproduct of keeping more of DHHS’s focus on helping youngsters in the child-welfare system who are victims of abuse and neglect.
The juvenile-justice system essentially consists of the judicial decisions and public-policy responses and programs that deal with youth under the age of 18 who commit felonies, misdemeanors or status offenses. The latter terminology is typically used to indicate actions that are deemed offenses when committed by youth based on their age; examples include truancy and possession and consumption of alcohol.
The importance and urgency of reforms in this context of public policy for Nebraska are understandable. Striving for a more efficient and effective system of juvenile justice has been deemed necessary for some time, for both social/humanitarian and cost justifications.
Consider the ramifications of having the fourth highest youth incarceration rate in the nation. That’s Nebraska, according to a data report from the Annie E. Casey Foundation. While the rate in the U.S. declined by 40 percent over the past 15 years, Nebraska is among just six states with an increase. Contrary to the national trend, youth incarceration grew eight percent in Nebraska between 1997 and 2010.
An interesting and informative "Policy Study" by the Platte Institute (see www.platteinstitute.org ) calls pre-adjudication secure detention of juveniles a "distinct pressure point"—one of five—in Nebraska’s juvenile-justice system. It presents justifications for concerns about incarceration: the response is incredibly costly, usually ranging from $75 to over $200 per juvenile per day; and the response as applied to some youth, particularly status offenders, includes the risk of learning more illegal behavior from dangerous or violent youth.
Here’s what LB 561 does: Authority for community supervision, evaluations and parole is removed from the Office of Juvenile Services at DHHS and transferred to the Office of Probation Administration under the Supreme Court; the funding tied to the transfer will be used for a three-step expansion of the Juvenile Services Delivery Project from several counties to statewide; the County Juvenile Services Aid Program is being replaced by a Community-Based Juvenile Services Aid Program and funding thereof is being increased by $1.52 million in FY14 and by $3.52 million in FY15; the positions of Director of the Community-Based Juvenile Services Aid Program and Director of Juvenile Diversion Programs are being established; limitations are being set on sending juveniles to secure detention, e.g., juveniles cannot be sent to the Youth Rehabilitation and Treatment Centers in Kearney (boys) or Geneva (girls) unless it is a matter of immediate and urgent necessity for protection of the juvenile or the person or property of another or the juvenile is likely to flee the court’s jurisdiction.
Support for Parenting
While overhauling the juvenile-justice system warranted an exclamation point, adult corrections were not ignored. There were, of course, overall budget decisions affecting the Department of Correctional Services. Meanwhile, a substantive bill with hopeful consequences flew somewhat under the radar. It was LB 483.
Introduced and well-handled by Sen. Kate Bolz from Lincoln, LB 483 passed on a 41-1 Final Reading vote and was approved by the Governor. Here’s how it is described in the Unicameral Update’s Session Review: "appropriates $250,000 to the department to implement a two-year pilot program that provides incarcerated parents of children up to five years old with evidence-based parent education, early literacy, relationship skills development and re-entry planning prior to their release."
What a member of the Judiciary Committee, had to say about LB 483 makes abundant sense: "I cannot think of another program that holds as much promise as this one. It gives inmates motivation, provides them with family connections when they are released and allows them to be parents to their children in a meaningful way."
And finally…. Onto another matter: The administration of the Nebraska Schools Activities Association, which controls high-school competition in extracurricular activities—sort of a mini-NCAA—is pushing a controversial policy. It coercively wants schools to accept and adhere to a common policy and procedures for ensuring participation choices for any student who consistently expresses a gender identity opposite that of his or her birth. Stay tuned.
Some power-packed words have been used to describe the overwhelming approval of bipartisan immigration-reform legislation by the U.S. Senate. The roll call June 27, with each of the 100 seated senators rising to call out his or her vote was 68-32 on S.744 (even though Vice President Biden, as presiding officer, bungled the call for a vote by announcing it as S.747).
The Senate’s action has been described as "historic," "dramatic," "landmark," and "monumental." Those seem appropriate given the great need for modernizing and improving the current immigration system. It’s a big issue public-policy-wise, with legal, economic, sociological, psychological, moral and religious dimensions.
Perhaps "productive" and "progress" are other descriptions that can apply, but not "perfect." That case cannot be made from any perspective. Still, given the status quo, S.744 pursues a balance, constituting significant strides toward both fixing a dysfunctional immigration mechanism and strengthening border security.
Neither of Nebraska’s senators saw fit to join in the majority. Mike Johanns and Deb Fischer both decided to stick with the broken status quo over progress as represented by the balanced, bi-partisan, albeit imperfect, proposals supported by more than two-thirds of their colleagues. Their decisions not only put them on the losing side of 68-32, but made their positions irrelevant, at least for the time being, on a major issue.
If nothing else, by voting "No" Nebraska’s duo rejected an opportunity to reduce the federal deficit. At the time the vote took place, the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office had projected a deficit reduction of $197 billion over the next ten years and $700 billion in the decade after that. Later, to reflect amendments added during floor debate, most notably costs associated with the Corker-Hoeven border-security "surge" amendment, the CBO lowered the numbers to $158 billion and $685 billion respectively.
Senator Johanns has promised to provide the Nebraska Catholic Conference (and others) with a memorandum that will identify and analyze specific provisions of S.744 that prevented him from supporting it. We look forward to receiving his memorandum with gratitude and to reviewing it thoroughly. Presumably, it will give substance and depth to his rejection of the bill, which occurred notwithstanding his own prior acknowledgment that the current immigration system is flawed and cannot be ignored.
While not really an apt comparison given different contexts, it is interesting nonetheless, and perhaps somewhat instructive, to contrast the "No" votes of Senators Johanns and Fischer on the immigration-reform bill with their recent "Yes" votes on the farm bill, also legislation of considerable substance and significance even though lacking perfection. On it, both Nebraskans were part of a 66-27 majority.
Consider comments such as these attributed to Senator Johanns: With so much on the line for our farmers, ranchers and our state’s economy, we cannot afford to let the great be the enemy of the good (emphasis added); While this isn’t the farm bill I would have drafted, it’s better than no bill at all.
Positive reactions and thoughts of progress regarding the Senate’s action are appropriate, but in reality that action is only part of the story and, hopefully, not meaningless. There is more to be written. S. 744 is not law; it’s only legislation, which garnered nearly 70 percent approval in one of the two houses of Congress. There still has to be action in the House of Representatives, and every scribe, pundit and indicator suggests that action will be a lot different and much narrower in scope.
Will there be enough to cause a conference committee? If so, how much of S. 744 will survive reconciliation and negotiation? There won’t be amnesty; that’s not being considered, but if authentic, effective, humane reform prevails there will be earned legalization and a subsequent path to citizenship over time.
For excellent information about the concepts and details of immigration-reform legislation, as well as the positions and perspectives of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, here are three excellent websites: www.usccb.org/mrs; www.justiceforimmigrants.org; www.cliniclegal.org.
And finally....
A note left over from the 2013 session of the Nebraska Legislature:
Was Coach Tom Osborne a hypocrite when it came to support for football players? The label fit, according to Senator Ernie Chambers, who brought it up during a floor speech on one of this year’s budget bills.
Quite a few years ago, Sen. Chambers steered to passage a legislative bill that symbolically established a mechanism for paying stipends to Husker football players. It was symbolic in that it could take effect only if all other states enacted a similar law. Nevertheless, according to Sen. Chambers, while claiming to support players, Coach Osborne acted rather surreptitiously to persuade then-Governor Kay Orr to veto the bill.
Not sure there is any other Nebraskan who would dare to call Tom Osborne a hypocrite in a public forum. Another Senator Chambers’ moment.
The Nebraska Legislature, which includes the 49 legislators and a strong support staff, finished another part of its history June 5, concluding a 90-day regular session for 2013. Officially, adjournment sine die occurred at 3:02 p.m.
In closing remarks just before making the final motion, the Speaker of the Legislature, Senator Greg Adams of York, presented a couple of tallies: of 662 legislative bills introduced, 214 were passed into law; 104 of the introduced bills received priority designation, 71 of which were passed. Speaker Adams described these results as "pretty good," about average compared to previous years.
Pursuant to protocol, Governor Dave Heineman presented closing remarks, thanking the legislators for their work, calling it a "good legislative session," citing accomplishments and outcomes from his perspective and identifying several senators involved with such matters. He made a point of thanking "the many senators (how many he didn’t say) who questioned the affordability and sustainability of expanding Medicaid." He saluted Senator Mike Gloor, chairman of the Banking, Commerce and Insurance Committee, and a leading opponent of Medicaid expansion, for "leadership on numerous issues that will maximize our state’s rights under the constraints of the federal health care law." He didn’t describe those issues. And he didn’t mention the leadership of Senator Kathy Campbell, chairperson of the equally implicated Health and Human Services Committee, but a leading proponent of Medicaid expansion.
It is too early to assess the quality of the work or its real impacts. That takes considerable time following implementation. Seventy-five of the passed bills had an "emergency clause," which means they took effect as soon as they were approved by the Governor (or overridden by the Legislature); some of those bills have specified operative dates. The balance of legislation will take effect Sept. 5, three calendar months after adjournment of the legislative session, as prescribed by the Nebraska Constitution.
Good, bad or inconsequential, one result Nebraskans can count on is that the legislators expanded the scope and authority of state and local governments. Anyone with enough curiosity, motivation and time, could study this phenomenon by reviewing the statements of intent and fiscal notes that exist on every bill.
Although their regular session is over, 22 of the legislators won’t have much of a break in their legislative obligations. They constitute the membership of two key groups assigned to study highly significant public-policy issues prior to the 2014 session.
Legislative Resolution 155 creates "a special legislative committee," designated as the Tax Modernization Committee. This new, special committee has 14 members. The chairman is Senator Galen Hadley, who is the regular chairman of the Revenue Committee. All other members of that committee are on the special committee: Senators Paul Schumacher, Tom Hansen, Burke Harr, Beau McCoy, Pete Pirsch and Charlie Janssen. Five other chairpersons are on the special committee: Heath Mello (Appropriations); Kathy Campbell (Health and Human Services); Kate Sullivan (Education); Ken Schilz (Agriculture) and John Harms (Planning). The other two members were appointed by the Legislature’s Executive Board; both are from the Appropriations Committee: Jeremy Nordquist and Kate Bolz, who is the only first-year legislator among the 14.
The purpose of the study is to review and evaluate the sales-and-use tax, the income tax, property taxes and miscellaneous taxes and also tax credits and incentives. At a minimum, the following factors have to be considered: fairness, competitiveness, simplicity and compliance, stability, adequacy, and interrelationships among tax systems. The TMC’s first report is due by Dec. 15.
LR 22 requires the Legislature’s Health and Human Services Committee, in cooperation with the Banking, Commerce and Insurance Committee, to convene a "Partnership Towards Nebraska’s Health Care System Transformation." The idea is to bring together a broad array of policymakers and stakeholders to pursue controlling health care costs and improving health care quality.
The goals of the partnership are set forth in LR 22: provide a comprehensive review of health-care delivery, cost and coverage demands in Nebraska; engage partners in dialogue and public-policy discourse; develop a framework for health-care system transformation, to meet public health, workforce, delivery and budgetary challenges; and develop cooperative strategies and initiatives for the design, implementation, and accountability of services while advancing the overall health of Nebraskans.
Presumably, the thrust of LR 22 would have surfaced in some form anyway, but some impetus surely came from the Legislature’s controversial rejection of LB 577, proposing to expand eligibility for Medicaid coverage. The resolution also is part of Nebraska’s response to the anxiety and uncertainty of federal health-care-reform.
Senators Campbell, Schumacher and Pirsch will be especially busy. They are members of both the Tax Modernization Committee and Health Care System Transformation Partnership.
With only 11 working days left in its 2013 regular session, the Nebraska Unicameral cleared a hurdle last week when it moved the state’s budget for the next fiscal biennium past the first round of floor debate.
The process on the seven-bill package that earlier had been advanced to the full legislature by the Appropriations Committee, lasted three-and-half days. Although deliberated some for policy questions and pronouncements, the outcome underscored the work and authority entrusted to the nine-member committee.
Five proposed amendments to the committee’s recommendations fell well short of the 25 votes needed for adoption. Four other amendments were withdrawn prior to having a vote. Two amendments that were adopted were introduced as updates by the committee’s chairman, Senator Heath Mello. The only other amendment to be adopted, one that temporarily puts the brakes on the purchase of an airplane from the University of Nebraska Foundation, failed initially, but then was reconsidered and approved.
Two other amendments were held for second-round consideration, which started May 14.
This year’s first-round of deliberation probably took longer than in other, more recent budget-setting years. That can be attributed in part to the fact that the state’s significantly improved fiscal situation provides more flexibility in spending decisions. The Appropriations Committee had to defend its decisions pretty thoroughly. Chairman Mello, although new in that position, methodically and patiently steered the process and adeptly used the committee’s influence.
After the first round of consideration, the budget package showed General Fund appropriations of more than $3.83 billion for FY 2013-14 and more than $4.02 billion for FY 2014-15. That’s an increase of 5.5 percent for FY 2014 and 4.9 percent for FY 2015. Nonetheless, it leaves about $51 million for additional spending on bills awaiting final passage; and that’s even after approval of a committee recommendation to transfer an additional $53 million to the Cash Reserve Fund.
The budget includes separate bills, as follows:
LB 194 makes adjustments for deficits in funding for state operations, state aid and construction projects in the current fiscal year.
LB 195 is the mainline bill, which includes line-items for all state- government operations and aid programs. Spending via this bill stood at $3.797 billion for FY 14 and $3.979 billion for FY 15. Increases and reductions are documented in a report—"State of Nebraska FY 2013-14 and FY 2014-15 Biennial Budget"—that is available on the Legislature’s Website: www.nebraskalegislature.gov.
LB 196 appropriates $632,982 in each fiscal year to pay for the $12,000 annual salary (and the employer share of payroll taxes) of each of the 49 legislators.
LB 197 appropriates $23.3 million in each fiscal year for the salaries and benefits of all judges, elected constitutional officers, the Parole Board and the Tax Commissioner.
LB 198 contains funding for capital construction projects.
LB 199 authorizes transfers from and to the General Fund, including transfers to the Capitol Construction Fund and the Property Tax Credit cash fund.
LB 200 authorizes funding via transfer from the Cash Reserve Fund. For instance, a transfer not to exceed $43.02 million to the Capital Construction Fund represents the state’s commitment to add to federal funds for the construction of a new Central Nebraska Veterans’ Home.
In addition to the seven bills from the Appropriations Committee, a bill from the Business and Labor Committee, LB 536, is also considered part of the budget. It is used to pay for settled claims against the state and "write offs," which are required by statute to be reviewed and approved by the legislature. This spending is a little over $825,000. That’s a budget summary. On to another subject….
Even though Nebraska is not establishing its own health-insurance exchange pursuant to the Federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, because the Governor decided to let the Federal Government fulfill that responsibility, there will be some state-based oversight. LB 384, which passed May 10 on a 47-0 vote by the Legislature, creates the Nebraska Exchange Stakeholder Commission.
The 12-member commission will identify problems and make recommendations. In doing so, it satisfies PPACA’s stakeholder-consultation requirements.
The Commission’s membership will include four health-care consumers, including one who represents a rural area; a small-business representative; two health-care providers; one health-insurance agent; one representative of a health-insurance carrier; and three, non-voting representatives of the state’s insurance and health and human services agencies. All members will be appointed by the Governor, subject to approval by the Legislature.
The Exchange Stakeholder Commission is to have its first report for the Legislature by Dec. 1 of this year, a month before PPACA’s health-insurance exchange requirement takes effect.
An early March installment of this column described Legislative Bill 577 in these either-or terms: a cost-effective, human-needs policy opportunity not to be squandered; or a cost-prohibitive financial obligation not be undertaken.
The legislation is more complex than those alternatives, but nonetheless it is safe to say that as of April 17 the latter "not" has prevailed over the former. On that date, after more than 10 hours of floor debate over two days, legislators moved on to other matters, leaving LB 577 without a meaningful vote and with an uncertain future, at best.
Medicaid is a federal-state partnership that provides insurance-type coverage of health care expenses for certain groups of citizens who meet means-tested eligibility requirements. Expanded eligibility is related to the federal Affordable Care Act (ACA). Expansion was originally mandated by the ACA, but the U.S. Supreme Court ruled it had to be optional for the states, not mandatory, notwithstanding the fact that expansion was a key component of a multi-faceted health-care-access plan under ACA.
LB 577 would have Nebraska exercise the option. Per the ACA, it would direct and authorize the state Department of Health and Human Services to expand eligibility for Medicaid to all adults, ages 19 to 64, with annual incomes less than 138 percent of the Federal Poverty Level, approximately $15,850. It would make available to the newly eligible a benchmark plan of health care benefits, including behavioral health services.
A key element of the option is that the federal government is statutorily committed to pay 100 percent of the costs of expanded coverage in each of calendar years 2014, 2015 and 2016. Then the federal share drops incrementally over the next three years until it reaches 90 percent for 2020 and thereafter.
The debate on LB 577 was interesting at times, but hardly inspiring. For opponents of the measure, such as Senators Beau McCoy from Omaha, Bill Kintner and Jim Smith from Papillion, Ken Schilz from Ogallala, Lydia Brasch from Bancroft and Charlie Janssen from Fremont, assertions of too much cost risk were a big part of attacking the bill, including whether the federal government can be trusted to fulfill its commitment to pay as federally legislated. Another part was challenging the nature and extent of government’s responsibility to provide health care for the poor.
Senator Mike Gloor from Grand Island, perhaps the key legislator on the outcome of these issues given his veteran membership on the Health and Human Services Committee, his role as chairman of the Banking, Commerce and Insurance Committee, and his past professional experience as a hospital administrator, described himself as skeptical, and aggressively expressed doubt about the capacity and willingness of health-care providers to meet the needs of a significantly increased number of Medicaid insured. From his perspective, which seems cynical as well as skeptical, apparently it’s still better that impoverished adults seek health care through hospital emergency rooms, or not at all.
From the perspective of meeting needs and increasing access to adequate health care for impoverished citizens, it must have been frustrating for proponents of the bill, such as Senators Kathy Campbell, Danielle Conrad and Kate Bolz from Lincoln, Annette Dubas from Fullerton and Jeremy Nordquist, Steve Lathrop, Tanya Cook and Bob Krist from Omaha, to listen to views proclaiming much compassion and concern for the poor, but strident opposition to using Medicaid to expand access to adequate health care, and offering nary an alternative for accomplishing what’s right, just and necessary. From the perspective of most opponents, the ongoing default alternative is apparently just fine: having hospitals pass on uninsured emergency-room costs to premium payers or otherwise provide "charity care" by incurring bad debt.
There was some allusion to a non-Medicaid idea that has surfaced in Arkansas, but the feasibility and legitimacy of the idea are far from certain at this point.
Opposition to LB 577 was aggressively presented, but opposition might not have been the Legislature’s majority position. That was never determined, even after the lengthy debate. The bill never had a meaningful vote. Opponents were willing to keep up the talking; proponents realized that 33 votes, the number needed to invoke cloture to stop the filibuster, were unattainable. So rather than try and fail, they yielded to the Speaker, who decided it was time to move on to other matters.
While not entirely out of the question, it appears unlikely that LB 577 will return to the agenda this year. As it stands, the bill would carry over to 2014. Perhaps by then, more will be known about Medicaid expansion in states that have viewed it as an opportunity not to be squandered and a renewed effort in Nebraska will be deemed worthwhile, the loss of a year of federal funding notwithstanding.
And finally…. It appears likely that LB 44 will be passed overwhelmingly by the Legislature. As amended by compromise, it will establish a 40-year minimum sentencing option (parole petition eligibility after 20) for anyone convicted of a Class IA felony committed while under the age of 19. Under current Nebraska law, the only sentencing option in such circumstances is life imprisonment without parole and that singular option is unconstitutional.
After some poorly conceived and developed legislation created a "safe haven" debacle a few years ago, the Nebraska Legislature has bounced back conscientiously in responding to child welfare issues. The "safe haven" experience exposed serious problems and deficiencies in the state’s response to children in difficult and negative, if not dangerous, circumstances involving parenting and family-life.
Among the efforts to improve the child-welfare system, including establishment of a Nebraska Children’s Commission for oversight, has been attention to upgrading the use and governance of foster care. This year, for example, four legislative bills are on a path to enactment.
LB 530, now pending on Final Reading, proposes to upgrade the rates paid to those who provide foster care for children entrusted to the state. The goal is to better reflect the actual cost of caring for these children. It stems from recommendations made by a temporary study committee set up by legislation in 2012.
As of July 1, 2014, rates for the care of infants from birth through age five would increase from $436 to $608 per month. Rates paid for the care of children from ages six through 11 would increase from $592 to $699 per month and the rates for older children would increase from $685 to $760 per month. These rates would apply statewide.
With LB 265, Senator Colby Coash from Lincoln seeks to make it easier for foster children to be placed in kinship homes and relative homes. The bill has advanced to Final Reading.
Kinship home is defined as one wherein at least one of the primary caretakers has previously lived with, or is a trusted adult that has a preexisting, significant relationship with the child or a sibling of the child. Relative home is one wherein at least on of the primary caretakers is related to the child or a sibling by blood, marriage or adoption.
LB 265 would make state licensure optional for kinship homes and relative homes. Approval by the state Department of Health and Human Services (NDHHS), involving a home visit and criminal background checks, would still be required. For such homes that do pursue licensure, non-safety requirements could be waived.
LB 216 seeks to work against poor outcomes for young people who "age out" of foster care. Given the title Young Adult Voluntary Services and Support Act, this legislation would make it possible for 19 and 20 year-olds—former state wards—who meet prescribed eligibility criteria, to voluntarily enter into an agreement with NDHHS for extended services, including medical assistance, post-secondary-education, residential placement, continued foster-care maintenance and case management.
LB 216 was advanced to the full Legislature by the Health and Human Services Committee and as of the 60th legislative day, April 16, had advanced to the second round of floor debate. The bill has a fiscal note, i.e., a price tag, which could be a barrier to its enactment, depending on where it fits as a spending priority. The projected annual cost is approximately $7 million, a little over half of which could be federal funds.
Relative to federal funding, LB 269, which also is now pending at the second stage of consideration by the full Legislature, would direct NDHHS to capture all allowable foster-care maintenance costs from Title IV-E of the pertinent federal law. A previously legislated Medicaid crossover analysis pointed out such opportunities.
The aforementioned four legislative bills address particular aspects of the foster-care system and seek to continue with positive, constructive reforms that make the system better for vulnerable children. Another bill pertaining to foster care, LB 385, does not fit that characterization in the view of the Nebraska Catholic Conference. In fact, the Conference, under the direction of the three Diocesan Bishops, is opposed to the bill and submitted testimony reflecting that position.
LB 385 proposes to dictate that NDHHS "not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, marital status, or national origin" when determining "the suitability of any out-of-home placement of a juvenile."
Obviously, the intent of that provision is to statutorily authorize foster care placements in households with one or more unmarried adults, including same-sex partners. But the wording is deceptively ambiguous, especially so given the fact that the sentence that follows says that placement decisions "shall be made based upon the health, safety, and well-being of the child." Fulfilling that mandate would seem to be impossible if the department is precluded from considering any and all of the factors listed in the ban on discrimination. What’s more, the idea smacks of experimentation, because, the social-science research on the impact of placement of children in households other than those of married husbands and wives—fathers and mothers—is, at the very least, not beyond reasonable dispute.
LB 385 was not designated as a priority bill and after a rather chaotic hearing in front of the Judiciary Committee, is held by the committee. As a matter of policy, the idea at the core of LB 385 ought to end there.
Last month, Maryland became the sixth state in the last six years and the 18th overall to abolish the death penalty. Will Nebraska follow as number 19?
The opportunity exists, with a bill on General File. Moreover, the possibility appears to be more realistic than perhaps at any time during the last three decades. The policy flaws involving cost, ineffectiveness, risk of error, and disparate application have never been more apparent. Morally, revenge is still an inappropriate policy justification.
The scenario could be played out at the State Capitol during the next few weeks.
Might the ending be a showdown between longtime senator Ernie Chambers and Governor Heineman on a veto override? That’s one of the scripts. Another is that the bill moves a step or two in the process and then carriers over to 2014. There are more.
Legislative Bill 543 proposes to repeal the death-penalty and replace it as punishment for aggravated first-degree murder with imprisonment for life without parole, subject only to the authority in the Nebraska Constitution for the State Board of Pardons—Attorney General, Secretary of State and Governor—to commute any life sentence to a term of years, from which parole might only then become a possibility.
LB 543 is a priority bill for the 35 working days left in the current session of the Unicameral, having been designated as such by Sen. Chambers. It awaits a first round of floor debate, having been advanced to the full Legislature by the Judiciary Committee on a 7-0 vote, with one abstention: Sen. Mark Christensen of Imperial. Those who voted to advance were Senators Brad Ashford and Steve Lathrop from Omaha, Colby Coash and Amanda McGill from Lincoln, Les Seiler from Hastings and Al Davis from Hyannis.
In 1979, Sen. Chambers steered a death-penalty repeal bill through three rounds of floor debate and on to final passage by a one-vote margin. Then-Governor Charles Thone vetoed the bill and there was no override.
In 2013, LB 543 represents probably the most legitimate possibility for abolishing the death penalty since that vetoed effort of 33 years ago. Controversy and concern over authority for the state to kill as punishment have continued to build. The authority has hung on despite the weight of flaws and inadequacies, as well as moral challenges.
Even though the death penalty has been rendered as the sentence more than 30 times in Nebraska since the U.S. Supreme Court reinstated it in 1976 as a permissible, restricted-use punishment, only three executions have been carried out, the last in 1997. Since that last execution, the Nebraska Supreme Court has struck down electrocution as the sole method, the Legislature has replaced electrocution with lethal injection and the state has been embroiled in an embarrassing, national and international mess stemming from questionable efforts to acquire a drug required by the execution protocols.
Meanwhile, during all this time, costs of having the death penalty have continued to mount; that is, taxpayer-funded expenditures that, without a death penalty, could have been used for solving cold cases or improving reparations for victims of violent crimes or making other improvements in the criminal justice system.
There also has been growing evidence of the painful human and emotional costs for families of victims caused by delays and public attention rekindled over and over.
On a different plane, there are costs of compensation for those eventually determined to be innocent of the murders for which they were convicted. Their stories (e.g., the "Beatrice six," Darrel Parker) underscore the sobering possibility that an innocent person could be executed.
Some of the flaws and concerns might be thought to be offset by the notion that just having the death penalty serves as a deterrent, but that notion continues to unravel under the weight of evidence to the contrary.
The Nebraska Catholic Conference, representing the mutual interests and concerns of the three Diocesan Bishops, supports LB 543 and hopes it becomes law, not only for reasons of the death penalty’s policy problems, but also for reasons of morality, stemming from Catholic Social teaching. Testimony on behalf of the NCC was presented to the Judiciary Committee at the public hearing on LB 543. That testimony is available on the NCC website: www.nebcathcon.org.
On to another result in the Legislature: A salute please, for the six members of the Legislature’s Health and Human Services Committee—there was one abstention—who voted to indefinitely postpone LB 518. The bill proposed to repeal last year’s LB 599, a veto survivor, which reinstated medical-assistance coverage for prenatal care for the unborn children of impoverished, but otherwise ineligible, pregnant women, using the unborn child option of the federal Children’s Health Insurance Program. Voting for the IPP motion were Senators Kathy Campbell, Bob Krist, Mike Gloor, Tanya Cook, Sue Crawford and Sara Howard.
And finally…. Kudos to Nebraska’s First District U.S. Representative, Jeff Fortenberry on being selected by the House Speaker to be a member of Congress’s delegation for the installation of Pope Francis. A well-deserved honor.
The Nebraska Legislature has eclipsed the halfway point in its 2013 session, but it won’t be a downward glide to the finish line for the remaining 40-some days of the session. There are weighty issues on the overall agenda, pretty much dictating some lengthy days of action on the floor of the George W. Norris Legislative Chamber.
The Legislature also has passed two of its procedural markers. For one, all of the 650 or so originally introduced bills and constitutional-amendment resolutions have had their public hearings. Completion of the hearings also signals the beginning of full-day sessions for the collective body of 49 legislators.
The other procedural significance is that priority bills have been identified. These will receive the bulk of attention for the remainder of the session. Each legislator has chosen a priority bill and each standing committee has picked a pair. The Speaker has used his authority to identify 25 more, typically in response to requests by his colleagues.
No priority bill is guaranteed floor debate and an ultimate decision, but if advanced by the committee of jurisdiction, the likelihood is high.
Following is a rundown on a few of the priority bills
LB 543 proposes to repeal the death penalty and replace it with imprisonment for life as the punishment for aggravated first-degree murder. The only way this sentence could be changed would be if the Board of Pardons—Governor, Attorney General, Secretary of State—commuted the sentence to a term of years—a rare happening—and then subsequently the Board of Parole would approve a petition for parole.
LB 543 is the priority bill for Senator Ernie Chambers. As of the date for priority designations, March 15, it was still held by the Judiciary Committee. There appears to be a fairly strong possibility that it will have the necessary five votes to advance. Floor debate on the death penalty is likely to be captivating.
The chairperson of the Legislature’s Health and Human Services Committee, Senator Kathy Campbell, chose LB 577 as her priority bill. A proposal we addressed in a previous column, it would have Nebraska exercise its option under the federal Affordable Care Act to expand eligibility for Medicaid. In effect, any Nebraska adult with household income less than 138 percent of the federal poverty level would become eligible for this means of health care coverage. It is estimated that through 2020 at least 54,000 uninsured Nebraskans would gain access to health care coverage. LB 577 was reported advanced to the full Legislature on a 5-1 vote by the HHS committee March 19
Neither LB 405 nor LB 406 is a priority bill. In fact, both have been indefinitely postponed. But they live on in terms of general subject matter, due to LB 613, which is Senator Beau McCoy’s priority bill.
Recall that LB 405 and LB 406 created quite a stir early in this session by seeking to shake up the sales and income taxes. LB 405 proposed to repeal a broad range of current sales-tax exemptions and to apply the resulting revenue as a means for repealing the state’s individual and corporate income taxes altogether. LB 406 was a scaled-back version: repealing fewer exemptions and reducing the income-tax rates.
Due to the significant negative impacts on production agriculture, business and industry, health care, education and religious entities, LB 405 and LB 406 had a plethora of broad-based opposition. But they sparked momentum for LB 613. It proposes to create a special committee of the Legislature: the "Tax Modernization Committee," the purpose of which will be to study Nebraska’s tax laws.
The study will have to consider six elements: fairness, competitiveness (e.g., attract jobs, keep jobs), simplicity and compliance, stability (no more unpredictable fluctuations), adequacy (enough revenue to fund critical state services); and interrelationships of the tax system.
The first round of floor debate on LB 613 commenced last week. As currently constructed, the bill would expect the TMC to report findings and recommendations to the Legislature’s Executive Board by Dec. 15 of this year.
The Legislature’s Judiciary Committee prioritized LB 44. It was introduced to bring Nebraska into compliance with a 2012 ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court, which prohibits states from any mandatory sentencing of juveniles to imprisonment for life without the possibility of parole. Nebraska has to fix its policy.
As advanced by the committee to the full Legislature and proposed to be amended, LB 44 would establish a minimum sentence of 30 years imprisonment for conviction of first-degree murder and the current life without parole would be the maximum sentence. The amended version also sets forth several mitigating factors that the sentencing court would have to consider, including the convicted individual’s age at the time of the crime, his or her impetuosity, family and community environment, and ability to appreciate the risks and consequences of the conduct.
The Judiciary Committee appears to have struck a reasonable balance on this important policy issue. The number of years of the minimum sentence is likely to be debated, so it will be interesting to observe how the outcome of this legislation unfolds.
A cost-effective, human-needs policy opportunity not to be squandered or a cost-prohibitive financial obligation not to be undertaken?
In the interest of the common good, which view should Nebraska have of the option the federal Affordable Care Act offers for expanding health care coverage for thousands of low-income Nebraskans by means of Medicaid?
Assuming that LB 577 is advanced by the Health and Human Services Committee, the Nebraska Legislature is likely to make this decision before its session ends in June. The issue is complex. The debate won’t lack disagreement or intensity.
Medicaid is a federal-state partnership that provides health-care coverage for certain groups of people who meet means-tested eligibility requirements. Currently in Nebraska, Medicaid coverage is available for children; aged, blind and disabled adults; pregnant women, and a category of extremely impoverished parents. Childless adults are not eligible. Eligibility is primarily based on the federal poverty level (FPL) and family size. For example, parents of Medicaid-eligible children must make less than 47 percent of FPL in order to be eligible themselves; for a household of three, that’s about $11,000.
The ACA Medicaid option, as proposed by LB 577, would make a benchmark plan of health benefits, including behavioral health care, available to all Nebraskans earning less than 138 percent of FPL; approximately $15,500 for an individual and $27,000 for a family of three.
One significant aspect of this option is that it would address a gap in access to health insurance. As of 2014, in order to be eligible for subsidies and tax credits to purchase insurance on the yet-to-be established exchange, individuals will have to have household income of at least the poverty level. If Nebraska rejects the Medicaid-expansion option, thousands of adults—those without categorical eligibility plus those with incomes too high for status-quo Medicaid eligibility—will still be uninsured: no exchange; no Medicaid. Access to health care will continue to be severely limited, often delayed and often reliant upon expensive visits to hospital emergency rooms.
As a key element of the option for Medicaid expansion, the federal government is statutorily committed to pay 100 percent of the costs of services provided for the newly eligible in each of calendar years 2014, 2015 and 2016. The rate drops to 95 percent in 2017, to 94 percent in 2018, 93 percent in 2019 and 90 percent in 2020 and thereafter. Opponents of the expansion option say the Federal government cannot be trusted to keep that commitment and states will be left with unmanageable costs.
Cost is a complex, ongoing, legitimate issue, not only regarding Medicaid, but the health care system as a whole. But seemingly overlooked in the Medicaid-expansion debate is that the ACA also imposes billions of dollars of cuts in Medicare and Medicaid reimbursements otherwise paid to hospitals and other health-care providers, including those here in Nebraska to the tune of $856 million. The federal government is able to use these nationwide savings, as well as some other ACA revenue measures, to fund Medicaid expansion. Failure to enact LB 577 not only would reject a means of health-care coverage for thousands of currently uninsured Nebraskans, but it would squander participation in federal savings generated from Nebraska hospitals.
Bad debt incurred by health care providers, as well as their charity care, coupled with reduced compensation from Medicare and Medicaid, all affect the cost of private health insurance. Premiums paid for this insurance subsidize all other forms of health care, including emergency-room visits by the uninsured.
At the public hearing on LB 577 Feb. 28, nearly two dozen representatives of health care organizations and advocates for access to health care testified in support of the legislation. The Nebraska Catholic Conference, representing the mutual interests and concerns of the three Diocesan Bishops, was among the proponents. Excerpts from the testimony submitted on behalf of NCC follow. The testimony in full is accessible on the Conference’s website: www.nebcathcon.org.
"The tradition and approach of Catholic social teaching regarding health care are shaped by a fundamental principle: that every person has a right to adequate health care, a right that flows from the sanctity of human life and the inherent dignity of human beings, each one being made in the image of God….
"The Bishops’ Conference has concluded that the Medicaid-expansion option advances this important principle and promotes the common good. Expanding Medicaid eligibility will improve access and equity for many of those otherwise excluded, especially very-low-income adults. There is clearly a life improving, and in cases, life saving benefit to Medicaid coverage. Moreover, this expansion will mitigate other financial pressures throughout the health care system.
"We understand and appreciate that there are concerns about cost…. The robust public-policy discussion about cost control and improving outcomes throughout the health-care delivery system has been ongoing and must continue. Nevertheless, cost concerns alone cannot justify continuing to exclude so many vulnerable Nebraskans from access to health care, particularly in light of the available Medicaid coverage option."
The new Nebraska Legislature, with 11 members who were not part of the elite body last year, has completed a third of its 2013 session. Already, 15 bills have been passed and more than a dozen others indefinitely postponed at the committee stage. The start has been smooth and this lawmaking journey is well underway.
More than half of the 670 or so introduced bills and substantive legislative resolutions, which include proposed constitutional amendments, have had their public hearings. The remainder will be done with that process over the next three weeks. Priority-bill designations will soon start to be announced and by March 15 all 49 legislators and the 14 standing committees will have made those selections, one for each legislator, two for each committee. These bills, along with a couple dozen more to be prioritized by the Speaker, will pretty much set the course for the remainder of the session, except for the highly important package of budget bills.
More than 115 bills were referred to the Judiciary Committee for public hearings and early-stage filtering. Looming ahead and soon to be considered are two bills that are provocative, intensely challenging and emotionally charged, having to do with the nature of family and the best interest of children and teens.
LB 380, introduced by Omaha Senator Sara Howard, proposes to change the traditional Nebraska law governing adoption in a way that would allow any two adult persons, whether married or not, to jointly adopt a child. Furthermore, any parent of a child could consent to adoption of the child by the parent’s spouse "or by another adult who will share parental responsibility for the child with such parent, without the parent having to relinquish his or her legal rights to the child." This latter aspect is largely in response to a 2002 decision by the Nebraska Supreme Court, which ruled that an unmarried partner could not use adoption to become, in essence, a co-parent of her same-sex partner’s biological child, because Nebraska law allows for adoption without relinquishment of a biological parent’s rights only when the adopting party is the husband or wife of the biological parent.
LB 385, introduced by Omaha Senator Jeremy Nordquist, addresses the context of out-of-home placement of juveniles in foster care. It would add a policy provision to the Nebraska Juvenile Code that would explicitly prohibit the state Department of Health and Human Services, when determining the suitability of an out-of-home placement, from discriminating "on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, marital status, or national origin." Presumably this would mean that the agency could not take any of these factors into consideration in making placement decisions, except perhaps to the extent that some federal laws might apply.
Presumably, LB 385 is motivated at least in part by a desire to address the shortage of foster-care homes. The shortage is a problem that needs solutions, but not every intuitive solution is morally legitimate.
Setting aside the uncertain influence of political correctness, the debates over both LB 380 and LB 385 are likely to involve disagreement over social science and theories of human development. On one hand, both the common experience of humanity and a solid body of evidence demonstrate that the dual-gender unit of husband and wife results in the best developmental outcomes and serves the best interest of children; that is, their well-being is best served by being raised in a home with a husband and wife fulfilling the roles of father and mother. On the other hand, proponents of the bills no doubt will cite social science literature that claims no difference; that other, non-marital relationships, including sexual or romantic relationships, are just as effective, just as good for children. Lawmakers, starting with the members of the Judiciary Committee, will have to decide: maintain the status quo or open public policy to experiments involving the lives of vulnerable children?
The Nebraska Catholic Conference, under the direction of the Diocesan Bishops, is opposed to both LB 380 and LB 385. From the Conference’s perspective, if it is not possible for a child to be raised by his or her biological parents, then the best placement is a home of a marriage: husband and wife/father and mother.
Nebraskans who are concerned about the issues stemming from these bills should contact their own, respective legislator, as well as the members of the Judiciary Committee. Information is available from the Legislature’s website: www.nebraskalegislature.gov.
And finally, on another front….
LB 518, which proposes to repeal the 2012 law that authorizes medical assistance for prenatal care for the unborn children of impoverished pregnant women who are not eligible in their own right because of unauthorized immigration status, has been scheduled for its public hearing on March 21. That’s the last day of hearings for the session for the Health and Human Services Committee. Hopefully, that will be the end for LB 518.
On the fifth day of the Nebraska Legislature’s new session—it was Jan. 15—Governor Dave Heineman delivered the annual State-of-the-State address. Here’s the summary preface as documented by the Legislative Journal:
"Today, we are operating in a technology-driven, global, free-market economy. Our current tax system needs to be modernized and transformed. It’s been nearly five decades since Nebraska has had a serious debate about our overall tax system. Life has changed drastically since the 1960’s, when we were operating in a completely different economic environment."
The Governor’s proposals for transforming and modernizing the tax system were described conceptually in his speech and released in greater detail three days later. They are being described by the Governor himself, according to media reports, as "bold and courageous." They are not uninteresting or routine, that’s for sure.
Actually, the Governor has alternative proposals. The bolder of the two would completely eliminate the state income tax, for both individuals and corporations. That would cost $2.4 billion in annual revenue. In order to be cost neutral, the proposal also would repeal enough sales-tax exemptions to generate $2.4 billion.
The math is simpler than the policy repercussions. A progressive tax—i.e., based on ability to pay—would be eliminated and a regressive tax would be expanded. (Although one highly regressive impact, taxing grocery purchases, is not part of the plan).
The alternative proposal would be a scaled-back version, eliminating the corporate income tax and exempting a capped amount of retirement income. The lesser cost would be offset by eliminating about $395 million in sales tax exemptions.
The Nebraska Catholic Conference already has noted the fact that the bolder, more extensive proposal—but not the narrower version—would repeal the longstanding sales-tax exemptions for purchases by organizations created exclusively for religious purposes and purchases by non-governmental elementary and secondary schools. (Public schools are political subdivisions, the purchases of which would continue to be exempt. How’s that for fairness?)
Recent public comments attributed to the new Speaker of the Legislature, Senator Greg Adams, mentioned a fundamental premise: the power to tax, ultimately, is the power to control. The context of his remark was quite general, but it offers, in general, a traditional justification for exempting religious organizations from taxation.
The more applied justification for these exemptions is recognition that the ministries and programs of religious organizations, including local church communities throughout the state, contribute remarkably and irreplaceably to the social, spiritual, psychological, educational and material well-being of countless individuals and families. Making these functions more financially difficult for churches and schools would increase the pressures on government to meet human needs. Let the discussion begin.
The tax legislation will be controversial, but by no means the only controversial legislation in this session. Even though only about half of the session’s bills had been introduced as of Jan. 18, bills promising controversy were already apparent.
LB 380, introduced by Senator Sara Howard of Omaha and co-sponsored by Omaha Senators Brad Ashford, Burke Harr and Jeremy Nordquist and Lincoln Senators Bill Avery, Danielle Conrad and Amanda McGill, would legalize co-adoption of children by any two unmarried adults, including same-sex partners. Whether or not it would also coerce licensed adoption agencies into making such placements is open to question.
Similarly, Senator Nordquist’s LB 385 would authorize state placements of foster children with unmarried adults, including same-sex partners. It would do this by prohibiting discrimination on the basis of sexual-orientation, gender identity or marital status, in addition to race, color, religion, gender, disability or national origin.
Under Nebraska law, public school districts have authority to establish and operate school-based health centers in conjunction with sponsoring partners and to collect Medicaid reimbursements for health-care delivered to eligible children. By statutory definition, these centers are prohibited from dispensing, prescribing and counseling for contraceptives. (They also are prohibited from being involved with abortion.) Senator Conrad’s LB 395 would strike the ban insofar as it applies to contraceptives and thereby, apparently, allow public schools to be sources for these drugs and devices.
As anticipated, the Governor’s proposed budget for the FY2013-2015 biennium, in the form of LB 195, includes no funding for providing the state’s share of Children’s Health Insurance coverage for prenatal care for the unborn children of impoverished, pregnant women who are themselves ineligible due to unauthorized immigration status; in other words, no funding for last year’s intensely debated and enacted LB 599. Legislation that would repeal the LB-599 statute that specifically provides eligibility for these unborn children had not yet been introduced as of the eighth legislative day.
Last June 25, the United States Supreme Court ruled that any state law that mandates a sentence of imprisonment for life—meaning without possibility of parole—for an individual not yet 18 years of age at the time of his or her crime, is unconstitutional, a violation of the U.S. Constitution’s ban on cruel and unusual punishment. A life-without-parole sentence is not prohibited, but it cannot be the judge’s only choice in such circumstances. The convicted criminal’s age must be considered.
The impactful ruling stemmed from cases adjudicated in adult courts in Alabama, involving two individuals convicted of murder. Both were 14 at the time of their crimes. Justice Elena Kagan, writing for the Court’s 5-4 majority included this explanation:
"Such mandatory penalties, by their nature, preclude a sentencer from taking account of an offender’s age and the wealth of characteristics and circumstances attendant to it. Under these schemes, every juvenile will receive the same sentence as every other—the 17-year-old and the 14-year-old, the shooter and the accomplice, the child from a stable household and the child from a chaotic and abusive one. And still worse, each juvenile (including these two 14-year-olds) will receive the same sentence as the vast majority of adults committing similar homicide offenses."
The Court cited immaturity, impetuosity, and failure to appreciate risks and consequences as among the characteristics and circumstances necessitating that age be considered. Moreover, there is much evidence that full brain development has not occurred before age 18.
Like Alabama—and at least two dozen other states—Nebraska has one of "these schemes"; that is, mandatory life-without-parole sentencing for anyone convicted of first-degree murder, including felony murder, regardless of the perpetrator’s age. Nebraska’s current law, like Alabama’s, is unconstitutional.
Twenty-seven Nebraska inmates are serving life-without-parole sentences for crimes they committed while younger than 18. This includes 26 convicted of first-degree murder and one of kidnapping. In essence, they were sentenced pursuant to an unconstitutional law. So, what happens now?
And, there is another compelling question: what is the process going to be henceforward? In other words, how is the law going to be modified to replace the unconstitutional aspect regarding sentencing of juveniles convicted of murder? It’s a policy issue for the Legislature to decide.
Perhaps the answer to the second question could serve the first question as well; that is, look to the Legislature to decide all related matters. But retroactive application of a new law most likely won’t be possible. Most likely, the legislative branch of government will have to defer to the judicial branch for adjudications. Presumably, the 27 inmates will have to have their cases renewed and reviewed in light of factors of age.
Interestingly, in late November, the State Board of Pardons, which consists of three elected officials, the Governor, the Secretary of State and the Attorney General, tried to take control of the situation and handle the 27 cases pursuant to the Board’s authority to conduct hearings and commute sentences. The idea, apparently, was to allow about 20 minutes for separate presentations on each inmate’s original case and current situation and based thereupon, to commute the sentences, one-by-one, to a term of years.
The Board of Pardon’s initiative didn’t come to fruition. Legal counsel for some of the inmates sought an injunction to stop the commutation process. A state district court granted a temporary injunction, which was upheld by the Nebraska Supreme Court.
So, a lot has already happened; and a lot more will happen, especially in the Legislature. No doubt those deliberations will include a proposal to eliminate life-without-parole sentencing of juveniles altogether, in favor of severe terms-of-years sentences, but not foreclosing on an eventual opportunity to petition for parole. As alluded to in the Supreme Court’s ruling, there are policy justifications for doing that.
And finally…. on some other matters….
National Migration Week, sponsored by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, concludes Jan. 12. This year’s observance has included a campaign to encourage constituents to urge their U.S. Senators and Representatives to enact immigration-reform legislation in this 113th Congress. There is still time to do this and the effort is vitally important. A handy, electronic postcard is available to make the effort easy to fulfill. Visit www.justiceforimmigrants.org.
Residents of the First Congressional District should appreciate Rep. Jeff Fortenberry’s "Fort Report" on the "fiscal cliff" agreement. It was a concise, informative summary of a "complicated, hard decision." It presented his rationale for voting for the agreement, and some helpful, basic information about what was included. It was disconcerting though, to learn that "three more ‘fiscal cliff’ scenarios" loom ahead: the debt ceiling, a continuing resolution to fund the government and, after a two-month reprieve, the sequester, which would apply automatic spending cuts.
More cliffs? Uh oh. Brace ourselves.
The 103rd Nebraska Legislature will commence its first regular session on January 9 at 10 a.m. at the State Capitol in Lincoln. Forty-nine citizen legislators will participate in a public-policy process that will last for up to 90 legislative days, likely extending into early June. It is the longer of two regular sessions for this Legislature. A session of up to 60 legislative days will follow in 2014.
The 49-member Unicameral, unique among all the states, will include 11 members who were not part of the preceding Legislature and were elected to office as a result of the General Election on November 6. The new members are: Dan Watermeier from Syracuse, District 1; Bill Kintner from Papillion, District 2; Sara Howard, Omaha, District 9; Ernie Chambers, Omaha, District 11; Jim Scheer, Norfolk, District 19; Jerry Johnson, Wahoo, District 23; Kate Bolz, Lincoln, District 29; Rick Kolowski, Omaha, District 31; Al Davis, Hyannis, District 43; Sue Crawford, Bellevue, District 45; and John Murante from Gretna, District 49.
All but Kintner and Chambers are replacing incumbents who were prohibited from running for re-election a second time due to term limits prescribed by the Nebraska Constitution. Senators-Elect Kintner and Chambers defeated incumbents at the polls.
Fifteen incumbent legislators won re-election in November. The remaining 23 seats are held by legislators who have completed just half of their current four-year terms.
As anyone who follows the Legislature knows, Ernie Chambers presents a unique situation. He isn’t really a new legislator; not really a Senator-Elect. He brings with him 38 years of prior service in the Unicameral. He was term-limited at the end of 2008. He sat out four years as required by law. Then he won another election in November, becoming the first term-limited legislator to return.
On the new session’s first day, after participating in the pomp and ceremony, the 49 senators will elect their leadership for the next two years. Due primarily to term limits, several prominent positions are open, without incumbent leaders returning. These positions include Speaker of the Legislature and chairpersons of the following standing committees: Appropriations; Banking, Commerce and Insurance; Natural Resources; Revenue; and Transportation and Telecommunications.
In addition, the incumbent chairman of the Education Committee, Senator Greg Adams from York, has announced his intention of seeking to be chosen Speaker. If that happens, as is likely, then the Education Committee will need a new chairperson as well.
In the first year of a new Legislature, the foremost responsibility of the collective body is to develop the state’s spending plan, for the ensuing Biennium. In this situation, that’s the period of two fiscal years running from July 1, 2013 through June 30, 2015.
The budget-process starts in essence with the Governor submitting his program-by-program spending recommendations to the Legislature. The Appropriations Committee will spend the next 10 weeks or so pouring over the numbers and conducting public hearings. Ultimately, the committee will present its recommendations to the full Legislature. The package of budget bills will be subject to floor debate, amendments and votes. Once passed, the package will go back to the Governor for possible line-item vetoes and then back to the Legislature for potential veto overrides.
There will be many other issues throughout the 2013 session; some routine, some fairly controversial and some hotly contested. For instance, issues stemming from implementation of federal health-care-reforms are ripe for debate, such as expanding eligibility for Medicaid coverage. On the way toward requiring the states to cooperate in this, the federal law got tripped up by the U.S. Supreme Court, which ruled that the federal government can’t make the states do it.
Having not a mandate, but the option, and quite a bit of incentive through a plan of considerably higher federal financial participation, should Nebraska do the expansion anyway? Is it the right thing to do? A showdown looms over the idea.
Regrettably, an effort is probably going to be made, urged on by the Governor, to repeal the fundamentally pro life and fiscally-prudent policy of providing medical-assistance coverage for prenatal care for the unborn children of impoverished pregnant women who are themselves ineligible due to unauthorized immigration status. The federal Children’s Health Insurance Program, which pays nearly three-fourths of the cost, considers an unborn child the same as any child in relation to eligibility.
Those whose opposition to this narrowly tailored but highly important medical coverage is based on the bogus claim that it is an immigration issue cannot defend such a harsh view of the unborn child. If the woman was not pregnant, there would be no need for prenatal care. It’s the pregnancy—the presence of the unborn child—that substantiates the policy. Thirty legislators did the right thing in enacting it over the Governor’s veto last year. Any effort to reverse that decision deserves no traction.
Another issue among many that will receive attention will be the Legislature’s response to the U.S. Supreme Court ruling that mandatory life-without-parole sentences for those under the age of 18 when they commit murder violate the U.S. Constitution’s ban on cruel and unusual punishment.
A benefit of several weeks of surgery-caused medical leave was that the down time for healing provided opportunities to work on the fat file marked "things to read and review when there’s time."
This included a lot of catching up on "Obamacare," the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA). Numerous analyses and commentaries that had been variously deposited in the fat file were typically informational and interesting.
Some of PPACA is already in effect. This includes, as of last August, the highly controversial, unjust mandate for coverage of contraceptives, sterilization and abortion-inducing drugs as applied to many private, non-secular employers. A lot of PPACA though, including most of its major policies, takes effect January 1, 2014. There are more than enough issues and yet-to-be answered questions to project an implementation mess between now and then and on into the future One commentator says implementation of PPACA is inevitably headed into the "eye of a hurricane."
The issue of the definition of religious employer for purposes of exemption from the -government’s mandate forcing employers to cover sterilization and contraceptives, including those that can function as early abortions, will continue to be contested.
The federal lawsuit that was filed in Nebraska by the state Attorney General, on behalf of his office and the attorneys general of six other states, as well as three church institutions and two individuals, was dismissed on July 17 by a U.S. District Court judge in Lincoln. He ruled that the plaintiffs lacked standing to sue because they were not facing any direct and immediate harm. This is because the federal government relented a bit in June and allowed a "safe harbor" until August 2013 for religious organizations that cannot qualify under the narrow definition used for the exemption.
The lower court’s ruling has been appealed to the Eighth Circuit.
The General Counsel at the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty says, don’t read too much into this dismissal. "The decision has nothing to do with the main question of why the mandate violates the Constitution and federal religious-liberty law," Kyle Duncan wrote in Bench Memos.
More about the struggle with the federal government over mandated coverage of contraception, sterilization and abortion-inducing drugs: In an article in the diocesan newspaper of Arlington, VA, a pastor reflected on the life of St. Thomas More and urged that More’s faithful witness to his Catholic faith and willingness to lose his life rather than violate his conscience be instructive and inspirational in the present dilemma.
As Chancellor of England, lawyer and author Thomas More faced a moral crisis when the Catholic Church would not approve King Henry VIII’s divorce and the king responded by redefining the Church to fit his desire. Because his conscience would not allow him to support that response, More resigned from office. The king then demanded that More take an oath affirming the divorce. When More refused, he was imprisoned and subsequently beheaded.
In his article, the Virginia pastor compared Thomas More’s struggle with the king to that of the current struggle against a mandate that is attempting to define and dictate what is or isn’t religious enough to qualify for an exemption.
The Virginia pastor’s name is Father Paul D. Scalia. His father is U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia.
On a fat-file topic of a much different nature:
Since 1997, Arizona has had a law that allows individuals to claim a credit against their state income-tax liability for up to $500 of contributions made to tax-exempt, charitable organizations that allocate at least 90 percent of their revenue for private-school scholarships. This scholarship-tax-credit program in Arizona is like what was introduced as legislation in Nebraska in 2009-10 (LB 67) and again in 2011-12 (LB 50).
Charles M. North, Ph.D., J.D., a professor of Economics at Baylor University, issued a report that assessed data from Arizona’s scholarship-contribution tax-credit legislation for calendar year 2008. He calculated that it would have cost the state, county and local governments $241.5 million to provide a public-school education for all the private-school students who received scholarships from the program. That was more than four times the amount of revenue not collected due to the credit.
In a narrower context, North calculated that the cost to provide a public education to students who, but for the scholarship assistance, would not have been able to enroll in a private school, would have been $99.8 million per year.
Overall, North’s assessments showed that contributions to private-school scholarship programs saved Arizona taxpayers from $99.8 million to $241.5 million in 2008, at a cost of only $55.3 million in revenue reduction.
In 2010, a similar analysis in Nebraska, conducted by a Senior Fellow at the Foundation for Educational Choice, forecast a net benefit of $51 million over 10 years.
It is time for Nebraska legislators to get serious about facilitating this school-choice policy in the Cornhusker State, and for Catholic-school parents to work for it.
LINCOLN (NCC/SNR) - Nebraska’s 2012 General Election will take place Tuesday, Nov. 6. On that day, voters throughout the Cornhusker State will determine their representation in important public offices.
This survey of candidates is presented as a means of promoting faithful citizenship and political responsibility among Catholic Nebraskans throughout the state. It provides an opportunity to become better informed about positions and views of numerous candidates whose names will be on the ballots.
Neither the Nebraska Catholic Conference nor the Diocese of Lincoln, the Archdiocese of Omaha or the Diocese of Grand Island endorses or opposes any candidate for public office. Rather, they cooperatively facilitate this source of unbiased information.
All candidates for the United States Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives were mailed an identical questionnaire. A separate, state-based questionnaire was mailed to all candidates for the Nebraska State Legislature. All candidates for the same office were contacted in the same manner and advised of the same opportunity to respond.
All candidates were given the same deadline for responding, approximately eight weeks after the questionnaires were mailed. Reminder notices were mailed approximately four weeks, two weeks and one week prior to the deadline. Given this process, readers may fairly assume that if a candidate did not respond, it was a decision knowingly made.
The cover letter that accompanied each questionnaire informed the candidate of the opportunity to provide comments on any and every question. With few exceptions, comments appear just as submitted. In a few instances, some editing was necessary in order to respect a word limit, which was set forth in the cover letter.
All original responses are being retained by the Nebraska Catholic Conference and will soon be published on the Conference’s website: www.nebcathcon.org.
It is the sincerest hope of the Nebraska Catholic Conference and the Diocesan Bishops that Catholic Nebraskans will avail themselves of the information provided by this special project. Only a little time is required to take three important actions: first, review the full text of each question; second, consider the candidates’ responses to those questions as part of becoming an informed voter; third, be sure to vote on Tuesday, Nov. 6.
When Nebraska voters consider their ballots in the 2012 General Election on November 6, two of their decisions will pertain to proposed amendments to Article III of the State Constitution. Article III authorizes and governs the State Legislature.
Each of the proposed amendments, if approved, will have an impact—one sooner than the other—on the relatively few citizens—no more than 49 at any point in time—who have the privilege and honor of serving in the nation’s only Unicameral Legislature.
Proposed Amendment Number 3 would amend section 12 of Article III in a way that would change from two to three the number of consecutive terms a member of the Legislature is permitted to serve. Except for uncommon circumstances, each term is four-years in length.
As long-time Omaha senator Ernie Chambers is showing this year, a term-limited legislator can seek election to return to the Legislature after four years have passed.
Term limits for state legislators were instituted in 2000. The proposal qualified for the ballot by means of a citizens’ initiative petition. Having received a sufficient number of valid signatures across the state, the proposal was certified for the ballot as Initiative Measure 415. It was approved by almost 56 percent of the electorate. Since it took effect on January 1, 2001, 44 legislators have been term-limited.
While Proposed Amendment Number 3 pertains to time, Proposed Amendment Number 4 pertains to money, in relation to compensation. It would amend section 7 of Article III in a way that would increase the salary paid to each state legislator from the current figure of $1,000 per month to an annual salary of $22,500.
The last time the salary paid to legislators was increased was 1988, 24 years ago. The increase approved then by voters was from $400 per month to the current number.
In addition to salary, state legislators receive reimbursement for travel expenses.
Amendment 3 on term limits is the result of Legislative Resolution 358CA, which passed April 4 on a vote of 31-14, with four excused. Amendment 4 on legislative salaries is the result of Legislative Resolution 373CA, which likewise passed on April 4, on a vote of 31-15, with one abstention and two excused.
As with "regular" legislative bills, each of these constitutional-amendment resolutions had a public hearing in front of a committee—the Executive Board for both—and advanced out of the committee and through two stages of consideration by the full Legislature before having a vote on final passage. Once passed, constitutional-amendment resolutions don’t move to the Governor for approval or veto as a bill does; they move directly to the Secretary of State for ballot certification.
An interesting, but not too meaningful tidbit is that 25 legislators voted to send both time (LR358CA) and money (LR373CA) to the voters, while 10 of their colleagues voted against both. Five of those who voted for both resolutions and two of those who voted against both are being term limited this year.
There are no initiative measures on the ballot this year. In all, there are four proposed constitutional amendments; all four result from legislative resolutions.
In addition to Amendments 3 and 4, Amendment 1 proposes to authorize impeachment of elected officials for misdemeanors committed while pursuing office and Amendment 2 proposes to state a constitutional right to hunt, fish and harvest wildlife.
The numbers three and five are particularly relevant to the ballot measures. Unlike most legislative bills, legislative resolutions with a "CA" in the title must have a three-fifths majority—that’s 30 votes—in order to be passed and certified to the Secretary of State. And, in order to be approved by the voters, the votes in favor must constitute at least 35 percent of all the votes cast at the statewide election. In other words, casting a ballot but not voting on a constitutional amendment is the same as a "no" vote.
Speaking of the upcoming election, the issue of this diocesan newspaper on Oct. 26 will include the traditional candidate survey coordinated by the Nebraska Catholic Conference. A questionnaire covering a range of federal policy issues was disseminated to the candidates for U.S. Senate and the three U.S. House of Representatives districts. A questionnaire covering a range of state policy issues was disseminated to each candidate for the State Legislature. In addition to the printed format, the NCC’s candidate survey also will be posted as of October 25 on its website: www.nebcathcon.org.
And finally… Our longtime friend and colleague who is the executive director of the Wisconsin Catholic Conference recently made a great suggestion for how Catholic citizens should acknowledge Election Day: make a point of attending Mass and receiving Holy Communion on November 6. Given all the partisan sniping and tension and acrimony and harsh, difficult campaigning leading up to that day, as well as the great significance of the decisions in relation to political leadership, it’s appropriate to join alongside others in the greatest of prayers.
When the U.S. Supreme Court ruled June 28 on legal challenges made against the Affordable Care Act, federal health-care-reform legislation of significance and notoriety, most of the reaction focused on the individual-insurance mandate. That was understandable. The ruling that such a mandate survives constitutional scrutiny under the government’s taxing authority was surprising and intriguing; pretty much a "wow" result.
But another component of the ruling packs some wallop as well, especially for policy making by the states. The Court ruled that expanding eligibility for health-care coverage through Medicaid must be optional for state governments, rather than mandatory as called for by the ACA.
The Act makes non-elderly persons with household income less than 133 percent of the Federal Poverty Line eligible for Medicaid. (In effect, it’s actually 138 percent of the FPL, because in most circumstances the law disregards five percent of income.) That’s quite a bit higher than current eligibility ceilings, thus expanding this means of access to health care.
Another prong of the ACA will provide subsidies—in the form of refundable tax credits—to enable persons to purchase health insurance through exchanges. But this assistance won’t be available to most people who would be eligible for Medicaid pursuant to the expansion. Thus, states that opt not to adopt expanded Medicaid eligibility will have a coverage gap for some who are poor and uninsured. Some say this exemplifies the "house of cards" construction of the ACA, which relies upon an intricate connectivity of provisions.
Expanded Medicaid eligibility would primarily impact previously uninsured adults (age 19 to 64). This is because Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) already provide a strong base of coverage for children. Most states have previously expanded eligibility for children and pregnant women beyond the federal minimum, as allowed by pre-ACA Medicaid law.
In Nebraska, for example, the income-eligibility limit for infants--birth to age one—is 150 percent FPL for purposes of Medicaid funding and 200 percent for CHIP funding. For children ages one through five, the eligibility limits are 133 percent and 200 percent respectively; and for children ages six through 18, the eligibility limits are 100 percent and 200 percent. For pregnant women, the Medicaid income-eligibility limit in Nebraska is 185 percent FPL ($34,280 for a family of three).
The ACA prohibits these already expanded eligibility limits from being lowered.
On the other hand, for most adults (other than pregnant women) the ceiling on Medicaid eligibility is much lower. For Nebraska, it’s 46 percent for these adults when they are jobless and 57 percent when employed. What’s more, prior to the ACA, states were prohibited from covering childless, non-disabled adults under Medicaid.
It is likely, if not a foregone conclusion, that expanding Medicaid eligibility, as in essence presupposed by the ACA, but made optional by the Supreme Court’s ruling, will be a major issue for the Nebraska Legislature in 2013. And it could be a donnybrook.
Even though the ACA has the federal government paying 100 percent of the cost of expansion through 2016 and ratcheting that down to no less than 90 percent in 2020 and beyond, the reliability of this fiscal participation is being doubted. The Governor in particular—and numerous legislators will agree—will argue the likelihood that at some point the state will be left holding the bag of costs.
Undoubtedly, the debate in the Legislature will give considerable attention—and rightfully so—to a recently released policy brief by Jim P. Stimpson from the Center for Health Policy at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. Its purpose is to provide some evidence of the impact of expanding Medicaid in Nebraska as anticipated by the ACA. As a contribution to the public debate it is worthwhile and provocative. Opponents of expansion will have a tough time challenging it.
Visit www.unmc.edu/publichealth/chp.htm.
Among the evidence it sets forth are these considerations: the estimated number of new Medicaid enrollees from expansion in Nebraska through 2020 ranges from 90,021 to 108,025; the estimated cost of Medicaid expansion for Nebraska ranges from $140 million to $168 million; on the other hand, the estimated revenue coming from the federal government to Nebraska for the Medicaid expansion ranges from $2.9 billion to $3.5 billion through 2020; without the Medicaid expansion, more than $1 billion in uncompensated care would be incurred in Nebraska through 2019; if Medicaid eligibility is expanded, health care providers would save at least $163 million and as much as $ 325 million in costs associated with uncompensated care; spending by the federal government on Medicaid expansion would generate at least $700 million annually in new economic activity in Nebraska, which could finance over 10,000 jobs each year through 2020.
All this analysis, of course, stems from and is related to underlying policy objectives, which seek to provide access to affordable health-care for a significant number of Nebraskans who are now uninsured.
According to at least some of the political pundits and "talking heads" the national conventions of the political parties represent the unofficial start of the official campaign season.
Or is it the official start of the unofficial campaign season? Regardless; now more than ever it’s game on, heading toward Nov. 6.
Of course, the "pre-season" has already been long and contentious. Those who grumble about how turned off they are by the process and the styles and excesses of campaigning have a point. Most of us feel it: the frustration, the nuisance, the disdain.
But perhaps completion of the conventions can artificially signal a fresh start; be the source of an attitude adjustment; reinvigorate our psyches. Why? Because what takes place over the next couple of months is vitally important. After all, we are deciding about those who make and carry out public policy; who make critical decisions about the political, social, economic and global lives of our nation and state.
One excellent, conscientious effort for Catholic citizens to make—highly recommended if not critically necessary—is visiting this website: www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/faithful-citizesnship. It provides access to "Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship: A Call to Political Responsibility with Introductory Note," a rich and valuable teaching statement from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. The website includes numerous resources to use in conjunction with the statement.
In the Catholic tradition, responsible citizenship is a virtue and participation in political life is a moral obligation. The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches that "it is necessary that all participate, each according to his/her position and role, in promoting the common good. This obligation is inherent in the dignity of the human person… As far as possible citizens should take an active part in public life" (nos. 1913-1915).
This does not mean that we all have an obligation to run for public office. For most of us that’s not possible. But it surely does mean that we make a conscientious effort to engage in the political process as citizens and voters.
The statement from the Bishops’ Conference is not an endorsement for any candidate. It does not tell anyone for whom to vote. It is a guide and tool to assess and weigh issues and the positions expressed by candidates. It provides substance to think about, thereby enabling Catholic citizens to be more conscientious in making election decisions than blind partisanship allows.
As its title implies, the statement emphasizes the formation of conscience and the importance of doing so. Paragraph 17 of the statement teaches as follows:
"The Church equips her members to address political and social questions by helping them to develop a well-formed conscience. Catholics have a serious and lifelong obligation to form their consciences in accord with human reason and the teaching of the Church. Conscience is not something that allows us to justify doing whatever we want, nor is it a mere ‘feeling’ about what we should or should not do. Rather, conscience is the voice of God resounding in the human heart, revealing the truth to us and calling us to do what is good while shunning what is evil. Conscience always requires serious attempts to make sound more judgments based on the truths of our faith…."
Through their statement, the Bishops cite a number of issues about which we should form our consciences. Some of these are: continuing killing of unborn children through abortion and other threats to the lives and dignity of the vulnerable, sick or unwanted; renewed efforts to force Catholic ministries to violate their religious and moral values or stop their services; efforts to redefine marriage and to enact measures that undermine marriage as between one man and one woman and an institution essential to the common good; an economic crisis that has devastated lives and livelihoods, increasing unemployment, poverty, hunger, deficits and debt, and the duty to respond in ways that protect the poor and future generations.
The Church fosters well-formed consciences not only by teaching moral truth, but also by encouraging development and application of the virtue of prudence. The Catechism describes prudence as enabling us "to discern our true good in every circumstance and to choose the right means of achieving it." Paragraph 19 of the statement says that prudence "shapes and informs our ability to deliberate over available alternatives, to determine what is most fitting to a specific context and to act decisively."
Making practical judgments and choices in the political arena is aided by the virtue of prudence in the exercise of well-formed consciences. Learn more about this, and about actions that must never be condoned because they are "intrinsically evil" in "Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship: A Call to Political Responsibility."
Again, that website is: www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/faithful-citizenship.
In future columns, we hope to examine other aspects of the Faithful Citizenship program. In addition, Catholic Nebraskans might anticipate a mid-October publication of the traditional Nebraska Catholic Conference candidate survey. It is a voter-information project, through which candidates for Congress and the State Legislature are able to share their views on a range of issues.
When the U.S. Supreme Court issued its term-ending rulings during the last week in June, the greatly anticipated one of June 28 pertaining to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act received extensive attention. But three days earlier, the Court issued two other rulings of considerable public-policy significance.
Both have implications in and for Nebraska.
In the combined cases of Jackson v. Hobbs (Arkansas) and Miller v. Alabama, the Supreme Court ruled 5-4 that any state law that mandates a sentence of life-without parole for individuals convicted of murder even when they were younger than 18 at the time of committing the crime violates the Eighth and Fourteenth Amendments’ prohibition against cruel and unusual punishment.
The majority concluded that mandating life-without-parole in these circumstances categorically precludes consideration of the offender’s young age or any other mitigating circumstances. Moreover, the relative rarity of such sentences in practice reflects a national consensus regarding the reduced criminal culpability of children and juveniles.
Current Nebraska law mandates life without parole for those convicted of first-degree murder (when it is not a capital crime by virtue of aggravating factors) or felony murder and makes no exception for the offender’s age. The Legislature is going to have to change that law, due to the Supreme Court’s ruling. The ruling doesn’t forbid life-without-parole, but it has to be optional, not mandatory for the sentencing court.
Currently, there are 26 lifers in Nebraska prisons who committed a murder or participated in a murder while under the age of 18. Presumably, the Legislature will also have to decide what to do about them. Eight have been incarcerated for 30 years or more.
In 2011, Senator Brenda Council introduced two legislative bills on this topic. LB 202 proposed to provide such prisoners an opportunity, after no less than 20 years of incarceration, to petition for a commutation to a parole-eligible sentence. LB 203 proposed to prohibit life without parole any time the convicted individual was under 18 at the time of the crime and to instead impose minimum terms of lengthy duration. Neither bill made it through the legislative process.
In Arizona v. United States, the other ruling of June 25, the Supreme Court struck down as unconstitutional three of four challenged sections of Arizona’s infamous S.B. 1070 efforts to enforce Federal immigration policy. The sections invalidated were ones that created state crimes for an unauthorized alien to fail to comply with federal alien-registration requirements and to seek or engage in work, and that authorized warrantless arrests of any unauthorized alien believed by probable cause to have committed any public offense that would make him or her removable from the U.S.
The Supreme Court unanimously upheld the other provision challenged by the Federal government’s lawsuit: section 2(B), the so-called "show your papers" law. It stated: "for any lawful stop, detention or arrest made by a law enforcement official… in the enforcement of any other law or ordinance… where reasonable suspicion exists that the person is an alien and is unlawfully present in the United States, a reasonable attempt shall be made, when practicable, to determine the immigration status of the person, except if the determination may hinder or obstruct an investigation." Emphasis is added to indicate that the mandate is pretty "watered down."
In enforcing this provision, law-enforcement officers were not allowed to consider race, color or national origin except to the extent permitted by the Constitution.
A legislative bill akin to the Arizona law was introduced in the Nebraska Legislature in 2011. LB 48 had a probative public hearing in front of the Judiciary Committee, which found the bill abundantly problematic and did nothing more with it during both the 2011 and 2012 sessions. It expired with the end of the latter.
LB 48 included provisions like the invalidated state crimes. It did not include authorization for warrantless arrests.
Per LB 48, "show your papers" was stated as follows: "A peace officer shall determine the immigration status of a person who has been lawfully stopped, detained, or arrested when reasonable suspicion exists that the person is unlawfully present in the United States." Its approach to dissuading racial profiling was this statement: "For purposes of the act, a peace officer’s reasonable suspicion shall not be based solely upon a person’s race, color, religion, sex, or national origin." Again, emphasis is added; this time for comparative purposes.
The principal introducer of LB 48, Fremont senator Charlie Janssen, has reportedly declared that the Supreme Court’s ruling upholding Arizona’s "show your papers" requirement is a victory for his side of the policy debate and that it should embolden Nebraska legislators, presumably himself included, to introduce another immigration enforcement bill in 2013.
Even if better drafted than LB 48 was, a new, follow-up bill it won’t be scrutinized or challenged any less. After all, as Justice Kennedy wrote: "This opinion does not foreclose other preemption and constitutional challenges to the law as interpreted and applied…." That would include civil-rights challenges. What’s more, copycat laws from at least four other states—Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina and Utah—are already under legal challenge and it might not be too long before the Supreme Court revisits its jurisprudence on state attempts to enforce Federal policy.
Some thoughts still linger about the University of Nebraska Board of Regents’ 5-3 vote June 8 that authorizes treating cohabiting domestic partners of university employees the same as the husbands and wives of married employees, for purposes of eligibility for employment-based benefits—most notably medical and dental insurance.
The benefits-extension was described for the Regents by the NU administration last December. Then the matter was quieted while the State Legislature was in session and making decisions about the university’s requests for funding for three major projects. That accomplishment secured, and the Primary Election out of the way, the matter popped back up with a week’s public notice.
The new coverage options have been given the labels "Employee-Plus-One" and "Employee-Plus-One-and-Family" (to include the children of the added one). The "One" of "Plus One" is identified as the employee’s "Adult Designee."
As with the current plan’s election of spousal and family coverage, the employee will be responsible for about 16 percent of the premium cost, with the University paying the balance. The University’s total cost of adding up to 200 of these coverage-elections is projected to be between $750,000 and $1.5 million a year.
To be eligible for the extension of benefits: the "Adult Designee," whether of the same or opposite gender as the employee, must be at least 18 years of age; must not be the employee’s spouse (obviously); must have resided in the same domicile with the employee for at least the consecutive 12 months prior to the election of coverage and intend to remain so domiciled indefinitely; and must be "directly dependent upon, or interdependent with, the employee, sharing a common financial obligation."
By using "Adult Designee," the university’s top administrators, who vigorously and enthusiastically pursued authorization for the Plus-One benefits, coyly avoid the terms "partner" and "domestic partner." No doubt this is because of the second sentence of article. 1, Section 29 of the Nebraska State Constitution. It prohibits governmental recognition of any "uniting of two persons of the same sex in a civil union, domestic partnership, or other similar same-sex relationship."
The definitional and pre-conditional requirements for being an "Adult Designee," as applied when that individual is the same gender as the employee, suggest a same-sex relationship that, if it isn’t a "domestic partnership" per se, is, at a minimum, similar to one, making the state university’s recognition of it at least constitutionally suspect.
Significantly, the definition of "Adult Designee" also prescribes those who are excluded from being one—most notably blood relatives. This exclusion exposes unfairness in the plan; it also exposes the pretext of recognizing same-sex relationships.
The University’s administration invested in a legal opinion from a law firm. Here’s its conclusion, released just a week before the vote: "Although there is no binding Nebraska precedents and arguments could be made on both sides of this issue, it is our opinion that the Plus One Plan does not violate the Nebraska Marriage Amendment."
Not a single Regent probed that opinion in any manner, at least on the record.
Even more inexplicable, the Nebraska Attorney General apparently prefers to ignore any issue of the Plus-One plan’s constitutionality. Way back in mid-February, a state legislator requested an Attorney General’s Opinion on the issues. Apparently, there has been no attempt to fulfill that legitimate request.
Before the roll-call vote was taken, seven of the eight Regents—all but Chuck Hassebrook—made statements about the "Plus One" proposal and reasons for their votes.
The most puzzling, if not disingenuous, statement was that of Regent Kent Schroeder of Kearney.
He pointed out flaws and weaknesses in the justifications offered for the proposal. He challenged virtually all of the evidence the administration had presented in support of its assertion that partner benefits are needed for recruitment and retention of quality faculty; that evidence sits on thin ice, he said. He pointed out that the proposal actually exacerbates inequality and discrimination because costs will dictate that some unmarried employees will pay disproportionately for single coverage, which could lead to a future decision to limit all eligibility to employees only. He said he didn’t care about what Fortune-500 companies do about extended benefits, because they pass the costs on to consumers. He mentioned that 90 percent of his contacts from constituents urged him to vote against the proposal.
Then, having said all that, he announced he would vote "yes," for two reasons: his admiration for NU President J.B. Milliken and for UNL Chancellor Harvey Perlman.
Just before the Board’s chairman, Regent Jim McClurg of Lincoln, made his statement and called for the vote, he recognized Chancellor Perlman to speak. The Chancellor’s remarks were brief. He closed by telling the Regents that it would be "infinitely harder to manage this university if you don’t vote in favor of this."
"Infinitely harder"? Really? Not just harder, or somewhat harder or a lot harder, but "infinitely" harder? Beyond-comprehension harder? Goodness. What an over-the-top admonition. But perhaps Chancellor Perlman still wasn’t quite sure at that point which way a vote was headed.
Regent McClurg, unsurprisingly, gave the most enthusiastic statement of support for granting the authorization. This is what great universities do, he said, adding his opinion that in 10 or 15 years, they would look back and be glad they did it.
Perhaps that will be so; as far as the University’s institutional self-interest is concerned, involving its reputation among its Big-10-Conference peers.
Or perhaps by then the policy will have been judicially nullified because in part it violates the Nebraska Constitution. Or perhaps it will have led to a subsequent change: limiting benefits to employees only. Or perhaps by undermining the fundamental meaning and value of marriage, this policy will have taught bad lessons, negatively impacted the common good and contributed to a greater cultural crisis.
By a 5-3 vote at its meeting June 8, the Board of Regents of the University of Nebraska system authorized extension of employment benefits—most notably health insurance—to the unrelated, cohabiting domestic partners of its unmarried employees.
Like many employers, the University of Nebraska system allows its married employees to elect health-insurance coverage for their husbands or wives (and dependent children). Under the new authorization, which is to take effect next Jan. 1 at all four campuses (Lincoln, Omaha, Kearney and the Medical Center), unrelated, cohabiting domestic partners of the same or opposite gender will be eligible the same as husband and wives. Marriage will no longer matter.
Regents Bob Phares of North Platte, Tim Clare of Lincoln and Randy Ferlic of Omaha voted against the authorization and are to be thanked and commended for doing so. Nevertheless, their five colleagues—Regents Kent Schroeder of Kearney, Jim McClurg of Lincoln, Howard Hawks and Bob Whitehouse of Omaha and Chuck Hassebrook of Lyons—had the upper hand, voting "yes" in line with what the university system’s president and four chancellors wanted them to do.
The mechanism for implementing cohabiting-domestic-partner eligibility has been given the label "Employee-Plus-One" coverage option. The "One" is an "Adult Designee." To be eligible for spousal-equivalent benefits, the "Adult Designee" of the same or opposite gender must be at least 18 years of age; cannot be the spouse (obviously) or a blood relative of the employee; must have shared a domicile with the NU employee for at least the consecutive 12 months prior to the election of coverage; and must be dependent upon, or interdependent with, the employee, as shown by evidence.
Before the vote was taken at the Regents’ meeting, public comments were allowed. Your columnist testified on behalf of the Diocesan Bishops, in their association as the Nebraska Catholic Conference, as follows:
"In early March, the Catholic Diocesan Bishops serving in Nebraska—Archbishop George Lucas of Omaha, Bishop Fabian Bruskewitz of Lincoln and Bishop William Dendinger of Grand Island—wrote jointly to each of you, expressing their opposition to the ‘Plus-One’ partnership proposal and urging you not to authorize it. Their opposition and urging have not waned and are hereby renewed.
"In addition to the significant and serious issues relating to cost and constitutionality, the Diocesan Bishops urge you not to overlook or ignore the significant and serious moral, social and cultural issues involved with this proposal. By providing to cohabiting partners the same benefits and privileges as are provided to husbands or wives, the proposal manipulates the unique and special meaning of marriage—the fundamental institution that, reflecting a deep reality, unites a man and a woman with each other and any children born from their union.
"Traditionally, historically, morally and culturally, this family centric institution has an irreplaceable social role and is unequaled in serving the common good. In attempting to elevate cohabitation to an equivalent status of marriage, that is, to treat unmarried partners as though they were the equivalent of married couples, the proposal says, in effect, that marriage really doesn’t matter; that it lacks uniqueness and significance as a social institution for the common good; and that it is no different and no more meaningful and important than merely living together in a domestic relationship for a prescribed minimum period of time, with a prescribed degree of economic partnership.
"As a matter of policy that would be implemented by one of, if not the, most powerful and influential entities in this state, the message that would be conveyed by this proposal would further undermine marriage, which is the foundation for family and society and for providing the healthiest environment for children and their development.
"And for what purpose this social and cultural impact and cost of undermining and devaluing marriage? Apparently, in order to make a one to two percent difference (as projected) in affecting faculty and staff who would be eligible for such extended benefits. What’s more, Nebraskans are being expected to believe and accept that this minimal difference constitutes a major impact with regard to competitiveness and equity in terms of recruiting and retaining faculty and staff.
"As the Diocesan Bishops view this, the moral, social and cultural costs of the message this proposal would convey in terms of manipulating and undermining marriage, far outweigh the purported benefits of such a policy. Moreover, marriage is held in high esteem by scores of Nebraskans, whose families are a big part of the lifeblood of the University of Nebraska. This reality strongly suggests that the state’s university system will earn greater public respect if it stands unique and strong—being different where it matters most—in its support for the uniqueness and special meaning of marriage."
The five Regents whose votes adopted the policy all indicated they considered it the right thing to do for the University of Nebraska’s reputation and its employees. Perhaps it’s the right thing for the narrower, political interests of that institution, but not for the fundamental institution of marriage or the common good of Nebraskans.
