Greetings unfortunate reader. If you are reading this, you are certainly near to tears, either from relief or because you are devastated. Lemony Snicket has written his last book! It was released on Friday, October 13, it is his 13th book, and we have seen all we will ever see of the Baudelaire orphans. I will tell you no more, except to say that the ending ... well it wouldn't be too much to tell you there's fog, a shipwreck and tasteless humor (and crumpets).
I am in the school of readers who does not love Lemony Snicket books and who scratches her head in wonderment when I read that it provided solace (Count Olaf? disasters at every turn?) to children after 9/11. However, I gladly hand it to all comers -- like Harry Potter, the series has drawn in and captured a whole generation of readers who often would rather stare at a screen than a page. Whew -- keep 'em coming Mr. Handler!
For die-hard fans, Mr. Snicket has also published "Beatrice Letters," and a CD of series-inspired music (imagine listening to that at bedtime!).
(Parents: here is a link is to an interview that the New York Times did recently with Daniel Handler [author of the Lemony Snicket books]. It is mostly targeted to adults, featuring a discussion about why he wrote the books, impact on the publishing world, etc. You may find it interesting: http://podcasts.nytimes.com/podcasts/2006/10/20/21bookupdate.mp3. Who knows, maybe your kid will, too.)
Thursday, October 26, 2006
Creepy Halloween read -- "The Presence"
(Parents -- this book includes some very mild teenage behavior [a chaste kiss, having a crush], and several descriptions of accident victims.)
I am just recovering from listening (yes, listening -- I do a lot of my "reading" in the car going to and fro) to Eve Bunting's chapter book "The Presence." Imagine you are a teenager, recovering from the death of your closest friend -- a death you believe you caused. You are visiting your grandmother when you meet a ghost who lives in your grandmother's church. He chooses you as his next companion. Will anyone believe you? Will you escape his invisible -- but very real -- clutches? Read this very creepy book to find out ... but not alone in the dark!
Available at the Arlington Public Libraries.
I am just recovering from listening (yes, listening -- I do a lot of my "reading" in the car going to and fro) to Eve Bunting's chapter book "The Presence." Imagine you are a teenager, recovering from the death of your closest friend -- a death you believe you caused. You are visiting your grandmother when you meet a ghost who lives in your grandmother's church. He chooses you as his next companion. Will anyone believe you? Will you escape his invisible -- but very real -- clutches? Read this very creepy book to find out ... but not alone in the dark!
Available at the Arlington Public Libraries.
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