Award winning book- Chapter book for fifth to eighth graders.

"The Giver," by Lois Lowry. This book was awarded a Newbery Medal. It's on the reading list of some schools. "The Giver" is a thought provoking book. Before I read it people had a hard time explaining the premise to me. They just said read it. I'm glad I did.
A boy named Jonas and his family live in a perfect community, metaphorically, a living bubble. There is no sadness, fear, or pain. Everything is safe and under control. Rules are hard to change. When Jonas turns twelve he has a special ceremony where he is given his assignment in the community. He is given special training from The Giver. The Giver can give you memories of pain and pleasure. Jonas fractures his leg, he can't have medication. He feels pain. But he does get a nice memory after his daily work. After some time Jonas learns that the memory of love is nice, but he believes if you felt love all the time it could come with a risk. It could cause you pain. But Jonas learns that erasing things you don't like, like pain, doesn't make you or your life better. Living in a fantasy lie isn't all that is cracked up to be. The part in the book where a baby cries and what is done about it is interesting. It makes you really think about problem solving. And how people avoid unpleasantness at any cost.

Movie Review

Movie Title: Night at the Museum, Battle of the Smithsonian. Rated PG. Maybe it got the PG rating for the non-bloody battle scenes between the museum wax works. Maybe it wanted a PG rating. I don't know. I saw it with two boys and their eight-year-old cousin. She wasn't scared in the least. Now I was a little worried about seeing this movie. I heard it wasn't nearly as good as the first. When you see a movie without high expectations and it's not as bad as you thought it might be, you consider yourself fortunate. This is how I felt about this film. In this movie there are some amusing dialogs; the tiny Roman Emperor and his tiny cowboy friend were fun to watch; and King Tut's evil brother was absolutely hilarious. He stole the movie. However, the ending was a bit too pat. And not very believable. Maybe Mr. Stiller should have asked kids if they thought the ending was plausible. Two kids I know agreed with each other that they wouldn't give up being super rich just to be a night guard. All in all, don't be afraid like I was, about renting this movie. It's worth renting.

Movie plot: Larry Daley (Ben Stiller) is no longer a night guard at the history museum. His simple minded inventions have made him rich. He visits his old hunting ground, the history museum. He finds out the wax works are being put in deep storage at the Smithsonian for more modern technology. Larry takes it upon himself to do something about this. When he gets to Washington DC he sees the wax works have come alive at the Smithsonian. Larry must keep King Tut's brother, Napoleon, Al Capone and a Russian noble from taking over the Smithsonian and possibly the world. The wax work, Amelia Earhart, helps Larry accomplish this.

Back to school idea

On the first day or week of grammar school put a note in your child's lunch bag saying, "Have a great day at school!" If they are in preschool or kindergarten draw a smiley face then a heart signed Mom or Dad. You can also put a note in your wife or husband's lunch if they take one to work. You can write, "Honey, you're terrific! Have a wonderful day at work." It will brighten their day.

Last Dog Tip

Here is the last Dog's Day of Summer Dog Tip- Make sure your dog has plenty of clean water. Give them new water everyday. Recheck water bowl on hot days to make sure your dog still has water. Do not leave their water in a metal bowl in the hot sun. The metal can get really hot and it could burn your dog when they go for a drink. Use a ceramic bowl. My thoughts: If humans nowadays are not suppose to drink water out of plastic bottles that have been in the sun too long, or in the hot car, then a dog should not drink out of plastic water containers which are placed in the sun.

Picture Book Review

For Parents to read with their kids. "First Day," story and pictures by Joan Rankin. With a main character named Haybillybun you know this book will be fun. It's a quirky story about a pup's first day at school. It has corresponding pictures. Kids will laugh at the odd names given to the puppies. Story Line: Haybillybun is nervous about going to Puppy school. The pup is worried because he has a long name and he thinks he has scary eyes. But when he gets to school other pups have just as long, and even stranger, names. Things work out and he likes school. Great book for kids who are just entering school.

Movie Review

Movie Title: My Dog Skip. Rated PG. Dog movie. It's a drama with some funny moments. I saw it with a nine-year-old girl and we both really liked it. However, and I don't mean to be a movie spoiler, but the little girl I saw it with was sad when the dog died in the end. (A deer also dies in the movie.) Some parents need to know this because some kids just don't like seeing movies where dogs and other cute animals die. The movie takes place in Mississippi during the 1940's. A lonely boy gets a small dog for his birthday over the objections of his stern father. He names the dog Skip. Skip gives the boy someone to play with. The boy learns the joys and sorrows of owing a dog. One great thing about dogs are they love you for you. They don't care if you're young or old, fat or thin, white, brown or black. As long as you're nice to them they will stand by you. The movie takes place in the segregated South. Dogs like Skip can teach humans a thing or two.

Science Day

Science Day: Have your child cut a clipping of a favorite rose bush or plant in your yard. Cut off any flowers. Put desired clipping in a cup filled with water. Leave in shade and make sure it always has water. After a month when the clipping has grown roots, plant in POT with good soil. Keep out of hot sun. When cutting gets bigger you can plant it in the ground. Clippings don't always grow well, depending on the plant. Try it with different greenery you have in your yard and see what works. I've had good luck with roses myself. You can call your local nursery and ask them what plant clippings work best in your area.