avengingsybil

Printz Worthy

I don't think I have ever been in the midst of reading a book when it won a major award before, but I was this close to finishing Melina Marchetta's Jellicoe Road when it won the Printz. Congratulations, Melina! And how lucky was I to have it in my hands.

Of course I had my personal picks for 2008, and I didn't have enough distance from this title (which I finished last night) for me to consider it before it went and won, but I think the committee made a commendable pick-- their honor choices weren't too shabby, either, even if Graceling didn't make it.

Already a fan of Marchetta's from Saving Francesca,  I found myself enjoying Jellicoe even more. It is a wonder of rich storytelling with characters who are by turns frustrating, haunting and so vivid and lovable you wish they were your own friends. The dual storylines messed with me in the beginning, but it was worth the effort to sort everything out. If I have any complaints about this book, it's that I felt like I put things together a lot earlier than the characters in the book--who had all the same information--did. That could be chalked up to denial on the characters' parts, though, considering they were fully entitled to healthy allotments of denial to cope with their painful histories.

The whole gang was really unforgettably drawn, but as main characters go, Taylor Markham rocks. Love her.  I especially loved the scenes where her toughness was scaled back, when she let people in and had fun like a normal teenager. A LOT of brutal things happen in this book, and yes I cried, more than once, but I also laughed quite a bit, and, when I allowed myself to be taken out of the story, marveled at Marchetta's mastery. This is a book that urges the reader to consider the restorative power of love, and in the end I found myself believing the message wholeheartedly. This is not a romantic book, per se, but it is my kind of love story.

Currently reading: The Bumblebee Flies Anyway by Robert Cormier

Written material copyright 2009 Dawn A. Emerman

Only about books in that, to me, everything is about books

Yesterday, along with the rest of the country, I watched Barack Obama being sworn into office as our 44th President. I was not with the throngs on the Mall but alone, many zip codes away in my workplace, as I watched the whole thing unfold. That didn't stop me from experiencing the swell of emotion, that infectious sense of joy, pride, hope and inspiration that this change of administration has infused in the citizens of the United States of America. Clearly President Obama is not the cure for all of our woes. He is one man, an he openly acknowledges his limitations. But I think the most important thing right now is what he represents and that is the change that so many of us have been craving. Just the possibility of change--that it even seems so possible to begin with--feels like a revelation.

When our leader is telling us that the work ahead will be hard, and that it will require help from every one of us, it's nothing new. I have certainly heard that one before. But the difference is that when President Obama addresses "My fellow citizens," I truly believe that he feels that's how it is. That's we're all in this together. And I can't remember a time when so many of us fellow citizens were happily willing to do our part as now.

Our new President set the tone in his inauguration by establishing an environment that puts service in the forefront as well as science, curiosity, education, art, human respect and peace. It's been so long since these things have had such a forum. The audience for it has always been there, but it's hard not to feel discouraged when it seems like you're the only one who values such things. 

I can't help feeling like the American people are experiencing a renaissance of spirit, and I'm thrilled to be a part of it. I'm expecting great things. Here's to great expectations.

Currently reading: Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta

Written material copyright 2009 Dawn A. Emerman