By Jan Pease
I read in
the Star Tribune that one of the presidential hopefuls thinks
that the Internet should and could be shut down. I don’t think this is a
good idea, doubt if it could be done, and wonder if it’s even
legal. But this led me
to the thought of worldwide cyber domination. I’ve never typed that
before! James Dashner,
the author of “The Maze Runner” series and “The 13th
Reality” series, has released the conclusion to “The Mortality
Doctrine” series, “The Game of Lives.” This series explores the
world of virtual reality games, which sometimes seem more real
to the gamers than their real lives. In this series, the
difference between reality and virtual reality has become
blurred and the virtual reality world is now dangerous. If the villain succeeds,
he will indeed achieve worldwide cyber domination. Reviewers compare this
book to the movies “The Matrix” and “Inception.”
In 1863,
Charles Kingsley wrote “The Water Babies,” a very odd little
book about children who evolve into tiny undersea creatures
that share a magical world of fairies, insects, and water
nymphs. Reverend Kingsley was a
friend of Charles Darwin and supported Darwin’s ideas in his
writing. He also was
very concerned about the necessity of adequate shelter and
clean water, and the abuse of children made him furious. The new version we
purchased is a reprint from an abridged version from 1915, and
the illustrations were made by Mabel Lucie Attwell. Like “Alice in
Wonderland,” this children’s classic deserves to be read by a
new generation.
Andy
Griffith was an actor known for playing congenial roles, but
when he played a villain, he seemed especially deadly. Eve Bunting is famous for
her wonderful picture books, but when she writes a ghost story
it’s a doozy. “Forbidden”
is great historical fiction, set in an area infamous for
shipwrecks that never had survivors. The ghost story is
believable with just the right touch of forbidden love. I would like to sit in a
cozy chair and read this while the wind howls outside.
“5-Minute
Fancy Nancy Stories” by Jane, is a different kind
of cozy read. Twelve
stories about Fancy Nancy are included in this
perfect-for-bedtime storybook.
Each story can be read aloud in about five minutes,
although it wouldn’t surprise me if Nancy’s fans would
demand an hour’s worth. The
book even includes a list of fancy words that are used in
the book.
The
arrival of a new baby is a huge event in children’s lives. My philosophy is that
you can’t have too many books about bringing that new baby
home. “I Love You,
Baby,” by Giles Andreas, is a sunny, joyful look at family life. Sibling
rivalry doesn’t show up in this one.
Have a
joyful new year!
