The Outsiders

Last night, I finished reading The Outsiders.

I had never read this American classic, but while listening to my daughter's middle school English teacher speak of the upcoming school year, he mentioned they would be reading this one as a class, using it as a model for analysis and for crafting their own characters. With it being the 50th anniversary of the novel's publication, I thought I'd hop on board. (Cue eyerolls from daughter. :) )

Initial thoughts:

It takes no time at all for the action to grab the reader in this novel. Almost at once, you are thrust into the midst of an intense gang rivalry. While the writing style often struck me as dated (lots of long, introductory character descriptions, some cheesyness), the conflict and characters keep you turning the page. Plus, I enjoyed some of the dated qualities of the book -- the style of talk, the glimpse into the time period, a less-dramatic telling of a dramatic saga that can stand on its own...

Themes and longevity:

I see now that this novel is timeless. We are certainly living in a time marked by divisions in our country -- divisions politically, racially, ideologically... And the "us and them" conflicts that drive the entire novel are themes that will likely always exist. Because of that, this book will continue to have a long shelf life as we seek to understand those who are different from us, those who live "on the other side of the tracks," who look, speak, and dress differently.

"Things were rough all over, but it was better that way. That way

you could tell the other guy was human too."

Characters:

In addition to the novel's timeless themes, it just has darn good characters. They are flawed but completely lovable...every one of 'em. You root for them all, for they are honest and ornery, but loyal and tough. They seek to do better but also to defend what they know. You finish the novel and they stay with you. In fact, the other day, my friend Antoinette and I were discussing the novel, which she read almost 30 years ago, and she said, "Oh, I loved Ponyboy." I get it!


So, in spite of being an older, dated book, this one is sticking with me. It is an American classic and will continue to be so, and I'm looking forward to discussing it with Abby!

And, can I just say, I cannot wait to watch the movie. :) What a cast (of heartthrobs from my youth :) )!

Happy Thursday,

~Jen

Come in!

Invitation

 

If you are a dreamer, come in,
If you are a dreamer, a wisher, a liar,
A hope-er, a pray-er, a magic bean buyer…
If you’re a pretender, come sit by my fire
For we have some flax-golden tales to spin.
Come in!
Come in!
 

~from Where the Sidewalk Ends by Shel Silverstein

In honor of National Poetry Month and Rhyming Picture Book Month, I wanted to share a short but dynamic poem by the beloved Shel Silverstein. I remember laying on the floor for hours as a child with Where the Sidewalk Ends or The Light in the Attic -- books that my mom had brought home from her 2nd grade classroom -- and reading the poems over and over. I had many favorites, and they still have such value to this day.

Happy Sunday!

~Jen

I Am With You

"It's going to be all right, sir," Harry said over and over again, more

worried by Dumbledore's silence than he had been by his weakened

voice. "We're nearly there. . . . I can Apparate us both back. . . .

Don't worry. . . ."

"I am not worried, Harry," said Dumbledore, his voice a little stronger

despite the freezing water. "I am with you."

 

~from Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince by J. K. Rowling

My very, very favorite lines from the whole series! I have not forgotten them since I first read them, and they are part of what makes book six my favorite. The mutual admiration that Harry and Dumbledore have for each other, despite their difference in age, made stronger by their shared trials and triumphs and sacrifices, make this moment so powerful. I just love these books.

Happy Sunday!

~Jen

The Wild March Morning

All in the wild March-morning I heard the angels call,—
It was when the moon was setting, and the dark was over all;
The trees began to whisper, and the wind began to roll,
And in the wild March-morning I heard them call my soul.

~from The May Queen by Alfred Lord Tennyson

It's been another lovely Spring weekend here: warm and rainy with buds popping all over. We have enjoyed some down time and relaxation after such a busy season of life. Hoping to curl up with a book and blanket this rainy afternoon.

Happy Sunday!

~Jen

Happy Un-birthday!

"They gave it to me — for an un-birthday present."

"I beg your pardon?" Alice said with a puzzled air.

"I’m not offended," said Humpty Dumpty.

"I mean, what is an un-birthday present?"

"A present given when it isn’t your birthday, of course."

Alice considered a little. "I like birthday presents best," she said at last.

"You don’t know what you’re talking about!" cried Humpty Dumpty. "How many days are there in a year?"

"Three hundred and sixty-five," said Alice.

"And how many birthdays have you?"

"One."

"And if you take one from three hundred and sixty-five, what remains?"

"Three hundred and sixty-four, of course."

~from Through the Looking Glass by Lewis Carroll

 

Well, we are having a busy birthday/unbirthday weekend around these parts. My husband and my oldest share a birthday on Monday, and my baby, Vivian, turns two on Tuesday. So in addition to the regular busy-ness of basketball, soccer, and choir performances, this weekend has also featured an 11-year-old slumber party and a family gathering to celebrate the multitude of early-March birthdays. Good times!

 

Happy Sunday,

~Jen 

Unawakened Earth

Be through my lips to unawaken'd earth

The trumpet of a prophecy! O Wind,

If Winter comes, can Spring be far behind?

~from Ode to the West Wind by Percy Bysshe Shelley

We don't have any blooms yet, but the daffodils are starting to peek through the thawing ground. St. Louis weather is always unpredictable (which I like) -- we had a snow day on Wednesday, but this weekend has been warm and mild. Spring is close!

Happy Sunday!

~Jen

Rest in peace, Harper Lee

"An' they chased him 'n' never could catch him 'cause they

didn't know what he looked like, an' Atticus, when they finally saw him,

why he hadn't done any of those things... Atticus, he was real nice..."

His hands were under my chin, pulling up the cover, tucking it around me.

"Most people are, Scout, when you finally see them."

~from To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

We learned this week that Harper Lee -- author of the beloved To Kill a Mockingbird -- passed away. Her one and only published novel has held significant meaning for generations of readers. For me, the soothing descriptions of the streets of Maycomb, the hilarious exploits of Scout, Jem, and Dill, and the gentle, assured presence of Atticus -- at home and in defending Tom Robinson -- made a book worthy of rereading and emulating and appreciating with fresh eyes each time.

When my husband and I had been married six months, we got our first pet -- a reclusive, mysterious cat -- and named him Boo Radley. Boo is aging, but still as ornery as ever, and he continues to remind us of a favorite literary character. It's probably time I read this wonderful book again -- it's the best.

Happy Sunday...

~Jen

Under the Umbrella

"Ah! Thou gifest me such hope and courage, and I haf nothing

to gif back but a full heart and these empty hands,"

cried the Professor, quite overcome.

Jo never, never would learn to be proper; for when he said that

as they stood upon the steps, she just put both hands into his,

whispering tenderly, "Not empty now;" and, stooping down,

kissed her Friedrich under the umbrella.

~from Little Women by Louisa May Alcott

Sigh... Just wanted to share this lovey-dovey passage with you this Valentine's Day. :) This book is so heart-warming, and the movie (Winona Ryder, Christian Bale) is fabulous, too. Happy Sunday!

~Jen

Night's Dream

"I know a bank where the wild thyme blows,

Where oxlips and the nodding violet grows,

Quite overcanopied with luscious woodbine,

With sweet muskroses and with eglantine.

There sleeps Titania sometime of the night,

Lulled in these flowers with dances and delight."

 

~from A Midsummer Night's Dream by William Shakespeare

Abby is in a little production of A Midsummer Night's Dream at school. That she is reading and performing Shakespeare has me all kinds of excited! Casting has yet to happen, but she is hoping for Puck or Hermia. :)

Happy Sunday!

Bleak Mid-winter

"Whenever I find myself growing grim about the mouth; whenever it is a damp,

drizzly November in my soul; whenever I find myself involuntarily pausing

before coffin warehouses, and bringing up the rear of every funeral I meet...

then, I account it high time to get to sea as soon as I can. This is my substitute

for pistol and ball. With a philosophical flourish Cato throws himself upon his

sword; I quietly take to the ship. There is nothing surprising in this. If they but

knew it, almost all men in their degree, some time or other, cherish very nearly

the feelings towards the ocean with me."

 

~from Moby Dick by Herman Melville

Oh, winter. I imagine many of us are feeling a "damp, drizzly November" in our souls and could use a good dose of the sea. Luckily, we've had a lovely Spring-like weekend here -- a nice break in the middle of winter.

Happy Sunday!

~Jen

So Safe a Prop

"You are no ruin, sir -- no lightning-struck tree: you are green and vigorous.

Plants will grow about your roots, whether you ask them or not, because they

take delight in your bountiful shadow; and as they grow they will lean towards you,

and wind round you, because your strength offers them so safe a prop."

 

~ from Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte

 

 

This is my favorite passage from a favorite book. By the time you read these words in the story, your heart will swell at the meaning behind them. So lovely and powerful. :)

Happy Sunday! 

 

~Jen

Warm Things

"Sara -- who was only doing what she unconsciously liked better than anything else,

Nature having made her for a giver -- had not the least idea what she meant to poor Becky,

and how wonderful a benefactor she seemed. If Nature has made you for a giver, your

hands are born open, and so is your heart; and though there may be times when your hands

are empty, your heart is always full, and you can give things out of that -- warm things,

kind things, sweet things -- help and comfort and laughter -- and sometimes gay, kind

laughter is the best help of all."

 

-- from The Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett

 

 

Abby and I are reading The Little Princess together, and these words from chapter six just grabbed me. They are so lovely and so true.

 

Happy Sunday!

'Tis Christmastime

Good morning! Today, Vivian is sick, so we are holing up inside with lots of Christmas DVDs and schnuggling.

I'm excited to finally begin this blog that I have been dreaming of for a long time. To start, I wanted to share a lovely poem that I found today in a book of poetry that I was gifted from my late uncle. Perfect for this lovely season!

Christmas Everywhere

by Phillips Brooks (1835-1893)

Everywhere, everywhere, Christmas tonight!
Christmas in lands of the fir-tree and pine,
Christmas in lands of the palm tree and vine,
Christmas where snow peaks stand solemn and white,
Christmas where cornfields stand sunny and bright.
Christmas where children are hopeful and gay,
Christmas where old men are patient and gray,
Christmas where peace, like a dove in his flight,
Broods o'er brave men in the thick of the fight;
Everywhere, everywhere, Christmas tonight!

For the Christ-child who comes is the Master of all;
No palace too great; no cottage too small.


Merry Christmas!

~Jen