Author Spotlight: John Green

It was John Green's childhood ambition to be an oligochaetologist. (That's an earthworm scientist, to the uninitiated.) However, young John proved to have "a general inability to care for pets," resulting in the demise of his entire earthworm farm. 

So, he made a list of his strengths: "telling lies," and "sitting" among them. From this list sprang the determination that he should become...a writer.

After graduating from Kenyon College with a double major in English and Religious Studies, Mr. Green spent six months as a student chaplain at a children's hospital - from which experience sparked the idea that eventually became his first novel, Looking for Alaska (2006). Following his student chaplain days, he wrote reviews for Booklist Magazine, as well as for the New York Times Book Reviews. He has also written for National Public Radio's All Things Considered, the Chicago radio station WBEZ, and often writes for mental floss magazine.

John Green is the only writer recognized twice by the American Library Association's Printz Committee (the young adult genre's equivalent to the Caldecott and Newbery). Looking for Alaska won the Michael L. Printz Award, and his second novel, An Abundance of Katherines (2006) won the Michael L. Printz Honor.

His latest novel, Paper Towns (2008), debuted at #5 on the New York Times Bestseller List for children.

In addition to his printed works, Green is known along with his brother Hank for their popular YouTube video blog project: Brotherhood 2.0. It began through an agreement between the brothers that they would spend one year (January 1 - December 31, 2007) eschewing text communications, and conversing exclusively by video. They broke the pact nine times, and so did penance via "comically bizarre punishments," such as trying to give away 200 Peeps in downtown Missoula. Of course, those punishments were posted to the video blog as well. Though the initial project has ended, the brothers still post video at least once a week.

Born in 1977, John Green grew up in Orlando, Florida, then moved to Alabama to attend boarding school. Following college in Ohio, and working in Chicago and New York, Green now lives in Indianapolis, Indiana, with his wife, Sarah.

Sources:

John Green - Bio & Contact (*This link has been removed because it no longer goes where it did in 2009. As of 4/19/2013, it now goes to some search site for "head lice." Weird.)
John Green - official site: About + Contact info (*This link had been added on 4/19/2013, to replace the weird one above.)

John Green (author) - Wikipedia

Author John Green Warms Up 'Looking for Alaska'

John Green (author) - nationmaster.com

John Green isn't just a prize-winning author, he's also a YouTube cutup

Lost loves: It all adds up for teen author John Green 

Thursday Funnies

I needed a good laugh today, so I went on youtube.com searching for my favorite, favorite comedienne, Carol Burnett. One of the best parts of The Carol Burnett Show was where she came out to talk to the audience. Here's what I found, and I hope you enjoy it:

Holiday Confusion

Today is Old Rock Day. According to Holiday Insights, Old Rock Day is supposed to be an opportunity to enjoy and appreciate old rocks and fossils.

But I wonder, do they mean old rocks and fossils of the earthy, geological kind:

or old rocks and fossils of the, erm, chronologically-challenged, homo sapien kind?

To add to the confusion, it's also I'm Not Going to Take It Anymore Day. Now, one could see this day as an opportunity to vent one's pent up frustrations - which could be many, in this economic climate. But I'm Not Going to Take It Anymore Day also conjures up a Blast From the Past: a certain hair band with a hit sporting a similar-but-not-quite-orthographically-correct title.

So I wonder, could we combine the two days?

Let's do:

Don't you just love "the holidays?"

Rock on! 

Fits and Giggles with Quotes

I do love a funny quote. And when I find one, I scribble it down in a notebook, scratch it out on a stray bill envelope, or write it quick on the back of a grocery receipt - whatever's handy. Today, I gathered up the bits and pieces, so I could share a few with you:

"I've got to talk to M'Lynn about her husband. He is a boil on the butt of humanity!"

     - Ouiser, Steel Magnolias

"You're about as useful as a poopy-flavored lollipop!"

     - Patches O'Houlihan, Dodgeball

"Your family is better than cable."

     - Lilly, Hannah Montana

"One morning I  shot an elephant in my pajamas. How he got in my pajamas, I don't know."

     - Captain Spaulding, Animal Crackers

"Oh, you in trouble, Dum-Dum. You better run-run. From Attila the Hun-hun!"

     - Easter Island Head, Night at the Museum

"When I buy a new book, I read the last page first. That way, in case I die before I finish, I know how it ends. That, my friend, is a dark side."

     - Harry Burns, When Harry Met Sally

"You know what's weird? Donald Duck never wore pants. But whenever he's getting out of the shower, he always puts a towel around his waist. I mean, what is that about?"

     -Chandler, Friends

And now, I'll end with a little snippet of dialogue, because everybody needs a little Spongebob in their life:

SQUIDWARD: Would you not stand so close? I'm getting claustrophobic.

PATRICK: What does "closterphobic" mean?

SPONGEBOB: It means he's afraid of Santa Claus!

SQUIDWARD: No it doesn't!

PATRICK: HO HO HO!

SPONGEBOB: Stop it, Patrick. You're scaring him!

PATRICK: HO HO HO!

     - Spongebob Squarepants

Now go on and have a hilarious, giggle-filled day!

Book Review: The City of Ember, by Jeanne DuPrau

When the city of Ember was just built and not yet inhabited, the chief builder and the assistant builder, both of them weary, sat down to speak of the future.

     "They must not leave the city for at least two hundred years," said the chief builder. "Or perhaps two hundred and twenty."

     

     "Is that long enough?" asked his assistant.

     "It should be. We can't know for sure."

     "And when the time comes," said the assistant, "how will they know what to do?"

Summary:

It is the year 241, and the city of Ember is old. Supplies are dwindling. Everything is in need of repair - most notably, the power lines that run the city's only source of light. When the power goes down, the lights go out, plunging its citizens into complete and total darkness for minutes at a time. But the intervals of no power are getting longer and more frequent, and people are beginning to worry that someday soon the lights will "never come back on."

When twelve-year-old Lina Mayfleet receives her job, as does classmate Doon Harrow, neither are happy with their lot, so they trade. Both go confidently into their work, learning their jobs, uncovering mysterious circumstances, and discovering new information. But it's not until Lina happens upon the contents of an old, dented box deep in her grandmother's closet that both kids start to piece things together. What is happening to the city of Ember? Can they save their people?

For Teachers and Librarians:

Here is a book that will hook even the most reluctant of readers. The City of Ember is mysterious, adventurous, thrilling, fast-paced, and will hook your readers from the very first page. Given the world's current economic situation, it is a timely choice to integrate into an economics unit: supplies in Ember are scarce, driving prices up and causing people to worry and hoard, make choices they normally wouldn't, and stretch what they have. Use it as a springboard to discuss the often overlooked value kids have in society, and how even the youngest among us can contribute strong and viable solutions in a crisis. Have them talk about times when they've splurged on a wanted item when they knew something else was needed. How did they feel once they'd bought it? Would they make the same choice again? Above all, The City of Ember is a great piece of fiction that will appeal to girls and boys alike. Descriptions are vivid and the story is gripping. Your students will find themselves sucked into the story, reluctant to put it down.

For Parents, Grandparents and Caregivers:

Tweens will love The City of Ember. It stars two of their own. Ember is a city in crisis, and its fate rests in the hands of two twelve-year-olds as they unravel the mystery of what's happening to their city, and puzzle through what they have to do to save its people. It's great to read aloud with your kids - you will enjoy it as much as they will. If they want to read it on their own, you can feel confident that you've given them a quality book with plenty of action, mystery, and thought-provoking situations, as well as a book with a strong, positive example that kids can and do make a difference in their world.

For the Kids:

The City of Ember is awesome! It's got mystery. It's got action. It's got danger. It's got thrills. The kids are smart, and real. And they're the only ones who can save the people of the city. Get it. Read it. You won't be disappointed. At the end, you'll be wishing you could read more about Lina and Doon and the people of Ember. And guess what? You can: there are three more books in this series!

For Everyone Else:

The City of Ember will pull you in from the first page, and not let you go, no matter how old you are. It is a fantastic story, and rather timely, given the current state of world economics. Buy it, borrow it, whatever, but make sure you read it. You'll be glad you did.

Wrapping Up:

The City of Ember is a book that relates to adults as well as kids. Full of action, mystery, and suspense, it leaves the reader wanting more. And, happily, with three more books in the series, readers will be able to continue the thrills.

Title: The City of Ember

Author: Jeanne DuPrau

Pages: 288

Reading Level: 10 - 13 years

Publisher and Date: Random House Children's Books, May 2003

Edition: Hardcover, Book 1

Language: English

Published In: United States

Price: $16.99

ISBN-10: 0375822739

ISBN-13: 978-035822735

Author Spotlight: Jeanne DuPrau

Jeanne DuPrau began writing during her earliest childhood years, and never stopped. But, she says:

"I didn't really set out to 'be a writer.' I just wrote."

Her first published work was an article for a magazine in the mid-1970's. Following that, she has continued to be published in various forms, including several nonfiction books, and the Ember fiction series.

Ms DuPrau graduated from Scripps College in Claremont, California, with a B.A. in English literature. She has been an English teacher, an educational publishing editor, a technical writer, and a freelance writer. When not writing, she enjoys ice skating, bird watching, meditating, gardening, building houses, playing piano, and being a gourmet vegetarian cook.

Born in San Francisco, California, in 1944, Jeanne DuPrau lives with her Cairn terrier Ethan. She has lived most of her life in California, save for a brief stint in New York.

Sources:

Official Jeanne DuPrau website: About Jeanne

Official Jeanne DuPrau website: Frequently Asked Questions

The City of Ember Author: Jeanne DuPrau

Shrinking Violet Promotions: Interview With Jeanne DuPrau

I Don't Know. I Just Don't Know...

So, back in December, I wrote a post about my propensity to stock up on lots and lots of toilet paper before my parents come to visit. There's a perfectly reasonable explanation for this otherwise odd behavior, and it's not what you think - or what I think you'd think if you were me and I were you, and the you-that-was-really-me had my sense of humor. Which, you may, or you may not. 

Wait...you may or you may not be me? Or...you may or you may not have my sense of humor? Confused? I know I am. So, to save yourself the trouble of crawling inside my head to figure me out (because let's face it, even I wouldn't do that), maybe you'd better click here to go back and read all about it before we move on.

...G'head. I'll wait...

All caught up now? Alrighty. You are now an official witness that I explicitly wrote:

"my parents are not (ahem) 'crappy' people." 

OK.

Now, fast forward a couple of weeks, to when we went to visit my parents for Christmas, and to exchange gifts. 

Here is the very first gift they gave me:

Touché.