My grandfather didn’t like to talk about the war. In fact, I’m not sure I recall a single conversation with him about it. I knew all about his participation, though. My dad made sure of that. I knew he had lied about his age to enlist and turned 19 on the boat leading him to battle overseas. I … [Read more...]
Book Review: “The Nightingale” by Kristin Hannah
Image via My husband asked me the other day if I had changed the password on his phone. My negative reply caused us to pause for a moment before turning to our daughter. Let’s just say that she needs to practise her poker face. His new password? Her thumbprint. She’s ten. It frightens me that … [Read more...]
Wavin’ Flag
Did your kids sing this song at their school concert or graduation this year end? You certainly wouldn't be alone - it's becoming a new standard. This picture book tells the story of K'naan coming to Canada, and where the song started. When I Get Older, by K'naan Tundra Books, ISBN: 978 1 … [Read more...]
Truth, Or Something Like It
This fascinating teen novel about two girls in World War II is a story of friendship and courage unlike any other story I've read about this era. Code Name Verityby Elizabeth E. WeinDoubleday CanadaISBN: 978 0 385 67654 0This story starts out with how a working class girls became a pilot and how two … [Read more...]
Going BZRK
This war is fought on the nano level - but is no less gruesome for it. BZRKby Michael GrantEgmontISBN: 978 1 60684 312 3What if, behind the scenes, two large corporations developed the technology to change the way people think? To control the masses of humanity by entering their brains and making … [Read more...]
Do You Remember?
I know this time of year everyone's excited for (and sometimes overwhelmed by) Halloween. But we have another holiday coming which I sometimes fear stands the risk of being forgotten. Do you remember what it is? Bestselling children's author Linda Granfield certainly does. … [Read more...]
The Toughest Question I Have Ever Been Asked
Last year, I wrote a Remembrance Day post on my personal blog about my maternal grandfather's experience as a soldier in WWII. On a day like today, it's worth another read... or just a read, if you've never seen it before.Go ahead. Take a look. I'll wait here.Ok, welcome … [Read more...]
If Children Ruled the World
Well, first of all, we'd all be eating horribly. My daughter and a friend made the following snack this evening, after hiding out in my girlfriend's pantry for about ten minutes:Bread (whole wheat), spread liberally with peanut butter. Not bad so far, but it gets better (or worse, depending on your … [Read more...]
We Have Seen The Enemy
... and he is us. This classic Pogo line could be the sub-subtitle for this fantastic book about the kind of flawed thinking that makes wars possible. With a few days left before Remembrance Day, it's a perfect time to bring this home and start these talks with kids old enough to … [Read more...]
Sean Penn and Naomi Watts in Fair Game. A Review.
On July 6th, 2003, The New York Times published an article written by Joseph Wilson called "What I Didn't Find in Africa" which, essentially, said that the Bush administration manipulated some intelligence related to some possible yellowcake in Africa that was a supposed part of an Iraqi nuclear … [Read more...]