Sept 21st update

I have read the following   

Superfudge (Fudge, #3) 
by Judy Blume

            Another wonderful coming of age story. While Peter deals with changes and turmoil in his friendships he struggles with jealousy both in his family and between his friends.  I was perplexed by the author’s choice to make the climax only tangentially related to the protagonist, Peter. A really good story to read with your children, it will make you laugh and make your heart pound. 

Fudge-a-Mania (Fudge #4)

by Judy Blume (Goodreads Author)

            Judy Blume keeps the laughter coming with this book.  Fudge makes a new friend while Peter struggles with what feels like the loss of a friend.  This did seem to be the weakest of the Fudge books.  It was however a perfect set up for the last book in the series.

Double Fudge (Fudge #5)

by Judy Blume (Goodreads Author)

A fabulous ending to a wonderful series. While many wish there would be more Fudge books including me because I want to see more of the characters, this book is really where the story should end.  The books come full circle in a humorous turn of events where fudge learns a lesson and really grows.  It’s interesting to ponder who the protagonist really is. While Peter tells the story and we get to watch him grow and develop Fudge does the most changing throughout the entire series.  A gripping series for all readers. This is a series I can’t wait to read to my future children.

I have worked on the following

             I’ve focused on reading broadening my horizons.  I’m disappointed to report my first book club experience was not what I hoped.  I attended two meetings and faced ageism and classism when despite my contributing to group discussion I along with the other woman my age were told not to return.  Interestingly enough I’ve joined another group of women actually more remove from me in age and spirituality and it seems to be fine. I’m joining another with my cousin and working to start another with the woman from the M3 book club to have an all inclusive book club that includes all ages, walks of life, and that will be co-ed.

I’m working on the following

            I’m working on researching for my screenplay and working on an intense piece for the Heartland News, all while I get used to my new job at the grocery store.

Thoughts

What are your thoughts on the narrator being a character in the book but not being the protagonist?

Do you think it’s ok for a story’s climax to only be tangentially related to the protagonist? If so why? Can you think of any examples where this worked for a piece of media?

Do you have any experiences where something like age or class has stopped you from doing something socially? I’m not asking about not being able to afford something rather where socially you were excluded.

Aug 23 update

I have read the following

The Galaxy Game

by Karen Lord (

This Book took forever to read. It wasn’t gripping and the language was verbose.  The author relies on the readers to have an undersigning of her world without much explanation. As a series that may be acceptable if the book is later in the series but this book is a stand alone. There was a lot of et up without much payoff. There was more telling than there was showing. There were vivid descriptions but the book lacked action. I was interested at one point in the uncontrolled skill but was disappointed that that skill was underrepresented in the book as a whole.

Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing (Fudge #1)

by Judy Blume (Goodreads Author)

A fun and light book for children and adults alike.  The author writes a humorous tale full of lessons. These lessons however aren’t learned by peter rather they need to be taught by parents or teachers reading this book with children.  I was left wondering how a three-year-old got a turtle off a dresser multiple times? If he did it once why didn’t Peter look for a different home for the turtle?

The Cay (The Cay, #1) 
by Theodore Taylor 

A wonderful adventure story with a good flow of tension from many areas of Phillip’s life. Phillip’s change is gradual which makes it believable. The author does a great job of depicting the racial tensions at the time. The author does a great job of using descriptive languate that allows reader to experience all the sensations of all the locations of the book.  The climax is gripping and full of detail yet the pacing isn’t slowed.

Otherwise Known as Sheila the Great (Fudge #2)

by Judy Blume

A fun story written as if a young scared girl is telling it. The story arc followed the pattern well with constant tension that was serious for the girl and humorous to older readers.  Chapters were broken in places that always created tension and leads readers to want to keep going.  This is a strength of Judy Blume.  I do want to more about the dog situation and how that plays out. I hope that is addressed in future books in this series. It was confusing to jump from peter to Sheila but it was still a fun journey.

I’m working on the following

I’m still working on my historical screenplay.  Currently I’m grappling with how much time sub plots should take up of the typical 100 page screenplay.

Thoughts

In your experience in either writing or movie watching how much time do you think a screenplay should spend on sub plots?

July 19th update

I have read the following

Liberation: Teens In The Concentration Camps & The Teen Soldiers Who Liberated Them 
by E. Tina Tito

            This book didn’t feature as many repetitions of the word teen as the previous book in this series I reviewed did.  This book read more naturally. For that reason it is more likely to maintain the attention of the readers the author wants to attract.  Chapters are short yet powerful making every word count.  An abundant appendix follows providing links to further readings in a variety of formats. 

The War within These Walls 
by Aline Sax

            A horrifying tale beautifully written with powerful illustrations. Sax used limited words which makes each word that much more significant.  Words, images, and pages with few to no words speak volumes.  While the protagonist isn’t a real person the experiences described are.  A must read for children and adults. 

Hawksong (The Kiesha'ra #1)

by Amelia Atwater-Rhodes (Goodreads Author)

            This book has been on my to read list for a long time.  I’m thrilled that I got to it because it was a wonderful read.  I’m excited to get to read more. The Charaacters aer captivating, the lore is beautiful, and the plot is enthralling.  This book has great moral lessons for young ald old readers alike.

I, Dred Scott: A Fictional Slave Narrative Based on the Life and Legal Precedent of Dred Scott (Hardcover) 
by Shelia P. Moses 

            A heartfelt crafted story which tells of the horrors of slavery in language all ages can grasp and hear without such graphic detail the book would deserve an R rating.  This fictionalized story allows readers to see into the live of slaves without giving children too harsh of a taste early on.  readers can read this story and make connections between this fictionalized character and what they have learned about slavery up to this pint as well as creating a sounding board for future history lessons.  The wood cut illustrations are a fabulous addition to this book.

I have worked on the following

I completed the first ten pages of my first screenplay which will be featured in this years annual Bits of Scrips program. Otherwise I have continued to work on personal development and revision. I revised an edition of The Adventures of Gwen and Brooke and submitted it to the Nebraska 150^th anthology.

I’m working on the following

I’m continuing to work on my first screenplay with the placeholder title of The Otis Journey. I’d like to have it ready for submission for next year’s Omaha Film Festival however if it’s not ready I’m prepared to accept that I will have it ready for the submission deadline for next year.