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New Jersey Author Spotlight on Ann Rinaldi, Historian and Storyteller . .
"I write young adult novels because I like writing them. But, as with my first book, I don't write for young people. I just write. Real life, as I know it, as I've learned it to be from my newspaper experience and own past, goes into my books. I draw all my characters fully, give my adults as many problems and as much dimension as the young protaganist. I give my readers good writing, literary writing. My books have been praised for the strength of my characters and my dialogue. " .
Rachel Marsh, an indentured servant in the household of John Adams, believes she is well treated, and greatly admires Abigail and John Adams. Although not political herself, she worries about friends who support rebellion and have told her that a time will come when she will have to take a stand. It is only when she meets Matthew Kilroy, a young, argumentative British soldier who has been sent to Boston as part of a peacekeeping force, that Rachel begins to question British domination of the colonies and to see herself as an American...more
A Special Spotlight on Sweet Thang by Allison Whittenberg. . .
Growing up in Philadelphia in 1975, 14-year-old Charmaine Upshaw is obsessed with justice. Unfortunately, she gets none of it in her life: not from her parents, who make her share a room with her tap-dancing brother Leo; not at school, where light-skinned, Barbie-doll-haired Dinah Coverdale steals all the boys’ attention and makes sure dark-skinned Charmaine knows it; and certainly not from Tracy John, her six-year-old cousin who’s taken over the family. When Charmaine is charged with babysitting her spoiled cousin after school, that’s the last straw–something’s gotta give. And when Charmaine cracks, she starts to see the world in a whole new light. Can Charmaine learn to love herself, her mahogany skin, and her attention-starved little cousin? Sometimes when everything falls apart, putting it back together can help you see the truth.
Ms. Whittenberg lives in Philadelphia, teaches English at Lehigh University, and has been a friend of Ms. Goldberger's for nearly two decades. Sweet Thang is due in the bookstores in March 2006.
Due to a fellowship that I was recently awarded by the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation, I had the opportunity to visit and volunteer at the Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in Angel Canyon, Utah. While volunteering at the sanctuary, I was able to assist the full time staff members with the care of cats, dogs, rabbits, horses, and some other farm animals. Although most of the animals were in great shape and quite happy, others needed super-duper care that required additional time, money, patience, and love.
The other horses call him "the popular one." They all adore Darby! He makes friends easily with other horses, and burros too -- he'd be friendly with probably any pasture companion you've got. And he's darling with humans, too. He's a 17-year-old Arabian gelding who lost his home because his family felt they had too many horses. Somebody had to go, and Darby drew the short straw, poor guy! He's very personable and though he can't be ridden these days, he would love to be somebody's pasture pal. (picture from www.bestfriends.org)
When you visit the Best Friends Animal Society website, you can check out the various residents who are and are not available for adoption. Angel Canyon is located in the town of Kanab, Utah. Kanab is full of tourists who are visiting the Grand, Bryce, and Zion Canyons as well as Lake Powell. Along with visiting the sanctuary, I made my first trips to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon as well as the length of Bryce Canyon.
Zebra got his name because of his fascinating markings! They look like zig-zags and they're embedded deep in his fur. He's dainty-boned and has stick-up ears like a bunny's. He's precious and fun to pet, but there's something in those mischievous eyes. Bet he can be a rascal when he sets his mind to it! Zebra was born in 1994. He was taken away from an animal hoarder who'd kept him in a filthy Los Angeles warehouse. Nonetheless, he's a very nice dog. He's a cattle dog mix who can be both sponsored and adopted. (picture from www.bestfriends.org)
As a condition of my teaching fellowship, I was to spend time with the humane educator who works for the santuary. We came up with a few ways of incorporating the respect we should have for our pets as well as all living beings (including our siblings) into the language arts curriculum. Additionally, I was able to purchase some books for our classroom library, posters, and guides to humane education.
This all might seem a bit weird or sappy to you, but you will soon see how caring for and learning about animals fits into the character education program endorsed by our school. Furthermore, if you would like to see pictures of the Best Friend Animal Sanctuary, give me your email address and I can forward the slide show. I will, moreover, bring the pictures to school for your viewing pleasure!
My goal, moreover, is that we gain an understanding and appreciation for the goal of the sanctuary and other leaders in humane education:
" . . .kindness to animals helps build a better world for all of us."
Learn About Animals
Yahooligans! Animals:Feild Guides for mammals, fishes, insects, birds, amphibians and reptiles.
PetStation: your directory of information about all types of pets, including dogs, cats, birds, horses, amphibians, reptiles, small mammals, aquarium fish and more!
Animaland: Pet Care, Animal Encyclopedia, Ask Azula, Career Center, Real Issues, Humane Education, Games, Legal Info.
Mylestone Equine Rescue: Mylestone Equine Rescue is a private, nonprofit New Jersey Organization dedicated to providing sanctuary for horses subject to cruelty, neglect, and disabilities. We provide shelter, care, rehabilitation, adoption, and retirement homes for horses such as these. Mylestone is a valuable alternative for these horses because there are limited facilities to care for large animals.
Animal Welfare and Rescue Organizations
Alley Cat Allies has advocated Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) - the most humane and effective method to reduce feral cat populations. Alley Cat Allies.
AWFNJ/ Animal Welfare Federation of New Jersey: Progress Through Unity
Cedar Grove Public Library Books, magazines, videos, compact discs, audiobooks, large type books, high speed Internet access, reference service in person or by telephone, young adult books and magazines, children's books, story time, craft programs for children, extended loans for teachers or vacations, interlibrary loan, free one-on-one Internet classes
The Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation The mission of the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation is to support and encourage those educational, cultural, social and environmental values that contribute to making our society more humane and our world more livable.
The New Jersey Educational Association The New Jersey Education Association is a diverse, democratic organization working to create an optimal environment to achieve excellence in public education in New Jersey.
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