Friday, June 20, 2014

Our Wibbly Wobbly Doctor Who Party

Just in case you couldn't tell from my Pinterest board, I love Doctor Who! All the whovians who attended our Wibbly Wobbly Timey Wimey Doctor Who Party apparently also share my affection for our favorite Time Lord =D
If you would like more information on any of these activities, you can check out the Program Outline I put together for our Youth Services Resource page.

Snacks
Adipose Marshmallows (I must admit, I had to look the Adipose up...)
Apples with Faces (we just used some plastic knives to carve the faces)
Fishsticks and Custard (pound cake rolled in butter, dipped in Vanilla pudding)
Arizona Iced Tea (or you could brew some actual tea to be more authentic)

Crafts/Activities 
Duct Tape Bow Tie (because bow ties are cool)
Sonic Screwdriver Pens (because your night wouldn't be complete with some whirring sound effects)
Tardis Cubee Folding Craft (printing these on cardstock would probably work best)
Gallifreyan Nametags (use the spiffy application to print customized nametags)

Games
Weeping Angel Tag (use a flashlight to stop those Weeping Angels in their tracks)
Weeping Angel Tag Alternate (point to make them stop, run when the gamemaster says "Blink")
Empty Child Tag (don't let those empty children touch you)
Doctor Who Matching Game (The Doctors, their catchphrases, popular companions, and baddies)

Friday, June 6, 2014

Midwinterblood: Lovers Back Through Time

Midwinterblood by Marcus Sedgwick

Why did I read it?

One of my coworkers read it as it won The Printz Award, and even though she wasn't sure what she thought about it, she said it was definitely worth reading.

What happened?

While the island was called Blessed, and the kindness and hospitality of the island dwellers seems to support that name, Eric Seven's natural journalistic curiosity was definitely aroused with this assignment.

First there are the rumors that no one on the island has aged in years. Secondly there is the fact that the island produces many medical remedies that no one can quite explain. Then there is the reality that Eric doesn't seem to notice his curiosity anymore. He is more enthralled with a young woman on the island that he has never met before, and yet, has...Merle...who is she?

So begins a novel sweeping backwards through history. Tragedy in the present seems to relate to similar events in the past. Events in one time relate to and effect another. Two lovers, Eric and Merle, call, long, and reach for each other through time.  

What did I like or not like?

This novel is divided into seven parts; each one set in a different time period. It begins in the future, and then each part travels further back into the past. Each time a new period is introduced, we are offered another look at the characters, and given more revelations of their story throughout time. This unique writing structure kept me turning the pages wondering what pieces of the first story would be revealed and explained in the past. 

Even though the book was well-written, had an interesting writing structure, and felt like a fairy tale mixed with poetry, it wasn't one of my favorites. I don't think it was a particular element in the book that turned me off; it apparently just wasn't my particular cup of tea. That notwithstanding, my coworker was right; it was definitely worth reading =D