Drew Hayden Taylor

These are two plays on the new ELA 20 curriculum. The Boy in the Tree House made me weepy. The Girl Who Loved Her Horses did not move me at all. I think we will read both and see what the Grade 11's think. Interestingly, the latter play is Taylor's favourite of everything he's ever written.

Random Comic Book Recommend

OK, I don't put all the comics I read on here because that would be crazy talk. The new 52 alone would take 52 days to explain (not to mention the ridiculous intricacy of MIND MGMT). Anyway, after watching Iron Man III I destroyed my TV with a sledgehammer and chainsaw and then airlifted the Ebola Virus to all those involved. RESULT: no TV. So I started re-reading this series by Matt Fraction. Hollywood take note: This is Iron Man.

Cutting and Other Post-Modern Issues

This bleak, yet great, book is on the new ELA 20 curriculum. It is a "poetry novel". Full disclosure: not my favourite genre, but teens find them interesting (or at least the girls do, as the only books boys seem to enjoy are The Hunger Games and possibly Of Mice and Men). The issues here include manipulation, self-injury (cutting), and the joys (pain) of being in high school. Personally Mrs. Farr needs a punch in the head. Or something less violent. Like bad coffee.

You are reading a series? Really? Yup!

So I watched the first two seasons then found this book for a dollar at the General Hospital book store. Score. I don't really like fantasy series (or so I thought) but this one is awesome. My favourite characters on the show are Arya, Tyrion, and Daenerys. Sadly I can't read as fast as the Pirlot who is already on Book Four. I recommend both the book and the HBO series. Still on Book 1 and its mid November.