shift

I'm starting to read some of the new DCF list titles that students will vote from next year, and my first choice was the book Shift by Jennifer Bradbury. The story is about two high school boys who have been lifetime friends and decide upon their graduation to ride bicycles from Atlanta to Seattle, a feat few believe they can accomplish.

The trip is full of awakenings, and the unlikely friendship between this hard-working Eagle scout and his entitled but unmotivated sidekick, is changing daily. Near the end of their ride, the two square off and say good-bye to their seasoned partnership to finish the trip independently. One goes on with the original plan, and one parts with it, and sets up the mystery that drives this taught story.

This book is a real page-turner. I quickly got involved with the characters and their conflicts, and the back-and-forth chapters that travelled between the past and the present worked well in telling this story. There is palpable tension throughout and you won't be disappointed in this tale of a friendship transformed. Read this one to start your summer with a vicarious adventure.

the way we work

Spring has brought the usual whirlwind of activity to my schedule. After vacation, we dove into the DCF Challenge (battle of the books at Otter Valley), the DCF Conference, a visiting illustrator, and then the Vermont Library Conference. In between were late meetings and other tasks that made for late evenings. So when this last weekend allowed for some simple "putzing", I welcomed the opportunity.

As I stained some replacement windows in our home, I tuned into VPT and heard an interview with David Macaulay. This was my second round with him, as he keynoted the DCF conference this year. This is the man who wrote Cathedral and other titles which explained the building process from ground up, as well as writing The Way Things Work, Black and White, and other award-winning titles. His newest book takes a look at the internal workings of the human body with dramatic illustration. His investigation of the human body is not unlike his deconstruction of the pyramids or other mammoth structures, as he entertains some wonderful juxtapositions with gentle humor for his serious topic. Macaulay has receive the MacArthur Genius Award for good reason. His fresh approach to familiar material is a real eye-opening experience for readers.
Visit his website for an introduction to the vastness of his work:

http://www.davidmacaulay.com/