| MercatorNet | May 25, 2017 |



A friend in need is a friend indeed
Mo Wren loves her neighborhood with all its flaws.
What Happened on Fox Streetby Tricia Springstubb
written for ages 9-12 | recommended with reservations
published in 2011 (2010) | Balzer + Bray | 240 pages
written for ages 9-12 | recommended with reservations
published in 2011 (2010) | Balzer + Bray | 240 pages
Mo Wren has a lot more responsibility than most girls her age. Since her mother died, she has had to look after her younger sister while her father works at the water company.
Still, summer is always fun because Mo’s best friend, Mercedes, comes back to stay with her grandmother on the street where Mo lives: Fox Street.
Mo assumes their friendship cannot change, but Mercedes’ mother has recently married, and Mercedes has grown accustomed to a lifestyle that makes Fox Street seem even more run down than ever. Mo loves Mercedes, but she loves her neighborhood too. When rumors of a buy-out begin to circulate, Mo is afraid that life is going to change for the worse. Can she rely on her best friend to be there when she needs her the most?
Tricia Springstubb’s simple chapter book includes family loyalty, a good lesson in tolerance and a heroine with heart. Readers cannot help but sympathize with Mo who places a high value on relationships. One caveat for parents of younger children: Mercedes is born out of wed-lock, and this may be a confusing point for the younger children in this age bracket.
Jennifer Minicus is a former teacher currently living in Ridgewood, NJ.


May 25, 2017
In an important article today Dr Philippa Taylor highlights a new British poll showing that an overwhelming majority of Britons want to make it harder for women to get abortions - not easier, as certain professional bodies and politicians claim. What is more, women are more in favour of restrictions than men -- the opposite of what we hear from the media. Says Dr Taylor:
It is particularly striking how much support there is amongst women for lowering the time limit for abortion, which currently stands at 24 weeks. Of the 70% of women who want the limit lowered nearly six in ten are in favour of a limit of 16 weeks or fewer and 41% actually want it 12 weeks or less.
One other highlight today: Martin Luther remains theologically controversial after five centuries, but, as Chiara Bertoglio writes, his musical legacy has a universal appeal. When it comes to popular hymns we are probably all Lutherans to some degree, wittingly or no. It is interesting to read, too, that Luther preserved the Catholic tradition of Latin and plainchant alongside the new repertoire of German songs he fostered. A faith that cannot express itself in song must surely die out, so at least Luther had that right.

Carolyn Moynihan
Deputy Editor,
MERCATORNET
Lutheran songs: a musical gift for all Christians By Chiara Bertoglio The reformer planted the seeds of an extraordinary musical culture in Germany. Read the full article | ![]() |
No, the norm of marital monogamy is not crumbling By Alan J. Hawkins Rumours of its death are greatly exaggerated. Read the full article | ![]() |
The New York Times flies the flag for ‘open’ marriage By Nicole M. King But no matter what you call adultery, it still kills marriages. Read the full article | ![]() |
If we trust women, we should listen to them By Philippa Taylor Women are more sensitive to the reality of abortion. Read the full article | ![]() |
A friend in need is a friend indeed By Jennifer Minicus Mo Wren loves her neighborhood with all its flaws. Read the full article | ![]() |
Star Wars turns 40 and it still inspires our real life space junkies By Jonathan Roberts There are new Star Wars fans being born every day. Read the full article | ![]() |
What do the babies think about it? By Pinki Virani An Indian perspective on the international market in babies gestated by surrogate mothers Read the full article | ![]() |
Surrogate motherhood is not work; it is exploitation By Regula Staempfli Surrogacy negates all human values, no matter how well women are paid Read the full article | ![]() |
The Economist’s free market ideology fails vulnerable women By Michael Cook The world's most influential news magazine is campaigning for commercial surrogacy. Why not cannibalism? Read the full article | ![]() |
After Manchester, how can we make venues safer? By David Lowe Emergency services were well trained and responded well, but the attacks will not stop Read the full article | ![]() |
China’s population may be smaller than official data suggests By Shannon Roberts Researchers suggest 90 million fewer people. Read the full article |

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