martes, 1 de agosto de 2017

Trending: female pirates in children’s books | August 1, 2017 | MercatorNet |

Trending: female pirates in children’s books

| August 1, 2017 | MercatorNet |



Trending: female pirates in children’s books



Trending: female pirates in children’s books

A disappointing start to a new series
Jennifer Minicus | Aug 1 2017 | comment 1 
The Unintentional Adventures of the Bland Sistersby Kara LaReau
written for ages 7-10 | not recommended
published in 2017 | Harry N. Abrams | 176 pages



I so wanted to read this book.  The summary intrigued me: two quiet sisters (Jaundice and Kale) inadvertently caught up in a pirate adventure, all the while hoping to find their missing parents.  It had potential.
Kara LaReau begins each chapter with an advanced vocabulary word and definition that foreshadows the chapter’s theme. This author’s dry humor and word play are admittedly entertaining at the onset. As the bathroom humor crept in, however, my perspective changed.
Jaundice and Kale are kidnapped by a band of female pirates sailing The Jolly Regina because they have a bone to pick with the girls’ parents. (This being the second book featuring women as buccaneers that I had read in one month, I decided it must be a trend in children’s literature.) These “ladies” are as coarse and hardy as any man on the high seas and certainly drink enough to be stereotypical pirates. They use their feminine wiles to lure rival male marauders of the The Testostero, (interesting name for ship) and then proceed to beat them at swordplay. After stealing the men’s pants to use as sails, the crew continues its journey. Jaundice and Kale are forced to swab the decks, but are befriended by the ship’s cook who is mocked by her comrades for being extremely overweight.
Books at this reading level usually have simple plots and minimal character development. That does not preclude a courageous protagonist. (Jaundice and Kale are a bit clueless and live up to their last name – Bland.) Nor does it require stooping to crass humor. Check out our recommended list for this age group in the “our picks” box to the right.
Jennifer Minicus is a teacher living in Ridgewood, NJ.


MercatorNet

August 1, 2017

Whether or not transgender personnel should be welcomed in the US military services is a controversial issue, as you can see by surveying the comments beneath one of last week’s articles. However, a strong argument against them comes in today’s posts from an unusual source.
Jamie Shupe is a former transgender senior enlisted leader in the US Army. He served with distinction for 18 years. Last year he became the first person in the US to be declared “non-binary”.
Writing exclusively for MercatorNet, he contends that “transgender military service in harsh overseas environments is simply not possible for all transgender people”. Although he does not claim to be a fan of Trump, he says that “the President and those that share his views are not completely wrong”.
It’s a provocative read. 


Michael Cook 
Editor 
MERCATORNET



Should bad engineers go to jail?
By Karl D. Stephan
Perhaps, but it's unlikely in today's climate
Read the full article
 
Why the Andrews legislation is all about suicide
By Paul Russell
What's the sense of offering legal assisted suicide as a form of suicide prevention?
Read the full article
 
This debate is about gender dysphoria, not transgender military service
By Jamie Shupe
A former transgender senior enlisted leader in the US Army has reservations about transgender military service
Read the full article
 
Trending: female pirates in children’s books
By Jennifer Minicus
A disappointing start to a new series
Read the full article
 
This ad touched Kiwi hearts
By Shannon Roberts
While also raising deep questions about multi-culturalism
Read the full article
 
Game-changing pre-natal spina bifida surgery comes to Australasia
By Carolyn Moynihan
A Kiwi baby is just the third to benefit from the skill of a Brisbane team.
Read the full article
 
‘Dangerous’: Milo Yiannopoulos delights to provoke
By Denyse O'Leary
The book by the gay conservative provocateur is not nearly as Dangerous as the social media world he exposes.
Read the full article
 
Why a 2,500-year-old Hebrew poem still matters
By David W. Stowe
Psalm 137 continues to inspire hope for among the persecuted
Read the full article
 
John McCain takes the Senate to task
By Sheila Liaugminas
He told fellow senators, essentially, to get over themselves and get serious.
Read the full article
 
 
Tax cut for the childless?
By Marcus Roberts
After all, children do pollute a lot and use resources...
Read the full article


MERCATORNET | New Media Foundation 
Suite 12A, Level 2, 5 George Street, North Strathfied NSW 2137, Australia 

Designed by elleston

No hay comentarios: