Talk about binge watching!The writing and acting are excellent and I feel like I’m there with them.Very realistic situations between the characters... show growth from season to season. Strong female characters. Would give this series a 5+.

Enchanting story of lonely 9 year old Daniel who moves across country with his mom after his parents' divorce. The quiet neighborhood of While-a-Way Lane, his new street, smells of cotton candy and has an unusual Ferris wheel on library grounds.

Because  most residents are away on spring break and his mother works outside the home, Daniel, is left to his own devices. He befriends 2 squirrels, Dewey the Postman, Tilda Butter who communicates with animals and insects, Tilda's dog Fred, and a protective host of fireflies. Everyone has a gift, and Daniel must find his.

This tender blend of realism and fantasy explores themes of separation, loss, divorce, acceptance, intergenerational friendship, and noticing the smallest details that can change a day from ordinary to extraordinary. Lovely! Highly Recommend for Grades 4-6. Marianne Bucci, Head, Children's Depr., Northeast Regional Library. 2/25/22

Drama. Based On True Events. Determination. Entrepreneurship. Bodybuilding.

I like this film because it is based on true events. The Weider brothers had a dream and they were not afraid to go for it. Although I am not really familiar with weight lifting and bodybuilding, however,  this story of two brothers push to create a place in the world for this sport is interesting. It took many years, but, the dream came forth.  Their fitness and nutrient magazines for men and women are available worldwide today.

Comedy. Romance. Heart-warming. Memorable Characters. Steady pace. Hilarious. Fun to watch. Awesome Cast.

I enjoyed watching this movie because it has a lot of funny characters that you can really relate to. The film is predictable, but, it was fun to watch. I like the way Eddie Murphy and Arsenio Hall plays multiple very funny characters. The costumes and the music were suitable for the film. If you like romantic comedy....you will enjoy this movie.  Don't miss Samuel L. Jackson's quick appearance. Even though the film is rated R ....it is not loaded with foul language.

 

Based on True Events. Intense Drama. Racial Injustice. Police Brutality. Heartbreaking. Gripping. Violent .Disturbing.

This film was based on true event which made it hard to watch at times. The same unrest exist today. Racism is still alive and well. Riots all over the US and injustice is still the same.  The movie had a lot of things going on at the same time,  Sometimes it was hard to keep up with what was going on. I didn't like the dark scenes.  The music sound track was good.

Romance. Comedy. Nice Music Track. Memorable Characters. Hilarious. Unexpected Ending. Fun To Watch.Love-Hate Relationships.

I liked watching this movie because it was not only comical but the twist and turns in the plot keeps you interested.   Martin Lawrence is so funny and his face expressions are hilarious.  The actors and actresses (Regina King and Lynn Whitfield)  in this film where on point and convincing. This film was funny from start to finish. A real classic.

In Assassination Vacation, Sarah Vowell examines the first 3 presidential murders: those of Abraham Lincoln, James A. Garfield and William Mckinley.

She digs up fascinating, obscure facts about all 3 men and their times. Vowell travels from Alaska to the Dry Tortugas, viisting every landmark, house and museum to shed light on the victims and their killers.

Lincoln was already regarded as a great leader when he was cut down by John Wilkes Booth.  Garfield, who was loved by the masses, was on his way to becoming a great president by stamping out corruption in government.  When he was killed, he had been in office for less than a year, and today, is largely forgotten.  McKinley was not any kind of great leader.  A war monger and an imperialist, he was assassinated by an immigrant anarchist.

Even if you are not a history buff or a fan of presidential trivia, you will find this book fascinating and entertaining.  Speaking of entertaining, Sarah Vowell is the voice of sulky teenage Violet in The Incredibles.

This is a lovely companion to the children's classic, The Secret Garden. Although based on the screenplay which deviates in some details from the original text, it maintains the basic integrity of Burnett's story.

Mary Lennox, the heroine, narrates the story through journaling. Illustrated with photos from the movie and full-color pen/ink and watercolor paintings. "Handwritten" appearance of print and overall arrangement give this the feel of a real journal/scrapbook. Perfect introduction to the classic for younger readers. Marianne Bucci, Head, Children's Dept., Northeast Regional Library.

I was hooked to the The Doctor Blake Mysteries from the very first episode. This is one of my favorite series second to Endeavor. I just wish there were more season. Developed a little crush on Dr Lucien Blake. He is really skillful at solving these murders that takes place back into the late 1950s and early 1960's. Sometimes he ruffles a little feathers with the police as well as the mayor and even though he doesn't always comes up with the right analysis he gets the job done as police surgeon. Sometimes the mysteries can be solved by the audience before the end but sometimes not.I like the chemistry between Dr. Lucien and his in home assistant/home keeper Jean. They kept their relationship professional but in the back of your mind you hope they will become a couple...guess if you haven't seen you will have to find out...again I really enjoyed this murder mystery show. I definitely would recommend it.

Comedy. Action. Hilarious. Funny Characters.

Martin Lawrence is hilarious as a street smart jewel thief turned phony police detective. This movie will definitely make you laugh out loud. Dave Chapelle's quick part is short but so funny. You'll want to make sure and watch the movie until the end. This movie was fun to watch. Teens will enjoy watching this movie. 

Comedy. Romance. Hilarious. Great Cast.  Fun To Watch. Family Gathering.

This movie is funny from beginning to end.  Martin Lawrence never falls short of delivering comedy.  The all star cast keeps you laughing.  There are lots of memorable scene.  Always a loads of fun when the family comes together. If you are a fan of Martin Lawrence you will enjoy this movie.

this show is about a single mom wh raised her daughter by herself and was a successful career woman. Her parents are well off but she never asked them for anything except now to help pay for her daughters education. THey have their ups and downs but always seem to work then out. I really enjoy watching this show. On to season 2

MARIANNE B. 9 months ago

Wild Things: The Joy of Reading Children’s Literature As An Adult by Bruce Handy. Bruce Handy’s labor of love, rediscovering his beloved childhood books and reading them to his children, has given birth to this well-researched and documented, whimsical yet sometimes arbitrary, personal assessment of favorite children’s titles. Each chapter reads as an individual essay, loosely tied together by a throw-back phrase or sentence referencing a previously expressed view or chapter. 

Handy readily admits his bias for or against standard favorites, although his personal comments about religion seem jarringly out of place and mildly disrespectful in his evaluation of C.S. Lewis’ Chronicles of Narnia. His dismissal of L.M. Montgomery’s beloved Anne of Green Gables after reading 30 pages seems churlish.

 Juicy tidbits of squabbles between authors and their illustrators, E.B. White and Garth Williams, for example, and the legendary Anne Carroll Moore’s adamant rejection of Margaret Wise Brown’s Good Night, Moon and E.B. White’s Stuart Little, seem too delicious to ignore. Ms. Moore was the august Head of Children’s Services, NY Public Library, whom all Children’s Services’ Librarians have been taught to revere through the years!

 An interesting read, Wild Things,… shows the readers how far Children’s Literature has developed from the moralistic and fatalistic cautionary diet of the 1600s to the smorgasbord of titles available to children of all ages today. Worthwhile to read, digest, and confront one’s childhood favorites whether you agree with Handy or not (I do not always support his view!).

Attractive cover and title reference Maurice Sendak’s quintessential beloved classic. A treasure trove of information is included in the form of various appendices, extensive bibliography, afterword. Give this a try! Re-discover the wonderful world of children’s books!

 

MARIANNE B. 8 months ago

Digital full-color illustrations accompany short, story-type biographies of 19 famous Muslim women who have excelled in math, science, sports, education, film, activism, stage, and fashion. These women have challenged stereotypes of the Muslim female to empower all girls to improve their world. Readers will recognize Malala Yousafzai as well as the cartoon superheroine Ms. Marvel. Perfect for browsing personal enjoyment, but not useful for assignments. Illustration on verso of title page features a political jibe: Love Trumps Hate. Rec. for ages 6 to 10. Well-done Marianne Bucci, Head, Children's Dept., NER

MARIANNE B. 7 months ago

Middle School Ali Cross, son of the famous African-American Homicide Detective and Forensic Psychologist, Alex Cross of Patterson’s popular Alex Cross series, stars in this debut novel of the latest in juvenile crime solvers. Ali wants to be a detective like his father. When his best friend Gabe goes missing a few days before Christmas, Ali launches a campaign to find him. 

He confides his suspicion that Gabe might be involved in a series of home robberies including that of his own home to his father and the detectives assigned to the case. Ali manages to track down the avatar of his friend in a computer game that he and the rest of his friends play every night. 

As Ali plays amateur detective against the backdrop of his father’s upcoming trial of police brutality charges, he faces bullying at school and warnings from his father and the detectives assigned to the case to leave the police work to them. When his school ID shows up at another crime scene, Ali knows he has to take matters in his own hands.

 This is a great read, one that begs for a sequel or continuation of the series. A fast page-turner, good characterization, believable plot, very different from the other books Patterson has been producing for middle school readers. A “Jimmy Patterson Book” for which Patterson invests sales in pro-reading initiatives. Highly recommended! Middle School Readers. Marianne Bucci, Head, Children’s Dept., NER

Drama. Suspenseful. Drug Use. Human Trafficking. Abuse. Violence. Unexpected Ending. Memorable Acting.

Thiis movie looks at the reality of human trafficking and how horrible it is. The fact that trafficing will continue as long as law enforcers keep turning their backs and the greed for money exists. This movie has a unusual twist and a unexpected ending. I think the movie did pretty good trying to bring awareness and acknowledgement to a serious problem.

 

Action-Packed. Adventure. Suspenseful. Fast-Paced. Violence. Mob Wars. 

This movie is packed with intense action and stunts.  The storyline is believable. This film is very entertaining and offers thrilling fight scenes.  If you are a Jason Statham fan .....this is one for you.  He is always moving fast as in most of his films. I think this is one of his best action movies.  I enjoyed this movie,

Anjali is a headstrong ten-year old girl living in India in 1942 and, like many in India at that time, she is unhappy with the British presence in her town.  When her mother loses her job doing translation for a local British officer, Anjali blames the officer and impulsively decides to graffiti the outside of his workplace.  When she gets caught, she denies it at first, but later tells the truth, explaining that it is unfair for Ma to be fired and that the British should "quit India."  However, Ma surprises Anjali by saying that she was not fired, but instead left her job by choice.  Ma feels she should answer the call of Mahatma Gandhi asking all Indian families to contribute one family member to the nonviolent fight against British rule.

In the subsequent weeks, Anjali's usual Brahmin lifestyle begins to change. Ma burns all of their beautiful foreign made clothes in favor of homespun cotton clothing.  Ma also begins doing jobs typically only done by the Dalits, or "untouchables," such as removing putrid human waste from the family's latrine.  It is difficult for Anjali at first, but she gradually adjusts to life with her freedom fighting mother.  Anjali especially enjoys working and playing with the Dalit children and helping with a grand idea to integrate the local school, from which Dalits have always been excluded.

Through all of this, Anjali's best friend, Irfaan, has been by her side. Even though she is Hindu and he is Muslim, the two children have been like brother and sister since as far back as they can remember. But that all changes as the stress of events in the town causes fights and violence to break out among the Hindus and Muslims.  Irfaan, knowing how willful Anjali can be, mistakenly believes that she graffitied his home, and Anjali suddenly finds herself shunned by her best friend. With her mother in jail and friends in danger, Anjali must summon all of her courage and determination to fight prejudice and be an example of the change she's trying to make in her town, and ultimately in all of India.

This was an amazing story!  It was so easy to emotionally connect with Anjali, I felt like I knew and understood her from the very beginning.  It was interesting to see how she grew and changed in her thoughts and actions throughout the story, and I think even though this takes place in another country and almost 80 years in the past, Anjali is a fictional character that most 10 year olds could quickly relate to, while learning a lot about the real historical events involved in her story.      

I’d recommend this for fourth grade and up, and if you like reading thematically, you could also try I Am Gandhi: A Graphic Biography of a Hero by Brad Meltzer (and illustrated by many well-known illustrators) and The Night Diary by Veera Hiranandani to get an even bigger glimpse into the events of this time period.

Comedy.  Adventure. Heart-warming. Mysterious. Magical.  Memorable Characters.

Eddie Murphy is a Finder of lost children.  He is hilarious as ususal.  He is hired to find a child missing from Tribeca.  Murphy will take you on a adventure from New York to Tribeca.  From the very start of the movie your interest will be captured.  J. L. Reate (The Golden Child) is beyond cute and does excellent silent acting. This movie had a good ending.  I enjoyed this movie. It was not a lot of foul language, so,  I think the family can enjoy this film together.

MARIANNE B. 20 days ago

This musical fable is based upon the only story Eudora Welty wrote for children. Arturo, a store parrot at the Friendly Shoe Store, overhears a disgruntled boy complain, “shoes are for the birds.” Taking the boy’s complaint literally, Arturo announces it to the entire bird population. Each bird flies to the shoe store to get the perfect pair of shoes. They quickly discover that their shoes prevent their escape when Freddy the Cat appears and torments them. A cry for help summons the arrival of a very wise bird who prevents disaster. Excellent narration and compelling musical drama. Recommend for children in grades 3 and up. Marianne Bucci, Head, Children’s Dept., Northeast Regional Library.