The Dumbest Generation?

A continuation of my stream of thought on literacy and definitions of literacy.
http://www.latimes.com/features/books/la-et-book5-2008jul05,0,3980465.story

A discussion of the book:
The Dumbest Generation
How the Digital Age Stupefies Young Americans and Jeopardizes Our Future, or Don't Trust Anyone Under 30
Mark Bauerlein
Tarcher/Penguin: 272 pp., $24.95

Has the growth of social networking substantially changed the nature of adolescence or is it just another expression of teens need for interaction. How is this use of the Internet affecting the intelligence and the learning of today's youth? I must read this book for myself.

Gaming in the Library

The American Library Association is beginning a study to find out the impact of gaming on literacy. Interesting when you start thinking about the definition of literacy and how it has changed over the last 20 years. How do you define literacy? What do graduates need to be able to do to be successful in the world of Web 2.0?

http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/article/CA6575782.html

What Came Before He Shot Her by Elizabeth George

I have always enjoyed the mysteries of Elizabeth George. She writes the types of stories that are more about the characters than the mysteries. She invites you into the lives of the detectives, the victims and even the perpetrators. In this novel, she leaves the mystery genre to explore the life of the 12-year old boy responsible for the murder of one of her primary characters. She takes you deep into the live of North Kensington, a poor, working-class neighborhood in London and shows the struggle for survival that is the daily life of millions of children in urban settings all over the world. It is a gut-wrenching reminder of the impossible choices that face so many people as they seek to negotiate the complex social layers of life in the city. She brings the characters of Joel Campbell and his family to life and makes their struggle real and immediate. You will not forget them or their stories.

Good Eats on the Weekend

A new car calls for a road trip (even a 2 hour road trip). So we headed north into the mountains to visit Prescott, Arizona. We took the long way around through the old west of Arizona and arrived in time for lunch!

We had an amazing meal at The Palace, where Steve brought us a delicious, crispy deep fried Catfish Sandwich with Louisiana Hot Sauce, Ranch Fries and Chipoltle Mayo (South Beach be damned) and one of the best burgers we have had in a very long time. You could taste the freshness. Add some avocado and some green chilies and a couple of cold beers and you have the finest restaurant meal we've had in some time!