I am a Genius of Unspeakable Evil and I Want to Be Your Class President by Josh Lieb

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Oliver Watson is the dorkiest kid in school. He always eats lunch by himself, and never has any friends, but he's not complaining. It's the perfect cover for an evil genius. Oliver is actually the head of a vast evil empire through which he can manipulate anything from revolutions in small foreign countries to what is on your local PBS station. But can Oliver control his school election?



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A Long Walk to Water: Based on a True Story by Linda Sue Park

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


This is the story of two African journeys, one a scary flight from war and death, the other a daily walk to fetch water for the family. The way Park pulls the two stories together makes the book both readable and interesting. A great way for American students to understand some of the controversy surrounding the country of Sudan.



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How to Grow Up and Rule the World, by Vordak the Incomprehensible by Scott Seegert

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


This book is great for all budding evil masterminds. Vordak imparts important information like how to choose the perfect lair, and how to handle minions and henchmen. If you can avoid his devious punishments for inattention and impertinence, you too can attempt world domination.



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Awards Season Challenge

January is award season for Children and Teen Literature. On January 10 the Newbery, Caldecott and Printz awards will be announced by the American Library Association. How many of the past winners have you read? I've read 103 titles so far. Can you beat my total? Check out the list of winners by clicking on the award titles above, pick one list and start reading today. Entries will be available starting January 14 through March 1. Prizes will be awarded for the most titles read in a variety of age categories from elementary to adult.

Bink and Gollie by Kate DiCamillo

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Bink and Gollie is a winner. Both characters are individuals in their own way, and while they don't always get along, they find ways to work it all out in the end. Great for pre-readers and early readers alike, you can read the whole thing in one go, or savor one chapter at a time. I hope there will be more of Bink and Gollie.



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Knitting For Good

The Knit and Stitch Club sent 5 scarves to the Orphan Foundation of American Red Scarf Project. These hand knit scarves will warm the necks and hearts of college students from foster homes. Join us for knitting or crochet on alternating Thursdays afternoons at 4:00 starting again January 6th. Feel free to suggest other charity knitting projects we can support together.

Final Baseball Scores

Team Name	Weekly Score	Weekly Rank	Cumulative Score	Cumulative Rank
The Scooby Doo's	264	6	2190	10
Devil Dogs	263	7	2558	7
Gus' Greats	290	5	2112	11
Tiger Town Cats	321	2	2758	2
Mahoning Valley Muscle	192	13	1965	13
Angels in the Outfield	259	8	2464	9
Karate Kids	293	4	2728	4
Bambino's	246	11	2717	5
D-Town	257	10	2515	8
Beast from the East	259	8	2746	3
Bald Guy and the Blonde	222	12	1984	12
Tools of Ignorance	325	1	2844	1
Double Play Divas	311	3	2657	6