☰

Prom Night Safety Tips for Parents

Posted on by Angie

While prom night is stressful for parents and teens for many reasons, parents should never overlook safety. However, many parents aren’t aware of simple –yet effective tips for making sure their teens stay safe on such a high-pressure night.

Here are some things to keep in mind before sending your child off to prom

Get the phone numbers of your child’s prom date and at least 5 friends so you can reach someone.  Inform your child, you expect them to answer their cell phones and texts should you call them.

Give Your Kids a Curfew – There is nothing your kids can do after 2am, that they can’t do before 2am.  Its not a trust issue, it’s a safety issue.  Do you really want your kids roaming around after 2am?

Remind your child that everyone has a camera.  With cameras hidden everywhere, it is so important your child realizes not to behave in public in a way that might cause them shame if it ended up on youtube.

Colleges can take away what they have offered.   A college acceptance can be revoked for illegal behavior and for getting expelled from high school.  Prom night is not Vegas.  What happens on Prom night could jeopardize their future.

By: Erika Katz. Parenting Expert and Huffington Post Contributor.
Erika is the author of, Bonding Over Beauty, A Mother-Daughter Guide to Self-Esteem, Confidence and Trust. Bonding over Beauty focuses on encouraging and strengthening the mother-daughter relationship through simple, fun and intimate activities.  On her blog, Katz helps mothers navigate sensitive topics that often arise with tween girls, from dealing with self esteem issues, to unwanted body hair, to menstruation and everything in between. Erika has been featured in Good Housekeeping Magazine, Shape.com, About.com, Girl’s Life Magazine and has made appearances on the Today Show, Fox News Live, The Doctors and PIX 11 Morning News.

Naptime Confessions: Packing

Posted on by Angie

 

I have to admit I’m a little OCD when I’m headed out of town and leaving my husband in charge of the kids.. I shutter to think of the outfits he will pick out for them while I’m gone. He can feed them as many cookies and candybars as he wants, I just want them in clothes that match if they leave the house! Is that so crazy?

So even though they aren’t coming with me, I still have to pack for them. That’s what I’m doing during naptime today, what are you up to?

Mommy Madness: I'm a Mess

Posted on by Angie

By Harmony Hobbs:

I fear I am becoming a mess.

Let me back up … clearly, I am already what you could classify as a “mess.” But before now, most of my messiness was hidden. It was either in my brain or in the kitchen drawers. You kind of had to get to know me before you found out the full extent of it. And now … it’s OUT THERE. Now, I get nods of sympathy in the grocery store.  I do things like throw away an $80 gift card. Why? I don’t know. It just happened.

I ruined my husband’s fancy shirts, not once, but twice. I lose everything. I run over a curb at the gym almost every damn day, and recently I almost hit a PERSON because my three-year-old was chattering at me and the baby was yelling at me and I was trying to back out of a parking spot and … well … luckily I saw the woman in time.

In month seven of this stay-at-home-mom gig, I have become a scatterbrained, bad-driving, messy, always-rumpled, children-crawling-all-over-me-in-the-post-office, mess. On the rare occasions that I do get away from my kids and go somewhere by myself, I try to make a point to dress nicely and pull it all together. That way I can pretend for just an hour or two that I’m normal again. But then, something happens like I forget my wallet or drive off with the gas pump stuck in the tank, and the jig is up – I am forced to face the fact that I no longer have it remotely together.

I am, in sum, a typical mom.

The thing is, my kids don’t care if I’m a disaster. They don’t even understand what a disaster looks like yet. Maybe by the time they are old enough to decipher this, I’ll have a better grip on things. Or maybe I won’t. All I know is, I LOVE THEM. I fight against dirt and snot and hunger every day and somehow I manage to put two clean and fed children to bed every night without hurting anyone. It’s a miracle, really.

And my husband … I know he notices that I’m not quite myself these days. But he knows better than to say anything. I would make him regret it. One thing I’ve got going for me is that when all he sees me in are workout clothes, pajamas, and leopard-print slippers, it sets the bar extremely low. So when I do manage to put on a normal outfit and do my hair and makeup, his eyes light up like it’s Christmas come early.

So, instead of adding“avoid becoming a mess” to my to-do list, I think I’ll just embrace it. It’s kind of liberating to be okay with being a walking disaster. Now I understand why so many people do it. Welcome me into your fold, O Tribe of Moms. I think I get it now.

About Harmony:

Harmony blew into Birmingham after Hurricane Katrina and recently quit her job to stay at home with her two boys. Her sanity is in question. Visit her blog at Modern Mommy Madness.

Event of the Week! Birmingham Reads

Posted on by Angie

As moms, we want the best for our children. We feed them healthy food, buckle them in car seats, and we read to them. Reading may seem like a luxury, but it is imperative to the development of a child. We can help them- we as moms can spread the word about this amazing program, and we can bring about change for children in our community. The purpose of Birmingham Reads is to show our most vulnerable school children that reading is the single most important skill they will learn in life.

– There are 92,000 functionally illiterate adults in Central AL
– 25% of kids are falling behind in reading by the 4th grade
– 1 in 4 of Alabama’s kindergarteners scored in the “at-risk” category for vocabulary levels
– 41% of Birmingham City School students drop out of high school

Be a part of change- check out www.birminghamreads.com for ways that you can help. There are book drives, reading to children opportunities, or just donate $1. $1 will buy 1 book for a child who doesn’t have any.

Want to read to a classroom on Thursday? Sign up at BirminghamReads.com and make plans to attend Brookwood Celebrates! There will be reading, music, characters, and much more. Come out this Saturday, April 21st from 10am-3pm on Main Street Brookwood for a great time that celebrates reading.

Birmingham Events Calendar: April 15th – April 22nd

Posted on by Angie

Another busy week in Birmingham! We love this time of year because there on SO many things to do, it’s hard to choose!

We’re gearing up for Earth Day so there are several celebrations happening including the annual Auntie Litter Parade at Kelly Ingram Park. McWane Science Center and the Birmingham Zoo will also be having special programs.

This week will also be celebrating Birmingham Reads Day – there will be a celebration on Saturday at Brookwood Village, if you have some gently used books to donate, they will get them into the Birmingham School System where books are needed.

Have a great week and Happy Earth Day Everyone!

It’s Not Our Fault if Your Kids are Bored!

Sunday April 15th:

Bart’s Art Cart – Birmingham Museum of Art
April showers bring May flowers! Craft a “glass” flower inspired by BMA artist Dale Chihuly.

Visit Bart’s Art Cart in the main lobby to explore great art and create some art of your own with the help of our Teen Volunteers. Each month highlights a different gallery and features a new art activity. Learn how to look at art with your child. Stop by and make art with Bart!
1:00pm

——-——————————————————————————

Monday April 16th:

Reader’s Studio – Hoover Public Library
Oh Brother, Oh Sister – A super-cool book club for grades 2-5! Bring a book in our featured genre. This month we’re reading books about the joy and annoyance of having siblings. Each meeting will begin with a book discussion and end with creating a book-inspired masterpiece. Call to register.
6:30pm

—————————————————————————————

Tuesday April 17th:

Farmer Jason – Hoover Public Library
Tap your toes to “Guitar-Pickin’ Chicken,” “Punk Rock Skunk” and some new tunes from his latest album, Nature Jams. Kids of all ages.
6:30pm

Babes in the Zoo– Birmingham Zoo
This fun class introduces children to the experience and wonder of animals in a safe environment.

Children must be 6 months to 2 years old and accompany with an adult. Classes are 30 minutes long.
Members -$6 Non-Members -$12
9am

Storytime – Homewood Public Library
Join us for the fun of it! All ages welcome.
10:30am

—————————————————————————————

Wednesday April 18th:

Babes in the Zoo– Birmingham Zoo
This fun class introduces children to the experience and wonder of animals in a safe environment.

Children must be 6 months to 2 years old and accompnay with an adult. Classes are 30 minutes long.
Members -$6 Non-Members -$12
9am

Storytime – Barnes and Noble Summit
Join us as we read Jack and the Beanstalk to find out what happens when Jack takes on a giant. We will also make a craft and have something yummy from our Cafe.
11am

Family Story Time with Mr Mac – North Shelby Library
Storyteller Extraordinaire – Come join Mr Mac and his musical storytime complete with puppets! All Ages, no registration required.
10:45am

—————————————————————————————

Thursday April 19th:

Auntie Litter Earth Day Parade – Kelly Ingram Park
Auntie Litter’s Earth Day Parade and Festival is the country’s largest Earth Day Parade. School children from around Birmingham fill the park for a day of fun and educational activities that include environmental entertainment, picnic lunch and time with 30+ exhibitors and a parade through the streets of Birmingham.
9am – 2pm

Birmingham Reads Day!
Birmingham Reads Day is a reading awareness initiative that places guest readers in classrooms. Our amazing group of volunteers will read to all Kindergarten through 5th grade classrooms at every Birmingham City elementary school in one afternoon!

Time for Tales with Ms Katie – Avondale Library
Join Ms. Katie for a preschool storytime with lots of stories, songs, and fun for everyone! Group registration appreciated.
9:30am

—————————————————————————————

Friday April 20th:

Homestead Hollow Mudbugs and Music Festival – Homestead Hollow
Live Bluegrass and Hot Crawfish!

Featuring fine arts, unique, hand made crafts, pioneer demonstrations of the old time days- see wood carving, ironwork, blacksmithing, smoke house cooking, gardening, quilting, whiskey making at our original working still, tour our original cabins as they were built by the early settlers. Relax by one of our many streams and listen to live local entertainment all day. Enjoy our great food that makes your mouth scream for more.

$10 per day; 12 and under free. Tickets available at the gate.
Music begins at 6pm

Story Day with NeNe – Whole Foods
Stories, songs, and snacks as Mrs. Renee Schmidt leads the fun.
10am

—-———————————————————————————

Saturday April 21st:

Birmingham Reads – Brookwood Village
Come out for a celebration of reading with music, characters, and more on main street at Colonial Brookwood Village. Bring a book, buy a book. Collecting new and gently used children’s books for Birmingham city school children.
10am – 3pm

Earth Day Celebration – McWance Science Center
Join the party for the planet with cool programs like “Newspaper Masterpieces” where you can use recycled materials to create works of art!
COST: Included in cost of admission to the museum, FREE for members
10AM – 4PM

Plant ID: Who Do Ivy? – Oak Mountain State Park
Have an interest in plants? Come learn how to identify some of Alabama’s plants. Learn which ones you can touch and which ones to stay from.
Meet at 10a.m. at the Treetop Nature Trail (base of stairs) on Terrace Drive.
Free after admission to Oak Mountain State Park.

Party for the Planet – Birmingham Zoo
This event will be filled with activities and wildlife presentations promoting the care and conservation of our planet. Guests will see special shows and animal demonstrations.

Saturday Market – Pepper Place
Re-open again for the season! Pepper Place Saturday Market brings the best local growers, food producers and artisans to you each Saturday morning. Rain or shine!
7am – Noon

Homestead Hollow Mudbugs and Music Festival – Homestead Hollow
Live Bluegrass and Hot Crawfish!

Featuring fine arts, unique, hand made crafts, pioneer demonstrations of the old time days- see wood carving, ironwork, blacksmithing, smoke house cooking, gardening, quilting, whiskey making at our original working still, tour our original cabins as they were built by the early settlers. Relax by one of our many streams and listen to live local entertainment all day. Enjoy our great food that makes your mouth scream for more.

$10 per day; 12 and under free. Tickets available at the gate.
Music begins at 1pm

Tannehill Trade Days
Shoppers and swappers come from far and near to Tannehill Trade Days in search of tools, clothing, jewelry, knives, furniture and other treasures.
Park admission
$3.00 Adults (12 years and older)
$2.00 Seniors (Ages 62 and older)
$1.00 Children (Ages 6-11) ages 5 and under free
8am – 4pm

Bart’s Art Cart – Birmingham Museum of Art
April showers bring May flowers! Craft a “glass” flower inspired by BMA artist Dale Chihuly.

Visit Bart’s Art Cart in the main lobby to explore great art and create some art of your own with the help of our Teen Volunteers. Each month highlights a different gallery and features a new art activity. Learn how to look at art with your child. Stop by and make art with Bart!
11:00am

Cartoons and Cereal – Homewood Library
Fall in love with some of your favorite classic cartoons all over again.
Cereal will be provided for children who attend.
9:30am – 11:30

Family Storytime – Emmet O’Neal Library
Bring the entire family and join Mr. Mac for stories and music each Saturday morning.
10:30 a.m.

Storytime – Barnes and Noble Summit
Join us as we read we read Fancy Nancy and the Mermaid Ballet. See what happens when Fancy Nancy takes dance lessons. There will be a fun activity and a treat from the Cafe.
11am

—————————————————————————————

Sunday April 22nd:

Earth Day Celebration – McWance Science Center
Join the party for the planet with cool programs like “Newspaper Masterpieces” where you can use recycled materials to create works of art!
COST: Included in cost of admission to the museum, FREE for members
Noon – 4PM

Earthbounds Earthfest – George Ward Park
The band Earthbound will play their free annual concert. There will be events for people of all ages. Bring a picnic and enjoy the music. Any proceeds will be donated to The Friends of George Ward Park a 501(c)3 non-profit.
Free for all ages
2pm – 6pm

Tannehill Trade Days
Shoppers and swappers come from far and near to Tannehill Trade Days in search of tools, clothing, jewelry, knives, furniture and other treasures.
Park admission
$3.00 Adults (12 years and older)
$2.00 Seniors (Ages 62 and older)
$1.00 Children (Ages 6-11) ages 5 and under free
8am – 4pm

Bart’s Art Cart – Birmingham Museum of Art
April showers bring May flowers! Craft a “glass” flower inspired by BMA artist Dale Chihuly.

Visit Bart’s Art Cart in the main lobby to explore great art and create some art of your own with the help of our Teen Volunteers. Each month highlights a different gallery and features a new art activity. Learn how to look at art with your child. Stop by and make art with Bart!
1:00pm

—————————————————————————————

Local Attractions Open Daily!

McWane Science Center:

IMAX
McWane Science Center’s IMAX® Dome Theater puts you in the center of the action by projecting breathtaking quality images onto the 5-story-tall dome screen and delivering intense surround sound through almost 3 tons of speakers and subwoofers.
Now Showing: Born to Be Wild, & Flying Monsters.

Birmingham Zoo:

Lorikeet Aviary – Our Lorikeet Aviary has more birds than ever! Zoo guests can feed these exotic birds every day. You and your family will see these birds’ behavior as they eat nectar out of your hand.
Weekends 10:00 am – 4:00 pm

PELICAN FEEDING – A great way to see our pelicans in action is to witness them eating their favorite treats near the pelican boardwalk.

RHINO ENCOUNTER – Embark on an African adventure and experience one of the world’s most extraordinary animals, the Southern White Rhino. Watch from only feet away as our zookeepers engage in hands-on interaction with the animals inside their African-themed exhibit. Don’t miss this exciting encounter with one of the largest mammals on the planet!
Weekdays: 3pm – 3:30pm
Weekends: 11:30am – Noon & 3pm – 3:30 pm

GIRAFFE FEEDING – This up close and personal animal encounter is a memory you and your family will have for a lifetime.
Weekday: 11am – Noon
Weekends: 10am – 11am  & 2pm – 3pm

Vulcan Park and Museum:

Vulcan is the world’s largest cast iron statue; made of 100,000 pounds of iron and 56 feet tall, he stands at the top of Red Mountain overlooking the city of Birmingham. But, Vulcan is more than a statue. Vulcan Park and Museum features spectacular views of Birmingham, an interactive history museum that examines Vulcan and Birmingham’s story, and a beautiful public park for visitors and locals to enjoy. With an official information center that is operated by the Greater Birmingham Convention and Visitors Bureau, Vulcan Park and Museum serves as the first stop for visitors to the Birmingham area!

Railroad Park:

Railroad Park is a 19 acre green space in downtown Birmingham that celebrates the industrial and artistic heritage of our great city. Situated along 1st Avenue South, between 14th and 18th Streets, the park is a joint effort between the City of Birmingham and the Railroad Park Foundation. Hailed as “Birmingham’s Living Room,” Railroad Park provides a historically rich venue for local recreation, family activities, concerts, and cultural events, while connecting Birmingham’s downtown area with Southside and UAB’s campus.

Southern Museum of Flight:

Earn Your Wings – Bring your little pilot and soar above the clouds in our little pilots room. Kids enjoy building aircrafts, flying kites, and more.
Museum Open Tuesday – Thursday
9:30am – 4:30pm

Do you have or know of an event you would like to have added to our weekly calendar? Please email us at contact@birminghammommy.com, subject line “Events Calendar” – We would love to hear from you!

** All information listed on our calendar is subject to change without notice to us or you… We do our best to keep the information accurate and will always update as soon as we learn that something has changed. It’s always best to double check with the event via their website or a quick call,  especially when weather can impact the event.

The Seven Day Plastic Reduction Challenge, with My Green Birmingham

Posted on by Angie

Beginning on April 16th, My Green Birmingham will launch a 7-day Plastic Challenge encouraging a community wide reduction in everyday plastic use. Plastic contributes to a great variety of significant threats to many different aspects of life and to our environment. These issues range from significant waste and pollution to our landfills and waterways, to toxic threats to our human health.

We truly believe that incredible change can be made possible when people rally together to help make a difference. Fueled by this notion, this challenge asks Birmingham area residents to pledge a commitment to seven (7) days of reducing their everyday plastic use. More details are available at My Green Birmingham, where you will also find a series of  articles exploring the risks and consequences associated with society’s heavy dependence on disposable plastic products. They will provide valuable tips and suggestions via social media and other resources regarding methods in which consumers can avoid and reduce their plastic use, and even enjoy an easier transition into plastic alternatives.

A grand prize winner and two additional winners will receive valuable prize packages including items from local businesses and non-profits, as well several plastic alternative products, such as Kleen Kanteen steel water bottles.

Participation details:

1) Demonstrate. Save your daily plastic waste (recyclable and non-recyclable) and document it daily or as many times until Earth Day, April 22nd, 2012. Record it via photo or video, and then share it on Facebook.

2) Think. Start considering different methods of how you can reduce your plastic use.

3) Transform it. Put your brainstorming into action and change your plastic use habits.

4) Share your experience and inspire others by talking about the improvements you have made!

Example: Before the Plastic Challenge, I typically purchased 6 new, disposable plastic food storage containers each month, costing me an average of $120 a year. Now I use six glass storage containers and with good maintenance, may never have to replace them.

Example: I used to buy individually wrapped items for my children’s lunches. Now I buy snacks in bulk and separate them into small reusable containers. My family has seen a significant decrease in our overall use of plastic packaging.

How will you limit your plastic usage over the next 7 days?

Birmingham Area Summer Camps – 2012

Posted on by Angie

Summer will be here before you know and registration is going on now for Camps happening in and around the Birmingham Area. So, figure out which one catches your attention and sign little Junior up before the spots are gone!

Acting Out! Preforming Arts Academy Summer Movie Camp – We’re teaming up with actress and prestigious kids coach Darcy Martin from LA and NYC. We’ll be focusing on acting for tv. film and commercials, the highlight of the week will be the creation of an original short film that will premier at a red carpet event on June 29th. For more information or to register, call 818.231.4065
June 25th – 29th

McWance Science Center –

McWane Science Center Camps make learning an unforgettable adventure that you just can’t experience anywhere else. In one week of camp, the budding scientist can discover a dinosaur, travel into outer space or explore the ocean floor. Various themes and activities allow children to experience something new each day. Blast off in Cosmo Camp or get creative in Smarty Arty Pants Camp. Dive in to marine biology or dig paleontology. The flexible programs allow you to choose as many programs as you want for your child, from just one afternoon of exploration to full weeks of fun and learning!

Cost (per week):
Full Day Full Week(Morning & Aftenoon Sessions): Members $250, Non-Members $300
Half Day Full Week(Morning OR Aftenoon Sessions): Members $125, Non-Members $150

Includes

• 1st rate hands on educational programming
• ½ day or all day options
• Mid-morning and mid-afternoon snacks
• Lunch
• Summer Camp T-Shirt
• Before care
• After care

REGISTER HERE

Birmingham Zoo –

Up-close animal encounters, train and carousel rides, fun playing in the water fountains, and guided tours.The best place for summer fun is at a Birmingham Zoo Camp! We have exciting full-day (8:30am to 3:30pm) and half-day (8:30am to 12:30pm) camps available for children going into 4K through 8th grade.

For more information and to register CLICK HERE

Birmingham Botanical Gardens –
Programs are designed to actively promote your child’s natural sense of creativity and discovery with fun learning experiences in the unmatched setting at Birmingham Botanical Gardens!

Camps are $136 Members* and $170 Non-Members unless otherwise noted. For more information or to register by phone, contact Education Program Coordinator Ellen Hardy at 205.414.3953 or ehardy@bbgardens.org. Register online.

Birmingham Museum Art – Art Camp
Discover the art of creating sculpture. From the ground up, campers will begin to transform their ideas into 3D objects. As one of the world’s oldest known art forms, sculpture remains a means of self-expression for cultures around the globe. Campers will create works of art using materials reflected in the Museum’s galleries and supplied in local grocery stores. A camp of limitless possibilities, join us as we explore the world and discover sculpture at the Birmingham Museum of Art.

For more information or to register, CLICK HERE

Wee Flip –
Music, Art(messy, hands on fun….creative, exciting and perfect for preschoolers.) Gymnastics in our bright and colorful gym. A full hour of tumbling, bars, balance beam, and trampoline…there’s no better place to learn gymnastics!
Silly and fun active games in the gym (i.e. parachute play, obstacle course, bubble time… activities change daily)

For more information or to register, CLICK HERE

Villager Yoga –
Strength, Creativity, Mindfulness, Calm.
VY will be offering camps for several different age groups. For more information on pricing, class options or to register visit their site HERE

Ruffner Mountain Nature Center –
Lots of camps to choose from! From Little Naturalists to Wet and Wild Water Week, there is sure to be something here for your little nature lover!
For Camp themes and information visit their site HERE

 

Paint the Town Red, Birmingham!

Posted on by Angie

Paint the Town Red is back this weekend celebrating it’s 4th year!

The blank brick walls and windows of 2nd Avenue North in Birmingham’s Loft District will be transformed into stunning digitally created art: graphic art, digital photography and digital animated shorts… all projected.

Paint the Town Red is an innovative fundraiser for the Birmingham Chapter of the American Red Cross. It combines stunning visuals, eclectic live music, street entertainment, great food and drink and local vendors.

For just $10 per person, you are going to have a great night filled with music and fun. With 18 bands and two dozen artists, this event is catered to all ages, so get ready to indulge your eyes in a visual feast!

Saturday, April 14th 7pm – Midnight.
Tickets are $10 in advance, $15 day of the event – You can purchase those HERE. Children 12 and under are FREE!

 

Love Hunger Games?

Posted on by Angie

If you can’t seem to get enough of Katniss Everdeen, try some of these series that are supposed to satisfy the pickiest HG fan!

1.  Gone, by Michael Grant (Most agree this is the best fit)

Except for the young. Teens. Middle schoolers. Toddlers. But not one single adult. No teachers, no cops, no doctors, no parents. Just as suddenly, there are no phones, no internet, no television. No way to get help. And no way to figure out what’s happened.

Hunger threatens. Bullies rule. A sinister creature lurks. Animals are mutating. And the teens themselves are changing, developing new talents—unimaginable, dangerous, deadly powers—that grow stronger by the day.

It’s a terrifying new world. Sides are being chosen, a fight is shaping up. Townies against rich kids. Bullies against the weak. Powerful against powerless. And time is running out: On your birthday, you disappear just like everyone else…

2. The Maze Runner, by James Dashner

When Thomas wakes up in the lift, the only thing he can remember is his first name. His memory is blank. But he’s not alone. When the lift’s doors open, Thomas finds himself surrounded by kids who welcome him to the Glade—a large, open expanse surrounded by stone walls.

Just like Thomas, the Gladers don’t know why or how they got to the Glade. All they know is that every morning the stone doors to the maze that surrounds them have opened. Every night they’ve closed tight. And every 30 days a new boy has been delivered in the lift.

Thomas was expected. But the next day, a girl is sent up—the first girl to ever arrive in the Glade. And more surprising yet is the message she delivers.

Thomas might be more important than he could ever guess. If only he could unlock the dark secrets buried within his mind.

3. Battle Royale, by Koushun Takami (This one has Japanese characters and is supposed to be similar but much harsher than HG.)

In an alternative future Japan, junior high students are forced to fight to the death! L to R (Western Style). Koushun Takami’s notorious high-octane thriller is based on an irresistible premise: a class of junior high school students is taken to a deserted island where, as part of a ruthless authoritarian program, they are provided arms and forced to kill one another until only one survivor is left standing. Criticized as violent exploitation when first published in Japan–where it then proceeded to become a runaway bestseller–Battle Royale is a Lord of the Flies for the 21st century, a potent allegory of what it means to be young and (barely) alive in a dog-eat-dog world. Made into a controversial hit movie of the same name, Battle Royale is already a contemporary Japanese pulp classic, now available for the first time in the English language.

4. Life as We Knew It, by Susan Beth Pfeffer (Meteor knocks the moon closer to Earth, holding onto hope…)

I guess I always felt even if the world came to an end, McDonald’s still would be open.

High school sophomore Miranda’s disbelief turns to fear in a split second when an asteroid knocks the moon closer to Earth, the way “one marble hits another.” The result is catastrophic. How can her family prepare for the future when worldwide tsunamis are wiping out the coasts, earthquakes are rocking the continents, and volcanic ash is blocking out the sun? As August turns dark and wintry in northeastern Pennsylvania, Miranda, her two brothers, and their mother retreat to the unexpected safe haven of their sunroom, where they subsist on stockpiled food and limited water in the warmth of a wood-burning stove.
Told in a year’s worth of journal entries, this heart-pounding story chronicles Miranda’s struggle to hold on to the most important resource of all—hope—in an increasingly desperate and unfamiliar world.

5. Unwind, by Neil Shusterman (Dystopia novel)

In America after the Second Civil War, the Pro-Choice and Pro-Life armies came to an agreement: The Bill of Life states that human life may not be touched from the moment of conception until a child reaches the age of thirteen. Between the ages of thirteen and eighteen, however, a parent may choose to retroactively get rid of a child through a process called “unwinding.” Unwinding ensures that the child’s life doesn’t “technically” end by transplanting all the organs in the child’s body to various recipients. Now a common and accepted practice in society, troublesome or unwanted teens are able to easily be unwound.

With breath-taking suspense, this book follows three teens who all become runaway Unwinds: Connor, a rebel whose parents have ordered his unwinding; Risa, a ward of the state who is to be unwound due to cost-cutting; and Lev, his parents’ tenth child whose unwinding has been planned since birth as a religious tithing. As their paths intersect and lives hang in the balance, Shusterman examines serious moral issues in a way that will keep readers turning the pages to see if Connor, Risa, and Lev avoid meeting their untimely ends.

What are your thoughts on the next big series, have anything good to share?

Is Your Child Ready for Kindergarten?

Posted on by Angie

Kindergarten is coming. Registration for this fall has already started for many schools and there just isn’t anything you can do but put on a brave face, and make sure you get your child as ready as possible.

You know your munchkin better than anyone. You probably have an idea of whether or not they’re ready for school. If you’re curious about what skills they need to accomplish, and maybe if you want to start working on a few things before August rolls around, take a look at this checklist:

1. Listen to stories, no interruptions
2. Rhyme words, recognize words that rhyme.
3. Basic shapes- names and trace them.
4. Understand that actions have causes and effects.
5. Beginning to share.
6. Use scissors to cut, hand grip correct.

And these are my personal favorites… every kindergarten teacher I know says these are the most crucial!

7. Potty self-sufficiently. Make your kids learn to undo their pants and fasten them back together. Work on buttoning, tying shoes, and zippers.
8. Name- don’t stress if they can’t read the New York Times. Teachers want them to know their full name and to begin writing it. In most cases, NOT all capital letters.
9. Follow directions- work on 2 step directions with them. Example: Take the book to your room and put it on the desk.
10. Stand in line- be able to wait your turn, understand you can’t always be the line leader.

Work on these skills over the summer and your child will be ready to master his or her first day in their new “Big Kid” School!

Advertisements