While I've read Orwell's other most famous work, 1984, I had never read animal farm before. I especially enjoyed the preface to the version I read, from C.M. Woodhouse in 1954. Woodhouse defines the structure of Animal Farm as a fairy tale, because it employs archetypal characters to describe the state of human ambitions and nature as they are, not as they should be. Based on Woodhouse's remarks and on outside research, Orwell, a democratic socialist, wrote Animal Farm as a model of the Russian revolution and the rise of Stalin's regime. The result being the Russian people suffering terrible famine and being in an equally poor situation as they were in before the revolution. Not being too familiar with the Russian revolution myself, I think even the most uninformed student of history will recognize the themes in Animal Farm of greed, corruption, and power. I think even a child could recognize the dangers of herd mentality and the detrimental impacts of remaining silent while freedoms are stripped away. One interesting tidbit of information I came across was that the CIA adopted the book and used it to their advantage to help their anti-communist initiative in the McCarthy era. Shortly after Orwell's death, the CIA obtained the film rights and employed a British animation firm to produce a film, to help give the appearance of it not being an American initiative. The CIA also harbored a great deal of suspicion towards Hollywood's friendliness with Communism, anyways. Also interesting to note, they took the liberty of redirecting the books anti -capitalist themes to be strictly anti-communist in the film. The film underperformed compared with the far-reaching success of the book, but it's an interesting example nonetheless of how media and entertainment can be influential in shaping ideological landscapes. I enjoyed the story and would recommend it; I would say this is one students would benefit from reading in school.

I came across this book on the shelf as part of one the librarian's displays for Black history month. There is a television show by the same name, which I hadn't realized was based on this novel. This was a captivating and emotional story. Whitehead masterfully depicts the underground railroad as a literal locomotive rumbling beneath the southern states with the purpose of capitalizing on the premise that "all men are created equal." Although it's a noble intention, it's a criminal enterprise in light of the Fugitive Slave Act. Those who ride it's rails endure peril after peril. The central character is Cora, a passenger on the train whom we ride along with as she seeks her freedom. We also hear the stories of Cora's mother, another escapee, and grandmother, who was stolen from Africa. I would definitely recommend this one. Whitehead wrote in such a way where even though it's a creative historical take, he preserves the plight and struggle of African Americans. It's an important perspective, because it's ignorant to pretend that over a century of injustice, bondage, and disenfranchisement wouldn't leave it's footprint on the African American community to this day.

I loved the beautiful ballet fairy!

Wonderful book with beautiful illustrations. My kids and I found it a great introduction to Lincoln's early life as well as a very enjoyable read.

How porcupine was pokien all his friends.

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It was like mini comics in one book ??

A hilarious twist on an old show

This is an excellent start to a new series by Tana French. The two main characters: mysterious teenager Trey Reddy and retired, emotionally scared Cal Hooper are especially appealing. At first Cal doesn't know what to make of Trey. He isn't even certain if she is male or female. She dresses in androgenous clothes and reveals nothing about her life. All he knows is Trey is persistent. Once she learns he was a detective, she is determined to enlist Cal's help in finding her beloved older brother, one of the few people in Trey's life who has shown her kindness. The novel shows the insularity of rural Irish life where villagers close ranks even when something very bad has occurred. This is a wonderful mystery which slowly develops the friendship and trust between Trey, whose home life is blighted by a mother who can barely cope and an absent, ner'do-well father. The ending and the reasons for the "murder" are beyond tragic. The prose is poetic and fitting for the lyricism of the Irish countryside.

I love hades and persephone stories and this one is really good. I wish their communication was better.