From: Ellen Last <ellen.last>
Date: Tue, 12 Dec 2000 09:04:45 -0600

Ann, One hopes one will never need the message of a book like this. But it looked like something you might want to look for at the library sometime when the time seems right.

I returned from DC on Sunday night, rebooking to avoid the Monday storm (Thank you, Weather Channel), and boy, was I glad I got here when I did. We've been struggling thru a major storm, with cold temps and high winds as well as the snow. The Madison schools were closed, which seldom happens. They had about a foot of snow in Milwaukee. I called Mom and she's fine, staying inside to ride it out.

I was able to celebrate with friends on Saturday the fourth anniversary of my aneurysm and, more important, of staying alive. It hardly seems possible it's been that long, and 3 years since we lost Tim....

Jon will fly into Milwaukee on Dec. 22; David can't come but at least Jon will be with him for his birthday Dec. 21. He will turn 29. yikes. (Remember when we took those little boys to the Shedd Aquarium on that frigid windy day?)

Hope all is well with you and am looking forward to seeing you soon.

Love, Ellen

Ellen L. Last, PhD WI DPI PO Box 7841 Madison WI 53707x41
(608) 267?65 Phone
(608) 26665 Fax www.dpi.state.wi.us ellen.last at dpi.state.wi.us

I have enjoyed many of the books mentioned already and won't ake the time to repeat. One book not mentioned yet is: Learning to Swim, by Ann Turner, Scholastic. This is a powerful memoir. The scene is set in a rural summer home during a summer that should have been like many other happy times. Instead, the young protatagonist is sexually abused by a neighbor boy. When she is able, at last, to confide in her parents, their pain is evident and they swiftly act on her behalf. The book is finely crafted and written in free verse. The scene is set, the intensity of the drama unfolds and the conclusion is satisfying in that the reader understands that inspite of the violence that has occured, the child is surrounded by adults who care, will support her, and will act on her behalf. The structure and the style of the writing reinforce the emotional turmoil and resolution of the situation. The impact of this short work is nothing short of powerful. The author concludes with a personal note and a list of agencies that provide assistance. Doris Gebel Head of Youth Service Northport?st Northport Public Library Northport, NY
  

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Received on Tue 12 Dec 2000 09:04:45 AM CST