Harbor Me

A 6th or 7th grade novel from the writer of Brown Girl Dreaming. In New York, in Brooklyn there is a school. Inside that school are a group of 6 unique individuals. Each of a different race, with different experiences, and different backgrounds. They find the right teacher at the right time. She takes them to a room - an abandoned room where they can go without supervision and talk. They talk about their lives and what is going on around them. Immigration, racism, bullying, and prison. It's a quick, easy read. It's really well written - the figurative language in this is so good. It could be set anywhere in the US really. All in all, I say: READ IT

How Children Succeed

This is a very thick, hard read. It is mainly stories intertwined with A TON of scientific stuff. It's hard to get through  super boring is what comes to mind. I hate non-fiction books that try to get a message across using the personal stories of random people. None of the chapters and none of the sections in the chapter have any summaries or "a-ha" statements. Whatever they want you to get out of this book - gets lost in the boredom. All in all, I say: SKIP IT

The Artisan Teacher

This is more like a guidebook for first year teachers. Helping a teacher work out more of the art side of teaching. There is science to being a good teacher and it's an art form as well. There are spots in the margin to take down notes and ideas. All in all, I say: READ IT if you're new to teaching or considering teaching.

The Girl with all the Gifts

On Netflix, a zombie tale. A viral zombie tale. People have become infected with a fungus that turns them into flesh and blood eating violent creatures. On an English military base, scientist are using children born of zombies to develop a vaccine. One girl in particular may hold the key. Paddy Considine (The Outsider) is the military leader. Gemma Arterton (Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters) is the teacher. Glenn Close (Sunset Boulevard) is the scientist. It wasn't bad at all until the very end. It's like the writer couldn't decide the best way to end things. All in all, I say: SEE IT if you like zombies.

Counterpart

Originally on Starz, but now on Amazon Prime video - this JK Simmons (Law & Order) is a twist on spy craft as we know it. Only two seasons, JK Simmons is a low level spy of sorts who discovers that his wife is a high level spy, and that there are parallel universes. He and himself (his counterpart in another world) have to find a way to get through the bullshit and undercover a conspiracy. It's a bit of a mind f*%$. Olivia Williams () does an excellent job at playing both his wives. I DID NOT like how it ended. I could have written a better ending. All in all, I say: SEE IT

**Spoiler: if you watch you will learn how the virus spread*** Very eerie parallels to what we are currently going through.

Richard Jewell

This Clint Eastwood (Midnight in Garden of Good and Evil) film sparked controversy here in Atlanta. It is based on the true story of Richard Jewell - a security guard during the Atlanta Olympic Games who discovered the bomb. It lays out a (probably biased) look at how the FBI and the AJC railroaded this man who ended up not being guilty. They wasted a lot of time focusing on him and smearing him in the press. I can see both sides of the controversy. You have to admit though Eastwood makes a good film. It was a solid script. Sam Rockwell (Moon) is always amazing. I love him - he does what I would call a city accent. Kathy Bates (Misery) did a good job - accent more Alabama though. The star though - Paul Walter Hauser (Late Night) was award winning amazing in my opinion. He had the mannerisms and the accent down - perfect. I saw this through a Red Box rental. All in all, I say: SEE IT

Abominable

Its a familiar story - beast in the wrong place is helped by kids and finds way home. Many evil scientist types try to prevent them. This takes place in China. The teens are trying to get a Yeti home to the Himalayan mountains. The soundtrack is a lot of violins which I like. It's not horrible - it's no Pixar. It's cute. All in all, I say: SEE IT. I saw it on Hulu.