Wednesday, November 29, 2006

Book Review: The Red Keep

The Red Keep
Allen French
5 out of 5 stars

After the Red Keep is attacked and its king is killed, his daughter Anne fights tyranny and cheating so she can keep her title as heir to the Keep. Adventurous fighting! This book is good for those girls who like medieval and female heroes (Anne even wields a sword -- what a novel concept!). But there is also action for the boys, following Conan, who helps Anne.

reviewed by Teresa Z., 11

Book Review: Outcast

Outcast
by Rosemary Sutcliff
5 out of 5 stars

In a small village on the edge of Britain, Cunori finds in the shipwreck of a Roman vessel a tiny baby still alive among the dead crew. The question remained: Should they leave the child to die because of his Roman roots or to take him in and raise him? The latter choice is chosen, and from the age of nine Beric must defend himself due to his forbidden roots. He is finally thrown out of his village and must find his way among his blood people, of which he knows nothing. He will struggle through years of trouble and cruel treatment and finally discover some remaining blood relatives.

This book is very good and exciting! It can be very sad at times and very happy or exciting at other times. But you will enjoy this book even more with the understanding that this Beric is NOT a historical figure (which I originally thought).

reviewed by Teresa Z., 11

Book Review: Aliens Are Coming!: The True Account of the 1938 War of the Worlds Radio Broadcast

Aliens Are Coming!:
The True Account of the 1938 War of the Worlds Radio Broadcast
by Meghan McCarthy

A picture book intermixed with excerpts from the infamous radio play, Aliens Are Coming! records the initial scare, the discovery, and the subsequent aftermath across America. The prank was originally inspired by H. G. Wells' sci-fi novel. A playwright and a few actors took the idea and published it as a radio play. Not bad. The only key thing missing was that the one million Americans listening didn't catch the disclaimer. The resulting panic that ensued was chaotic, to say the least!

At the end of the book, more information about the people behind the War of the Worlds broadcast is revealed. Although definitely directed toward a younger audience (6-8 years old), it is interesting for anyone who wants to learn more about this historic account or just likes science fiction.

reviewed by Belinda Z., 12 yrs.

Wednesday, November 15, 2006

Soapbox: Downtown Manitowoc depends on YOU!

I have been sitting on this for awhile...a lot of you have been asking what our reaction is to the whole sad Cook's Corner news, and so forth, so here it is:
Downtown Manitowoc needs YOU. You speak with your dollars and where you choose to spend them. Every single dollar makes a difference to your local independent businesses, every single transaction counts. Most of the shopkeepers and business owners downtown are usually also the ones working behind the register. We care, personally, about your experience in our shop: were we able to help you find what you needed? Did you enjoy your visit? ...Can the big-box stores say that?
Your money stays in town, too. Read this:

$68 vs. $43 — Local businesses support local economies!

Several recent economic studies have concluded that locally owned independent businesses reinvest far more money in their local communities and economies than chain stores do.

One study* determined that for every $100 spent in their stores, local businesses give back $68 to their local economy. By contrast, for every $100 spent in national chains, those companies return only $43, meaning that those chain stores take away $57 from that same local economy.

Patronize your local businesses. Good sense for you, good cents for your local economy! * The Andersonville Study by the Civic Economics group can be read online at: www.andersonvillestudy.com

We are able to make donations of items and gift cards to various local fundraisers because of your support. We offer a wish list program to benefit local schools.
More independent businesses means a wider selection of products than the big chain stores. What kinds of shops would you like to see in downtown Manitowoc? What does downtown Manitowoc need to do? Let us know! The mom & pops need YOU to flourish- if no one shops downtown, there won't BE a downtown.
Pretend you are a tourist for a day- go into those shops you've been meaning to stop into but haven't yet. You will be surprised at what you find. Before you order something online, can a local shop order it for you?
Make a difference with your dollars! Support your local independent businesses!