Atticus Finch

Today, I want to talk about one of the most heroic fictional characters I am aware of:  Atticus Finch.

If you are familiar with the book, To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, in my opinion one of the greatest books ever written, you will be familiar with Atticus Finch.  He is a lawyer in the small fictional town of Maycomb, Alabama.  He is the widowed father of the narrator, Jean Louise (Scout) Finch, and her brother, Jeremy (Jem) Finch.  While the story is told from Scout's little girl perspective, Atticus seems to be the main protagonist of the story.  Scout has many adventures through the story, including meeting Dill, a boy who becomes a good friend to her and Jem, and trying to get Arthur (Boo) Radley, the neighborhood recluse, to come out of his house.  The main conflict of the story starts, and Atticus shows his noble-hearted nature, when he takes on the case of Tom Robinson, a young African American man falsely accused of raping a white girl. 

While it becomes clear to the reader that Tom Robinson couldn't have possibly committed the crime, the town cannot shake itself of its prejudice against people who are African Americans, and treats Atticus badly simply for being willing to defend his client.  Through Scout's eyes the reader sees what a great man Atticus is, and the character it takes him to stand up for what is right, even though he has to stand against years of prejudice to do it.

I love To Kill a Mockingbird, for the wonderful story it tells, the positive message it teaches me, and for the example of Atticus Finch.  Even though he is fictional, I believe that such people like him exist, and I am glad for the hope that he offers humanity.

Write Here In Ephraim!

The fabulous Shirley Bahlmann is helping to host a Central Utah writer's conference in Ephraim, Utah on March 29th. 

The Write Here in Ephraim writer's conference will be on the beautiful Snow College Campus, and will go from 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.  I have the good fortune of teaching one of the classes, and my class will be entitled, How To Suspend Reader Disbelief.  I'm looking forward to the conference!

Far World: Land Keep by J. Scott Savage

I am reviewing yet again, another Far World book that I'm sure I've reviewed before on this blog.  I guess I just love the Far World series so much, that I can't stay away from them!

Far World Land Keep continues the story of Kyja and Marcus, two kids who are charged with the task of getting all four elements, Water, Land, Air and Fire, to cooperate in order to save their worlds, Earth and Far World.  In this second book of the series, Kyja and Marcus are trying to find Land Keep so that they can get the cooperation of the Land Elementals.  They already have the help of Cascade, one of the Water Elementals, or what help he can give.

Mr. Savage doesn't fail to deliver an adventure that keeps you on the edge of your seat.  From Marcus turning into... a dog, of all things, to Kyja jumping into a bubbling pool of steaming muck to save her friend in their attempts to find the Land Elementals.

Are they successful in finding Land Keep and the Elementals?  I'll leave you to find that out.  I will say though, that I love this book, and highly recommend it!

Far World: Water Keep by J. Scott Savage

I know I've reviewed this before, but I love this book so much, I want to review it again.  Water Keep by J. Scott Savage is a great book.  It follows Marcus, a boy who needs a wheelchair to get around, and Kyja, a girl who can't perform magic, as they go on an adventure to gain the help of all four Elementals (Water, Earth, Air, and Fire) n an attempt to create a 'drift' between Earth and Far World using good magic.  They need the cooperation of all four to do it, and the problem is that Marcus and Kyja can't truly go home unless they do.  (Marcus was born on FarWorld, but he grew up on Earth, and Kyja was born on Earth and grew up in Far World.)  This first book focuses on their efforts to gain the help and cooperation of the Water Elementals.  How they go about doing that, is exciting and fast paced.  I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good fantasy adventure.

Christmas Oranges

Christmas Oranges by Linda Bethers and Ben Sowards  is a wonderful story about friendship and holding together despite difficult circumstances. 

Young Rose is punished severely for a tiny infraction, and is not allowed to have her one present of an orange on Christmas morning.  How her friends get around this, and ensure that she has a wonderful Christmas in spite of her punishment, is very heartwarming.

I enjoyed this story and recommend it highly as a story to be read at Christmas time, or at any time during the year.

Elton John and Tim Rice's Aida, performed by Duchesne High School

Elton John and Tim Rice's Aida, performed by Duchesne High School was fantastic!  Allyson McKee, Michelle Evans and Hyrum Peatross were fantastic in their parts of Aida/Amneris and Radames.  I am so glad I watched it.  Mitchell Lewis also did great in his part playing Mereb, as did Jennifer Ponath in her part of Sabot.  There were parts where I laughed, and parts where I cried.  The ending was great and wonderfully satisfying after all the twists and turns.

I loved it!

Disney's Beauty and the Beast performed by Union High School

On Nov. 18th, I went with my kids to watch Union High School's performance of Beauty and the Beast at Roosevelt Junior High. 

It was very well done, and well worth the trip.  The cast and crew were amazing, and gave a great performance.  Ms. Killian did a wonderful job. 

The young lady who played Belle was amazing, as was the young man who played the beast.  They were both able to get me pulling for them, and hoping that everything would come out all right.  The young man who played Gaston was great.  He did an excellent job coming across as the selfish bad guy out to get what he wants, no matter who he has to hurt along the way.

Union High did a great job, and I was glad I went.  I really enjoyed the play!