To recap the Crossing Cultural Borders series at Shen's Blog: Week 1 was about Stranger in a Strange Land, Americans traveling outside of America. Week 2 connected Stranger in a Strange Land multicultural structure with the popular Hero's Journey found in fantasy stories as well as explaining why Harry Potter is a multicultural character. (If you've finished HP and the Deathly Hallows, feel free to skim my HP7 haiku highlights. Warning lots of spoilers!)
Week 3 has begun for Crossing Cultural Borders, and we are exploring the opposite of the Stranger in a Strange Land concept, the ever-so-popular immigration story. Check out this week's overview!
Monday, July 30, 2007
Saturday, July 28, 2007
If I lived in Megan Whalen Turner's Attolia, I'd be...
What Character from Megan Whalen Turner's 'The Thief' are you?
You are Eugenides. Quick witted and clever, you have a bad habit of speaking when maybe you should be quiet. You are a thief, and proud of it. Your quite a bit confident, and seem to think you're invincible.
Take this quiz!
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Having read all three books for the first time earlier this year, I'm a big fan of Megan Whalen Turner's Attolia fantasy series (The Thief, The Queen of Attolia, The King of Attolia) starring the hilariously clever trickster Eugenides. But I think he's much, much smarter and funnier than I could ever hope to be.
Friday, July 27, 2007
Fantasy and Multiculturalism
Though I was always an avid reader, I wasn't a big reader of fantasy until around the fourth or fifth grade, when my teacher exposed me to the Greek myths. From the Greek myths came my interest in fairy tales, then The Wizard of Oz and all the other fantasy books I could find at my local library.
So I really delighted in the opportunity to blog more about two of my big reading and writing interests, fantasy and multiculturalism. I've already covered the hero's journey and how I think Harry Potter is a multicultural character. Stay tuned for more posts I'm writing for Crossing Cultural Borders series at Shen's Blog.
So I really delighted in the opportunity to blog more about two of my big reading and writing interests, fantasy and multiculturalism. I've already covered the hero's journey and how I think Harry Potter is a multicultural character. Stay tuned for more posts I'm writing for Crossing Cultural Borders series at Shen's Blog.
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
New Book - Congrats to Linda Joy Singleton!
A belated congrats to Linda Joy Singleton for the release of her novel Fatal Charm, fifth book in The Seer series! Plus, Linda has just sold another 3-book series!!
Woohoo!! Congrats, Linda!
Woohoo!! Congrats, Linda!
Monday, July 23, 2007
Harry Potter Reading Parties
I know some people will find this odd, but I was invited to two (yes, two) Harry Potter reading parties on Saturday. What is most entertaining to me is that the hosts and attendees included none of my writer/reader friends.
FYI, this post is HP7 spoiler free, but the next post below has tons of HP7 spoilers. FYI. I will also be blogging about how Harry Potter is a multicultural character at Shen's Blog.
Before I went to my first Harry Potter reading party, I ran some errands, one to a library. Outside the library was a small park, and as I was walking through, I noticed two people, lying on the grass. They were reading:
I thought, "I bet they're reading the latest Harry Potter." So I introduced myself and asked them if it was okay to take a photo for my blog. They laughed and said okay. And continued reading. I was envious because I only was past chapter 3, and they had gotten so much further!
On to the reading events! But at the first Harry Potter party I attended, they hadn't opened the book yet. Or even the box that held the book.
Some people like to read the last page first, so they know the ending.
"WHO dies?"
Others like to start from page one and let the story unfold. And grow.
"So good to see the gang back together!"
Some people like to read alone so that they can scream or curse at the book.
"Noooooooooo!"
Others like to read the same book with others to simultaneously share in the shock. Or laughter. Or crying.
Still others are perfectly content reading independently but still in a group, silent in the sun. Or soothing in the shade.
With snacks and a glass of orange soda, or lemonade.
FYI, this post is HP7 spoiler free, but the next post below has tons of HP7 spoilers. FYI. I will also be blogging about how Harry Potter is a multicultural character at Shen's Blog.
Before I went to my first Harry Potter reading party, I ran some errands, one to a library. Outside the library was a small park, and as I was walking through, I noticed two people, lying on the grass. They were reading:
I thought, "I bet they're reading the latest Harry Potter." So I introduced myself and asked them if it was okay to take a photo for my blog. They laughed and said okay. And continued reading. I was envious because I only was past chapter 3, and they had gotten so much further!
On to the reading events! But at the first Harry Potter party I attended, they hadn't opened the book yet. Or even the box that held the book.
Some people like to read the last page first, so they know the ending.
"WHO dies?"
Others like to start from page one and let the story unfold. And grow.
"So good to see the gang back together!"
Some people like to read alone so that they can scream or curse at the book.
"Noooooooooo!"
Others like to read the same book with others to simultaneously share in the shock. Or laughter. Or crying.
Still others are perfectly content reading independently but still in a group, silent in the sun. Or soothing in the shade.
With snacks and a glass of orange soda, or lemonade.
Sunday, July 22, 2007
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling
I finally finished Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling, and it did not disappoint. I will be blogging more about Harry's story as it applies to multicultural children's lit at Shen's Blog.
SPOILER WARNINGS - If you have not finished Harry Potter Bk 7 and hate spoilers, please don't read on.
My pre-reading predictions were: Trust Snape (b/c Dumbledore trusted him, and Snape loved Harry's mom). Voldemort dies (b/c if he does not the series would totally suck). Harry dies (it's the last book, afterall, and anything goes).
But in the end there was lots of interesting stories and lots of action with a surprisingly high body count. We get an insight into Dumbledore's not-so-pristine past and Snape's back story. Harry, Ron and Hermoine are all tested individually and as a trio and proven worthy as heroes.
EJ's Chapter by Chapter Haiku Highlights of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling
Chapter 1 - The Dark Lord Ascending
Snape tells Voldemort
Order's plan to move Harry.
Snake eats Charity.
Chapter 2 - In Memoriam
Harry reads papers,
finds he never thought before--
a young Dumbledore.
Chapter 3 - The Dursleys Departing
Petunia's crying.
Dudley "doesn't think [Harry's]
a waste of space." = Love.
Chapter 4 - The Seven Potters
Ron, Hermoine,
Fred, George, Fleur, Mundungus drink
Harry's hair. Hedwig!!
From his motorbike,
Hagrid leaps. Voldemort swoops.
Smashes into pond.
Chapter 4 - The Fallen Warrior
Hagrid's okay, George
lost an ear. Voldemort flies.
Good-bye brave Mad-Eye.
Chapter 6 - The Ghoul in Pajamas
Trio discusses
how to destroy Horcruxes
containing soul bits.
Chapter 7 - The Will of Albus Dumbledore
On Harry's birthday,
he gets an old watch, a book,
tricks, and Ginny's kiss!
Why would Dumbledore
name the trio in his will?
What's special about:
Deluminator,
The Tales of Beedle the Bard,
Harry's first Snitch? Hm.
Dumbledore's will gave
Harry the sword of Godric
Gryffindor, also.
Harry kisses Snitch,
which reveals the riddle: "I
open at the close."
Chapter 8 - The Wedding
As "Cousin Barney,"
Harry attends Fleur and Bill's
wedding. Luna knows.
Viktor is there, too.
Hermoine squeals. Fun scene.
Ron acting jealous.
Is the wand maker
Gregorovitch more skilled than
old Ollivander?
Doge and Muriel
debate whether Dumbledore's
sister was a Squib?
Lynx patronus speaks
"The Ministry has fallen...
They are coming." Yikes!
Chapter 9 - A Place to Hide
In wedding chaos,
Hermoine was prepared--
clothes, money, the Cloak.
But Death Eaters find
trio in the Muggle world.
Go to Grimmauld Place.
Chapter 10 - Kreacher's Tale
First time Harry sees
Sirius' room, he finds
his mother's letter.
Last page missing. Torn
photo. "She had made her "g"s
the same way he did."
R.A.B. revealed:
Regulus Arcturus Black,
Sirius' bro!
Search for gold locket.
Kreacher says Mundungus stole.
Kreacher shared his creed:
"The house-elf's highest
law is his Master's bidding."
But Kreacher loved, too.
Harry gives Kreacher
R.A.B.'s false gold locket.
Kreacher cries and cries.
Chapter 11 - The Bribe
Lupin and Tonks are
expecting a baby! He
wants to join trio.
But Harry says that
parents shouldn't leave their kids,
called him a coward.
Lupin leaves. Kreacher
brings Mundungus, who reveals
new locket owner.
Chapter 12 - Magic Is Might
Umbridge has locket.
Snape is Hogwarts' Headmaster.
Do you still trust Snape?
Harry's visions grow
darker. Trio make plans to
invade Ministry.
Chapter 13 - The Muggle-Born Registration Commission
At the Ministry,
Undesirable Number
One is Harry P.
Hermoine steals
Umbridge's locket, summons
otter patronus.
Disguised, the trio
observes interrogations,
rescues Muggle-borns.
Chapter 14 - The Thief
Oh! Ron has been Splinched!
Grimmauld Place is no longer
safe. Hide in forest.
Gregorovitch dies
not knowing name of the thief,
blonde-haired and laughing.
Chapter 15 - The Goblin's Revenge
The Horcrux locket
blocks Harry's powers. Trio
shares burden, argues.
Goblins/humans talk:
Ginny tried to steal the sword,
but it is a fake.
Wearing the locket,
Ron argues with Harry. Then
Ron leaves! Don't go, Ron!
Chapter 16 - Godric's Hollow
Hermoine cries,
but she and Harry move on,
talk to a portrait.
Grindelwald's mark drawn
in Hermoine's book, strange
coincidence? Hm.
Godric's Hollow is
Godric Gryffindor's birthplace,
Harry's parents' graves.
Bathilda Bagshot
lives in Godric's Hollow. She
perhaps has the sword.
James and Lily's Grave:
"The last enemy that shall
be destroyed is death."
Chapter 17 - Bathilda's Secret
Bathilda Bagshot,
alas, was dead, her skin-shape
hiding a huge snake!
Voldemort arrives,
Harry and Hermonine
flee. Harry's wand breaks.
Chapter 18 - The Life and Lies of Albus Dumbledore
Gellert Grindelwald,
blonde laughing thief, Dark Wizard,
Dumbledore's best friend!
Albus' letter,
wizard's rule: "We seize control
for the greater good."
Harry feels betrayed
by a seventeen year-old
Albus Dumbledore.
Chapter 19 - The Silver Doe
Harry follows the
silver doe through the woods, finds
sword of Gryffindor.
Breaking the pond's ice,
Harry dives, swims for the sword,
but locket chokes him.
"Are you mental?" Yay!
Ron rescues Harry and sword,
destroys the locket.
Chapter 20 - Xenophilius Lovegood
Luna's father wore
Grindelwald's mark at wedding,
so trio visits.
Chapter 21 - The Tale of the Three Brothers
Luna's dad explains
sign of the Deathly Hallows,
Death and three brothers.
Hallows: Elder Wand,
Invisibility Cloak,
Resurrection Stone.
If united, the
Hallows make the possessor
the master of Death.
Yes, of course, Harry's
invisibility cloak
is THE Hallows Cloak!
Trio's preferences--
Hermoine: "cloak." Ron: "wand."
Harry: "stone." Funny.
Luna is missing,
her father betrayed trio.
Ron cloaks. They escape.
Chapter 22 - The Deathly Hallows
Harry's so obssessed
with the Deathly Hallows. What
about Horcruxes?
Radio update:
the Order of the Phoenix.
Harry speaks V's name.
Chapter 22 - Malfoy Manor
Trio is captured
by Fenrir Greyback, taken
to Malfoy Manor.
Harry, Ron are jailed
with Luna, others. Girl screams.
Oh, Hermoine!
Bellatrix demands
Griphook to verify sword.
He lies. Wormtail dies.
Voldemort's coming.
Free-elf Dobby rescues all
before he dies. (Sniff).
Chapter 24 - The Wandmaker
Hallows...Horcruxes...
At Bill and Fleur's, Griphook says
Harry is different.
Ollivander can't
repair Harry's wand. His quotes:
"The wand choses the
wizard." And also:
"...where a wand has been won, its
alliance will change."
Elder wand owners:
Gregorovitch. Grindelwald
stole. Dumbledore dueled.
Harry wants Horcrux
while Voldemort steals The Wand
from Dumbledore's tomb.
Chapter 25 - Shell Cottage
Griphook will help them
break into Gringotts if he
is given the sword.
Lupin and Tonks have
a baby boy, Ted! Harry
is Ted's godfather.
Chapter 26 - Gringotts
In disguise, trio
raids Gringotts, finds the cup of
Helga Hufflepuff.
But the treasure trap--
touch a treasure, which burns flesh,
multiplies, buries.
Harry burned by cup.
Griphook retrieves sword,
runs. Dragon escapes.
Chapter 27 - The Final Hiding Place
Voldemort worries:
Harry hunting Horcruxes.
Last one at Hogwarts.
Chapter 28 - The Missing Mirror
Tricking Death Eaters
with his goat patronus and
cranky attitude,
Hog's Head's bar man is
Aberforth Dumbledore, eyes
blue like Albus'.
Aberforth tells of
his sister's real past, how she
was attacked, gone mad.
How during his duel
with Grindelwald and Albus,
Ariana died.
Aberforth says the
Order is finished. Give up.
But Harry says no.
Moving pictures are
unexpected passage ways,
and here comes Neville!
Chapter 29 - The Lost Diadem
Neville has transformed
the Room of Requirement
to house an army.
Harry and Luna
seek the lost diadem of
Ravenclaw at night.
Chapter 30 - The Sacking of Severus Snape
Voldemort summoned!
One Carrow stunned by Luna,
the other Crucioed
by Harry. Hooray
for Professor McG! Three
Patronuses. Cats!
McGonagall duels
Snape! Flitwick and Sprout join in.
Snape flees as a bat!
Return of Percy,
penitent to his parents,
welcomed back to fight.
Chapter 31 - The Battle of Hogwarts
Harry asks the ghost
of Ravenclaw Tower where's
the lost diadem?
Hermoine and
Ron return. They destroyed cup
with basilik's tooth.
When Ron wants to help
save the house-elves, he has earned
Hermoine's kiss.
In the hiding place,
Harry encounters Draco,
Crabbe, Goyle. Fire!
Harry saves Draco.
Ron, G. "IF WE DIE FOR THEM,
I'LL KILL YOU, HARRY!"
The Diadem breaks
because of the Fiendfyre.
Time to kill the snake.
While battling Death
Eaters, Percy makes a joke.
Fred-- On no! Not Fred!!
Chapter 32 - The Elder Wand
Spiders, giants join
the fight. Trio escapes the
dementors. Find V.
Voldemort kills Snape
to become master of the
Elder Wand. V. leaves.
Harry gathers Snape's
silvery blue memories
to view later. (Sniff).
Chapter 33 - The Prince's Tale
No! Remus AND Tonks.
Their bodies dead next to Fred's.
Poor orphaned Teddy!
His memories showed
Snape was good! He loved Lily.
But Petunia? Not.
You may have guessed it--
Dumbledore did ask Snape to
kill him, not Draco.
Dumbledore told Snape
that Harry Potter must die,
killed by Voldemort!
Part of Voldemort's
soul is bound to Harry's soul.
Harry, a Horcrux.
Poignant Snape moments:
Lily's letter and photo,
his doe patronus.
Chapter 34 - The Forest Again
Harry knew neither
would live, neither would survive,
he and Voldemort.
Harry kisses Snitch,
holds The Stone, sees his parents,
Lupin, Sirius.
Deep in the forest,
Harry meets Voldemort, who
sends a green blast. Death.
Chapter 35 - King's Cross
Semi-dead Harry
reunites with Dumbledore,
who explains it all.
Albus chose Hallows.
Voldemort chose Horcruxes.
Ways to avoid death.
Chapter 36 - The Flaw in the Plan
Harry plays dead. To
save her son, Draco's mother
betrays Voldemort.
Everyone screams "No!"
at Harry's "death." Brave Neville
kills the snake. Go, Nev!
Molly Weasley duels
and kills Bellatrix. Harry
confronts Voldemort.
Elder wand owners:
Dumbledore, Draco, not Snape,
Now Harry Potter.
Yay! Voldemort dies.
Harry uses Elder Wand
to fix his old wand.
Epilogue - Nineteen Years Later
Harry and Ginny,
Ron and Hermoine--their
kids leave for Hogwarts.
That nod from Draco
speaks volumes. Now Harry has
family. All's well.
SPOILER WARNINGS - If you have not finished Harry Potter Bk 7 and hate spoilers, please don't read on.
My pre-reading predictions were: Trust Snape (b/c Dumbledore trusted him, and Snape loved Harry's mom). Voldemort dies (b/c if he does not the series would totally suck). Harry dies (it's the last book, afterall, and anything goes).
But in the end there was lots of interesting stories and lots of action with a surprisingly high body count. We get an insight into Dumbledore's not-so-pristine past and Snape's back story. Harry, Ron and Hermoine are all tested individually and as a trio and proven worthy as heroes.
EJ's Chapter by Chapter Haiku Highlights of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling
Chapter 1 - The Dark Lord Ascending
Snape tells Voldemort
Order's plan to move Harry.
Snake eats Charity.
Chapter 2 - In Memoriam
Harry reads papers,
finds he never thought before--
a young Dumbledore.
Chapter 3 - The Dursleys Departing
Petunia's crying.
Dudley "doesn't think [Harry's]
a waste of space." = Love.
Chapter 4 - The Seven Potters
Ron, Hermoine,
Fred, George, Fleur, Mundungus drink
Harry's hair. Hedwig!!
From his motorbike,
Hagrid leaps. Voldemort swoops.
Smashes into pond.
Chapter 4 - The Fallen Warrior
Hagrid's okay, George
lost an ear. Voldemort flies.
Good-bye brave Mad-Eye.
Chapter 6 - The Ghoul in Pajamas
Trio discusses
how to destroy Horcruxes
containing soul bits.
Chapter 7 - The Will of Albus Dumbledore
On Harry's birthday,
he gets an old watch, a book,
tricks, and Ginny's kiss!
Why would Dumbledore
name the trio in his will?
What's special about:
Deluminator,
The Tales of Beedle the Bard,
Harry's first Snitch? Hm.
Dumbledore's will gave
Harry the sword of Godric
Gryffindor, also.
Harry kisses Snitch,
which reveals the riddle: "I
open at the close."
Chapter 8 - The Wedding
As "Cousin Barney,"
Harry attends Fleur and Bill's
wedding. Luna knows.
Viktor is there, too.
Hermoine squeals. Fun scene.
Ron acting jealous.
Is the wand maker
Gregorovitch more skilled than
old Ollivander?
Doge and Muriel
debate whether Dumbledore's
sister was a Squib?
Lynx patronus speaks
"The Ministry has fallen...
They are coming." Yikes!
Chapter 9 - A Place to Hide
In wedding chaos,
Hermoine was prepared--
clothes, money, the Cloak.
But Death Eaters find
trio in the Muggle world.
Go to Grimmauld Place.
Chapter 10 - Kreacher's Tale
First time Harry sees
Sirius' room, he finds
his mother's letter.
Last page missing. Torn
photo. "She had made her "g"s
the same way he did."
R.A.B. revealed:
Regulus Arcturus Black,
Sirius' bro!
Search for gold locket.
Kreacher says Mundungus stole.
Kreacher shared his creed:
"The house-elf's highest
law is his Master's bidding."
But Kreacher loved, too.
Harry gives Kreacher
R.A.B.'s false gold locket.
Kreacher cries and cries.
Chapter 11 - The Bribe
Lupin and Tonks are
expecting a baby! He
wants to join trio.
But Harry says that
parents shouldn't leave their kids,
called him a coward.
Lupin leaves. Kreacher
brings Mundungus, who reveals
new locket owner.
Chapter 12 - Magic Is Might
Umbridge has locket.
Snape is Hogwarts' Headmaster.
Do you still trust Snape?
Harry's visions grow
darker. Trio make plans to
invade Ministry.
Chapter 13 - The Muggle-Born Registration Commission
At the Ministry,
Undesirable Number
One is Harry P.
Hermoine steals
Umbridge's locket, summons
otter patronus.
Disguised, the trio
observes interrogations,
rescues Muggle-borns.
Chapter 14 - The Thief
Oh! Ron has been Splinched!
Grimmauld Place is no longer
safe. Hide in forest.
Gregorovitch dies
not knowing name of the thief,
blonde-haired and laughing.
Chapter 15 - The Goblin's Revenge
The Horcrux locket
blocks Harry's powers. Trio
shares burden, argues.
Goblins/humans talk:
Ginny tried to steal the sword,
but it is a fake.
Wearing the locket,
Ron argues with Harry. Then
Ron leaves! Don't go, Ron!
Chapter 16 - Godric's Hollow
Hermoine cries,
but she and Harry move on,
talk to a portrait.
Grindelwald's mark drawn
in Hermoine's book, strange
coincidence? Hm.
Godric's Hollow is
Godric Gryffindor's birthplace,
Harry's parents' graves.
Bathilda Bagshot
lives in Godric's Hollow. She
perhaps has the sword.
James and Lily's Grave:
"The last enemy that shall
be destroyed is death."
Chapter 17 - Bathilda's Secret
Bathilda Bagshot,
alas, was dead, her skin-shape
hiding a huge snake!
Voldemort arrives,
Harry and Hermonine
flee. Harry's wand breaks.
Chapter 18 - The Life and Lies of Albus Dumbledore
Gellert Grindelwald,
blonde laughing thief, Dark Wizard,
Dumbledore's best friend!
Albus' letter,
wizard's rule: "We seize control
for the greater good."
Harry feels betrayed
by a seventeen year-old
Albus Dumbledore.
Chapter 19 - The Silver Doe
Harry follows the
silver doe through the woods, finds
sword of Gryffindor.
Breaking the pond's ice,
Harry dives, swims for the sword,
but locket chokes him.
"Are you mental?" Yay!
Ron rescues Harry and sword,
destroys the locket.
Chapter 20 - Xenophilius Lovegood
Luna's father wore
Grindelwald's mark at wedding,
so trio visits.
Chapter 21 - The Tale of the Three Brothers
Luna's dad explains
sign of the Deathly Hallows,
Death and three brothers.
Hallows: Elder Wand,
Invisibility Cloak,
Resurrection Stone.
If united, the
Hallows make the possessor
the master of Death.
Yes, of course, Harry's
invisibility cloak
is THE Hallows Cloak!
Trio's preferences--
Hermoine: "cloak." Ron: "wand."
Harry: "stone." Funny.
Luna is missing,
her father betrayed trio.
Ron cloaks. They escape.
Chapter 22 - The Deathly Hallows
Harry's so obssessed
with the Deathly Hallows. What
about Horcruxes?
Radio update:
the Order of the Phoenix.
Harry speaks V's name.
Chapter 22 - Malfoy Manor
Trio is captured
by Fenrir Greyback, taken
to Malfoy Manor.
Harry, Ron are jailed
with Luna, others. Girl screams.
Oh, Hermoine!
Bellatrix demands
Griphook to verify sword.
He lies. Wormtail dies.
Voldemort's coming.
Free-elf Dobby rescues all
before he dies. (Sniff).
Chapter 24 - The Wandmaker
Hallows...Horcruxes...
At Bill and Fleur's, Griphook says
Harry is different.
Ollivander can't
repair Harry's wand. His quotes:
"The wand choses the
wizard." And also:
"...where a wand has been won, its
alliance will change."
Elder wand owners:
Gregorovitch. Grindelwald
stole. Dumbledore dueled.
Harry wants Horcrux
while Voldemort steals The Wand
from Dumbledore's tomb.
Chapter 25 - Shell Cottage
Griphook will help them
break into Gringotts if he
is given the sword.
Lupin and Tonks have
a baby boy, Ted! Harry
is Ted's godfather.
Chapter 26 - Gringotts
In disguise, trio
raids Gringotts, finds the cup of
Helga Hufflepuff.
But the treasure trap--
touch a treasure, which burns flesh,
multiplies, buries.
Harry burned by cup.
Griphook retrieves sword,
runs. Dragon escapes.
Chapter 27 - The Final Hiding Place
Voldemort worries:
Harry hunting Horcruxes.
Last one at Hogwarts.
Chapter 28 - The Missing Mirror
Tricking Death Eaters
with his goat patronus and
cranky attitude,
Hog's Head's bar man is
Aberforth Dumbledore, eyes
blue like Albus'.
Aberforth tells of
his sister's real past, how she
was attacked, gone mad.
How during his duel
with Grindelwald and Albus,
Ariana died.
Aberforth says the
Order is finished. Give up.
But Harry says no.
Moving pictures are
unexpected passage ways,
and here comes Neville!
Chapter 29 - The Lost Diadem
Neville has transformed
the Room of Requirement
to house an army.
Harry and Luna
seek the lost diadem of
Ravenclaw at night.
Chapter 30 - The Sacking of Severus Snape
Voldemort summoned!
One Carrow stunned by Luna,
the other Crucioed
by Harry. Hooray
for Professor McG! Three
Patronuses. Cats!
McGonagall duels
Snape! Flitwick and Sprout join in.
Snape flees as a bat!
Return of Percy,
penitent to his parents,
welcomed back to fight.
Chapter 31 - The Battle of Hogwarts
Harry asks the ghost
of Ravenclaw Tower where's
the lost diadem?
Hermoine and
Ron return. They destroyed cup
with basilik's tooth.
When Ron wants to help
save the house-elves, he has earned
Hermoine's kiss.
In the hiding place,
Harry encounters Draco,
Crabbe, Goyle. Fire!
Harry saves Draco.
Ron, G. "IF WE DIE FOR THEM,
I'LL KILL YOU, HARRY!"
The Diadem breaks
because of the Fiendfyre.
Time to kill the snake.
While battling Death
Eaters, Percy makes a joke.
Fred-- On no! Not Fred!!
Chapter 32 - The Elder Wand
Spiders, giants join
the fight. Trio escapes the
dementors. Find V.
Voldemort kills Snape
to become master of the
Elder Wand. V. leaves.
Harry gathers Snape's
silvery blue memories
to view later. (Sniff).
Chapter 33 - The Prince's Tale
No! Remus AND Tonks.
Their bodies dead next to Fred's.
Poor orphaned Teddy!
His memories showed
Snape was good! He loved Lily.
But Petunia? Not.
You may have guessed it--
Dumbledore did ask Snape to
kill him, not Draco.
Dumbledore told Snape
that Harry Potter must die,
killed by Voldemort!
Part of Voldemort's
soul is bound to Harry's soul.
Harry, a Horcrux.
Poignant Snape moments:
Lily's letter and photo,
his doe patronus.
Chapter 34 - The Forest Again
Harry knew neither
would live, neither would survive,
he and Voldemort.
Harry kisses Snitch,
holds The Stone, sees his parents,
Lupin, Sirius.
Deep in the forest,
Harry meets Voldemort, who
sends a green blast. Death.
Chapter 35 - King's Cross
Semi-dead Harry
reunites with Dumbledore,
who explains it all.
Albus chose Hallows.
Voldemort chose Horcruxes.
Ways to avoid death.
Chapter 36 - The Flaw in the Plan
Harry plays dead. To
save her son, Draco's mother
betrays Voldemort.
Everyone screams "No!"
at Harry's "death." Brave Neville
kills the snake. Go, Nev!
Molly Weasley duels
and kills Bellatrix. Harry
confronts Voldemort.
Elder wand owners:
Dumbledore, Draco, not Snape,
Now Harry Potter.
Yay! Voldemort dies.
Harry uses Elder Wand
to fix his old wand.
Epilogue - Nineteen Years Later
Harry and Ginny,
Ron and Hermoine--their
kids leave for Hogwarts.
That nod from Draco
speaks volumes. Now Harry has
family. All's well.
Last Harry Potter Book Release
Though I am a fan of Harry Potter books, I was never one of those avid readers who waited in line at the bookstore. I'm not exactly fond of crowds that way.
But since I was invited to two (yes two) Harry Potter reading parties on Saturday, I decided that perhaps it would be a good idea to pick up my pre-ordered book around midnight. There were probably 1000 people crammed in the bookstore, up the stairs, along every single aisle. Many of them were chatting. Many were just standing or sitting in silence. Most were taking advantage of the bookshelves and reading.
There were so many people, I felt like I was in the middle of San Francisco's Castro Street during Halloween. Well, it was a little more tame than the Castro block party, but just a little bit. We found sanctuary near the cafe, where I observed kids and adults in costumes ranging from the more subtle gray slacks and white button down shirt with a small home-made prefect badge to complete store bought witch costumes complete with pointy hats to mostly adults sporting giant black or sparkling or velvet capes.
Right before midnight, they announced they were soon handing out books, and the entire place rumbled with cheers. So great. But a long wait. We didn't get our books until 2 am, and we were definitely not the last ones in line. But in the end, I'm glad I participated. Such an event will never happen again!
But since I was invited to two (yes two) Harry Potter reading parties on Saturday, I decided that perhaps it would be a good idea to pick up my pre-ordered book around midnight. There were probably 1000 people crammed in the bookstore, up the stairs, along every single aisle. Many of them were chatting. Many were just standing or sitting in silence. Most were taking advantage of the bookshelves and reading.
There were so many people, I felt like I was in the middle of San Francisco's Castro Street during Halloween. Well, it was a little more tame than the Castro block party, but just a little bit. We found sanctuary near the cafe, where I observed kids and adults in costumes ranging from the more subtle gray slacks and white button down shirt with a small home-made prefect badge to complete store bought witch costumes complete with pointy hats to mostly adults sporting giant black or sparkling or velvet capes.
Right before midnight, they announced they were soon handing out books, and the entire place rumbled with cheers. So great. But a long wait. We didn't get our books until 2 am, and we were definitely not the last ones in line. But in the end, I'm glad I participated. Such an event will never happen again!
Friday, July 20, 2007
Multicultural Boy Books?
I know multicultural books featuring boy protagonists exist in general, but b/c my topic is so narrow for the first week at Crossing Cultural Boundaries, I'm having trouble finding stories starring American boys traveling abroad. I've found titles but I have yet to get my hands on any of those titles.
In contrast, I've found several books about girls traveling, and you can read more at Shen's Blog.
In contrast, I've found several books about girls traveling, and you can read more at Shen's Blog.
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
If I Were a Book, I'd be....
You're Watership Down!
by Richard Adams
Though many think of you as a bit young, even childish, you're actually incredibly deep and complex. You show people the need to rethink their assumptions, and confront them on everything from how they think to where they build their houses. You might be one of the greatest people of all time. You'd be recognized as such if you weren't always talking about talking rabbits.
Take the Book Quiz
at the Blue Pyramid.
I am so amused. How appropriate that my target audience is typically teens and children. I feel truly great YA and kid lit does challenge the readers to "rethink their assumptions." When I was a child, my mom insisted I had pictures of rabbits in my room, and I've always had an affinity for the impatient, fast-paced rabbit.
I don't remember much about Watership Down because I read it when I was about 10 years old and going through my classics-reading phase. I do remember that it was fundamentally not a happy book.
Also, I recently posted my thoughts on a couple books featuring "American Girls Educated Abroad" at Shen's Blog. Check out the new logo for the Crossing Cultural Borders series.
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
If I lived in the Harry Potter universe, I'd be...
I thought I'd be Prof. Minerva McG.! Well, I've always wanted to have red hair, though I never really thought of Ginny as "popular," perhaps because she doesn't fit my traditional old-school idea of popular. No pom-poms or make-up or a certain attitude.
I haven't seen the movie yet, but I have plans to drop by my local independent bookstore to check out the crowds of fans for Book 7.
Also, in honor of Harry Potter's last book, I'll be blogging all next week about the unexpected connection between fantasy and multicultural children's literature at Shen's Blog. It will be week 2 of a 6-week long project where we will delve deeply (or shallowly) into specific kinds of multicultural story lines. Week 1 has just begun. Come check it out!
Monday, July 16, 2007
Writing Crossing Cultural Borders
When I was in the 6th grade, I read Farewell to Manzanar by Jeanne Wakatsuki Houston and James Houston. This slim book is a memoir of Jeanne's experiences while her family resided in the Manzanar internment camp for Japanese-Americans during World War II. Farewell to Manzanar was a huge influence during my childhood because it was my first and only school-required book written by an Asian-American about a uniquely Asian-American experience. Though Jeanne is a second/third generation Japanese-American and I am a first generation born Chinese-American, I delighted in reading a story about an American girl that looked like me.
When I had the opportunity to actually meet Jeanne Wakatuski Houston and James Houston in person, I jumped at the chance. While fighting extreme jet lag from my Florida trip, I made my way to the Foothill Writers' Conference and attended the Houston's session entitled "Writing Crossing Cultural Borders."
The first speaker to arrive in the room, James Houston is a tall, lanky White Anglo-Saxon Protestant (WASP) gentleman who was born and raised in California but has roots in the Bible belt of America. When he found out I grew up in Dallas, Texas, he joked that we could be related. Speaking extemporaneously in a laid back manner, James was an interesting contrast to his wife, Jeanne Wakatsuki Houston, a petite Japanese-American woman with long, wavy black hair and a big, wide smile. Jeanne spoke softly, but with fire.
James Houston kicked off the session by listing four kinds of stories that cross cultural borders:
1. Stories of immigration
2. Stories of Americans traveling to another culture, where their sense of selves are tested
3. Stories featuring ethnic minority Americans within America
4. Stories about a specific ethnicity/culture written by authors who are not originally of that ethnicity/culture
I was intrigued by the categories. My two main WIPs are both multicultural novels, but the first is about immigration while the second is strictly about an American Born Chinese teen. I’ve also experienced the last topic as a writer, since one of my short stories (for adults) is told from the point of view from a 65 year old chain-smoking WASP Texan grandmother. While I’ve attempted to write about my travels to other cultures, I have yet to successfully polish something. Perhaps I need to travel more.
Jeanne Wakatsuki Houston opened discussion by reading her personal essay discussing multicultural America through her experiences. My personal interest was that she described America as moving from the traditional melting pot model, where immigrants shed their other culture to assimilate into America, to the more contemporary mosaic model, where immigrants and their children retain and celebrate their cultural heritage, especially in food and language. Because there were writers from Germany, Switzerland, and Denmark at the session, Jeanne also pointed out the fact that typically we think of multicultural Americans as people of color, but European who immigrate into America are also torn between two cultures.
I left their session extremely inspired, and I wanted to apply their categories to children’s literature, as all the examples James Houston listed were from adult literature. In doing so, I’ve actually added two more categories that are particularly relevant to children’s literature today. Every weekday for the next six weeks, we will be exploring and providing examples for these categories at Shen’s Blog.
Go to the revised, expanded list!
When I had the opportunity to actually meet Jeanne Wakatuski Houston and James Houston in person, I jumped at the chance. While fighting extreme jet lag from my Florida trip, I made my way to the Foothill Writers' Conference and attended the Houston's session entitled "Writing Crossing Cultural Borders."
The first speaker to arrive in the room, James Houston is a tall, lanky White Anglo-Saxon Protestant (WASP) gentleman who was born and raised in California but has roots in the Bible belt of America. When he found out I grew up in Dallas, Texas, he joked that we could be related. Speaking extemporaneously in a laid back manner, James was an interesting contrast to his wife, Jeanne Wakatsuki Houston, a petite Japanese-American woman with long, wavy black hair and a big, wide smile. Jeanne spoke softly, but with fire.
James Houston kicked off the session by listing four kinds of stories that cross cultural borders:
1. Stories of immigration
2. Stories of Americans traveling to another culture, where their sense of selves are tested
3. Stories featuring ethnic minority Americans within America
4. Stories about a specific ethnicity/culture written by authors who are not originally of that ethnicity/culture
I was intrigued by the categories. My two main WIPs are both multicultural novels, but the first is about immigration while the second is strictly about an American Born Chinese teen. I’ve also experienced the last topic as a writer, since one of my short stories (for adults) is told from the point of view from a 65 year old chain-smoking WASP Texan grandmother. While I’ve attempted to write about my travels to other cultures, I have yet to successfully polish something. Perhaps I need to travel more.
Jeanne Wakatsuki Houston opened discussion by reading her personal essay discussing multicultural America through her experiences. My personal interest was that she described America as moving from the traditional melting pot model, where immigrants shed their other culture to assimilate into America, to the more contemporary mosaic model, where immigrants and their children retain and celebrate their cultural heritage, especially in food and language. Because there were writers from Germany, Switzerland, and Denmark at the session, Jeanne also pointed out the fact that typically we think of multicultural Americans as people of color, but European who immigrate into America are also torn between two cultures.
I left their session extremely inspired, and I wanted to apply their categories to children’s literature, as all the examples James Houston listed were from adult literature. In doing so, I’ve actually added two more categories that are particularly relevant to children’s literature today. Every weekday for the next six weeks, we will be exploring and providing examples for these categories at Shen’s Blog.
Go to the revised, expanded list!
New Novel - Congrats to Deborah Davis!
Hooray to Deborah Davis for the publication of her new novel, Not Like You, a contemporary YA about a teenager redefining her relationship with her alcoholic mother. At the top of my reading list and already receiving good reviews, Not Like You will be given away in various contests listed on the author's blog. Congrats and happy birthday, Deb!
Sunday, July 15, 2007
My New Talisman
So on a recent trip to Florida (ironically not a hugely populated Asian-American locale), one of my best friends gave me this silver necklace charm to wear in her wedding:
Every bridesmaid received a different charm as appropriate to her personality and/or life stage. Mine shown above is a boxy, stylized Chinese character or Japanese Kanji word meaning "love."
I've been thinking a lot about motivation lately, especially what motivates my characters so that they feel real. Fear, anger, loss, love. Powerful emotions.
Then I've been thinking what drives me, and my strongest emotional motivator is love. Even when I had a full-time office job, I've managed to keep doing what I love most during the evenings and weekends. The singing, the dancing, and of course, the reading and writing. Time to move the writing into the spotlight.
Every bridesmaid received a different charm as appropriate to her personality and/or life stage. Mine shown above is a boxy, stylized Chinese character or Japanese Kanji word meaning "love."
I've been thinking a lot about motivation lately, especially what motivates my characters so that they feel real. Fear, anger, loss, love. Powerful emotions.
Then I've been thinking what drives me, and my strongest emotional motivator is love. Even when I had a full-time office job, I've managed to keep doing what I love most during the evenings and weekends. The singing, the dancing, and of course, the reading and writing. Time to move the writing into the spotlight.
Friday, July 13, 2007
Coming Soon: Multi-posts on Writing Multicultural Literature
I'll be posting quite a bit over at Shen's Blog next week because I recently met for the first time 2 authors whose work is one of the quintessential multicultural books of my childhood. Not only are they great writers, they are amazing people in person and very inspiring.
I will be posting every day next week!
I will be posting every day next week!
Rejection #6 for 2007
For a contest, but, alas, no letter. Unless you provide a SASE, most contests don't send you a rejection letter. Maybe I should create a letter of my own to fill in the gaps. Rejections are trickling in, and I am reminded I must submit more to invite a deluge.
6 down, 24 more to go!
6 down, 24 more to go!
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
New Novel - Congrats to J.L. Powers!
A very quick congrats to J.L. Powers for a debut novel, The Confessional, which features conflict between white and Mexican teens in the borderlands of America. It's edgy YA, and on my list of books to read. I recently met the author and enjoyed talking to her. Best of luck, Jess!
Tuesday, July 3, 2007
Writing "the other" American Experiences
Okay, my first official Shen's Blog post is up! I'm excited!
Monday, July 2, 2007
Non-rejection (sort of) - Shen's Blog
I notice this year usually whenever I receive a rejection, other amazing opportunities crop up. Starting July, 2007, I will be contributing to Shen's Blog, an online resource for multicultural children's books. I will of course continue blogging at TLeaf Readings, but whenever I have a multicultural musing, it will be posted at Shen's. I'm excited!
Rejection #5 for 2007
For my poetry to a literary magazine. This one is an email to print out to add to my collection. So I must resubmit via email again. I actually prefer the email/online submissions systems, since it helps defray costs, especially with the postage hike earlier this year.
5 down, 25 to go!
5 down, 25 to go!
Jane Austen's Portrait
I admit I've been on a Jane Austen kick lately, as one can tell from my post comparing Austen's Pride and Prejudice with Bronte's Jane Eyre. I've been revisiting the Jane Austen film adaptations and re-reading passages in the novels and, most importantly, laughing. This post is actually inspired by Shannon Hale, who before this year published only fantasy novels written for children. I am a fan of Shannon's books, as I have read and enjoyed all three of her Bayern novels, and Princess Academy is among my all-time favorite kids books.
On my to-be-read-list, Austenland is Shannon Hale's newest novel, a contemporary non-fantasy and first targeted towards adults, specifically Jane Austen film afficianados, perhaps more specifically fans of the 1995 Pride and Prejudice miniseries starring Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle. Shannon keeps a blog, and recently I found her post defending Austen's looks and single state. Shannon makes the assertion that we love Jane Austen not for her looks but for her intellect and wit.
Shannon points out how there is only one known true portrait of Jane Austen, and it does not depict the author in a gentle state. Jane looks kind of cross. I would be, too, if I was taken away from my writing and forced to sit for a long time in order to have my portrait drawn. Thank goodness nowadays for digital cameras.
I think that since she was so obviously a keen observer of human behavior and relationships, Jane wouldn't have spent all her time interacting with people and single-mindedly finding herself a husband like most young eligible women of her day. Though there is documentation in her letters to Cassandra that occassionally she indulged in flirtation with eligible men, I believe that most times, Jane would have kept herself slightly apart from society so she can observe and remember true, funny, crazy details about courting rituals happening around her so when she sits down at her writing desk at home she can record everything on paper and ultimately entertain herself and her readers. That's how she can satirize. In order to satirize, one must be slightly removed from whatever is the object of humor.
I agree with Shannon Hale that we faithful readers of Jane Austen's work don't care about the physical appearance of Jane as a person and that if we were to meet Jane in person, we would love her almost unconditionally. Who cares what she looks like and the fact that her only known surviving image is less than flattering? Jane herself never placed too much value on beauty alone, as evidenced by her heroines. In Pride and Prejudice, though her older, sweeter sister Jane is universally acknowledged as the prettiest, Lizzie dazzles with her humor and sharp wit. Elinor's strong sense of manners wins over Marianne's sensibilities targeted towards the externally romantic. Catherine's imagination is the impetus for action in Northanger Abbey, while Mansfield Park's Fanny Price is not at all traditionally beautiful like her nemesis Mary Crawford but unfailingly moral. Emma's beauty is not the focus but rather her well-meaning, but misguided meddling in the romantic affairs of her best friend. Finally, Anne in Persuasion is surrounded by her more handsome family and friends, yet it is her actions during emergencies and her declaration that women love more constantly than men which win over Captain Wentworth.
Also, Jane published her novels anonymously, as well-bred women of her day simply did not admit to writing novels. Thus, she was even more out of the public eye than perhaps we would expect. If Jane were a newly published author nowadays, she couldn't hide from the faithful, brutally honest canvases of publicity. Nowadays, unless they are very lucky, most newly and experienced published authors must master the basics of marketing and public speaking in order to promote their books and generate sales. Yet, I've noticed that as I attend more and more author events, I usually leave even more impressed by seeing the author in person, and I'm confident that I'm not alone.
In the end, the greatest beauty eventually fades, but a way with words will definitely endure, as Jane's words continue to entertain and captivate readers almost 200 years after they were first published.
On my to-be-read-list, Austenland is Shannon Hale's newest novel, a contemporary non-fantasy and first targeted towards adults, specifically Jane Austen film afficianados, perhaps more specifically fans of the 1995 Pride and Prejudice miniseries starring Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle. Shannon keeps a blog, and recently I found her post defending Austen's looks and single state. Shannon makes the assertion that we love Jane Austen not for her looks but for her intellect and wit.
Shannon points out how there is only one known true portrait of Jane Austen, and it does not depict the author in a gentle state. Jane looks kind of cross. I would be, too, if I was taken away from my writing and forced to sit for a long time in order to have my portrait drawn. Thank goodness nowadays for digital cameras.
I think that since she was so obviously a keen observer of human behavior and relationships, Jane wouldn't have spent all her time interacting with people and single-mindedly finding herself a husband like most young eligible women of her day. Though there is documentation in her letters to Cassandra that occassionally she indulged in flirtation with eligible men, I believe that most times, Jane would have kept herself slightly apart from society so she can observe and remember true, funny, crazy details about courting rituals happening around her so when she sits down at her writing desk at home she can record everything on paper and ultimately entertain herself and her readers. That's how she can satirize. In order to satirize, one must be slightly removed from whatever is the object of humor.
I agree with Shannon Hale that we faithful readers of Jane Austen's work don't care about the physical appearance of Jane as a person and that if we were to meet Jane in person, we would love her almost unconditionally. Who cares what she looks like and the fact that her only known surviving image is less than flattering? Jane herself never placed too much value on beauty alone, as evidenced by her heroines. In Pride and Prejudice, though her older, sweeter sister Jane is universally acknowledged as the prettiest, Lizzie dazzles with her humor and sharp wit. Elinor's strong sense of manners wins over Marianne's sensibilities targeted towards the externally romantic. Catherine's imagination is the impetus for action in Northanger Abbey, while Mansfield Park's Fanny Price is not at all traditionally beautiful like her nemesis Mary Crawford but unfailingly moral. Emma's beauty is not the focus but rather her well-meaning, but misguided meddling in the romantic affairs of her best friend. Finally, Anne in Persuasion is surrounded by her more handsome family and friends, yet it is her actions during emergencies and her declaration that women love more constantly than men which win over Captain Wentworth.
Also, Jane published her novels anonymously, as well-bred women of her day simply did not admit to writing novels. Thus, she was even more out of the public eye than perhaps we would expect. If Jane were a newly published author nowadays, she couldn't hide from the faithful, brutally honest canvases of publicity. Nowadays, unless they are very lucky, most newly and experienced published authors must master the basics of marketing and public speaking in order to promote their books and generate sales. Yet, I've noticed that as I attend more and more author events, I usually leave even more impressed by seeing the author in person, and I'm confident that I'm not alone.
In the end, the greatest beauty eventually fades, but a way with words will definitely endure, as Jane's words continue to entertain and captivate readers almost 200 years after they were first published.
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