 What’s the deal with the black & white saddle shoes?  Click here for the story of our farm in Greene County, Iowa. Here's looking at life at Simple Serenity Farm  Carla’s sister & brother-in-law Chris and Tony Woods, of Des Moines, were at the farm on Sunday, August 22, helping Carla do the lawn mowing and other yard work that we’ve struggled to keep up with lately, with all our medical appointments. The Woodses brought along their 18-month-old granddaughter Ari, who was a delight watching all the action from the porch with Chuck, catching up on her reading and then getting a moment on the lawn tractor seat! Click here for larger format Earlier photos in this series Iowa Hall of Pride netINS, Inc. Butler House on Grand B&B Sam's Barber Shop Douglas T. Bates III, Attorney KMA Radio's ''Chuck & Don Show'' Barack Obama story & coloring book The Monks of New Melleray Abbey RELATED LINKS About Offenburger.com Biographies Want to Reprint? Want Updates? ARCHIVES Chuck Offenburger's columns Christie Vilsack's columns Carla Offenburger's columns Carla's book reviews Jared Strong's columns Guest Columns The Simple Serenity Farm columns Farm Photos, 2006 - 2008 Our Iowa News Digest Along Our Way 
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What's Carla Reading?
“Hoot,” by Carl Hiaasen (2002) I wish I could remember who first insisted I read “Hoot” by Carl Hiaasen, a children's bestseller. It was at least a year ago, and I’m sure I was talking about a lot of different books with a small group of people. And I’m almost sure the recommendation came from an older woman. But darned if I can recall now. Anyway, when a second adult brought this book to my attention recently, I figured it was time for me to read it. That second alert came from my friend Nancy Teusch, of Jefferson. At my urging, she had come out to a book sale I was in charge of for the Greene County Medical Center Foundation. And she found “Hoot” in the children's section. Before she left, she came to my office and said, “Look at this, the only book I have time to read is a children’s book. That’s pathetic,” or something close to “pathetic.” I laughed at her. She’s the busy mother of four, the two oldest in high school. She also is on the Jefferson City Council, is very active in her church, and is involved in about as much other stuff as one can be. But she’s been a good source of tips about interesting books in the past, so I know she finds time to read a lot more than just “children’s books.” She also made me remember the earlier recommendation I had received about “Hoot,” so I went back into the book sale and bought a copy myself. I told Nancy we could read it together. And then I was secretly hoping she’d agree to a joint book review. I finished the book in a matter of a few days of sporadic reading. Alas, Nancy has taken much longer, although I’m almost sure she is done with it by now. But she laughed at me when I suggested we both write about the book. “Hoot” will become a children's classic – but adults should read it, too. Author Hiaasen is a columnist for the Miami Herald, but he evidently has developed a following for his novels aimed at the adult market, including the fiction works “Sick Puppy” and “Basket Case.” I’ve never heard of those books, but maybe you have. “Hoot” was his first children’s book. On his Internet site www.CarlHiaasen.com, he talks about his more recent children’s bestseller “Flush.” He writes, “I thought ‘Hoot’ was a pleasant fluke, but now ‘Flush’ has been on the New York Times children’s bestseller list for more than a year. It’s very gratifying, because in some ways ‘Flush’ is structurally a more complete novel. But, still, I never expected it to keep pace with ‘Hoot.’ Kids are extremely loyal readers.” I like thinking that, you know: “Kids are extremely loyal readers.” And I might become a loyal reader of Hiaasen’s children’s books, too, if they all carry the tone of “Hoot.” In a nutshell, “Hoot” has everything children should be reading about. It’s a story with a message, with excitement, mystery and fun. There are examples of how to handle school bullies, what it means to take a stand, and how different parental relationships and influence can be for different children. The book also features some stupid-acting adults. When Nancy Teusch and I discussed the book a week or so ago, she asked me what I thought the messages in the book were for kids. I told her I liked how Roy Eberhardt, the main character of the book, stood up to more than one bully in the new school he attended. I liked the relationship he had with his parents, juxtaposed to the families of the two bullies. Clearly the book lets young readers see the causes of many problems they face today. I liked the way Roy was honest most of the time, while still seeing that sometimes he had to hide the truth to protect others or himself. And sometimes he took the brunt of punishment for doing that. He was a good kid. And he almost always tried to find the good in others. The story is simple. A pancake franchise, “Mother Paula’s All-American House of Pancakes,” is scheduled to go up on a corner lot near Roy’s neighborhood, but there are sets of endangered burrowing owls on the property. The birds are being ignored and/or hidden by the construction foreman and the franchise vice-president. Roy gets wind of this, in between being picked on by two school bullies – one male and one female – on the school bus. Ultimately one becomes his friend, and one, well, one sees what happens when he continues to pick on a boy not quite his size. The outcomes are refreshing and hilarious. Roy becomes very involved in saving the owls. Eventually he gets a whole lot of other people involved in saving them, too. And the story is one filled with childhood adventure, fun and mystery. It’s a great story. With great “teaching moments,” I think. One lesson certainly is how to overcome being bullied, in both honest and creative ways. Another great lesson from the book – for adults really – is how we are seen in the eyes of children. Roy quickly identifies his bus driver and his principal as clueless to the antics of the bullies. He’s right. He also allows us to see how silly we look when we can’t be honest with ourselves or others, or when we want to jump into the limelight that's on others. There are examples of corporate greed, adult bullying, corrupt city officials and many other instances of lousy behavior by adults – as seen through the eyes of our young people. Roy Eberhardt has it all figured out. And Carl Hiaasen does a great job of telling the story in a way that makes the lessons clear for kids of all ages, while making the story a real adventure to read. - Carla Offenburger Now reading“If Grace is True: Why God will Save Every Person,” by Philip Gulley and James Mulholland (2003). Most recently reviewed “I Feel Bad About My Neck: And Other Thoughts on Being a Woman,” by Nora Ephron (2006). Ephron is right on target as she writes about a woman’s aging process and body parts, especially our necks. Her work is as honest as you will find. If you can’t be honest with yourself – and then laugh at yourself – don’t read this book. “Five Days to an Organized Life,” by Lucy H. Hedrick (1990). In a mere five chapters, one for each day “to an organized life,” Lucy Hedrick made a pretty good pitch to get me organized. “Beloved,” by Toni Morrison (1988). The book’s back cover has a statement from People Magazine: “A brutally powerful, mesmerizing story…read it and tremble.” There’s no other way to read it. “Bad Girl Creek,” by Jo-Ann Mapson (2002). I loved every moment of Jo-Ann Mapson’s fictional tale of Phoebe DeThomas and the flower farm left to her by her eccentric aunt Sadie. “The Color of Water: A Black Man’s Tribute to His White Mother,” by James McBride (1997). This is absolutely a wonderful story. Please read it. Comments from you readers Kathleen Parris, Audubon, Iowa: “My daughter Morgan is currently reading 'Hoot' for 5th grade Language Arts class and she really likes the book. She received Christopher Paolini's 'Eragon' for her birthday and read that on her own time in about three weeks. Her usual fare has been Marguerite Henry -- my old childhood favorites as well -- or Walter Farley horse-themed books, so I was surprised she liked the dragon/fantasy series. Right now she is reading the second in the Paolini Trilogy, 'Eldest.' By the way, 'Eragon' the movie comes to theaters December 15. I'm looking forward to hearing what Morgan thinks about 'her' book vs. the screenplay. My less sophisticated taste has me reading commercially successful John Grisham. Many of his books have been turned into screenplays, not always with the best results. Books are usually far more in-depth, and it's great brain exercise for kids -- and adults -- to use their imagination as the characters develop. P.S. She may like books, but the only thing on Morgan's Christmas wish list is an MP3 player or iPod. :-)” Helen Billings, retired teacher, Johnston, Iowa: “I have been sitting here for a long time on this day after Thanksgiving reading Carla’s book reviews. I have such an excited feeling about books that I will find it hard to get outside and do my other favorite thing – yard fun. The great weather says that I must get out while I can.” Send your book comments to carla@Offenburger.com.
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