Muse Magazine

So I read the January 2009 issue of Muse Magazine and was instantly drawn into in by an article focusing on the artist Chuck Close. I was fascinated to read about his unorthodox painting styles and impressed that he could create such beautiful work with some paint and his fingerprint. Needless to say, after I read the story I just had to learn more about the artist and see some more of his paintings. I continued on to read some more of the stories in the magazine and was equally impressed with the entertaining and interesting things that were being written about. This is a magazine for kids. It is chuck full of interesting stories that are educational as well. People like Chuck Close are an inspiration to the rest of us. These stories need to be told. I am glad that magazines like Muse can make that happen.

You can't have the best of both worlds with that Miley chick

I know that this has been talked about in the forums, but I wanted to give it a go. Miley Cyrus, aka Hannah Montana, is a tween sensation. Lets be honest, Hannah Montana is a funny show. It is also every girl'd dream... to be a rockstar and a normal kid. With the Vanity fair debacle, it is painfully obvious, however, that the best of both worlds has ended and we are left with just another seemingly promiscuous rock star who can't keep her clothes on. It is hard to believe that they are even the same person. Hannah Montana is all about being a good friend and learning to do what is right. Miley Cyrus is all about being herself, with as little clothes on as as possible, and damn the role-model responsibilities.

Miley Cyrus is one of the reasons, or even one of the victims, of a society that is forcing girls to become women too early. I remember being shocked to hear of her relationship with the much older model guy. Hopefully they aren't sleeping together cause that is a pretty serious crime in most states. My biggest problem is that I can't even be confident to say that, "no way Miley is sleeping around" because she just doesn't seem like that kind of girl anymore. Hopefully most girls in the tween scene realize the folly of her ways.

Am I really this stupid?

"More Two-Minute Mysteries" by Donal J. Sobol is a collection of logic tests in story form. We are presented a story where Dr. Haledjian, an unmatched genius, solves a series of crimes and riddles. We are presented with the story, the Dr.'s conclusion and the question of why or how the Dr. cam to his conclusion. We then use logic to figure it out. There are probably about a hundred stories in the book.

Well, first off, I really loved this book. I love to test my wits and my logic/reasoning ability. The only problem is that I mist be a few cards short of a full deck because I can never come to the same conclusions as these genius Dr. In fact, sometimes I feel like the answer is so obvious that anyone with a pulse could figure it out, only to discover that I am a mere idiot. Aside from the feelings of inadequacy, I really enjoy testing my logic with this book.

I'm Hungry for More Hunger Games!

"The Hunger Games" by Suzanne Collins is the first book in the trilogy. The evil and wealthy Capitol rules the poor 12 surrounding districts. Every year the Capitol hosts a televised Hunger Game where one boy and one girl between 12 and 18 from every district is forced to fight to the death. The winner gains freedom for their family members to never have to fight and wealth. The main character, Katniss, is chosen from her district, along with a boy named Peeta. Because viewers believe them to be in love, the rule is changed that only one person can win to two tributes from the same district can win as a pair, which is just what Katniss and Peeta intend to do.

This is one of the best books I have ever read. It is so intense. Collins doesn't sugar coat this world. I thought certain characters would survive and they don't. And they don't die in a pleasant way, either. This is a cruel world, a world where even the strong don't always last. I kept suspecting and even hoping for insurrection, an uprising, and although it didn't happen, I almost thought it was more realistic this way. I talked to people that were very upset with Katniss' character because she didn't fight the system, but she's a teenage girl who has grown up NOT seeing anyone fight against the way things are. They did their best to survive with the lot they'd been given. Even with the violence, I would have a difficult time not recommending this book to everyone.

Justin Bieber

So, I have recently learned that Justin Bieber is the fantasy of every 3-17 year old girl that exists in the world... and apparently some 26 year old wives as well. My wife, being a huge fan, has subjected me to the music torture that is Justin Bieber for the past several months. After learning that one of his music videos, Baby, had been viewed almost 300 million times I thought it would be worth it to see what kind of an influence this kid has on all these girls. To be completely honest I have been nothing but impressed with the kid. He seems like a genuinely nice and respectful individual who is as innocent as Ariel from the Little Mermaid. Aside from the hideousness of that monstrosity he calls a haircut, I find myself wanting all boys his age, and beyond, to be like him and to be as kind as he appears to be. I even found myself wanting, (just wanting), to shed a tear of joy after watching him meet his biggest fan(see here then here). Although his songs are all about sappy teenage love, I have decided that I like Mr. Bieber.

Mythical Beasties? Bring 'em on!

"Fablehaven" by Brandon Mull is about Kendra and Seth Sorenson, siblings whose grandparents are caretakers of a preserve of magical animals. They go off to spend time with their grandparents, unaware that the place they live is a magical preserve. Grandpa Sorenson gives Kendra and Seth clues as to the truth of what Fablehaven is and they figure out his riddle to learn of the magical world around them. The whole time Seth and Kendra have been at Fablehaven, their grandmother has been mysteriously missing. We later find out she is a chicken, and it takes the considerable magic of a witch named Muriel to restore her to her actual form. Seth is so fascinated with the mystical world that he does not heed the rules of his grandfather and gets himself into trouble by exploring beyond the protected bounds. They find themselves needing to work together to vanquish the foes that have been released on Midsummer's Eve.

Fablehaven is a fantasy lovers dream. It is so chuck full of fairies and witches and satyrs and magical milk producing cows that even the biggest fantasy junkies will get their fix. The story is exciting and unpredictable and the characters, except Seth, are fun to read about. Seth is just one of those characters that you love to hate. He just does everything wrong... not because he can't help it, but because the stupid kid chooses to do what he shouldn't in almost every situation. If I ever have a kid like him I am putting them up for adoption. In any case, it is a wonderful work of fantasy that will engage any reader who picks it up.

Attack of the Deranged Mutant Killer Monster Snow Goons

"Attack of the Deranged Mutant Killer Monster Snow Goons" by Bill Watterson is a collection of Calvin and Hobbes comic strips. They tell a long story of how Calvin created a snow goon that he brought to life which figured out that it could make snow goons itself. The snow goon then started to make an army of snow goons that Calvin and Hobbes had to take out.

This was my first foray into the Calvin and Hobbes scene and I was stunned. Bill Watterson must be a genius because the depth of these comics is amazing. Calvin is a immensely lovable character and his moral real/imaginary sidekick Hobbes is a treat as well. Watching the dynamic between Calvin and his parents provides for some gut-busting entertainment. I was sad to learn that Watterson refuses to license the characters out to anyone. I would love to see a Calvin and Hobbes animation... but maybe it is for the best. In any case, tweens will eat up the delicious, relate-ability coming from these comics.