I wish I could FIND it! I’m embarrassed to reveal that for a good portion of my adult life I have been a Library delinquent. Sad but true. Usually my infractions are limited to severely overdue books, but occasionally I misplace a book and have to pay for it.

Well, after weeks of being in denial, I must admit that occasion has arrived. I have absolutely no idea where that book is! It has been everywhere and could be anywhere—it accompanied me to three different ball fields during the Spring, it came to work with me, it even made it to the community pool a couple of times. Then it vanished! I’m sure it’ll show up AFTER I pay all the fines. . .

Anyway, I found the book to be excellent. At first browse it seemed skimpy-each sub-topic was limited to two pages-but it actually turned out to be quite meaty and well thought out. I like the way the book is arranged. First it offers rules for dealing with yourself. Then it shifts to rules for better relationships with family and friends. Finally, it suggests rules for relating to the world at large.

Well, if I ever do find it, I will officially own it. That’ll be good. I’ll be able to finish it and re-read it from time to time at my leisure. But for now, I remain a delinquent. This was an inter-library loan, so my library has to contact the lending library to find out my sentence. Meanwhile, my borrowing privileges are temporarily suspended. :^(

So I’m currently enjoying a couple of read-alouds with my children, and I just finished Growing Up Brady: I Was a Teenage Greg by Barry Williams. The title says it all. Unfortunately it was the most interesting book I could find on the “free to a good home” shelf.

I can hardly wait until I’m back on track with my reading list. I was doing so well before!

This was an interactive page turner—I laughed, I cried, felt nervous, shocked, relieved, and sentimental throughout the story of Tavis Smiley growing up in America. I literally could not put this book down! I will return it to the library on Tuesday, but I must purchase a copy for my home collection.

Tavis Smiley has definitely mastered the law of attraction and knows the power of inspired action, agape love, and tenacity. His grandmother taught him that every experience carries a lesson and a blessing, whether the experience is positive or negative. All readers desiring a more productive life will benefit from this noble exemplar.

This book makes one think. The intelligence of the authors is apparent, which is why their hackneyed attention on African-Americans troubles me.

The fact remains that the poor, uneducated, and criminal people of this country are mostly white, since whites constitute the vast majority of U.S. citizens. If they had chosen to do so, Levitt and Dubner could have easily and legitimately limited their discussion to “high end whites and low end whites”. There was absolutely no need to place so much emphasis on the black segment, which is such a relatively small percentage of the population. Let’s quit focusing on percentages, anyway, and start dealing with actual numbers.

Out of the 300 million U.S. citizens, over 215 million are white. That is more than 6 times the black population! www.census.gov How can one logically hold these two groups side by side for comparison? Don’t get me wrong, I think it is also irresponsible and irrational when black economists do the same in reverse.

Whether it was intended to or not, this engaging book has serious potential to leave its white readers with very damaging, negative, and skewed views concerning the black people with whom they actually interact throughout their lifetimes. Many of whom are among the middle to upper classes, and among the educated segment of the black population. Let’s face it: whites usually don’t frequent black neighborhoods, and blacks (other than servants) rarely have the opportunity to get up close and personal with whites unless they hold a similar socioeconomic status.

Levitt and Dubner mention more than once that their book has no unifying theme. Well, I was clearly able to identify it: “White=good, smart, rich. Black=bad, ignorant, poor.” And their reference to Ted Kaczynski at the end came across as a sloppy attempt to conceal their theme.

This is a well written book!

The author is right about so many things. This is an excellent read for anyone wanting to change their life for the better.

Robert Townsend is my favorite Director/Writer. His movies always focus on a positive and meaningful portrayal of African Americans. This Disney movie about a Black Superhero family has not gotten the credit it deserves. My son loved the movie so much. When he was little, he wanted Bronze Eagle (or “Brown Seagull” as he pronounced it) action figures. He wanted Bronze Eagle on his birthday cake and Bronze Eagle pajamas. Unfortunately, none of these items were available. Superman and Batman reigned (and still reign) supreme. Oh, well. Townsend is a winner in my book for trying. My son has now outgrown it, but this movie will always hold a special place on my shelf.

P.S. Sherman Hemsley’s in this movie—need I say more?

I found and copied a good synopsis of the plot:

“The movie tells the story of Scott Marshall, the son of two great superheroes, Bronze Eagle and Warrior Woman. All of his family members are gifted with superpowers, and he desperately wants powers of his own. To his surprise, however, he doesn’t develop any by his 14th birthday – the latest age at which this is possible. To comfort his parents, who would be devastated to find out that their son was ordinary, Scott pretends to have superstrength and the ability to fly.

Meanwhile, a group of activists known as the “Earth Protectors” has been giving out CDs about the environment to Scott’s classmates. The CDs, however, have a nefarious purpose – brainwashing children. Scott must save the day and rescue the kids – without superpowers.”