Review: They Didn't See Us Coming: The Hidden History of Feminism in the Nineties

They Didn't See Us Coming: The Hidden History of Feminism in the Nineties by Lisa Levenstein
My rating: 5 of 5 stars



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Frederick, A Virtual Puppet Performance - Read by Michael Shannon

WOW...this is my first post during the Coronavirus pandemic! I hope you and your loved ones are healthy and safe.

Thanks to the Chicago Children’s Theatre, the city’s largest professional theater devoted exclusively to children and families, for launching a new YouTube channel, CCTv: Virtual Theatre and Learning from Chicago Children’s Theatre. To kick if off we are treated to Frederick. Here's hoping this helps with your little ones. Or is a comfort to everyone of all ages.







Chicago Children’s Theatre’s all-new virtual puppet performance was created while all of the artists were sheltering in place, working with resources limited to what they had in their homes or on their laptops.

Frederick is directed by CCT Co-Founder and Artistic Director Jacqueline Russell. Puppets and sets were designed, built and puppeteered in a home studio by Grace Needlman and Will Bishop, CCT’s Director of Production, the creative team behind CCT’s annual series of Beatrix Potter puppet shows and the company’s hit Chicago premiere Wake Up Brother Bear earlier this season.

Chicago musician Mr. Nick Davio performs the jaunty instrumental underscore, which is inspired by songs from the popular TYA musical version of Leo Lionni’s Frederick by Suzanne Miller, with music and lyrics by Sarah Durkee and Paul Jacob. Video editing is by Shiri Nicole Gross.

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Abrams, Rapinoe, and Bird, oh my!

Yup...The fabulous Stacey Abrams, along with badass couple Megan Rapinoe & Sue Bird join HBO's THE SHOP: UNINTERRUPTED to chat about the state of the world. Also joining the conversation is EGOT Whoopi Goldberg, Malcolm Jenkins, And Hasan Minhaj.

By the look of the trailer this is gonna be a great conversation. Check it out on Friday, February 7 (9:30-10:00 p.m. ET/PT) or later on HBO NOW, HBO GO, HBO On Demand and partners’ streaming platforms.

 

 

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Review: Lumberjanes/Gotham Academy

Lumberjanes/Gotham Academy by Chynna Clugston Flores
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I have loved the Lumberjanes franchise for many years. After taking some time off to read other series, I'm back and went with the this crossover event with Gotham Academy - a series I thought looked great, but never fit into my overcrowded comic book plate. And you know what? THIS WAS AMAZING.

The Lumberjanes feel was still present - can't speak about the Gotham Academy feel - but it was wacky and sweet. Lumberjanes is ever telling stories of friendship and being true to yourself. This was doubly true for this collection.

I hope these two gangs of adorable young people team up again.

This is a great read for anyone wrestling with expectations - parental to societal.

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Review: Trapeze

Trapeze by Leigh Ansell
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Trapeze by Leigh Ansell is an enjoyable fish out of water tale set in a high school. We meet 17-year-old Corey who is a budding trapeze star. When tragedy strikes, she finds herself stuck in a stereotypical suburb and enrolled in high school. The novel deals with not just Corey's struggle to fit into high school, but her journey to reestablish a relationship with her mother, her first love, and domestic abuse.

Ansell wraps up Corey's tale with one too many tropes, but even as I was thinking, "Really?" I was also moved by the character developments. Considering Ansell is only 21, I look forward to her honing her gift of storytelling in future novels. There is an excellent scene when one character gaslights Corey and it is so well written I could feel my skin crawl.

I recommend Trapeze for high schoolers and those us who survived those years, but still like to revisit through YA novels. Considering the number of moral choices that Corey and her friends have to manage, that all high schoolers have to manage, this would also be a good read for parents. I always appreciate books that could lend itself to conversations between teens and parents.

Disclaimer: I received this book from a publicist in exchange for this review. No other compensation was received.

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