The Children's Blizzard

Laskin, David. The Children's Blizzard. 2004. (977.031 Laski.D)
Does it look like snow outside? Chicagoans are by no means strangers to the extremes of weather. Furious winds, bitter cold, icy roads, piles of snow, massive drifts, endless hours of shoveling, “dibs” on dug-out parking spaces, and the exhaustion in dealing with it all form the list of gripes we all have with winter. But Laskin’s moving account of a spectacular and devastating blizzard on January 12, 1888, followed by a record-breaking cold front will have you thanking your lucky stars you live in an era of nearly perfect weather prediction, central heating, down coats, and microwaveable cocoa.

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The Diary of Anne Frank

The Diary of Anne Frank. 2008 (DVD 791.4572 Diary)

Miep Gies, who helped hide Anne Frank and her family, died this January at the age of 100--reminding us of Anne's story, which has been beautifully adapted into a new production by the BBC. Since the diary's first publication more than 50 years ago, there have been numerous books, documentaries, and films about Anne and this latest is one of the most affecting and faithful. Much of the actual words from the diary are woven into the screenplay presenting an authentic picture of her life in hiding. Ellie Kendrick brings sensitivity and realism to the role showing us a funny, rebellious, articulate, and optimistic teenage Anne, who wanted above all to be a journalist and famous writer. That wish was realized but at a terrible cost. As Primo Levi wrote: "Perhaps it had to be that this one Anne Frank moves us more than all the other countless victims, whose names remain unknown."

True Grit

Portis, Charles. True Grit. 1968. (Fiction Porti.C)

In this underrated classic by Charles Portis, 14-year old Mattie Ross from near Dardanelle in Yell County, Arkansas leaves her fragile mother and two younger siblings at home in order to travel into Indian Territory to avenge her father’s blood.  Wielding her unrelenting stubbornness like a club (and offering a healthy cash reward besides), Mattie convinces Rooster Cogburn, a U.S. Marshal of questionable character, to take her into the Territory on the trail of the man who shot down her father. The narrative is told in a clear and straightforward, almost reportorial style and delivered as a monologue by Mattie, now an old woman, reflecting on the defining moment of her young life.

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The Girl Who Played with Fire

Larsson, Stieg. The Girl Who Played with Fire. 2009. (Fiction Larss.S)

I'm going to take the liberty of quoting from my 2009 review of Larsson's first book in the trilogy, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo: "If you enjoy a good yarn, a novel setting (it’s set in Sweden, of course, where I’ve learned nothing can be accomplished unless someone makes coffee), and a compelling set of characters sure to reappear in the subsequent two books, you can’t go wrong with this one." 
Larsson's second installment does not disappoint. In fact I'd say he raised the bar with an action-packed plot and many nail-biting, near-miss cliffhangers. I understand now why so much coffee is needed--this book is definitely caffeine-powered and totally absorbing. Mikael Blomkvist, investigative reporter, is again our hero. Lisbeth Salander, the eponymous girl of the title and one of the most unusual heriones you'll ever meet, is back, too, and she's laying low, plotting revenge for past abuses, and using her highly refined computer hacker skills to confound both her friends and her enemies. There are good cops, bad cops, innocent victims, sleazy reporters, sociopaths, corrupt government officials, and even a Swedish sports hero thrown into the mix of colorful characters. Larsson has cranked up the violence in this book, and there's no pussy-footing around some grim episodes. The plot is satisfyingly twisty and only partially resolved--the closing scene leaves you hungry for more.  (Barbara L., Reader's Services)