Imagine Magazine - Johns Hopkins - Demo - (Page 30)

off the shelf what you’re reading The Corfu Trilogy: Three Classic Tales of Childhood on an Island Paradise by Gerald Durrell that they simultaneously inform and amaze the reader. The books are also incredibly funny, with unconventional descriptions not just of the nature on the island but also of his odd family: his brother Lawrence (Larry), a famous writer to this day; his brother Leslie, an avid sportsman; his sister, Margo, who comes off as a stereotypically vain teenager; and their mother, who loves cooking and gardening (Durrell’s father died before they all came to Corfu from India). Some of my favorite moments included the panic over a matchbox full of baby scorpions (young Gerry was only trying to save them) opened at the dinner table and Gerry’s experience with a large (and very dead) sea turtle on the verandah. Accounts of the native islanders and the family’s interactions with them round out the trilogy. When you enter The Corfu Trilogy, you leave the modern world behind. I loved my trip to this exotic island with a guide whose childlike wonder and innocence was contagious. It’s a journey I think you’ll enjoy, too. Drew Villeneuve is in the eighth grade at St. John’s Episcopal School in Olney, MD. He plays trombone and guitar, volunteers with the Audubon Society, plays racquetball, and fences. Drew enjoys literature, writing, history, natural history, and biology. The Corfu Trilogy includes three stories that were also released as individual books: My Family and Other Animals; Birds, Beasts, and Relatives; and Garden of the Gods. The three books highlight the years that Gerald Durrell, the famed British naturalist, spent on the Greek Ionian island of Corfu as a child. The books are full of anecdotes about Durrell’s encounters with the native fauna, from toads and scorpions to owls and hedgehogs, as well as the people who inhabit the island, including his eccentric family. In descriptions of day-long boat trips and escapades over the island without his family’s knowing and with only his dog for a companion, Durrell evokes a sense of freedom and innocence from the modern world. The books are fantastic for any budding naturalist or biologist because they describe the life of the island in such great detail Also recommended: Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoesvsky Crime and Punishment provides powerful insight into the human condition through the extraordinary, heroic character of Raskolnikov and the complex web of relationships that he forms with the other intricate characters in the novel. There is simply so much hidden in the text of this great literary work, including valuable lifelong lessons. As my English teacher told me, every time you read Crime and Punishment, you discover something new—a hallmark of Dostoevsky’s genius. Grace Chung, 16, IL Femininity by Susan Brownmiller Femininity discusses barriers, expectations, and stereotypes of females in societies both old and new. The chapters are arranged by key topics, such as Body, Hair, Clothes, Voice, Skin, Movement, Emotion, and Ambition. This great read contains phenomenal information and opinions to expand your knowledge of the subject. Reading this book has opened my eyes to society’s general outlook on women and made me more passionate about issues of sexism. Sophie D’Arcy, 13, CA 0 imagine Her Majesty’s Wizard by Christopher Stasheff In a world where poetry can create spells and stating an oath makes a bond unbreakable, Matt Mantrell tries to find his way around, and not get killed in the process, after he gets sucked into this world by reading some runes. I love how Stasheff manages to combine religion, science, and magic into the same book. Caty McNeil, 15, AK Scarecrow by Matthew Reilly This action thriller is the third book in a series about Shane M. Schofield, a captain in the U.S. Marine Corps. Involving a worldwide bounty hunt and a variety of characters, this book is full of action and suspense. Whether in its car chases, mid-air fights, or even times of sadness, Scarecrow will make readers of all types—and especially those action fans out there—build scenes in their heads. Savar Sareen, 14, New Delhi, India March/April 2008

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Imagine Magazine - Johns Hopkins - Demo

Imagine Magazine - March/April 2008 Contents Letters Big Problems Big Picture In My Own Words Putting E-Waste in Its Place Big Juice Making Waves What Does "Green" Mean? Into the Woods Swimming with Whale Sharks Crash Course in Costa Rica Selected Opportunities & Resources Hooked on Logistics Off the Shelf Word Wise Middle Ground One Step Ahead Exploring Career Options Planning Ahead for College Students Review Creative Minds Imagine Sudoku Knossos Games

Imagine Magazine - Johns Hopkins - Demo

For optimal viewing of this digital publication, please enable JavaScript and then refresh the page. If you would like to try to load the digital publication without using Flash Player detection, please click here.