Jonathan Peto > Recent Status Updates

I carefully perused the foreword, preface, and introduction. I'm very interested in transforming learning into action as described here.

"LOL I started by examining the Table of Contents closely and the sample unit planner in Appendix A, which did get me thinking about the planner templates at my school. I am most curious about or excited for Chap 4 Perspective-Taking and Perspective-Getting, Chap 5 The Power of Story to Build Connection and Chap 6 Systems, Systems Everywhere."

We are knee-deep in action.

The last few chapters were an emotional roller coaster. I thought we were about to see a lot of plot action. Instead, the author threw me for a loop with the emotional arc. I saw a video of a 60ish year old man talking about how he is more prone to tears than he used to be. If you're a 60ish year old man like me, don't read this in a coffee shop unless you don't mind making everyone uncomfortable lol!

The story mention that choices are important, and Ravani just made a big one. I can't say I'm happy with him about it.

There was a chapter with a scene on the killing floor of the meat factory, and I'm back to one now, but it has been awhile since the last one. I personally don't think it is too much.

I am not sure what I will ultimately rate this. At present, I enjoy the developing friendship between a boy and a girl. I enjoy the mystery about Virginia's family, a little of which has been revealed. Also, I am wondering if Virginia is a MG version of a manic pixie dream girl. Maybe not. She does have a "complex inner life", as revealed in Ch 14 at least, and a lot of girls at my school liked this book...

This book was very popular at my school this year. So far so good. Mysterious opening but also grounded in a heartfelt and gritty reality. I like it that the students like it!

The next chapter is "Their Worst Clothes".

I'm still enjoying it!

So far this seems perfect for me. The chapters are relatively short, and it is written for children, I think, so there are kanji I don't know but most of it I do know. The story, which is true, takes place in an area I am familiar with, which is exciting. I was there today even. The story is also about an elementary school experience, which is my field of work! It is a classic and has an old school feel. Perfect!

The last story takes place after WW11, but it was not published in 1947. I misread that. The author was born in 1947, though it wouldn't surprise me at all if the story is set in that year.

It is possible to read this book quickly, but I wouldn't be able to put it into practice if I did that.

The last story, Love Suicide at Kamaara by Sueko Yoshida, was published in 1947 and is a bit racy. I was a little worried the Japanese people around me at the coffee shop would judge me lol!

I liked "Where the Bowling Pins Stand" by Shinji Ishii. It begins stronger than it ends, but the interactions between the taxi drivers and the setting is sharp and interesting.

Tthe author quotes someone mentioning a poetry anthology I read and reviewed here, Japanese Death Poems. Maybe the read my review?! More importantly, I'm still enjoying the example poems and her elaborating text!

The examples have been a great way to read poems by poets I don't know, and the the essay bits that introduce and/or follow the poems are thought-provoking and/or fun,.

It is not often that my main reaction to a story is that it was strange, but The Maiden in the Manger by Abe Kazushige hit me that way. Kinda cringe too.

I finished Mogera Wogura by Hiromi Kawakami. The ending was disappointing, but it did not stop the story from being good.

It did not take long for this story to mostly not resemble the other Hiromi Kawakami story I was thinking of!