#Lunar Bovine Society

[josephkravis]

What's Really On The Moon

[femboty2k]

can we hear about the fictional species :3?

awh fuck I do gotta type something out don't I? Alright lemme try and break it down without rambling. I have 0 visual examples so just, bear with me, Ill try and use some inspirational art from back when I made them to get the look across. But here we go!

So I have a sci-fi setting named "Cosmosphere" in which I put all my sci-fi flavoured ideas and stories. I've written a short story about an android girl falling in love with a buff mechanic lady, set a tabletop game in it, and generally use it as a dumping ground for all things spacey that I like. Within Cosmosphere there's a few key players on the galactic stage as far as alien species go. There's the beetle-like Prok who's entire society is built around cartography and the want to chart the entire universe, the nomadic and pachyderm inspired Jaatani who's arid home planet was destroyed by a collapsing sun so they now inhabit a massive planet sized fleet of starships, and the noble Rook, sentient machines native to the zone of space known as the Cosmosphere itself who hail from a long forgotten purpose.

But we're not here to talk about any of those guys! We're here to talk about the very first species I ever designed for the setting, the Fenrii (Fen-ree). Hailing from the frigid world of Fenrai (Fen-rye) these large humanoids are much much farther along in their evolution than we humans. Because of this both their biology and culture are very old and run deep within their science and society. When I say much farther along think a million years or so of evolution, some of it forced via outside factors. But where to begin about these genderless giants? Lets start with physical characteristics. The Fenrii, as described before, are tall for the most part humanoid in their general shape. What sets them apart is their horns, hair growth, and thick leathery skin. The Fenrii evolved from a very promenant predator species on their homeworld that was well adapted to surviving the harsh cold climate and rocky mountain ranges made of obsidian and volcanic rock left behind from long extinct flows. Think of your average fenrii as a person anywhere between 6 and 8ft tall with horns of varying sizes and lengths, usually with very thick hair on their head and body, and a more animalistic face. (A very good example and a large source of my inspiration for them are the Jotun from the Banner Saga series of video games. A series I havent played but love the look of, example below:)

(Where the fenrii differ from their inspirational counterparts is they have slightly more broad and almost bovine facial features. Particularly wide flat noses and eyes that sit more far apart than your average human.) Because of their predatory ancestry the Fenrii also possess 2 enlarged sets of canine teeth along with thick sharp finger/toenails. Natural weapons leftover from the days when their animal ancestors stalked the mountains and cave systems for prey.

Now that we've gone over what they look like, lets get more into that biology! The Fenrii have always been a genderless species. Due to the perilous nature of their homeworld's climate one of their oldest adaptations was that any member of their species can produce offspring. Another defense against the harsh environs was that they evolved as oviparous mammals, laying large thick-shelled eggs that took only around 7 lunar cycles (thats 7 months in Cosmosphere speak) to gestate and hatch as long as they were properly incubated. So where did the problems emerge? Well, because of their tribal roots, fenrii society views bringing offspring into the world as a very sacred thing. for thousands of years the tribes of Fenrai controlled their birthing rates rather strictly as in accordance with their spiritual values, but as science advanced in their society, so did their ability to diagnose issues within their ways of life. Fenrai has no central government, nor does it really have nations, what it does have is bastion tribes that have either made peace with or absorbed other tribes across their history. These tribes largely run on communal village structure, despite their large size. I bring this up because when it was discovered that their birthing practices were having a massively negative impact on their physiology, changing it was one of the only things all these tribes agreed on unanimously.

You see, back when they were animals and eventually a more primitive species, the fenrii's ancestors reproduced rather frequently. Only one egg could be laid at a time by a single member of the species, but packs and early tribal societies would make egg clutches out of groups of multiple eggs laid by multiple members. The eggs would be looked after by the whole tribe to ensure as many of them as possible would hatch, and this practice was repeated roughly 3-4 times an orbital cycle (year). However, when their society began to adhere to stricter birthing regulations, the length of time and number of generations born with these practices began to cause conflict in their evolutionary cycle. The core issue was as followed: The eggs the Fenrii were producing changed very little, but their own physical attributes did. No longer were they hardy predators, and their bodies more often then not couldn't take the stress of carrying and then laying the eggs they reproduced with. So a culture spanning initiative was formed, to find a way to ensure a future for the Fenrii through alternative birthing practices. At first it was far from perfect. Some of the tribes simply opted to encourage hastened birthing which cost many would-be parents their lives in their attempts to have more children. After nearly 3 human centuries of carefully restructuring their societal views and cultural practices around the subject, an answer was found. Deep within the volcanic caverns of Fenrai a form of super-mycelium (its sci-fi lemme have this) was discovered to have the interesting property of being able to self-replicate via cloning. However, through rigorous testing, it was also discovered to be able to reproduce OTHER material other than itself, genetically identical and healthy nearly any time. Work was put in to refine the process of feeding genetic material into this mycelium to be able to produce a living breathing Fenrii from it. After decades of work, they succeeded, and thus the brood stones were born. By refining the mycelium's reproductive properties the Fenrii were able to create synthetic eggs capable of taking genetic material from either one or more hosts and create a prepubescent copy of that individual, healthy and ready to live a life of their own. This breakthrough was heralded as the most important scientific work in Fenrii history, and was adopted into the cultural practices of the various cultures of Fenrai over the next few centuries.

The most common practice among Fenrai society is that two or more Fenrii who have been wed will decide to have a child and offer a single finger to a brood stone. After a gestation period of 10 lunar cycles a child will be produced from the stone, hatching much like an egg, with genetic characteristics of all of its parents. Fenrii society is welcoming to all forms of self expression, and its not uncommon to find Fenrii across the stars identifying in a myriad of ways. I hope this wasnt too messy, im really bad at like, typing stuff out in one go, but I tried to make it as understandable as possible. I really like my sci-fi setting! And im flattered as hell people wanted to hear about it. Tagging @puppydragonbite cause it said it was also interested in my ramblings. Thanks for reading! (and thanks for the ask <3)

[coolkraay]

Aight how are we feeling about Lunar Birding/Birders’ Society for Alliance and Birding with Bovines for Horde? Thinking of names for personal guilds to house my alt army

[dental-pro-7-promo-code-blog]

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Even though dental care was actually certainly not a concentrated division of Ayurveda, it is actually included in its own Shalakya Tantra (device of surgical treatment). Troubles such as impairments of the oral cavity, plaques and also contaminations were actually dealt with in ancient India. For more about Dental Pro 7 Directions

Typical medication may treat different transmittable and also persistent ailments. Study has shown that all kinds of chewing sticks defined in ancient Ayurveda text messages have therapeutic as well as anti-cariogenic residential or commercial properties. 

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Its oil drawing (Kaval, Gandush) technique is claimed to cure concerning 30 wide spread ailments. Amla (Emblic myrobalan), is actually a basic rebuilder of oral health. Bilberry fruit (Vaccinium myrtillus) and also hawthorn berry (Crateagus oxycanthus) support bovine collagen, enhancing the gum cells. Liquorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabral) markets anti-cavity action, reduces plaque, as well as has an antibacterial impact. Use safe, high quality products and also practices need to be ensured based upon offered evidence if standard medicine is actually to become acknowledged as portion of key healthcare. Scientific recognitions of the Ayurveda dental health strategies could possibly validate their unification right into modern-day dental treatment. Publicity of these techniques utilizing appropriate media would profit the standard populace by offering additional peace of mind in the ancient strategies, thereby avoiding dental caries and loss. Observe your dentist if you believe you possess gum disease due to the fact that the faster you alleviate it the much better. The onset of gum disease is actually contacted gingivitis. Keywords: Ayurveda, kaval, oral health, oil pulling, conventional medication Head to: OVERVIEW

Ayurveda is actually a comprehensive unit of medication which grew in India some 3000-5000 years back, an unit of traditional medication belonging to the Indian subcontinent, right now practiced in other portion of the globe as a form of corresponding medicine. [1] The earliest literary works on Indian medical technique showed up during the course of the Vedic period in India. The Susruta Samhita and the Charaka Samhita are its own earliest authoritative texts. 

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[2] Over the centuries, Ayurvedic experts created lots of medicinal plannings and surgical procedures for the treatment of numerous disorders as well as illness. [3] Despite the fact that dentistry was not a focused branch of Ayurveda, it was actually consisted of in its body of surgical treatment. In old India, problems including impairments of the oral cavity, oral plaque buildups as well as diseases might be handled as well as even remedied.

Conventional medicine is actually the sum total of know-how, capabilities and also methods based on the concepts, opinions as well as knowledge aboriginal to various societies that are used to sustain health, along with to stop, diagnose, strengthen or even deal with bodily and mental disorders. Standard medication that has actually been used by various other populaces (outside its own indigenous society) is often called complementary or even holistic medicine. Natural medications feature weeds, organic products, natural plannings, and ended up plant based items that contain aspect of plants or even various other vegetation components as energetic elements.

In some Asian and African nations, 80% of the populace depends upon conventional medication for main medical care. In numerous developed nations, 70% to 80% of the populace has actually made use of some type of alternative or complementary medication. Herbal therapies are the absolute most well-known form of conventional medication, as well as are actually strongly lucrative in the international market place. Yearly revenues in Western Europe connected with US$ 5 billion in 2003-2004. In China sales of products visited US$ 14 billion in 2005. Natural medicine revenue in Brazil was actually US$ 160 million in 2007. 

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[4] Ayurveda as well as oral health

In Ayurveda, dental health (danta swasthya in Sanskrit) is actually upheld be actually very self-loving, differing with everyone's constitution (prakriti), and also climatic adjustments resulting from sunlight, lunar and wandering effects (kala-parinama). The body constitution is classified based on the preponderance of several of the 3 doshas, vata, pitta and kapha. The authority dosha in both the personal and nature calculates medical care in Ayurveda, consisting of dental health. [5] Most likely to: CHEWING STICKS

Ayurveda advises chewing embed the early morning in addition to after every meal to prevent diseases. Ayurveda emphasizes making use of organic brushes, about 9 ins long as well as the fullness of one's little finger. These natural herb sticks must be actually either 'kashaya' (astringent), 'katu (acrid), or 'tikta' (unsweetened) in flavor. The method of use is to crush one point, eat it, as well as eat it little by little. [6] Toothbrushing is a task performed with a 'tooth brush' which is actually an unique little bit of brush developed for usage on teeth. Munching a medical stick of a kind encouraged through a Vaidya, or various other conventional professional, may validly be held to be equivalent to the western-pioneered activity of 'brushing the teeth ', yet it is not adequately comparable to be offered the same title, specifically because sticks that are actually nibbled are actually utilized entirely differently coming from combs.

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It is actually highly recommended that biting sticks be acquired coming from new contains of particular plants. The natures neem (margosa or the Azadiraxhta indica) is actually a widely known herbal chewing stick. The contains ought to be healthy and balanced, soft, without fallen leaves or knots as well as extracted from a healthy plant. Chomping on these stems is believed to cause attrition as well as levelling of attacking surface areas, assist in salivary tears and, probably, support in oral plaque buildup control, while some stems have an anti-bacterial activity. Apropos of the person's constitution and also prevalent dosha, it is actually mentioned that individuals with the vata dosha dominance might establish atrophic as well as receding gums, as well as are actually recommended to make use of chewing stick to bitter-sweet or even astringent flavors, like liquorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) as well as black catechu or even the cutch tree (Acacia Catechu Linn.), specifically. [7] Pitta dosha dominant people are highly recommended to utilize chewing stick to an unsweetened taste including the branches coming from the margosa plant (Azadirachta indica or natures neem) and the arjuna plant (Terminalia arjuna). Those with the kapha dosha dominant are probably to possess ashen and hypertrophic gums as well as are inquired to utilize chewing sticks with a pungent flavor, pointing out the high temperature nut (Caesalipinia bonduc) as well as the popular milkweed plant (Calotropis procera). Modern research study has actually shown that all the chewing sticks described in ancient Ayurveda text messages (circa 200 BC) have medicinal as well as anti-cariogenic properties.

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 [8] Saimbi et alia (1994) examined the antiplaque effectiveness of Neem remove, Ayurvedic tooth particles and also commercial tooth mixes. Natures neem extract came out on top as well as office tooth mixes were actually the final. [9] In yet another research study Venugopal et al (1998) examined an overall of 2000 little ones (1-14 year age) in Mumbai for caries occurrence. Those youngsters who were using neem datun were actually found to be much less influenced along with tooth decays. [10] In southerly India, mango leaf is extensively used for cleansing teeth. A clean mango fallen leave is washed and the midrib is taken out. Fallen leave is then folded up lengthwise with lustrous surfaces experiencing one another. It is rolled right into a cylindrical pack. One end of the pack is actually bitten off 2-3mm to make a raw surface area which is rubbed on the teeth - pack is held in between the finger and the index finger. By the end, the midrib, which was first gotten rid of, is used as a tongue cleaner. Sumant et al (1992) examined the efficiency of mango leaf as an oral hygiene assistance and obtained appealing results. [11] Much higher delicate deposit ratings were actually disclosed in group that utilized mango fallen leave. Decays knowledge within this group using mango fallen leave resembled the group that used tooth brush. Mangiferin a material existing in mango leaves behind possessed significant antibacterial attribute against specific stress of Pneumococci, Streptococci, Staphylococci, and also Lactobacillus acidophilus.

The miswak (miswaak, siwak, sewak) is actually a teeth cleaning branch produced coming from a branch of the Salvadora persica plant, additionally known as the arak plant or the peelu tree as well as components in Islamic care jurisprudence. The miswak is predominant in Muslim places yet its own usage precedes the beginning of Islam. Almas and also Atassi (2002) administered investigation to analyze the effect of miswak and also tooth comb filaments end-surface texture on polish. 

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Twenty-one specimens were readied; they were separated right into Aquafresh toothbrush team, Miswak team as well as management team. Results showed that filaments end-surface structure play major part in unpleasant active task as well as polish tooth surface area reduction. Miswak presented smaller effect on enamel as matched up to Aquafresh toothbrush. [12] Almas and Zeid (2004) in a study to evaluate antimicrobial task of miswak eating stick in vivo, specifically on streptococcus mutans and lactobacilli concluded that miswak had an immediate antimicrobial effect compared to tooth brush. Streptococcus mutans were extra prone to miswak than lactobacilli. 

[handeaux]

It’s A Cincinnati Tradition: Eclipses Always Happen Somewhere Else

When it comes to solar eclipses, Cincinnati has had the worst luck.

The eclipse next week is billed as a “National Eclipse” because it traverses the United States from coast to coast, but will pass by Cincinnati. Almost 100 years ago, a similar “National Eclipse” passed by Cincinnati. Over the years, many eclipses have done just that – passed by Cincinnati.

Daniel Drake, in his 1815 “Picture of Cincinnati” describes one of the first solar eclipses recorded in this region:

“On the afternoon of the 17th September, 1811, there was nearly a total eclipse of the sun. At Cincinnati the day was fair, with a brisk arid south-west. As the obscuration increased, the wind died away; and abated entirely before the eclipse was at its maximum. After it was past, the wind gradually revived, and continued till sunset, when it ceased, as usual.”

The operative words are “nearly a total.” Of all the solar eclipses since 1811, not one has reached totality in Cincinnati, although residents of the Queen City enjoyed many partial eclipses.

An eclipse passed just north of the city on 18 September 1838. The path of totality ran so close that Lebanon and Blanchester got to see a total eclipse, while in Cincinnati there was still enough light for the Earthquakes – a local militia brigade – to parade through the city in their fancy uniforms.

Another near miss occurred on 7 August 1869, when a total eclipse passed just south of Cincinnati, close enough that Big Bone, Verona and Crittenden, Kentucky, enjoyed totality. In Cincinnati, the eclipse was only partial, but excitement ran high. According to the Cincinnati Gazette [9 August 1869]:

“Thousands flocked to the stores that supplied colored glasses, and provided themselves with the necessary protection to the eye. Thousands more were engaged in manufacturing their own instruments. Expectation filled the minds of the population.”

Of course, that expectation provided the inspiration for some tricksters to yank a few chains:

“On Vine street, below Third, some enterprising merchants managed to get possession of a huge pipe, and into the extremity of the monster they fitted a piece of tin, mounted it on some tripodal arrangement, and then covered the great fellow with a piece of cloth. All who passed were invited to ‘take a free look” through the telescope, and, of course, with the laudable desire which all had, of seeing everything that was to be seen, the invitation was generally accepted. But every one who looked through the deceitful instrument saw only a tallow candle shining, and flooding with its dim wick light the word ‘sold.’”

By 1869, Cincinnati had its own Observatory, but the director, Cleveland Abbe, was camped out in the Dakota Territory, hoping to combine astronomical and meteorological observations. As soon as he got back to town, Abbe launched his daily weather bulletins which eventually became the National Weather Service.

The eclipse of 29 July 1878 did not pass nearly so close to Cincinnati – Dallas may have been the most proximate point of totality – but Cincinnatians were in the thick of things. Ormond Stone, Abbe’s successor at the Cincinnati Observatory, had set up camp outside Denver and contributed a detailed report to the Naval Observatory in Washington, D.C.

The eclipse of 8 June 1918 followed a path somewhat similar to that predicted for the “National Eclipse” of 21 August 2017. Cincinnati. Since the closest location offering full totality was Jackson, Mississippi, Cincinnati again had to settle for a semi-eclipse. In the waning months of World War I, the front pages of Cincinnati’s newspapers were given over to reports of military actions. The most engaged eclipse viewers were members of the American Walkers Association, who hiked from Cheviot out to Miami Heights as the moon gobbled up the sun and viewed the phenomenon through telescopes set up by the Cincinnati Astronomical Society.

Interestingly, the most exciting astronomical event of 1918 took place the day after the eclipse when several astronomers, including Jermain Porter of the Cincinnati Observatory, noticed a brand new star in the constellation Aquila, the brightest nova or exploding star discovered in the era of telescopes. For several years, this “new star” (English for “nova stella”) was the third-brightest star in the sky.

There are, at minimum, two solar eclipses each and every year. All of them pass by Cincinnati, but occasionally they pass by close enough that Cincinnati gets to see a partial eclipse.

The eclipse of 24 January 1925, for example, reached 91 percent totality in Cincinnati, and allowed residents to experiment with the effects of the eclipse on their newest household appliance, the radio. The Cincinnati Enquirer [25 January 1925] informed readers:

“Radio broadcasters and receivers reported that the eclipse exerted an influence on the receipt of radio messages. The influence was that of night reception, which is always much clearer than reception during the day. “

At radio station WLW, music director William Stoess performed a violin piece titled “Hymn To The Sun” as the sun shrank to a mere sliver.

In 1970, the “Eclipse of the Century,” which scooted up the East Coast, had a definite effect in Cincinnati – if only among our bovine residents. According to the Cincinnati Enquirer [8 March 1970]:

“Mrs. Raymond Probst’s cows didn’t exactly jump over the Moon Saturday, but they did come home to feed a few hours early because of the lunar body. The noontime eclipse did it. ‘Right around 1:30, when it was the darkest, they started coming up to the barn, one by one,’ said Mrs. Probst, whose Butler County farm is at 4821 Layhigh Rd. ‘They thought it was evening and time to eat.’”

By 11 July 1991, Cincinnatians who wanted to see an eclipse flew by jet plane to Hawaii or Mexico, where they could listen to astronomers, or to New Age shamans, chatter about the meaning of it all.

[caroleratzer]

Reflection on Textbook Chapters 11-14 and Peck Questions.

Chapter 11

Realistic Fiction

Summary: Realistic Fiction is also known as contemporary realistic fiction or modern realistic fiction. The setting, characters, and storylines align with real-life, contemporary society (as opposed to historical fiction, set in the past, and science fiction/fantasy, set in fantastic, scientifically-advanced, or futuristic societies).

In order to evaluate realistic fiction for children, librarians, parents, and teachers should consider the following:

Everything, including speech, behavior, and culture must be consistent with the real world in which children live. Books should avoid stereotypes concerning race, culture, gender, and religion.

Theme should arise naturally from the story rather than appearing didactically or moralistic.

Novels should handle topics and issues, especially those of a sensitive or uncomfortable nature, in a realistic manner. Many of these issues were once considered taboo but are now written about in children’s and young adult’s literature frequently.

Reflection: Some books, such as Neal Shusterman’s Challenger Deep and Going Bovine, by Libba Bray dance the line between realism and fantasy as the protagonists struggle with mental problems arising from schizophrenia and Creutzfeldt-Jacob disease (mad cow disease). While these novels depict scenes that are unrealistic fantasies, readers come to understand that the real world is gradually disappearing in the boys’ minds rather than becoming a reality to all of the other characters. In the end, the diseases and their prognosis are both dealt with realistically. As a long-time reader, I think it’s interesting to see how society’s idea of what is “acceptable” reading for young people has evolved. Most, if not all, of the novels published by Judy Blume in the 70’s and 80’s, that were frequently challenged seem tame when compared with more recently published novels.

Chapter 12

Nonfiction

Summary: Dr. Robert Small-nonfiction is the only book we describe as what it is not. Nonfiction books can be published in any format from poetry to picture book and from narrative to expository. As standard sets such as TEKS and Common Core have spread, so has the amount and variety of nonfiction resources.

When evaluating nonfiction, parents and educators should consider:

Author qualifications through sources such as author biography on dust jacket or book, author websites, acknowledgements, bibliographies and notes, reviews, and author publication experience (some authors have historically proven themselves through earlier writing).

Factual accuracy of the text itself can be verified by checking other sources over the same subject or through lists provided by organizations such as the National Council for the Social Studies, the National Council for Teachers of Math, and the National Science Foundation. These organizations publish annual lists of outstanding trade books in their respective fields. Adults should help kids learn how to evaluate the accuracy of information provided in books.

Purpose and scope of the book: Who is the book’s intended audience? It’s Perfectly Normal is designed to provide teens with facts concerning all things related to the physical and sexual development of the human body. It’s so Amazing provides younger readers with information limited to babies and reproduction.

The book’s organization should be such that researchers can locate required information quickly using the table of contents and index. On the other hand, some readers may just wish to browse the book’s contents at their own leisure. Text boxes are frequently included to provide pops of information that may add to the book’s content and catch reader’s eye.

Visuals should help readers understand what the book is about and support the text within the book.

Carter and Abrahamson’s List of Questions to Ask Students about Nonfiction:

Tell how this book would be different if it had been written 50 years earlier or 50 years later.

Describe your favorite illustrations. Which illustration do you wish you had done yourself?

Would this book make a good documentary? Why?

Explain what you think the author did to research and write this book.

How would this book be different if it had been written for an adult? For a kindergarten student? 

What kind of teacher do you think the author of this book would make?

If you had the chance to interview the authors of this book, what would you ask them? 

Describe three facts, theories, or incidents that you found particularly interesting. Tell why. 

Examine the title and jacket of this book. Do they represent a fair representation of the contents of the book?

Reflection: I love the idea of having kids compare and contrast the facts listed in multiple nonfiction books and then research to find out which one is more accurate. What a great way to introduce younger kids to research (or help older kids having problems understanding how to research). My students are supposed to be completing a research assignment next month. I would like to try to  adapt this for them. I had never considered that religious texts such as the Bible and the Koran would fall under the category of  “nonfiction,” although this makes perfect sense considering their respective religions hold them as true historical accounts of the ancient history of their peoples. I have kept copies of the Bibles in my classroom for several years because I realized that many of my students were unfamiliar with Bible stories. In American Literature, this can make reading of Puritan and early American writings difficult to comprehend. Two books that caught my eye that you spoke about in the video were Why’d They Wear That? and Seeds. The first because I love historical fiction and knowing the facts behind the story’s events add to the experience for me. The second because I had never considered that scientists kept various types of seeds in case they needed to reintroduce or replace crops or plant varieties that have been blighted for some reason.

Chapter 13

Fantasy/Science Fiction

Summary: Stories that violate the laws of physical reality fall into the category of fantasy. This included talking animals as well as mythical beings and science fiction.

Fantasy Types:

Low: The story is set in our world; however, it contains elements that are “fantastic” such as vampires, fairies, talking animals, etc. (The Infernal Devices, Charlotte’s Web, House of Night)

High: The story is set in an imaginary world of the author’s creation. (The Lord of the Rings, Graceling, Eragon)

Science Fiction Types:

Hard: Novel centers more on scientific element than story or plot. (Star Wars, Star Trek)

Soft: Novel still includes elements of advanced science, but the story’s plot line takes center stage. (The Giver, Unwind)

Science Fiction Subgenres: (From video)

Apocalyptic- takes place in a world facing imminent destruction of civilization and technology, usually through some form of destructive element, either climatic or man-made. (Grasshopper Jungle, Tumble and Fall, Life as We Knew It)

Post-apocalyptic- takes place generations after the collapse of civilization. Society faces limited technology and characters are struggling to survive. (Hunger Games, Divergent, The Testing)

Steampunk- Usually set in Victorian Society or a society similar to it. Society relies on steam powered technology (very ‘cool’ and advanced steam-driven) (The Great Library Series by Rachel Caine features steam driven lions that guard the entrances to libraries around the world)

Cyberpunk- Includes dark elements of computer technology and hacking as well as man vs. technology conflicts (Lunar Chronicles)

Biopunk- Features the darker side of genetic engineering (Feed, The Power of Un, Prism)

Virtual Reality/Gaming- Characters are caught in a virtual reality/game (Ready Player One, Feed, Eye of Minds, Doomed)

Dystopian- Society appears “perfect” from outside but includes:

Propaganda that is used to control citizens 

A figurehead who is worshipped and feared 

Information and independent thought is restricted 

Citizens fear the outside world

Individuality is discouraged or prohibited

The antagonist of these novels is generally someone who discovers society’s darkest secrets and/or becomes disillusioned with their society and rebel against the system. The first dystopian novel is believed to be “Gulliver’s Travels” in 1726, but dystopian novels didn’t really take off until the 20th century. Dystopian Novels for teens really took off with the Hunger Games, Divergent, and Under the Never Sky

Extra-Sensory Perception (ESP)-includes telepathy, clairvoyance, precognition, telekinesis, etc. (The Diviners, Soulless, Clarity, Bruiser)

Robots/Androids/Cyborg/Artificial Intelligence (AI)- Includes clones (Cinder, Girl Parts, Skinned/Crashed/Wired

Space/Extraterrestrial- involves alien invasion, conspiracy, colonization, first contact, or space opera (The Knife of Never Letting Go, Alienated, Tune: Vanishing Point/ Still Life, Across the Universe)

Time Travel/Parallel Universe/Time Slip (She didn’t use this term, but she did describe it here.)- includes concerns of time paradoxes such as the grandfather paradox (If you go back in time and kill your grandfather, you can’t be born, but then how could you go back in time and kill your grandfather?) or the butterfly effect (ripple effect generated by interference with historical events) (Waterfall, The Here and Now)

Misc.-don’t fit neatly into any other categories (Turn About, Sick, The Originals, Things Not Seen)

* Some novels fit into multiple categories.

Criteria for Evaluating Science Fiction and Fantasy for Children:

Despite the fantastic aspects of the story, characters must behave in consistent and believable ways. 

There must still be rules for the fantasy world. 

Authors must assist readers in the “willing suspension of disbelief.”

Themes should explore universal truths.

Reflection: I was surprised that there were so many categories of science fiction. Although I had heard of hard and soft sci fi, I had never thought about categories such as steampunk or biopunk. This chapter also made me think about the term “genre” and what we mean when we say that word. In the first reflection, we learned that genre simply means is it fiction or nonfiction as opposed to what format the work is written in (poetry, graphic novel, drama, etc). Everything else is subgenre. However, it seems like we are still using genre to describe different categories of fiction or nonfiction. Since English is a living language, definitions often shift, narrow, or broaden as time goes on. I believe that this is what has happened to genre. At one time, it only referred to whether or a work is fiction or nonfiction; however, today we also use it to include what KIND of fiction or nonfiction that we are talking about (fantasy, science fiction, historical fiction, etc.). Otherwise you have genres, subgenres, and also-what?-sub-subgenres? I’ve always enjoyed this type of story, and I know that dystopian and post-apocalyptic novels have both been enormously popular with my students. For the past few years, I have ended the year with a research project where students research historical utopian societies and read a young adult dystopian novel. The final activity is a group project in which they attempt to plan their own perfect society. In order to accomplish this, they are given a guided planning document. We also spend time discussing what made the society in their chosen novel a dystopia since, in many of these stories, the society at least starts out as an attempt to create the perfect society. For example, in Harrison Bergeron, the idea of everyone being given an equal playing field sounds (on the surface at least) like a great idea. However, problems arise when you begin to hold those who are stronger, smarter, or more talented back through artificial means so that those who are weaker or less intelligent or talented will have a “fair” chance. It’s interesting to think that our own society, in its efforts to protect fragile egos, is sometimes guilty of the same thing. This is part of the reason why science fiction novels, in general, and dystopian novels, specifically, are so popular; they depict society gone mad. It is a case of art imitating life. Unfortunately, when we try too hard to make everything fair and equal for everyone, we often wind up making things unfair and unequal for everyone.

Chapter 14

Graphic Novels

Summary: Graphic Novel generally describes any book in a comic format that resembles a novel in length and narrative development. Graphic Novels:

Combine elements of text and illustration to convey the story (fiction) or information (nonfiction) in much the same way as a picture book.

Differ from picture books and comics in their complexity.

Appeal to a wide variety of readers, regardless of age, grade, ability, and attitude. (not just unmotivated readers with difficulty)

Promote literacy by motivating readers through a unique medium. (Use both prose in a printed format and also tell a story through visual images, dialogue, and impression of movement like a film.)

Are great for teaching tone and mood.

Offer benefits to language learners as well as those students with special needs. (ELL, LEP, SPED, Dyslexia, etc.)

Contain all of the elements of literature. 

Can provide content area literacy with historical fiction, science fiction, nonfiction, etc. 

Can be used as part of curriculum in multiple subject areas to help students critically examine aspects of art, history, literature, and science.

Parts of a graphic novel:

Panels-squares or rectangles that have a single scene. Panels are read left to right and top to bottom, just like traditional texts.

Gutters- space in between panels 

Dialog balloons- show what characters are saying. 

Thought balloons- show what characters are thinking 

Caption- contain information about the scene or characters. 

Sound effects- visual representations of sounds (wonk! Pow! Smack!)

Reflection: My kids loved Captain Underpants and Baby Mouse when they were younger. One thing that I have found is that while graphic novels can supplement traditional literary versions, they should not be used instead of those versions. I learned this several years ago when I was teaching freshmen. One of the teachers on our team suggested that we use a graphic version of “Romeo and Juliet” in an attempt to help our students better understand and relate to Shakespeare. Some students loved this version; however, others found it too distracting to try to follow the story in this format. They, like many people who are unfamiliar with graphic novels, felt like they were reading a comic book that couldn’t possibly tell the story “right.” In the end, I found that using the traditional drama but offering the graphic version to those students who found it helpful as additional academic support. This chapter has also helped me today as I struggled to engage a student who refuses to complete any work in class. He will either sleep or play on his phone. Students are currently reading a piece of classical American Literature. We gave them a list of 10 novels that were taught as part of the English III curriculum in the past but are currently left to gather dust in the book room. When I asked my student what kind of stories he liked, he told me “adventure and suspense.” My next question: what kind of books do you enjoy? “Comic books” So I asked him how he felt about graphic novels, and he said that he liked those as well. We looked on the library website and located a graphic novel of “Huckleberry Finn.” After he read the description, he agreed to “give it a try.” Although he’s not reading the traditional text of the novel, if I can get him to read and discuss elements such as setting, theme, and characterization using a version that he is comfortable with, I feel like we will both have grown from this experience.  

Richard Peck’s 10 Questions to Ask about a Novel

NOTE: Reflection is under each question.

What would the story be like if the main character were of the opposite sex? (helps diffuse sexual polarizations and stereotyping)

Today, this question would be expanded so much! Having just finished “57 Bus,” I have learned more about gender differences than I ever thought possible! Today, the issue of gender goes so much deeper than male and female. I wonder how these differences affect this question. In addition, you could also add race or culture to this discussion.

Why is the story set where it is? (Not where is the story set?) (points out setting as an author's device)

This is an interesting question. I would also add WHEN to this question as well. I had my students discuss everything included under the umbrella of “setting” recently. Many had no idea that setting was much more than where and when. It was an interesting conversation because many had not considered how the story would change if you moved it from its current setting. One of the examples that came up was the series “Stranger Things” because the authors had talked about how the 1980’s was really the last decade when technology such as cell phones and computers hadn’t become so widespread that parents could monitor where their kids were at any given time, and the kids couldn’t just google “how to kill an interdimensional monster” for help. We also talked about Shakespeare and why his plays never depicted a wedding ceremony (because then he would have shown whether he was Protestant or Catholic).

If you were to film the story, would you use black and white or color and WHY? (consideration of tone)

This question makes me think about “The Giver.” When I read the book, I remember thinking how difficult it would be to make into a movie. One of the biggest surprises in the book for me was the way that most of the characters didn’t perceive color. I always wondered how a movie could keep this until the time when the Giver explains it to Jonah. (As has since been shown, they can’t. The director just showed this color blindness from the beginning of the movie.) Another consideration for tone would be to add the question: what kind of background music would you use? Or what kind of lighting?

If you could not use all of the characters, which would you eliminate and WHY? (characters which add texture vs. simplification for media translation)

Another consideration: could any characters be combined? Which secondary characters are too important to eliminate? Why?

How is the main character different from you? (reader can identify without being like the main character)

I’m not sure about this question. I guess that it would go hand in hand with how is the character like you, but it just seems like a strange consideration for teens who often assume that EVERYONE is different from them with the possible exception of their closest peers.

Would this story make a good TV series? Why/not? (ending focus and sequential nature of chapters)

I think this is the most interesting question especially since many teens are so visual. Many of them would rather just watch the movie. Placing them into a position of considering if a book would make a better movie or mini-series? How long would the mini-series need to be to cover the material in the book? Many stories beg for more episodes, and some have their own endings built in.

What one thing in the story has happened to you? (anecdotal response of recognition)

In some cases, this question also addresses the human experience and questions of theme. This is especially the case when the story is set in a time or place vastly different from the teen’s own.

Reread the first paragraph of Chapter 1. What is in it to make you read on? If nothing, why did you continue to read? (hooks reader and awareness of author's intent in writing)

I love this question because I can think of some books that I’ve read (Twilight, for one) that took much longer than one paragraph to hook readers. Asking readers to ponder what it was that kept them reading in spite of the fact that the author failed to offer a strong enough reason to continue reading in the beginning of the first chapter.

If you had to design a new cover for the book, what would it look like? (deceptive packaging and consumerism)

This is an interesting question. I wonder why the concept of designing a different cover is linked to “deceptive packaging and consumerism.” Is Peck assuming that covers are designed to be deceptive? Could this question be revised to ask why the publisher chose the original cover design? What is it about that particular cover that catches the consumer’s eye? For example, the cover of “Going Bovine” is especially memorable. Even without knowing what the story is about, the cover’s image of a cow carrying a yard gnome gives readers a hint into the novel’s plot without giving too much away. In some ways, I can see how that whimsical cover may fool potential readers into erroneously believing that the novel is a comedy.

What does the title tell you about the book? Does it tell the truth? (titles as narrative hooks vs. symbolic titles)

I love this question. I can also see revisiting the title as readers get farther into the story. The idea of this is similar to TPCASTT in poetry where readers predict the poem’s subject matter based on the title of the poem and then re-examine the title after reading to see if their original theory still holds true. If not, how has it changed? In the case of symbolic titles, many titles also hold allusions to other works. How does this allusion help readers understand the current story? In many cases, readers don’t have to read very far to find the allusion. I’m currently reading “The Hate U Give.” Since I am not a fan of hip-hop, I completely missed the Tupac allusion, but I’m sure that many of my students would have picked up on it immediately.

Other Reflections: I find it interesting that Peck’s questions don’t include questions about point of view. Many novels shift between first person accounts from various characters. How would the story change if it had only been told from the point of view of one character? As third person limited or omniscient? Another technique that authors have recently begun using is publishing ancillary novels or novellas that include accounts from other characters. For example, the Divergent series includes stories from Four; The House of Night Novels offer glimpses into the back stories of some of the teachers at the school.