Peg's Library Blog

Friends and Loss

2008-03-28T08:06:00.000-07:00

It's been a rough week, my best friend from across the street lost her mother to cancer on Monday and my best friends from Ohio, Milana Idle, gave up the fight to live on Thursday. Milana was a free spirit and a survivor! She was diagnosed with cancer at the age of 13, fought and won! In her thirties she was diagnosed with breast cancer, which she defeated. She wasn't through with the Big C when in her forties she was diagnosed with melanoma. She required open heart surgery, but wasn't strong enough to recover from it.

Milana was truly gifted and inspiring. She couldn't have children so she was engaged to John for ten years to make sure not having kids was ok with him. They married on the beach at midnight and she loved to tell the story of how the minister thought they wanted to be naked. She loved art, dogs, and swimming in the moonlight. I'll miss her.

I started the book, Firefly Lane by Kristin Hannah at the beginning of this week. I had recommendations from two friends that it "was so good" but they cried through the last 45 pages. I may not have chosen to read this book if I'd known what kind of week I was going to have, but once I started it, I couldn't put it down. It's the story of friends who vow to be BFFs when they are still in high school. Kate's family is the perfect nuclear family but Talulah's mom was a child of the sixties and an addict, who walked out on Tully numerous times. Tully was ambitious and would someday be a big name in TV broadcasting. Kate sails along on her coat tails but really wants to be a wife and mom. They both have terrific success in realizing their dreams and stay close despite their many disagreements. The characters are so real, you'd swear the author lived just next door. I strongly recommend this book but wait until you're having a really good week.

More for Your Book CLub

2008-03-17T08:08:00.000-07:00

I'm recommending the following titles for your book club!

The Zookeeper's Wife by Diane Ackerman

This is the true story of a courageous couple. As the title suggests, they kept a zoo in Warsaw Poland during the Nazi occupation. Antonina and Jan offered refuge to Jewish refugees, "hiding them in plain sight." They were able to feed and house over 300 Jews that would otherwise have perished. The zoo also served as headquarters for the Polish Underground. Told in exquisite language, the author thoroughly researched Antonina's diary and other first hand accounts.

The Penny Tree

Annie Hillman has moved back to her hometown to try to recapture her life. The soon to be divorced mother of two teenage sons, she is barely holding on financially. Unable to find a job in her profession, physical therapy, she settles for being a receptionist at a funeral parlor. One day she opens the local paper to see a personal ad placed on the front page, "Do you recognize this woman? ...How did I lose the only woman I ever loved?" A picture of Annie as a young woman is included with the ad. She puzzles over who the ad writer might be, but the ads continue, one a week, now accompanied with media attention. This book holds so many wonderful surprises including Annie's relationship with her parents and sons. You'll continue to think about this book long after you've read the last page!

A Change of Heart by Jodi Picoult

Jodi Picoult once again tackles the tough issues with her latest best seller! I sat in a sunny window and devoured this book. Questions about organized religion, miracles and the death penalty will make you want to share this novel so you can talk about it. Picoult brings together a Catholic priest, a civil rights lawyer, a death row inmate and the victims' family. Shay Bourne is a convicted murderer, scheduled to be executed, the first execution in New Hampshire in over sixty years. Bourne has decided that in order to set the world to rights he must donate his heart to the little girl, sister and daughter, of the two people he has been convicted of killing. His lawyer and the heart recipient are running out of time.

New Year's Resolutions at Lunch & Learn

2008-02-13T11:45:00.000-08:00

Dietitian, Ann Menzies, provided an informative program on nutritional trends and making healthy choices at the Lunch & Learn (February 12, 2008). Here are some of the ideas I came away with:
*Check labels carefully! Look for the words, "whole grain" to make sure you are getting the most nutritional value from breads and cereals.
*Sprinkle walnuts on your cereal.
*To meet the nutritional requirements for fruits and vegetables, eat a fruit with every meal and a vegetable at lunch and dinner. If there is a vegetable you really like, eat more servings of that particular vegetable.
*Eat salmon instead of tuna to get healthy Omega 3s!
*Only two servings of red meat a week and try to eat one meatless main meal. Ann suggests "Meatless Mondays."
*Eat beans instead of starch and dairy. Garbanzo beans are great in salads and hummus is a wonderful spread instead of cheese. I recommend Atheno's Brand.
*Use sharp cheddar if you must add cheese. The flavor goes a long way without consuming too much.
Participants had many questions for Ann. I was very impressed with her knowledge and understanding of people's lifestyles and limitations. I would not hesitate to contact Ann Menzies with dietary questions!

Aloha! Back from Vacation!

2008-02-12T07:33:00.000-08:00

I had a wonderful vacation on the island of Oahu in Hawaii. There were several literary highlights, not the least of which was I had time to read! I had books on my "must read list," some of them for years!
Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini
This is a story that takes place in modern afghanistan. I learned so much about the Afghani people and their history. While I had trouble putting the book down, it wasn't fun read. The rape scene haunted me and much of the story was sad with little hope. But like many good books I'm still thinking about it.
Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen
The story unfolds as a graduating vet student loses his parents to an automobile accident. He's informed that the business and house belong to the bank. His kind hearted father had taken chickens and eggs for payment of his veterinary services. He returns to school but can not bring himself to take the final exams. He hops on a train and discovers he has inadvertently joined the circus. They were looking for someone with his expertise. This is a marvelous glimpse into the small circuses that crisscrossed the country during the Depression, with just enough intrigue and romance to keep the story interesting!
The Whistling Season by Ivan Doig
Paul Milliron lives with his widowed father and two brothers on a dry farm in Montana. The boys receive their education in a one-room schoolhouse. They limp along in with cooking and housekeeping. Their father is busy hauling freight for the "Big Ditch," a government irrigation project as well as farming. They send for a housekeeper form out east(Minnesota) after seeing an ad in the newspaper. The housekeeper and her brother land on their doorstep and soon insinuate themselves into the family's everyday life. When the school teacher runs off with a traveling evangelist, the brother steps into the schoolroom. It turns out he is an accomplished scholar and an inspiring educator. There is a mystery surrounding the housekeeper and her brother that brings the story to a satisfying conclusion.

In addition to reading, I obtained a "Hawaii State Library" card. The State Library in downtown Honolulu is an impressive pillared building with a beautiful atrium and sections for each of the library subjects. Their teen room was nicely appointed but empty of teens. The age of the books really tells the story of funding for libraries in Hawaii,sadly lacking! Perhaps you don;t know the potential of a library until you've worked or even visited an outstanding one like ours right here in Waupaca?

My other literary experience was meeting my new author friend, Pat Wood. (See the following post with review of her book, Lottery.) We spent the afternoon together wandering around Chinatown, trying to avoid the pouring rain. (Yes, it does rain in Honolulu! We dined at an outstanding little Chinese restaurant, The Little Village Noodle Shop and enjoyed meeting her husband, Gordon. Pat and talked about books, libraries, book clubs and of course her book,Lottery. She confided that she had a conference call form Hollywood and whispered the plot of her next book to me. Sorry, I'm sworn to secrecy. The paperback version of Lottery is scheduled to be released in June and she hopes to spend some time on the mainland promoting it. She has promised a trip to WAUpaca if she gets to the Midwest. I know you will enjoy meeting Pat Wood as much as I have.

Fox Valley Technical College in Waupaca

2008-01-23T10:13:00.001-08:00

Coming from Illinois I was not familiar with a "technical college." In my home state we would call a facility that offered entry level college courses and continuing education for adults, a community college or junior college. A technical school was for those who wanted to become auto mechanics or welders. After residing in Wisconsin for over twelve years I am just beginning to understand the importance of the technical college system.

This morning I visited the new Fox Valley Technical College Regional Center recently opened in Waupaca. What a wonderful building! And a fine example of environmentally friendly building. The use of solar energy is truly impressive! I would encourage the citizens of Waupaca to take full advantage of this wonderful resource.

Book Club Suggestions

2008-01-16T07:41:00.001-08:00

I recently read two books that I feel would generate interesting discussion.
Lottery by Patricia Wood
"My name is Perry L. Crandall and I am not retarded." This is our first introduction to Perry, a Forrest Gump-like character, raised by his grandparents and befriended by his coworkers. Frustrated with the lack of attention he was receiving in public school, Gram began home schooling him at age 13. Even before that, she assigned him daily words from the dictionary. After Gram's death, Perry wins the lottery and finds that those who once shunned him now find him fascinating. Perry finds he has a knack for business and resists the efforts of his extended family to become his legal guardian. A delightful read with real insight into the value of every individual no matter their IQ! See comment from author, Patricia Wood, at the end of this post!

Songs Without Words by Ann Packer
Liz and Sarabeth grew up across the street form each other. They draw even closer as Sarabeth's depressed mother commits suicide. Their friendship survives the adolescent years and now in middle age they find their friendship challenged by a family member's suicide attempt. By the end of the book, I knew the characters like friends from my own childhood. I would love the opportunity to discuss this book. Invite me to your book club if you choose it as one of your selections!

SLAG Book Buying Trip

2008-01-16T07:30:00.000-08:00

On Saturday, January 12, ten SLAG members traveled to Appleton. Their first stop was Barnes & Nobel, where they purchased $516 worth of books and music. Then on to the Fox River Antique Mall! Members shopped for record albums, metal signs and other vintage items to decorate the walls of the Best Cellar. The trip was rounded out by lunch and window shopping at the Fox River Mall. Members discussed the fact that SLAG has been spending but not earning. Look for new SLAG fund raising efforts soon!

Schedule for Lunch & Learn

2008-01-15T15:39:00.000-08:00

I'm very proud to announce the Lunch & Learn Programs for Winter/ Spring 2008. Here's a just a glimpse so you can mark your calendars. The program will begin at noon on the second Tuesday of the month.

Feb. 12 - New Year's Resolutions with Ann Menzies, Dietitian

March 11- Crafting a Beautiful Salad with Sandy, Salad Artist, of the
The Freckled Frogg

April 8 - Birds of North America with Carol Elvery

May 13 - The Leader Dog Training Program with Annie and Donna
Wierzchowski

June 10 - What's New in the Garden with Jayne Jansen
of Firefly Floral and Gifts

I look forward to having lunch with you. Please call for reservations.

Cooking Memoirs

2007-12-31T09:55:00.000-08:00

The family meal was practically an institution in my household as I was growing up. We ate in the dining room with cloth napkins. My father like to remind us that we not merely eating but dining. My mother prepared delicious, somewhat elaborate meals. We applauded the chef for her efforts and we always had dessert. My mother went to culinary school when my three sisters and I entered high school. She was chef at a fancy tea room, exclusive restaurants, retirement homes and a soup kitchen. I have withheld the tradition of the family meal with my own family, while not "dining" every evening we make a point of sitting down together and sharing our evening meal. With such a background cook books and memoirs about cooking are fascinating to me. Here are a few favorites:

Out of the Frying Pan: A Chef's Memoir of Hot Kitchens, Single Motherhood and the Family Meal by Gillian Clark
As her marriage unravels Gillian decides to leave her successful marketing career behind and cook for a living. This book is her journey from new cook to chef in her own, now famous, restaurant. Her story of the struggle to raise two daughters while sweating in front of a stove for 60 hours weeks had me devouring this book like my favorite dessert. The recipes are a bonus. I plan on trying a few on my own family.

Julie & Julia: My Year of Cooking Dangerously by Julie Powell
The author decides that her life and carer are going nowhere while her biological clock is ticking. After cooking one of Julia Child;s recipes from "Mastering the Art of French Cooking", her husband suggests she attend culinary school. She made the argument that they couldn't afford it and instead she would master Julia Child's book by making every recipe. Our family faithfully watched the Julia Child's cooking show on Sunday nights and my mother's copy of Mastering the Art of French Cooking is well worn. I usually dust off my copy during the holidays. You'll notice in Infosoup that the book has been republished in two volumes.

Stuffed: Adventures of a Restaurant Family by Patricia Volk
This book is a delightful account of growing up in the restaurant business. In a restaurant family "[y]ou're never full, you're stuffed," says Volk. The family eccentricities of this unusual family will keep you entertained.

What is Social Networking?

2007-12-17T13:24:00.000-08:00

A social networking site has participants create a profile,often with personal information and a picture. The site allows interaction with others who belong to the site. Examples of Social Networking sites are: Myspace, Facebook, and Blogspot (the software I'm using to create this blog). The person creating the profile can decide how "public" they wish to make their site. You may have your site accessible only to friends you invite or to anyone who happens to be surfing.

The media would have you believe that the Internet is a dangerous place with sexual predators around every virtual corner. Being safe on the Internet means taking few precautions. The Hennepin County Library has created a list of Internet Safety Tips for Kids. There are just as applicable to grown ups!

Lunch & Learn: The Greatest Toys of All Time

2007-12-05T04:26:00.000-08:00

I thoroughly enjoyed the toy program yesterday. Sharon Korbeck Verbeten is a wonderfully engaging speaker! The toys she presented were items we were all familiar with and we enjoyed the walk down memory lane. It was also a lesson in entrepreneurship, history and changes in the toy industry itself. The OPALS (Older Patrons Assisting Library Staff)provided beautiful baked goods, breads and chili toppings. Their assistance really makes this program possible! Here's my Chili Recipe for anyone who is interested.

Peg's Super Easy Chili
1 pound lean ground beef
1 onion,1 green pepper, 2 stalks celery (chopped coarsely)
1 can hot chili beans with gravy
1 large can diced tomatoes
1 large can tomato juice
salt, pepper and chili powder to taste
Cook ground beef and raw vegetables just until the beef is brown. Add the canned goods. Simmer for an hour. (This is portioned for a family of 4. I prepared 4 times the recipe for Lunch & Learn.)

Find Health and Fitness at the Library

2007-11-29T07:51:00.000-08:00

I have a birthday coming and it is about this time that I start thinking I should be taking better care of myself. I joined Curves a few months ago, have lost a few pounds and inches, and have started looking for other ways to get fit and healthy. The new book shelf is a great place to browse! Here are a few books I've found interesting. I've linked the titles to Infosoup.

Curves: Permanent Results Without Permanent Dieting by Gary Heavin and Carol Colman
Here's the book to accompany the workout. The idea is based on sound nutrition and regular exercise! I'll try to stick to it.

Fitness Made Simple by John Baselow
"The Power to change your body, the power to change your life! 3 steps, 8 weeks, 1 Killer Body" The author encourages you to concentrate on nutrition, exercise and supplements. There is a DVD included to help you get started.

Fighting Weight is an inspirational account of the struggles of Khaliah Ali (the great fighter's daughter). At 325 pounds she underwent gastric surgery called banding. With the surgery she was able to eliminate her hunger and lost the weight.

In our quest for youth we sometimes go to drastic measures. Dying to be Young: From Botox to Botulism - A True Story of Survival is about the fountain of youth going terribly wrong. My husband is a microbiologist and very suspicious of injecting a potentially fatal micro organism into the body. You will just have to see me wrinkle!

Rethinking Thin: The New Science of Weight Loss and the Myths and Realities of Dieting
The author of this book, Gina Kolata, looks at the history of dieting, and follows the lives of four dieters. She tries to dispel the notion that people are obese due to lack of control.

Count Down Your Age: Look, Feel, and Live Better than You Ever Have Before by Frederic Vagnini and Dave Bunnell
This book includes a lengthy quiz asking you questions about your lifestyle. Each questions is scored and you determine how far backwards you can count down your age. My husband scored far better than I did because he eats a healthy breakfast everyday and has a daily exercise routine. Needless to say I ate a good breakfast this morning! (I usually skip it!) The authors say it is never too late to make positive changes.

The Good Housekeeping Supermarket Diet by Janis Jibrin helps you make choices even before you get to your own kitchen. Start with your shopping list! Buy the right packages and convenience foods, add a delicious assortment of fresh produce, follow the Good Housekeeping recipes, and watch the pounds drop."

The Anti-Inflammation Diet and Recipe Book by Jessica K. Black
This book addresses the idea that many chronic diseases and medical conditions begin as inflammation, "the fist response by the immune system to infection or irritation." To prevent inflammation, Black recommends eliminating common allergens along with pesticides and other contaminates. This diet is based on eating "whole foods" while eliminating processed foods.

I've just scratched the surface! To find new items go the Recently Added Materials in Infosoup! See you at the Library!

Next by Michael Chrichton

2007-11-26T14:28:00.000-08:00

Crichton's book, Next, focuses on the ethical and legal issues involved in genetic testing and engineering. The story is woven around a set of characters whose lives have been affected by current scientific techniques. While it may have been a little slow in the beginning and often technical, I liked this book because it left me with questions: What are the implications of patenting something that is a part of nature? How will we cope/deal with the consequences of genetic research? How can such testing be regulated?

Great book discussion book!

What Matters Most

2007-11-26T14:19:00.000-08:00

Over the Thanksgiving Holiday I had the distinct pleasure of having a touch of the flu, the perfect excuse to lie around and read! I started with Luanne Rice's current book, What Matters Most. I was very happy to have the large print version with my watery eyes. This books is about the kind of love that withstands time, distance and separation on religious grounds. Sister Bernadette believed she was doing the right thing when she gave up her son to join the religious order but after 20 years she returns to Ireland to be reunited with the child she believed had been adopted by a loving family. Her son, James, lived out his childhood at an orphanage where he formed a lifelong bond with another orphan, Kathleen. Kathleen's birth parents returned for her when she was in her teens. While separated, they never stopped loving or longing for each other.

I enjoyed this book but felt that I had somehow missed out on the history of this family. I will have to go back and catch up by reading Sandcastles.

Thanksgiving Feast

2007-11-21T12:28:00.000-08:00

I was invited to attend the annual Thanksgiving Feast in the Children's Department last Thursday. We were treated to stories, songs and an original puppet show featuring a turkey super hero. The families each brought kid friendly food to share. Such a variety! Cheese and crackers, jello, pickles and pumpkin bread!

It is the time of year when we count our blessings and I am thankful for so many things: this beautiful library, wonderful people I get to work with each day, freedoms I enjoy as a citizen of this great nation, my family, and friends. I'm grateful my car gets good gas mileage, I can take a walk most days and I live with my best friend that also happens to be my husband.

Lunch & Learn

2007-11-21T12:06:00.000-08:00

The Antiques and Collectible Show and Tell Program was a terrific success! Each participant was asked to bring something special and tell the story behind the object. Appraiser Mark Moran gave a little more information about the piece and if the participant was interested, a monetary value. The stories told were priceless! It was just delightful to hear the memories of a particular pitcher that sat in Grandma's china cabinet or the three legged kettle that crossed the mountains and prairies in a covered wagon. We will plan on repeating this program. Next time we will understand that this kind of program takes time to savor. Mark finished the last appraisal at 2 pm! Our Lunch & Learn Programs are scheduled for 45 minutes to an hour.

Nineteen Minutes by Jodi Picoult

2007-11-12T07:44:00.000-08:00

"In nineteen minutes, you can mow the front lawn, color your hair, watch a third of a hockey game. You can bake scones or get a tooth filled by a dentist. You can fold laundry for a family of five. Or as Peter Houghton knows... in nineteen minutes, you can bring the world to a screeching halt."

After having been bullied from the first day of Kindergarten, one morning Peter walked into Sterling High School and killed ten people. What events would bring a seventeen year old to the point where they commit murder? Maybe his mother is to blame?

Once again Picoult takes teen issues and places them directly under the microscope. You'll be thinking about this one for a lot longer than Nineteen Minutes!

Shattering Glass by Gail Giles

2007-11-05T08:54:00.000-08:00

Our Pizza & Pages book for October was a book recommended to me by a teen who said,"It was the best book I've ever read!" Gail Giles kept the story moving forward by having her characters provide a commentary at the beginning of each chapter. The dialog foreshadows the climactic ending, so I shouldn't have been caught by surprise, but I was! This is a scary high school story, reminiscent (as one teen said) of Steven King's "Carrie." Some felt that this book was similar to Inventing Elliot except that "Elliot was a better person. He redeemed himself in the end." Simon Glass is the class geek, getting picked on by the popular crowd, until Rob decides to make him popular. But Simon doesn't play by the rules and someone has to pay for that. Check out Shattering Glass in Infosoup!

Teen Read Week

2007-11-05T08:45:00.000-08:00

The fifth annual Read & Feed Reading Marathon in honor of Teen Read Week was held he week of October 22-26th. Participants were invited to read in a comfortable setting with healthy snacks provided. For every hour read they were get a credit for $1.00 off their library fines. For the third year n row, Claire was the top reader (8 hours). She relished the opportunity to give me another pie in the face. Kristen, teen library staff, graciously received a pie from David Hansen, who had the second most hours read.

SLAG Members Attend Youth Voice Conference

2007-11-05T08:38:00.000-08:00

Eight SLAG members, Mary Trice, Library Board Member, and I attended a state sponsored program to build youth leadership in communities. The Youth as Partners in Civic Leadership Conference began on Friday evening and we returned to the Library on Sunday afternoon. The conference was geared towards giving teens tools to help them “have a voice” in their community and beyond. SLAG officers also presented a program on their own experiences in our library. It was touching to hear them speak about how the library had made their lives richer.

We had valuable discussions with youth and adults from across the state. People were impressed with how excited our teens were about their library. Our teens attended sessions on public speaking, film making, creating public service announcements and using art to get your message across. Some of our teens created a very moving film about beauty and violence. As a group we taped a public service announcement about Teen Read Week. Several of our group attended a session on juvenile justice. I learned for the first time that in Wisconsin teens over the age of 16 are treated as adults when they are arrested. The outcome of this experience is that we will be writing a grant to get a library started in the County Jail.

Monopoly Tournament

2007-10-18T07:52:00.000-07:00

On Monday SLAG hosted the much awaited Monopoly Tournament in conjunction with the Smithsonian Between Fences Traveling Exhibit. With five tables of Monopoly being run simultaneously it was difficult for this observer to be bored! I stopped by a table to see players at poverty levels only to return a few minutes later to find them wealthy!
David Hansen was the Grand Winner and was awarded a $50 Chamber of Commerce gift certificate. There were 10 other 2nd and 3rd place prizes. Everyone who participated was a winner because they chose to spend their afternoon at the library.
Thanks to the SLAG members who helped with refreshments, registration and acted as bankers. Hasbro supplied the games for the tournament and for prizes. Look to this website for the official Tournament Guide.

The Pact:: A Love Story

2007-10-18T07:14:00.000-07:00

I stayed up late last night to finish this superbly crafted novel by Jodi Picoult.
Emily and Chris have been together since their parents placed them in the same bassinet as infants. As they reach puberty their relationship blossoms into more than friendship, but they were much closer than your average high school sweethearts.
"Do you know," Chris said softly, "what it's like to love someone so much you can't see yourself without picturing her? Or what's it like to touch someone and feel like you've come home?"..."We were, well, meant to be together. Some people spend their whole lives looking for that one person. I was lucky enough to have her all along."
Yet despite this great love, Emily had secrets she could share with no one and believing she had no other options, she wished to end her life. The two families are torn apart as Chris is indicted for Emily's murder.
"It's standard procedure to closely examine the person found next to the smoking gun. The one who's still conveniently alive."
This book, while a page turner, is not an easy read. Once again, Picoult tackles a tough issue and with finesse. I would recommend this to mature teens as well as adults.
Suicide is at epidemic numbers among the young people in our nation. I come in contact with so many teens who are depressed and the suicide books on our shelves are often out of order. Just one more reason why the relationships we build with teens are so important. Having another caring adult to talk to may be the difference between life or death.

Set Sail for the Book of the Banned!

2007-10-05T08:33:00.000-07:00

Sixteen enthusiastic readers participated in the Third Annual Banned Book Reading at the Chez Marche Cafe on Thursday, October 4th. Several individuals shared excerpts from banned books they had enjoyed and Kris Hendrickson shared her own dramatic interpretation of the "Damn Spot" scene from Shakespeare's Macbeth. We talked about the reasons the books listed by the American Library Association had been challenged and we all agreed that if each book that was objectionable were to be removed from library shelves, there would be very little left.

I believe we live in the greatest country in the world, made great by the freedoms we enjoy. The Public Library System ensures that each individual has access to information . We celebrate our freedom to read and our First Amendment Rights every year during Banned Books Week. A librarian has the responsibility to select materials that offer a broad variety of viewpoints. I guarantee that any individual will find something on our shelves that is contrary to his/her beliefs. At the same time they will be able to locate materials that support their beliefs. I guess that means we are doing our job.

The Surly Surveyor Visits Waupaca

2007-10-05T08:16:00.000-07:00

The Lunch & Learn Program on Tuesday, October 2, featured Rob Nurre, who portrayed John Davidson, the original surveyor of Waupaca County. He used audience participation to explain the methods used when the land was surveyed in 1851. The program was entertaining as well as educational. Look for the televised version of his presentation on WINTV!

Cage of Stars

2007-09-25T09:08:00.001-07:00

This book takes place in Utah and the main characters are members of a Mormon family. Someone asked Ms. Mitchard why she chose the Mormon religion as a part of this story. She responded that she has a very good friend that is Mormon and unlike the Amish or Mennonite communities, Mormons are given choices.

Cage of Stars begins with an indescribably brutal murder of children. How will a family ever be able to recover from the tragedy? Veronica, at age 12, must reconcile the loss of her sisters with the anger, fear, and hatred directed at their killer.

"I knew that Scott Early was in jail. But I got my mind set on the idea that before I could stop him, he would kill Mama or Rafe. Or even Papa. I didn't think of myself. I don't know why. I just knew I couldn't lose anyone else or I would go permanently crazy. You had to have a lifetime quota. I reassured myself that mine was met; I had nothing to worry about. But the fence of my life had been breached, like the Alamo."

This book left me with more questions than answers. A great book club read!