The Happy Misfits / Los Inadaptados Felices


Book Description

This autobiographical novel on the life of the brilliant Belgian inventor Marcel Demeulenare and his wife Simonetta narrates the fabled story, set between the end of the 13th century and the beginning of the 14th, of the couple during their years in Spain, turned into happy misfits who travel as jugglers and animal tamers giving entertainment shows in cities throughout the peninsula. Through their delicious dialogues, the reader will be able to learn about and delve into the advanced philosophy of this great woman of the 20th century and the great ideas of the great Flemish engineer, inventor of important technical systems. The real life that Simonetta and Marcel led during their unexpected stay in the Spanish city of Cuenca throughout the 1970s was the inspiration for this novel. The original manuscript, unpublished until the publication of this edition, was donated by Simonetta as a sign of recognition and gratitude to the International Museum of Electrography -today MIDECIANT- of Cuenca, whose officials had invited her to its inauguration in 1990. This edition rescues the original manuscript, incorporates its translation into Spanish and includes the rest of the original documents donated by Simonetta. To which has been added the textual and visual documentation of some of the original documents related to the fascinating life and important inventions by Marcel Demeulenaere. This publication offers not only the pleasure of reading a wonderful novel, full of life lessons and inspiration, but also becomes an invaluable document for future investigations and can shed a light on the history of the technical evolution of the 20th century that has collaborated in the creation of the current digital society. Esta novela autobiográfica de la vida del genial inventor belga Marcel Demeulenare y su esposa Simonetta, ambientada entre finales del siglo XIII y comienzos del XIV, narra la historia fabulada de la pareja durante sus años en España, convertidos en los felices inadaptados que viajan como juglares y domadores de animales, dando espectáculos de entretenimiento por las ciudades de toda la península. A través de sus deliciosos diálogos, el lector podrá conocer y adentrarse en la avanzada filosofía de esta gran mujer del siglo XX y de las geniales ideas del gran ingeniero Flamenco, inventor de importantes sistemas técnicos. La vida real que llevaron Simonetta y Marcel durante su inesperada estancia en la ciudad española de Cuenca durante toda la década de los años 70 fue la inspiración de esta novela, cuyo manuscrito original, inédito hasta la publicación de esta edición, fue donado por la propia Simonetta como muestra de reconocimiento y agradecimiento al Museo Internacional de Electrografía -hoy MIDECIANT- de Cuenca, cuyo responsables la habían invitado a su inauguración, en 1990. Esta edición rescata el manuscrito original, incorpora su traducción al español e incluye el resto de los documentos originales donados por Simonetta. A los que se suma la documentación textual y visual de algunos documentos originales relacionados con la fascinante vida y los importantes inventos de Marcel Demeulenaere. Esta publicación no solo ofrece el placer de la lectura de una maravillosa novela, llena de lecciones de vida e inspiración, sino que además se convierte en un documento de incalculable valor para que futuras investigaciones puedan arrojar luz sobre la historia de la evolución técnica del siglo XX que ha colaborado en la creación de la sociedad digital actual.




The Many-Colored Land


Book Description

In the year 2034, Theo Quderian, a French physicist, made an amusing but impractical discovery: the means to use a one-way, fixed-focus time warp that opened into a place in the Rhone River valley during the idyllic Pliocene Epoch, six million years ago. But, as time went on, a certain usefulness developed. The misfits and mavericks of the future—many of them brilliant people—began to seek this exit door to a mysterious past. In 2110, a particularly strange and interesting group was preparing to make the journey—a starship captain, a girl athlete, a paleontologist, a woman priest, and others who had reason to flee the technological perfection of twenty-second-century life. Thus begins this dazzling fantasy novel that invites comparisons with the work of J.R.R. Tolkien, Arthur C. Clarke, and Ursula Le Quin. It opens up a whole world of wonder, not in far-flung galaxies but in our own distant past on Earth—a world that will captivate not only science-fiction and fantasy fans but also those who enjoy literate thrillers. The group that passes through the time-portal finds an unforeseen strangeness on the other side. Far from being uninhabited, Pliocene Europe is the home of two warring races from another planet. There is the knightly race of the Tanu—handsome, arrogant, and possessing vast powers of psychokinesis and telepathy. And there is the outcast race of Firvulag—dwarfish, malev-o olent, and gifted with their own supernormal skills. Taken captive by the Tanu and transported through the primordial European landscape, the humans manage to break free, join in an uneasy alliance with the forest-dwelling Firvulag, and, finally, launch an attack against the Tanu city of light on the banks of a river that, eons later, would be called the Rhine. Myth and legend, wit and violence, speculative science and breathtaking imagination mingle in this romantic fantasy, which is the first volume in a series about the exile world. The sequel, titled The Golden Torc, will follow soon.




Light and Lens


Book Description

Hirsch presents an introductory book that clearly and concisely provides the instruction and building blocks necessary to create thought-provoking digitally based photographs. It is an idea book that features numerous classroom-tested assignments and exercises from leading photographic educators.




The First Rule of Punk


Book Description

A 2018 Pura Belpré Author Honor Book The First Rule of Punk is a wry and heartfelt exploration of friendship, finding your place, and learning to rock out like no one’s watching. There are no shortcuts to surviving your first day at a new school—you can’t fix it with duct tape like you would your Chuck Taylors. On Day One, twelve-year-old Malú (María Luisa, if you want to annoy her) inadvertently upsets Posada Middle School’s queen bee, violates the school’s dress code with her punk rock look, and disappoints her college-professor mom in the process. Her dad, who now lives a thousand miles away, says things will get better as long as she remembers the first rule of punk: be yourself. The real Malú loves rock music, skateboarding, zines, and Soyrizo (hold the cilantro, please). And when she assembles a group of like-minded misfits at school and starts a band, Malú finally begins to feel at home. She'll do anything to preserve this, which includes standing up to an anti-punk school administration to fight for her right to express herself! Black and white illustrations and collage art by award-winning author Celia C. Pérez are featured throughout. "Malú rocks!" —Victoria Jamieson, author and illustrator of the New York Times bestselling and Newbery Honor-winning Roller Girl




The Mystwick School of Musicraft


Book Description

Twelve-year-old Amelia gets the opportunity to attend a boarding school and learn how to use music to create magic, hoping to become a Maestro like her deceased mother.




The Midnight Orchestra


Book Description

In this spellbinding sequel to The Mystwick School of Musicraft, Amelia must master the magic of Composing to help her school win a magic competition—and save her friends from a mysterious evil. Things are finally looking up for Amelia Jones: she's officially a Mystwick student, and she even has a teacher to help her learn how to use her rare Composing magic. When Mystwick enters an international magic competition, it’s Amelia's chance to Compose something that will help them win the day. The only problem is that she still doesn’t understand how her powers work. But then she hears about a super exclusive Midnight Orchestra—half performance, half magical black market—and Amelia is sure that’s where she’ll find the answer to her Composing problem. But the Midnight Orchestra is far more sinister than it initially appears and if Amelia can’t unlock her Composing powers, not only will Mystwick lose the musicraft competition, she won’t be able to rescue her friends from the danger unleashed in this thrilling adventure.




Foucault, Feminism, and Power


Book Description

This study focuses on Esther Tusquets's published work (four novels and a collection of short stories) and elaborates a potential aesthetics of power as it is manifested in and through narrative. The five analytical chapters are framed by an introduction and a conclusion that suggest theoretical issues and approaches.




AI at War


Book Description

Artificial intelligence (AI) may be the most beneficial technological development of the twenty-first century.Media hype and raised expectations for results, however, have clouded understanding of the true nature of AI—including its limitations and potential. AI at War provides a balanced and practical understanding of applying AI to national security and warfighting professionals as well as a wide array of other readers. Although the themes and findings of the chapters are relevant across the U.S. Department of Defense, to include all Services, the Joint Staff and defense agencies as well as allied and partner ministries of defense, this book is a case study of warfighting functions in the Naval Services—the U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps. Sam J. Tangredi and George Galdorisi bring together over thirty experts, ranging from former DOD officials and retired flag officers to scientists and active duty junior officers. These contributors present views on a vast spectrum of subjects pertaining to the implementation of AI in modern warfare, including strategy, policy, doctrine, weapons, and ethical concerns.




Paletero Man


Book Description

A vibrant picture book celebrating the strength of community and the tastes of summer from Latin Grammy-winning musician Lucky Diaz and celebrated artist Micah Player. Ring! Ring! Ring! Can you hear his call? Paletas for one! Paletas for all! What’s the best way to cool off on a hot summer day? Run quick and find Paletero José! Follow along with our narrator as he passes through his busy neighborhood in search of the Paletero Man. But when he finally catches up with him, our narrator’s pockets are empty. Oh no! What happened to his dinero? It will take the help of the entire community to get the tasty treat now. Full of musicality, generosity, kindness, and ice pops, this book is sure to satisfy fans of Thank You, Omu! and Carmela Full of Wishes. Includes Spanish words and phrases throughout, an author’s note from Lucky Diaz, and a link to a live version of the Lucky Band’s popular song that inspired the book. A Junior Library Guild Selection!




Turning Pages


Book Description

Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor tells her own story for young readers for the very first time! As the first Latina Supreme Court Justice, Sonia Sotomayor has inspired young people around the world to reach for their dreams. But what inspired her? For young Sonia, the answer was books! They were her mirrors, her maps, her friends, and her teachers. They helped her to connect with her family in New York and in Puerto Rico, to deal with her diabetes diagnosis, to cope with her father's death, to uncover the secrets of the world, and to dream of a future for herself in which anything was possible. In Turning Pages, Justice Sotomayor shares that love of books with a new generation of readers, and inspires them to read and puzzle and dream for themselves. Accompanied by Lulu Delacre's vibrant art, this story of the Justice's life shows readers that the world is full of promise and possibility--all they need to do is turn the page. Praise for Turning Pages: * "A sincere and insightful autobiography that also demonstrates the power of the written word. A winning addition to libraries that serve young readers." --School Library Journal, starred review "A personal and appealing book made to inspire." --Booklist "A thoughtful introduction to both the power of reading and an inspiring role model." --Kirkus Reviews "This book would be great as a read-aloud for class discussions of the Supreme Court, or United States government, or of important people in public service. It would also be good for independent reading by students interested in biographies or political figures." --School Library Connection