"Lean on Pete" Review & Discussion

Willy Vlautin's newest novel, "Lean on Pete" 2010, is a stark look into the world of teenager Charley Thompson, whose father treats him more like a younger brother than a son. Charley is on his own much of the time, running and dreaming of playing football for his new school in Portland, Oregon. A tragedy at home leaves Charley wondering what to do next and where to go. He befriends Del, a gruff race horse trainer at the local track and becomes a caretaker for his horse, Pete. Hearing that Pete may be soon sent to Mexico gives Charley the impetus to escape to an aunt possibly living in Montana that he hasn't seen or heard from in years. Charley leaves with Pete, stealing Del's beat down truck and horse trailer.

Book discussion questions:
1. One of the main characters of this novel is a horse, how is he developed (or not)?
2. Was Charley's dad, Ray, an abusive father?
3. Some people believe this novel has parallels to Huckleberry Finn, do you agree?
4. Did Pete have a better life with Charley than he would have had in Mexico?
5. Did you find Charley's road adventures believable?
6. Do you see a connection between  the books Lean on Pete and Water for Elephants?
7. Should the horse, Pete, have had a larger role in the novel, since he was in the title?
8. Do Pete and Charley have any characteristics that are similar?

Films On Demand

A new LibGuide is available for the Films On Demand database. This database, available from the Monroe Community College library website, offers access to thousands of online documentary videos 24/7! Watch videos in their entirety or in segments on a computer.

The LibGuide describes how-to search the database, save favorite titles or segments of titles and create playlists to share with classes. You are also able to embed code so the video can be used in an online course. Films On Demand gives students another option for a visual aid when they are doing class presentations.

Tina Rosenberg

Author Tina Rosenberg, winner of the Pulitzer Prize for her book, "The Haunted Land: Facing Europe's Ghosts After Communism", will be speaking at Monroe Community College on December 7 at 7pm. Ms. Rosenberg's newest book is titled, "Join the Club: How Peer Pressure Can Transform the World."

The talk is free with an MCC ID and $10 for the general public. Purchase tickets at the MCC Campus Center Service Desk in building 3, the Damon City Campus bookstore, or online.

Rosenberg is a journalist for the New York Times Magazine. Her works have also appeared in The New Republic, Washington Post, New York Times newspaper (and online) and Harper's.

A display in the MCC Writing Center (building 11) has more information about Ms. Rosenberg.



Criminal Justice Periodical Index LibGuide

Need to locate articles about criminal justice topics? Monroe Community College staff and students have access to the Criminal Justice Periodical Index. Use our LibGuide to learn about many of the features of this database.

Over 250 scholarly, peer-reviewed journals are available, covering topics such as; law enforcement, corrections administration, family law and industrial security. Articles may be emailed, printed or saved and you have the option to include the citation in MLA, APA or Chicago style.

Having a difficult time deciding on a topic? CJPI has a topic locater. Just enter keywords or scroll through the alphabetical list to get ideas.

This Place is Free?

A comical look at resources available at the local library, without using the word "library". Really, can you find a store or other government agency that has as many things or as much information?

Google - Inside Search

Google is continuously tweaking its products and releasing new ones. Discover the latest and greatest from Google at Inside Search.
Learn about all the innovations at Google since its founding in 1997.

Learn how to receive better search results with the basic and advanced techniques such as; search for an exact phrase, choosing descriptive words, choose web-friendly words, search using a mobile camera and much more.

You can check out the Google Playground and see what type of searches have taken place around the world today. Try your hand at Google-a-Day and build your search skills, or browse through Demo Slam for unusual technology demonstrations.

Films on Demand

Faculty, students and staff at Monroe Community College in Rochester have access, through the library, to thousands of educational videos.

Films On Demand is a state-of-the-art digital video delivery system which offers streaming video. Films on Demand is a great tool for classroom use. Create a user profile and save your favorites. Embed videos in your online lessons. Students can use the videos to enhance a presentation. Visual learners may find the database helpful. Check out the video below (created by me using Animoto) to learn a bit more about Films on Demand, then try the database.