The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1942-06-05
ION THE BOOK SHELVES

Often the librarian is asked to
recommend "a good book. Now
every book on our Community Lii
brary Shelves is good book. But
every person has different idea of
what is enjoyable In reading. Some
like serious, historical or biographi-
cal books. Other may want mys-
terry or detective thriller. Some like
novel of other days, other times
and other ways, just as long as it
is love story. Some want to see
and read of present real conditions
translated by good writer into an
absorbing piece of fiction. And of
course children want something
else again. Our Community Library
can satisfy each of the tastes and
needs of the readers. The Libra
rians, however, can scarcely be ex-
pected to know all that is within the
covers of every book of the more
than 400 on our shelves. This corn
er will endeavor to tell you about
some of the good books, and to
explain bit why they are desirable
books to read and know. Some of
our best, most interesting books are
not very new. But if you haven't
read them yet they are new to you
and maybe just the thing you need,
to make you think and be interested.
Beginning with some of the new
books you will find on the Reserve
sleeves, we will talk bit about
pied Piper" by Nevil Shute, and
Dragon Seed" by Pearl Buck.
Both are by outstanding authors.
Both deal with very recent events
and conditions, and both leave the
reader with a sense of hope and
courage for the future. "Pied Piper"
tells story of human courage and
endurance and gentle understand
ing of child's simple needs, that
can hardly be excelled in any writ
ing. The "Pied Piper, in this case
is an elderly Englishman returning
from Swiss fishing trip, who agrees
to bring 2 small children back to
England when the war against
France. broke in the Spring of 1910.
He finds his small children in
creasing to 3, 4, s, and z small
scared, insecure and desperate chill
dren. The difficulties of transporta-
ton in those fearful days of the
breakdown of the French armies are
described simply, but with tremen-
dous power. Throughout their troub-
les, and sad experiences of being
bombed, and seeing refugees rush
ing everywhere, the "Pied Piper"
somehow gives his charges a sense
of security, feeling of pride in
their ability to help, and even near
the end of their awful journey
when escape to England is only a
matter of few hours. and the little
irresponsible girl talks in English
to the German soldiers and thus
spoils their last chance, the Piper is
gentle and kind and understanding.
The picture of the old gentleman
and his children of mixed national
tiles is one of supreme sacrifice of
comfort and good living to the great
needs and demands of a child for
safety and a feeling of security
against the hordes of invaders.
While there are some tears, and
much crashing of teeth in futile
rage against the perpetrators of
such things, the reader still has a
renewed faith in the fineness of
human nature, as portrayed by the
pied Piper" and his aides.
Pearl Bucks book Dragon Seed"
tells of how war came to small
Chinese village near a large city.
While names are not mentioned one
konws the treacherous nation that Is
invading the Chinese soil. The
simple peasant life whose greatest
needs are food and family is dis
rupted. torn up from the roots.
Through the entire narration Of
events, from the first insignificant
muttering of unrest till the final
devastation of every human right
and means of existence, the strength
Of human will and faith in the
simple needs of life are pictured in
unforgetabie words. Mrs. Buck
penetrates the minds of her Chinese
people with fine insight into their
essential qualities that is uncanny.
One is the Chinese mother, or faith
er, or lives they live of fear in the
underground kitchen tunnel. One ID
the patient unlettered sister whose
mind is opened by the teachers in
the missionary schools. The revolt
Of the strong brother against the in.
vader, his power as leader of the
guerilla band is your own revolt, and
your own growth.
Throughout the entire story of
wrongs, disaster, and horrors of
mistreatment. one sees the inviola-
bility Of the human spirit. One can
read this book and realize the Chin
ese have been able to withstand
the invading desolation for s or
years. And even though the names.
and food and customs are Chinese,
the thoughts and feelings are com.
mon to all of US. This is a truly