Colleen Craig

Kim travels to Africa with her journalist mother, Riana, who is reporting on the findings of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission which is investigating wrongs committed during the period of Apartheid. Kim's mother grew up in South Africa but moved to Canada as a young pregnant adult. Kim is hoping to find out more about her mother's life in South Africa and who her father is. Her mother is very distraught and is obviously struggling with having to once again face her family and the show more community that embraced apartheid. She finds reporting the injustices that have taken place in her native country very upsetting but takes this responsibility to heart. Kim becomes close friends with Themba, an African boy her age whose mother's family works for Riana's family. Kim has a hard time understanding the racism she witnesses at school but also struggles with the idea that she herself may be mixed race. This fear is confirmed when Themba helps her find her father.
This book deals with tough issues that will encourage students to think about issues of racism, oppression, colonialism and reconciliation. It would be an excellent work to use in the classroom. show less

Set in South Africa, Kim and her mother confront the past, and Kim meets her father for the first time. He is colored. Good insights into apartheid and Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

13 year old Kim travels to South Africa with her journalist mom. Kim's eyes are opened to the tragedy and brutality of the segregation policy during the Truth and Reconciliation Hearings that her mom is documenting. Kim realizes she is not as removed from the story as she thought. She also tries to solve the mystery of her father and is helped by a boy whose owned father was killed during the apartheid.
I read this for the fiction review committee. Would be a useful book if you are trying to show more build a diverse collection since it is an easy read on a very difficult subject. show less

In Abs on the Ball; Colleen Craig, author of the bestselling; Pilates on the Ball; , reveals why the exercise ball is unmatched as a tool for building superb abdominal strength.; Abs on the Ball; uses a Pilates approach: a unique exercise method famous for building long, sculpted muscles and a strong back and abdominal core. In this groundbreaking book Craig shows how traditional sit-ups and"ab" machines actually limit the degree to which abdominal muscles can be trained and can even show more aggravate lower back pain and neck tension. In contast, the very mobility of the exercise ball targets underutilized muscles, recruiting both deep and superficial abdominal muscle fibers to give rapid results.; Abs on the Ball; presents a selection of over 100 innovative exercises, including many of the key powerhouse-builders from the; Pilates Method; adapted specifically to large and small exercise balls, to enhance the Pilates matwork for the beginner or the seasoned athlete. Step-by-step instructions are detailed in more than 250 photographs. The author also offers 15- and 30-minute workouts for all ability levels. These workouts not only build the abdominal core but also strengthen and train deep muscles in order to soothe low-back pain and increase overall body strength, balance, and coordination. Whether you are looking to tighten your abdominals, imrove your sports performance, support your lower back, or simply feel strong and toned in your body, the innovative and complete system presented in; Abs on the Ball; will guide you in reaching your goals in less time than you imagined. Colleen Craig is a Certified Stott Pilates Trainer and a writer who developed a unique body conditioning technique by adapting the Pilates Method to the exercise ball. She lives in Toronto and teaches workshops throughout the world. Contents 1. Why another book on abdominal conditioning? The problem with traditional "Ab Conditiong" Learning from the latest research The Pilates powerhouse The ball as perfect partner 2. Abs on the ball fundamentals The breath: A crucial starting point The key player: Transversus abdominis Connecing navel to spine The pelvic floor: The "Elevator" at the bottom of the powerhouse Neutral pelvis Inside out Everyday abs Quality, not quantity 3. Final points The right ball for you Helpful hints and precautions One final word 4. Basic abs on the ball Practicing the fundamentals-Back breathing; Neutral pelvis lying on the mat; Lifting the head off the mat; Connecitng navel to spine; Pelvic floor exercise. The basic abs on the ball exercises-Ab curls with small ball; Half roll-up with arm stretch and tabletop legs; Small extensions on small ball; Half roll down; Rolling like a ball; Single leg stretch; Oblique twists; Sidework with small ball; Hip rolls with small ball; Hip rolls with leg extensions; Ab curls on small ball; The waterfall; Hips, rolls on large ball; Hip rolls with balance; Ab curls onlarge ball; Walk up and down; Rolling from side to side; Ball balance. 5. Intermediate abs on the ball Practicing the fundamentals-Neutral spine sitting; Find the core sitting; Knee lift stabilizing exercise on small ball. The intermediate abs on the ball exercises-Full roll-up; Double leg stretch; Teaser prep; Lower and lift; Leg pull-up and bicycle; Spine twist; Leg circles, bicycle, and scissors in air; On elbows; Thigh and ankle squeeze and supported swan; Bend and stretch; Backward crunch; Hip lift; Back extensionson knees; Side raises; Side crunches; Planks; Side shell with kick; Arabesque; Tabletop balance; Body openers. 6. Advanced abs on te ball Practicing the fundamentals-One leg standing; Opposite hand and foot. The advanced abs on the ball erercises-The hundred; Roll over; Corkscrew; Side bridge on small ball; Boomerang; Rocking horse extension; Scissors; Teaser; Sidebend and twist; Side-twist plank; The pike; Single leg shell; Kneeling side lifts; The star; Ports de Bras; Plank with hands on the ball; Kneel on the ball. 7. The short workouts Fifteen-minute basic abs workout. Thirty-minute basic abs workout. Fifteen-minute intermediate abs workout. Thirty-minute intermediate abs workout. Fifteen-minute advanced abs workout. Thirty-minute advanced abs workout. Resources. Ball and video ordering information. Acknowledgments. show less