Dr. Mengele

During the 1930's and 1940's, Dr. Mengele, a German scientist, began doing eugenics experiments on twins. This is mentioned briefly in the book. These experiments were part of the Hitler/Nazi regime and were really awful. If you would like to learn more about these, click here to read a wikipedia article. (Warning: If you are prone to queasiness or easily upset, this might not be for you.)

more twins!

Every year in Ohio, there is a festival known as Twin Day. Twins get together and celebrate their twin-dom. Click here to find out more.

Twins!

Click here to read an encyclopedia article about twins.

Imagine your twin

Twins figure heavily in The Love Curse of the Rumbaughs. I am an only child, but when I was growing up, I always wished for a twin brother. (Pretty stupid, when you think about it. What were the chances, really, that my family would just discover a twin we never knew about?) If you had a twin, what would he/she be like? Would you be identical? Share thoughts? Or maybe you would hate having a twin. Tell us what you think.

Hole In My Life

Hole In My Life is Jack Gantos' autobiography. It is a very interesting read. Mr. Gantos has not led the typical writer life. During college, to support himself financially, he became a drug smuggler, was eventually caught, and served time in jail. The book also deals with how he turned his life around and finally realized his dream of becoming a writer. Check it out!

More on taxidermy

For more on taxidermy, visit www.taxidermy.net

Query

Roy Rogers had his horse, Trigger, stuffed after he died. Would you have a pet stuffed to keep them with you? Or do you think this is pretty gross?

Taxidermy

Taxidermy plays a big role in The Love Curse of the Rumbaughs. Click here to learn a little bit more about this unusual hobby.

Jack Gantos

Many of you may know him as the author of the Joey Pigza books, but Jack Gantos has written lots of other things. If you enjoyed this months book (and if you actually try reading it, I promise that you will), you should check out Mr. Gantos' web site. It is really neat and you will like it.

Morbid piece of history

I came across a story today about America's first family of serial killers, The Benders, who lived in Kansas in the 1870's. Click here to find out mroe about them.