Junction Tales by Glenn McCarty illustrated by Joe Sutphin*

 My son and I enjoyed Mr. McCarty's book The Misadventures of Tumbleweed Thompson  so much that I bought and read aloud to him this book of tales.  Mr. McCarty sets up the format as Eugene cataloging the stories to share with the readers.  Although Eugene Appleton and Tumbleweed have not arrived at Rattlesnake Junction during the time of these tales, readers will still recognize some characters (Wendell, Rubicon).  Of course, Eugene includes a Dead-Eye Dan story! 

The tone is humorous, fun and exciting.  We were delighted to return to Rattlesnake Junction and anticipate more adventures in this frontier town with these likeable characters.  

*Highly recommend.

-We own this book.

The Giver of Stars by Jojo Moyes

 When Alice Wright meets handsome American Bennett Van Cleve while he vacations in her home country, England, she is caught up in a whirlwind romance and anticipates a wonderful marriage in  Kentucky.  To her dismay, she discovers that she and Bennett will be living with her controlling father-in-law.  The house is brimming with clutter from the late Mrs. Van Cleve.  The paper-thin walls make it impossible for Bennett and Alice to have intimicay.  He soon ignores her and pushes away her advances.  Lonely within her own home, Alice feels like she is trapped and suffocating.    

When the opportunity to deliver books via horseback in the Kentucky hills arises, Alice volunteers.  Margery, the leader of the traveling library, Beth, a tough farm girl, Izzy, a polio survivor, and Kathleen, a recent widow, join Alice in bringing hope and information to isolated Kentuckians.  

Then the elder Mr. Van Cleve seeks revenge on Margery and Alice.  His insidious methods threaten to destroy the traveling library and Margery's and Alice's lives.  The librarians join forces to demonstrate the power of loyalty and friendship.

The writing is beautiful, the characters well-developed, and the plot is compelling.  I thoroughly enjoyed this story and learning about this portion of our nation's history.  I am not "highly recommending" it because Margery and Alice participate in premartial sex (& Alice is still married to Bennett when she has intimacy with another man),which is deemed perfectly fine.

Warnings: premartial sex (most of the initmate scenes are just hinted at or minimal details  are included which is rare these days),  physical abuse

The Nerviest Girl in the World by Melissa Wiley

 Pearl and her three brothers are assets on their parents' ranch.  When Pearl's brothers land jobs being stunt cowboys, Pearl is enamored with the silent movie industry.  She hurries through her chores, which includes taking care of ostriches, so she may watch the acting at various ranches and farms in the county.  Soon Pearl finds herself playing minor roles in the silent movies!

Ms. Wiley researched extensively to write with authenicty and authority.  Her author's note was fascinating.  She even explains what events inspired different aspects of the book.  Ms. Wiley utilized figurative language creatively.  All of the similes, metaphors, and personfications connect to the west/ranch life and this time period.

The characters were endearing and intriguing.  

Although I enjoyed this book, I felt like the focus was more on incorporating the movie industry history and not the plot.  

-Borrowed from the library.

Call of the Wild 2020 DVD*

 After reading The Call of the Wild by Jack London, my boys and I hosted a Call of the Wild party for family and a friend.  The boys presented information about the book and time period, we ate typical miner fare and we watched the 2020 movie.

We liked the book better but enjoyed the movie too.  

The main plot was intact but Buck's adventures with John Thornton were altered signficiantly, especially how Thornton dies.  Thornton also encounters Buck several different times throughout the movie before officially "owning" him.  In the book Thornton meets him for the first time when Hal, Charles and Mercedes are forcing him and the dog team to cross soft ice.  Mercedes is portrayed as kinder than she was in the book.  Policital correctness was incorporated in several spots.

Buck and the other dogs are  C.G.I  It is noticeable. 

Rated: PG (violence, peril, drinking)

*Highly recommend.

-Borrowed from the library.

Adventuring Together by Greta Eskridge

 How to Create Connections and Make Lasting Memories with Your Kids

With warmth and genuineness, Mrs. Eskridge shares how she intentionally provides opportunities for adventure with her children.  Age and location do not prevent her from finding adventure!  Through stories of their adventures, Mrs. Eskridge offers practical how-tos and suggestions for her readers to implement.  The three parts to the book are: 1. How Adventures Make Connections 2. Start the Adventures, 3. Step into Adventure .  Apt quotes are included to begin each chapter.  

After reading this book, I concluded I would love to be friends with Mrs. Eskridge, and I am now looking at our days with a different perspective and attitude . . ."how can I incorporate adventure this week?".  With a teenage boy and a tween boy, I have been noticing how they need adventure to thrive. 

An easy and fun book to read that will cause a shift in perspective.  

-Borrowed from the library.

Smart About Art-Claude Monet-Sunshine and Waterlilies by True Kelley

 Through the format of a student's report, readers learn about the life of Claude Monet.  Prints of his work are included.

A good introduction to the artist and his works.

-Borrowed from the library.

Lifeboat 12 by Susan Hood *

 Based on a True Story

Novel in verse

Ken Sparks is escaping the Nazi bombings in London, England by taking the ship City of Benares to Canada.  Eighty-nine other children are fleeing to safety too.   The ship is luxurious.  After having rations for years, the children devour the rich food.  Sadly, a German torpedo hits their ship. Going back for his winter coat, Ken misses his assigned lifeboat. He is placed on Lifeboat 12.  Most of the book focuses on the thirteen days Ken, other children, and adults wait to be rescued on this lifeboat. 

Lots of figurative language.  In the back the author shares facts and photographs from the actual events.  I liked paging back to look at the photographs of the people who are part of the story.  

Amazing story!

*Highly recommend.

-Borrowed from the library.

The Victorian Home by Bobbie Kalman illustrated by Barbara Bedell

 Historic Communities

Since we are studying history during the Victorian era, I shared this book with my boys to give them an understanding of the Victorian style.  Not only do readers learn about typical Victorian homes, they gain of understanding of the roles of men, women and children during this time.

Lots of illustrations and photographs.

-Borrowed from the library.

Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster Boy by Gary Schmidt

*Award-winner-Newbery Honor Book 

I love Mr. Schmidt's writing and his thought-provoking books.  He portrays the rawness and realness in life yet leaves the reader with a sense of hope.  

Turner hates Phippsburg, Maine and its hypocritical residents.  Since his father is the new pastor, he is required to have "acceptable" behavior.  Trouble seems to cling to him.  Residents report his behavior to his father.  Then Turner meets Lizzie Bright and life improves.  One problem-she is from Malaga Island and she is black.  Phippsburg leaders and its people have plans to remove the residents on Malaga Island who they claim are squatters and thieves.  

Turner reveals the hypocrisy of organized religion as they use the Bible and God to support their cause.  If His truth doesn't support their opinion, then He is wrong, not them!!  

Although I still hold to my opinion about Mr. Schmidt's writing, I am struggling with his incorporation of Darwin and his book Origin of Species.  It seems like Darwin and his philosophies are what free Turner and give him courage and hope.  It saddens me to see a character think they have found freedom in Darwin.  On the other hand, the members of the church in this town represent a lot of individuals who claim to have a relationship with God but live in contradiction to what the Bible says.  It seems like Turner was basing his faith on people, not God and who He is.  

A faith-based blog I read on a regular basis did not seem to have a problem with inclusion of Darwin and how it provided hope for Turner.  Their review surprised me.  

This book will provide a lot opportunities to discuss race, racism, hypocrisy, religion vs. relationship, evolution vs. creationism, science and faith.   

Points to discuss/warning: hypocrisy in church, Darwin/evolution, prejudice/racist characters, death (a few characters die . . .Turner sees two people die)

-Borrowed from the library.

100 Cupboards by N.D. Wilson*

 When your thirteen-year-old son requests you to read aloud a book to him, you read it!  Even though he had recently read the 100 Cupboard series to himself, my oldest asked me to read aloud book one to him.

Henry's parents have disappeared.  He moves across the country to Henry, Kansas with his aunt and uncle and his three female cousins.  

 When he hears scratching in his bedroom walls one night, he begins to remove the plaster.  To his surprise, he discovers a massive cupboard with doors of various sizes.  His adventurous cousin Henrietta urges him to explore what is behind the doors.  She soon disappears into one of the worlds, and Henry crawls through to find her.  The only problem is people and creatures from other worlds can now enter their world.  What will their family do when evil enters their world?

Very creative and imaginative writing!  The mysteriousness captures the reader's attention.  I was not expecting any scary or creepy elements, but all of a sudden the plot turns quite frightening at the end of the book.  I like that Mr. Wilson startled me!!

Part of a series.  

*Highly recommend (but not for sensitive children/readers).

-My son owns this book.

Mr. Postmouse's Rounds by Marianne Dubuc**

 Mr. Postmouse delivers packages and letters to various animals situated in homes/climes suited to their needs.  

The text is sparse, but the illustrations brim with creativity, cleverness, humor and inferences.  The cross-sections of the homes invite the reader to linger and to make inferences.  Every illustration produced a smile as I marveled over Ms. Dubuc's wittiness.  Very fun book to read and to share!

Warning: Sensitive readers may be disturbed by the package the chickens receive.  

**Highly, highly recommend.

-Borrowed from the library.