Once Upon a Wardrobe by Patti Callahan*

 Megs's little brother, George, was born with a weak heart. He may not live beyond his eight years. A new book, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe has captured his imagination. When he asks Megs where she thinks the idea of Narnia orginates and if she can ask C.S. Lewis himself, Megs knows she needs to gather up her courage and track down the English tutor. To her surprise, instead of answering her question directly, Lewis begins to tell her stories of his life, which writes down in a notebook so she can relate them to George. Initially her mathematical brain is frustrated with this approach, but gradually, his stories transform her and the way she perceives life.

I loved indirectly learning about C.S. Lewis's life.

Beautifully written.

I cringed when Megs replies "or herself" when C.S. Lewis says, "God, Himself". Otherwise, I highly recommend this thought-provoking book that I could reread.

After reading this book, I want to read more books by George MacDonald!

-Borrowed from the library.

Turning of Days: Lesson from Nature, Season, and Spirit by Hannah Anderson illustrated by Nathan Anderson

Mrs. Anderson leads the reader through the seasons, observing God's truths in His Creation. Many scripture passages are included at the end of each reading for further exploration and mediation. Mrs. Anderson is a talented writer. At the end of the book, she offers advice how to observe God's creation in a meaningful manner. 

As I read, I felt that a new Christian could misinterpret the author's intentions and seek God only in creation (or worship the created, not the Creator), not in Scripture (Ms. Anderson, however, backed up all of her writings/observations/conclusions with Scripture). 

Unfortunately, since I borrowed this book via inter-library loan and it was due soon, I had to read this book quickly. This book is made to be savored.

-Borrowed via inter-library loan.

Jan Brett's The Nutcracker*

 Ms. Brett's borders add depth to the story (of course!). I liked how by the end the animal musicians were part of the main illustrations, no longer in the border.

Marie loves the Nutcracker her uncle gives her on Christmas. When she wakes up to check on him, she is transported to a magical land for an adventure.

Setting is in Russia, which adds a layer of uniqueness and beauty. Readers will expand their vocabulary too. I had to look up musical terms and Russian/Italian related words.

*Highly recommend.

-Borrowed from the library.

The Legend of Old Befana by Tomie DePaola

 Mr. DePaola relates the legend of Old Befana and how she began visiting the children of Italy, searching for the Christ Child.

-Borrowed from the library.

The Swallows' Flight by Hilary McKay*

 This book is one of the best middle grade novels I have read in a long time! Ms. McKay creates interesting, credible characters with distinct personalities and stories. The reader is introduced to the British girls, Ruby and Kate, when they are first born, and the German boys, Erik and Hans, when they are ten-years-old, and experience their lives into adulthood. These four main characters are living life after World War I and during World War II. 

Ms. McKay adroitly weaves together many families and their stories. She even includes a scrapyard dog and how he impacts the characters' stories! I am thankful that Ms. McKay included family trees because without the family tree, I would have been confused at points. The chapters alternate the points of view.

Ms. McKay is a superb writer. She also included aspects of WWII that I have never considered or have learned. Although this marketed as a middle grade novel, I think junior high and even high school (although they may cringe at reading "middle grade novel") would enjoy this book immensely. 

*Highly recommend.

A previous novel, The Skylarks' War, includes some members of the family in this novel. The Skylarks' War takes place during WWI. Unfortunately, my county library system only has a digital. 

Warning:  The grandfather, Charles Penrose, likes his whiskey and is probably an alcoholic. Kate's brother, Charlie, grabs alchohol on Christmas and becomes drunk, grandfather Charles gives Ruby some of his alcohol when she is having night terrors, which promptly puts her to sleep, Will and his friend drown kittens, some characters die.

Cold Sassy Tree by Olive Ann Burns

 Told from the perspective of fourteen-year-old Will Tweedy, readers find themselves captived by southern small-town life. When his grandfather marries Love Simpson, a young Yankee, only three weeks after his wife's death, the town and his family is appalled. Gossip abounds. Will also navigates growing up amidst this excitement. 

I loved this story! Will was a likeable narrator. The author, Ms. Burns, develops each of the characters well and brings southern life in 1906 to life. 

To consider: Will lusts after Ms. Simpson at points (but distracts himself by making a camping list!), he observes heavy kissing and his grandfather lying with Ms. Simpson, one of the main characters shares that she was raped as a twelve-year-old by her father, Will makes up a story about his aunt nursing a pig to stimulate her milk production, Will seems to like lady's chests and mentions how he tries to see them when they are nursing their babies, a couple of deaths, a suicide, blacks are treated less (which is accurate for that time period)

Christina Rossetti text set

 Inspired by Tomie DePaola's newest book, Christina's Carol, I decided to feature Christina Rossetti at our December Poetry Pie. I provided the books below, but the boys mostly read poems from Sing a Song a Season. I read poems from the Penguin Classic Christina Rossetti-The Complete Poems. She is famous for her poem "The Goblin Market". I, however, did not care for it and did not share it with the boys. 

1. Bloomsbury Poetry Classics-Christina Rossetti Selected Poems 

-Borrowed from the library.

2. Penguin Classics-Christina Rossetti The Complete Poems    I read from the section Sing Song: A Nursery Rhyme Book and also from Feasts and Fast (poems about Christmas). One of the poems you could turn the lines into riddles. Very fun!

-Borrowed from the library.

3. Blooming Beneath the Sun art by Ashley Bryan 

The only picture book I could find that features her poems. Mr. Bryan illustrated each poem with construction paper collage! Stunning. I also liked the brief biography about Ms. Rossetti included at the end. 

-Borrowed from the library.

4. The Victorian Fairy Tale Book -edited by Michael Patrick Hearn

I displayed this book simply because Christina's brother, Dante Gabriel Rossetti,  illustrated "The Goblin Market" in this anthology. I wanted to show the boys how artistic the Rossetti family was. Only two illustrations were included. We did not read "The Goblin Market".

-Borrowed from the library.

5. Sing a Song of Seasons-A Nature Poem for Each Day of the Year selected by Fiona Waters illustrated by Frann Preston-Gannon *Highly recommend.  I own this book (one of my favorite poetry anthologies!).

Out of all of the poets featured, Ms. Waters included more of Rossetti's poems than any other poet! 

The Christmas Feast by Nathalie Dargent illustrated by Magali Le Huche*

 Originally published in France, Le Festin de Noel

Fox steals a turkey to contribute to the Christmas feast wolf, weasel and he are planning. To his surprise, the turkey is quite demanding and transforms their burrow . . .for many years.

Humorous! My favorite illustration is the one right before the end pages.

Pair with My Lucky Day by Keiko Kasza.

-Borrowed from the library.

Gold by Moonlight by Amy Carmichael

 Lessons for Walking through Pain

Many months ago I bought this book and started reading it slowly, one entry per day. A couple of my friends are enduring intense, relentless pain that defies treatment. By reading this book, I was able to pray for them in ways unknown to me months earlier. To be honest, the old-fashion word choice,  superannuated references to literature, and sentence structure challenged me at times.  When I doubted I was understanding its message, God would provide an image in nature or a random thought that was anchored in the reading. I am most thankful for the insight it provided on how to pray for those who are in pain.

Ms. Carmichael takes photographs (very grainy compared to our modern photography!) of nature and connects them to truths about God and His Word as a person experiencing pain.

-I own this book.

One Smart Sheep by Gary D. Schmidt & Elizabeth Stickney illustrated by Jane Manning

 Mr. Schmidt and his late-wife, Elizabeth, wrote this book together before she passed away.

Abigail Atwood is a sheep farmer who loves the quiet. Her neighbor, Jeremiah Jefferson, loves to tinker. . .which produces noise. He also thinks sheep are rather stupid. When Wilson, the friendliest, wooliest and smartest sheep escapes, Abigail and Jeremiah join forces to find him and to bring him home.

The short chapters with full-page illustrations will appeal to transitional readers who are building stamina and confidence.

*Highly recommend for transitional or struggling readers. Toddlers and preschoolers who are advanced in their ability to listen to a story would love this book as a read aloud.

-Borrowed from the library.

The Country Diary of an Edwardian Lady by Edith Holden

 This nature journal was discovered after Ms. Holden's death. For the year of 1906 she recorded her observations of birds, flowers, plants, trees and fungi. She explored the countryside of Olton, Warwickshire by walking, cycling, and sometimes by train. She filled the pages with poetry that reflected the month, mottos for each month, and mostly with journal entries of her observations and beautiful illustrations. Sadly, she died at the age forty-nine when she reached for chestnut tree buds and drowned in the Thames River.

Reading this journal made me long to have the leisure time to walk outside each day with the intent of recording observations of God's marvelous creation!

-Borrowed from the library.

Tomie DePaola Christmas set

Read Aloud Revival celebrates Christmas by offering Christmas School! This year they have engaging activities to support the reading of the following books:

1. The Cat on the Dovrefell (my suggestion: pair with Jan Brett's Who's That Knocking on Christmas Eve?-a retelling of the same Norwegian tale. The author's two writing and illustrations differ greatly and provide the opportunity for a good discussion on their differences. The main story,however, is surprisingly the same!) *Highly recommend both books. 

2. Christmas Tree Book *highly recommend.

My son and I learned so many interesting facts about the tradition of Christmas trees. Especially appealing to me were the German tradition explanations. 

3. Christina's Carol -Tomie was in the middle of illustrating this picture book when he passed away. His publisher used various illustrations from his previous books to complete this book. RAR suggested identifying the books from where they pulled the illustrations. I plan to discuss the art term "medium" with my son when we read this book together. *Highly recommend because of the variety of art displayed  (and I love the poem/carol!).

4. Jingle The Christmas Clown-Jingle the little clown stays behind in a tiny Italian village that cannot pay the traveling circus for their annual Christmas show. Jingle remains behind so the little animals can rest. He brings much joy to the destitute villagers that Christmas Eve.

I own all of the books mentioned except for Who's That Knocking on Christmas Eve?

One Corpse Too Many by Ellis Peters

 England is enduring a civil war as two cousins battle for its throne. In Shrewsbury, Brother Cadfael encounters individuals from opposing sides and navigates how to interact and help them while maintaining his neurality. After Stephen, the cousin who has captured Shrewsbury, demands the massacre of his opponents in the town, one extra corpse lies in the pile of bodies. Brother Cadfael is convinced that the man has been murdered (not hanged/executed) and sets out to prove his theory.

An interesting read! Some of the terms were unfamiliar to me.  Part of a series (and a TV series has been based on these books). Book #2

-Borrowed from the library.

Here, There Be Dragons by James A. Owen*

The Chronicles of the Imaginarium Geographica

 Three men are summoned to one home in London. The man they are to meet has been murdered. Soon strange creatures are chasing them through London's streets. Then a man named Bert leads them on a dragon ship, which carries them into a unknown world.  The dark forces in this fanastical world dominate and affect the known world. The three men join forces to discover ancient stories and to defeat the evil impacting both worlds. Allusions to history and classical writers/stories abound.

Fast-paced with humor.

*Highly recommend.

Warning: a few swear words

Eight books in the series

-Borrowed from the library (but my local used bookstore had copy of it and the fourth one in the series so I bought them!)

The Year at Maple Hill Farm by Alice and Martin Provensen*

 Readers witness month-by-month how animals on the farm and their owners adjust to each season. Detailed, sweet illustrations.  

*Highly recommend.

-Borrowed from the library.

Premeditated Myrtle by Elizabeth C. Bunce*

 Myrtle Hardcastle knows her elderly neighbor has been murdered. Unfortunately, when she shares her clues with the police, they arrest the neighbor's gardener, who happens to be one of Myrtle's tutors and friend. With her governess, Ada Judson, Myrtle investigates to discover the real murderer.

Witty, likable characters. The footnotes were amusing. An English setting in the 1890's makes this book all the more appealing!

*Highly recommend.

-Borrowed from the library. So far there are three books in the series.

Pony by R.J.Palacio

 Ms. Palacio is a fabulous writer. Many years ago I read and loved her book Wonder .  When authors write well across genres, they are good writers. This book contains intriguing characters, insightful peeks into the West in the 1860's and captivating action. The story is well-crafted. 

Twelve-year-old Silas Bird's life is forever altered when men charge into the Bird family home and take his father away. All of his life his father has protected him, but now Silas ventures out into the open wilderness to find his father. Mittenwool, his best friend who is a ghost, accompanies him. Together they encounter a host of characters and adventures.

Warnings: Silas can see and commuincate with ghosts.  Some of the descriptions of the ghosts are graphic as they portray how they die (blood dripping down from a bullet wound etc.). Spiritualism (ghosts) is a theme of the book. Silas's mother is dead from the start of the book. During the book Silas's father dies. At the end of the book the reader finds out that Jack Beautyman is a homosexual. At first I thought I was reading into it, but Ms. Palacio confirms it in the "author's note".

-Borrowed from the library.

In the Shadow of the Fallen Towers written and illustrated by Don Brown*

 Through a graphic novel, Mr. Brown relates the events of 9/11 and its aftermath. He captures the suddeness of the attack and the horror of the first moments and days thereafter. In the author's note he shares about the war, Iraq (weapons of massive destruction)and Abu Zubaydah. He also follows up with individuals' stories he had mentioned throughout the novel.

He wrote and published this book twenty years after 9/11 right before President Biden withdrew the troops from Afghanistan. 

*Highly recommend (for upper elementary-high school).

-Borrowed from the library.

Wonderland by Barbara O'Connor

 --Two girls longing for a best friend, an elderly man grieving over the death of his dog, and a dog determined to escape his race track life--

 Their lives intertwine when Rose's mom hires Mavis's mom to be a housekeeper/cook.  Rose and Mavis become best friends.  Together they are determined to rescue Mr. Duffy and the dog named Henry. The chapters alternate between points of view-Rose, Mavis, and Henry.

Warnings/points to discuss: Mavis's mom switches jobs, boyfriends, and homes often.  Throughout the book she is depicted as a selfish, grumbling woman. She also "checks out" the Tully's gardner and finds him attractive.  Mavis encourages Rose to break her family's rules.  The two have adventures behind the adults' backs. To break the rules, the girls sometimes lie.

Being Clem by Lesa Cline-Ransome*

 A companion to Finding Langston

Out of the three characters from Ms. Cline-Ransome's companion books, I like Clem the best. His humor, sweetness and sincerity endear him to his readers. After Clem's father dies in the Port Chicago explosion, Clem's family struggles to deal with the grief and the ecomonic impact. Being the youngest, Clem feels like he is treated like a baby and strives to prove he is his own person.

Having read the other novels in this trilogy, I enjoyed viewing Langston and Lymon from Clem's eyes as I read this book.  Ms. Cline-Ransome reinforces the importance of considering all the perspectives of a story and how every person has a story and reason for how they respond to life.

Points to discuss: Port Chicago disaster, Bud Billiken parade, treatment of blacks during this time period, bullies, physical abuse, death of parent/grieving, faith-God is mentioned a few times but not central to the characters' beliefs

Read also: Finding Lanston and Leaving Lymon.

*Highly recommend.

-Borrowed from the library.

The Vanderbeekers Make a Wish by Karina Yan Glaser*

 In a few days Papa is turning forty.  The Vanderbeeker siblings have planned the perfect party to celebrate their beloved father. One phone call changes their plans. Then the unexpected arrival of their maternal grandparents causes friction and stress. As the Vanderbeekers navigate relationships, they come to appreciate their family even more.

I read aloud this fifth Vanderbeeker novel to my twelve-year-old. We both enjoyed it! We love this family. While reading the parts about the siblings researching their paternal grandfather, however, I found my interest waning. 

The sixth book in this series will be publish in September, 2022, called The Vanderbeekers on the Road.

*Highly recommend.

-My son owns this book.

Humble Roots by Hannah Anderson*

 How Humility Grounds and Nourishes Your Soul

Through analogies from creation, stories from her life and scripture passages, Hannah Anderson leads the reader to analyze different ways pride can manifest itself in one's life. 

If I owned this book, I would have marked it up with comments and highlights.  My brain can be a funnel; knowledge pours into my brain, swirls around rapidly and then leaves!! Ugh!

Mrs. Anderson has written other reflective books, which I may try to find.

*Highly recommend.

-Borrowed via inter-library loan.

Mitten Strings for God by Katrina Kenision

 Reflections for Mothers in a Hurry

Conversational yet thought-provoking essays will resonate with and will refresh mothers.  Overall the book created in me a deep stirring for quiet and for reflection.  When I read an essay, I felt like I was taking a mini vacation! As I read an essay or two a day, I wondered what the author thought of our fast-pace culture now.  The book was first published in 2000, twenty-one years ago before excessive cell phone usage and social media! It was also humorous in the resource section how phone numbers, catalogs and mailing addresses were included, not websites, internet addresses, or blog addresses.

My favorite line from the book is on page 172, "This is the divine work we mothers do; perhaps for a time, it is our vocation-taking care of the invisible."

Consider-some phrases and concepts seemed a bit "new-agey"/self-spiritual. 

-Borrowed from the library.

Leaving Lymon by Lesa Cline-Ransome

 A companion to Finding Langston

This novel reveals the background and life of Langston's nemesis, Lymon.

Lymon seems to be always waiting for his dad . . .while he tried to find a career in music, while he served time in Parchman State Penitentiary (Otherwise known as "Parchman Farm"). Meanwhile, he lives and thrives with his grandparents until Grandpops dies, forcing them to move north with Aunt Vera and her family.  When Ma falls ill, Lymon finds himself navigating the streets of Chicago and a relationship with a mother he has never known.  Will he ever live with his father and know stability?

A heart-wrenching story about a boy who longs for family and stability. This novel reinforced how everyone has a story and reasons why they act the way they do. 

*Highly recommend for older readers (see warnings).

Warnings/points to discuss: parent abandonment, bullies, swearing, physical and verbal abuse, lying/stealing, out of wedlock/children from multiple fathers, death, diabetes, institutions for juvenile deliquents 

-Borrowed from the library

Halfway to Harmony by Barbara O'Connor*

 After his brother Tank dies in the war, Walter finds comfort sitting Tank's pick-up truck and maintaining it.  His depressed mother seems to have forgotten that she still has a son alive.  His father continues to work away from home for weeks at a time.  Then Posey with her three-legged dog move next door. Summer suddenly seems to be a lot brighter.  Together they stumble upon Banjo (who they think is dead at first!) who offers humor and adventure.  

I especially enjoyed Posey's advice on making friends (so true!!). 

*Highly recommend.

Points to discuss: Banjo cusses throughout the book (but no curse words are stated-just that "he cussed"), father abandonment, birth marks, physical deformities, death/grieving, underage driving!! (parents punish and follow through with consequences)

-Borrowed from the library.

Enduring Freedom by Jawad Arash and Trent Reedy*

 This  novel is based on the authors' experiences.  Although the names have been changed, most of the story reflects actual events and relationships. 

The story begins a day before 9/11.  Joe and Baheer live on opposite sides of the world, but their lives are joined when Joe arrives to fight the Taliban (or so he thinks) in Baheer's village. 

I loved learning about the Afghan culture and Isalm.  Depictions of Joe's army training and army life were insightful. As I read this novel, it made me sad to know that what all these two worked for is now being destroyed once more by the Taliban.  This novel was published a couple of months before Biden pulled out U.S. troops, and the Taliban overtook Afghanistan.  

Warning: reference to the f*** word, war violence (graphic), an Afghan teen who is married to an abusive man (she is his 2nd wife) tries to burn herself to death to escape the relationship-graphic details

Topics to discuss: Afghan culture, Isalm, war, abusive husbands, Taliban, divorce/single parents

-Borrowed from the library.

Finding Langston by Lesa Cline-Ransome*

Awards: A Coretta Scott King Author Honor Book  & Winner of the Scott O'Dell Award for Historical Fiction

After his mother's death, Langston and his father depart beloved Alabama for Chicago where job opportunities abound. Quietly grieving his mother's death, he finds solace in the library and in Langston Hughes's poetry.

I loved this short novel. Ms. Cline-Ransome writes poetically and beautifully. Her character development and word choice are superb.  

Mentor text for "show, not tell".

A lot of topics to discuss: deaths (mother & grandmother),  Great Migration, Langston Hughes, bullies, discrepancy of the treatment of blacks in south vs north, some lying

*Highly recommend. 

**Read also the companion books: Leaving Lymon & Finding Clem.

-Borrowed from the library

The Watsons Go to Birmingham -DVD

 PG-thematic elements, some violent images and mild language

After reading alout The Watsons Go to Birmingham-1963 to my twelve-year-old, I found the movie based on the book.  We agreed that the movie followed the book's basic outline extremely well.  The movie included more Civil Rights scenes. The Civil Rights Movement seemed the main theme of the movie, whereas, the book focused more on the family and their relationships.  The movie was actually more appropriate for a twelve-year-old than the book!

We were disappointed that Kenny's favorite song in the movie was not the same one in the book ("Yakety-Yak").  We wanted to hear that song played in the movie!

The movie portrayed the disparity how the blacks were treated in the south vs the north.

Points to discuss: violence vs blacks, Civil Rights Movement

*Highly recommend.

The Dragon of Cripple Creek by Troy Howell

While Katlin, her brother and her father tour an old mine in Colorado, Kat decides to explore a tunnel not included in the tour.  She falls, encounters a dragon and discovers gold . . . lots of gold.  When the dragon, called Ye, leads her out (through an outhouse seat!!), she manages to slip a gold nugget into her pocket.  Unfortuantely, the media captures the image of the nugget falling to the ground, causing a gold rush.  Kat, her brother and her father must navigate tricky circumstances among greedy people. 

Exciting plot! Some of the characters annoyed me. 

Points to discuss: Kat's mother is in a vegetative state after a fall. She is not better by the end of the story. H*** is mentioned a few times . Homelessness, corrupt media, greed, gambling

-Borrowed from the library.

Mark Twain text set

 Picture book: American Boy  The Adventures of Mark Twain by Don Brown

An entertaining, concise overview of Samuel Clemens's childhood with a few pages exploring his adulthood. I enjoyed making connections between Clemens's childhood and his stories/characters in his books.  

Pair with: Who Was Mark Twain? by April Jones Prince (My fourteen-year-old read this one to help him write an author profile for English). 

-Borrowed from the library.

The Watsons Go to Birmingham-1963 by Christopher Paul Curtis

 Award-winner- Newbery Honor Book, Coretta Scott King Award

I read this book aloud to my twelve-year old.  He enjoyed it immensely (he loved the humor). 

Kenny and his family reside in Flint, MI.  Byron, his older brother, creates "excitement" for the whole family as he searches out and embraces trouble.  Joetta, "Joey", the youngest and only sister, attempts to rescue Byron from trouble.  Kenny relishes Byron's punishments.  When Byron pushes it too far, his parents decide he needs real help-from his maternal grandmother in Alabama.  Mrs. Watson creates a schedule (down to each minute!) in a notebook for their trip to Alabama. Little do they know that this trip will not only transform Byron but the rest of the family as well.  

Humor and familial relationships/interactions dominate the story. The writing and the character and plot development are superb (Mr. Curtis is an excellent writer).

Read Aloud Revival recommends this book for high school. The "warnings" below will explain why they recommend it for this age group. My only question concerning this age group recommendation is "will high schoolers want to read it or listen to it since narrator is a ten-year-old"? Mostly middle-grade readers will be drawn to this book but it is not appropriate for them to read independently. Since I read it aloud, I could skip the inappropriate parts. 

Warnings/points to discuss: treatment of blacks in the 1960s-especially in the south, the Sixteenth Avenue Baptist Church bombing in Alabama on Sept. 15, 1963 (details are given-girls lying around, shoes sticking out in the debris etc), swearing (quite often), stealing, Mr. Watson sneaks a feel at Mrs. Waston's chest (the kids see it; it is described), poor grammar (on purpose, of course!), Kenny almost drowns-described in detail, bullies, characters are proud that they have looked at magazines with naked ladies

-I own this book.

Bronze and Sunflower by Cao Wenxuan

Translated from Chinese by Helen Wang

During the Cultural Revolution, Sunflower's father is sent to a cadre school in the countryside to do hard labor and to attend political classes at night.  Sunflower entertains herself all day, lonely and missing her talented sculptor father.  One day he drowns.  The other attendees of the cadre school cannot care for Sunflower. Across the river is a farming village.  The attendees ask if any family would adopt Sunflower.  Although Bronze's family is poor, they volunteer to care for Sunflower and to welcome her as a family member. Bronze, who is mute, his parents, and grandmother love Sunflower as their own. Even when disaster and misfortune come to their home, they persevere and draw closer together. 

A sweet story of sacrifice, loyalty, love, unselfishness during difficult circumstances

I loved the imagery and figurative language utilized.

Points to discuss/warnings: Sunflower's dad drowns, sometimes parents beat their children when they have disobeyed, the grandmother dies, natural disasters, poverty, Chinese culture, the "cultural revolution"

-Borrowed from the library.

Jonkonnu by Amy Littlesugar illustrated by Ian Schoenherr

 A young girl narrates about the summer Mr. Homer Winslow, a Yankee artist, stays at her mother's hotel.  He "shakes the southern's town world" as he paints and interacts with the African-American community down the road.  

I read aloud this picture book to my twelve-year old to support our study of Winslow Homer. 

The word choice and figurative language are superb.  I also liked the artwork.  Clearly, the placement on the page is making a statement.  I had never heard of "jonkonnu". 

-Borrowed from the library.

Sweet Home Alaska by Carole Estby Dagg

Terpsichore and her family move to Alaska during the Great Depression through a plan of FDR.  As she and her family adjust to the meager resources and delayed building projects, Terpsichore discovers ways she can utilize her gifts and interests (like starting a library and growing massive pumpkins).  

This novel is brimming with interesting details based on a real-life colony called Palmer.  Ms. Dagg thoroughly researched this time period and provides numerous opportunities to bolt down "rabbit trails".  

At first I was not sure if I was going to enjoy this story but when Terpsichore and her family arrived at the Alaska village, the plot became more interesting.  Another reason I did not fully embrace this novel was I am not a fan of FDR and his New Deal.  I sided with Terpsichore's father! Also, I do not know if I had a favorite character and am leaning to the opinion that the character development was lacking. 

*I can highly recommend this book for its solid historical information, descriptive setting,  and excellent writing style.  

-Borrowed from the library.

The Wisdom of Trees by Lita Judge

 How Trees Work Together to Form a Natural Kingdom

Through poems and side explanations, Ms. Judge celebrates the incredible tree and its impact on our world. She honors trees above the Creator, almost making it seem like they have souls, the ability to make choices. Definitely an environmental bent. 

More explanations in the back. 

-Borrowed from the library.

The Beatryce Prophecy by Kate DiCamillo illustrated by Sophie Blackall

 Ms. DiCamillo stuns me with her beautiful prose time and time again.  Her word choice and phrases are concise and memorable. As I read this newest book, I marveled at her ability to spin a beautiful, unique story.

The prophecy says a girl will unseat the king.  When Brother Edik discovers a girl in the pen with their moody goat, Answelica, he is unprepared for the disruption the girl will bring to his life and the kingdom. Numerous stories and well-developed characters are woven seamlessly into one incredible narrative.

Points to discuss: cruelty, killing, females treated unequally  Some readers/parents may find this book is a gentle nod to feminism. 

-Borrowed from the library.

The World's Greatest Detective by Caroline Carlson*

 For the past three years trouble keeps finding Toby Montrose.  Ever since his parents' death, he has been foisted onto his relatives. His Uncle Gabriel, a detective who lives on Detectives' Row, is the last relative, the last resort.  To earn much needed money, Toby secretly enters famous Hugh Abernathy's crime solving contest (who is Uncle Gabriel's nemesis).  Can Toby and his new friend, Ivy, solve the murder case to earn the title "The World's Greatest Detective" (and ten thousand dollars!)?

I loved this mystery.  The characters are well-developed, the plot is enticing and the ending is satisfying.  It was a "breath of fresh air" to read a well-written novel for the sake of just a good story, no hidden agenda or subtle indoctrination.

*Highly recommend for fourth graders and older. (topic -murder, I think there was one swear word.)

-Borrowed from the library.

The Overground Railroad by Lesa Cline-Ransome illustrated by James Ransome*

 This wife-husband team depicts a family's move from the south to the north during the Great Migration.  

The illustrations, the text layout, and lyrical narration will encourage discussion.  I like how the story is not linear and mixes in the story of Frederick Douglass. 

To prepare for a WOW class (Writers on Writing),  I read aloud this book and discussed it with my twelve-year-old son.  

*Highly recommend.

-Borrowed from the library.

Lena, the Sea, and Me by Maria Parr illustrated by Lara Paulussen Translated from Norwegian by Guy Puzey

 A sequel to Adventures with Waffles

In this novel, Trille and Lena navigate growing up and the topsy-turvey emotions of the preteen stage.  Trille develops a crush on a girl from the Netherlands, Lena is forced off the local soccer team, and Trille's mother seems to be going through menopause (she is only forty-five years old . . .hmm?!).  Trille suddenly finds a lot of reasons to trek up the hill to the farm (where his crush just happens to be living), practice the piano and to neglect his relationship with fiesty Lena and also his beloved grandfather.  Even though the main characters are experiencing  tumultuous feelings, they manage to find adventure around the cove and in the sea.  

Opportunities to discuss the importance of family and friendship and how feelings can distort our thoughts, attitudes and actions.

I did not like the sequel as much as Adventures with Waffles, but it was mostly because of the stage Trille and Lena were "enduring".  Ms. Parr portrayed the feelings of a crush (the mindlessness and the selfishness) and how middle school kids act well.

Warning: When Trille asks his Birgit, his crush, whom she likes best out of the boys, she replies, "Well, probably Keisha." (Keisha is her best friend, a girl, whom she met in Africa).  One reviewer took this sentence as a homosexual reference.  I am not sure.