Home by Thomas Locker

 Poems, paragraphs, quotes by famous Americans are illustrated by Mr. Locker's beautiful, lavish oil paintings.

-Borrowed from the library.

Holocaust -DVD

 Starring James Wood, Meryl Streep, Michael Moriarty

Not rated

Won multiple awards

This movie depicts the horrors of WW II through two families-Weiss family of Berlin (Jewish) and the Dorfs (one son is a high-ranking Nazi officer).  We were watching this movie during lunch.  I decided to stop watching it partly through disc one because of a rape scene and a couple of bedroom scenes.

-Borrowed from the library.

Understood Betsy by Dorothy Canfield Fisher*

 Sarah Mackenzie, from Read Aloud Revival, read aloud a portion from this book during her latest Circle With Sarah.  

Elizabeth Ann, aka Betsy, lives with very protective relatives Aunt Frances and Aunt Harriet.  Aunt Frances claims that Betsy is very fragile and needs help with everything.  As a result, Betsy lacks confidence and is an anxious child.  When Aunt Harriet develops a cough and requires Aunt Frances undivided attention, Betsy is shipped off to different relatives.  Aunt Abigial, Uncle Henry,  and Cousin Ann give Betsy the freedom and opportunity to develop self-confidnece and to live life with curiosity and joy.  Ms. Fisher addresses the reader directly throughout the book.   Several times I found myself agreeing with the author's wise philosophies.  

*Highly recommend for those children (& parents) who appreciate old-fashion, wholesome books.

-Borrowed from the library.

When Stars Are Scattered by Victoria Jamieson and Omar Mohamed*

 Omar and his younger brother, Hassan, have lived in a refugee camp in Dadaab, Kenya, since Omar was four years old.  An older woman, Fatuma, lives in a tent across from them  and watches over them.  

The harsh realities of refugees are depicted well.  The story of these two boys and their ways of survival will capture readers' hearts.  

Omar is admirable brother and young man.  In his narration, however, he does not shy away from sharing his flaws.   

God is mentioned throughout the book.  I think the god he is referring to is Allah.   Omar learns from the Quran and prays in the fashion of a Muslim.

I would discuss this book with your child---refugees, war in Somalia, special needs children, death of parents, how women/girls are treated in third world countries.

*Highly recommend.

-Borrowed from the library.

Awards it won:

National Book Award Finalist
Schneider Family Book Award, Middle School Honor
YALSA Great Graphic Novel for Teens
YALSA Quick Pick for Reluctant Young Adult Readers
YALSA Excellence in Nonfiction Nominee
Walter Award Winner (Younger Readers)
Amazon Best Children’s Book of 2020
New York Times Book Review Notable Children's Book
TIME Best Book of the Year
School Library Journal Best Book of 2020
Kirkus Best Children’s Book of 2020
NYPL Best Book for Kids
NPR's Book Concierge Pick
Jane Addams Children's Book Award Finalist
Charlotte Huck Award Honor Book
2021 ALSC Notable Children’s Books List
2021 Children’s Africana Book Award Honor Book
2021 Josette Frank Award Winner
2021 Notable Books for a Global Society List

Anne Arrives adapted by Kallie George illustrated by Abigail Halpin

 Adapted into short chapter books, the Anne series is now accessible to beginning/early readers.  

Lovely illustrations.

#1 in a series (only 2 in the series so far).

-Borrowed from the library.

Ronia, the Robber's Daughter by Astrid Lindgren

 My boys and I were part of a virtual author visit with Maria Parr (author of Adventures with Waffles & Astrid the Unstoppable) through Read Aloud Revival.  Ms. Parr recommended this book.  

Ronia's father, Matt, is a robber who lives in a mountain with his band of thieves.  Ronia roams the woods freely not being afraid of anything.  When she meets Birk, her life is forever changed. He is her first (and only) friend.  Birk's father, however,  is Matt's revival and archenemy.  Can any situation or any person bring friendship between the two  robber bands?

Entertaining and humorous.  I love the idea of kids roaming the forest from sunrise to sunset, free and imaginative!

Points to discuss/warnings: a few swear words, the main characters' living is stealing/robbing the innocent, scary magical folks,fighting/violence, an older, endearing thief dies at the end 

-Borrowed from the library.

Gracelaced by Ruth Chou Simons*

 Beautifully illustrated devotions

The book is divided by seasons, each season having a theme.  Mrs. Simons includes three additional Bible verses to "delve deeper".  

Winter-Resting in God's Character

Spring-Rehearsing the Truth

Summer-Responding in Faith

Autumn-Remembering God's Provisions

*Highly recommend (I could not finish it since it was due at the library, and  I could not renew it. I am hoping to borrow it again.)

-Borrowed from the library.

Robert Frost text set

 We celebrated the life and poetry of Robert Frost during our latest poetry tea.  Below is a list of books we referenced and read-

1. You Come Too-Favorite Poems for Young Readings-wood engravings by Thomas W. Nason -borrowed from the library.

2. Poetry for Kids Robert Frost edited by Jay Parini, PhD  illustrated by Micahel Paraskevas-Borrowed from the library.

3. Poetry for Young People -Robert Frost edited by Gary Schmidt illustrated by Henri Sorensen -(I own this book.) 

4. Birches illustrated by Ed Young-borrowed from the library

5. Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening illustrated by Susan Jeffers -borrowed from the library.

6. The Road Not Taken illustrated by Vivian Mineker-borrowed from the library

7.  Papa is a Poet   A Story about Robert Frost by Natalie S. Bober illustrated by Rebecca Gibbon-borrowed from the library

8. Sing a Song of Seasons  A Nature Poem for Each Day of the Year by Nosy Crow/Fiona Waters-I own this anthology. 

**Serve homemade candy bark with tea!

Heartwood Hotel-Better Together #3 by Kallie George illustrated by Stephanie Graegin*

 Mona and Tilly continue to be maids at the Heartwood Hotel.  This spring, however, the hotel's owner, Mr. Heartwood, leaves for a much needed vacation.  Giles, the frontdesk manager, runs the hotel during Mr. Heartwood's absence.  When the creatures hear the rumor that a new hotel is being built up stream, they panic about the potential competition and decide to make the annual Spring Splash even more elaborate.  But will their ostentatious display put the lives of their guests in danger?   Mona also struggles with jealousy over Tilly's brother, Henry, and the attention he receives.

*Highly recommend for children who have learned to read at an early age and need wholesome chapter books.  Also a great choice for a read aloud to advanced toddlers or preschoolers.

-Borrowed from the library.

Exquisite by Suzanne Slade illustrated by Cozbi A. Cabrera

The Poetry and Life of Gwendolyn Brooks  

-Award winner (A 2021 Coretta Scott King Book Award Illustrator Honor Book, A 2021 Robert F. Sibert Informational Honor Book, A 2021 Association of Library Service to Children Notable Children's Book)

At an early age Gwendolyn Brooks heard and loved poetry.  This biography traces her passion from her childhood through the moment she wins the Pulitzer Prize.  One her poems, which she had written when she was fifteen called "Cloud", is included at the end.  

-Borrowed from the library.

It Began With a Page by Kyo Maclear illustrated by Julie Morstad

 This book shares Gyo Fujikawa's life as a child, as a young adult exploring her artistic possibilities, and as a confident illustrator wanting to change publishing.  I liked how the author included historical events which were occurring at this time  and how they directly impacted Ms. Fujikawa's life. 

-Borrowed from the library.

One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich by Alexander Solzhenitsyn

 Ivan Denisovich, called Shukhov ( a family last name-one in government files) by the narrator throughout the book, is serving time in one of Stalin's work camp.  From the first reveille until the second recount at night, readers experience a typical day in a work camp as they read/observe Ivan Denisovich's routine.  

As I read, I had to retell myself numerous times that actual people endure this brutality.  I wanted to push out of my mind that people had suffered this way.  

Necessary reading for high school age or college age when studying communism and Stalin.

Labeled "young adult".

Warnings: work camp brutality, swearing (f word a few times)

To Sleep, Perchance to Dream by William Shakespeare illustrated by James Mayhew

 A Child's Book of Rhymes

A variety of verses from Shakespeare's plays 

 Mr. Mayhew arranges the different verses to support his illustrations.

Beautiful illustrations depict a day of three children (and a baby) and a mother .

-Borrowed from the library.

Bo at Ballard Creek by Kirkpatrick Hill illustrated by Leuyen Pham

 When Bo was a baby, her mother, who was a "good-time" girl, handed her off to Arvid, a blacksmith in a mining camp, telling him to take her to an orphange.  Arvid did not know what to do with the baby.  Jack, a cook at the mining camp, pitched in to help Arvid.  Both of them decided they could not leave Bo at an orphange and committed to raise her together.   

The story takes place when is Bo five-years-old, loving her life with two miners as her papas and experiencing the miner camp with many interesting miners, Eskimos and two good-time girls.  While reading this book, the reader will learn a lot about the life of a miner, the Alaskan natives, and life during the 1920s. The characters are likable and humorous.

Ms. Pham's illustrations are adorable.  

Points to discuss/warnings: two papas (no hint that they are romantically involved-they have just agreed to raise Bo together), swearing-a few times, "good-time girls", smoking, drinking, the kids like looking at naked pictures in the National Geographic magazines, one miner explains rocks/life via evolutionary/old earth lens.

-Borrowed from the library.

Heartwood Hotel-A True Home #1 by Kallie George illustrated by Stephanie Graegin*

 A sweet book with adventure for transitional readers . . .especially for children who learn to read at an early age.  Precocious preschoolers would enjoy listening to this as a read aloud (or even read to themselves if they can read).

Mona the mouse is looking for a new home.  When she spies a big oak tree with a heart engraved on its trunk, she pushes the heart, and a door opens for her.  Inside the tree it is splendid!  Music, laughter, roasted acorns greet her.  Mona has discovered the Heartwood Hotel where every creature is welcomed (except bugs, bears and wolves).  Mr. Heartwood, the owner, allows her to stay for a season working as a maid.  Despite the safety of the tree, danger lurks.  Mona's courage saves the hotel.

Delightful!  Four books are in the series.

*Highly recommend.

Points to discuss: Mona is an orphan and lost her parents in a flood.  Tilly, a fellow maid, is not kind to Mona throughout the book.  

-Borrowed from the library.

The Princess and the Goblin by George MacDonald*

 I read aloud this classic to my eleven-year old.  After hearing a well-known pastor use portions of this book in analogy for his sermon, my curiosity was piqued, and I bought the book.

The Princess has discovered hallways and doorways she did not know had existed.  In one room she encounters her many-greats grandmother, who seems to know everything!  No one, however, believes her stories about the beautiful elderly lady.  

Curdie, a miner's son, realizes that the goblins are planning to dig a tunnel into the Princess's house and steal the Princess as a bride for Harelip, the goblin king's son.  With patience and courage, Curdie manages to thwart their scheme and finds a friend in the process.

First published in 1872, it has never been out of print!

*Highly recommend.  

-I own this book.

Points to discuss/to consider- (for sensitive readers)- nasty goblins and battle violence 

Dancing Under the Red Star by Karl Tobien*

 Mr. Tobien relates his mother's incredible story when she lived in Stalinist Russia.  Margaret Werner and her parents leave the United States of America in 1932 for Russia so her father can oversee a new Ford manufactoring facility in Gorky.  With the Great Depression affecting all families in the U.S., Carl Werner (Margaret's father) truly thought he was giving his family a better life.  Later Carl Werner is arrested under false charges, leaving Margaret and her mother to fend for themselves in a foreign country.   Margaret's willingness to voice her opinions against Stalin and the Socialist agenda eventually cause her arrest and the years of torture and hard labor.

Margaret's story will challenge all readers and also will give them a glimpse of what a fear-inducing government does to a people group. Although Margaret was not a Christian during her years of imprisonment, she continually cried out to God.  Many supernatural events occurred and point to God.  Margaret's mother, Elizabeth, was a Christian who prayed continually. 

*Highly recommend.

Warnings: graphic details of the torture/hardships in the labor camps, mention of rape (no explicit details), prostitution (no explicit details), a woman in the labor camp has an abortion; it is described, adultery (no explicit details-Margaret's husband is unfaithful), physical abuse (no details), divorce

-Borrowed from the library.