The Fabled Stables -Belly of the Beast by Jonathan Auxier illustrated by Olga Demidova

 #3 in this series

Auggie is the caretaker of Fable Stables, full of one-of-a-kind beasts. Fen, the stick in the mud, deposits fear in Auggie's mind that his time there as caretaker may end soon. When a portal appears for Auggie to bring back a distressed beast, Auggie sets off to prove he is a capable caretake. He encounters a beast who swallows individuals whole. A new friend awaits him and Fen, the disgruntled stick, may soften a bit, just a tad! 

I like how Mr.Auxier weaves in the importance calling someone by their name/remembering their name, a seemingly insignificant gesture but which shows the person you value them.

I think Mr. Auxier alludes to his book Sophie Quire and the Last Storyguard through the character Veena, who must be a storyguard to The Book of What. I have not read Sophie Quire in a few years, so my memory is not clear.

Points to consider/Warnings: beasts (may scare sensitive children), the word "hate", Fen, the stick, is sarcastic, mean, and disrespectful

A perfect book for transitional readers or readers building stamina (short chapters with full-page vibrant illustrations)

-Borrowed from the library.

Death on the Nile by Agatha Christie

 This is the second Agatha Christie book I read aloud to my boys. My sons and I really enjoy her stories. Her plots are tightly-written and are oh, so clever! We are always astounded how she keeps us guessing until the very end. Incredible writer. We also get a kick out of Hercule Poirot, a lovable, humorous,  yet conceited man. 

The three of us did not like this one as much as the A.B.C. Murders.

Simon and Linnet Doyle are touring the Nile for their honeymoon when Simon's former fiancee begins appearing at every hotel and tour they have booked. She leers at them. She makes them uncomfortable. Pure torture! One morning Linett Doyle is found shot in the head. Suspects and secrets abound. Thankfully, Hercule Poirot is on the cruise and will sift through the confusion and lies to capture the culprit.

Warnings: I was able to skip over most of the following since I was reading aloud or could at least edit the details: some swearing, Mrs. Otterbourne, a novelist, is obsessed with sex and centers her novels on it (no graphic details are given--but she outspoken about her novels themes), five people are murdered, suicide, some drinking, an alcoholic, a kleptomaniac and a communist are on board (separate characters)

-I own this book. We won't be seeing the movie.

The Ogress and the Orphans by Kelly Barnhill

 Stone-in-the Glen once was a pleasant town where the people were mostly kind and generous to each other. When a dragon burned down their library, the town and the relationships disintegrated. Fortunately, a dragon-fighting man arrives to fight the dragon. This man becomes their mayor. The people seem to be enarmoured with him and are blind to his poor leadership. He rules with fear and suspicision. The children at the Orphan House oppose his ways and resist his "spell". Meanwhile, the Orgress living on the edge of town lavishes the bitter, fearful residents with baked goods and hand-painted cards during the night. Can kindness truly overcome fear and greed?

Discuss: worldview/philosophy: Can kind acts transform people? Are books the answer to everyone's problems? Is everyone naturally good? How do rhetoric and repeated phrases influence individuals?

I do not agree with all of the author's worldviews (see questions above) but this book provides opportunity to discuss these worldviews.

The writing is elegant, lyrical and poetic. The reader will fall in love with the main orphans, Matron, Myron and the Ogress (I also liked the cobbler's wife!). I liked how Ms. Barnhill offers hints who the mayor is and how she does not reveal the narrator until the end. The narrator had a lot of voice.

For some reason the book took me longer than usual to complete (it has 390 pgs). . .it may be I was busier these last couple of weeks.

-Borrowed from the library.

Reread-The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien*

 Seven years ago my then five-year-old asked me to read The Hobbit to him. This spring I read it aloud to him again as a twelve-year-old. The story is fabulous and delightful. Quality books are worth rereading! A

*Highly recommend.

-We own two copies. I bought a newer version recommended by RAR since the spine in our paperbook copy was splitting.

Soon I will start reading aloud The Lord of the Rings to him (after we finish a James Herriot book).

Celia Planted a Garden by Phyllis Root and Gary Schmidt illustrated by Melissa Sweet

 Throughout her life, Celia brought beauty to the world through her gardens (even around a lighthouse on a barren island!), poems, and paintings. In addition to the main narrative, the authors insert quotes from her poems and writings on the pages. A time line offers a closer view into her life.

-Borrowed from the library.

I Bite the Bad Guys by Mary Jo P. Glover, Debbi Kent, & Joan Suwalsky illustrated by Lee, Woong Ki*

 After a year of successfully guarding the village,  Horangi, a tiger,  and his friend Kkachi, a magpie, take an afternoon off and hike the mountain. Horangi does not see any bad guys but senses something is not right. He vows repeatedly as they hike if he sees any bad guys. . .he will bite them! A sweet ending to their day (& ending for the book) awaits them!

Readers can find the dokkaebi (mythical creatures who cause mischief) hidden in the illustrations throughout the story. The end pages contain descriptions of Korean folktale creatures and Korean culture. With each description is how to pronounce the Korean word and the word in Hangul (Korean writing).

*Highly recommend for learning about Korean folktales and Korean culture  Beautifully illustrated and delightfully told!

It sounds like this team plans to write more books under the label "Ginkgo Tree Tales".

-Borrowed from my friend who recently adopted a child from Korea  

A Duet for Home by Karina Yan Glaser

 After her father dies, June, her mother, and her sister Maybelle move into Huey House, a homeless shelter for families. Forced to be the leader of the family since her mother refuses to talk or to function, June is overwhelmed with caring for her sister, waking up before 5 A.M. to be transported to her school in Chinatown, and figuring out a way to keep practicing her viola. 

Tyrell has lived in the Huey House for over three years. He and his best friend Jeremiah have managed to provide chaos and entertainment for the families (and employees) with their practical jokes. When he and Jeremiah meet June, they share their secret hideout within the building so she can practice her viola. Secretly, Tyrell longs to learn to play the violin.

Overhearing about new housing policies to be enforced, Tyrell and June collaborate to make their situation known to the mayor.

Great character development. Offers insight into what homeless families endure. I thought it ended a bit abruptly . .. not as neatly resolved as Ms. Glaser's Vanderbeeker books. I would not recommend this book for younger elementary.

Points to discuss: homelessness, parent's death, parent neglect, a dad killed a man and is in jail,  a bit of romance, Domenika has a romance novel in her car, and the cover art has a woman with a very low-cut dress with a shirtless man (Tyrell has to read it aloud so Domenika's dog doesn't become car sick!!), lying, Chinese superstition, afterlife beliefs

The Candymakers and the Great Chocolate Chase by Wendy Mass*

 Sequel to The Candymakers

Six (!!) years ago I read The Candymakers but forgot to read its sequel. 

In this sequel, Logan, Miles, Philip and Daisy are reunited as they take a roadtrip to promote Philip's winning candy creation. Along the way they discover buried secrets about family and Life is Sweet factory/business. 

Points to consider/discuss: lying, some of the boys notice pretty girls along the way (nothing inappropriate)

*Highly recommend (it is long, though-534 pages!) My twelve-year-old read recently read both books and likes the first one better than this one. I recommend reading the two books within weeks/months of each other. Since I read the 1st one six years ago, I did not understand some of the references made to the events in the first book. 

-Borrowed from the library.

All Creatures Great & Small Season 2 DVD*

 Our whole family enjoys this series! After watching it, your soul is uplifted.

In this season, James and Helen's romance develops. Will Tristan ever pass his exams? Love, kindness, and unselfishness abound in these episodes. The landscapes, in all seasons, are breathtaking (someday, maybe? I will visit Yorkshire and walk the dales?).

*Highly recommend.

Consider: drinking (to celebrate, when feeling down), minimal swearing, Mrs. Hall is supposedly married but may be permitting a relationship with a widower, Tristan has a reputation of flitting around with many different women, one of Tristan's "friends" is engaged--she tells him she can have one more "fun" evening with him (the show does not center on these concerns)

Now we have to wait another whole year for season 3!

-Borrowed from the library.

Gentle and Lowly by Dane Ortlund*

 Our church offered this book on Christmas Eve to those who wanted it.

By using scripture and writings from the Puritans, Mr. Ortlund delves into the study of the heart of Christ. As I read, I was able to discern erroneous views I had of God and His Son. I highlighted and underlined many sentences as I read! Since I read this book over many months, I did not retain as much as I would have liked. It will be a book I reread/reference over time.

*Highly recommend.

-I own this book.

Castle -Complete Second Season-DVD

 Starring Nathan Fillion & Stana Katic

My husband and I watch these episodes for date night. Unfortunately, sexual innuendos and hints of sex (or actual brief scenes) pop up so we do not include our boys when we watch it.

Richard Castle, a murder mystery writer, teams up with detective Kate Beckett in solving murders so he can research. His best-selling novel series features a female detective based on Beckett. Humor abounds. We like the relationship Castle has with his daughter, Alexis (Alexis is sweet.). 

One of my favorite shows! Highly recommend for adults.

-Borrowed from the library.