Father Brown Season Nine DVD*

 Father Brown once again solves a wide-variety of cases. Favorite characters appear-Hercule Flambeau!!, Sid, Lady Felicia, Bunty Windermere, and of course, Mrs. McCarthy. This season features Father Brown's 100th episode. God's redemption is offered in each episode. 

*Highly recommend.

-Borrowed from the library.

Warnings/points to discuss w/ teens: one episode-"The New Order" features a homosexual, excessive drinking in many episodes, murder, Lady Felicia almost leaves her husband but their relationship is restored in the 100th episode

Teatime Discipleship by Sally Clarkson*

 This book is beautiful-the photographs, the art, the layouts, the organization . The designers intentionally considered the appearance of this coffee table quality book. Mrs. Clarkson's writing is intimate. She speaks to the reader like they are sitting across from her, sipping tea. Her words exhort her readers.  Yes, she includes scrumptious recipes, music & book ideas, stories from her life, but her main focus is on God and a relationship with Him. Pages for writing down ideas, prayers and reflections are included.

Stunning book-both in words and in appearance. 

*Highly recommend.

-Borrowed from the library.

I just saw on Amazon that Oct. 10, 2023 Mrs. Clarkson will be publishing a book about teatime discipleship for mother and daughter. 

Words Set Me Free by Lesa Cline-Ransome illustrated by James E. Ransome*

 The Story of Young Frederick Douglass

This coming school year my sixteen-year-old may read Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass. This picture book may be a good introduction to this courageous man.

This biography accounts Frederick's early life and how learning to read empowered him to escape slavery.

*Highly recommend.

-Borrowed from the library.

Concrete From the Ground Up by Larissa Theule illustrated by Steve Light*

 A fascinating book that shares the history of concrete 

Humor is woven into the text. 

Children interested in building and how things work will love this book.

*Highly recommend.

-Borrowed from the library.

The Strange Birds of Flannery O'Connor by Amy Alznauer illustrated by Ping Zhu

 Over the past ten years I have read about Flannery O'Connor in numerous blogs and articles. I have not yet read any of her stories or writings. This biographical picture book heightens my interest in her and her writing.

This book focuses mainly on her creativity as a young child and then her determination to write despite Lupus overtaking her body. The bold, somewhat strange, over-sized illustrations depict Flannery's personality.

-Borrowed from the library.

The Three Questions written and illustrated by Jon J. Muth

 Based on a story by Leo Tolstoy

Nikolai, a boy eager to act correctly in all situations, seeks the answers to three questions-1. When is the best time to do things? 2. Who is the most important? 3. What is the right thing to do? 

When his friends' answers seem a bit absurd, he seeks counsel from the wise turtle Leo.  Through a series of events, Nikolai learns the answers to these three important questions. 

-Borrowed from the library.

Miss Lady Bird's Wildflowers by Kathi Appelt illustrated by Joy Fisher Hein

 Readers learn about Lady Bird Johnson's early childhood and how flowers and the outdoors impacted her at a young age and as a result, influenced her pursuits as First Lady and as a widower.

Lavish illustrations of Texas and wildflowers.

-Borrowed from the library.

Happy Easter from the Crayons by Drew Daywalt and illustrated by Oliver Jeffers

 The crayons are coloring to help decorate for Easter. Purple crayon has an issue with the other crayons' methods. 

Very short. I like the first two books in this "series" better.

-Borrowed from the library.

All Creatures Great & Small Season 3 DVD*

 Our family loves this TV series! (my sixteen-year-old says he does not like it as much as some others . . .but he sits with us and smiles at the characters' antics!)

A lot of intense events occur in this season-James and Helen marry and adjust to living in Skeldale House. James pursues tuberculosis testing although the farmers protest it and Siegfried is wary. Tristan tries to figure out his place in the practice. . .and in the world. Mrs. Hall's relationship with her son Edward is revealed. My affection for her grew this season. Then the impending War adds tension for all people. The season ends with a sad departure (I do not know how I can watch upcoming seasons without this character . . .was a favorite.), but a new arrival adds cheer and promising joy in seasons to come.

*Highly recommend.

Point to discuss: drinking-turning to it when sad or upset.

-Borrowed from the library (but may eventually own).

The Art of Manliness Classic Skills and Manners for the Modern Man by Brett and Kate McKay *

 We enjoyed paging through this book over several months. I read sections aloud during lunch. 

A great book to have in high-traffic areas . . .people find themselves drawn into the varied topics.

Warning: Sex is discussed but not in a graphic, inappropriate way. They advocate sex within marriage. 

*Highly recommend.

-Borrowed from the library.

1000 Hours Outside Activities to Match Screen Time with Green Time by Ginny Yurich*

A beautiful book full of ideas with photographs how to enjoy God's creation. The book is organized by seasons.

*Highly recommend.

-Borrowed from the library.

 

Just a Lucy So and So by Lesa Cline-Ransome illustrated by James Ransome

 I had my thirteen-year -old read this picture biography to support our literature study of The Trumpet of the Swan. I also read it. Ms. Cline-Ransome reveals Louis's consistent love for music throughout his life and how he  becomes famous. I found the text a bit confusing as I am not familiar with New Orleans, the slang, or the Jazz musicians. The author's note clarified a lot for me.

-Borrowed via inter-lib. loan

The Famous Authors Series-Robert Burns-DVD

 Since we will be visiting Scotland, I decided to feature this famous Scottish poet for our last "poetry cake" for the school year. This video shares about Burns's life chronologically and his progress as a poet. It does focus on his love affairs. He had a few lovers and children out of wedlock. The video itself was informative but very dry. I will not be showing this DVD to my sons. I watched it for background information for myself.

30 minutes long

-Borrowed from the library.

Walking Across Egypt by Clyde Edgerton

 Recently I bought Honey for a Teen's Heart by Gladys Hunt with Barbara Hampton for my thirteen-year-old, so he could find wholesome titles to read. It is NOT one I would give him to him to read. Although I found it humorous and loved the main character, Mattie Rigsbee, different parts were not appropriate. 

Seventy-eight-year-old Mattie Rigsbee thinks maybe she is falling apart a bit. Then a dog-catcher, Lamar, enters her life. Life becomes a bit more exciting. She decides to visit Lamar's nephew Wesley, who is in an institute for criminal teens, since Jesus says to minister to the least of these. This visit commences a series of events that redirect Mattie's life. 

Mattie is a faithful church-attendee and seems to love God and want to live for Him. I would not, however, label this book "Christian". I love the descriptions of Mattie's good cooking/baking and people's reactions to it. They keep stopping by around meal times!

Excellent character depictions. Many humorous interactions

Warnings: When certain characters speak, they swear often. Wesley thinks about: "making it" with women, about a girlfriend he had and how "she wouldn't let him do anything hardly, even after he told her he loved her", lying, when Wesley is taking a bubble bath, he thrusts his groin up through the bubbles to see his privates (not explicit description, but enough to know what he is thrusting up!), Mattie talks about sperm count, she also thinks at the end that maybe she should marry Wesley so she can have a type of grandchild?-a bit wacky & weird.

Borrowed-inter-lib. loan

In the Hall with the Knife by Diana Peterfreund

 A CLUE Mystery

Starting in third grade, I was obsessed with the board game Clue. My one friend and I would play for hours at her house. Eventually my parents bought me the game, which I still own! I was excited to read this book which features characters and the mansion from the Clue game.

I was very impressed how Ms. Peterfreund created high school juniors based on the characters in the game. Yes, they are teenagers but their personalities and interests reflect their names. I also enjoyed entering the various rooms from the game as I read. 

A storm strikes Maine where students at a private school are about to leave for break. Most of the students successfully leave the island before the storm unleashes.  Scarlett, Mustard, Green, Peacock, Plum and Orchid are stuck in the old mansion with their headmaster and Mrs. White, the proctor of the manison. The next morning the headmaster is found dead with a knife in his chest, pushed into the conservatory's closet. Did a looter kill the headmaster, or is one of them the killer? Each characters has secrets, which are slowly revealed as the story progresses. Although the novel ends with the killer being discovered and apprehended, most characters have only shared a part of their secrets. Two more books follow this one. I read reviews on the next two and learned that one of the characters is bisexual and another character is homosexual. 

Warning: murder, one character is macabre, most of the characters are quite self-centered and selfish. I only liked three characters, and in a later book one of these characters is killed.

-Borrowed from the library.

The Story of the Saxophone by Lesa-Cline Ransome illustrated by James E. Ransome**

 I found this book very interesting. Ms. Cline-Ransome reveals how Adolphe Sax, a Belgian, invented the saxophone and how this unusual instrument and its music made its way to New Orleans. Included on the end pages and at the end the story are illustrations of famous saxophone players. 

*Highly, highly recommend, especially for kids who love jazz music. So fascinating!

-Borrowed from the library.

The Trumpet of the Swan by E.B. White Audio (read by E.B. White!)**

 My thirteen-year-old and I listened to this audio book during our weekly trips for his medical appointments. Although we did not think E.B. White was the most enthusiastic narrator, he did not turn us off from listening. Mr. White is a superb writer. The Trumpet of the Swan is my favorite out of the three novels he wrote. 

Louis, the mute swan, learns to read, write, and play the trumpet so he can win his true-love's affections. He also works off to pay his father's debt. . .his father flew into a music store and stole a trumpet for his son!

My son and I laughed out loud often at the father's monologues. We loved the last chapter-an example of Mr. White's astute writing ability. A lot of songs are mentioned throughout the novel. It would be fun to listen to all of the songs. 

**Highly, highly recommend.

-Borrowed from the library (I own the actual novel.)

Millet Tilled the Soil by Sybil Deucher & Opal Wheeler illustrated by Dorothy Bayley*

 I read sections of this long picture book to my thirteen-year-old over a several weeks during our study of Millet. We both enjoyed this old biography. My son wanted me to buy it because it is so old and a first edition!

In narrative format, the authors relate how Millet started painting and developing his gift through his success as a painter in his adult years as he supported his wife and many children.

*Highly recommend.

-Borrowed via intra-lib. loan.

When Winter Robeson Came by Brenda Woods*

 A novel in free verse

Eden is thrilled that her cousin Winter Robeson from Mississippi is staying with her and her parents in LA for two weeks. Her mother has created an itinerary for the cousins; however, Winter has another agenda, to find his father who has been missing from his life for ten years. As the cousins investigate, they encounter interesting inviduals who quickly become their friends. Then for six days the Watts Riots occur, shutting down certain sections of LA. Despite the danger, the cousins rescue an elderly lady from the fray. A wonderful ending! I love the incoroporation of figurative language that utilizes musical terms.

Based on the author's memories of the Watts Riots in 1965.

*Highly recommend.

-Borrowd from the library.

Ada's Violin by Susan Hood illustrated by Sally Wern Comport*

 The wide-world is an amazing place! Ms. Hood relates how Ada Rios learns to play a violin made out of trash! In the town of Cateura, its residents have a backyard full of Paraguay's capital city, Asuncion's trash. When Favio Chavez travels there as an environmental engineer, he notices the children who do not have productive activities. Mr. Chavez, also a musician, decides to provide music lessons for the children. But first, where could one find instruments, which would cost more than their homes? He comes up with a feasible solution. Make them from the abundant trash. An orchestra was born!

*Highly recommend.

-Borrowed from the library.

Death Cloud by Andrew Lane*

 Sherlock Holmes The Legend Begins

About a month ago I searched for "clean reads for teens". This series was suggested. My thirteen-year-old loves it and will be starting book four soon.

Fourteen-year-old Sherlock finds himself being carted to an uncle and aunt's home for the summer because his father is being shipped off to India, his mother is ill, and his older brother Mycroft is too busy. At first the rambling house and property seem like a prison (with a leering, nasty housekeeper, Mrs. Eglantine, always hiding in the shadows). Then Sherlock encounters Matty, an orphaned boy who travels along the canels with his horse and boat. Together the boys unearth a diabolical plot to kill British military men. A once lonely Sherlock finds a few friends (even a girl he is attracted to!) and fast-pace adventure. The amount of times Sherlock encounters the villians and must fight them was  unrealistic to me! I thought, "Not again!". But this factor did not prevent me from thoroughly enjoying the story. Mr. Lane is a superb writer.

Constant action and suspense. Readers will want to read this novel in one sitting. The characters are well-developed and likable.

*Highly recommend for junior high and older. See warnings

Warnings: violence (intense fight scenes, descriptions of blood and injuries), murder (the boys by accident kill two men plus other murders performed by the villians), detailed descriptions of the ones who die, Sherlock notices Virginia's tight riding gear blouse-nothing is mentioned beyond that statement, a few h***s-comparing a situation to the place

The Cross and the Switchblade by David Wilkerson with John and Elizabeth Sherrill**

 I read this powerful book aloud to my sons during lunch a few times a week. When I began reading aloud this book, I had no idea how incredible Mr. Wilkerson's story was. This book will leave a lasting impression.

David Wilkerson, a country preacher in Pennsylvania, felt a need to travel to NYC to minister to gang members. Without knowing where he would stay or where the money would come from to fund his trips, Mr. Wilkerson followed God's leading to share Christ's salvation and hope with young men and women whose lives served heroin and sex. His obedience allowed him to begin the future Teen Challenge (now Adult and Teen Challenge, with more than 200 residential centers in the USA and Canada). My sons and I had discussions about drug addiction, God's leading, and the Holy Spirit. Mr. Wilkerson was part of the Assemblies of God Church; his theology slightly differs from ours. It was beneficial to explore and discuss those differences.

I would rate this book "R". Since I was reading aloud, I could edit and skip over words/sentences. Mr. Wilkerson shared explicitly these kids' involvement with drugs and sex. 

Warnings/points to discuss: drug use (describes how they prepared the heroin and then how they shot up), some swearing, description of perverse sex/masturbation, describes drug withdraw, gang violence

**Highly, highly recommend-for teens and older-but only as a read aloud so can edit.

-I own this book.

William Shakespeare's Macbeth retold by Bruce Coville illustrated by Gary Kelley*

 Macbeth, a Scottish warrior, murders many individuals to secure the kingship. This tale reveals the lure of power.

*Highly recommend.

-Borrowed from the library.

William Shakespeare's The Winter's Tale retold by Bruce Coville illustrated by LeUyen Pham*

 King Leontes jealousy causes destruction to those whom he loves most. When all seems beyond redemption, love is restored. An excellent depiction of how evil jealousy is. 

*Highly recommend.

-Borrowed from the library.

A Little More Beautiful by Sarah Mackenzie illustrated by Breezy Brookshire*

 This picture book is hopeful and beautiful! I was so excited to have this arrive in the mail yesterday! *The first book published from Sarah Mackenzie's new publishing company, Waxwing*

Elderly Lou Alice tries "to leave each day  more beautiful than she found it". In her town she plants flowers outside of the town hall. No one notices. They just don't understand why they feel happier. When Lou Alice becomes ill and cannot create beauty anymore, someone from the younger generation resumes her role.

The pictures and text tell the story together. If one of them was missing, the story would not make sense. I love the illustrations!!

*Highly recommend.

-I own this book.

William Shakespeare's Hamlet retold by Bruce Coville illustrated by Leonid Gore*

 Since my oldest was in seventh grade, my sons and I have studied Shakespeare in some capacity each spring. To select our play for next year, I have borrowed several Shakespeare plays retold by Bruce Coville. My niece recently read Hamlet and highly recommends it. After reading this retelling, I understand the appeal to this story.

Hamlet's father dies while Hamlet is studying in Germany. His father's brother, Claudius, worms his way onto the throne and marries Hamlet's mother. When Hamlet's father appears in ghost-form, instructing him to avenge his death since Claudius had murdered him, Hamlet investigates to make sure he is not imagining his father's ghost. Treachery abounds and is exposed.

I did not care for the illustrations. They, however, were apropos to the theme and mood of the story.

*Highly recommend.

Warning: swearing, murder

-Borrowed from the library.

Claude The True Story of a White Alligator by Emma Bland Smith illustrated by Jennifer M. Potter

 Claude, an albino alligator, moves to the California Academy of Sciences, where he becomes friends with rescued snapping turtles. 

-Borrowed from the library.

Alias Anna by Susan Hood with Greg Dawson interior and map art by Balbusso Twins*

 A True Story of Outwitting the Nazis

After Mr. Dawson's daughter Aimee wrote her grandmother a letter requesting her to tell her about life when she was thirteen for a school project, for the first time Mr. Dawson learned about his Jewish mother's extraordinary escape from the Nazi rule in Ukraine. Musically brillant, Zhanna and her sister Frina, assume alias names and play out the war years as pianist entertainers for Nazi miliary leaders and soldiers. The girls' grit is astounding. God is not mentioned (in the afterword it is mentioned the family was secular) but their miraculous survival only points to Him. While I read this novel, I listened to Chopin's Fantaisie-Impromptu, sheet music Zhanna kept with her during the years of "hiding" in plain sight.

 Told in verse interspersed with direct quotes from Zhanna. A lot of background information is available in the back, including lists of pieces the girls played, identification of poetry utilized, and field trip ideas.

*Highly recommend for junior high and older.

-Borrowed from the library.