U.S.A. Travel Guides-Pennsylvania by Ann Heinrichs illustrated by Matt Kania*

 Unique and interesting towns and events are highlighted in this engaging nonfiction picture book (Pine Creek Gorge near Wellsboro, Punxsutawney Phil, Roasting Ears of Corn Festival, Pittston Tomato Festival, Little League World Series to name a few). Not only will readers learn about the featured town/event, but also about other facts befitting the topic. For example, readers learn about other food PA produces while reading about the Pittston Tomato Festival. A maps accompanies each "essay".

*Highly recommend-perfect for elementary.

-Borrowed from the library.

Nathaniel Hawthorne text set

 My seventeen-year-old and I are currently reading The House of the Seven Gables by Nathaniel Hawthorne. The following books proved helpful to build background about Hawthorne and his writings (all books are borrowed from the library)-

A Student's Guide to Nathaniel Hawthorne by Mary Ann L. Dorio (*Highly recommend. I found this one the most helpful and student-friendly)

Cliffs Notes on Hawthorne's The House of the Seven Gables-

Hawthorne  Tales and Sketches 

Novel Houses- Twenty Famous Fictional Dwellings by Christina Hardyment (includes chapters about Mansfield Park, Waverly, Wuthering Heights, The House of Seven Gables, Bleak House, Uncle Tom's Cabin, Sherlock Holmes, Cold Comfort Farm, The Great Gatsby, Rebecca, I Capture the Castle, The Hobbit & The Lord of the Rings,and Harry Potter. . . to name a few)-

I already posted a review about this picture book- The Great Stone Face retold by Gary D. Schmidt-

The American Presidents 1890-1945-DVD

 Disney Educational Productions

In an entertaining, concise manner, the producers present the presidents in a factual and a positive light. An overview of the time period is also shared. 

I wish I had known about this series in the beginning of the year. 

*Highly recommend. (but be prepared to discuss the faults of some of the presidents' policies and platforms. The faults are not highlighted).

-Borrowed from the library.

Grandma Moses My Life's History by Anna Mary Robertson, edited by Otto Kallir

 Anna Mary Robertson, aka Grandma Moses, shares her life experiences from her childhood, her married years, her life raising children, and then her life as an artist. Reading how she lived from 1860 and into the 1900s (she lived to be 101!), I loved learning how she and people lived during this vast spread of time. She was industrious and determined. When she was in her seventies, she began to paint!

At points I found the narrative challenging to understand as she would randomly share a story that did not seem to fit with the previous one. Overall, it was an enjoyable, interesting "read".

-Borrowed from the library.

The King's Speech-DVD**

 Rated: R (for language-a scene where many curse words are shouted but not at anyone or in anger)

Starring: Colin Firth, Geoffrey Rush, Helena Bonham Carter

Wow. I loved this movie. After watching it, I felt satisfied. I may rate it as one of my top five favorite movies. Even my husband, who watches mostly sci-fi, fantasy, or action, agreed this movie was worthwhile.

When Edward VIII abidcated the throne of England, his younger brother Albert reluctantly accepts the position. Since he was four or five years old, Albert (later known as King George VI) suffers from a stutter. How will he be able to stand in front of his people and deliver speeches with his stammer? Albert's wife seeks therapy for him from an untraditional speech therapist, Lionel Logue. The two form an unlikely friendship. Albert/King George VI is Queen Elizabeth II's father.

An amazing, inspiring story.

**Highly, highly recommend.

Warning: language, some innuendos

-Borrowed from the library.

 

The Haunted Bookshop by Christopher Morley

 This exciting novella was originally published in 1919. 

Roger Mifflin and his wife Helen (once owners of the moving book wagon, Parnassus) now own a second-hand bookshop in Brooklyn, NYC. To give him time away from the shop, Mifflin agrees to hire his friend's daughter, Titania, as his assistant. Aubrey Gilbert, a young man in the advertising business, stops by to convince Mifflin to advertise. Instead, Mifflin lures him into conversation about books and philosophy. Seeing Titania, Aubrey is enamored with her. Then some sinister, suspicious events occur, convincing Aubrey that he needs to protect Titania. In a week's time a dangerous plot is revealed . . . all within a second-hand bookshop!

Bibliophiles will delight in reading this book. Mifflin fills pages with his philosophies (I don't agree with his view on God/Bible and politics) and his book recommendations (I only knew a handful of the titles . . . . .maybe because the titles are so old?? or maybe I am not well-read.). My mind wandered a bit while I read some of Mifflin's monologues. 

I did not like when Aubrey became angry and wanted to hit Titania because she was so beautiful and captivating. Maybe it did not mean what it means today??  The word d**n is included throughout the book (not often).

-Borrowed from the library.

The Last of the Mohicans DVD

DVD-starring Daniel Day-Lewis 

After my son finished reading the novel, we invited grandparents over to watch the movie.

My husband, my son, and I were  prepared to be very sad after watching the movie. We, however, did not connect to the characters and were not affected by their deaths like we thought we would be. The movie plot was centered around the romances between the characters. The characters who died were not the same ones who died in the novel (minus Uncas). The romance was a very minor role in the novel, almost nonexistent to the plot. The movie plot also portrayed Duncan as a cowardly and untrustworthy person. In the novel he was an upstanding man.  My son and I both liked the novel more. . significantly more.

The landscape filmed is breath-taking and beautiful. I loved the scenes with Hawkeye, Uncas, and Chingachgook running through the forest, up rocks, and through creeks/waterfalls.

Rated R for violence, one passionate kissing scene-you know when it is exactly going to occur & can fasat forward no problem-no inappropriate "skin" is shown (no kissing scenes in the novel), one character commits suicide by jumping off a cliff (this did not happen in the novel)

-Borrowed from the library.

A First Time for Everything by Dan Santat

 Mr. Santat relates to readers his transformative summer between eighth and ninth grade when he toured Europe with other students. Incorporating flashbacks to his middle school experiences, Mr. Santat allows the reader to understand him on a more intimate level and offers the reader insight to his  reactions and feelings while on the trip.

I really liked 8th grader Dan Santat and would have wanted to be his friend. He was kind and compassionate when it would have been easier to be mean and to be disinterested. I, however, would not hand this graphic novel to a middle schooler or young high schooler without discussion (see warning).

I loved the A.A. Milne quotes that were included and the information how Dan and Amy kept in touch after the trip.

-Borrowed from the library.

Warning/points to discuss: Keep in mind while reading-Dan is 13 years old during this memoir: underage drinking in Germany; infer: a girl has her menstural cycle and bleeds through her clothing, in France the boys by accident watch a porn show; Dan tries smoking (he doesn't like it); Dan steals a bike; romance-Dan and Amy begin a relationship -they sit close to each other in the back of the bus where Amy "falls asleep" on his shoulder, they kiss a couple of times

When Christmas Comes by Andrew Klavan*

 Cameron Winter can figure out situations with his "strange habit of mind, where he uses his logic and his imagination. A former lover, an attorney in an idyllic town comprised of former military men and women, asks him to investigate her client, Travis Blake, a war hero. He supposedly killed his girlfriend while in a jealous rage. As Cameron interviews people related to the case, he pieces together a story that is unbelievable.

Very suspenseful and a surprise ending. I read about this series in the recent World magazine and plan to read the rest of the series soon.

*Highly recommend but see warning. I hope this tendancy does not continue in the rest of the book.

Warning: I did not like how Cameron would remember how it felt to be with his former lover (who was a high schooler when he was intimate with her. . .he was her English teacher) as he interacts with her. This reaction is realistic, but I did not like reading about it. Nothing graphic was included, though. He also imagines what it would be like to be close to another female character in the story. Some mention of his first intimate encounter with a girl when he was a teenager. Again, nothing graphic is included. Because of these inclusions, I would not hand this series to a teenager.

Alice Atherton's Grand Tour by Lesley M.M. Blume

 After the death of her mother, Alice's father sends her to Antibes to spend the summer with his friends, the Murphys. Mr. Murphy decides to fill Alice's and his children's summer with educational experiences via famous people-Pablo Picasso, Ernest Hemingway, Serge Diaghilev, and F. Scott & Zelda Fitzgerald. The children embrace the adventures and learning provided by these individuals. The story seemed tacked on. . . it was more didactic than a rich story. I would not recommend it for a engaging story experience. On the other hand, if parents/teachers are looking for a fun way to introduce these artists/writers, this book would be an excellent choice. 

To discuss: worldview-that people with bad behavior have beautiful character ("distinguish behavior from character") 

-Borrowed from the library.

Home by Another Way by Barbara Brown Taylor illustrated by Melanie Cataldo

 Ms. Taylor utilizes creativity and imagination to write this story about the wisemen who visit Christ. The basic truths exist within the story (but not how old Christ was when they visited him. She depicts him as an infant). Most of the story, however, is from her imagination. She seems to be associated with progressive, liberal beliefs and associates. I would not recommend this book.

-Borrowed from the library.

Lambslide by Ann Patchett illustrated by Robin Preiss Glasser

 The lambs on the farm are quite self-focused. When they hear the word "landslide", they believe Mrs. Farmer said "lambslide". With persistence, they seek out a way to incorporate a lambslide on the farm. The story was ok. The illustrations are adorable (Ms. Glasser is the illustrator for the Fancy Nancy series).

-Borrowed from the library.

The Dean's Watch by Elizabeth Goudge**

The Dean of the city's Cathedral is ugly and introverted. People fear him, not realizing his shyness prevents him from expressing his love for them. Isaac, a clockmaker, hates his father,who was a pastor. As a result, Isaac does not believe in God and is repulsed by any mention of Him. These two men meet and become friends. Through their friendship, they overcover their faults and begin to understand what Love is. Other friendships form because their relationship.

I loved the journey of reading this book. It is a slower paced plot, where one becomes intimate with the characters. Ms. Goudge exposes the tendencies of humanity and how God's love can transform any despicable person.

**Highly, highly recommend (don't be looking for a fast plot).

-Borrowed via interlibrary loan.

The Eyes & the Impossible by Dave Eggers illustrations by Shawn Harris*

In World magazine, bookstore owner, David Kern, wrote an article about his favorite books from 2023. This children's novel was one listed. I will be requesting and reading more titles he recommended in the near future.

 Johannes, a dog, is the Eyes for the park. Anything that is disturbing the equilibrium of the park, he reports to the three bison. He loves his freedom to run. . . . to run faster than light. Then new construction of a massive building begins in the park, interrupting the equilibrium. Then these strange rectangles with pictures in them distract him and almost cause him to become "kept". To add to the chaos, new animals have arrived, eating the thistles around the windmill. Johannes and his friends unite to protect their freedom and to bring order to the park. 

The paintings included in this book are beautiful. Mr. Harris painted in Johannes in all of the old paintings. 

I loved this book. The writing is superb. The readers will love Johannes and his eclectic friends. My fourteen-year-old read it and was not as impressed with it as me.

*Highly recommend.

-Borrowed from the library.

Run by Ann Patchett

 Tip doesn't see the car coming. A woman in the crowd does. She shoves him out of the way. The SUV slams into her and sends her flying. As an ambulance escorts her to the nearest hospital, her eleven-year-old daughter, Kenya, is left standing in the snow with Tip's brother Teddy and their father Bernard. Actually, Kenya knows the family well. She and her mother, the one who saved Tip from death, have been watching them, following them for years. Her mother told her never to tell. But then she does. . . .

This suspenseful novel mainly takes place in 24 hours. I had a difficult time not reading it. I loved the characters. Ms. Patchett develops them with distinctness and depth. The plot continues to have surprises until the end. The only aspect I did not love was it felt a bit preachy and focused on black vs. white. I did not agree with their politics nor with their views on God.

The first and last chapters are separate from the main plot. It would have been helpful if the dates had been included on these two chapters or some sort of division page to delineate. 

-Borrowed from the library.