The Printed Letter Bookshop by Katherine Reay

 At first I wasn't sure if I liked this book because the characters frustrated me. As I continued to read, however, I realized that the author was developing them realistically. God is mentioned a few times but is not central to the character's lives. One character begins to change when she starts reading her Bible and praying. However, it seems like Maddie's letters to each of the three main characters and the books she recommends are what transforms them, not a personal relationship with God. 

Madeline, an inspiring lawyer, is shocked when she learns that her deceased aunt, Maddie, has given her her bookshop and home. As she navigates her new situation, she discovers a lot about herself and life. Two women who work at The Printed Letter are also impacted by Maddie's death. The three women form an unlikely friendship and help each other face issues in a healthy manner. The story is told from these three women's perspectives.

I loved all the references to books and, of course, I loved the setting---an independent bookstore!! I am interested in reading more of her books.

-Borrowed via inter-lib loan.

The Search for the Giant Arctic Jellyfish by Chloe Savage**

 World magazine selected this picture book as the best one of the year. The illustrations are stunning and captivating. I especially loved the cross-sections. Look carefully at all of the illustrations as you will see the different personalities shining forth.

Dr. Morley loves jellyfish and longs to see the Giant Arctic Jellyfish. She and her team of scientists spend months searching for this elusive creature. After reading this book, readers will understand how tenacious and brave scientists are. They will also marvel at the unique creatures which reside in the Arctic Ocean.

**Highly, highly recommend. A book to own! I hope this author/illustrator creates more picture books. On Nov. 7, 2024 in the UK, she will be publishing her book, The Search for Carmella, about a different sea creature!

-Borrowed from the library.

A short video with Ms. Savage talking about her book-https://www.readingzone.com/authors/chloe-savage/

Gertie: The Darling Duck of WWII by Shari Swanson illustrated by Renee Graef*

 World magazine voted this as one of their runners-up for the best picture books of the year.

Gertie, a mallard duck, decides to nest on decaying pilings. She and her eventual eggs and then ducklings amuse and capture the attention of Milwaukee and the world during a trying time, WW II. Four more pages after the main narration offer more information about WW II and Gertie.

A delightful, hopeful book! Pair with Make Way for Ducklings by Robert McCloskey. Readers will be able to make numerous text to text connections.

*Highly recommend.

-Borrowed from the library.

Classic Poetry An lllustrated Collection Selected by Michael Rosen illustrated by Paul Howard*

 I offered this collection as a choice when we were reading Walt Whitman's poems. Although the boys did not choose to read this one, I wanted to record it so I can return to it when studying other poets. This collection contains samplings of poems from many famous poets. Reading it aloud with your children would expose them to a wide variety of poets. Poets included are: Shakespeare, William Blake, William Wordsworth, Samuel Taylor Coleridge, Lord Byron, Percy Bysshe Shelley, John Clare, John Keats, Thomas Hood, Elizabeth Barrett Browning, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, Edgar Allan Poe, Alfred, Lord Tennyson, Edward Lear, Robert Browning, Emily Bronte, Walt Whitman, Emily Dickinson, Christina Rossetti, Lewis Carroll, Thomas Hardy, Robert Louis Stevenson, Ella Wheeler Wilcox, Banjo Paterson, Rudyard Kipling, William Butler Yeats, Henry Lawson, Hilaire Belloc, Walter de la Mare, Robert Frost, Edward Thomas, Carl Sandburg, John Masefield, Siegfried Sassoon, T.S. Eliot, Edna St. Vincent Millay, Langston Hughes, Judith Wright. 

I had not heard of some of the poets!

*Highly recommend.

-Borrowed from the library.

Three Little Kittens by Barbara McClintock*

 An adorable retelling of the original poem "The Three Little Kittens". The original poem is incorporated with Ms. McClintock's humorous additions. Although the illustrations stray from her typical style, they are still endearing.

*Highly recommend.

-Borrowed from the library.

I Am Ruby Bridges by Ruby Bridges illustrated by Nikkolas Smith

 Ruby (in 2022) has published another book about her experience being the first black student in a formally all white school after the Brown vs. Board decision. This version reads how a six-year-old would tell the story. Glossary is in the back, defining words in ruby red throughout the narration. I liked the connection between her name (first & last) and what she accomplished.

-Borrowed from the library.

Saving H'Non Chang and the Elephant by Trang Nguyen & Jeet Zdung*

 Based on a True Adventure

Chang, a fictional character, relates the tale of rescuing H'Non, an Asian elephant, from her abusive owner and the ensuing healing and adjustment process. The illustrations are stunning. Jeet Zdung is equally talented in several styles-realistic, cartoon, and manga. Some of the pages contained a lot of information. World magazine reviewed and recommended this graphic novel. 

*Highly recommend.

-Borrowed from the library.

Aunt Pitty Patty's Piggy retold by Jim Aylesworth illustrated by Barbara McClintock*

 A cumulative tale starting with Aunt Pitty Patty attempting to lure a pig she bought into her yard. Her niece Nelly searches out solutions. I love Barbara McClintock's illustrations. Her style is distinct and engaging. Her illustrations do the heavy lifting in this story.

*Highly recommend.

-Borrowed from the library.

A Common Life-The Wedding Story by Jan Karon *

 Audio CD read by John McDonough

#6 in the Mitford series

We skipped #3,4, & 5 because chronologically this novel comes after #2. Ms. Karon describes the days approaching Father Tim and Cynthia's wedding. She also includes different character's pespective about the wedding. Ms. Karon knows how to make characters come to life and develops them well. My fourteen-year-old and I laughed often and enjoyed hearing about the special day. We liked the last line in the novel.

Consider: On their honeymoon references to intimacy are made but are subtle. My son did not notice the references. 

*Highly recommend.

-Borrowed from the library.

Walt Whitman text set

 For this month's poetry treat, we are reading Walt Whitman's poems. Below are some resources we used. Be aware that some of his poems are descriptive of attraction and intimacy. It is easy to find ones that do not include these topics. Although I do not include a summary here, I am showing the physical copy of Leaves of Grass so they can appreciate the amount of poems he wrote.

1. Who Was Walt Whitman?-by Kirsten Anderson -a quick, but thorough overview of his life- Created/written for elementary readers, but junior high and high schoolers can read this in one sitting and have a great insight about his life. *Highly recommend. Borrowed from the library.

2. Walt Whitman by Catherine Reef-more in depth biography with a lot of photographs for junior high and older-Borrowed from the library.

3. Walt Whitman Words for America by Barbara Kerley illustrated by Brian Selznick-I own this one. Highly recommend. Beautifully illustrated biography.

4. Poetry for Young People Walt Whitman Edited by Jonthan Levin illustrated by Jim Burke  A great poetry series-includes many poems with summaries at the top of each poem with unusual words defined at the bottom of each poem.  *Highly recommend. I own this book.

5. Poetry for Kids  Walt Whitman Edited by Karen Karbiener, PhD illustrated by Kate Evans  (similar to Poetry for Young People as it features a mixture/excerpts of his poems with unusual words defined on the side/bottom of each poem).  -Borrowed from the library.

6. The Civil War Poems Walt Whitman (Barnes/Noble)-When I was in high school, my best friend gave me this anthology for either a birthday or Christmas gift (I really liked Whitman and studying the Civil War in high school, so it was a thoughtful and creative gift), but I did not keep it. I regret giving it away now!! -Borrowed from the library.

7. O Captain, My Captain -Walt Whitman, Abraham Lincoln, and the Civil War by Robert Burleigh illustrated by Sterling Hundley  Mr. Burleigh takes quotes from Whitman and lines from his poems and uses them as headings/topic sentences to create a highly illustrated and engaging biography. For late elementary through high school.

8. The World Below the Brine by Walt Whitman illustrated by James Christopher Carroll    Mr. Carroll uses deep colors to illustrate Whitman's poem.  *Highly recommend for elementary readers. Borrowed from the library.

Disney-The American Presidents 1945-2010-DVD

 An entertaining, engaging overview of the presidents. A short presentation of "The Presidency & the Economy" is also included. The slant is more liberal (especially the commenters they sourced out).

-Borrowed from the library.

The Innocence of Father Brown by G.K. Chesteron*

 My eighth grader read this anthology of short stories for literature and enjoyed them. I read quite a few of them and anticipated the twists and unusual solutions. Although the twelve short stories can be read in any order, if the reader wants to understand the character development of Flambeau, he/she should read the first four in order. I would label these short stories as "literary mysteries". The sentence structure, the word choice, the allusions, and historical inclusions require the reader to be intellectually engaged. 

*Highly recommend (for junior high and older-murder and graphic descriptions of some murders).

-We own this book.

Long Ago, on a Silent Night by Julie Berry illustrated by Annie Won

 A mother shares the story of the miracle of her son's birth along with the story of Christ's birth.  Although I love how the story celebrates human life and retells Christ's birth, I did not enjoy the dual storylines.For younger readers/listeners, it may be challenging to keep the two stories separate. Ms. Berry does change the font to make each story distinct. The illustrations also have the three wisemen coming to visit the modern baby boy . . .humorous yet not at the same time. On the other hand,  I love that a book recently published celebrates the miracle of human life and what a joy it is to have children! Of course, having Christ's birth retold is wonderful too.

The illustrations are luscious and bold. 

-Borrowed from the library.

The Voice that Won the Vote by Elisa Boxer illustrated by Vivian Mildenberger*

 A few weeks ago in history we learned how a TN representative broke the tie and brought women's right to vote into law by listening to his mother! This picture book expounds on the culture at the time, the law making process, his mother, and the ramifications of his vote.

Point to discuss: In the author's note her language denotes a secular worldview-"by trusting their truth", "find similar courage to express what's in your heart and trust your inner voice . . ."

*Highly recommend but see above point to discuss.

-Borrowed from the library.

Splash! Ethelda Bleibtrey Makes Waves of Change by Elisa Boxer illustrated Elizabeth Baddeley*

 After being stricken with polio, Ethelda follows her doctor's orders and learns to swim. In the water she feels strong and alive. Swimming transforms her life. Not only is she the first woman in the world to win all of the swimming events in one Olympic game, she is the woman who challenged the law requiring woman to wear socks. Her fiesty nature also prompts NYC to build its first public swimming pool. 

Ethelda was compassionate too. As a nurse, she devoted her life to teaching children with polio and cerebral palsy how to swim. She passed away in 1978.

*Highly recommend.

-Borrowed from the library.

Tomfoolery! by Michelle Markel illustrated by Barbara McClintock**

 Both Sarah Mackenzie from Read Aloud Revival and World magazine recommend this book. Oh my. It is stunning and delightful. Both author and illustrator capture Randolph Caldecott's energetic personality and weave in his life's story which will appeal to the audience. I appreciated the annotations, which make this book for an audience for a wide age range. The two-page illustrated spread on pp 28-29 is fun for bibliophiles-try to guess which Caldecott Award winner the people are holding!

This book should have won the Caldecott this past year! Ms. McClintock is a favorite illustrator.

**Highly, highly recommend.

-Borrowed from the library (but would love to buy it).

Ferris by Kate DiCamillo**

 I loved every minute reading Kate DiCamillo's latest book, Ferris. Ferris describes her summer before fifth grade. She and her eccentric family love each other through challenges. The characters are unique and memorable. I love Ferris's special relationship with her grandmother, Charisse. With her precise word choice and beautiful writing style, Kate DiCamillo creates delightful and engaging novels.

**Highly, highly recommend.

Points to discuss/warnings: A ghost visits Charisse with  a request. It is not scary,  but some families may stay clear of ghosts and the like. Ferris's uncle, Uncle Ted leaves Aunt Shirley, his wife, to live in Ferris's basement to paint a history of the world (they reunite by the end of the novel). A few characters have lost family members to death. A main character dies by the end . . .but it is not a surprise nor soul-wretching sad.

-Borrowed from the library.

The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain**

 If your seventeen-year-old plans when he will eat lunch to ensure that you will have time to read aloud, you know that the book you are reading is a winner! My two teenage boys looked forward to lunch each day when I was reading aloud The Adventures of Tom Sawyer. Mark Twain's humor and perfect plot pacing create a delightful story. Tom's numerous adventures will appeal to boys.

Now my fourteen-year-old is reading The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn to himself! (we listened to it on audio a few years ago) Goal: to stimulate a love for an author and for literature--- accomplished!!

Warning: Racial slurs towards blacks and Native Am. . .although, Twain was not prejudice. He was portraying the cultural and the times. A couple of swear words. The boys learn to smoke pipes. Some characters drink and become drunk. The boys lie. Church is not regarded as a wonderful event.

-I own this book-the one with Norman Rockwell paintings and illustrations!

**Highly, highly recommend but see warnings.

Ruby Bridges text set

 We will be studying the 1960s soon in American history. I am having my youngest son do a deeper study of Ruby Bridges. The following books he could use for his study-

1. The Story of Ruby Bridges by Robert Coles-narrative picture book for grades 2nd-6th, junior high  It includes the prayer Ruby prayed over the angry mob. Her prayer made me emotional. *Highly recommend. I own this book.

2. Ruby Bridges Goes to School My True Story by Ruby Bridges -Scholastic Reader Level 2-perfect for beginning & transitional readers, full of photographs *Highly recommend. -Borrowed from the library.

3. This Is Your Time by Ruby Bridges Written in 2020, Ms. Bridges encourages children of this era to stand vs racism  She recounts her school integration, exalts her father, shares about her sons, and points out modern racial issues. Lots of photographs-some show the hatred people had toward blacks & integration. She mentions Black Lives Matters & includes several photographs of their demonstrations. One photo has a preschooler wearing a t-shirt that states, "lightly melanated hella black". Ms. Bridges does NOT focus on how racial relationships have improved since 1961. She does place hope in this younger generation to break prejudice. This book should provide opportunity for an interesting discussion with my son. 

Suited for grades 4 and older.  Borrowed from the library.

4. Through My Eyes by Ruby Bridges 

published 1999 This longer narrative shares how Ruby Bridges participates in the civil rights struggle. Tons of photographs. The photographs do expose the hatred people had towards blacks and integration. *Highly recommend.  For readers in 5th grade & older.  -Borrowed from the library.

*I just read on-line that Barbara Henry, Ruby's teacher, is still alive (91 years old)!!

A book should be written about her!

Outdated by Jonathan "JP" Pokluda with Kevin McConaghy**

 Find Love That Lasts When Dating Has Changed

I heard about this book on a podcast (https://monicaswanson.com/podcast/) and was pleasantly surprised that the library owned a copy. Wow. What a Biblically sound book. JP addresses culture lies about dating with God's truths (some examples-Lie: the purpose of dating is to have fun; Truth: it's a lot more fun when you date with the right purpose, Lie: being single is a waiting period for something better; Truth: something better is waiting for you right now, Lie: you should follow your heart; Truth: you should tell your heart what to follow).  The book is divided into three parts: Part 1: Why We Date, Part 2: Who We Date, & Part 3: How We Date.

**Highly, highly recommend.

Warning: Before handing this book to young teens, parents should read it first. No matter your teens age, I would read it along with them & discuss it with them. JP is open about his sexual past. He was addicted to sex.  He dedicates entire chapter to sex and also addresses porngraphy & masturbation. 

-Borrowed from the library but plan to buy it so my sons can read it.

Hidden Hope How a Toy & a Hero Saved Lives During the Holocaust by Elisa Boxer illustrated Amy June Bates*

 Ms. Boxer's relates how Jacqueline, a teenage "social worker", participates in the French Resistance during WWII. With a wooden duck tucked in her satchel, she transports false identities & papers for hidden French Jews. She saves more two hundred lives! Surprisingly, Jacqueline isn't her real name. She is really Judith Geller and is a Jew! 

The author's note and the illustrator's note share more amazing facts about Judith Geller and her fight vs. the Nazis.

*Highly recommend.

-Borrowed from the library.

The Fantastic Bureau of Imagination by Brad Montague pictures by Brad & Kristi Montague

 World magazine published reviews for the best picture books from 2023. This book was a picture book runner-up.

The Fantastic Bureau of Imagination invites readers to join the ranks. Readers follow Sparky, a figment mail carrier. When Sparky notices that The Cave of Untold Stories is about to explode, he realizes he is part of the problem. He doesn't share his poetry with others. He and Brenda, the dragon in charge of the cave, encourage humans to use their imaginations and to share their creative works.

-Borrowed from the library.

Hope in the Valley by Mitali Perkins*

 World magazine recently reviewed the best books from 2023 (like the ALA does each year in January). Hope in the Valley was selected as fiction runner-up. (Winner was The Labors of Hercules Beal by Gary Schmidt-I agree with this choice!! I loved and reviewed this book.) Two other runners-up which I have reviewed are The Many Assassinations of Samir, Seller of Dreams by Daniel Nayeri & Enemies in the Orchard by Dana Vanderlugt.

I loved seventh grader Pandita Paul, the main character in Hope in the Valley. She is a credible and likable character. To Pandita's horror, the town is tearing down the old manison next to her house. On that porch, she and her now deceased mother would sit and talk. Since her mother's death, Pandita has continued to escape to the porch and write letters to her. Pandita hates change. Change pops up  throughout the summer-being forced to join the summer drama group, being friends with a (very cute and talented) new boy, and is her father DATING?!!

A plethora of  novels that focus on race are being published. Initially I was a bit turned off by this book because of it seemed to focus on how prejudice whites are. Ms. Perkins, however, handles it honestly and in context of the 1920s & the 1980s. 

*Highly recommend for junior high and older.

-Borrowed from the library.

A Light in the Window by Jan Karon*

 #2 in the Mitford Years  Read by John McDonough (a superb reader!!)

After Father Tim asks his neighbor, Cynthia, to go steady, she leaves for NYC to focus on a new book contract. The two learn, somewhat awkwardly, how to maintain a long distance relationship. Meanwhile, Edith Mallory, a widow, is in hot pursuit of Father Tim. She manages to coecre him into questionable situations. Add to his demands-a surly project manager of Hope House, an Irish cousin Meg who moves into his guest bedroom to research potato famine immigrants in the area BUT rarely emerges from her room, Dooley smoking and getting suspended -and Father Tim barely has the energy to write or call his beloved Cynthia. 

My fourteen-year-old son and I listened to this second book and thoroughly enjoyed it. Ms. Karon develops characters and settings so well. Mitford seems like a real place with real people!

My son says he is learning how NOT to date a girl and  how NOT to propose to his future wife from Father Tim!!

Points to discuss: I would not share this book with elementary students. Approriate for junior high and older. Edith Mallory is coy and seductive. She places her hand on Father Tim's leg a couple of times and wears a low-cut blouse. Nothing inappropriate occurs. Other concerns if sharing with junior high/high school-Buck Leeper is an alcoholic and goes into drunken rage; Dooley smokes and is suspensed; kissing between Father Tim & Cynthina (nothing inappropriate); a couple of times it is mentioned that Cynthia has great legs.

*Highly recommend (but see age recommendation).

-Borrowed the audio CD from the library but own the hard copy.

The Great Good Thing by Andrew Klavan*

 Just a couple of months ago I had never heard of Andrew Klavan. After reading a book review about one of his books in World magazine, I started reading his Cameron Winters series. Reading how he was once a secular Jew who came to Christ, I wanted to hear his story. This memoir shares with the reader his life from childhood to his baptism. As the reader journeys with him, they witness his deep, pyschological struggles and how God and His love was guiding him to Himself.  God is a personal god. He pursues and woos us in intimate and unique ways. He is patient. 

I see similarities between Cameron Winters and Mr. Klavan. I will appreciate the third Cameron Winters book all the more now. 

*Highly recommend for adults. 

-Borrowed via inter-lib loan.

All-of-a-Kind Family by Sydney Taylor*

 The Sydney Taylor award offered each year by the ALA is named after this author.

I loved this late elementary chapter book! Readers meet a family with five girls-Ella, Henny, Sarah, Charlotte, and Gertie, who live in the Lower East Side in NYC in the early 1900s. Their unique, feisty personalities and mild adventures will delight readers. I thoroughly enjoyed learning about the Jewish customs and "living" with a Jewish family for a few hours. The series is based on the author's life.

*Highly recommend. Five books in the series --  This is book #1.

-Borrowed from the library.

Dunkirk DVD

 PG-13 (intense war "experience" & language)

My sons and I just finished studying WWII  in American History. Our history textbook mentioned Dunkirk with a few sentences. I wanted them to understand more deeply how amazing the Dunkirk rescue was. 

Viewers will be thrust into the  desperation the English and French soldiers felt when the Germans trap them on the beaches of Dunkirk. The enemy attacks them by air. Civilian boats leave the English coast to bring their men home. So inspiring how regular civilians risked their lives as their military men had already done so. 

The movie is organized by three separate timelines (& three separate stories)-one week at the beach, one day on the boat, and one hour in the air (RAF). The producer, Christopher Nolan, brings the three time periods together by the end. It was rather confusing. We did not care for this method. My youngest thought it was unnecesary for a teen civilian to die by a stupid accident ( killed accidently by a rescued soldier) on a rescue boat. He said that was one character you could connect to and become attached to, and then he dies! Not much dialogue, which some viewers may not like. 

Since it occurs mostly at sea, a lot of drowning scenes were included. I could not watch them.

-Borrowed from the library.