The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion Vol. 6 by Beth Browers*

 I continue to smile, laugh out loud, and be charmed as I read this series.

Emma's friendships deepen while she also encounters new interesting individuals in St. Crispian, England in January and February of 1884. The biggest news is now that she has turned twenty-one she has gained majority of her assets and her house. Her banker advises her to gain some employment, which brings predictments and amusement.

The volume ends with Emma sharing a kiss with one of her close gentlemen friends.

Consideration before handing to a teen: a sleazy man places his hand her butt--she takes the situation into her capable hands-creating a funny but disastrous story.

*Highly recommend.

-Borrowed from the library.

A Day on Skates by Hilda van Stockum**

 Award winner-Newbery Honor Book (1935)

What a delightful book! This book's sales, Ms. van Stockum's first one, assisted her and her husband to begin their life in America.

In Holland nine-year-old twins, Evert & Afke, long for colder weather so they can skate. Finally Father Frost arrives and harden the canals. Their teacher promises an entire school day skating on the canals. Evert experiences many mishaps as they skate from village to village. Through these "accidents/adventures", he befriends a shy boy who has been lonely his entire life.

The depictions of the Dutch culture are superb. The reader feels immersed. Descriptions of the food they eat along the way will make readers search for recipes and want to feast after reading this book.

**Highly, highly recommend.

-Borrowed via Inter-Lib. Loan.

Pig and Horse and the Something Scary by Zoey Abbott*

 When Pig wakes up one morning, she cannot remove from her mind "something scary". She decides to visit her friend Horse. Horse suggests various activities to eradicate the fear but nothing seems to budge it. Horse and Pig decide this troublesome fear needs "tea". Over tea, Pig reveals she has more than one fear. Then, one-by-one, the fears emerge and are conquered. What a beautiful picture of friendship! 

I loved the whimsical illustrations. I especially want to visit Horse's house-a place that celebrates beauty. I can understand why Pig hurried over there!

*Highly recommend (but discuss how only how God can help one truly conquer fears, and true peace is found in a relationship with Him. He is the best and most loyal friend!)

-Borrowed from the library.

Willa -The Story of Willa Cather, an American Writer by Amy Ehrlich illustrated by Wendell Minor

 Ms. Ehrlich organizes this biography according to the years Willa lived in specific areas and relates how those locations, its people, and her pursuits affected her.  A detailed timeline of her life and her work is included in the back plus a list with summaries of other American women writers during her time (a feminist slant comes forth in the summaries).

The illustrations (some two page spreads) are beautiful.

Warning: Willa liked to dress up as a boy. When she was fourteen she cut her hair and called herself either William Cather Jr. or William Cather, M.D.  Edith Lewis is described as her "lifelong companion" in the timeline summary (but back then sometimes the same gender lived together for companionship, not necessarily because of romantic attraction).

-Borrowed from the library.

The Diamond in the Window by Jane Langton

 Eleanor and Edward, siblings who live with their Aunt Lily and mentally unstable Uncle Fred in Concord, encounter a mysterious room which transports them to another world through their dreams. With the hope of finding treasure in order to save their home (back taxes are due), they venture into many dangerous dreams. Family secrets are uncovered. Can they save their missing family members and Lily's beloved?

Although I appreciated the author's word choice, her use of figurative language and her well-developed plot (& I loved the setting in Concord, references to Thoreau, Emerson, & Lousia May Alcott), I did not look forward to reading it each night. Somehow it failed to captivate me. 

#1 in the Hall Family Chroniclels

-Borrowed via Inter-Lib. Loan

Surprised by Oxford -DVD

 Two years ago I read Mrs. Weber's memoir Surprised by Oxford. I was excited to be able to borrow this movie based on the memoir. The movie centers mostly on how Caro and Kent come into relationship with each other. Another focus was Caro's lack of faith and how she comes to faith but very lightly. Christ was not mentioned. The Christian characters never boldly proclaim Christ as the answer to her struggles/questions in the movie. The viewer only knows she comes to faith when a friend comments how she has joined parish. I would have preferred the focus to be on her faith journey. Instead the producers made sure to include what I list in the "considerations" below.

We discussed with our son the lack of wisdom it is to pursue a girl who is not a Christian. The movie creates the impression that Kent pursues Caro, who does not share his faith. 

Considerations/warnings: swearing, God's name in vain, when waitressing before Oxford, she bumps into a patron who is staring right at her chest and makes an off-comment about what he wants to do with her/her chest-she is showing cleavage-why include something like this??! Totally unnecesary!, a lot of drinking (Caro gets drunk once), in the background viewers can witness "couples" making out, one guy flashes Caro (viewer cannot see anything), one of her friends makes moves on a priest, getting "laid" & "shagged" is mentioned, virginity is not valued by most of the characters (which is true and realisitic) 

Come Again, Pelican by Don Freeman*

 Each summer Ty returns to the same beach with his parents and encounters the same pelican. This summer Ty sets out to fish for the first time. He and the pelican help each other out in meaningful ways.

*Highly recommend.

-Borrowed from the library.

All Aboard the London Bus by Patricia Toht illustrated by Sam Usher*

 Delightful, informative poems transport the reader around London. Additional facts about the sights are included in the back. A must-read before visiting London

*Highly recommend.

-Borrowed from the library.

Drawn from Nature by Helen Ahpornsiri*

 The exquisite illustrations will astound readers. Ms. Ahpornsiri utilitzes pressed flowers and foliage to create her illustrations. In this book she walks readers through each season pointing out the changes and the celebrations. I learned quite a few random facts too!

She is British so some of her words are different from American usage. 

*Highly recommend.

-Borrowed from the library.

Sal Boat by Thyra Heder*

 Despite scoffing and questions from friends and family, Sal is determined to build a boat so he can be out on the water on the waves by himself. He gathers materials from various places and people around town. He doesn't want anyone's help. He, however, has forgotten one vital part of boating.

I loved the extra dialogue handwritten in the illustrations and Sal's creativity.

Considerations: His parents are divorced; written in one illustration is the song "---bottles of beer on the wall..."

*Highly recommend.

-Borrowed from the library.

Daddy-Long-Legs by Jean Webster

 A trustee from Judy's orphanage has offered to pay for her college. His requirements-he will remain anonymous and expects Judy to write him a letter once a month briefing him on her life at college. Most of the novel comprises of Judy's letter to her benefactor, whom she calls "Daddy-Long-Legs". The letters are humorous and full of voice. 

I was excited to highly recommend this book  to moms with preteens/teens but since I do not agree with the worldviews espoused----I am not.

Considerations: She "learns" at college that the Garden of Eden is a myth & that people were once monkeys. Throughout the book she does not have a high opinion on church and pastors. When someone give glory to for a wonderful event, she denies it is Him and points to how the different humans caused it to occur. Mr. Jervis, a man who befriends her, is a socialist. She wants to be a socialist too.

Three Bears in a Boat by David Soman**

 This book is delightful!! I love the allusions (which only adults will understand but could point out to their kids). The illustrations are full page. The ocean illustrations took my breath away; I felt like I was in the middle of the waves. This book reinforces the importance of honesty and forgiveness. 

Three sibling bears break their mother's favorite blue seashell. To avoid punishment, they sail into the ocean to look for a new shell. They experience an adventure without attaining their goal. How Mother Bear is illustrated reminds me of the mother in Little Bear books by Else Holmelund Miniarik illustrated by Maurice Sendak.

**Highly, highly recommend.

-Borrowed from the library.

Duck Says Don't! by Alison Ritchie illustrated by Hannah George*

 When Goose leaves for vacation, he asks Duck to be in charge of the pond. Soon Duck is enforcing new rules, which enrages his friends and prompts them to leave. Duck learns the value of  refraining from bossiness! 

After reading this book, adults could take their children outside to observe the various creatures depicted at the pond. 

*Highly recommend.

-Borrowed from the library.

Wilbur Wright Meets Lady Liberty by Robert Burleigh illustrated by Wendell Minor*

 Mr. Burleigh relates how Wilbur Wright demonstrates their Flyer for the first time in public by flying from Governor's Island and then around the Statue of Liberty. Interesting facts about the brothers and Lady Liberty are included in the back.

*Highly recommend.

-Borrowed from the library.

more books by Sam Usher**

 I love this author/illustrator. 

The story lines are simple but promote imagination and delight in the every day. Some extra appeals-that each book focuses on the boy's relationship with his granddad, the stacks of books, the meals/teas they share.

The boy and his granddad cat sit and attend a wild cat party. In the next book they help a bird and finally find a place where he will remain. Both are from his Nature Quartet.

**Highly, highly recommend.

-Borrowed from the library.

Christmas Carol poem by Sara Teasdale illustrated by Dale Gotlieb

 Bold illustrations

Ms. Teasdale focuses on the diverse people who visit Christ. 

To discuss: she separates wise men and kings as two separate people groups who visit Christ. She has the wise men/kings arriving the same time as the shepherds.

Words to define w/ children: chrysoprase  & ermine

-Borrowed from the library.

Theo of Golden by Allen Levi*

 Theo, a man in his eighties, appears in the southern town of Golden. The residents find him kind and generous but elusive. 

When he views portraits of the residents on display in the local coffee shop, he decides to buy them and give them to their "rightful owners" (the subjects). Over the months he listens to their stories and then generously assists wherever they have need. Does he have ulterior motives for his kindness? Who is he?

I love this story about a man who experiences forgiveness from the Source of Life and determines to live out the love Christ has shown to him. Also, all the characters have experienced hardship and are flawed human beings. The ramifications for their decisions are displayed accurately. It reveals that God meets us where we are at and loves us while we are yet sinners. 

Spoiler alert: I am not sure if I like how the author ends Theo's life.

Considerations: Although God is mentioned throughout, only one time is Christ mentioned as the answer. Sometimes I felt like "Theo" was the god and he was the answer, a few characters swear-the type that would swear in real life.

I loved every minute reading this book-for the character development, the characters' stories, the word choice and writing style. It is one I will contemplate for years to come. Superb 1st novel!

*Highly recommend.

-Borrowed from the library

The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion Volume 5 by Beth Brower*

 This series delights me! I often find myself laughing or smiling as I read.

In this volume Emma tracks The Roman, St. Crispian's ghost, with the help of the community. Her friendship with Niall, Young Hawkes, and Duke of Islington solidifies.  Cashing in on his second favor from Emma, Jack reveals a part of his personal life with her. 

This volume covers November and December in 1883.

Considerations (especially if sharing with a teen): some swearing, lying, Niall does not believe in God and shares his worldview from time to time

*Highly recommend.

-Borrowed from the library.

Picture books by Sam Usher**

 What a delightful set of books! 

In each book the main character, a boy (1st person narration) and his grandfather venture outside for an adventure. Each book ends with, "I hope it ____ again tomorrow.".  I love the grandfather-grandson relationship depiction and the value of imagination. The coverings are stunning and creative.

**Highly, highly recommend all of them.

 

Three Tasks for a Dragon by Eoin Colfer illustrated by P.J. Lynch

After his father's death, Prince Lir is deceived by his stepbrother Prince Delbayne.  In order to remain within the kingdom and to receive a penison, he must complete a quest. The posted quest is to save a maiden from a dragon. Using his wit and intellect, Prince Lir seems to have great success. However, the dark magic (blood magic) still overpowers the valient characters. The "distressed" maiden has a secret identity, unknown even to herself. Towards the middle-to-end,  I was disappointed about the story's progression. The ending is satisfying and hopeful, though! 

I love P.J. Lynch's illustrations. 

*Highly recommend but see "considerations" first before reading.

Considerations: magic, girl power

-Borrowed from the library.

A Chameleon, a Boy, and a Quest by J. A. Myhre illustrated by Acacia Masso

 Mrs. Myhre was a physician in Africa who wrote this series as a Christmas gift for her children.  Based on Africa's landscape and animal life, readers are immersed in its diverse beauty as they journey with Mu, a ten-year-old boy, to discover who he truly is. Spiritual truths are embedded in the adventure story.

-Borrowed via Inter-Lib. Loan

4 books in this series

Paolo Emperor of Rome by Mac Barnett illustrated by Claire Keane**

 Over a month ago I met with a friend to help her select books for a literature classe she was teaching. She introduced me to this gem!

Paolo resides (is imprisoned) in a hair salon. He longs to escape and explore the wonders of Rome. Finally, one day the door is left open, unnoticed by his owner. Freedom! With eagerness, he explodes out onto the streets, discovering the ancient and new treasures of Rome. When he rescues nuns, his future as a free dog in Rome is secure.

Paolo leads readers around Rome, reinforcing its history and culture. The richness of the book will be enjoyed only if readers linger, ask questions, and make connections.

**Highly, highly recommend.

-Borrowed from the library.

Miss Pym Disposes by Josephine Tey

 Miss Pym agrees to travel to a physical training college to lecture about her best-selling book about psychology. The young ladies immediately befriend her. Not wanting to return to London, she agrees to remain for a few days, finding herself with knowledge of a crime. When the crime results in murder, Miss Pym must decide what she will do with the damning evidence. Ms. Tey keeps you guessing until the very end! Her final decision will provide opportunity for good discussion.

I enjoyed analyzing the young ladies at this college with Miss Pym. However, it took over 2/3s of the book to encounter the crime! I needed to remind myself that this book was originally published in 1946 and to appreciate that era's writing approach. Modern and/or non-British readers may sometimes be puzzled by the word choice and allusions.

Considerations: some swearing, some racial comments (a reflection of that time period)

-Borrowed via Inter-Lib. Loan