Forty Acres and Maybe a Mule by Harriette Gillem Robinet*

Award winner-Scott O'Dell

 At first I was not connecting with the characters in this story. As the story progressed, the history behind it intrigued me and caused me to "highly recommend" it.

Pascal and his brother Gideon set out to claim their forty acres and mule that is promised to freed slaves. Along the way other freed slaves join them. They form a resourceful family. Despite night riders and other dangers, the group claims forty acres and begins to cultivate a beautiful farm. When President Lincoln is assassinated, laws change, which impacts their dream

.

Pascal ponders the entire novel, "what is freedom". 

Readers will experience a vivid account of the Reconstruction and the issues people faced.

Discuss: prejudice, Civil War and the Reconstruction era, violence/cruelty, hints at what slave masters did with slave girls, the novel ends somewhat sad  (it was what actually occurred)-but the characters seem optimistic.

*Highly recommend, especially for those studying the Reconstruction era

-Borrowed via ILL

Rube Goldberg text set*

 My friend introduced me to the 1st book shown below. In museums I have seen fun machines built upon his examples.

Perfect books for an elementary physics unit and for kids who love machines and creating them. Highly recommend both books. Both of them are borrowed from the library.

Smash, Crash, Topple, Roll! The Inventive Rube Goldberg by Catherine Thimmesh illustrated by Shanda McCloskey   -Explanations of how the six simple machines work and biographical snippets about Goldberg, ideas how to create own Goldberg machine

Just Like Rube Goldberg by Sarah Aronson illustrated by Robert Neubecker

A biography about Goldberg   Highlights his determination, work ethic, perseverance

Saturday Morning at the 'Shop by Keenan Jones illustrated by Ken Daley

 A young boy's mom drops him off at the local barber shop while she works. Here in this environment, Black culture is celebrated. The boy revels in the shop's energy, people, and culture.

A joyful book!

-Borrowed from the library.

Alice Across America: The Story of the First Women's Cross-Country Road Trip by Sarah Glenn Marsh illustrated by Gilbert Ford

 Alice Ramsey loves driving, not something women pursue in 1909! The Maxwell-Briscoe Company asks her to drive across the United States to promote its cars. She and her companions, Hermine and  sisters-in-law-Nettie and Maggie, begin in New York City in June and drive, with many challenges, to San Fransico by August. 

Author's note includes more information about Alice and also Rt. 66.

An inspiring story!

-Borrowed via ILL.

The Rushworth Family Plot by Claudia Gray

 A Mr. Darcy & Miss Tilney Mystery #4

Jonathan Darcy and Juliet Tilney have solved three murder cases over the past few years. Their friendship has grown into a romatic interest. Jonathan's parents, however do not approve of the relationship, and Mr. Tilney does not believe Jonathan truly cares for his daughter. It seems like the parents will be preventing future interactions.

Then Jonathan and Juliet are sent to London for the Season. Not knowing the other one is in London, they are thrilled to spy each other at a ball. When a murder occurs, their reputation causes the police and Bertram family to allow them to investigate together. The Bertram family's sister, Maria, is saturated with scandal (elopement, divorce, having a child with a man who is not her husband). With her former husband murdered, she is the number one suspect. However, Juliet finds Maria dead in her apartment. Are there two murders? 

Catherine Bingley longs for one of her daughters to reside in Pemberley, the Darcy estate. But Juliet seems to have captured Jonathan's heart. How far will Mrs. Bingley stoop to ensure a position as mistress of Pemberley  will be guaranteed for her daughter?

Ms.Gray has created likable characters in Jonathan and Juliet. I love reading about their interactions and their developing relationship. It's sweet. Ms. Gray also researches the time period well and incorporates authenticity throughout the novel.

Warning: Besides the scandals mentioned above, a painting depicting the myth of Pasiphae lusting after a bull is the catalyst for another scandal. No details are described.  Fanny Bertram writes to her brother. Her description of his life choices make the reader infer he may be homosexual.

-Borrowed from the library.

When Alexander Graced the Table by Alexander Smalls & Denene Millner illustrated by Frank Morrison*

 Alexander loves Sundays. After church his extended family gathers at his family's table to feast on the scrumptious food his mother has spend all day Saturday preparing. His dad always asks what sweet item will be served. Then one Saturday, Alexander's mother asks him to make something special for his father for the Sunday dinner. Alexander is quite nervous. Will his dad like it? An underlining desire throughout the book is Alexander's hope to please his father with food he has made.

A recipe for Lemon Icebox Pie with Meringue is included at the end of the story.

I loved the theme of food and family! Mr. Morrison incorporates the color yellow throughout the illustrations. Every illustration spread features a hue of yellow. Creative and fun!

*Highly recommend.

-Borrowed from the library.

Oh Dear, Look What I Got! by Michael Rosen illustrated by Helen Oxenbury*

 I love this author/illustrator team's book, We're Going on a Bear Hunt! Although I enjoyed their newest effort, I like We're Going on a Bear Hunt! better. 

Throughout one day a young boy is sent to pick up specific items at various shops. Each tim,  he returns with a drastically wrong item! The repeated phrases and rhyme will appeal to young listeners (& will also help beginning readers to build fluency). Prediction skills can be utilized if the reader observes the package shape & parts sticking out and also if the reader thinks of rhyming words. The ending is festive, sweet, and fun!

*Highly recommend.

-Borrowed from the library.

A Lady's Guide to Marvels and Misadventure by Angela Bell*

 Clara loves her eccentric family.  However, when her former fiancee threatens to utilize their pecularities and past for his gain, Clara immerses her days in trying to keep them out of the public eye. They do not need another family member instutizalized! Life becomes more complicated when a stranger arrives at her grandfather's clock shop looking for work. Can he be trusted? Clara is forced to form a relationship with him when her grandfather flies off into the London skies on his flying owl machine. He leaves clues for her  to engage in a scavenger hunt all over Europe. A villian pursues them. Can Clara save her family's reputation?

A whimisical, fun, adventurous book   A book that celebrates family, redeemption, and a trust in God  I loved it! 

*Highly recommend. I would feel comfortable recommending this book to a teen girl.

-Borrowed from the library.