Will's Race for Home by Jewell Parker Rhodes*

 Redeemed Reader reviewed this book and gave it a starred review.

Even though the Emancipation Proclamation freed Will's family, they still do not own their land as they spend their days as sharecroppers. When Will's father brings home a pamphlet announcing the opportunity for free land in OK, the family decides to leave Texas for Oklahoma. During the arduous journey, Will's relationship with his reticent father transforms. Fending off thieves, facing  racism, fending off rattlesnakes, eduring long, boring days and befriending a former Union soldier (Caesar), Will becomes a young man with his own identity.

An exciting coming-of-age story  This engaging historical fiction novel brings the Oklahoma Land Rush to life. Highly recommend having your children read it when studying this period of history

Finally, a historical fiction with a male main character which will appeal to boys. So many historical fiction books target girls!

Warnings/discussion for sensitive readers or younger readers: racism, violence-Western fist fights and gun battles, When Will stakes out his family's land, he encounters a group of men who want to steal his plot from him. Will threatens to kill them with Caesar's Colt and realizes that he is capable of killing another man, which goes against his father's principles. He grapples with this person he is becoming.

*Highly recommend for grades 4 and older.

-Borrowed from the library.

Brooklyn Bridge text set*

 After reading Secret Engineer, I wanted to learn more about this exciting engineering feat. I borrowed the following books from the library about the building of the Brooklyn Bridge. If you have a child who is fascinated by bridges or is considering engineering as his/her educational pursuit, these books will appeal to them.

1. This first one is my favorite from the trio-The Brooklyn Bridge by Elizabeth Mann illustrated by Alan Witschonke. For grades 2nd and older.

It shares the story of the Roebling family (John, Washington, and Washington's wife Emily) and details of the entire bridge construction. The illustrations/drawings are meticulous. A couple of pages fold out, expanding the illustration.

**Highly, highly recommend.

2. Twenty-One Elephants and Still Standing by April Jones Prince illustrated by Francois Roca

A week after its opening, a rumor raged through New York that bridge was about to collapse. To dispel the people from their fears, P.T. Barnum announced that he would allow his twenty-one elephants to parade across the bridge to prove it was safe. I love the alliteration and figurative language utilized this one. 

*Highly recommend.

3. How Emily Saved the Bridge by Frieda Wishinsky illustrated by Natalie Nelson

This book focuses on Emily and how vital she was in the bridge's construction. If she had not been as intelligent and ambitious as she was, the bridge would not have been built in that time period. Focuses on women's rights

Francesco Tirelli's Ice Cream Shop by Tamar Meir illustrated by Yael Albert*

 Italian Francesco Tirelli loves ice cream. When he moves to Budapest, Hungry, he is disappointed at the lack of ice cream shops. He opens up his own shop and befriends many customers. One of them is Peter, who is a Jew. In 1944, when the Nazis invade Hungary, Francesco decides to hide Peter and his family plus other Jews in his ice cream shop. 

The author is Francesco's daughter-in-law.

*Highly recommend.

-Borrowed from the library.

Narwhal The Unicorn of the Arctic by Candace Fleming illustrated Deena So'oteh*

 A fascinating book about narwhals and how they survive in the Arctic    The language is poetic. A unique second person narration

The illustrations are stunning. The hues, the page layouts & designs (one page you unfold and view it vertically!), and perspectives reveal artistic talent.

*Highly recommend.

-Borrowed from the library.

Mice Skating by Annie Silvestro illustrated by Teagan White*

 Lucy, a mouse, loves winter. It invirgorates her. Meanwhile, her friends scoff at her love for the cold. When she discovers a way to ice skate, she lures her friends outdoors and transforms their view of winter. 

I love the illustrations-especially the displays of cheese in their storerooms.

*Highly recommend.

Bear Hugs by Karma Wilson illustrated by Suzanne Watts

 Humorous love poems featuring animals   Lots of puns and word play 

A fun book to read around Valentine's Day

I did not care for the last poem, "People Are Animals Too".

-Borrowed from the library.

The 39 Apartments of Ludwig van Beethoven**

 This humorous picture book relates how complicated it was when Beethoven would move into a different apartment. The movers lugged five legless pianos from place to place. I chuckled as I read this book. The author's note clarifies which tidbits of information have been verified.

The endpapers are copies of his working score for the piano transcription, "Grosse Fuge".

**Highly, highly recommend.

-Borrowed via ILL.