7 More Men and the Secret of Their Greatness by Eric Metaxas with Anne Morse*

 Another great anthology of short biographies about amazing men: Martin Luther, George Whitefield, George Washington Carver, General William Booth, Sergeant Alvin York, Alexander Solzhenitsyn, and Billy Graham. Although the purpose of the book is to focus on their faith and their extraordinary lives, Mr. Metaxas also points out their failures and shortcomings. 

A perfect book to share with a teen and young adult

Considerations: Luther said some nasty things about Jews, Muslims, and Anabaptists, Booth's wife believed women could preach, which Mr. Booth supported.

*Highly recommend.

-I borrowed this book from the library but ended buying it because I wantedto share these stories with my sons and friends. I own the two previous books he wrote in this "series". 

The Five Red Herrings by Dorothy Sayers

 In the Scottish village, Kirkcudbright, artists thrive. One artist, Campbell instigates arguements. Many residents would not mind if he died. When he is found dead, five male artists are the prime suspects. Lord Peter Wimsey assists the local police in establishing a time line and probable events. As he interviews the artists, he figures out which one is not the red herring.

I read this aloud to my sixteen-year-old. He did not like it. I agree with him. I did not like it as much as Sayer's other novels.  It was too complicated for a read aloud (lots of train tables). Maybe it would be better to read independently??

Since we had stayed in Scotland for over week, I thought it would be fun to revisit Scotland via a book.

Consideration: swearing (easy to skip when reading aloud), heated agruments about a possible  affair-an affair was not occurring, drinking-some of the men become drunk

-I own this book but may not keep it. 

Rickshaw Girl by Mitali Perkins illustrated by Jamie Hogan

 Naima is the best alpana creator in her village in Bangladesh. When she ruins her father's rickshaw, she seeks out a way to earn money to repair it. Problem is, girls and women do not have many opportunities to be employed. Is she willing to challenge tradition and custom? 

Ms. Perkins's parents are from Bangladesh. I loved this story because of its culturally-rich experience. A short chapter book

-Borrowed from the library.

Hurricane by Jason Chin*

 Mr. Chin tracks a hurricane from the time it begins over Africa until it makes landfall at Cape Hatteras. He alternates pages about its progress and how people are preparing for it and then evacuating. 

Very informative yet engaging. Lots of diagrams and explanations in the back.

*Highly recommend.

-Borrowed from the library.

Dear Acorn (Love, Oak) by Joyce Sidman illustrated by Melissa Sweet*

 Letter poems from objects with various sizes and purposes  The poems remind readers how everything is made up of smaller things. Everything is connected and is necessary!

Great word choice & figurative language usage

Pairings: oak/acorn, bubble/sky, cloud/droplets, pebble/river, brick/school, button/coat, toes/child, sea turtles/ocean

The author then shares how to create one's own letter poems.

*Highly recommend.

-Borrowed from the library.

The Case of Old MacDonald and His Farm by Mark Teague*

 Old MacDonald summons Officer Busby to his farm. Odd and ridiculous events are popping up all over his farm-cabbages with painted faces, pizza being delivered to his goats... Can Officer Busby figure out who is behind the mischief on this April Fool's Day? 

Fun!

*Highly recommend for its lightheartedness. We need books just for fun!

-Borrowed from the library.

His Fairytale Life by Jane Yolen illustrated by Brooke Boynton-Hughes*

 A whimsical, beautiful book about Hans Christian Andersen

Ms. Yolen writes about his life in one long sentence! Although the words are minimal, the reader learns a lot about this unique and lonely writer.

Lovely illustrations

*Highly recommend.

-Borrowed from the library.