The Crystal Tree by Jennie D. Lindquist illustrated by Mary Chalmers

 This book is #3 in a trilogy. I had to read it before #1 & #2 because of its ILL due date.

Nancy anticipates moving into the little silver house with her parents in May. The book, however, begins in February. From February through May, Nancy, her friends, and adults in her community assist her in discovering more information about the little silver house and its previous owners. Mysteries abound. Through letter writing and inquiring of adults in the area, Nancy and her friends discover interesting stories and piece together the tidbits for a delightful story.

Some inclusions that I liked-Alex can't walk and is confined to a wheelchair. He is not defined by his handicap. Nancy & Alex are homeschooled-before this method of schooling was popular.

I loved learning about the Swedish culture through the grandmother. 

As I read this book, I pondered if children living now would appreciate this book. It does not address serious issues (except Alex has a back surgery, from which he could die.). Everything works out perfectly/predictably. Everyone is kind and good. The character development is somewhat flat. I enjoyed the story but am not sure how children born in this era will respond to it. Stories have changed. Our expectations have been trained to what is being published now. 

This book is  priced at $999.99 or $498 on Amazon! 

-Borrowed via ILL

The Sky Was My Blanket by Uri Shulevitz*

 Mr. Shulevitz shares his uncle's story as he travels across Europe before and during WWII. At the age of fifteen and a half, he leaves his home in Poland and traverses many countries, living with other Jews, working, and learning. Readers will be amazed how he endured difficulties beyond our modern comprehension. 

The chapters are short. The sentences are short and to the point also. 

This book was Mr. Shulevitz's last one.

*Highly recommend.

Discuss: What was Yehiel Szulewicz's worldview? What did he believe about God? 

-Borrowed from the library.

The Princess and the Grain of Rice by Tina Cho illustrated by Honee Jang

 Jeongsoon dreams of becoming a princess so she can offer food to the hungry children in her village. When she is invited to compete in the Princess Challenge, she dashes off to the palace. The girls must participate in three challenges-Manners Test, Wisdom Test, & the Sleep Test. Although Jeongsoon is nervous and fumbles through some portions of the test, she passes all of them and becomes the next princess of Korea.

The author based the princess on an actual Korean princess and incorporated Korean Joseon culture.

I loved the vivid illustrations and how the reader will be exposed to Korean culture and history. The story was a bit simplistic (but very sweet).

-Borrowed from the library.

The (Not-So-Secret) Secret to Reaching the Next Generation by Kevin DeYoung**

 Our children's ministry pastor gave this booklet to all of his volunteers to read. It's a simple yet powerful book. Although it took me less than twenty minutes to read, it has given me hours of wisdom to ponder and given me a guide that will last a lifetime.

To reach the next generation, Mr. DeYoung advises to : grab them with passion, win them with love, hold them with holiness, challenge them with truth, and amaze them with God. He fleshes out each of these points, challenging the reader to evaluate his/her life based on their love & pursuit of God.

**Highly, highly recommend.

-I own this booklet.

Tales from Maple Ridge #1 Logan Pryce Makes a Mess by Grace Gilmore illustrated by Petra Brown*

 I read the first book in this series last! (because of its availability via the library) I like this one the best.

Because their family farm is failing, Logan's father is searching for work. Before he interviews in the city of Sherman, he agrees to help the Mayberrys at their general store. To Logan's delight, his father & Mrs. Mayberry agree to allow him to help unpack orders. He will earn a dollar! When he shelves someone's order by accident, he fears he will cause his father to lose his job.

I love how Logan has a "Fix-It" shop where he invents and also love how the family is supportive of each other.

Perfect for beginning/transitional readers who are building stamina in their reading---short chapters with lots of picture support.

Consideration: Logan's friend Anthony says "Gosh".

*Highly recommend (I don't "highly recommend" all the books in the series. But even those are good books-just up to parent about some topics I mention).

Picnic at Hanging Rock by Joan Lindsay

 I don't know how I feel about this book.

I was looking for suspenseful, engaging classics. After searching online, this one caught my attention. I had never heard of it.

 Ms. Lindsay certainly kept me engaged until the last word. I also appreciated her style of writing. I am not sure if I liked the ending . . . none of the questions are answered. It makes me wonder what was the point of of some the details and the paths to inferences. 

On February 14, 1900 a group of girls from an Australian boarding school head off to Hanging Rock for a picnic. The girls are anticipating a day without restrictions. Four girls decide to hike into the bush. A teacher follows them. One girl who was with them returns- running and screaming but unable to utter what she witnessed. Days later one of the missing girls is found unconscious. After she recovers, she does not remember what occurred on that fateful day. The other two girls and the teacher never return or are ever found. What happened to them? More deaths ensue.

Very intriguing and suspenseful.

The author had written a last chapter revealing what happened to the girls. Her publisher, however, told her to remove it. The "missing" last chapter is available to purchase.

Considerations/Discuss: anger, deaths, suicide, murder

 

Night of the Moonjellies by Mark Shasha*

 Another book recommended by Abigail Dodds on the Home Fires podcast

Mark recounts a summer day helping his grandmother and extended family at their seaside food stand. After they close the stand for the day, his grandmother takes him on night boat ride for an encounter with moonjellies.

Based on a true event from the author's childhood

I love the depiction of a family working hard together. The word choice & incorporation of the senses immerse the reader into this seaside, summer day. 

I would have loved more pages/words spent on the moonjelly encounter. When I started reading the book, I thought I would be experiencing an extended interaction with Mark and the moonjellies. Instead it was one page.

The pastel illustrations are not my preference.

*Highly recommend for the robust depiction of family working together and celebration of the ordinary.

-Borrowed via ILL. However, initially no libraries in my state were fulfilling my request. So I pre-ordered it (Purple House Press is republishing it). The day I pre-ordered it, I found out a library had shipped it to my library. So I read a library copy. After June 1st I will own it.