Lady on a Donkey by Beth Prim Howell*

 As a young lady, Lillian traveled to Atlanta to pursue a job utilizing her ability to draw. When a miscommunication occurs and the job is given to someone else, she follows God's leading to assist a woman at an orphange in North Carolina. Months later she is about to marry a wonderful, godly man. But hearing a presentation about missions, she believes she is being called to be a missionary in Africa. She breaks the engagement and eventually travels to Egypt, with no support from her family (except her sister) or a church. Through complete dependence on the Lord, she starts and runs an orphange (she actually purchases land & builds numerous buildings on it through God's miraculous provision) in Assouit, Egypt. She saves thousands of children!  The church that eventually supports her is Assemblies of God.

I was not always impressed with the author's writing & her ogranization. BUT Lillian's incredible story allowed me to adjust and overlook the writing.

*Highly recommend.

-Borrowed via ILL.

Colors of the Wind by J.L. Powers paintings by George Mendoza drawings by Hayley Morgan-Sanders**

 Purple House Press (where I first read about it) has republished this book. What an amazing story and man! 

At age fifteen, George became legally blind with a rare form of blindness, fundus flavimaculatus. It destroys the person's central vision. Even with his blindness, he pursued running (set world record for the mile by a blind runner-4:28!) and painting. His vision causes him to view explosive colors, which he paints. This book contains his paintings.

**Highly, highly recommend.

-Borrowed via ILL but I ordered it to own I liked it so much!

I just read online that a screenplay is being developed based on his life.

The Redeemed Reader by Janie Cheaney, Betsy Farquhar, Hayley Morell, & Megan Saben*

 This past fall I answered a question Janie Cheaney posted at the end of her email newsletter and won this book! She even signed it. 😉😊

These authors write reviews on their blog, Redeemed Reader. Most of their reviews consist of recently published books. It's the place to visit for parents who cannot keep up with their kids' reading (which is all of us, most likely!). Here is a link to their site: Redeemed Reader

This book discusses how to evaluate books via Truth and Story as the foundation. (Truth-found in God's Word, Story-relates to the human condition & how Christ rescues) Focusing on many challenging and compelling topics, the authors require the reader to contemplate their own heart as they read and form opinions about today's books. Organized in five sections (imagination, classics, contemporary issues, ages/stages/genres, & practical application), the book covers a diverse and interesting range of topics. My thinking & views were challenged and also confirmed.

A thoughtfully written book-much needed for this generation of parents

Book lists at the end of each chapter    A mega list with titles they recommend concludes the book.

*Highly recommend.

-I happily own this book!

Al Capone Does My Shirts by Gennifer Choldenko

 Award Winner: Newbery Honor Book-2005

On Januray 4, 1935 twelve-year-old Moose moves to Alcatraz with his family, where his dad takes a position as an prison guard. Why? --So his sister Natalie can attend a special school that is supposed to help her to learn to function in society. Moose hates the change. Not only does he not interact with his dad much, he is now required to watch his challenging sister every day after school so his mom can teach piano lessons. As he adjusts to island living, he finds himself in some situations that may cost his dad his job and Natalie"s position in THE school.

This book is at times humorous and other times heart-wrenching. Ms. Choldenko develops her characters well and creates an engaging plot. If I had had the time, I could have finished this book in one sitting.

Natalie is what we would call "autistic" or "on the spectrum"  in today's society. Because Ms. Choldenko's sister, Gina, was autistic, she portrays Natalie in a realistic manner and also Moose, as a sibling trying to be a supportive yet struggling to reconcile the impact her behavior has on him and his family. She also reveals the tenison the parents experience. The mother's reaction to Natalie's condition was superbly achieved. 

Warnings/discussions: autism & its impact on the individual and his/her loved ones, intense moments when Natalie has tantrums,  Moose describes a large woman's chest as watermelons jiggling, when Moose returns after leaving Natalie alone, he discovers her with a convict, holding hands with him-he is afraid something more intimate has happened between them-she is obessessed with him-nothing graphic is stated but the mature reader can infer Moose's fears (nothing did happen), lying, Moose's father gives him a half of a beer when they were both upset

-Borrowed from the library

Through the Wall by Alida Sims Malkus*

 Hansi lives in East Berlin with his parents. When his father is taken away by the secret police, his dying mother insists that he scout out a way to cross into West Berlin. Through Hansi's escape to West Berlin, his life in West Berlin and then eventually America, readers will experience how people suffered and struggled in the 1960s under the communist rule.

I am highly recommending this book because of its unique perspective. Not many children's books explore this period of history in this setting. However, I found the pacing a bit off. Some parts are really exciting and well executed; while other scenarios not as credible and not as well-developed. Ms. Malkus sometimes resorts to a "telling" writing style rather than "showing".

Warnings/discussion points: A young boy is shot trying to escape to West Berlin. Hansi witnesses it. Discussing communism and this time period would be beneficial. Hansi unwillingly participates in a crime with serious consequences. 

*Highly recommend.

-I own this book.

Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis*

 My sixteen-year-old and I read this book together over the last couple of months. Each chapter offered many thought-provoking ideas and promoted good discussions. In order for the ideas to become more cemented in my mind, I will need to reread this book several times!

*Highly recommend.

-I own this book.

The Incredible yet True Adventures of Alexander von Humboldt by Volker Mehnert illustrated by Claudia Lieb

 This illustrated, over-sized biography reveals Alexander von Humboldt's life-long curiosity and love for nature and science. Because of an inheritance, he was able to travel the world, mostly in South America. His energy and enthusiasm are contagious and admriable. 

I love the endpages. Beautiful two-page illustration spreads   I like the art as much as the words!

Considerations: evolution/old earth view; Aime, his traveling companion, likes wine and women; throughout the book the author inserted information about white oppressors

-Borrowed from the library.