Sir Gawain and the Green Knight a new verse translation by Simon Armitage*

 I loved reading this poem not only for the story but also for its poetic and stylistic devices. Each line contains a lot of alliteration-what word choice!! and after each stanza, is a "bob and wheel"-a very short line followed by a quatrain.

The Green Knight barges into King Arthur's castle during Christmas and asks for a man to behead him, with the promise to find him at the Green Chapel a year later to be beheaded also. Gawain volunteers. He beheads the Green Knight. The Green Knight still lives, holds his head in his hand, and the head reminds Gawain that he must keep his promise. A year later Sir Gawain rides off, knowing he will die. After riding for days, he discovers a castle where the host is merry and welcoming. The host allows him to lounge inside while he hunts all day with his men. A deal is struck. Sir Gawain must resist incredible temptation and yet remain courtesy. Then the New Year's Day approaches . . .Sir Gawain knows he must keep his vow to the Green Knight.

*Highly recommend for high school & older. See warning.

Warning: The host's wife tries to seduce Sir Gawain throughout the story. He allows her to kiss him. She dresses scantily one time, but he resists. Descriptions of the butchering of deer and boar are quite graphic. Other descriptions of violent fighting-the beheading

-Borrowed from the library. I loved this translation. My son read a different translation that was a lot more difficult!

The Forgotten War by Candace Fleming*

 Ms. Fleming's father served as a litter-bearer during WW II on the Aleutian Islands, Alaska.With reluctance, he divulged bits of information to Ms. Fleming about his time in service. He died when she was fourteen-years-old. Decades later she pieces together his tidbits with research to share this narrative about WW II that was fought on American soil.

I liked how she incorporated views from the Japanese who were fighting against the Americans on these islands. Although this account is nonfiction, it is very engaging and reads like a narrative. I cannot comprehend how these men endured--the fog, the cold, the isolation. Read to find out why the public did not even know about these battles!

*Highly recommend.

-Borrowed from the library.

Abe's Fish A Boyhood Tale of Abraham Lincoln by Jen Bryant illustrated Amy June Bates*

 Three sentences in Abraham Lincoln's first official biography inspired Ms. Bryant to write this picture book. (Abraham Lincoln: A History by John G. Nicolay and John Hay, published in 1890)

Abraham is thrilled to be issued the task to fish for their dinner. On his way home he encounters a soldier returning from the War of 1812. Remembering how his mother instructed them to be kind to soldiers, he gives his fish to the soldier. He goes home without dinner and goes to bed with a growling stomach. A choice like this obviously fostered his character development and the great man he came to be. 

I love the illustrations. The book is tall and thin like Abe Lincoln! The additional facts about Lincoln are fascinating. 

The Good Shepherd and the Stubborn Sheep written & illustrated by Hannah E. Harrison*

 George the sheep introduces the reader to typical sheep behavior and why they need a Shepherd. Then he relates how he ran away from the Shepherd when it was haircut time and the ramifications of his actions. This book depicts Psalm 23 and God's redemptive love well. Ms. Harrison offers other scripture references about shepherds and sheep at the end. 

I laughed out loud at some of George's descriptions (we have a pasture of sheep next to our house and witness these behaviors on a regular basis).

 I did not care for some aspects of the illustrations (I LOVE Ms. Harrison's artwork in her other picture books)-some scenes/images seemed static.

*Highly recommend.  

-Borrowed from the library.

How a Bear Became a Book by Annette Bay Pimentel illustrated by Faith Pray

 A unique format to relay how Alan Alexander Milne and Ernest Howard Shepard were brought together to create the Winnie the Pooh books. I had not known that they experimented with layout and were innovative in their methods and ideas.

I found the set-up a bit confusing at first (Winnie the Pooh-talks back & forth with the narrator ). Younger kids may not find the book engaging. In the beginning the focus is on how a book becomes a book, not on A.A. Milne & Ernest Shepard.

I liked reading the author's and illustrator's notes more than the actual story.

-Borrowed from the library.

Our Little Adventure at Christmas by Tabitha Paige*

 Sarah Mackenzie recently interviewed Mrs. Paige on RAR. Mrs. Paige, a certified speech pathologist, a mother, and an artist/author, has written and illustrated numerous beautiful board books. 

Each Christmas a badger decorates his favorite evergreen tree.This Christmas, however, a storm tears through the forest and rips off his treasures. Badger is sad. His friend, Red Bird, witnesses Badger's reaction and summons other forest friends to gather treasures to redecorate the tree for Badger.

Rhyming text with provided activities in the back to revisit the story.

*Highly recommend. I requested at least one other book by her via ILL.

-Borrowed from the library.

Ringside, 1925 Views from the Scopes Trial by Jen Bryant

 A novel in verse

Through nine different fictional characters points of view, readers witness the Scope trial unfold. The small TN town, Dayton, hosts two of the nation's best speakers, Clarence Darrow and  W.J. Bryan, to debate about teaching evolution in schools. Although the jury decides that J.T. Scope is guilty of breaking the TN law, the author's fictional characters gravitate towards the theory of evolution and individuals who purport it . 

Christian characters who hold fast to a seven day creation without evolution are portrayed as idiots and ignorant.

The novel was very engaging and interesting. I was frustrated how it depicted Christians who believe in the Bible's seven day creation account and that the Bible is not a substandard to science. Reading this novel with teens would provide plenty of topics for discussion!

-Borrowed via ILL.