I Survived #24, The Black Death, 1348 by Lauren Tarshis*

 Years ago when I tutored reluctant and struggling readers, I used these books with my upper elementary boy readers to build stamina and confidence. At that time the main characters were boys. Now the series also features female characters. 

Elsie and her best friend Humphrey discover that Sheriff Grimwood is working with the band of outlaws, stealing the town's treasures. Unfortunately, Grimwood spies the two children fleeing from their hiding place and sets out to find them. Meanwhile, members in their town are dying from the plague. Elsie is soon bedridden with it and wonders if she will survive . . .

A fast-paced book that introduces readers to the way of life during the medieval era and allows them to experience the agony (only through words!) of the bubonic plague. Many additional pages about this time period and the plague are included after the story.

*Highly recommend for reluctant readers.

Discuss: plague/death, views about Covid (Ms. Tarshis compares some aspects of the plague with Covid.)

-Borrowed from the library.

Matilda Bone by Karen Cushman

 After her parents died, Matilda is a ward of Lord Randall's manor where Father Leufredus mentors her and educates her. Father Leufredus, however, drops her off with Peg the Bonesetter when he leaves for London. Matilda does not belong here in the filth and with uneducated people. She knows Latin. She knows how to pray. She knows the saints and their accomplishments. She does not know how to start a fire. She does not know how to shop for fish. She does not know how to make breakfast. 

Readers learn with Matilda the role of a Bonesetter, medicine and medical beliefs, and how the common class fared in the medieval era.

An engaging story   A great one to include when studying medieval era. 

Discuss: Matilda prays to the saints often. She believes that is how she receives spiritual answers. 

Home Is Right Where You Are by Ruth Chou Simons

 A beautifully illustrated picture book based on Psalm 23. 

-Borrowed from the library.

A Lady's Handbook to Gadgets and Guile by Angela Bell*

 After an accident, Margaret Kingsley buries herself into mechanics and creating gadgets. Her loving parents (the main characters from Ms. Bell's previous novel, A Lady's Guide to Marvels and Misadventures) care for her on a daily basis as her pain sometimes forces to remain in her wheelchair or rest in bed. The Daughters of Genius Society employ her  to design and make gadgets for their undercover agency. When a case requires Margaret to leave her workshop, she discovers how loyal and sincere her friends are and also encounters a man who truly sees her,  not her condition. 

I love how Ms. Bell incorporates real woman into her novels and fictionalizes them to suit her plot. Ms. Bell's focuses on chronic pain and panic attacks, revealing ways to live with them via her characters. God and His provision is proclaimed throughout in an authentic manner. 

After reading this book, I am curious about the real Margaret E. Knight. From Ms. Bell's bibliography, I requested two children's books about her-a picture book and a chapter book.

*Highly recommend. I would hand this book to a teen girl.

-Borrowed from the library.

Baby's Black & White Contrast Book by Tabitha Paige**

 Hand-Painted Illustrations

Oh my goodness. How I wish Mrs. Paige had been writing and illustrating board books when my boys were babies & toddlers. Her life-like hand-painted illustrations are stunning. As I looked at this accordian-style board book, ideas on how I would talk with a young child about the illustrations piled up in my mind.

**Highly, highly recommend.

-Borrowed via ILL.

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.