Dear America Like the Willow Tree by Lois Lowry*

    The Diary of Lydia Amelia Pierce- Portland, Maine, 1918

After her parents and her baby sister die from the influenza, her uncle takes her and her brother to live at the Shaker community at Sabbathday Lake, Maine.  At first she finds their way of living strange, but gradually she adjusts.  Her brother, Daniel, however, struggles and eventually escapes from the community.  Lydia shares her thoughts in a diary format.

Ms. Lowry brings this time period and the Shaker community to life through Lydia's credible, engaging voice.

Photographs of the effects of the influenza and Chosen Land (Shaker Community at Sabbathday Lake) are included in the back.

*Highly recommend.

-Borrowed from the library.

An Enola Holmes Mystery The Case of the Missing Marquess by Nancy Springer

 I love the BBC television series Sherlock. When I spied a new movie about Sherlock's little sister Enola, I immediately added it to our list.  Then I discovered that the movie was based on a middle grade series.  

When Enola Holmes's mother disappears on the morning of her fourteenth birthday, she feels abandoned but also compelled to search for her.  Through ciphers, her mother gives her clues and lots of cash!  Unfortunately, Enola's brothers, Mycroft and Sherlock, view her as incompetent and unintelligent because she is female.  Mycroft decides she needs to attend a finishing school.  To escape this awful fate, she schemes and flees in the middle of the night.  With clever disguises and intellect, she eludes her brothers, the Scotland Yard and criminals.  Along the way she encounters a young Marquess from Basilwether who is presumed kidnapped.  She finds him, but not her mother.  Her search for her mother continues in other books in the series.

I think I like the movie better than the book.  The actress, Millie Bobby Brown, who portrays Enola, is a fabulous actress.  

Warning: Prostitutes and "ladies of the night" are mentioned and sprinkled throughout.  I realize that they were part of the setting and culture in London, but not necessary to include in a middle grade novel.

-Borrowed from the library.

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain**

 My sons and I listened to this audio version of this timeless book produced by Blackstone Audiobooks .  Tom Parker read the unabridged audiobook.  He depicted the characters well through his various tones/inflections and voices.  His talent certainly made listening a pleasure.

Having read this book in college, I thoroughly enjoyed listening to it again with my sons and hearing/seeing their reactions.  We reveled in the humor, the adventures and the characters.

Huckleberry Finn runs away from the widow because he doesn't want to be civilized.  He also knows his alcoholic Pap will return once he hears Huck is a wealthy boy (read Tom Sawyer how that happens).  He escapes down the Mississippi River.  Shortly after his escape he encounters Jim, Miss Watson's slave, who has escaped.  Jim and Huck join forces to survive and stumble upon many interesting characters on the journey.

Mr. Clemens is an amazing writer.  His incorporation of diagloge reveals how effective it is when done well.  

**Highly, highly recommend.

Warnings/points to discuss: slavery and the treatment of African-Americans, use of the word "nigger", lying, charlatans, the characters' views of God, Pap is an alcoholic and abuse., violence (Huck fakes his own murder; family feud)

The Unexpected Mrs. Pollifax by Dorothy Gilman*

Originally published in 1966 

Mrs. Pollifax, a retired widow with grown children, is bored with her life.  She decides to follow up with a dream she had when she was a young adult-to be a spy.  When she enters the CIA building, she does not realize she will be sent on a case immediately.  To her delight she is sent to Mexico for a few weeks and only has to pick up book at a book store.  The pick up is thwarted.  Mrs. Pollifax is brutally treated and eventually flown to Communist Albania with another captive who is badly injured.  Just by being her regular self, Mrs. Pollifax manages to subdue and trick even the steeliest "bad guy".  

So refreshing to read a book that advocates democracy and reveals the pitfalls of communism/socialism.  

I am so glad to have discovered this series!  The plot is well-structured and fast-paced, the characters are well-developed (I love Mrs. Pollifax), and the writing is superb.  

*Highly recommend.

-Borrowed from the library.

Warning: some swearing

America's White Table by Margot Theis Raven illustrated by Mike Benny

 A ten-year-old girl shares the significance of the white table that dining halls of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps and Air Force set up on Veterans Day.  As she and her sisters wait her Uncle John, a Vietnam Veteran, to come visit, her mother explains the sacrifice he made for the country and for her.  

This Veterans Day I had set up a white table and had discussed the meaning behind each of the items displayed on the table.  

Small table-one soldier's lonely battle, white cloth-soldier's pure heart as answers call to duty, lemon slice-soldier's bitter fate, grains of salt-tears of family members waiting for their return, empty chair-missing soldiers not here, black napkin-sorrow of captivity, turned over glass-meal that won't be eaten, white candle-peace, red rose in vase with red ribbon-hope that missing soldiers return someday.

-Borrowed from the library.

Looking Back by Lois Lowry *

A Book of Memories 

Many readers have asked Ms. Lowry where she gets her ideas.  This book is her response.  

I really like how the book is organized.  Each section begins with a few sentences from one of her books.  The chapters within the section reveal parts of her life and how her life directly influenced a specific idea or just a phrase.  The book is loosely organized chronologically.  

When I was in sixth grade, one of my favorite series was Anastasia Krupnik. As I read this book, I was delighted to discover how many of Anastasia's quirks, ideas and statements were based on Lois Lowry's life. 

*Highly recommend (I basically read this book in two sittings.  Very easy to read yet a literary delight!)

-Borrowed from the library.

-The library has it categorized as "young adult". 

Imogene Comes Back! by David Small*

When Imogene wakes up each morning, she wonders what creature she will be.  In the sequel to Imogene's Antlers, Imogene continues to amuse (or horrify) her family members with her odd animal features.  Once again the ending is amusing and surprising!

*Highly recommend.

-Borrowed from the library.

Mailing May by Michael O. Tunnell illustrated by Ted Rand*

 May desparately wants to visit her grandmother, but her parents do not have the money to buy a train ticket.  Then her parents devise a clever plan. . .they will mail her as a domestic parcel!  She is weighed, is classified as a baby chick, and is stamped (fifty-three cents!).  A family member who works on the postal car watches over her and delivers her to her grandmother!

Excellent word choice.  Illustrations will take the reader to 1914 and give her view into what homes, stores, trains and mail cars looked like in that time period.  

Author's Note is interesting about the back matter.

Strategy: inferring

*Highly recommend.

-Borrowed from the library.

Ten Ways to Hear Snow by Cathy Camper illustrated by Kenard Pak

 When Lina wakes up, she discovers that her town is covered with snow after the night's blizzard.  Not even a blizzard will thwart Lina from "grape leaf day" when she and her grandmother make warak enab together.  As she trudges through the snow, she realizes she is hearing unique sounds in the blanketed world.  She keeps count of the different sounds and then shares them with her grandmother as they make warak enab.  

A sweet story that celebrates ethnicity, grandmothers and snow.

*figurative language 

-Borrowed from the library.

In Flanders Fields by Linda Granfield illustrated by Janet Wilson*

 The Story of the Poem by John McCrae

After reading and discussing In Flanders Field by John McCrae, my boys and I read through this picture book where we discovered more about John McCrae and also warfare during WW I.  

*Highly recommend.

-Borrowed from the library.

The Story of a Bad Boy by Thomas Bailey Aldrich*

 A close friend suggested this book to me.  It is semi-autographical.

Tom spends a few years living with his grandfather in a New England town Rivermouth in the mid-1800s.  Each chapter he shares his escapades.  The writing was delightful and entertaining.  

Apparently this book was the first one to have a protagonist as a being a bit "naughty" departing from traditional literature inwhich the main character is good and one to emulate.  Samuel Clemens was acquainted with Mr. Aldrich and was influenced by this book to create Tom Sawyer!  

*Highly recommend.

-Borrowed from a friend.

 

Before She Was Harriet by Lesa Cline-Ransome illustrated by James E. Ransome*

 The narrative begins with Harriet Tubman as an elderly woman.  It then reviews her life via her various names.  At the end the reader rejoins Harriet when she is elderly sitting on a train enjoying her freedom. 

Bold, beautiful illustrations.

A good overview of Harriet's life and the impact she made.

*Highly recommend.

-Borrowed from the library.  

 

Imogene's Antlers by David Small*

 When Imogene awakens on Thursday, she discovers that she has grown antlers.  The rest of the story details how she handles various situations and how people respond to her condition.  The ending is a surprise and is funny!

Simple text,  delightful illustrations.

Idea-Use book as a writing prompt-the child can select something he has grown overnight and then can write how the addition brings difficulty and humor to his day.

*Highly recommend.

-Borrowed from the library.

The Fabled Stables #1- Willa the Wisp by Jonathan Auxier illustrated by Olga Demidova*

 As Mr. Auxier read aloud to his three daughters each night, he noticed that there was deficiency in books that appealed to a wide-range of ages -short enough to read in one sitting, but long enough to satisfy more mature listeners.  So he decided to be the solution!

Auggie lives on an island on top of the world.  His job is to care for the unusual creatures in the Fabled Stables.  One day the stables prepare a stall for a new arrival.  First, Auggie must find and bring her to safety for nefarious people are pursuing her.  

Humor, excitement and advenutre will draw readers into the story.

*Highly recommend (especially for transitional readers or reluctant readers).

---Part of a forthcoming series-#2 Trouble with Tattle-Tails will be published May 18, 2021.  

-Borrowed from the library.

The Money Tree by Sarah Stewart illustrated by David Small

 Husband-wife team!

I own and love two of this team's books- The Gardener and The Library.

This book was Ms. Stewart's first book.  To be honest, I was not overly impressed with the story.  Children may miss the author's message and will need to utilize inferencing skills.  The vagueness will stimulate discussion, though!

One winter Miss McGillicuddy notices a strange shape growing in her yard.  Over the next few months it grows into tree.  The tree is extraordinary.  Its leaves are actually paper money.  Greedy people flood her yard and stuff  their sacks.  Growing tired of  humanity's relentless greed, Miss McGillicuddy and the neighbor boys cut it down.  

I absolutely loved the illustrations.  I would buy the book just for the illustrations.  Mr. Small adds exquiste details that are pure fun and ones that also extend the story.  I would love to live in Miss McGillicuddy's home and on her property!

Strategies: asking questions, inferring

The Tale of the Tiger Slippers by Jan Brett

 Ms. Brett retells a Persian tale about slippers.  She chooses to uses the Bengal tiger as the main character.  

The father of this story shares why he honors a pair of raggedy slippers his mother made him when he was a cub.

Once again Ms. Brett's illustrations and borders are stunning. 

-Borrowed from the library.

Bread books

 Two books about bread-

1. Hooray for Bread by Allan Ahlberg illustrated by Bruce Ingman

Readers witness the "life" of a loaf of bread and the many lives it feeds throughout one day.  Rhyming text

-Borrowed from the library.

2. Bread, Bread, Bread by Ann Morris photographs by Ken Heyman*

I loved this book!  Very simple text, but the photographs are expressive.   Everyone in the world enjoys some form of bread!   I read this aloud to my preschoolers at church.  The index reveals where the people in the photographs are from in the world and a sentence about that type of bread.

*Highly recommend.

-Borrowed from the library.

Hudson Taylor-An Adventure Begins by Catherine Mackenzie

 Trail Blazers series
The life of Hudson Taylor is shared, beginning when he was a young boy through his later years with his second wife.  His heart for the Chinese and his desire to share Christ and His salvation was inspiring.

Most of the story is told through letters Hudson exchanged with his mother and one sister. This format irritated me.  I felt distant from Hudson Taylor.  The story was more from the perspective of his mother and his sister.  It would have been more effective if it was told from Hudson Taylor's point of view. 

-Borrowed from my church's library.

100 Extraordinary Stories for Courageous Girls by Jean Fischer

 Unforgettable Tales of Women of Faith

One page stories about women from the Bible to Saints to more modern-day women.  A Bible verse at the bottom reflects the theme of the biography.  A question at the end offers the opportunity for the reader to reflect and apply the truth to her life.  

Some women featured-Bessie Adams, Clara Barton, Fanny Crosby, Ruth Bell Graham, Rosa Parks, Susanna Wesley

-Borrowed from the library.

The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse by Charlie Mackesy

 A boy encounters a mole, a fox and a horse.  They ramble together, asking each other thought-provoking questions and develop an enduring friendship.  The answers and sentences are oh-so simple yet so profound.  Each page could be framed and displayed to offer encouragement to live more kindly and courageously.  

Some of the maxims did not sit well with me because of their focus on self. 

-Borrowed from the library.

The Old Fasnacht by Barbara Mitchell illustrated by Patricia Kiedrowski

 Jacob, a PA Dutch boy, takes his time as he completes any tasks.  The rest of his family represent the typical Dutch culture-"A Dutchman who is not on time is no Dutchman at all". Unfortunately, Jacob has made his father late too many times and is banished from his walks with Grossdawdi (grandfather).  On Fasnacht Day, Jacob is the last one down to the kitchen and as tradition "requires", he is the Old Fasnacht for the day and must do all of the chores.  Thankfully, his Grossdawdi is perceptive and is able celebrate Jacob's unique personality and gifts. 

The relationship between the grandfather and Jacob is sweet and reinforces the necessity for grandparents!

The author includes PA Dutch words and also places words in the sentences like the Dutch (like adverbs at the end of sentences.

Author's Note in the beginning gives background on Fasnacht Day, hex signs and the different kinds of PA Dutch.  

"An early reader" book.

-Borrowed from the library.

Cozy by Jan Brett

 Cozy, an Alaskan musk ox, is separated from his family during a storm.  Various creatures arrive to huddle under his comforting fur.  Can the different animals (which are sometimes enemies) be kind to each other in the close quarters all winter?

This book reminded me of Ms. Brett's The Mitten book.  To teach the concept of compare/contrast, compare this book to The Mitten.  

Once again her borders extend the story and also allow for the reader to predict the events on the next page. I especially liked the end pages which I think were depicting various types of lichen. 

Strategies: compare/contrast-venn diagram, predicting

-Borrowed from the library.

Digging for Words by Angela Burke Kunkel illustrated by Paola Escobar

 Jose Alberto Gutierrez and the Library He Built

As Jose picks up trash in the wealthy neighborhoods in Columbia, he saves discarded books.  With those discarded books, he builds a library in his home for his neighborhood.  The author includes a parallel story about a boy also named Jose who anticipates Saturdays so he may select a book from Jose Gutierrez's library.

Sweet and inspiring!  The author's note includes photos of Jose and his library and more information about his "accomplishment".  

-Borrowed from the library.

Animals Brag About Their Bottoms by Maki Saito

 Various animals extol the positive attributes of their bottoms! 

Interesting and creative . . . I don't know if kids need encouragement to focus on butts, though! 😉

-Borrowed from the library.

Girl Running by Annette Bay Pimentel illustrated by Micha Archer

 Bobbi loves to run.  When she arrives home from school, she sheds her dress, dons pants and sneakers and runs!  The Boston Marathon runs through a nearby town.  As she watches the runners, she decides to train for it.  One problem.  Females are not permitted to run it because at the time people believed women were not "physiologically" able to do so!  Bobbi knows this is incorrect and sets out to prove this theory wrong.

The collages and art in the illustrations is impressive. 

-Borrowed from the library.

Hostage Lands by Douglas Bond*

 When Neil Perkins discovers a spearhead and writing tablets on his property, he develops a deeper appreciation for his family's land.  With the help of his Latin teacher, he translates the tablets. He enters the world of Rusticus, a Roman centurion and Calum, a Celt who loves Christus.  The story takes place near Hadrian's Wall during the third century.

An exciting book to read while studying this time in history.

*Highly recommend for supplemental history reading and for those who love adventure and history.

-Borrowed from a friend.