The Queen and the First Christmas Tree by Nancy Churnin illustrated by Luisa Uribe*

 As a young girl Charlotte loved the outdoors more than learning how to be a queen and attending balls. This German girl would faithfully decorate a yew branch with colored paper flowers, nuts, fruits, and candles each Christmas. At age seventeen she receives a proposal from King George III of England. She sets sail to live with a man she never met and to be a queen. Thankfully King George III loved the outdoors, not balls. Together they had fifteen children. Queen Charlotte impacted England by building and sponsoring orphanages and hospitals for expectant mothers. She also introduced the Christmas tree to England as she invited one hundred children to view it at Windsor Castle.

A delightful story about a delightful woman!

*Highly recommend. 

Borrowed via Inter-Lib. Loan

Just in Case You Ever Feel Alone by Max Lucado illustrated by Eve Tharlet

 A parent bear reassures its cub that it will always be there for the cub. The whole time I was reading it, I was thinking how yes, parents are loyal to their children, but God is more faithful than earthly parents. At the end of the story, Mr. Lucado finally points out that God is a better companion and friend than even a parent. Most of the story is focused on a parent-child relationship.

-Borrowed from the library.

Franklin and Winston by Douglas Wood illustrated by Barry Moser*

 Mr. Wood delves into the interactions and friendship between FDR and Winston Churchill right after the U.S. entered WW II. Mr. Churchill travels to the U.S. over Christmas to discuss war strategies. With humor and engaging text, Mr. Wood reveals the interesting dynamics between the two men. I don't agree with FDR's politics but still enjoyed the book. The pictures are expressive and illuminate the men's personalities.

-Borrowed from the library.

The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion Vol. 2 by Beth Brower**

 I love this series. It is witty. It is humorous. It is captivating. I finished volume 2 in less than 24 hours!

Emma continues to accompany her cousin, Arabella, to social events during London's Season in hopes Arabella can lure a wealthy husband. Emma's job is to illuminate Arabella.  Besides being her cousin's companion, Emma slowly begins a friendship with the gentleman renting a garret in Lapis Lazuli Minor, continues to outwit her greedy cousin Archibald,  and becomes acquainted with the Duke (after reading his journal). Emma's somewhat unconventional behavior will amuse the reader like it amuses many gentlemen in this series. Of course, St. Crispin's ghost, The Roman, continues to make his appearance to Agnes, Emma's maid and cook.

I would love to see this series made into a movie. It reminds me of Jane Austen's books.

Consider: Maybe two swear words, Emma states that one man's hands wander, but she promptly hits him with a book

**Highly, highly recommend.

-Borrowed from the library.

Casey at the Bat illustrated by Christopher Bing*

 My sons, my nephew, my niece, my sister-in-law and I gathered to read and enjoy this poem for April's poetry treat. My nephew read this illustrated copy of the poem and shared many illustrations he enjoyed. 

*Highly recommend. It is understandable how it won a Caldecott Honor Award!

-Borrowed from the library.

Whose Knees Are These? by Jabari Asim illustrated by LeUyen Pham*

 An adorable board book that will cause the reader and child to interact!

*Highly recommend.

-Borrowed from the library.

100 Extraordinary Stories for Courageous Girls by Jean Fischer

 When my pastor preached a sermon on Proverbs 31, he mentioned a few women as examples. Since I did not know much about them, I searched for books about them in our library system. Only this anthology contained biographical sketches about them. A diverse group of women are featured-biblical times, modern times, around the globe etc. The one page biographies just skim the surface of their lives but may stimulate further reading.

-Borrowed from the library.

Little People, Big Dreams Leo Messi by Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara illustrated by Florencia Gavilan

 An accessible biography about Messi

The author focuses on his medical issue, not producing the growth hormone, and how he persevered and experienced great success despite this challenge.

Very simplistic but a great introduction for younger readers/kids.

-Borrowed from the library.

Don't Dangle Your Participle by Vanita Delschlager art by Mike Desantis

 A very visual and humorous presentation on participles! A must-read when learning about participles

-Borrowed from the library.

An Irish Country Doctor by Patrick Taylor

 This novel was like a James Herriot book but set in Ireland with stories about a country medical doctor. Barry Laverty, fresh out of medical school, ventures to Ballybucklebo in Northern Ireland to be an assistant to Dr. Fingal Flahertie O'Reilly, a rural doctor. Dr. O'Reilly's unconventional methods challenge Dr. Laverty, but overtime he realizes their effectiveness with the rural folk. The character development is superb. I thoroughly enjoyed losing myself in this fictional village. I am not highly recommending it because of the warnings below. Concerning the warnings, I wasn't surprised about what I encountered in this novel since we visited Ireland this summer and witnessed how they "talk". 

Warnings: swearing, crass humor, abortion is discussed-not performed but O'Reilly says even though he won't do an abortion, it would be better to do it in a medical office than in a back alley (at the time of the novel abortion was illegal),  Laverty makes a grab for his girlfriend's chest but nothing progresses, drinking/getting drunk, a predominant man tries to mess around with his house help and makes vulgar comments about a body part, One of the characters also mentions he does not believe in God as he cannot understand how a god could allow suffering.

-Borrowed from the library.

The Red House Mystery by A.A. Milne

 When I learned that A.A. Milne had written a mystery, I immediately borrowed it from the library. Mr. Milne wrote it for his father, who liked reading detective stories. I liked how he directly talked to the reader and how he incorporated humor and charm.

Antony Gillingham, an independently wealthy young man, has explored London and pursued a variety of odd jobs throughout his travels. Upon arriving to Woodham for a holiday, he learns that his friend Bill is staying at "The Red House", a mansion owned by Mark Ablett, a wealthy patron of the arts. Antony decides to pay Bill a surprise visit. A surprise, however, awaits for Antony-a corpse. With his deduction skills and with Bill's faithful assistance, Antony uncovers secrets and deception. 

Perfect for those who love classic, old-fashion detective stories.

 I sometimes thought Bill was a bit too eager and a push-over . . .Antony asked him to do the unpleasanst aspects of the detecting. On the other hand, I liked Antony and would have liked to have been friends with him. They joked that they were like Sherlock and Watson. Their joviality throughout the investigation, even when in danger, was unrealistic, but I overlooked it after awhile because it added lightness to the story. It was a fun read.

Consideration if sharing with teens: some swearing-dn, a**, infer a character may have committed suicide at the end (no details-very vague)

*Highly recommend for those who enjoy classic, old-fashion, British detective stories.

-Borrowed from the library.

Barn at Night by Michelle Houts illustrated by Jen Betton

 A father wakens his daughter to help him with farm chores before dawn. Although it depicts the dedication farmers have to care for their creatures and the hard work farming entails, a farm with this amount of animals could not sustain a family. This farm would be a hobby farm or what people call nowadays "homesteading". 

-Borrowed from the library.

Published by Feeding Minds Press "accurate and engaging books about agriculture".

The Golem's Latkes retold by Eric A. Kimmel illustrated by Aaron Jasinski

 Rabbi Judah creates a golem who will do any task when told. One problem-he will keep doing the task until someone says, "Golem, enough!". When Rabbi Judah visits Emperor Rudolf in Prague, he leaves his new housemaid, Basha,  in charge. Against his better judgment, he permits her to use the Golem. 

Pair with Strega Nona by Tomie dePaola & Sweep: The Story of a Girl & Her Monster by Jonathan Auxier (for older kids-grades 4 & older) to make T-T connections.

-Borrowed from the library.

A Few Beautiful Minutes-Experiencing a Solar Eclipse by Kate Allen Fox illustrated by Khoa Le

 Ms. Fox celebrates the phenomenon of the total solar eclipse. With figurative language, she walks the reader through a solar eclipse. After the main narrative, Ms. Fox offers facts about the solar eclipse and also a timeline of an eclipse. Instructions how to build a a sun viewer are also included.

Stunning illustrations.

Perfect timing for the total solar eclipse occurring soon in the U.S.! 

-Borrowed from the library.

Little People, Big Dreams series

 This biography series by Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara includes more than eighty titles!! She includes interesting information about the individual in an engaging manner. Various artists from around the world illustrate the books in this series. 

I read Charles Dickens (Vol. 70) & Agatha Christie (Vol. 5)- (not many biographies written about this author for children!!).

-Borrowed from the library.

If I Was a Horse by Sophie Blackall

Through her imagination, a girl shares how she would behave if she was a horse. Ms. Blackall's illustrations/art are full of clever details. I studied the backgrounds and seemingly minor inclusions with great delight!

-Borrowed from the library.

 

Greek Mythology text set

 My eighth grader will soon be reading Frankenstein, or the Modern Prometheus for literature class. So he could understand the allusion in the title, he read the myth about Prometheus in two of these books. Although I only read the Prometheus retellings in these books, I wanted to record the titles so I can borrow them again when we study ancient history. 

-Borrowed from the library.

**Full of interesting facts & history -will appeal to reluctant readers.

A classic!

The Mona Lisa Vanishes by Nicolas Day with art by Brett Helquist*

Award winner: Sibert Medal Winner

World magazine listed this book as one of the top nonfiction books published in 2023. 

With humor and the pace of a detective story, Mr. Day shares the events surrounding the Mona Lisa heist in 1911. Mr. Day researched extensively. My mind was spinning at points from learning about the different individuals connected to the case! He even transports the reader to the 1500s where we interact with Leonardo da Vinci, learn about his childhood and then about his interesting "career". The plot switches between the 1500s & 1911-1913. 

Mr. Day's tone and voice is engaging and humorous. He proves that nonfiction reading and history can be fascinating!

Points to discuss: da Vinci is an illegitimate child, stealing, lying, betrayal, Picassco lives with a woman (call her his "partner), mentions how a man was so obsessed with the Mona Lisa that he committed suicide

Strategy: monitor comprehension (vast amount of individuals involved with case . . .plus many theories & conclusions arise and then are disproven!! Also, the reader needs to keep straight the two time periods portrayed)

*Highly recommend 

-Borrowed from the library.

The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

Nick Carraway narrates a story about his time in the East, working as a bondsman in NYC but residing on Long Island at West Egg. His next door neighbor, Jay Gatsby, hosts lavish parties each weekend. Not knowing where he gained his wealth, people create stories about him and his past. As Nick develops a relationship with "the Great Gatsby", he learns about his past (is it accurate??) and his present goal: to regain the affections of Daisy, a girl from his past who is now married. Daisy lives across the water from Gatsby. Daisy is also Nick's cousin.

Mr. Fitzgerald depicts the vacuity of the 1920s well. The desire to gain wealth dominated the decade. Materialism was a driving force.

I especially enjoyed reading this novel's beautiful writing: Fitzgerald's word choice, his ability to incorporate imagery, and his powerful allusions. 

Warning/points to discuss: excessive drinking, adultery, lying/deception, materialism, selfishness, murder, suicide, in Gatsby's younger days he was intimate with a lot of woman (no descriptions are included-just stated)

-I own two copies of the this novel-one for my son, one for me.