A Cup of Quiet by Nikki Grimes illustrated by Cathy Ann Johnson

 A young girl relates how much she loves spending two weeks at her grandmother's house. Spending two weeks crafting, baking, playing, acting out stories is glorious! This day, however, Grandma thirsts for a cup of quiet. Exiting the house, they find a quiet spot in the back yard where the girl collects sounds of nature in her imaginary cup. Grandma drinks deeply and is refreshed.

A delightful book  I especially like that it features a Black family with no mention of race.

-Borrowed from the library.

Glory, Too by Nikki Grimes

 What a creative and refreshing collection of poetry! Ms. Grimes takes portions of scripture and writes  reflective poems in response. Her poetry points to Christ and God's truths. Only a couple of poems focused on race. One poem I did not agree with her theology (speaking in tongues).

I did not finish it because I have books I own that need to be read! I need to ban myself from reading library books so I can focus on the books I own. I have not been successful with this ban in the past!!

-Borrowed from the library.

Bread of Life by Abigail Dodds*

 Mrs. Dodds's devotional includes encouragement for loving the Bread of Life and reading the Bread of Life plus bread recipes. I tried the zucchini bread recipe; it was delicious. I eventually may buy this book.

-Borrowed from the library.

*Highly recommend.

The One-in-a-Million Boy by Monica Wood

 What a captivating and unique book. Ms. Wood  developed credible characters and created a entralling plot. Her writing is superb (sentence formation, metaphors/similies, word choice etc.). 

Quinn, a neglectful husband and father, finds himself fulfilling his deceased eleven-year-old son's Boy Scout assignment-doing chores for 104-year-old Lithuanian woman, Ona on Saturdays. As the Saturdays progress, Quinn realizes that he enjoys Ona and calls her his friend. He also discovers more about his son and decides to finish his son's goals for Ona, to have her earn an entry in the Guinness World Records.

Aspects I did not like-some swearing/including f-word, a mother, whose sons are in a Christian rock band, is quite rough and says their faith is just a phase-not exactly a positive of Christians, one of Ona's friends may have had relations w/ some high school boys she was teaching

The Seven Silly Eaters by Mary Ann Hoberman illustrated by Marla Frazee**

 I loved this book! Mothers will love this book! Children will find the kids in the story amusing.

Mrs. Peters loves her children. Each child has specific food preferences to which she caters. But as the number of children increases in the family, Mrs. Peters becomes frazzled. She goes to bed exasperated on the eve of her birthday. Her children, however, sneak downstairs to create something to demonstrate their love for her. What can go wrong?!

The entire story is written in rhyme! Ms. Hoberman was a marvel.

The illustrations add so much to the story. Ms. Frazee demonstrates through them how well she understands children and family dynamics. I also found the home endearing and magical. I want to live there (but without the chaos!).

**Highly, highly recommend.

-Borrowed from the library (but would love to buy it!)

The Red Sea Rules by Robert J. Morgan*

 After a family member was in a serious accident, a friend from church dropped off this book for us to read. The truths in this book greatly encouraged us and aligned our perspective to God's Word. Mr. Morgan focuses on  Exodus 14 & 15 to point out how we can trust God and how we can glorify Him in our current crisis. He combines scripture and stories from other Christians in crisis to create his entries. 

*Highly recommend.

-I own this book.

Bad Badger: A Love Story by Maryrose Wood illustrated by Giulia Ghigini*

 The opening lines made me groan and almost not want to read it (reminds me of our current culture-"Septimus was a badger.  Or was he? This was the heart of the matter.") But I continued reading because Sarah Mackenzie recommended it as one of her books of the week on RAR.

It is a delightful story about a Badger who is atypical and his friendship with a seagull, Gully. Despite their differences, they learn that being a friend requires sacrifice and unselfishness. I loved the chapter subheadings-One-'A Visit from a Friend--Septimus was not terribly used to company.'

*Highly recommend.

-Borrowed from the library.

She Heard the Birds by Andrea D'Aquino

 The Story of Florence Merriam Bailey -Pioneering Nature Activist

A general overview about Florence Bailey and how her love for nature and birds was fostered, developed, and then applied.

The illustrations were not my taste in art. I did, however, love the two-page spread of the birds with their songs/calls underneath them. 

-Borrowed from the library.

The Bird, the Frog, and the Light by Avi illustrated Matthew Henry

 I usually find Avi's stories engaging. I, however, was not overly impressed with this story.

A pompous frog demands that bird utilizes its friendship with the Sun to fetch one of the Sun's rays to shine on frog's domain. The bird bids his wish. The ray, however, reveals who the frog really is.

-Borrowed from the library.

Half Baked Harvest Quick & Cozy by Tieghan Gerard

 I tried a couple of recipes before I had to return it to the library. My family really liked the "Sheet Pan Mahi Mahi & Baby Potatoes" (even the ones who don't usually enjoy fish). My one son loves fish, so I try to include it at least every two weeks. If I borrow this book again, I will prioritize making three other fish dishes.

I liked her "quick tips" on pg 14, especially cutting up chicken with heavy duty kitchen shears right over the pan/bowl (I despise chicken and dread prepping it!).

-Borrowed from the library.

How Elegant the Elephant Poems About Animals & Insects by Mary Ann Hoberman Art by Marla Frazee**

 I loved this anthology of animal poems! In her introduction, Mary Ann Hoberman discusses how she creates and writes her poems. Her poems all began with word play. This technique is apparent when reading her poems. They are fun and clever.

Ms. Frazee's illustrations reflect the poems but also connect them to tell a story of all of these animals staying at a hotel. Sometimes you can spy the subject of the next poem in the background of the current poem. I liked the illustrations as much as the poems.

**Highly, highly recommend.

-Borrowed from the library.

The Reading List by Sara Nisha Adams

 Two different years- 2017 & 2019

Two different characters-Mukesh, an elderly widower who grieves over his wife constantly, and Aleisha, a seventeen-year-old who feels trapped in her own home with her mentally-ill mother

What joins these two characters together? A library and books 

Aleisha works at the local library in Wembly, London. She dreads her job until she finds The List. Someone had taken the time to write a list of books to read with the welcoming introduction, "Just in case you need it . . ." As Aleisha reads through these novels, she finds peace and companionship. She also develops friendship with Mukesh as she suggests these books to him and then follows up with discussion. An unlikely friendship develops.

This story was compelling and realistic. I found reading about a main character with an African Hindu background interesting. I also liked the ending. I reread the prologue after I finished. It made more sense then. My favorite character was Mukesh. One character left me feeling so sad and wishing he could have been saved from his turmoil.

What was on "The Reading List"? To Kill a Mockingbird, Rebecca, The Kite Runner, Life of Pi, Pride and Prejudice, Little Women, Beloved, and A Suitable Boy.

Considerations: some swearing (including "f"), Aleisha gives someone the middle finger, underage drinking & drug use, a main character's family member commits suicide during the story, mental-illness

I would like to read Ms. Adams's newest novel, The Twilight Garden. It seems like another novel that focuses on relationships.

-Borrowed from the library.

Birdlore The Iridescent Life of Florence Merriam Bailey by Jess Keating illustrated by Devon Holzwarth*

World magazine reviewed this book in their latest issue, which prompted me to borrow and read this book. 

Ms. Keating reveals how Florence Merriam Bailey's love for birds developed from her childhood through adulthood and how she dedicated her life to sharing this passion with others. Her impact has not been noticed or celebrated. She created the first known field guide to American birds in 1889!

*Highly recommend. I love how at the end of the book Ms. Holzwarth created a spread of all of the birds incorporated in the illustrations and requested the readers to search for them throughout the book.

-Borrowed from the library.

Knight Owl and Early Bird by Christopher Denise*

 Knight Owl is fabulous at his job as Night Knight Owl. When an admirer lands in his rooms chirping away with comments and questions as he is about to drift off to sleep, Owl's compentency is compromised. How can he maintain his reputation when he is exhausted by his annoying new "friend", Early Bird? Eventually he explodes in frustration and sends her away. Can the relationship be restored?

*Highly recommend this sequel to Knight Owl.

-Borrowed from the library.

A Walk in the Woods by Nikki Grimes illustrated by Jerry Pinkney & Brian Pinkney**

 A boy grieves his father's death. A week after his funeral he opens an envelope from his dad, which contains a treasure map through the woods they would explore together.  As the boy follows the map, he encounters many creatures he and his dad would admire. The treasure is so, so special. 

Ironically, Jerry Pinkney, the illustrator, died before he completed the illustrations. His son, Brian, finished the illustrations. Once you read the story, you will understand the irony.

I loved this book. The writing, the story . ..and also it features African Americans in a regular setting with a normal plot.

**Highly, highly recommend.

Discuss/consideration: The boy senses his father next to him and feels his hand on his shoulder even though his father is no longer alive. The author portrays that our loved ones communicate with us even after they die.

-Borrowed from the library.

Knight Owl by Christopher Denise*

Award-winner-Caldecott Honor 

Owl dreams of becoming a knight. When knights mysteriously disappear, the kingdom is desperate for new men to train for the knighthood. Owl is accepted into knight school! Can this teeny knight owl protect the kingdom? 

A fun book! I especially loved the lush illustrations.

*Highly recommend.

-Borrowed from the library.

Trent's Last Case by E.C. Bentley

 When I started reading The Man Who Was Thursday by G.K. Chesterton to my teen sons, I noted that he dedicated the book to E.C. Bentley. Their friendship began in their childhood and continued into adulthood. A few years ago I introduced my boys to E.C. Bentley and his clerihew poetry. He also wrote novels...like this one which he dedicated to Chesterton! He felt like he owed Chesterton a dedication and novel. 

 Trent, a clever journalist, is called upon to help Scotland Yard to solve a murder case of a ruthless American financier. As Trent unravels the dynamics between Sigsbee Manderson and his beautiful young wife, the solution seems simple. Yet when he closes the case, he realizes that he was wrong. Bentley keeps the reader guessing and in suspense until the last page (like Agatha Christie!). This novel was published before Agatha Christie wrote her novels.

*Highly recommend for those who like classic detective mystery novels.

-Borrowed via ILL.

The Man Who Was Thursday by G.K. Chesterton

 I read this classic aloud to my teen sons. We thoroughly enjoyed it (the writing, the excitement) but not sure if we totally "get it"!! 

Syme, a Scotland Yard detective, infiltrates an anarchist group. As he interacts with the mysterious members, he discovers who they truly are. The group tranverses England and France in a mad, erratic dash. 

-I own this book.

Reading this book led me to my next review---