Sunrise Summer by Matthew Swanson and Robbi Behr**

 What a fascinating picture book!! A young girl relates her first summer being part of the fishing crew in Alaska. The illustrations are descriptive and humorous. 

The author and his wife, the illustrator, take their family to her famiy's property in a remote area in Alaska to fish for salmon each summer. I was surprised to learn at the end it was based on the author/illustrators' family. Ms. Behr offers more details about salmon fishing in the last four pages.

I was delighted the entire time I read this book!

**Highly, highly recommend this unique book. 

-Borrowed from the library.

Wind Watchers by Micha Archer*

 Through the four seasons siblings enjoy the wind's different moods. The word choice is apt. Because of Ms. Archer's descriptive language, readers can feel and hear the wind in each episode. The collage illustrations are impressive.

*Highly recommend.

-Borrowed from the library.

Soul School by Amber O'Neal Johnston

 When I took a course for my masters which focused on teaching multiculturally, I noticed a dirth in fictional books about ordinary Black people. Since then (over twenty years ago), I have not seen much improvement. This book addresses this issue by offering an annotated book lists that include Black characters and culture. I still think Ms. Johnston's choices mostly feature books about Black history/racial issues (but one of her goals was to expose children to Black history/culture.). 

The book is well organized. Part One, with five chapters, sets up the premise. Part Two provides the annotated book list, divided by ages (2-4, 5-7, 8-10, 11-14, 15-17). I was impressed with her thought-provoking discussion questions she provides with each book plus the intriguing, meaningful activities she suggests. For each book she offers two more books similiar to it (but does not annotate them or supply discussion questions and activity ideas).

I requested quite a few picture books (& one chapter book) she recommends and will review them soon.

-Borrowed from the library.

Arthur, the Always King by Kevin Crossley-Holland illustrated by Chris Riddell*

 A lavishly illustrated account about King Arthur's entire life

This hefty graphic novel portrays the legend of King Arthur and his knights in an engaging manner. I especially appreciated the word choice and the writing style. Although I highly recommend it, I think it is best suited for high school and older. See the warnings.

*Highly recommend.

Warnings: Arthur is born out of an affair (although his mother was tricked by magic) between the king and the Duchess of Cornwall, Arthur has a son out of wedlock with his half-sister (he, however, did not know she was his half-sister), mentions of initimacy (no details are given-readers infer ), Lancelot and Queen Guinevere have an affair, very graphic violence-described  The illustrations show blood and the gore. 

-Borrowed via ILL-I bought this book, so I own it too now.

The Ink Garden of Brother Theophane by C.M. Millen illustrated by Andrea Wisnewski**

 Brother Theophane, a monk in the Mourne Mountains in Ireland, struggles to focus on his copying chores in the scriptorium. God's creation beckons him to delight in the outdoors. Because of his lack of discipline, he is relegated to make the brown ink. To take a break from the tedious task, Brother Theophane walks the  countryside, marveling at the color in God's creation. An idea forms that transforms the monks' copy work forever!

A fictional account but readers will learn about how books were copied, about monks, and about illuminated manuscripts. Ms. Millen also incorporates anonymous poems that monks doodled on leftover scraps of parchment or in the margins of their books.

A delightful story with stunning illustrations    I, of course, loved reading how different plants made different hues of paint.

The author's note offers more information about the topic. She even provides links to make your own hawthorn bark ink, to extract colors from plants, and how illuminated manuscripts were made. Even though the text is simple, junior high students can marvel at the word choice and writing style and also learn about this time period and occupation.

**Highly, highly recommend.

Borrowed via ILL -I bought this book, so I own it too now.

Broken Bread by Tilly Dillehay*

 How to Stop Using Food and Fear to Fill Spiritual Hunger

As of now, I have read all of the books Mrs. Dillehay has written!

Mrs. Dillehay explores how food traps people in sin (asceticism, gluttony, snobbery, and apathy) and also how to utilize food with eternal goals in mind.  Especially interesting chapters cover topics like Christians who drink alcohol, fasting, and longing for heaven. Each chapter she begins with one of her food memories. Ending with "Food for Thought", each chapter has a few discussion questions, has a couple of ideas to put into practice, and finally, a book or scripture to read. 

 Having recovered from an eating disorder, she understands the power food/eating can hold over someone. Readers will not only learn about honoring God with their eating but will also gain insights about hospitality, sin, food fads/diets, and theology. Oh, she also enlightens the reader the proper way to eat a pomegranate (her favorite fruit)!

*Highly recommend.

-Borrowed from the library (I asked my librarian to purchase this book for the library circulation; she did!)

The Castle on the Hill by Elizabeth Goudge*

 By accident my friend bought two copies of this title. She gifted me her second copy!

Summer of 1940 during WW II has brought despair and change to many people in England. Four sets of strangers come together at the Castle-Miss Brown (unexpectantly the new housekeeper), Mr. Birley and his nephews whose family owns the castle, Moppet & Poppet, two evacuees, and violinist Jo Isaacson. As they interact, some of the adult character face their love of self and learn to love sacrifically.

Ms. Goudge transports her readers to a specific setting and makes them feel part of it. Her settings and characters are well-developed and come to life. Her word choice and sentence structure are poetic. She weaves in deep truths and scriptural truths without being didactic  I really enjoy the way she writes. 

Consideration: One character swears throughout (d***), some characters wrestle with their view of God and His existence, a man and young lady have sex (no details are given, the reader knows they spend the night together) and later she is pregnant (so the reader infers what happens that night). The child is born early and is stillborn.

*Highly recommend.

-I own this book. I wold like to own more of her books!

Loving the Old Testament by Alec Motyer

 I am currently in a class at our church for training for a certain role. Our teacher assigned this book for us to read last month. Through scripture connections, Mr. Motyer reinforces how the Christian needs the Old Testament to fully understand Christ and to fully understand (and appreciate) the New Testament.  My appreciation for the Bible as one whole book has deepened after reading this book. Chapter 14 "Settling Down to Our Task" especially challenged me. Its practical application appealed to me.

-I own this book.

The Vanished Kingdom #3- The War of the Maps by Jonathan Auxier

 Mr. Auxier finishes his trilogy featuring Peter Nimble and Sopie Quire with an exciting tale of two opposing forces-reason and magic. Whichever side wins, their reality will determine how the world functions.  When these forces war versus each other, the individuals involved realize that their conclusions about the other side may not be accurate. 

Mr. Auxier is a superb story teller, who uses figurative language aptly. I love his word play with the names of the members of the League of Maps. Additionally, it was fun reading about the Fable Stables (a transitional reader series) in this novel. It has been eight years since I read Peter Nimble, and five years since read Sopie Quire. To fully appreciate the series, the reader would find it beneficial to read the novels during a short span of time (not years apart like I did!).

I, however, was disappointed that Mr. Auxier included a nod to the transgender movement. On page 386 the Rooks are shedding their names given to them by the evil Mother and revealing their real parent-given names. One child says "their" name is Horace, but "they" always hated it. With fear, "they" declare "they" want to be called Shasta. All of the other Rooks have "he" or "she" in the sentences when sharing their name. But this one uses "they" & "their" pronouns. I had my fifteen-year-old son read this page, and he didn't pick up on it. He thinks kids are reading strictly for the enjoyment of  the story, whereas an adult reader is more attuned to these inclusions. 

Update warning-6/22/25-I just read World magazine's review of this book. Their reviewer also picked up on the inclusion of transgender. She also pointed out that Peter's sister, Peg, says she "isn't  interested in boys". I remember reading it and pausing, but then disregarding it because I thought I was reading too much into it. I probably was not.

Warnings: violence-quite graphic at times, pg. 386-transgender paragraph, character saying she isn't into boys,   discuss-Is everything black/white? What is the benefit of hearing the "opposing side's" story? What about God's Truth? Is all progress bad? What does progress squelch? 

-Borrowed from the library.

Don't Trust Fish by Neil Sharpson illustrated by Dan Santat*

When readers first begin reading this book, they believe they are learning about the five main classes of vertebrates. The narrator then relays important information-the reader should not trust fish. At this point, the narrator leaps off onto a long bunny trail, listing all the reasons why the reader should not trust fish. Humorous and fun!

*Highly recommend.

-Borrowed from the library.

Mighty-The Story of an Oak Tree Ecosystem by Henry Cole*

 Mr. Cole follows the growth of an oak tree over the centuries and its impact on creation. Mr. Cole captures its majestic appearance and all of the critters that depend on it very well. I loved looking for the animals Mr. Cole drew on the forest floor amid leaves and plants and in the oak's branches.

*Highly recommend.

-Borrowed from the library.

Otto and the Story Tree by Vivien Mildenberger

 A cranky bird, Otto, could care less about life and often mutters, "What's the point?".  When he drops a seed on his dirty floor, a tree begins to grow. Each day he tells the tree a story about his marvelous adventures in his younger years. A transformation begins-in Otto and in his home.

I did not find the illustrations appealing.

-Borrowed from the library.

Miss Prim Goes Wild by Katy Rose illustrated by Thai My Phuong*

 Miss Prim is an organized, serious, predictable --well. ..  a prim lady. She especially looks for problems in nature and properly trims or disposes of them. When she hurts her back, she gains perspective on life and changes her opinion about nature.

I loved witnessing the character transformation as the book progressed. Alliteration and excellent word choice abound. The illustrations tell just as much of Miss Prim's story as the words. 

Pair with A Little More Beautiful by Sarah Mackenzie & Miss Rumphius by Barbara Cooney

*Highly recommend.

-Borrowed from the library.

Where Are You, Bronte? by Tomie dePaola illustrated by Barbara McClintock

 Tomie's last fully written book before he passed away in 2020

Tomie relates how special his dog, throughout its life and how much he misses him when Bronte dies.

Written in 2nd person-directly to Bronte

Children who love their pets will connect with Tomie's love for Bronte.

Ms. McClintock mimics Tomie's illustration style well. She includes the dove with a heart on it throughout the pages.

-Borrowed from the library