7 More Men and the Secret of Their Greatness by Eric Metaxas with Anne Morse*

 Another great anthology of short biographies about amazing men: Martin Luther, George Whitefield, George Washington Carver, General William Booth, Sergeant Alvin York, Alexander Solzhenitsyn, and Billy Graham. Although the purpose of the book is to focus on their faith and their extraordinary lives, Mr. Metaxas also points out their failures and shortcomings. 

A perfect book to share with a teen and young adult

Considerations: Luther said some nasty things about Jews, Muslims, and Anabaptists, Booth's wife believed women could preach, which Mr. Booth supported.

*Highly recommend.

-I borrowed this book from the library but ended buying it because I wantedto share these stories with my sons and friends. I own the two previous books he wrote in this "series". 

The Five Red Herrings by Dorothy Sayers

 In the Scottish village, Kirkcudbright, artists thrive. One artist, Campbell instigates arguements. Many residents would not mind if he died. When he is found dead, five male artists are the prime suspects. Lord Peter Wimsey assists the local police in establishing a time line and probable events. As he interviews the artists, he figures out which one is not the red herring.

I read this aloud to my sixteen-year-old. He did not like it. I agree with him. I did not like it as much as Sayer's other novels.  It was too complicated for a read aloud (lots of train tables). Maybe it would be better to read independently??

Since we had stayed in Scotland for over week, I thought it would be fun to revisit Scotland via a book.

Consideration: swearing (easy to skip when reading aloud), heated agruments about a possible  affair-an affair was not occurring, drinking-some of the men become drunk

-I own this book but may not keep it. 

Rickshaw Girl by Mitali Perkins illustrated by Jamie Hogan

 Naima is the best alpana creator in her village in Bangladesh. When she ruins her father's rickshaw, she seeks out a way to earn money to repair it. Problem is, girls and women do not have many opportunities to be employed. Is she willing to challenge tradition and custom? 

Ms. Perkins's parents are from Bangladesh. I loved this story because of its culturally-rich experience. A short chapter book

-Borrowed from the library.

Hurricane by Jason Chin*

 Mr. Chin tracks a hurricane from the time it begins over Africa until it makes landfall at Cape Hatteras. He alternates pages about its progress and how people are preparing for it and then evacuating. 

Very informative yet engaging. Lots of diagrams and explanations in the back.

*Highly recommend.

-Borrowed from the library.

Dear Acorn (Love, Oak) by Joyce Sidman illustrated by Melissa Sweet*

 Letter poems from objects with various sizes and purposes  The poems remind readers how everything is made up of smaller things. Everything is connected and is necessary!

Great word choice & figurative language usage

Pairings: oak/acorn, bubble/sky, cloud/droplets, pebble/river, brick/school, button/coat, toes/child, sea turtles/ocean

The author then shares how to create one's own letter poems.

*Highly recommend.

-Borrowed from the library.

The Case of Old MacDonald and His Farm by Mark Teague*

 Old MacDonald summons Officer Busby to his farm. Odd and ridiculous events are popping up all over his farm-cabbages with painted faces, pizza being delivered to his goats... Can Officer Busby figure out who is behind the mischief on this April Fool's Day? 

Fun!

*Highly recommend for its lightheartedness. We need books just for fun!

-Borrowed from the library.

His Fairytale Life by Jane Yolen illustrated by Brooke Boynton-Hughes*

 A whimsical, beautiful book about Hans Christian Andersen

Ms. Yolen writes about his life in one long sentence! Although the words are minimal, the reader learns a lot about this unique and lonely writer.

Lovely illustrations

*Highly recommend.

-Borrowed from the library.

Island Storm by Brian Floca illustrated Sydney Smith**

 Two siblings leave their home to experience the precursor of the sights and sounds to a thunderstorm on an island. Holding hands, the two roam the island despite the impending danger. The word choice is superb. The figurative language enhances the book's "atmosphere".  Mr. Smith's illustration depict the mood of the different phases of the storm.

A perfect book to read aloud in the spring and summer before a thunderstorm. 

The page layouts are purposeful. I like the repeating refrain too.

**Highly, highly recommend.

-Borrowed from the library.

The iguanodon's Horn by Sean Rubin**

 Mr. Rubin put a lot of thought and research into creating this book (even his explanation of his art and typeset in the fine print is humorous. The typeface reflects the subject matter-one used for scientific publications in the paleotology beginnings). His art and page layouts are engaging and carry significance.

Before the title page, Mr. Rubin is capturing the reader's attention. Mr. Rubin explains how the understanding of science and dinosours has transformed over time by following what different artists and scientists thought the iguanodon looked like.

**Highly, highly recommend.

-Borrowed from the library.

Desmond Doss- Conscientious Objector by Frances M. Doss

 The Story of an Unlikely Hero

At an early age Desmond Doss adhered to Seventh-Day Adventist faith. His devotion to God and the Seventh-Day Adventist belief system required him to object to some military requirements. God honored his convictions. Mr. Doss saved many lives during WW II.

This book is written by his second wife. The first two-thirds of the book focus on his childhood, his first marriage, and his service during WWII. The last third section of the book relates how God continued to bless him in his retirement, through health issues and with his second marriage to Frances. As the book progressed it became less interesting. 

When my son was studying WWII, I looked into watching the movie Hacksaw Ridge. We thought it would be too violent to watch. Seeing that the movie was based on a real man, I looked to see if there were any books about him and discovered this one!

I am not highly recommending it is not as well-written as most books. I loved the topic & also loved being amazed by this man!

-Borrowed via ILL.

Consideration: Seventh-Day Adventist beliefs

Why I Stand by Jonathan Isaac with AJ Gregory*

 Not being a sports fan (and also not a news junkie), I had not heard of Jonathan Isaac until I read an article about him in World magazine. 

Reading his autobiography was an encouraging experience. He shares about his childhood, his distorted views about himself at an early age, his advancement in the basketball, and his complete surrender to Christ. One could easily read this autobiography in one sitting. Writing in a conversational tone, Mr. Isaac engages the reader throughout the entire book. He is a courageous believer. Praise God for men like him in the sports world!

I think junior and high school boys who love basketball would benefit from reading this book. Young men will draw from his courage to obey God no matter how the world may react.

Considerations/discussions: Black Lives Matters agenda is discussed (& not supported by Mr. Isaac), Mr. Isaac hints at his party lifestyle and way with the ladies, but nothing graphic is shared. He even says to "keep this PG". He also admits to using pot in high school and in college. When they were on the road playing games, one teammate would ask him to buy him condoms in the middle of the night and have him slip them under his hotel door (rookie hazing). As Mr. Isaac developed in his faith, he decided to end this "duty". He boldly meets with the teammate and explains how he is trying to follow God and would not continue to purchase condoms for him. Covid/vaccine (he didn't get the vaccine & received heat).

How to Write a Poem by Kwame Alexander & Deanna Nikaido art by Melissa Sweet

 Authors create a poem to instruct how to write a poem. I love how readers can return to it and easily identify the myriad of techniques the authors utilized. 

Great book to introduce a poetry unit  with elementary students.

-Borrowed from the library.

The Travels of Benjamin of Tudela by Uri Shulevitz*

Through Three Continents in the Twelfth Century

Mr. Shulevitz transforms Benjamin of Tudela's book, Book of Travels, into a picture book for children. Any extra information he added, he carefully researched and kept it authentic to the time period. 

Benjamin of Tudela is considered the greatest medieval Jewish traveler. After exploring (enduring drastic weather and circumstances) the "then known world" for  fourteen years, he arrived home to northern Spain to share his experiences and new knowledge. He had set out one hundred years before Marco Polo to view the world!

*Highly recommend for older students. Younger ones may find this account not very interesting.

-Borrowed from the library.

Pish, Posh said Hieronymus Bosch by Nancy Willard illustrated by Diane, Leo, & Lee Dillon

 A poem from Hieronymous Bosch's housekeeper's point of view. She is weary. Bosch's odd creatures create challenging days. She leaves but can't stay away!

A fictional account but based on Hieronymous Bosch's bizarre paintings. Bosch was a Dutch painter during the 1400s & early 1500s.

A fun addition to any medieval history unit. The Dillon family's talent is magnified in this book.

-Borrowed from the library.

Kiyoshi's Walk by Mark Karlins illustrated by Nicole Wong

 After observing his grandfather write a haiku, Kiyoshi asks him where poems come from. His grandfather, Eto, suggests they take a walk. Through the encounters on this walk, Kiyoshi learns how poems are inspired.

I would use this book when introducing poetry to elemenatary-age students and when learning about haiku.

-Borrowed from the library.

Honor Flight-Celebrating America's Veterans by Jeff Gottesfeld illustrated by Mattt Travares*

 Honor Flight Network sponsors veterans with a day in Washington, DC. Their goal is to honor veterans and to ensure them that they will not be forgotten. Readers join a veteran and his escort and experience this special honor.

Both author & illustrator were privileged guardians/escorts, so they are writing and illustrating as an eyewitnesses.

The notes provide a plethora of information.

A perfect book to read & share on Memorial Day or Veterans Day.

*Highly recommend.

-Borrowed from the library.

Walter Dragun's Town-Crafts & Trade in the Middle Ages by Sheila Sancha*

 Ms. Sancha researches extensively and thoroughly before she writes her books. After four years of research, she wrote and created this book. Actual documents were the foundation for this account of life in Stanford in the summer of 1274. Stanford, a prosperous trading center along the River Weland, prepares for a visit of a Florentine merchant. The town merchants are hoping that he will purchase a large quantity of wool. Readers are taken into various businesses and interact with a wide range of people. This book immerses the reader into a mediveal town-from the businesses to the religious observations to the politics.

*Highly recommend.

-Borrowed from the library.

Goldfinches by Mary Oliver illustrated by Melissa Sweet*

 Ms. Sweet illustates Mary Oliver's poem "Goldfinches". The way she separates the lines on singular pages causes the reader to reflect on the words and appreciate Ms. Oliver's word play and word choice. 

I love Ms. Sweet's collage art. I own four of her books. I enjoyed reading how she researched for this book. Her correlation between thistles and the timing of goldfinch nesting is interesting (I knew about it prior to reading this book. I am glad she focused on how they mutually benefit each other so a younger audience can be in awe of God.)

Consideration: In the author's note, she mentions Mary's life partner, Molly. Since the book is the poem, their relationship is not highlighted in the main text.

*Highly recommend but see consideration.

-Borrowed from the library.

Just William by Richmal Crompton illustrated by Thomas Henry

 I heard about this author and this series on a podcast interview with a British comedian. He recommended this series.

1st published in 1922.

William, an eleven year old "scamp", uses his creativity and intellect to cause excitment in his life and his family's life. He disrupts his older siblings's love lives, kidnaps a baby, mountain climbs up his stairs with an alpenstock, invites his class of thirty students to his home for a party when his parents and siblings are away and so much more. I laughed out loud numerous times while reading it.

How his childhood differs from the current generation's--They will be amazed at his freedom & how he must problem-solve!

Warning: the word "assified" is used a few times, William is naughty, selfish, & manipulative. The parents are a bit clueless and helpless. 

-Borrowed from the library.

Mary Oliver, Holding on to Wonder by Erin Frankel illustrated by Jasu Hu

 As the author related Mary Oliver's younger years of wonder, my eyes welled up with tears as I recalled my childhood when I delighted in God's creation and relished being outside and being in awe of His creativity and beauty. I could also connect with Mary's love for poetry. As a teen, I loved the poets who celebrated creation (but they called it nature and seemed to worship it, not the Creator. Their poetry, however, caused me to worship the heavenly Father.). The author continues to reveal Mary's pursuit of poetry and wonder as she matured and entered retirement age. 

Warning/consideration: Mary had a woman, Molly Malone Cook, as a lifelong partner. A couple of pages are dedicated to their relationship. In the timeline at the end of the book it mentions a book she wrote about her love for and her life with Molly. 

-Borrowed via ILL

The Escape Artist by Thor Hanson illustrated by Galia Bernstein*

 Inky, a Maori octopus, delighted the zoo keepers and visitors in Aquarium of New Zealand with his antics and personality. One night Inky escapes through a drain and is free again!

A fun book which will deepen readers' appreciation for octopuses  The author includes some fantastical thoughts Inky may have had. I especially enjoyed reading the additional notes in the back about Inky and octopuses. 

*Highly recommend.

-Borrowed from the library.