The Hatmaker's Sign retold by Candace Fleming illustrated by Robert Andrew Parker*

 A Story by Benjamin Franklin

Ms. Fleming offers modern learners the opportunity to read a story Ben Franklin told Thomas Jefferson to calm his temper. When Thomas Jefferson completes his first draft of the Declaration of Independence, he is proud of it and thinks it is perfect. The Continental Congress, however, finds many areas to change. Jefferson is mad. Franklin then relates this story to him. 

The Author's Note reveals that Franklin's story did not really console Jefferson. Jefferson remains bitter about this incident and tries to justify that his original draft was the best until he dies!

A great book to stimulate discussion: about how the fathers of our country were not perfect, accepting constructive criticism, the result of unforgiveness, resentment, and bitterness, how what one writes the first time will probably require many edits to make it a strong piece!

**Definitely include this book with an unusual insight into Franklin & Jefferson when studying the founding of our nation**

-Borrowed from the library

Junia by Kim Michele Richardson illustrated by David C. Gardner

 The Book Mule of Troublesome Creek

Junia, a pack horse mule, relates the adventures, the difficulties, and the joys of carrying her Book Woman as they deliver books to various people in the mountains of Kentucky. Younger readers will love Junia and retain an interesting and vital knowledge about this endeavor.

Pair with Down Cut Shin Creek: The Pack Horse Librarians of Kentucky By Kathi Appelt and Jeanne Cannella Schmitzer, Books Up the Mountain : A Packhorse Librarian Story by Caroline Starr Rose, and That Book Woman by Heather Henson illustrated by David Small.

-Borrowed from the library.

The Song of the Stone Tiger by Glenn McCarty*

 Eleven-year-old Thomas loves living in Philadelphia, PA. His family, however, moves to North Carolina in the Appalachian Mountains for the summer with his aunt so his mom can rest from her recent bout with cancer. He anticipates a summer with a more energetic mom. She, however, begins to decline. 

As he processes this reality, he ventures into the woods behind his aunt's house (called Greenwood), a place his mom explored as a child and also a place that still provides fodder for her captivating stories. Here Thomas befriends a tiger, Shalomar, who turns to stone each night. To awaken him, Thomas must sing. Together they embark on a quest to break the curse over Shalomar and return him to his world.

Will Thomas be able to restore his own mother to this earthly world for a bit longer?

A serious book about losing a parent   A beautiful book about creation, friendship, and stories 

Consideration/discuss: Would a child who has lost a parent to cancer or has a parent suffering with cancer find this book difficult to read? Spoiler alert: When Thomas gives his mom water from Greenwood, it seems to have healed her (or at least make her feel better for that day). Would this incident create a false hope in a child whose parent has cancer? Would they long for water or a solution like this when in our world it does not exist? I may be overthinking it & being overly sensitive.

*Highly recommend.

This author graduated from the same college I did (a year behind me). I, however, cannot place him! I may have even had classes with him since I too was an education major with an English concentration. How wish I could remember him!!

-Borrowed from the library (I asked my librarian to purchase this book. 😊) I own Mr. McCarty's Tumbleweed Thompson book and Junction Tales book. They take place in the west in the 1800s and are more lighthearted.

The Trumpeter of Krakow by Eric P. Kelly*

Newbery Medal in 1929

 My son is focusing on medieval history this year for history & English. Later this year he will be reading this book to experience medieval life in Poland.

Joseph Charnetski's family home in Ukraine is burned and their fields are destroyed. He, his father and mother flee to Krakow. Their family guards something special and valuable-the Great Tarnov Crystal. Men will kill or "sell their soul" to obtain it. Throughout the story, Joseph & his parents encounter difficulties and adventures because of their dedication to protect it.

Very exciting and an immersive experience into this time period.

*Highly recommend (especially for boys   So many historical novels are written from a girl's perspective.)

Considerations: violence/fighting, black magic, hypnotism, being possessed or influenced by the devil is mentioned

-I own this book.

Books Up the Mountain by Caroline Starr Rose illustrated by Gabrielle Grimard*

 A Packhorse Librarian Story

Readers will be amazed at the packhorse librarians' dedication to delivering and sharing books and reading material to the people in Appalachia in Kentucky. The words are poetic and lyrical with alliteration scattered throughout. The illustrations are wide in size, creating a feel of sweeping terrain. I always look at the end pages --I love how the left one depicts fall while the right one displays winter (the seasons where the book starts and then ends).

The author's note offers interesting information about this service.

*Highly recommend. (It's temporarily out of stock on Amazon)  Published by Waxwing Books-Sarah Mackenzie's (from Read Aloud Revival) business.

-Borrowed from the library.

You Can Move Mountains by Richard Ho illustrated by Daniel Miyares*

 I did not grow up with television. One of my son's friend's nicknames on one of their group chats was "Bob Ross". My son briefly explained who he was. When I saw this picture book on display at my library, I borrowed it as a joke and also out of curiousity. 

The illustrations captured my attention. The words, I think, were based on how Mr. Ross would talk while he was painting, which, of course, I cannot appreciation. The illustrations are incredible. One side shares an overview of his life (the text is NOT explicitly about his life. They connect but in a subtle, clever manner. ); the other side offers a depiction of how he would create his work. 

I love the end pages.

*Highly recommend.

-Borrowed from the library.

Around the Year by Tasha Tudor*

 I love Tasha Tudor. When I was a young teen, my neighbor introduced me to Tasha Tudor. My neighbor, my mom, and I even attended an event where she demonstrated her illustrations and talked. 

This book illustrates a poem she wrote about the seasons. The items she features for each season instantly transport one to that time of year. I love the illustrations-especially the borders. I wonder if she inspired Jan Brett to create intricate borders. 

*Highly recommend.

-Borrowed from the library.

Anxiety -Anatomy & Cure by Robert W. Kellemen*

 The Gospel for Real Life series

I bought this short book (42 pages) at a conference my church recently hosted. Over several weeks I read it. The ideas and truths would have better adhered to my brain if I would have read it in one sitting or in a couple of days.

Mr. Kellemen dissects what anxiety is and takes the reader to the root causes. Then he offers biblical ways to combat it. I liked how he focused on Philippians to counsel the reader about anxiety. He also integrates the practical with the biblical.

At the end of each section, he presents a question to encourage the reader to apply the truths and ideas (called, "Applying the Gospel to Daily Life").

*Highly recommend.

-I own this book.

Beowulf a new verse translation by Seamus Heaney*

 Mr. Heaney has translated this old tale into one modern readers can read, understand, and enjoy. 

I loved the kennings, word choice, and the characters'  honorable traits.

*Highly recommend.

Consideration: graphic violence a few times

-We own this book.

Cadmus Henry by Walter D. Edmonds*

 I have not read many books about the Civil War from the south's perspective, so I enjoyed reading this book. Although, by the end of the book, the reader can infer Cadmus might be swayed by the north's viewpoint.

Cadmus longs to join Peninsular Campaign with General John Bankhead Magruder against General George B. McClellan. Because he is too young, he serves as a volunteer aide- a clerk. After weeks of sitting at a desk, when an opportunity arises to scout and map out the north's position, he seizes it, not realizing he will be scouting from a hot air balloon! Adventures ensue!

I really liked reading about the Civil War from a young man's perspective. The author highlights many issues and points but in an engaging narrative.

*Highly recommend.

-Borrowed via ILL.

To Stay Alive by Skila Brown

 A novel in verse about Mary Ann Graves who traveled west to CA with the infamous Donner Party. Readers are transported into the group's struggles with Mary Ann's narration. And yes, the poems relate how they ate members from their party to survive! This book will provoke a lot of discussion! 

A fascinating account!

I recommend it for high school and older.

-Borrowed via ILL.

Freedom to Read by Lesa Cline-Ransome illustrated by James E. Ransome

The Story of Teacher Mary Peake and One Mighty Oak Tree

Ms. Cline-Ransome combines two stories by alternating pages about each one-Mary Peake and an oak tree. The last word/words from the previous page transition(s) into the following page as its starting word/words. Mary Peake teaches Blacks how to read in secret until she is asked to teach during the Civil War under the oak tree. Eventually Hampton University was founded and built near the oak tree where Mary had taught.

Very interesting! The author's note provides more information about Mary, Virginia's laws,the tree, and the college. I like how she included a photo of Mary, of the tree, and of her grandfather, who attended Hampton University.

-Borrowed from the library.

Pancake Pie by Sven Nordqvist

 Originally published in Sweden

Farmer Festus celebrates his cat, Mercury's birthday three times a year with a pancake pie. This particular birthday promises to be quite stressful. No flour in the pantry-so Farmer Festus must ride his bike to the store. One problem-his tire is flat, so he crosses to the toolshed for the tire pump. BUT the toolshed door is locked. The key to the toolshed? At the bottom of the well . . .and so the saga continues. Will Mercury's birthday be passed before he indulges on his pancake pie?

Children will enjoy listening to this crazy story. The illustrations are odd but enchanting. The imaginative child who pours over details will lose themselves in the illustrations.

-Borrowed via ILL

Cradled by Annie Vanderheiden*

 At a recent conference my church hosted, I saw this teeny book. My pastor's wife and I were discussing what a great gift it would be to give to a mom with a newborn. I bought this book to give to someone who will be giving birth to her second child . . .praying it will be an encouragement to her. 

Mrs. Vanderheiden highlights the tasks a mother performs for her newborn and reveals how God does the same for us as mothers (feeding, changing, sleeping, soothing, washing, nurturing, praying, anticipating). How I wish this book had been written & published when I was a first time mom (and for when I gave birth to my second son)!

I started to read it, but felt guilty as I felt the book breaking of its newness! But I am still highly recommending it based on the little I read!😁

-Giving as a gift