I Survived #24, The Black Death, 1348 by Lauren Tarshis*

 Years ago when I tutored reluctant and struggling readers, I used these books with my upper elementary boy readers to build stamina and confidence. At that time the main characters were boys. Now the series also features female characters. 

Elsie and her best friend Humphrey discover that Sheriff Grimwood is working with the band of outlaws, stealing the town's treasures. Unfortunately, Grimwood spies the two children fleeing from their hiding place and sets out to find them. Meanwhile, members in their town are dying from the plague. Elsie is soon bedridden with it and wonders if she will survive . . .

A fast-paced book that introduces readers to the way of life during the medieval era and allows them to experience the agony (only through words!) of the bubonic plague. Many additional pages about this time period and the plague are included after the story.

*Highly recommend for reluctant readers.

Discuss: plague/death, views about Covid (Ms. Tarshis compares some aspects of the plague with Covid.)

-Borrowed from the library.

Matilda Bone by Karen Cushman

 After her parents died, Matilda is a ward of Lord Randall's manor where Father Leufredus mentors her and educates her. Father Leufredus, however, drops her off with Peg the Bonesetter when he leaves for London. Matilda does not belong here in the filth and with uneducated people. She knows Latin. She knows how to pray. She knows the saints and their accomplishments. She does not know how to start a fire. She does not know how to shop for fish. She does not know how to make breakfast. 

Readers learn with Matilda the role of a Bonesetter, medicine and medical beliefs, and how the common class fared in the medieval era.

An engaging story   A great one to include when studying medieval era. 

Discuss: Matilda prays to the saints often. She believes that is how she receives spiritual answers. 

Home Is Right Where You Are by Ruth Chou Simons

 A beautifully illustrated picture book based on Psalm 23. 

-Borrowed from the library.

A Lady's Handbook to Gadgets and Guile by Angela Bell*

 After an accident, Margaret Kingsley buries herself into mechanics and creating gadgets. Her loving parents (the main characters from Ms. Bell's previous novel, A Lady's Guide to Marvels and Misadventures) care for her on a daily basis as her pain sometimes forces to remain in her wheelchair or rest in bed. The Daughters of Genius Society employ her  to design and make gadgets for their undercover agency. When a case requires Margaret to leave her workshop, she discovers how loyal and sincere her friends are and also encounters a man who truly sees her,  not her condition. 

I love how Ms. Bell incorporates real woman into her novels and fictionalizes them to suit her plot. Ms. Bell's focuses on chronic pain and panic attacks, revealing ways to live with them via her characters. God and His provision is proclaimed throughout in an authentic manner. 

After reading this book, I am curious about the real Margaret E. Knight. From Ms. Bell's bibliography, I requested two children's books about her-a picture book and a chapter book.

*Highly recommend. I would hand this book to a teen girl.

-Borrowed from the library.

Baby's Black & White Contrast Book by Tabitha Paige**

 Hand-Painted Illustrations

Oh my goodness. How I wish Mrs. Paige had been writing and illustrating board books when my boys were babies & toddlers. Her life-like hand-painted illustrations are stunning. As I looked at this accordian-style board book, ideas on how I would talk with a young child about the illustrations piled up in my mind.

**Highly, highly recommend.

-Borrowed via ILL.

Sir Gawain and the Green Knight a new verse translation by Simon Armitage*

 I loved reading this poem not only for the story but also for its poetic and stylistic devices. Each line contains a lot of alliteration-what word choice!! and after each stanza, is a "bob and wheel"-a very short line followed by a quatrain.

The Green Knight barges into King Arthur's castle during Christmas and asks for a man to behead him, with the promise to find him at the Green Chapel a year later to be beheaded also. Gawain volunteers. He beheads the Green Knight. The Green Knight still lives, holds his head in his hand, and the head reminds Gawain that he must keep his promise. A year later Sir Gawain rides off, knowing he will die. After riding for days, he discovers a castle where the host is merry and welcoming. The host allows him to lounge inside while he hunts all day with his men. A deal is struck. Sir Gawain must resist incredible temptation and yet remain courtesy. Then the New Year's Day approaches . . .Sir Gawain knows he must keep his vow to the Green Knight.

*Highly recommend for high school & older. See warning.

Warning: The host's wife tries to seduce Sir Gawain throughout the story. He allows her to kiss him. She dresses scantily one time, but he resists. Descriptions of the butchering of deer and boar are quite graphic. Other descriptions of violent fighting-the beheading

-Borrowed from the library. I loved this translation. My son read a different translation that was a lot more difficult!

The Forgotten War by Candace Fleming*

 Ms. Fleming's father served as a litter-bearer during WW II on the Aleutian Islands, Alaska.With reluctance, he divulged bits of information to Ms. Fleming about his time in service. He died when she was fourteen-years-old. Decades later she pieces together his tidbits with research to share this narrative about WW II that was fought on American soil.

I liked how she incorporated views from the Japanese who were fighting against the Americans on these islands. Although this account is nonfiction, it is very engaging and reads like a narrative. I cannot comprehend how these men endured--the fog, the cold, the isolation. Read to find out why the public did not even know about these battles!

*Highly recommend.

-Borrowed from the library.

Abe's Fish A Boyhood Tale of Abraham Lincoln by Jen Bryant illustrated Amy June Bates*

 Three sentences in Abraham Lincoln's first official biography inspired Ms. Bryant to write this picture book. (Abraham Lincoln: A History by John G. Nicolay and John Hay, published in 1890)

Abraham is thrilled to be issued the task to fish for their dinner. On his way home he encounters a soldier returning from the War of 1812. Remembering how his mother instructed them to be kind to soldiers, he gives his fish to the soldier. He goes home without dinner and goes to bed with a growling stomach. A choice like this obviously fostered his character development and the great man he came to be. 

I love the illustrations. The book is tall and thin like Abe Lincoln! The additional facts about Lincoln are fascinating. 

The Good Shepherd and the Stubborn Sheep written & illustrated by Hannah E. Harrison*

 George the sheep introduces the reader to typical sheep behavior and why they need a Shepherd. Then he relates how he ran away from the Shepherd when it was haircut time and the ramifications of his actions. This book depicts Psalm 23 and God's redemptive love well. Ms. Harrison offers other scripture references about shepherds and sheep at the end. 

I laughed out loud at some of George's descriptions (we have a pasture of sheep next to our house and witness these behaviors on a regular basis).

 I did not care for some aspects of the illustrations (I LOVE Ms. Harrison's artwork in her other picture books)-some scenes/images seemed static.

*Highly recommend.  

-Borrowed from the library.

How a Bear Became a Book by Annette Bay Pimentel illustrated by Faith Pray

 A unique format to relay how Alan Alexander Milne and Ernest Howard Shepard were brought together to create the Winnie the Pooh books. I had not known that they experimented with layout and were innovative in their methods and ideas.

I found the set-up a bit confusing at first (Winnie the Pooh-talks back & forth with the narrator ). Younger kids may not find the book engaging. In the beginning the focus is on how a book becomes a book, not on A.A. Milne & Ernest Shepard.

I liked reading the author's and illustrator's notes more than the actual story.

-Borrowed from the library.

Our Little Adventure at Christmas by Tabitha Paige*

 Sarah Mackenzie recently interviewed Mrs. Paige on RAR. Mrs. Paige, a certified speech pathologist, a mother, and an artist/author, has written and illustrated numerous beautiful board books. 

Each Christmas a badger decorates his favorite evergreen tree.This Christmas, however, a storm tears through the forest and rips off his treasures. Badger is sad. His friend, Red Bird, witnesses Badger's reaction and summons other forest friends to gather treasures to redecorate the tree for Badger.

Rhyming text with provided activities in the back to revisit the story.

*Highly recommend. I requested at least one other book by her via ILL.

-Borrowed from the library.

Ringside, 1925 Views from the Scopes Trial by Jen Bryant

 A novel in verse

Through nine different fictional characters points of view, readers witness the Scope trial unfold. The small TN town, Dayton, hosts two of the nation's best speakers, Clarence Darrow and  W.J. Bryan, to debate about teaching evolution in schools. Although the jury decides that J.T. Scope is guilty of breaking the TN law, the author's fictional characters gravitate towards the theory of evolution and individuals who purport it . 

Christian characters who hold fast to a seven day creation without evolution are portrayed as idiots and ignorant.

The novel was very engaging and interesting. I was frustrated how it depicted Christians who believe in the Bible's seven day creation account and that the Bible is not a substandard to science. Reading this novel with teens would provide plenty of topics for discussion!

-Borrowed via ILL.

Amazing Grace by Bruce Hindmarsh & Craig Borlase**

 The Life of John Newton and the Surprising Story Behind His Song

I read this biography aloud to my 16/17 year old son, starting at the end of last school year & finishing it today.

What a compelling story. Mr. Hindmarsh and Mr. Borlase relate the story in an engaging manner-from the writing to style to organization. They bring Mr. Newton to life. They also weave in other important historical figures that interacted with Newton throughout the biography. Any biography Mr. Borlase helps write is guaranteed to to be captivating and well-written.

This biography is not dry. It is for the reader who loves people, hearing their life story, and learning how Christ transforms.

**Highly, highly recommend, but see warning.

Warning: Some content is not suitable for younger children. I recommend it for junior high & older. One could read it aloud to elementary & not read certain materials. Newton was initimate with many women when he sailed (no graphic details are included), Newton drinks a lot & is drunk often during a time period, other characters drink to a drunken state, Newton lies & is disrespectful to authority, graphic details how the slaves were treated & also how Newton was abused by P.I., William Cowper's story is included, giving details about his depression, suicide attempts, and his unbelief, cancer (Newton's wife dies from breast cancer), other people's mental breakdowns 

-I thankfully own this book!