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

Caminar by Skila Brown

 Carlos lives in Guatemala during the 1980s where the government army is attacking villages to prevent them from joining the rebels/guerillas. As the army creeps closer to his village, he believes he is old enough to defend his mother and village. His mother, however, tells him to hide in the jungle. He is obedient. He climbs a tree and clings there all night. The next morning he hears the rebels traversing the jungle. When he approaches them, he discovers that his village has been wiped out by the army. Guilt weighs his soul. Then a chance to redeem himself arises.

A novel in verse

I read this book in one sitting. I did not learn much about the actual civil war in Guatemala but more about how the country people must felt enduring this turmoil. I loved the variety of poems Ms. Brown incorporated.

-Borrowed via ILL

Rebellion 1776 by Laurie Halse Anderson

 Elsbeth Culpepper and her father move to Boston from Philadelphia after her mother and siblings die from the smallpox. Mr. Culpepper is employed as a sailmaker. Elsbeth is a kitchen maid in a separate location. She longs to apprentice as a seamstress. When her employer,a Loyalist, flees Boston, Elsbeth finds new employment, where the head kitchen maid is cruel and nasty. With the backdrop of the Revolutionary War, readers experience this era and the smallpox inoculation first hand through Elsbeth's first-person account.

I enjoyed this riveting tale. Ms. Anderson researches extensively and knows how to develop credible characters and how to immerse the reader into the historical event. 

Warning: Elsbeth is a liar. Lying is her natural defense and solution. Her lies eventually get her into trouble. I still liked her as a character-her compassion, her perseverance, her cleverness are all admirable. 

-Borrowed from the library.

The Tomten and the Fox adapted by Astrid Lindgren illustrated by Harald Wiberg

 Adapted from a poem by Karl-Erik Forsslund

A hungry fox, named Reynard, visits a farm hoping to capture a hen. The Tomten, who has watches the farm, approaches the fox and dissuades him from his pursuit with a bowl of oatmeal. The author talks to Reynard directly throughout the story. 

I just learned earlier this summer that tales about Reynard the fox were written during the medieval era. I wonder if the original poem is referencing the medieval fox tales?

-Borrowed via ILL.

Clackety Track Poems About Trains by Skila Brown illustrated by Jamey Christoph

 Clever, engaging poems about trains

Perfect way to introduce a train-loving child to poetry.

-Borrowed from the library.

The World of William Penn by Genevieve Foster*

 This "The World of" is longer and more hefty than other ones I have read by Ms. Foster (nine parts/sections, 188 pp).

Readers will not only learn about William Penn's entire life but about other men who impacted the world during his life. The format is narrative and very engaging. Her transitions from man to the next man are clever.

*Highly recommend.

-Borrowed via ILL.

Big Enough by Regina Linke**

 When Ah-Fu's grandfather asks him to bring the ox home, Ah-Fu's confidence dwindles as various creatures instruct what he should not do as he bring the ox home. The ox is a gentle creature and assists Ah-Fu to gain confidence.

A feast for the eyes-the reader will linger on each page. The artwork is beautiful and offers unique perspectives. 

A book that celebrates imagination

**Highly, highly recommend.

-Borrowed from the library.

The Golden Road by L.M. Montgomery*

 The sequel to The Story Girl 

Readers can join Sara Stanley and her cousins  and friends for another year of fun, mysteries, and misunderstandings. Together they create a magazine, Our Magazine,where they report interesting tidbits and news from their lives and town. I love escaping into this world!

*Highly recommend. BUT consider-The Awkward Man creates a room for his fantasy woman, which was a bit weird--he escapes into his mind of  his fantasy of being married to her. Good opportunity to discuss living in a fantasy world & its dangers.

-I own this book.

Song of the Sparrow by Lisa Ann Sandell

 Elaine of Ascolat, known as The Lady of Shallot, has grown up with Arthur and his fighting men. She sews their clothes and mends their wounds. The only other woman in the camp is Morgan, who teaches her how to gather plants, flowers, herbs to create healing salves. Two events disturb Elaine's normal rhythms-Arthur becomes lead warrior and decides to attack the Saxons (they have only defended their home, were not ever on the offense) and another woman, Gwynivere, joins the group. Will her father and brothers die in this attack? Although Gwynivere is pledged to marry Arthur, she and Lancelot seem to be pursuing each other. Elaine is heart-broken---she loves Lancelot.

Labeled as "YA"

A novel in verse, which I read in one afternoon   

An exciting tale & perspective during the time of Arthur and his loyal men   I love Elaine's tom-boy nature & her relationship with her father & brothers.

Considerations: girl-power perspective (but the author does NOT degrade men or minimize their gifts), men check out Elaine's figure (not graphic-she can tell they are looking at her developing/changing figure), she & another young man become a romantic couple at the end-very sweet-they share a kiss-they had been friends for years (I like the author's emphasis on the importance of developing a friendship first before romance.), violence -Saxons kidnap the girls & are cruel/violent 

-Borrowed from the library

The Big One by Dashka Slater illustrated by Myo Yim**

 The Big One has been spotted. The villagers are packing their gear to catch The Big One. Nana, the oldest elder, and Mina, the smallest villager, form a team to catch it. Do they have the grit and gumption to be successful?

I loved this book-the word choice, the figurative language, the detailed illustrations (many different perspectives). The end pages are creative/clever. I learned something too-- I had never heard of sea-wolves! 

*Highly, highly recommend.

-Borrowed from the library.