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.
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.
A great summer read!
Lucretia & her mom move to Candle Island, Maine to escape---her father's death, journalists who want to interview her artist mother. Candle Island contains its own secrets-vandals, children with special gifts, a hidden room.
I was captivated by the author's poetic sentences, her development of the setting (I wanted to move to Candle Island & explore it!), and her plot pace-how she revealed the secrets to the reader. Ms. Wolk also created likable, distinct characters. I appreciated Lucretia's relationship with her mom-so sweet.
The description of yummy meals Mrs. Sanderson made & served gave me the desire to knock on their door & ask to partake!
*Highly recommend but--Lucretia seemed too wise beyond her years . . .yet when I learned her full story, I could understand why she seemed a lot wiser than a typical 12-year-old.. . . Despite this slightly downside to the book, I still consider this novel as one of my favorite middle grade novels I have read in awhile.
-Borrowed from the library.
The Greatest Wonder in Egypt
Although I had already read a biography about Lillian Trasher, this biography for kids shared new information about her ministry. Readers will be amazed how God provided daily food and other provisions for Ms. Trasher and her hundreds of children. This book would be a great read aloud and would promote discussions.
Discuss: Lillian's ministry was started and was sustained by faith. She promised payment for food, building materials, and other necessities before she had the money! The Assemblies of God church eventually supported her and was her affiliation.
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.
Award Winner: Newbery Honor Book-2005
On Januray 4, 1935 twelve-year-old Moose moves to Alcatraz with his family, where his dad takes a position as an prison guard. Why? --So his sister Natalie can attend a special school that is supposed to help her to learn to function in society. Moose hates the change. Not only does he not interact with his dad much, he is now required to watch his challenging sister every day after school so his mom can teach piano lessons. As he adjusts to island living, he finds himself in some situations that may cost his dad his job and Natalie"s position in THE school.
This book is at times humorous and other times heart-wrenching. Ms. Choldenko develops her characters well and creates an engaging plot. If I had had the time, I could have finished this book in one sitting.
Natalie is what we would call "autistic" or "on the spectrum" in today's society. Because Ms. Choldenko's sister, Gina, was autistic, she portrays Natalie in a realistic manner and also Moose, as a sibling trying to be a supportive yet struggling to reconcile the impact her behavior has on him and his family. She also reveals the tenison the parents experience. The mother's reaction to Natalie's condition was superbly achieved.
Warnings/discussions: autism & its impact on the individual and his/her loved ones, intense moments when Natalie has tantrums, Moose describes a large woman's chest as watermelons jiggling, when Moose returns after leaving Natalie alone, he discovers her with a convict, holding hands with him-he is afraid something more intimate has happened between them-she is obessessed with him-nothing graphic is stated but the mature reader can infer Moose's fears (nothing did happen), lying, Moose's father gives him a half of a beer when they were both upset
-Borrowed from the library
Hansi lives in East Berlin with his parents. When his father is taken away by the secret police, his dying mother insists that he scout out a way to cross into West Berlin. Through Hansi's escape to West Berlin, his life in West Berlin and then eventually America, readers will experience how people suffered and struggled in the 1960s under the communist rule.
I am highly recommending this book because of its unique perspective. Not many children's books explore this period of history in this setting. However, I found the pacing a bit off. Some parts are really exciting and well executed; while other scenarios not as credible and not as well-developed. Ms. Malkus sometimes resorts to a "telling" writing style rather than "showing".
Warnings/discussion points: A young boy is shot trying to escape to West Berlin. Hansi witnesses it. Discussing communism and this time period would be beneficial. Hansi unwillingly participates in a crime with serious consequences.
*Highly recommend.
-I own this book.
Award winner-Newbery Honor-2026
Clare the fox died but is undead. He resides in Deadwood Forest and ushers dead creatures into the Afterlife. The Afterlife reveals to him which place each creature is to enter: Peace, Progress, Pleasure, or Pain. For six years he has maintained a productive mushroom garden, devoured interesting books, cared for his cottage, and of course, ushered souls into their deserved afterlife realm. Then a badger named Gingersnipes knocks on his cottage door, and his predictable life is upheaved.
This book is well-crafted-characters, plot, setting, word choice. I loved reading it and especially appreciated Clare and Gingersnipes.
Considerations: worldview about the afterlife, Afterlife is treated as a supreme being, most souls are considered "good", karma is mentioned, where creatures go is based on how they have lived/view themselves
I almost read this book in one day! The plot will keep the reader engaged from the start until the end.
Eighth grader Ajay always gets straight As. His parents expect it. Their high expectations apply to many situations. Their strictness affects his and his sister's ability to maintain friends and to fit in. Ajay's priority at his new school is make the most popular boy, Jacob Underson, like him. Huge problem-Jacob does not like Ajay and finds ways to manipulate him each day. In desperation, Ajay agrees to steal a candy bar at the convenience store across from the school. This one act of dishonesty paves the way to more lies and deceit. How will he stop from lying so he can return to a life of integrity?
Faith is integrated but not Ajay's source of strength. The family is Catholic and attends Mass each Sunday. Ajay confesses to a priest about his sins. Families not from a Catholic background may want to discuss this belief system.
Discuss: lying, stealing, bullies, Catholicism, immigrants, heart attack, Ajay likes a girl, Mindy, and expresses his interest in different ways-they develop a good friendship
Readers who like characters who are flawed and realistic will appreciate this story.
-Borrowed from the library.
Because of her neglectful (but loving) father, Henrietta lives with the Canon and Mrs. Fordyce (aka "grandfather" and "grandmother") in the Cathedral Close of Torminster. With her father visiting this Christmas, Henrietta is especially anticipating the season. A stranger returns to town and offers many surprises to Henrietta, her father, and the Canon.
Consideration: a racial slur
Borrowed via ILL.
Babak, age 13, and his sister Sana, age 8, are orphans. When the British and the Soviets invade Iran, the British mistake their father and a group of goatherd as resistant fighters. They shoot at them, causing a rocky ledge to fall, killing them.
For a year the siblings live apart (in the same town) with Babak saving his money in a hole in a wall. After the money is stolen by his caretakers, he and his sister leave, hoping to join the nomadic tribe. Babak tries to convince them he can continue his father's former job teaching their children to read. The tribe's leader, Mr. Hussein, is not impressed with Babak. On their despondent trip back to their home town, they encounter a German spy and a Jewish boy on the run. These two individuals add excitement to the plot, which lasts until the last chapter!
I had not realized that WWII had trickled into Iran. So many books have been written about WWII so reading one about a little known topic (at least to me) was intriguing.
The chapters are short. The plot is well-paced. The characters are likable. I especially like how the first chapter (the main reason for his father's death) foreshadows the plot in the last chapter with opposite results!
God is mentioned often. But is it God or Allah? Probably Allah since Iran is mostly Muslim.
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.
For one of his civics projects, my son had to watch this 1939 movie. We invited grandparents and aunt/uncle/cousins to watch it with us to make it a festive event.
Jefferson Smith, head of the Boy Rangers, finds himself appointed a senator for his state after the elected senator dies. Full of idealism, Mr. Smith is determined to make a difference and also grant land to the Boy Rangers. The seasoned politicians are hoping to manipulate and control him. Mr. Smith's tenacity and integrity prevail and provide a refreshing change to the corrupt system.
We loved this movie. We were not expecting to enjoy it! My son has commented a couple times after watching how "good that movie was". He was also able to view many civics concepts exemplified throughout the movie.
*Highly recommend.
Based on a scandal during the Harding administration.
Warning for smaller audience: drinking, some characters get drunk, smoking, at the end, one main character tries to commit suicide (nothing is shown-viewers just hear a gun shot) but other senators stop him
-Borrowed from the library.
Young Cervantes and His Dream of Don Quixote
Through narrative poems, Ms. Engle animates Miguel de Cervantes's life, focusing on his tumultuous childhood (his father would consistently gamble away his barber's earnings and be thrown in debtor's prison), his imagination, and his resiliency. The historical, biographical, and cultural notes were extremely interesting. The oversized, tall book reminds me of windmills! Each poem is accompanied by a full-page or more illustration.
**Highly, highly recommend. I would have teens read this before reading Don Quixote for great background knowledge.
-Borrowed from the library. It's only $10.48 for a new hardcover on Amazon . . .maybe I will buy it!
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.
Mr. Rosen relates the true story of Eugene Handschuh, a Hungarian Jew and a Communist in the Resistance, and of his father Oscar Handschuh who were living in Nazi occupied Paris during WW II. The two men survive a prison camp and manage to jump off a train heading to Auschwitz.
A sobering book
-Borrowed from the library.
I loved reading about Dexter Foreman, homeschooled by his grandmother and her elderly friends at The Pines retirement village. Because she has not filed any paperwork all of these years, a truancy officer arrives and requires Dexter to attend Wolf's Eye Middle School as a seventh grader. Initially Dexter hates it there. The building is falling apart (He cannot resist fixing things, even a collapsed step.); the kids' education is inferior. Then his wish comes-he is expelled from the school. Suddenly he is a celebrity. The kids, who prior would not interact with him, demand he returns. Chaos abounds at Wolf's Eye Middle School. Will Dexter choose to stay home or return to public school?
I loved Dexter's elderly friends and how they taught him with excellence. I also loved how the author forms friendships with unlikely ages-the elderly and the middle schoolers. The author points out the quality education Dexter received at "home" but also emphasizes the importance of Dexter being with kids his own age.
The chapters are told from many different perspectives. The perspectives are repeated throughout the story.
Considerations: middle school drama, catty, petty middle school behavior/friendships, Dexter's only friend from his childhood who is his age, shows up, looking very pretty-he notices, discuss homeschool vs. public school,an elderly friend passes away, the ending is a bit dramatic and not quite credible
I read about this series via Purple House Press's email newsletter.
What a fun read! A group of intelligent, adventurous boys form a club where they use science, math, and intellect to get into and out of scrapes.
Consideration: the boys think one girl is good looking and has great legs
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed via ILL.
Thomas Harding's great-grandfather builds a wooden house by a lake on the outskirts of Berlin. The house hosts diverse families over a period of time. As a young man, Mr. Harding finds his great-grandfather's house, visits it, and restores it to its original beauty.
I found it intriguing to read about the five different families who resided in the house. This house provided shelter for individuals during a tumultuous time in history.
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.
A couple months ago I remembered a book from my childhood about a family building their own home and wanted to reread it. Because of my search online for it, I have discovered some great books about homes! My friend, a former librarian and bibliophile, figured out which book I was remembering in less than an hour. The book, The Little Stone House by Berta and Elmer Hader, costs $75 on Amazon!!
Back on topic-Henry David's House-describes his experience building his house and living in solitude in his own words. The illustrations fill entire page.
I wish I had known about this book when my oldest son read Walden.
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed via ILL.
How the First Folio Saved the Plays of William Shakespeare from Oblivion
Ms. Bausum provides insight how a group of men collected Shakespeare's plays to create a folio. With humor and a conversational tone, Ms. Bausum engages the reader. She weaves in other fascinating facts about book printing, book binding, spelling, golden retreivers, the Farting Folio(!!!), the couple who created the Folger Shakespeare Library . . . and many more historical tidbits! I loved reading this account.
*Highly recommend. Definitely add this book as a resource when studying Shakespeare and his works.
-Borrowed from the library.
Recently Sarah Mackenzie interviewed Anna Rose Johnson on her podcast RAR. Anna Rose recommended historical fiction books. This title was one of them.
Fourteen-year-old Ida is about to graduate from her one-room schoolhouse in the mountains of remote Colorado in 1925. If she passes her final exam, she will be able to attend the high school in town and become a teacher. The school's teacher's mother becomes ill. She leaves to care for her. When a school board member closes the school, Ida and her classmates decide to keep the school open-with her as a teacher. They, however, do not inform the school board and meet in secret.
*Highly recommend. (perfect for older readers who don't like to read or don't have the stamina-the chapters are short and engaging. It's a quick read packed with interesting characters, setting, and plot.)
This book was published in 2001. Twenty-two years later Avi wrote its sequel. I am currently reading it and will review it soon.
-Borrowed from the library.
