Night of the Moonjellies by Mark Shasha*

 Another book recommended by Abigail Dodds on the Home Fires podcast

Mark recounts a summer day helping his grandmother and extended family at their seaside food stand. After they close the stand for the day, his grandmother takes him on night boat ride for an encounter with moonjellies.

Based on a true event from the author's childhood

I love the depiction of a family working hard together. The word choice & incorporation of the senses immerse the reader into this seaside, summer day. 

I would have loved more pages/words spent on the moonjelly encounter. When I started reading the book, I thought I would be experiencing an extended interaction with Mark and the moonjellies. Instead it was one page.

The pastel illustrations are not my preference.

*Highly recommend for the robust depiction of family working together and celebration of the ordinary.

-Borrowed via ILL. However, initially no libraries in my state were fulfilling my request. So I pre-ordered it (Purple House Press is republishing it). The day I pre-ordered it, I found out a library had shipped it to my library. So I read a library copy. After June 1st I will own it.

Defying Jihad by Esther Ahmad with Craig Borlase**

 I am currently reading aloud to my teen son a biography about John Newton. One of the co-authors is Craig Borlase. I liked his writing style so much I looked up other books he wrote. This memoir is one of his books.

Esther invites the reader to experience her life as devote follower of Islam. In her attempts to achieve eternal security through Islam, she finds Christ. Even though she experiences physical and mental abuse from her family, she pursues Christ and His truth, trying to share His eternal salvation with them & many others.

A very exciting yet thought-provoking book  It made me evaluate ways I lack faith and am apathetic in my devotion to Christ.

**Highly, highly recommend.

-Borrowed via ILL (this book is on my list to buy)

When Alexander Graced the Table by Alexander Smalls & Denene Millner illustrated by Frank Morrison*

 Alexander loves Sundays. After church his extended family gathers at his family's table to feast on the scrumptious food his mother has spend all day Saturday preparing. His dad always asks what sweet item will be served. Then one Saturday, Alexander's mother asks him to make something special for his father for the Sunday dinner. Alexander is quite nervous. Will his dad like it? An underlining desire throughout the book is Alexander's hope to please his father with food he has made.

A recipe for Lemon Icebox Pie with Meringue is included at the end of the story.

I loved the theme of food and family! Mr. Morrison incorporates the color yellow throughout the illustrations. Every illustration spread features a hue of yellow. Creative and fun!

*Highly recommend.

-Borrowed from the library.

Our Friendly Farmhouse by Melissa Ferguson & her children illustrated by Gretchen Ellen Powers

 Mrs. Ferguson relates the story of how her family purchases land in the country, builds a home on it, and establishes rural routines. This book celebrates country living, family, and simple delights.

-Borrowed from the library.

Turkey for Christmas written & illustrated by Marguerite de Angeli*

 Purple House Press was having a sale off its new titles it was republishing. I took advantage of the sale, purchasing several titles. This book was one of them.

A true story from the author's childhood

This Christmas Bess's family can only afford a turkey. No presents would be given. Through this difficulty, Bess learns the importance of obedience and the unsurpassing gift of love. It was interesting to read how Christmases were observed and celebrated years ago.

*Highly recommend.

I own this book. (only 46 pages)

Where Are You, Bronte? by Tomie dePaola illustrated by Barbara McClintock

 Tomie's last fully written book before he passed away in 2020

Tomie relates how special his dog, throughout its life and how much he misses him when Bronte dies.

Written in 2nd person-directly to Bronte

Children who love their pets will connect with Tomie's love for Bronte.

Ms. McClintock mimics Tomie's illustration style well. She includes the dove with a heart on it throughout the pages.

-Borrowed from the library

Walking Through Fire by Vaneetha Rendall Risner**

 For our spring Sunday school classes, one of the classes being offered  for women only was called "Desparate for Hope" a seven session study by Vaneetha Risner. Although I was interested in attending this class, I wanted to be in a class with my husband. So I requested this book by Vaneetha to read on my own. I am so glad I did. I read it in a few days. Mrs. Risner relates the story of her life in an engaging manner. 

Mrs. Risner has endured suffering and is still suffering-polio,post-polio syndrome, the death of an infant son, and an unfaithful husband (two times). Yet through it all, she has drawn closer to Christ and has found a hope and joy in Him.

**Highly, highly recommend.

-Borrowed via ILL.

Beautiful on the Mountain by Jeannie Light*

 Recently divorced, Jeannie Light moves onto her divorce settlement land in VA intending to raise sheep on its rocky terrain. Then Charles, a man from Graves Mill whose property butts against hers, proposes she open up the old Baptist church. Soon she is immersing herself in the mountain community, studying scripture deeply, and watching God transform her and her eclectic Bible study group. Christ and His salvation are proclaimed throughout the memoir. Although I did not agree with a woman leading a church (she was a lay person, not an ordained minister/priest), I mostly concurred with the other theology. 

An inspiring read!

*Highly recommend (but know a woman is leading/opening a church)

Apparently Graves Mill is a historical site now-https://madisonva.com/venues/graves-mill-historical-park/

-Borrowed via ILL.

A Walk Across America by Peter Jenkins

 When I was a teen or young adult I read this memoir and loved it. I started reading it aloud to my sons at the end of last school year and finished it at the beginning of this school year. They enjoyed hearing about his interactions with people from all over the states and were impressed with his feat. It was not their favorite read aloud, but they still looked forward to hearing it each day.

Peter Jenkins, disillusioned with the United States, decides to walk across the it, meeting the people and deciding if the country is truly awful. In 1973 from Alfred, New York,  he begins his walk with his beloved dog Cooper. The book ends with him leaving Lousiana in 1975 with another beloved!

I found his similes and metaphors a bit hyperbolic and sappy at times. 

Truly an amazing account! (Read aloud to teens or older-romantic attractions/divorce, drinking, drugs)

-I own this book. (He recorded the rest of his walk in two other books-The Walk West  & Along the Edge of America.)

Surprised by Oxford -DVD

 Two years ago I read Mrs. Weber's memoir Surprised by Oxford. I was excited to be able to borrow this movie based on the memoir. The movie centers mostly on how Caro and Kent come into relationship with each other. Another focus was Caro's lack of faith and how she comes to faith but very lightly. Christ was not mentioned. The Christian characters never boldly proclaim Christ as the answer to her struggles/questions in the movie. The viewer only knows she comes to faith when a friend comments how she has joined parish. I would have preferred the focus to be on her faith journey. Instead the producers made sure to include what I list in the "considerations" below.

We discussed with our son the lack of wisdom it is to pursue a girl who is not a Christian. The movie creates the impression that Kent pursues Caro, who does not share his faith. 

Considerations/warnings: swearing, God's name in vain, when waitressing before Oxford, she bumps into a patron who is staring right at her chest and makes an off-comment about what he wants to do with her/her chest-she is showing cleavage-why include something like this??! Totally unnecesary!, a lot of drinking (Caro gets drunk once), in the background viewers can witness "couples" making out, one guy flashes Caro (viewer cannot see anything), one of her friends makes moves on a priest, getting "laid" & "shagged" is mentioned, virginity is not valued by most of the characters (which is true and realisitic) 

The Wild Muir selected and introduced by Lee Stetson*

 The title is apt. I have never read or heard of anyone as continously adventurous as John Muir. The essays  selected from his various publishings display his love for the outdoors and fearlessness. The writing is superb. I especially appreciated the word choice and figurative language. Mr. Stetson is an actor who portrays John Muir.

*Highly recommend for readers who love nature, autobiographies, and essays.

-Borrowed from a friend.

Consideration: one swear word

Always Remember Me How One Family Survived World War II by Marisabina Russo

 As her grandmother pages through a family album, a granddaughter listens to her relate how she and her daughters, Jews living in Germany,  survived WW II. Based on the author's family's story. The endpages contain the author's family's photographs from this time period.

-Borrowed from the library.

The Great Good Thing by Andrew Klavan*

 Just a couple of months ago I had never heard of Andrew Klavan. After reading a book review about one of his books in World magazine, I started reading his Cameron Winters series. Reading how he was once a secular Jew who came to Christ, I wanted to hear his story. This memoir shares with the reader his life from childhood to his baptism. As the reader journeys with him, they witness his deep, pyschological struggles and how God and His love was guiding him to Himself.  God is a personal god. He pursues and woos us in intimate and unique ways. He is patient. 

I see similarities between Cameron Winters and Mr. Klavan. I will appreciate the third Cameron Winters book all the more now. 

*Highly recommend for adults. 

-Borrowed via inter-lib loan.

Mama's Bank Account by Kathryn Forbes*

 Our current history curriculum recommended reading this book during a specific unit. During lunch for the past week I read aloud this book to my sons. Kathryn, the narrator & the author, shares about her Norwegian's family's adjustment to the U.S. in San Francisco. Her aunts, uncles, her many siblings, and her family's boarders provide amusing and captivating stories. My sons enjoyed witnessing how an immigrant family acclimated to a new culture.

*Highly recommend for older elementary and older.

-I own this book (my copy is old and very fragile).

Considerations: one uncle is accused of drinking away his money (but he doesn't), lying, stealing

A First Time for Everything by Dan Santat

 Mr. Santat relates to readers his transformative summer between eighth and ninth grade when he toured Europe with other students. Incorporating flashbacks to his middle school experiences, Mr. Santat allows the reader to understand him on a more intimate level and offers the reader insight to his  reactions and feelings while on the trip.

I really liked 8th grader Dan Santat and would have wanted to be his friend. He was kind and compassionate when it would have been easier to be mean and to be disinterested. I, however, would not hand this graphic novel to a middle schooler or young high schooler without discussion (see warning).

I loved the A.A. Milne quotes that were included and the information how Dan and Amy kept in touch after the trip.

-Borrowed from the library.

Warning/points to discuss: Keep in mind while reading-Dan is 13 years old during this memoir: underage drinking in Germany; infer: a girl has her menstural cycle and bleeds through her clothing, in France the boys by accident watch a porn show; Dan tries smoking (he doesn't like it); Dan steals a bike; romance-Dan and Amy begin a relationship -they sit close to each other in the back of the bus where Amy "falls asleep" on his shoulder, they kiss a couple of times

Palace of Books by Patricia Polacco*

 When Patricia moves from her grandparents' farm into town, she struggles to adjust. She is also in the lowest reading group--all by herself.  However, birding with her class and discovering John James Audubon's art offer her hope and delight amidst the challenges. 

*Highly recommend.

-Borrowed from the library.

Go Ask Ozzie A Rotten Richie Story by Patricia Polacco*

 Ms. Polacco relates how her embarrassing older brother Richie teaches her how to tear up the dance floor in preparation for a school dance. Ms. Polacco features the viewpoint of a junior high girl very well-dramatics and exaggerations!

*Highly recommend.

-Borrowed from the library.

Saving My Assassin**

 A college student who comes to church with us recommended this book to me. I am so glad she did!

All her life Virginia had been searching for truth. She finds the truth in Jesus Christ during the communist reign of Nicolae Ceausescu. As an attorney she defends Romanian Christians who are being unjustly persecuted. Ceausescu orders for her to be tortured, to be under house arrest, and then finally to be assassinated. 

A well-paced book--she seemed to know how long to focus on each event of her life. Once again I was reminded of the power of God's Word and the importance of memorizing it. 

Very suspenseful and inspiring! 

**Highly, highly recommend.

Pair with I Must Betray You by Ruta Sepetys.

-Borrowed inter-library loan.

My Family and Other Animals by Gerald Durrell

 Gerald Durrell, a naturalist and founder of Jersey Zoo and the Durrell Wildlife Preservation Trust, relates the years he and his family spent on Corfu, an island part of Greece. Having a propensity to collect animals at an early age, Gerald delighted in gathering animals in Corfu and bringing them to the family's villa. Some family members abhorred his hobby, while others tolerated it. Numerous humorous accounts throughout the book made me laugh out loud. I also enjoyed the descriptive nature of his Gerald's writing. Superb writing and word choice

 A couple of homeschool sites/books recommended this book (Gerald is basically homeschooled. .. sparodically. Despite his erratic education, he was very successful as an adult). Because of some of the implied and more direct sexual references, I am refraining from handing this book over to my eighth grader.

Warnings/consider: swearing, sexual references/sensuality, describes animals mating, drinking/adults becoming drunk

-I own this book.

A Year in Provence by Peter Mayle**

 Peter Mayle relates how he and his wife depart deary England to purchase a farmhouse in Provence. His account spans a year (the narration is organized by months) and is full of humor as he depicts the French culture, traditions, and people. Descriptions of food abound!

This book was an absolute joy to read. The writing is superb. Subtle humor is incorporated flawlessly. I would read a sentence and stop and think, "Wait. That was REALLY funny!" and break into an appreicative smile. Mr. Mayle is a master of the memior craft!

**Highly, highly recommend.

-Borrowed from the library.