John G. Paton South Sea Island Rescue by Kay Walsh

 Trailblazers series

Scottish man John G. Paton traverses the world to another set of islands, New Hebrides, to share Christ and His salvation to fierce, cannbalistic tribes. Readers will be astounded at his tenacity and his dedication to live like Christ and to face death many times so that islanders would understand and allow Christ to rule their lives. I could not believe how many obstacles and difficult situations he endured.

The writing-sentence structure, grammar, & punctuation-seemed a bit off at times. I know the British follow different punctuation "rules". 

*Highly recommend so that readers can be aware how regular people pursue uncertain situations because of their love for God.

-Borrowed from the library.

Home Is Right Where You Are by Ruth Chou Simons

 A beautifully illustrated picture book based on Psalm 23. 

-Borrowed from the library.

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. 

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.

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!

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.

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

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.

The Inspired Homeschool by Jennifer Pepito*

 Mrs. Pepito focuses on outstanding men & women from history who were homeschooled for at least part of their lives to offer encouragement and principles to current homeschooling moms. 

The individuals featured in this book are: Jesus, Laura Ingalls Wilder, Benjamin Franklin, Elizabeth Goudge, C.S. Lewis, Leonardo da Vinci, Charles Dickens, Blaise Pascal, Berthe Morisot, Booker T. Washington, & Joan of Arc. Mrs. Pepito highlights aspects of their education that we can emulate. At the end of each chapter she offers suggestions to reinforce the concept introduced plus additional books about the person or other ideas mentioned. 

She promotes her business, The Peaceful Press, throughout the book. She also is a proponent of Charlotte Mason, whom she quotes & references often.

I thought this book would focus more on each person's life & their homeschool experience, not be a "how-to" book. It was NOT falsely advertised. I just arrived at that conclusion independently (or by not reading the summary carefully!). This book would be most useful for mothers with younger kids (junior high & younger).

*Highly recommend for mothers who are beginning to homeschool or who have years left to homeschool. Becoming more aware of historical figures who were homeschooled is my favorite feature of this book.

-I own this book.

The Great Train Robbery by Michael Crichton

 When my niece was in high school, her history teacher required his students to read this book during the summer. She recommended this book to me this summer. I can understand why a history teacher would utilize this book. Mr. Crichton immerses the reader into Victorian England, 1855-1856. What research he must have done to weave in so many details about this time period! The narrative format prevents the reader feeling like Mr. Crichton is forcing facts. He integrates them seamlessly. He also incorporates terminology/words the population would have said & explains them in the context. 

While I read it, I felt like I was reading a historical fiction novel, not a nonfiction account.

This novel shares with the world how gold was stolen off of a train that was traveling from London to Paris. Months before the actual robbery, the men involved were carefully planning it. Because of Mr. Crichton's careful, extensive research, the reader witnesses each little plan unfold & tested/evaluated.

I did not finish this book. One scene kept resurfacing in my mind. One of the men had syphilis. During this time, people thought one cure for it was for the man to have relations with a virgin. This man had relations with a supposed virgin to "cure" him. Although the scene wasn't overly graphic, it was enough that parts of it come randomly to my mind. What disturbed me the most was the girl was probably 12 years old. The rest of the book may not have any more sexual scenes, but I did not want to allow for the possibility. Other references to prostitution and relations were included but not as explicit as this one.

 I tend to romanticize earlier eras. This book, however, reinforced how man has always been wicked without God.

-Borrowed from the library.

The Sky Was My Blanket by Uri Shulevitz*

 Mr. Shulevitz shares his uncle's story as he travels across Europe before and during WWII. At the age of fifteen and a half, he leaves his home in Poland and traverses many countries, living with other Jews, working, and learning. Readers will be amazed how he endured difficulties beyond our modern comprehension. 

The chapters are short. The sentences are short and to the point also. 

This book was Mr. Shulevitz's last one.

*Highly recommend.

Discuss: What was Yehiel Szulewicz's worldview? What did he believe about God? 

-Borrowed from the library.

The (Not-So-Secret) Secret to Reaching the Next Generation by Kevin DeYoung**

 Our children's ministry pastor gave this booklet to all of his volunteers to read. It's a simple yet powerful book. Although it took me less than twenty minutes to read, it has given me hours of wisdom to ponder and given me a guide that will last a lifetime.

To reach the next generation, Mr. DeYoung advises to : grab them with passion, win them with love, hold them with holiness, challenge them with truth, and amaze them with God. He fleshes out each of these points, challenging the reader to evaluate his/her life based on their love & pursuit of God.

**Highly, highly recommend.

-I own this booklet.

When Paul Revere Rode by Sarah L. Thomson illustrated by Nik Henderson*

Voices from the First Night of the American Revolution

Ms. Thomson unveils various other people, several unnamed, who assist Paul Revere and his ride to warn the colonist that The Regulars (NOT the British, the colonist considered themselves British , so Paul Revere would not have used that word to describe them. The colonists called them The Regulars) were planning to attack. Before each poem, she introduces the person and their connection to the evening. She also indicates the  approximate time and date when this person's role occurred. Quotes from the person are included. After the main poetical text, she reveals even more information about each narrator.

I liked how Ms. Henderson illustrated in mostly in hues of blue and in a smudgy style to create a mood of night and not being able to see precisely.

A great book to read when studying this event in history.

A teacher could have their students take a point of time in history, research the individuals involved, and then create poems from their points of view to retell the event. It would be a hefty endeavor (& maybe not realistic?).

*Highly recommend.

-Borrowed from the library.

This Is Orange by Rachel Poliquin illustrated Julie Morstad

 A Field Trip Through Color

When was the word "orange" first mentioned? What is the word's origin? These questions and more will be addressed in this oversized picture book.

I thought its organization was lacking. Initially, the author presents orange's etmology. Then she discusses how to mix red/yellow to make orange. Then art featuring the color orange, fruit that has orange pigmentation, birds with orange markings, International Orange suits, structures that include orange. . . and other random facts. I perceive some subtle transitions but overall, I feel the organization is a bit disjointed/random. Maybe more artistic personalities will appreciate this format. My Type-A personality struggles with it. I, however, still enjoyed the book and the unique facts it presents!

-Borrowed from the library.

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)

The Boy Who Became a Parrot by Wolverton Hill illustrated by Laura Carlin

 A Foolish Biography of Edward Lear, Who Invented Nonsense

An interesting picture book biography   Mr. Hill reveals Lear's unique childhood (#20 child in his family!, raised by his oldest sister, his bouts of epilepsy) and how he later connects with children and writes his nonsense verses.

I did not care for the illustrations. I, however, loved Lear's illustrations of animals. He was an amazing artist.

Considerations: It mentions he wanted to marry but felt "traditional marriage seemed like ill-fitting shoes: 'Far too tight" & that some of his poems are about unconventional unions. Lear's companion for sixteen years ended up being a cat named Foss. Six months after Foss dies, Lear passes away.

7 More Men and the Secret of Their Greatness by Eric Metaxas with Anne Morse*

 Another great anthology of short biographies about amazing men: Martin Luther, George Whitefield, George Washington Carver, General William Booth, Sergeant Alvin York, Alexander Solzhenitsyn, and Billy Graham. Although the purpose of the book is to focus on their faith and their extraordinary lives, Mr. Metaxas also points out their failures and shortcomings. 

A perfect book to share with a teen and young adult

Considerations: Luther said some nasty things about Jews, Muslims, and Anabaptists, Booth's wife believed women could preach, which Mr. Booth supported.

*Highly recommend.

-I borrowed this book from the library but ended buying it because I wantedto share these stories with my sons and friends. I own the two previous books he wrote in this "series". 

Hurricane by Jason Chin*

 Mr. Chin tracks a hurricane from the time it begins over Africa until it makes landfall at Cape Hatteras. He alternates pages about its progress and how people are preparing for it and then evacuating. 

Very informative yet engaging. Lots of diagrams and explanations in the back.

*Highly recommend.

-Borrowed from the library.

His Fairytale Life by Jane Yolen illustrated by Brooke Boynton-Hughes*

 A whimsical, beautiful book about Hans Christian Andersen

Ms. Yolen writes about his life in one long sentence! Although the words are minimal, the reader learns a lot about this unique and lonely writer.

Lovely illustrations

*Highly recommend.

-Borrowed from the library.