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.

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.

Seeking Persephone-miniseries**

 My friend told me about this 4-episode miniseries. My husband, oldest son, & I watched it on Roku (the commericals for the 1st three episodes were so annoying!! We aren't used to commericals!). This mini series is probably one of my favorites of all time! 

Persephone, the eldest child of the Lancaster family, has been holding the family together since she was twelve-years-old and her mother died. The brothers join the military to support the floundering family finances. When the Duke of Kielder writes a letter asking to marry her and also stating that he will support the family, her father consents. At her wedding, Persephone discovers her husband is a recluse and a bitter man. Will he ever come to love her?

I love the characters-so admirable & well-developed, the story line was engaging & well-paced, the romance was sweet & showed nothing inappropriate.  

Based on the book by Sarah Eden (she has written a series about all the Lancaster siblings-- Persephone is the 1st book.) The story incorporates elements from Beauty & the Beast and the Greek myth about Hades & Persephone.

**Highly, highly recommend. I cannot wait to read the book! I requested it via ILL.

Consideration: Sarah Eden, the author of this series, is Mormon. No religion is preached or woven into this film. The only connection it has to the Mormon community is that it is a clean romance. 

Chapter One Again by Keelia Clarkson

 After living in NYC for a decade, Jane feels compelled to return to her teeny Colorado home town, Avila Falls, for her mother's birthday. The town she dreamed of escaping throughout her high school years. . . 

She thought she had her career path figured out in NYC-ghostwriting memoirs for famous actors/actresses/musicians and writing her own novel. Upon returning to Avila Falls,, however, she begins to question the identity she has formed for herself. Meeting her old crush and seeing how her parents and, also her mentor, are aging cause her to ponder anew if the life she has been living is truly fulfilling.

A very predictable novel-Hallmark-like (Jane's friends even equate her weeks at home like a Hallmark movie 😀💖) I would have no issues sharing this novel with a teen. It is a very clean, sweet romance.

This genre is not my favorite, but I did enjoy reading (even though it was very predictable) & immersing myself into Jane's world and the beautiful Colorado setting. Mrs. Clarkson has created likable characters and a setting that you want to visit.

A great, light read with an uplifting tone. 

-Borrowed from the library.

*The author is Sally Clarkson's daughter-in-law. 

Page Two With You , the 2nd book in the series, is forth-coming.

The Charlotte Blood Chronicles Death in the Aviary by Victoria Dowd

 Charlotte Blood's editor-in-chief sends her to investigate a year-old murder. Her cover? She is there to write an article about the family's ravens. 

The wealthy Ravenswick family lost its heir a year ago on New Year's Eve in 1928. As Charlotte resides and investigates at the Abbey, the secretive family and the moors seem to be plotting against her. A couple of near death incidents convince her that something sinister is uniting the family.

As the reader uncovers the Ravenswick family secrets with Charlotte, they also realize that Charlotte is stumbling upon her deceased husband's seemingly double-life. And who is her landlady, Mrs. C? Is she really only a landlady who writes mystery novels (which no one seems to have read!) and who likes to drink whiskey? Charlotte's own life is interesting, not just the mysteries she solves. I am looking forward to book #2 in September. 

The setting on the moors is also a character. This book is gothic!

Warnings: The dead heir's wife is having an affair with his brother. The brother's wife knows this and accepts it. Some sentences about them "messing around" and flirting/foreplay is mentioned. Celeste, whose father is having the affair,  has seen them being intimate and recorded her observations in her journal. Nothing too descriptive but still enough that I would not share this book with a high schooler. Celeste is a disturbed young girl. I felt so sorry for her yet she creeped me out a bit with her violent descriptions in her journal.

The Little Silver House by Jennie D. Lindquist*

 Readers continue experiencing Nancy's year with Grandpa & Grandma Benson while her mother recovers from an illness. Even though spring in the country enthralled her, autumn and Christmas in the country offer their own wonders. A boarded-up house in the country captures her and her "cousins'" thoughts. Who lived there? Why is it boarded up? 

I especially related to Nancy's love for flowers and for the beauty of God's creation. I loved learning about the Swedish customs & traditions at Christmas. Although only the last 1/3 of the book is dedicated to Christmas, it would be a great book to read at Christmas. The Swedes know how to celebrate this season!!

I thought Nancy's character became a bit flat in this book (& was also flat in the 3rd book). I highly recommend it because of the delights mentioned above.

*Highly recommend.

-Borrowed via ILL. (It's almost $59 on Amazon!)

Golden Name Day by Jennie Dorothea Lindquist*

 Award winner- Newbery Honor in 1956

When Nancy's mother becomes ill and is hospitalized, she travels to country to live with Mr. & Mrs. Benson for a year. The Bensons and their family are old friends of her mother's. Nancy calls the Bensons, Grandpa & Grandpa & their relatives "aunt/uncle". This family is rooted in the Swedish culture. One tradition is celebrating one's name day. Nancy is disappointed when she discovers that her name is not Swedish, and therefore, does not have a designated day. The disappointment consumes her. Will she waste her year at Grandma & Grandpa's trying to figure out a way to have a "name day"?

I liked this one better than book #3, The Crystal Tree. Nancy's character was more flawed and realistic. Her character development was apparent.

*Highly recommend.

-Borrowed via ILL.

The Old Sleigh by Jarrett Pumphrey & Jerome Pumphrey

 A boy assists his father in delivering wood on their  large sleigh. When it breaks, the boy utilizes the material to build his own small sleigh. The tradition continues when the boy becomes an adult.

Part of a series-modes of transportion with the word "old" in the title.

-Borrowed from the library.

Tales from Maple Ridge #1 Logan Pryce Makes a Mess by Grace Gilmore illustrated by Petra Brown*

 I read the first book in this series last! (because of its availability via the library) I like this one the best.

Because their family farm is failing, Logan's father is searching for work. Before he interviews in the city of Sherman, he agrees to help the Mayberrys at their general store. To Logan's delight, his father & Mrs. Mayberry agree to allow him to help unpack orders. He will earn a dollar! When he shelves someone's order by accident, he fears he will cause his father to lose his job.

I love how Logan has a "Fix-It" shop where he invents and also love how the family is supportive of each other.

Perfect for beginning/transitional readers who are building stamina in their reading---short chapters with lots of picture support.

Consideration: Logan's friend Anthony says "Gosh".

*Highly recommend (I don't "highly recommend" all the books in the series. But even those are good books-just up to parent about some topics I mention).

Tales from Maple Ridge #6 The New Kid by Grace Gilmore illustrated by Petra Brown

 Oswald Robbins, who wants to be called Wally, is a new kid in the Maple Ridge one room schoolhouse, making the total number of students an odd 21. Judging him from his looks and mannerisms, the students label him as odd and suspicious. When a coveted book goes missing from the brand new school library, Wally is the number one suspect. Fortunately, Logan wants to investigate and makes a new a friend.

I liked this story the best out of the five I have read in this series.

Discuss: judging others, welcoming new & different people to a group, jumping to conclusions

-Borrowed from the library.

Tales from Maple Ridge #5 Lost in the Blizzard by Grace Gilmore illustrated by Petra Brown

 Even though it is still fall, the Pryce family begins to "winterize", preparing for winter. Tess observes how frantically the squirrels have been gathering and storing nuts lately and predicts winter is coming soon. The oldest brother Drew scoffs at her conclusion. A blizzard does blast into their town while Drew is in the forest finding firewood. Logan utilizes his newfound knowledge of a homemade compass to find him.

I like how in each book Logan is working on something in his Fix-It Shop. This hobby reinforces the importance of being innovative and being creative and also being a problem-solver. 

Consideration/discuss: When Logan's mom asks where Drew is, Logan lies because he doesn't want to ruin Drew's surprise of bringing in a lot of fireword. Drew's job is to find trees, chop them for firewood, and haul the wood back to the house. He had found a huge tree and was excited to surprise the parents with a huge load of firewood. He had told Logan not to tell because he wanted to surprise the family. So once again, lying seems to be almost justified. Good topic to discuss with children-is this wrong? What could Logan had done differently? Logan does not get into trouble for lying in the previous book nor in this book.

-Borrowed from the library.

Tales from Maple Ridge #4 The Ghost of Juniper Creek by Grace Gilmore illustrated by Petra Brown

 After skipping stones across Juniper Creek with his sister Tess and best friend Anthony, Logan calls his dog Skeeter to come home as the sun sets. Skeeter, however, remains in the dark woods. The three children enter it to convince Skeeter to obey. He is sitting at the base of a tree and peering upwards. A flash of white at the treetops causes the leaves to shake. Instantly, whatever it was disappears. The children think it is a ghost. Over the next couple of days the children hear about the ghost legend of Juniper Creek. Logan decides to create and to set a ghost trap. 

A second storyline is included. An astute thinker will perceive quickly how these two storylines mesh.

I think the illustrations in this series are adorable. This book's ending is humorous.

Considerations/discuss: ghosts  The conclusion is that they are not real. When Logan's little sister, Annie, asks what he is making, he lies. He doesn't want her to know it is a ghost trap and be scared. The author calls it a "fib", almost making it seem benign. Good discussion-is it ok to lie like this?

-Borrowed from the library.

Tales from Maple Ridge #3 The Big City

 When Logan's father travels to the city of Sherman, Logan is chosen to come along and spend the day with his cousins. Initially, he is enamoured with the city's energy and sights. However, as the day progresses, he realizes the rural life might be better.

A great chapter book for transitional readers who are developing stamina for chapter books

Consideration: one of the characters says "gosh"

-Borrowed from the library.

Tales from Maple Ridge No. 2 The Lucky Wheel by Grace Gilmore illustrated by Petra Brown

 Logan's teacher of Maple Ridge's one-room schoolhouse asks each student to contribute to the building fund so they can repair many issues that are popping up. Unfortunately, Logan lies to his family by saying he is going to contribute from the money he has saved in his piggy bank. He has no money. So when he finds a broken wheel along the road, he decides to repair it to sell it and give the money to the school. Eventually he confesses to his father that he had lied.

This book is perfect for new readers who are transitioning into chapter books & building stamina. Plenty of illustrations per page. I like that it features a boy main character within the historical fiction genre. So many historical fiction books for kids feature girls.

Considerations: Logan lies. But his father reprimands him. Lying is not condoned. Readers see the consequences of this sin through Logan. Throughout the book the word "lucky" is mentioned. "lucky wheel", "lucky day". Logan seems to think luck is what brings good events into his life.

Part of a series-more reviews of the other books forthcoming.

-Borrowed from the library.

The Five Red Herrings by Dorothy Sayers

 In the Scottish village, Kirkcudbright, artists thrive. One artist, Campbell instigates arguements. Many residents would not mind if he died. When he is found dead, five male artists are the prime suspects. Lord Peter Wimsey assists the local police in establishing a time line and probable events. As he interviews the artists, he figures out which one is not the red herring.

I read this aloud to my sixteen-year-old. He did not like it. I agree with him. I did not like it as much as Sayer's other novels.  It was too complicated for a read aloud (lots of train tables). Maybe it would be better to read independently??

Since we had stayed in Scotland for over week, I thought it would be fun to revisit Scotland via a book.

Consideration: swearing (easy to skip when reading aloud), heated agruments about a possible  affair-an affair was not occurring, drinking-some of the men become drunk

-I own this book but may not keep it. 

Just William by Richmal Crompton illustrated by Thomas Henry

 I heard about this author and this series on a podcast interview with a British comedian. He recommended this series.

1st published in 1922.

William, an eleven year old "scamp", uses his creativity and intellect to cause excitment in his life and his family's life. He disrupts his older siblings's love lives, kidnaps a baby, mountain climbs up his stairs with an alpenstock, invites his class of thirty students to his home for a party when his parents and siblings are away and so much more. I laughed out loud numerous times while reading it.

How his childhood differs from the current generation's--They will be amazed at his freedom & how he must problem-solve!

Warning: the word "assified" is used a few times, William is naughty, selfish, & manipulative. The parents are a bit clueless and helpless. 

-Borrowed from the library.

Ready-to -Read Level 2 Mouse & Spoon series by Cynthia Rylant illustrated by Janna Mattia*

 An adorable series by a beloved author!

Ginger, Piper, & Tom are mice who run a bakery in a little town on Littleton St. Whenever customers request specific orders, the three siblings oblige. At a moment's notice they accomplish incredible feats- baking for 216 rabbit children, pound cakes for an elephant's birthday party, sticky buns for a porcupine's wedding and tarts for owlets who won't sleep. 

Perfect length and repetition for beginning readers who are building fluency, stamina, and confidence.

*Highly recommend.

Coming on May 5,2026-Picnic for Giraffes!

Al Capone Does My Shirts by Gennifer Choldenko

 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

Little Naturalists-Henry David in the Woods by Kate Coombs illustrated by Seth Lucas

 A board book about Henry David Thoreau going to live in the woods, building a house, and observing nature. Although the words are simple and rhyme, I am not sure if babies and toddlers will clamor for adults to read this aloud.

-Borrowed from the library.