Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes by Eleanor Coerr paintings by Ronald Himler

Recently we had homeschool friends over to present topics that interest them.  One of my youngest son's friend summarized this book and demonstrated how to fold a paper crane.  He allowed my son (and me!) to borrow this book.  

Sadako is determined to make the junior high running team.  As she trains, she begins to feel dizzy after her workouts.  She does not tell anyone until she falls over at school.  Her parents admit her into a hospital where it is discovered she has the "atom bomb disease", leukemia.  To bring her hope, her friend Chizuko makes her a paper crane, reminding her of the old story that if a sick person makes a thousand the cranes, the gods will heal her.  Sadako begins to make paper cranes out of any paper she can find. Unfortunately, she does die months later.

Based on a true story.  Step-by-step directions how to fold a paper crane are included in the back of the book.

A short but powerful book with admirable characters.  Readers will be exposed to Japan's culture.

Points to discuss: Japanese culture, WWII & the atom bomb/Hiroshima, worshipping ancestors/gods, relying on "good luck", death of a young girl, leukemia

-Borrowed from a young friend. 

The Canyon's Edge by Dusti Bowling

 Nora and her father plan to spend her birthday exploring the base of a canyon.  Both are grieving the loss of her mom, who died on her birthday a year ago when a gunman came into the restaurant where they were celebrating.  Her mother and another mother with young boys both died saving her life and others in restaurant.  Her father has developed a mistrust of people and as a result, begins to isolate them from society.  In the bottom of the canyon he feels safe.  A flashfood arrives unexpectantly.  The two are separated and left in the cruel desert to survive.  Will Nora lose another parent on her birthday?  As she fights off the natural elements, she also battles her demons from that fateful day.  

The beginning and the end are related in prose while the meat of the story is free verse.   The poems are cleverly constructed and offer a variety of forms.  

A lot of intense emotions being processed and described.    I could have read this book in one sitting because of the perpetual action.  

Labeled as "teen fiction" because of the topic.

Points to discuss/warnings: one swear word, PTS, death of parent by a gunman, shootings, grief processing, solution to grief/pain is to believe in yourself vs. depending on God-  Nora does pray, wonder if there is a god and if there is a reason for all of the pain and evil that has been in her life.  These questions are not  answered by the end of the book.  Instead, the reader has the impression that she is stronger and more resilient because she survived impossible odds.  The last chapter shows her making mends with her friend, which offers the reader hope. 

-Borrowed from the library.

Teaflet and Roog Make a Mess by Jeanne Birdsall illustrated by Jane Dyer*

 Siblings, Teaflet and Roog, reside in Trelfdom where each year they host their Strawberry Jam Party.  Unfortunately, the inspector of neatness, Inspector Maple, sends the notice that she will be coming to inspect their home the day before the party.  Will Roog, the official baker, have time to create his delectable dishes as Teaflet tries to clean and remove animals that she is mending from various hurts/ailments? Many disasters occur throughout the day, causing the siblings to fear that they will be spending the next day cleaning the inspector's home (the punishment for failing the inspection) instead of hosting the Strawberry Jam Party.

What I loved the most about this book were the illustrations.  Ms. Dyer created all of the characters out of wool and wire, constructed all props from various materials including clay, and designed the scenes.  The ladies set up the scenes in Ms. Birdsall's shooting studio where she photographed them.  These ladies are friends and neighbors!

A sweet chapter book for transitional readers who need to build stamina.

I just wished they had included a recipe for Roog's double-chocolate cake with strawberry jam!

*Highly recommend.

-Borrrowed from the library.

You Bring the Distant Near by Mitali Perkins

 A captivating, beautiful story of three generations of women learning how to maintain their identity and pride in their heritage as they live in North America.  

Most of the story focuses on Tara and Sonia, Ranee's daughters, who immigrate from London to New York City in the early 1970's.  Ranee's own story develops quietly in the background during the entire novel.  The young ladies' struggle to fit into the American culture yet honor their Indian heritage is palpable.  

I did not appreciate how white Americans were portrayed as materialistic and how being a Republican was a negative choice.  The people of color, however, cared about human trafficking, environmental issues, and people in general.  

I liked the sweet, solid relationship between Tara and Sonia.  Refreshing to read about sisters who support and care for each other.

Points to discuss: prejudices, feminism,  Democrat vs. Republican, early death of father, Indian culture

Category-"young adult"

-Borrowed from the library

All Creatures Great & Small Season 1 -PBS-Masterpiece**

 I am reading aloud All Things Bright and Beautiful to my eleven-year-old right now.  Since we both love the "Herriot" stories, I thought we would enjoy this new show.  Our whole family enjoyed it (including my husband who prefers fantasy/sci-fi).  He even commented on how well the characters were developed and how you come to care for them.  

Six episodes are featured, starting with James arriving in Darrowby and then how he adjusts to Siegfried, Tristan and the Dale people.  He meets his future wife, Helen, in this season.

Although the producers changed some of the story lines, my son and I still liked it just as much of the book.  The producers maintained the characters' personalities, quirks and traits well.  

Of course, the scenery is stunning.  The show is filmed on-site in Yorkshire Dales.  My eleven-year-old and I want to visit the Dales someday!

**Highly, highly recommend.

Warnings: smoking, drinking (every episode ), James becomes drunk in one of the 1st episodes, Tristan lies/deceives often

-Borrowed from the library

Beatrix Potter, Scientist by Lindsay H. Metcalf illustrated by Junyi Wu

 I love Beatrix Potter's stories.  It was interesting to learn about the "scientific side" of Ms. Potter!

For some reason, I did not like the illustrations.

-Borrowed from the library.

The Secret Garden of George Washington Carver by Gene Barretta illustrated by Frank Morrison

 Using the flashback techinque, readers learn how George Washington Carver develop a love for gardening and plants.  His perseverance and success are celebrated through this picture book.

-Borrowed from the library.