Once Upon a Wardrobe by Patti Callahan*

 Megs's little brother, George, was born with a weak heart. He may not live beyond his eight years. A new book, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe has captured his imagination. When he asks Megs where she thinks the idea of Narnia orginates and if she can ask C.S. Lewis himself, Megs knows she needs to gather up her courage and track down the English tutor. To her surprise, instead of answering her question directly, Lewis begins to tell her stories of his life, which writes down in a notebook so she can relate them to George. Initially her mathematical brain is frustrated with this approach, but gradually, his stories transform her and the way she perceives life.

I loved indirectly learning about C.S. Lewis's life.

Beautifully written.

I cringed when Megs replies "or herself" when C.S. Lewis says, "God, Himself". Otherwise, I highly recommend this thought-provoking book that I could reread.

After reading this book, I want to read more books by George MacDonald!

-Borrowed from the library.

Turning of Days: Lesson from Nature, Season, and Spirit by Hannah Anderson illustrated by Nathan Anderson

Mrs. Anderson leads the reader through the seasons, observing God's truths in His Creation. Many scripture passages are included at the end of each reading for further exploration and mediation. Mrs. Anderson is a talented writer. At the end of the book, she offers advice how to observe God's creation in a meaningful manner. 

As I read, I felt that a new Christian could misinterpret the author's intentions and seek God only in creation (or worship the created, not the Creator), not in Scripture (Ms. Anderson, however, backed up all of her writings/observations/conclusions with Scripture). 

Unfortunately, since I borrowed this book via inter-library loan and it was due soon, I had to read this book quickly. This book is made to be savored.

-Borrowed via inter-library loan.

Jan Brett's The Nutcracker*

 Ms. Brett's borders add depth to the story (of course!). I liked how by the end the animal musicians were part of the main illustrations, no longer in the border.

Marie loves the Nutcracker her uncle gives her on Christmas. When she wakes up to check on him, she is transported to a magical land for an adventure.

Setting is in Russia, which adds a layer of uniqueness and beauty. Readers will expand their vocabulary too. I had to look up musical terms and Russian/Italian related words.

*Highly recommend.

-Borrowed from the library.

The Legend of Old Befana by Tomie DePaola

 Mr. DePaola relates the legend of Old Befana and how she began visiting the children of Italy, searching for the Christ Child.

-Borrowed from the library.

The Swallows' Flight by Hilary McKay*

 This book is one of the best middle grade novels I have read in a long time! Ms. McKay creates interesting, credible characters with distinct personalities and stories. The reader is introduced to the British girls, Ruby and Kate, when they are first born, and the German boys, Erik and Hans, when they are ten-years-old, and experience their lives into adulthood. These four main characters are living life after World War I and during World War II. 

Ms. McKay adroitly weaves together many families and their stories. She even includes a scrapyard dog and how he impacts the characters' stories! I am thankful that Ms. McKay included family trees because without the family tree, I would have been confused at points. The chapters alternate the points of view.

Ms. McKay is a superb writer. She also included aspects of WWII that I have never considered or have learned. Although this marketed as a middle grade novel, I think junior high and even high school (although they may cringe at reading "middle grade novel") would enjoy this book immensely. 

*Highly recommend.

A previous novel, The Skylarks' War, includes some members of the family in this novel. The Skylarks' War takes place during WWI. Unfortunately, my county library system only has a digital. 

Warning:  The grandfather, Charles Penrose, likes his whiskey and is probably an alcoholic. Kate's brother, Charlie, grabs alchohol on Christmas and becomes drunk, grandfather Charles gives Ruby some of his alcohol when she is having night terrors, which promptly puts her to sleep, Will and his friend drown kittens, some characters die.

Cold Sassy Tree by Olive Ann Burns

 Told from the perspective of fourteen-year-old Will Tweedy, readers find themselves captived by southern small-town life. When his grandfather marries Love Simpson, a young Yankee, only three weeks after his wife's death, the town and his family is appalled. Gossip abounds. Will also navigates growing up amidst this excitement. 

I loved this story! Will was a likeable narrator. The author, Ms. Burns, develops each of the characters well and brings southern life in 1906 to life. 

To consider: Will lusts after Ms. Simpson at points (but distracts himself by making a camping list!), he observes heavy kissing and his grandfather lying with Ms. Simpson, one of the main characters shares that she was raped as a twelve-year-old by her father, Will makes up a story about his aunt nursing a pig to stimulate her milk production, Will seems to like lady's chests and mentions how he tries to see them when they are nursing their babies, a couple of deaths, a suicide, blacks are treated less (which is accurate for that time period)

Christina Rossetti text set

 Inspired by Tomie DePaola's newest book, Christina's Carol, I decided to feature Christina Rossetti at our December Poetry Pie. I provided the books below, but the boys mostly read poems from Sing a Song a Season. I read poems from the Penguin Classic Christina Rossetti-The Complete Poems. She is famous for her poem "The Goblin Market". I, however, did not care for it and did not share it with the boys. 

1. Bloomsbury Poetry Classics-Christina Rossetti Selected Poems 

-Borrowed from the library.

2. Penguin Classics-Christina Rossetti The Complete Poems    I read from the section Sing Song: A Nursery Rhyme Book and also from Feasts and Fast (poems about Christmas). One of the poems you could turn the lines into riddles. Very fun!

-Borrowed from the library.

3. Blooming Beneath the Sun art by Ashley Bryan 

The only picture book I could find that features her poems. Mr. Bryan illustrated each poem with construction paper collage! Stunning. I also liked the brief biography about Ms. Rossetti included at the end. 

-Borrowed from the library.

4. The Victorian Fairy Tale Book -edited by Michael Patrick Hearn

I displayed this book simply because Christina's brother, Dante Gabriel Rossetti,  illustrated "The Goblin Market" in this anthology. I wanted to show the boys how artistic the Rossetti family was. Only two illustrations were included. We did not read "The Goblin Market".

-Borrowed from the library.

5. Sing a Song of Seasons-A Nature Poem for Each Day of the Year selected by Fiona Waters illustrated by Frann Preston-Gannon *Highly recommend.  I own this book (one of my favorite poetry anthologies!).

Out of all of the poets featured, Ms. Waters included more of Rossetti's poems than any other poet!