Tag: book review

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New Feature

LighthouseRecently a mom commented on this blog saying, “My daughter is a voracious reader…she has been reading and re-reading Little Women for the past 3 years. She is nine now and it is just hard to keep up with her and know what to offer.” That comment gave me the idea for a new feature on this blog.

When I was between 8 and 12 years old, I gobbled animal stories. My mom had a hard time keeping up with me. I know I’m not the only animal crazy girl out there, so I put together a list animal series I do and don’t recommend, and the reasons I do or don’t recommend them. Hopefully, in the future, I’ll put together more lists for parents (and everyone else) to use.

For now, here’s the link to the new Parent Guide.

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Book Review: A Christmas Carol

A Christmas CarolToday marks the last day of our Christmas themed book reviews. And what better book to end with than A Christmas Carol?

Ebeneezer Scrooge is a miserly old man who loves money, hates Christmas, and isn’t too fond of his fellow man. After a ghostly visit from his ex-business partner, Jacob Marley, Scrooge spends the night before Christmas being visited by the spirits of Christmas past, present and future. Each spirit teaches him things about himself and the world around him until Scrooge awakes Christmas morning a changed man.

I must confess that my preferred way of “reading” this story is not in book format. Each year at Christmas time we dig out the Focus on the Family Radio Theater presentation of the story. A Christmas Carol is probably my favorite traditional Christmas story.

As this year’s Christmas season comes to a close, remember the lesson Scrooge learned. In his own word,

I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year.

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Book Review: Christmas In Canaan

Christmas in CanaanIs everyone ready for Christmas; wrapping presents, reading the Christmas story, and listening to the Focus on the Family Radio Theater production of A Christmas Carol? Well here’s a book to add to the Christmasy mix.

“That’s what I always wanted to know. Why would some fella be willing to do something generous for a kid he doesn’t even know?” Rodney asked. “Have to say I’m surprised, Mr. Burton. Of all the people on the face of the earth,” he said, his voice softening, “I figured if anyone knew the answer to that one, it’d be you.”

Racial tension and a fight between school boys seems an unlikely start for a Christmas story, yet that is exactly how Christmas in Canaan begins. Rodney, a smart black boy, lives with his grandmother. DJ, a white boy, is the son of a farmer and struggles with school. After getting into a fight, both boys resent each other. They are horrified when DJ’s father and Rodney’s grandmother force them to live together for four days. They might have remained enemies if not for an injured dog. As they tend to the dog their grudging partnership grows into the bonds of a friendship that will last a lifetime. Their friendship carries them through the death of Rodney’s grandmother, hard times on the Burton farm, and a Christmas where they can’t afford gifts. It’s on that Christmas that Mr. Burton teaches them that, wherever friendship is, there will always be “some Christmas”. And, years later, when Christmas comes to Canaan, Rodney is ready to bring “some Christmas” to the friends that have become his family.

This is a heartwarming tale of friendship. The story rambles along like a stream but is not without a few rapids. A great read for anytime of year, but especially good for the holiday season.

Authors: Kenny Rogers & Donald Davenport
Audience: All Ages (Would make a great family read aloud)
Genre: General Fiction/Historical Fiction
Pages: 325
Publisher: HarperCollins

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Book Review: Little Women

Little WomenJoining us today is Marli Renee from Books|Cuppas and Cause for Joy. Hope you enjoy her review!
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I am Meg. Earnest. Sincere. Serious. Loving the little things in this world, yet craving to leave them… “Tomorrow I shall put away my ‘fuss and feathers’ and be desperately good again.”

I am Jo. Passionate. Awkward. Always dreaming. “I want to do something splendid…something heroic or wonderful that won’t be forgotten after I’m dead. I don’t know what, but I’m on the watch for it and mean to astonish you all someday.”

I am Beth. Loving the simple, the pure. Hoping. Desiring only peace and joy. “’We’ve got Father and Mother, and each other,’ said Beth contentedly from her corner.”

I am Amy. Sweet and silly. Determined. Thrilled over lace, and frills. Reveling in the fact that “we’ll all grow up someday, we might as well know what we want.”, but striving with every excited ounce to always be a better person.

Devouring these pages to learn more about myself. Or maybe I have become myself through these pages? Only a handful of books have done as much to shape who I am – these courageous young sisters as beacons of maturity and true femininity, yet oh so relatable beacons. Hopes, dreams and daily dramas within the slow process of sanctification.

The March sisters were so grown-up when I first met them. And now I am among them. “If we are all alive ten years hence, let’s meet, and see how many of us have got our wishes, or how much nearer we are then than now.” It has been ten years. I re-read the book with different eyes. I realize how young the dear characters were, and how far I have to go. But how close I have come – plodding where their gentle steps led.

In a world of quick literature and cheap thrills, it is a joy to read something so careful. So pure. So real, as real women who loved the Lord and lived faithfully day after day. Little Women.

Don’t just let this book be a check on your list of things to read. Don’t just join in the throng of, ‘Oh, such a cute story!’. Let it mean something to you. Let the reality of life, the pain, the joy, the relationships, the partings, the death, the birth, the love and fire mean something. Feel. Grow with these
friends. Live with them. “for I am learning how to sail my ship.”

Author: Louisa May Alcott
Audience: All Ages
Genre: Classic
Pages: Around 500

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Book Review: Miracle on 49th Street

Miracle on 49th StreetWith the month of December here, people are getting into the Christmas spirit, and I figured this blog should be no exception. So, for this week and the next couple of weeks, I’ll be reviewing Christmas flavored books. 😉 I’m starting with an easy-read favorite of mine.

He got out of the car and closed the door and got down in a crouch, so they were eye to eye. “You’re Jen’s kid, aren’t you.”

After Molly Parker’s mom dies of cancer, Molly is determined to break through to her father. Trouble is, Josh Cameron isn’t interested in being anybody’s dad. A star basketball player, Josh is full of himself and doesn’t seem to have room for Molly. He’s about to find out just how determined she can be. Can Molly win Josh over in time for their own Christmas miracle?

I can’t remember why I first picked this book out at the library, but I’m glad I did. It’s been good for many re-reads. It’s not a strongly Christmas themed story, but it definitely has some of the elements. I love the interactions between Molly and her best friend, Sam. And even though there are moments when I’d love to bop Josh over the head with a two by four, I like him too. If you’re ready for a sweet, sports themed story with a dash of Christmas, this book is for you.

Author: Mike Lupica
Audience: Middle Grade–Tween
Genre: Sports or General Fiction
Pages: 246
Publisher: Philomel Books

What are some of your favorite Christmas stories?

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Book Review: Gideon’s Call

Tad, a small slave boy on a Carolinian island, is destined for a unique and impressive future. As the Civil War approaches the island, the white masters flee, but the slaves stay. The new community of freedmen is swiftly selected to host a government experiment to see if the freed slaves can become contributing members of society. Tad’s smarts and entrepreneurial initiative soon catch the attention of Edward Pierce, leader of the experiment. As the war progresses, both Tad and Pierce are in for many adventures. Can Pierce’s connections and Tad’s firsthand experience of the brutality of slavery win the freedman a chance for a fresh start and a brighter future?

The Civil War is one of my favorite periods of history, and I have researched it extensively. Mr. Leavell wrote about an element of the time period I never heard about before. That was enough to hook me! The story is well written and the characters are sympathetic and compelling. There is a bit of a love story between Tad and a girl from the same plantation, however this sub-plot remained a sub-plot and did not dominate the story. This is a good book about an important period of history.

Author: Peter Leavell
Audience: Adults
Genre: Historical Fiction
Pages: 359
Publisher: Worthy Publishing

What are your favorite stories set during the Civil War?

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Book Review: El Dorado

Roll up your sleeves and get ready to dive into another adventure with Sir and Lady Blakeney! As promised, here is a review of a sequel to The Scarlet Pimpernel. Don’t ask me what a Spanish sounding title has to do with a story of the French Revolution. I haven’t figured it out yet. I tried looking up what “El Dorado” means the other day, but Google translate didn’t know. Any ideas? Anyway, here’s the review. The quote should should sound familiar. 😉

“Dear heart,” he murmured, “do not look on me with those dear, scared eyes of yours. If there is aught that puzzles you in what I said, try and trust me a little longer. Remember, I must save the Dauphin at all costs; mine honor is bound with his safety. What happens to me after that matters but little, yet I wish to live for your dear sake.”

Only one thing matters more to Sir Percy Blakeney than his wife, Marguerite. His honor. And his honor is bound to his newest mission. The French revolutionaries hold their young prince captive. The young Dauphin’s life is in danger, and Sir Percy (also known as the Scarlet Pimpernel) determines to rescue the lad. The mission is fraught with danger, especially now that Citizen Chauvelin knows the identity of the Scarlet Pimpernel. Marguerite’s love struck brother, Armand, isn’t helping matters either. Are the reckless adventures of the Scarlet Pimpernel about come to end?

I haven’t read all of the sequels to The Scarlet Pimpernel, but this is one of my favorites out of the ones I have read. (I think I might say that about all of them, though.) Sir Percy Blakeney is doing crazy things to rescue people. What’s not to like? 😀 For anyone who hasn’t read The Scarlet Pimpernel, these books can be pretty heavy on the romance, but there’s nothing explicit, and Percy and Marguerite are married, so it’s not inappropriate either. If you’re not big on this period of history, don’t let that stop you from reading these books. I had the same reservations and The Scarlet Pimpernel won me over. Enjoy your reading!

Author: Baroness Emmuska Orczy
Audience: Tweens and Up
Genre: Classic Adventure
Pages: 341
Publisher: My copy is from Dover Publications

What are your expectations for this sequel to The Scarlet Pimpernel? Do you think it can live up to the first book?

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