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The Victory Dogs by Megan Rix
Inspirational The Victory Dogs by Megan Rix is an inspiring children’s historical novel and just perfect for ages ten years and over. It is a fictional tale but has its roots in facts. The story is set in London during World War II and follows two pups, a cat and an old soldier. The camaraderie […]
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Number The Stars by Lois Lowry
Such Bravery Number The Stars by Lois Lowry is a powerful historical children’s novel that is suitable for ages ten years and over. The story is set in Denmark in 1942 during the Nazi occupation. It blends fact and fiction as the reader becomes intimately acquainted with lesser-known facts in Danish history. The Danes were […]
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Gladys Hunt on Little Golden Books
Editor’s Note: You may have to be of a certain age for Little Golden Books to tweak your memory, but there was a lot of appreciate in those foil-spined picture books. Remember The Little Golden Books? Originally published on the Tumblon website, August 2, 2009 Probably somewhere in the house in which you grew up there is at least one copy of The Little Golden Books. Do you remember The Poky Little Puppy with the puppy reading that wonderful sign posted on the fence, “No desserts ever unless puppies never dig holes under this fence again”? Or The Saggy Baggy Elephant? Or Scuffy the Tugboat? I have just finished reading…
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2022 In the Books
2022 In Brief Readers, 2022 has been a very long year. I realize that every year technically has the same number of days. But “felt time” (as musicians talk) has been longer for me this year. I look back at my January, 2022, self and hardly recognize her: she was planning a retreat with her lovely Redeemed Reader colleagues, making all sorts of reading plans, beginning to brainstorm school plans for the coming school year, and living in South Central Washington state. Three months later, she was listing a house (with 2 weeks’ notice), flying to South Carolina on a whirlwind house hunting tour, and desperately urging her children to…
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The Boy, The Mole, The Fox & The Horse – The Animated Version by Charlie Mackesy
So Very Beautiful The Boy, The Mole, The Fox And The Horse – The Animated Story by Charlie Mackesy is so very beautiful. I have the original black and white version but treated myself to the animated version. I was not disappointed. The story has a very beautiful message which we hear as we follow […]
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Once by Morris Gleitzman
Powerful & Heartbreaking Once by Morris Gleitzman is a powerful and heartbreaking historical children’s novel that is suitable for over ten years old. It is the first book in a seven book series. Once is set in Poland during World War II. It is written in the first person from the point of view of […]
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Winston And The Marmalade Cat by Megan Rix
Totally Charming Winston And The Marmalade Cat by Megan Rix is a perfectly charming historical novel and just perfect for ages ten years and over. No matter what your age, if you are an animal lover, this book is for you. The action is set in 1962 and is grounded in fact as we meet […]
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The Battle Of Bubble And Squeak by Philippa Pearce
Entertaining The Battle Of Bubble And Squeak by Philippa Pearce is an entertaining children’s novel, just perfect for ages eight years and over. The reader meets Bubble and Squeak who are two gerbils in need of a new home. All the family, except Mum, want to keep them. All they need to do now is […]
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Poems For Loved Ones by Kenzo Amariyo
Powerfully Moving Poems For Loved Ones by Kenzo Amariyo is a powerful collection of heartfelt poems for those who are grieving. In the introduction we learn about the power of forgiveness. “Forgiveness is only a choice away.” We must forgive or else risk imprisoning ourselves in bitterness. Unforgiveness will hurt us most of all. As […]
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Looking for True by Tricia Springstubb
In Looking for True, A lonely boy and a frustrated girl find common cause in rescuing a dog from its neglectful owner. Looking for True by Tricia Springstubb. Holiday House (Margaret Ferguson Books), 2022, 273 pages. Reading Level: Middle Grades, ages 10-12 Recommended for: ages 6-10 as a read-aloud, 10-14 for independent readers A dead-end summer? Jude’s home life isn’t ideal, with one overactive little brother and one overworked mom. Silas (nicknamed Spider) is too much for a 12-year-old stuck with babysitting him all summer and Mom can barely look up from the daily grind. Time with his best friend Jabari, in the abandoned house they fashioned into a “fortress,”…
