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When Silence Sings by Sarah Loudin Thomas
Trusting In The Dark When Silence Sings by Sarah Loudin Thomas is a powerful Christian historical novel set in 1930. Some details are factual, around which the author has woven her story. The main focus of the novel is an ancient feud, sparked by jealousy of the gifts from God. It is Old Testament stuff […]
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Two Years before the Mast by Richard Henry Dana
Published 180 years ago, Two Years before the Mast remains a vivid portrait of 19th-century seafaring in early America. Two Years before the Mast by Richard Henry Dana. Harper and Brothers, 1840; several editions since. Reading Level: Teen/Adult, 18-up Recommended for: ages 16-up Note: Two Years before the Mast is a recommended title in our 2020 “Hope on the Horizon” Summer Reading Challenge. In August 1834, a 19-year-old Bostonian stowed his sea chest on a brig (two-masted sailing ship) called Pilgrim, bound for California. This in itself was nothing unusual: plenty of New-Englanders took to the sea, but few had the pedigree of this young man. His family almost went…
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Music From Another World by Robin Talley
Grounded In Fact Music From Another World by Robin Talley is a powerful historical young adult novel set over 1977 and 1978. It is a novel of discovery, protest and finding your way in the world. The novel follows two fifteen year old female pen-pals – it starts as a school project but becomes a […]
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Library’s Most Wanted
Libby intends to round up all the offending library users for crimes of mistreating library resources, but the cost of her vigilance is high. Library’s Most Wanted by Carolyn Leiloglou, illustrated by Sarah Pogue. Pelican, 2020, 32 pages. Reading Level: Ages 4-8 Recommended for: Ages 4-8 Libby loves helping her aunt in the library and is particularly protective of the books. Wearing authentic, authoritative cowgirl gear and a sheriff’s badge, she takes her responsibility seriously, confronting offenders who mistreat the collection. When she publicizes her accusations, the cost is higher than Libby realized. Is her primary job to take care of the books? Or help the patrons? Is there a…
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When I Lost My Way by Jennifer Rodewald
Here Is Love Vast As The Ocean When I Lost My Way by Jennifer Rodewald is a powerful contemporary Christian novel about the vastness of God’s love. The love within the novel is based on the love in 1 Corinthians: 13 – love is patient, kind and never gives up. Jennifer Rodewald has written about […]
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Toto The Wizard Of Oz as told by the dog by Michael Morpurgo
Home Is Best Toto The Wizard Of Oz as told by the dog by Michael Morpurgo is a delightful children’s tale about the familiar Wizard Of Oz but as seen by Toto. It is refreshingly unique. I adore the film with Judy Garland and was very keen to read this novel. The book certainly did […]
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Lost in the Pacific, 1942: Not a Drop to Drink by Tod Olson
8 men struggle to survive when they’re lost at sea in this “drama in real life” story for middle grades. Lost in the Pacific, 1942: Not a Drop to Drink (Lost #1) by Tod Olson. Scholastic, 2016. 176 pages. Reading Level: Middle grades, ages 10-12 Recommended For: Middle grades (ages 8-12) and up NOTE: Lost in the Pacific is a featured book in our Summer Reading Challenge, “Hope on the Horizon.” In 1942, the Pacific Ocean was a dangerous place to be stranded, particularly if a group of Americans was anywhere near Asia. And yet, that is precisely what happened: a group of men flying an urgent mission of encouragement to…
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Taking Chances by Melody Carlson
Instruments Of Grace Taking Chances by Melody Carlson is a perfect contemporary Christian novel for girls aged nine and over. It is the fourth book in the Being Zoey series. I am considerably older than the target market but am enjoying the series. There are godly lessons for us all to learn, no matter how […]
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The Garden Of Lost And Found by Harriet Evans
The Nightingale Sings The Garden Of Lost And Found by Harriet Evans is the most beautiful historical and contemporary epic novel that will ‘speak’ to your heart and soul. The novel follows the generations of a family from 1880-1918 and then in present day. The bonds between a granddaughter and a grandmother are strong, surviving […]
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The Silver Sword by Ian Serraillier
Deliverance The Silver Sword by Ian Serrailler is a powerful children’s historical classic written in 1956. It is a book that must be read so that the past is not forgotten. The novel is set during World War II in occupied Europe, beginning in Warsaw. It follows the fortunes of a group of children with […]
