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Zap by Martha Freeman
A days-long power outage is the premise for Zap, a STEM-based, character-driven novel for middle graders. Zap by Martha Freeman. Simon & Schuster, 2018, 288 pages. Reading Level: Middle grades, ages 10-12 Recommended for: ages 10-14, especially boys Luis is interested in science and likes to find out stuff. His best friend Maura—make that his ex-bf, even though they’re still friends—is interested in science and likes to explain stuff. That’s one reason why she’s an ex: it gets a little irritating sometimes. When the power goes down in their New Jersey town, both are looking for answers. At first it’s just an inconvenience. But as the days pass and order…
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The Author’s Mission: Gary Schmidt
One question every author gets, sometimes several times a day: Where do you get your ideas? I had the happy opportunity to sit in on a presentation by Gary Schmidt and chat with him later, and while I didn’t ask the question, I got loads of material for an answer. Speaking of questions: he began his presentation with the true story of creature-in-distress in San Francisco Bay. The distress call sent by a ship’s captain failed to mention the type of creature it was, so when three men from the Humane Society set out in their 8-foot rubber dinghy they were stunned to encounter a 40-foot whale! With determination, ingenuity,…
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Welcome to Paradise: A Leap of Faith
Welcome to Paradise: A Leap of Faith Transitions in life are inevitable. The film Welcome to Paradise tells us the story of preacher Debbie. A widow with a teenage son, Hayden. She described his son as having difficulty coping since his father’s death. Bishop Jim misinterpreted her attitude as arrogance. She disrobed at the pulpit during church service one time that displeased the bishop further. He took that incident as a way to send her off to a small community church in Paradise. These scenes showed us how one false move can lead to different consequences. These events affected Debbie’s job and her son’s disposition towards the aftermath of moving…
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Molokai: Father Damien’s Selfless Devotion
Molokai: Father Damien’s Selfless Devotion Molokai, a small isolated isle in Hawaii. This film dramatically presented the struggles of Father Damien who volunteered to minister to the lepers in exile. This story took place during the late 1800s. During that time, people with leprosy are outcast of society. Father Damien knew he could acquire the disease and yet, he accepted his mission with an open heart. His dedication towards his vocation made him go further lengths when it comes to serving the people regardless of their condition. Upon his arrival at the island, a Lutheran gentleman warned him of the situation. They’re doing everything to prevent the spread of the disease. He…
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Remember Me by Marion Ueckermann
New Every Morning Remember Me by Marion Ueckermann is a delightful Christian romance that will warm your heart. It is the first book in the Chapel Cove Romance series and I cannot wait for the subsequent books. There are always opportunities to return to God, no matter how far we have wandered.
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*The Wednesday Wars by Gary D. Schmidt
Holling Hoodhood comes to appreciate more than Shakespeare in this humorous historical fiction middle school novel. Starred review for The Wednesday Wars! *The Wednesday Wars by Gary D. Schmidt. Clarion, 2007 (Newbery Honor). 272 pages. Reading Level: Middle grades, ages 10-12 Recommended For: Ages 10 and up, particularly 12-13 year olds The Wednesday Wars Toads, beetles, bats! His Jewish classmates are off early to the synagogue on Wednesday afternoons; his Catholic classmates to church. Holling Hoodhood, a Presbyterian, is forced to read Shakespeare and clap erasers for his teacher, Mrs. Baker, who clearly hates his guts. Every single Wednesday afternoon for the entire school year. After school, Holling dodges Doug…
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The Adventures of Chris Fable: A Boy’s Symbolic Quest
The Adventures of Chris Fable: A Boy’s Symbolic Quest The Adventures of Chris Fable is an imaginative film that tells the story of a runaway boy named Chris who lives on thieving for a Fagin-like character Iggy. The preacher Evangeline caught him pilfering inside the church and held him to return the candlesticks. She mentioned The Bible as the most important book, so he took it along with other books he got in his bag. Iggy says that books are worthless and he wanted metals only. He serves a master called the prince and the children in the junkyard were all his servants. Chris had a nightmare that there…
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The Interlude by Lin Stepp
Delightful The Interlude by Lin Stepp is the most delightful contemporary Christian novel and part of the Smokey mountain series. I loved it. The Interlude is a book that you do not so much read as experience. I longed to jump inside its pages. With full descriptions Lin Stepp paints pictures of both landscape and […]
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Claire At Edisto by Lin Stepp
Do Your Best And Trust God For The Rest Claire At Edisto by Lin Stepp is the most delightful and heart-warming Christian tale that will leave you smiling. It is the first book in the Edisto trilogy and I cannot wait for the next two books. This is a beautiful family novel that deals with […]
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A Very Austen Valentine by Various
Filling In The Gaps A Very Austen Valentine is a delightful collection of six tales that are woven around Jane Austen’s Pride And Prejudice and Persuasion. Tales one and six have the characters from Persuasion. Tales one to five are based around Pride And Prejudice. Pride And Prejudice is my all time favourite novel so […]
