I absolutely loved this book. I was Wilda in first grade. My friend played on the swings, slides, and monkey bars while I sat against a tree and read.I absolutely loved this book. I was Wilda in first grade. My friend played on the swings, slides, and monkey bars while I sat against a tree and read. I preferred reading over everything else. This type of book should be in every kindergarten through second-grade classroom. It shows how some people value reading over everything else. It also shows that it is okay to be that person. This would also make an excellent mentor text when teaching alliteration to students. The story flows naturally, making it easier for children to pick up on. I loved the illustrations. My favorite was the picture of the children looking at Wilda reading, their mouths open in awe or surprise. Definitely, a book I will recommend to my friends who have younger children. ...more
I don't know how many times I hear my students wish they were someone else, or looked different. This story is just like their's. Chippy is a chocolatI don't know how many times I hear my students wish they were someone else, or looked different. This story is just like their's. Chippy is a chocolate chip cookie who wishes he was a brownie. In his mind if he was a brownie the other chippies wouldn't laugh at him and he wouldn't feel so alone. His teacher Mrs. Chipster invites him over to her house and presents him with a costume to try on. It is a brownie costume. As he looks at himself in the mirror he discovers it is what is inside and not on the outside that matters. What a wonderful story. I received a copy to facilitate my review. The opinions expressed here are my own....more
Platavia was built on top of a mountain to keep the people safe. But, the people had more to fear than trolls and ogres. Their king was evil, he took Platavia was built on top of a mountain to keep the people safe. But, the people had more to fear than trolls and ogres. Their king was evil, he took what he wanted and made so many laws the people feared him and were afraid they would do something that would break a law. Read to find out how a young carpenter named Juliette makes something for the King that in the end will help the people win their freedom.
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Platavia was built on top of a mountain to keep the people safe. But, the people had more to fear than trolls and ogres. Their king was evil, he took what he wanted and made so many laws the people feared him and were afraid they would do something that would break a law. Read to find out how a young carpenter named Juliette makes something for the King that in the end will help the people win their freedom....more
I loved this sequel to Second Chance Inn. I have known a few Amish people who were shunned by family and friends because they chose a different path. I loved this sequel to Second Chance Inn. I have known a few Amish people who were shunned by family and friends because they chose a different path. I know this is a part of their faith, but I always wondered how they would feel if God shunned them because they did something he didn’t agree with.
Rachel is having a tough time. She is fresh home from the hospital and is really unable to do much. She came back to a disaster. Dishes have been piling up in the sink. Laundry is sky high. It really isn’t because her daughter just didn’t care. It is because her daughter was trying to help keep the farm running and trying to keep things running smoothly in the Inn. All Rachel can do is pray that God will provide. He does just that when Emma shows up. She has been shunned by her family, her car has broken down. She has no money and doesn’t know what to do. Lucky for her she broke down near “The Second Chance Inn”. She wonders if God is giving her a second chance. Emma contacts three of her friends, Like Emma they don’t fit into the Amish or the English world. These young men are also give a place to stay and food for the night.
Rachel awakes from a dream and asks God for confirmation, so she will know his will, and she gets it. It becomes clear that the Inn is to be a place of refuge for those like the young kids she has just taken in. She and Samuel had the same dream. The burden is lightened with the help of the three young men and Emma.
There is so much more in this book. The characters are well developed. Whether you are a Christian or not you will enjoy this book. The author has created characters who have real trials like we do. She doesn’t put them in a fake Amish world where everything just turns up roses. What she does is shows what happens when the two worlds collide. She has shown realistic issues that show up and take them on a rollercoaster ride. She shows that our faith can get us through even the most terrible of trials. This is a must read. If you have not read her first book, “Second Chance Inn.” You really must read it. I am looking forward to the next book in this series. I really need to see what happens and how God answers their prayers....more
This is a great book to share with toddles. There is lots of repetition to keep the youngest child engaged. Another great thing about this book is thaThis is a great book to share with toddles. There is lots of repetition to keep the youngest child engaged. Another great thing about this book is that it can be sung to the tune of “The Farmer in the Dell.” This is a fun way to teach children about the farm.
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This is a great book to share with toddles. There is lots of repetition to keep the youngest child engaged. Another great thing about this book is that it can be sung to the tune of “The Farmer in the Dell.” This is a fun way to teach children about the farm....more
I love reading a book where it is written in layers. In this story we find things out one layer at a time. It added such depth to the story and made iI love reading a book where it is written in layers. In this story we find things out one layer at a time. It added such depth to the story and made it a compelling read. I had to ask myself what I would do for my kids. Would I risk my marriage and my own freedom? I would like to think I would. I think most parents feel that way. There were so many messages the reader could take away from this book. Messages about being truthful no matter what the cost. The message that child abuse is never okay and should be dealt with. I know this is easier said than done. Trust was a big part of this book. Catherine/Robin’s lack of trust, or fear of trusting completely. This book touched some tender spots in my own life which made it a compelling read as well as a hard read.
Catherine the main character is facing every parent’s nightmare. Her son’s leukemia is killing him. Without a bone marrow transplant he will die. The best chances for a match is through family. This is where the story gets really interesting. Catherine must face her past if she wants to have a chance at saving her son. This is a past so horrific that she fled twenty years before, legally changed her name and moved on with life. Throughout the telling of this story as we learn about her past she paints herself as weak. We the reader can draw on how much strength it took to leave. The guilt over the years has eat her up. Her father, a drunk died in a house fire. She watched him burn. She did nothing to save him. There is no guilt about that because the family secrets died with him. However, after searching the house and making sure her brother was not there she runs away. Fear of being arrested for not helping is one of those issues. She carries the guilt of having never located her brother and then changing her name and moving on. Then we learn of a son born nineteen years earlier. She must contact him and try to find her brother if she has a chance of saving her son. When she locates her brother her guilt comes back double. Her marriage is in jeopardy because she had to tell her husband about her past to try to find her family. He reacted the way she thought he would. She no longer cares about the consequences of possibly being arrested for her father’s death. She is spurred on by her son’s dire situation. Then she meets Her brother’s wife and daughter. Can this small child save them all? I really wanted to leave this with so many questions that anyone reading this review would have to read the book to find the answers. I sat and read this book from cover to cover. I just could not put it down. It was absolutely awesome. I received a copy to facilitate my review. The opinions expressed here are my own.
Merged review:
I love reading a book where it is written in layers. In this story we find things out one layer at a time. It added such depth to the story and made it a compelling read. I had to ask myself what I would do for my kids. Would I risk my marriage and my own freedom? I would like to think I would. I think most parents feel that way. There were so many messages the reader could take away from this book. Messages about being truthful no matter what the cost. The message that child abuse is never okay and should be dealt with. I know this is easier said than done. Trust was a big part of this book. Catherine/Robin’s lack of trust, or fear of trusting completely. This book touched some tender spots in my own life which made it a compelling read as well as a hard read.
Catherine the main character is facing every parent’s nightmare. Her son’s leukemia is killing him. Without a bone marrow transplant he will die. The best chances for a match is through family. This is where the story gets really interesting. Catherine must face her past if she wants to have a chance at saving her son. This is a past so horrific that she fled twenty years before, legally changed her name and moved on with life. Throughout the telling of this story as we learn about her past she paints herself as weak. We the reader can draw on how much strength it took to leave. The guilt over the years has eat her up. Her father, a drunk died in a house fire. She watched him burn. She did nothing to save him. There is no guilt about that because the family secrets died with him. However, after searching the house and making sure her brother was not there she runs away. Fear of being arrested for not helping is one of those issues. She carries the guilt of having never located her brother and then changing her name and moving on. Then we learn of a son born nineteen years earlier. She must contact him and try to find her brother if she has a chance of saving her son. When she locates her brother her guilt comes back double. Her marriage is in jeopardy because she had to tell her husband about her past to try to find her family. He reacted the way she thought he would. She no longer cares about the consequences of possibly being arrested for her father’s death. She is spurred on by her son’s dire situation. Then she meets Her brother’s wife and daughter. Can this small child save them all? I really wanted to leave this with so many questions that anyone reading this review would have to read the book to find the answers. I sat and read this book from cover to cover. I just could not put it down. It was absolutely awesome. I received a copy to facilitate my review. The opinions expressed here are my own....more
The setting in this story is phenomenal. The way the main character describes the forest before a large part was cut down gives the feeling that you aThe setting in this story is phenomenal. The way the main character describes the forest before a large part was cut down gives the feeling that you are out in nature. I love the main character Beanie, a Native American woman. She lives in the woods with her dog, a basset hound named Crusher. She is not happy that the woods around her is being destroyed. However, there is a bigger problem. While baby-sitting her daughter’s dog Calamity she takes the dogs for a walk in the woods. She makes a horrific discovery. One of the men cutting down the tree’s found chained to a tree and he has an arrow in his neck. She doesn’t want the local Native Americans being blamed for this. The sheriff likes to crack jokes that tend to be a little racial.
The book is well written and the plot line flows so smoothly. I guessed throughout the entire thing as to who the murderer truly was. This is a well written mystery. This is the fifth book in her series and I ha e decided I must definitely read the other books in the series. This is a book I highly recommend. I received a copy to facilitate my review. The opinions expressed here are my own.
Merged review:
The setting in this story is phenomenal. The way the main character describes the forest before a large part was cut down gives the feeling that you are out in nature. I love the main character Beanie, a Native American woman. She lives in the woods with her dog, a basset hound named Crusher. She is not happy that the woods around her is being destroyed. However, there is a bigger problem. While baby-sitting her daughter’s dog Calamity she takes the dogs for a walk in the woods. She makes a horrific discovery. One of the men cutting down the tree’s found chained to a tree and he has an arrow in his neck. She doesn’t want the local Native Americans being blamed for this. The sheriff likes to crack jokes that tend to be a little racial.
The book is well written and the plot line flows so smoothly. I guessed throughout the entire thing as to who the murderer truly was. This is a well written mystery. This is the fifth book in her series and I ha e decided I must definitely read the other books in the series. This is a book I highly recommend. I received a copy to facilitate my review. The opinions expressed here are my own....more
If you are a teacher or a homeschooling parent and don't know how to teach your children the important skills of writing based on real-world experiencIf you are a teacher or a homeschooling parent and don't know how to teach your children the important skills of writing based on real-world experiences, then this is the book you need. Kelly is a wealth of knowledge in this area. His students are taught from the first day that writing is very important in his class. There are nine chapters in this book. One of my favorites was the chapter called Express and Reflect. I have been a reflective writer for years. I have had my students reflect on their work. I never considered teaching them the difference between expressive writing and reflective writing. Throughout the book he makes it clear that you need to demonstrate with the kids what you are trying to teach them. Show them that you too make mistakes in writing and that writing is hard, but reachable. The book is full of not only his examples, but also student examples. We as a teacher get to see his teaching method throughout the book. I have read this book at least three times. I learn something new every single time. I recommend all teachers take a look at this book....more
Christopher Francis is one of my all time favorite authors. Whether he is writing for the younger reader or young adults, his books always have some sChristopher Francis is one of my all time favorite authors. Whether he is writing for the younger reader or young adults, his books always have some sort of lesson to be learned. As a teacher of middle grade students I often see bullying at its worst. It isn't just the name calling, and physical kind of bullying. Even worse is the bullying that degrades a person by ignoring them or leaving them out so they feel as if they are nothing. We see more of that in middle grades. At the end of his book he has a game called stand up. This is important not just for the youngest children, but for all ages. When I teach about the holocaust, I do something similar called "walk the line". We have to reach these kids when they are young. If we don't the consequences show up when they are adults. This is a very important book that I highly recommend....more
Like always, the author has created a story full of mystery, suspense and history. In this book we have are usual cast of characters. Nathan, the younLike always, the author has created a story full of mystery, suspense and history. In this book we have are usual cast of characters. Nathan, the young teen turned detective. He was left a unique bookcase by his father. That bookcase has helped him solve several mysteries, helped him find several treasures and almost gotten him killed more times than he could count. His best friend Gina is always in on the capers. After one too many close calls her parents have forbid her to see Nathan at all. It doesn't matter they live right down the street from each other. In this story we are taken on a journey that is very personal to Nathan. He learns that his grandfather was murdered. He also learns about a group his grandfather had created to help those in need. He called them the facilitators. This time he has been assigned someone to protect him. He teaches him defensive moves, how to move quickly and plan for any contingency. He helps him with strength training. However, none of that will stop someone from using him to try to get what they want, no matter what the consequences are to him. I read the book in two days. I didn't want to stop, but had to find time to sleep. This is by far one of the best of his books in this series. I really enjoy the amount of historical information he gives at the end of the book. I think the historical research he does to make sure there is accuracy in his books is one of the major delights for me. Each book shows the main character growing and maturing in natural ways. The progression along with the pacing of the book makes the reader not want to put the book down. He always ties it up neatly, yet at the same time he leaves something or someone in the book that we were introduced to unfinished. It always leaves you wondering, "But what about....?" Then he finishes off the book with a taste of the next book in the series. This is and always had been one of my favorite series. It all began with the very first book, "The Case of Secrets." If you have not read any of this series you need to get out there and do so. Now to pass this one on to my grandson who loves this series....more
This is a great book to read with your child when they are expecting a new sibling. The story is written so that each page has one line. This makes thThis is a great book to read with your child when they are expecting a new sibling. The story is written so that each page has one line. This makes the book easy for kids to follow along. The story line follows a young girl who is a new big sister. It shows how she interacts with her new sibling. It shows how they do a lot of the same things and she even helps out. The pictures as always are bright and simple....more
Frankie, Eddie and their mom have just moved into a run-down house. On the second day there Frankie sees and hears something. Lucy and Frederick are tFrankie, Eddie and their mom have just moved into a run-down house. On the second day there Frankie sees and hears something. Lucy and Frederick are two ghosts who inhabit the house. Some people when they die are tethered to a house for some unknown reason. That is why Lucy and Frederick are still here. After Frankie and Eddie begin to see Lucy they set off trying to figure out why she and Frederick are still stuck in the house. This was a short story, but none the less a great story. I love short stories because the author has to have what I call tight writing. They have to tell a story as well as any novel in a shorter amount of words. This author is one I am looking forward to reading more of their work. Excellent job....more
Marie Fortune is nothing like her name. In just a few short hours, she quit her job, got rid of her two-timing boyfriend and received a call from poliMarie Fortune is nothing like her name. In just a few short hours, she quit her job, got rid of her two-timing boyfriend and received a call from police that they had found your great-aunt June dead in her house. Fortune had nothing to do with her day. June packs a bag and head up to Point Bliss. Her one hope at that time is that whoever ends up with her aunt’s house will let her have one last walk through. At her great-aunt’s funeral a lawyer approaches her. He hands her three envelopes. The first one informs her that she is the new oner of her aunt’s house. The second one informs her that her aunt left her a surprise. The surprise ends up being a dog named Boo. The third envelop contains the keys to the house. After spending a night in the house Marie decided to make her childhood dream a reality. She will turn her grandmother’s house into a bed and breakfast. The first customer she has booked arrives only to realize they booked the wrong place. The second call she gets is someone looking for a place in the area because of a job he has. Brendan Peck is a paranormal investigator. He is investigating a nearby lighthouse. On a tour of the bed and breakfast he is videotaping a couple of areas and finds what seems to be a ghostly appearance. Overly eager, he posts the video to Twitter and it goes viral. The calls start pouring in. This includes a call from Alfred Ryker. He is known around the world for debunking paranormal activities. After filming all night he comes down and informs Marie he has proof to debunk the ghost in her place. Later that day he is murdered. Who would kill him and why? This book was absolutely awesome. So much so I bought the rest of the series to read. It was a great murder mystery. There were some ghostly elements along the way. I loved her dog Boo. He has an important role in this book. It kept me guessing all the way through. I literally sat and read in in three hours. So good. I love when I find a new to me author and can recommend them to others. ...more
It has been over thirty years since I read this book. I decided to purchase and reread it again today. This is the story of a young girl who was an inIt has been over thirty years since I read this book. I decided to purchase and reread it again today. This is the story of a young girl who was an infant when the United States dropped the atom bomb on Hiroshima. So many people died. Worse yet were those who developed leukemia years later. Sadako was one of them. She loved to run. She had a dream of making the running team when she got to Junior High. Instead of running, she found herself in the hospital battling leukemia. Her best friend brought her a golden origami crane. She had made it based on the story they had been told about a person making a thousand paper cranes, then they will get well. I am sixty-six at this reading. I was so touched at the message in this book. It is a message of hope and never giving up. It is a message of reaching for your dreams. The author was inspired to write this story for the kids in America. She based it on the biography of Sadako's life written by her classmates and published. I enjoyed rereading this book so much that I will make sure that I have a copy on my shelves at school. I want to reintroduce one of the most inspirational books I have ever read to a new generation of students....more
This is actually a reread for me. I read this book the first time in 2009. However, it has remained one of my favorites all these years. Yesterday I rThis is actually a reread for me. I read this book the first time in 2009. However, it has remained one of my favorites all these years. Yesterday I reviewed three short stories that are all like prequels to this book. This book at its very basic is about hope. Hope that things will get better in a society filled with the “unconsecrated”, or what we know as Zombies. There is no real telling of how whatever happened began. What was it that started turning people into zombies? One thing is for sure. If bitten by one you have two choices. You can ask to be killed or wait and be turned into a zombie as well. Mary is one of the main characters in the story. She is in love with a boy named Travis. Henry is Travis’ brother and is in love with Mary. He is helping her one day as she goes to the river to wash her family’s clothes. The alarms begin to go off. Since Henry’s dad is in charge of the alarms and there was not a drill scheduled, they know it is serious. Mary realizes her mother has gotten too close to the fence looking for her husband and she has been bitten. She is isolated until she dies and Mary is held in a cell for a week to make sure she isn’t infected. The next time they hear the alarm go off it is because the infected have managed to break through the fences. Mary, her brother and his wife and Travis and Henry all escape into the woods. However, things don’t go the way they want. All Mary wants is to see if what her mother told her is true, that there is really is an ocean out there somewhere. This is a book about hope, love, survival and reaching for your dreams. It is one I am glad I reread. I still have these books on my shelves at school ready for me to recommend to all of my students this next year. ...more
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