The Avid Reading Mom

Rosa’s Land is the story of Lafayette Riordan, the youngest of three sons.  He longs for adventure yet, due to his gentle upbringing, he is more suited to be a scholar and artist.  “Faye” as his family calls him, dreams of adventure and wants to earn a coveted position as a part of Judge Isaac Parker’s very famous team of marshals.  One day Faye tires of his simple life and sets out on a journey of discovery, secretly learning to ride and shoot so he can join the marshals. 

Rosa Ramirez is a young lady who lives with her grandfather on his ranch.  Their number one task to to keep the land safe from outlaws that are constantly raiding.  After a tragedy occurs during a raid by the outlaws, Rosa takes it upon herself to seek out Judge Isaac Parker and demands a marshal to stay on the ranch and help them run off the outlaws.  Rosa gets more than she bargained for as she rides back to the ranch with Faye.

The story continues with Faye moving from a “greenhorn” marshal to taking down one of the most famous outlaws, and grows up in many ways.  When his family visits, they are surprised at the man that Faye has become.  Can Faye and Rosa save the ranch from outlaws?  Can Rosa learn to trust Faye? 

I love Gilbert Morris.  I grew up devouring the Winslow Series and Cheney Duvall, M.D. as well as other books from Gilbert Morris.  While this book was good, I had a hard time reading this book.  The other books I have read by Morris have “meat” to them and the story lines kept my attention from the first chapter through the last.  This one, while good reading, was very shallow and unbelievable at times. The story starts with a large amount of unnecessary information on Faye’s father and brothers, and Faye isn’t mentioned right away.  Rosa, the title character, isn’t even mentioned until about one-third of the way into the book.  Faye and Rosa don’t even meet until almost half way through then their story speeds through to the ending. 

While it wasn’t my favorite read by Gilbert Morris, I will continue to read his books.  He is an amazing author and great storyteller.  Book Two in this series, Sabrina’s Man is set to release December 2013.  I am hoping that book will be a better read.

Thank you to NetGalley for my free copy of Rosa’s Land, which I received in exchange for an honest review.

Though My Heart Is Torn takes us on the continuing journey into the lives of Gideon and Lonnie.  Forced together in a shot-gun wedding, after one fateful night, their lives take twists and turn that leave the reader wanting more.  Book One, Be Still My Soul, is the beginning story of Gideon and Lonnie.  I would suggest that you read that book first or you will be lost.  The second book picks up where the story left off.

In Though My Heart Is Torn, begins with a very happy and content Gideon and Lonnie and they are raising their son in the Blue Grass Mountains, along side an amazing couple who mentors them through their challenges.  Yet, things will not stay happy for long, as Lonnie receives a letter from her family that takes them back to the Appalachian Mountains and a series of events that turns their lives upside down.  As Gideon is forced to deal with choices he made in the past, Lonnie is left reeling from those decisions.  She begins to wrestle with trusting God and that Gideon was the man for her, yet her love for Gideon never wavers.  As she returns to the Blue Grass Mountains and her home there, she is faced with a new love and new opportunities.  Can she forget about Gideon while raising their son?  Will Gideon settle into his new life and forget about Lonnie and his son?  What does the future hold for them as their tread through these new waters?

Again, Joanne did not disappoint.  This continuing story of Gideon and Lonnie left me turning page and page and not being able to put it down.  Their heart-wrenching story left me with a lump in my throat and tears in my eyes several times, yet I couldn’t put it down.  You will be drawn into the lives of Gideon and Lonnie and they will become like a second family to you as you read.  The underlying faith in God is what keeps Gideon and Lonnie continuing toward the future that God has planned for them.
Most times, middle books are just that, middle books.  They are like bridges that link the first book to the ending.  Usually a middle book is forgettable or you find yourself trudging through them just so you can say you read it and can be prepared for the final book.  Not so with this one.  I actually enjoyed this book, as much or even a little more than the first one.  Book Three, My Hope Is Found, releases in October and I am anxiously awaiting it already!

Rush out, get book one and two, read them…you will be so glad you did!!!  I can’t recommend an author or a series more than I do this one.  It will not disappoint!

Thank you to Waterbrook Multnomah’s Blogging for Books program for my free copy of Though My Heart Is Torn, which I received in exchange for an honest review.


 

Be Still My Soul is a beautiful story of mercy, grace, love and forgiveness.  The story begins with shy Lonnie who lives in a home in the Appalachian Mountains in the early 1900’s.  Daily, she suffers the effects of an abusive father, yet, through it all, she holds tight to her faith in her Lord.  One night, Lonnie is left on her own to walk home through the dark woods.  She is escorted home by the very handsome Gideon…and that one night changed their lives forever.  Through a series of events, can Gideon learn to love the woman he is forced to marry?  Can Lonnie help Gideon find a love for her and for the Lord?  Will Gideon stay with her during their life journey?

This book kept me up almost all night just reading “one more chapter”.  This is Joanne Bischof’s very first novel and it is written very well.  I couldn’t put it down.  It left me wanting more and more.  The trials and joys that Gideon and Lonnie face are true to the times and their reactions are what kept me wanting more.  Joanne has a way of writing that makes the reader understand how harsh the lives were in the setting and time period of this story.  Joanne’s keen sense of details and emotional writing had me in tears as the book ended. 

As you near the end of this story, you will be left with the knowledge that forgiveness can be had, love will grow, but things are not always as they seem.  The ending will leave you wanting to know more about the lives of Gideon and Lonnie.  The next book in the series, Though My Heart Is Torn, is already available. 
I highly recommend this series to everyone.  It is definitely toward the top of my all time favorite stories.  You will not be disappointed.

Thank you to Waterbrook Multnomah’s Blogging for Books program for my free copy of Be Still My Soul, which I received in exchange for an honest review.

I received this book free on my Kindle and decided to read it.  Michal, the first book in The Wives of Kind David series by Jill Eileen Smith was hard for me to read.  I had a hard time getting into the book.  Toward the middle it picked up a little but I struggled to finish it.  Sadly, this was not a book I would reread or highly recommend.  I decided to go ahead and review it in hopes someone else might find this review helpful…but please, give the book a try.  Several of my friends loved the book and gave it 5 stars, so you never know.

This book takes us behind the scenes into the palace of King Saul.  We get a glimpse, through the eyes of Michal, what it was like for her to grow up as a child of King Saul.  Her life was difficult.  She and her older sister were constantly vying for the attention and affection of those around them.  Michal also saw herself as the protector of her mother against an angry king.  Once David enters the picture, we see Michal begin to be drawn to him and trying to become his wife.  We also see the relationship between David and Jonathan develop.  In the end, Michal is left struggling with questions as to the purpose of her life.  Will she find her answers through David or in the God of David?

I don’t know why, but every time I read a novel about King David, I find myself not liking him very much.  I am sure every author does not intend for that to happen.  He comes across as very arrogant and the way he just flippantly discards one wife for another throughout his life, really makes me dislike him.  I know this is how it happened in the time of the Bible, but his disregard for the feelings of his wives and the reasons behind why he continually takes new wives is dishonorable.  What I found sad throughout this book was how David tended to blame Michal for the fierceness of his love for her.  After discarding her during tough times and taking more wives, she remains true to him yet he blames her for the bad in his life. 

Michal, on the other hand, is a woman who is so in love with a man that she can’t see how bad he is treating her.  She loves David with everything in her and stays true to him until the end, even when given to another man.  The author did a great job in portraying King Saul and his madness and how it affected the life of Michal throughout his life on earth and after he died.

I found myself loving Jonathan.  The man was a true man of God who would stop at nothing to be true to his friend, brother and the chosen man for Israel and the throne, no matter the cost.  Jonathan also loved his sister and wanted the best for her.  He had a fierce devotion to his family and the rightful King of Israel.  I was saddened, even though I knew it was coming, when Jonathan died.  I wish his life would have been extended. 

I tried really hard to stay engaged in this story.  I do not think it was the fault of the author, I just think it was the story in and of itself.  Michal was such a deep person who loved with everything she had and never quite received back what she gave.  I found myself feeling sorry for her and wishing more for her in the end.  While I did not fully enjoy the book, I would recommend it to anyone who likes to read accounts from the Bible in a novel format.

In book two of the Amish Vines and Orchards series by Cindy Woodsmall, The Winnowing Season, we see a continuation of the story of Rhoda, Samuel, Jacob, Leah and Landon.

In this book, we pick up right where book one (A Season for Tending) left off…with the characters preparing to move to Maine after a disaster leaves their current farm in need of too much repair.  Right from the beginning, the story gets the reader hooked.  Rhoda again struggles with choices that she made due to her gift, Samuel is trying to sort out his feelings and Jacob is still trying to recover from the demons that have followed him back from his time away from the Amish.  Leah is also trying to make some hard life decisions and Landon is beginning to have feelings for her.

Several questions can be asked as readers continue through this story.  Samuel has finally recognized what he wants but is it too late?  Jacob and Rhoda continue their relationship, but will his personal demons destroy what they have?  Leah loves her family, but will she give it all up for a life among the English?  Will Rhoda begin to understand the voices that keep haunting her?  Will there be a happy ending for everyone?

Like book one (A Season for Tending), this book leaves you hanging and asking more questions then getting answers.  I was hooked right from the beginning and couldn’t put this book down.  Cindy Woodsmall has such an amazing way of bringing the characters to life and drawing the reader into their story.  She leaves you wanting more.  Unfortunately, the next book won’t be available until Fall, 2013.

I highly recommend this book, especially if you love to read Amish Fiction.  You don’t necessarily have to read book one to understand the characters and story line.  Cindy Woodsmall does a fantastic job of “catching” the reader up on the story, but, to not read book one, would be a sad thing.  The story of these characters is so sweet that you don’t want to deny yourself being a part of their lives.  Get book one (A Season for Tending), read it, read book two (The Winnowing Season), and hold on for book three…coming Fall 2013!

Thank you to Waterbrook Multnomah’s Blogging for Books program for my free copy of The Winnowing Season, which I received in exchange for an honest review.

 

Old Order Amish Rhoda owns her own canning business and she has a “special” gift yet she is criticized within her community for using her gift to help others.  Eventually, by using the special gift, she is forced to move away from the family she loves and the community she knows, to start a new life and help a family in need.

Miles away, Samuel, who is the head of the families Orchard business, is forced to look for a new way to make money as the orchard begins to fail.  He is also forced to examine his relationship with his girlfriend as they are tested during this trying time.

Leah is the teenage sister of Samuel who is testing the boundaries of her rumschpringe.  Can Rhoda help her realize she has worth and value within her family and within the life God has placed her in? As the lines between business, love, and family begin to blur, can Rhoda finally open up to a new life? And what effect will this odd, amazing woman have on the entire King family?

This is the first book in Ms. Woodsmall’s “Amish Vines and Orchards”. It is a MUST read!!  I have loved reading Cindy Woodsmall’s Amish stories since I discovered her several years ago.  She has a way of bringing the characters to life as you read through each book page by page.  Her attention to detail and her ability to portray the Amish is fascinating…and this book did not disappoint.  I was hooked from the very second I picked it up and had a hard time putting it down when I had to.  The story is such a sweet story of love, forgiveness, redemption and finding value in who you are as a person.

Cindy Woodsmall gives a clear message that forgiveness is available and change can be made for the better in each of us!  The book is full of secrets, mystery, and fun. I loved this book and could not put it down. It should come with a disclaimer that states this book is hard to put down so start when you have time.   All said and done, I found A Season for Tending very fascinating. I’ve never read a book where the Amish were presented in such an interesting way with so much fun, humor and drama. It was a wonderful discovery. The end got my heart pumping!

I highly recommend A Season For Tending to anyone who enjoys Amish fiction. And to all those don't usually read this genre, I am here to tell you this is not your average Amish fiction, this book is something special, which I definitely encourage you to try!!!

The Winnowing Season (Book 2), should be available in April 2013.

Thank you to Waterbrook Multnomah’s Blogging for Books program for my free copy of A Season for Tending, which I received in exchange for an honest review.

 

How many bad things can happen in your life within a short period of time before you start questioning if they are on purpose?  That is exactly how Jim and Jess feel in this story, Fire Storm, which is written by Mackenzie Dare.

Jim is a fireman who faces dangers every day of his life.  Jess is a stay-at-home mom to a sweet baby girl who has a love for nature and the outdoors.  She also loves her horses and spends time in her barn.  Jim and Jess also have best friends named Wade and Melissa who they spend a lot of time with.

As days go by, more and more bad things keep happening and Jim and Jess begin to piece together that Jess is the target of someone who wants her dead.  The story has a happy ending but not before the killer catches up to Jess.

All in all, this was a good story.  At times, it seemed like the story was dragging on.  There was a couple of places where it could have ended and still been a wonderful story.  In the end, salvation comes to those who need it and love and forgiveness are shown.

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a contemporary love story.  The characters are wonderful and you really begin to fall in love with each one.  The story lines are fantastic and well written.  I would say, just persevere when it starts to drag on, it picks up toward the end and then you can’t stop reading it.  I enjoyed it very much. 

I would rate this book 3.5 stars!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the author.  I was not required to write a positive review.  The opinions I have expressed are my own.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Every person harbors secrets.  Those secrets can, often times, be the cause of pain, heartache, spiritual and emotional damage.  In Not A Sparrow Falls by Linda Nichols, she explores the dangers that can occur when secrets are kept from those we love.

Mary Bridget Washburn (Bridie) is a girl who is on the run from her ex-boyfriend and from the law.  Her ex-boyfriend is a meth dealer and his life is plummeting out of control.  As Mary’s life spirals out of control she decides to leave the situation she is living in, takes all the money from the house, and goes as far away as she can.  Her journey ends in Alexandria.

Enter Reverend Alasdair MacPherson.  Alasdair is a man of God who, after loosing his wife, has forsaken his family and his church in pursuits he believes God wants him to do.  Bridie is hired by Alasdair’s sister to become the nanny for his 3 children; Samantha who is 13, and the twins Cameron and Bonnie.  Bridie helps Alasdair open up and see how his pursuits are hurting his family and himself.

Samantha, Alasdair’s oldest daughter is hurting.  She lost her mom and her dad is now a workaholic who doesn’t even know she exists.  She is spiraling out of control; she hangs out with the wrong crowd, skips school, and begins stealing, which is where she meets Bridie.  After a desperate plea for help posted on the church bulletin board, Bridie begins to reach out to her and Samantha begins to heal and love again.

In the end, secrets are revealed which bring love and healing to the whole family.  Linda Nichols weaves together an incredible tale of lies, love, and redemption. 

I read this book as part of a book club read for the Christian Fiction Devours group at Goodreads. I really enjoyed reading this story.  At times, the story line seemed to drag on but I kept reading because I was engrossed in the lives of the characters.  As you experience life through the eyes of Bridie and Alasdair, you see that God is the God of redemption and forgiveness.  This story shows that nothing can separate you from the love and forgiveness of God.  This story also shows that prayer is the key to happiness in our lives.

I would recommend this book for someone who is going through trials in their life.  It will help them see that God is always there, just a prayer away.

Overall, I give this book 4 out of 5 stars!

The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane is written by Kate DiCamillo and illustrated by Bagram Ibatoulline.  This book is the incredible story of Edward, a very selfish china rabbit who is deeply loved by a girl named Abilene.  One day, while traveling on a boat with Abilene and her family, Edward is lost at sea.  Edward then is taken an a remarkable journey of discovery and he learns how important love is and the need for love in our lives.  One statement in the book really sums up the whole theme of this book": "If you have no intention of loving or being loved, then the whole journey is pointless." (p. 199)

The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane could be classified as historical fiction.  The settings throughout the book take place over several years during the early to mid 1900’s.  According to the textbook, Literature and the Child, on page 17, it explains that historical fiction tells a story set in the past; it portrays events that did or could definitely occur.  The illustrations in this book, though there are very few of them, are very detailed paintings.  The illustrator really took time to get the details correct in every illustration within this book. 

This book is recommended for students ages 7-10 years old.  I would agree with this recommendation, although I do believe students older than 10 would really enjoy reading this remarkable story and would learn a lot through the journey of Edward.  The story line is very easy to follow and the chapters are very short so struggling readers would feel great accomplishment after finishing each chapter.

I think this book would be great to include in a unit study on love, maybe during Valentines Day.  Some activities to include when using this book within your classroom could be:

1.  Have each student choose a different character, major or minor, and draw his or her portrait. The cast of characters should include everyone from Edward to the crows in the garden. Label each drawing with a paragraph describing the character and his or her relationship to Edward.

2.  Throughout Edward’s journey, there are folks who are kind to Edward, some who love him, some who are indifferent, and others who are downright cruel. Make a chart of these characters and discuss their differences.

3.  Throughout his journey, Edward Tulane yearns to go home, which he considers to be Egypt Street. And yet he spends many happy years with people who take him in and give him new homes. Make a list of things that mean home to you.

READER RESPONSE QUESTIONS:
1.  Why does Pellegrina tell the story about a princess who loves no one and is turned into a warthog by a witch to Abilene and Edward?

2.  What are some of the life lessons Edward learns on his journey, through good times and bad?

3.  How and why do all adults (except Abilene’s sharp-eyed grandmother, Pellegrina) condescend, or talk down, to Edward?

4.  Is there a difference between the love Edward receives from Abilene at the beginning of the book and the love he receives from Sarah Ruth?

REFERENCES:
Candlewick Press Teachers Guide on The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane.  Retrieved from http://www.edwardtulane.com/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=Yny-zUwaGF0%3d&tabid=76

DiCamillo, K. (2006). The miraculous journey of edward tulane. (1st ed.). Somerville, MA: Candlewick Press.

Galda, L., Cullinan, B. E., & Sipe, L. R. (2011). Literature and the child. (7th ed. ed.). Belmont: Wadsworth Pub Co.

The Golly Sisters Go West is written by Betsy Byars and illustrated by Sue Truesdell.  The wagon is ready.  The songs and dances are ready.  The horse will not go.  As soon as the horse goes, then the adventures begin.  The Golly sisters, May-May and Rose, encounter some pretty hilarious adventures as they make their way west.  Their story is told in six short stories that will leave you laughing as you turn each page.

The Golly Sisters Go West is one of three books written by Betsy Byars about the hilarious tails of May-May and Rose, two sisters who travel west and have some very hilarious adventures.  According to the textbook, Literature and the Child, on page 17, it explains that historical fiction tells a story set in the past; it portrays events that did or could definitely occur.  It is made up of stories that take place in a certain time or place in the past.  Real historical figures and events can be included in the story.  The illustrations throughout this book are line drawings.  They were drawn to look very cartoonish which goes along with the funny stories. 

The book is recommended for ages 4-8.  It is an I Can Read level 3 book so it is written with larger text and fewer, simple words on each page.  I would agree with this age.  The stories are very easy to read and understand.  They are written in a way that children will realize that the sisters are having some very fun adventures.  The book would be a good book to include on a unit study about settlers in the old west.

When including this book in a classroom unit, I would recommend the following activities:

1.  Have children brainstorm a list of resources they could consult to learn what life was like during this time period. Examples include old newspapers, the Internet, etc. Record responses on chart paper. Use these resources to find
images from this period.  Have students pick out on of the pictures and write a fictional story based on the example they find.  Make sure the students understand to keep the historical setting accurate.

2.  Have students write a seventh adventure to go along with this book.  What new adventure would May-May and Rose encounter had their been a seventh chapter to the book.

READER RESPONSE QUESTIONS:
1.  When and where does the story take place?

2.  How do you know it takes place then?

3.  How do you think the writer knew what life was like during that time period?

4.  How do you think the illustrator knew what life was like during that time period?  Make this answer differ from question #3.

REFERENCES:
Byars, B. (1985). The golly sisters go west. New York, NY: HarperCollins Publishers.

Galda, L., Cullinan, B. E., & Sipe, L. R. (2011). Literature and the child. (7th ed. ed.). Belmont: Wadsworth Pub Co.

I Can Read books classroom activity guide.  Retrieved from http://www.icanread.com/educators/downloadables/icanreadclassroomguide.pdf

Independent Dames: What You Never Knew About the Women and Girls of the American Revolution was written by Laurie Halse Anderson and illustrated by Matt Faulkner.  We have all heard about the amazing men who made a difference in our country during the American Revolution, but, what about the women?  What role did the women play during that time?  Who were these remarkable women?  This book tells about women who played an integral part of the lives of the men during the Revolutionary War.

Independent Dames: What You Never Knew About the Women and Girls of the American Revolution tells the story of real women who were an integral part of the Revolutionary War.  The book begins with a who’s who which gives definitions for words such as parliament, patriots, loyalists, etc.  From that point forward, there is a timeline that runs along the bottom of the pages that begins in 1763 and runs through 1920.  The timeline chronicles the details of our American history and also includes the lives of the women within the pages of this book.  As you can tell from the pictures above, the book is written like a cartoon.  Each page includes a text box with information on the women being discussed then there is a cartoon drawing with word bubbles that put that text box information into simpler terms.  This is a great example of a non-fiction biography and includes a large number of text features that make the book fun to read and engaging.   According to the textbook, Literature and the Child, on page 18, it explains that nonfiction books are informational sources that explain a subject.  It also further explains that biography tells about a real person’s life.  The book concludes with a few additional pages of information on more important women who were part of the war.  It just gives facts about them in regular text writing.

This book is recommended for ages 6 and up.  I think this is a good age to introduce this book to students.  I think it would be an important book to include in a unit study on the Revolutionary War or a unit study on Women Who Made a Difference in our United States.  There are so many things you could do with this book within the classroom.  There are so many different unit ideas that this book would be perfect for.

Some activity ideas I would include when using this book within the classroom would be:

1.  Have students create riddles of the women within the pages of this book.  Have them write their riddles on index cards.  Students will then have the opportunity to share their riddle and see if other students can guess who they wrote their riddle about.

2.  Create a brief introduction about themselves as one of the women discussed. They will give information about a their lives with a focus on their actions during the Revolutionary War. They will also be asked to comment on the feelings they had during this difficult time.

READER RESPONSE QUESTIONS:
1.  How did the contributions of women during the revolution differ from the men?

2.  What kinds of daily jobs or chores did women have then?

3.  How do women support wars today?

4.  How did women affect the economy during the war?

5.  How did women protest and oppose British taxes and actions?

REFERENCES:
Anderson, L. H. (2008). Independent dames: What you never knew about the women and girls of the american revolution.
     New York, NY: Simon & Schuster Books.

Galda, L., Cullinan, B. E., & Sipe, L. R. (2011). Literature and the child. (7th ed. ed.). Belmont: Wadsworth Pub Co.

Teaching American History lesson plan.  Retrieved from http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=4&ved=0CEcQFjAD&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.mrpk.k12.ca.us%2FLinkClick.aspx%3Ffileticket%3DxohCLc_wxSs%253D%26tabid%3D1288%26mid%3D5583&ei=fm8hUYDwJZDa8wSNioCYBA&usg=AFQjCNEWbnIHBiVPjg0vaK3EsHJlJKaK5Q&bvm=bv.42553238,d.eWU&cad=rja

The Frog Prince, Continued was written by Jon Scieszka and illustrated by Steve Johnson.  This story is the continuation of The Princess and the Frog.  Some people may think they know the true ending to the story, but they didn’t live happily ever after.  The princess is tired of the prince’s froggy ways and the prince is tired of the princess always nagging him.  One day he gets fed up and runs away to find his happy ending.  He meets up with three witches along the way who give him advice, but in the end, does the prince get his happy ending?

The Frog Prince, Continued is another great example of a fractured fairy tale based on the story The Princess and the Pea.  According to the textbook, Literature and the Child, on page 15, it explains that folklore, another name for fairy tale, is composed of stories that have been passed down from generation to generation, by word of mouth.  The story has no known author.  Folklore comes in many different forms, including rhymes, fairy tales, fables, and many more.  Fractured fairy tales are explained in further detail on page 198 of the textbook.  It states that many authors have created their own literary fairy tales which are stories patterned after traditional tales.

This story is recommended for ages 6 and up.  I would agree with this.  The story line is fun but some of the illustrations throughout the book are dark and dreary and they might frighten littler children.  The story is written in a really easy way that makes the story easy to understand. 

When including this book into your classroom, I would suggest you include the following activities:

1.  Have students look at each witch that is included in the story.  Ask students to write a description of a horrible witch of their own.  They should describe how she looks and how she behaves.  Then have children draw a portrait of their witch and display the portraits and descriptions around the classroom.

2.  For a science project, break students into three groups.  Have one group research the frog life cycle.  Have another group find out where frogs live and what they eat.  The last group can find out about different kinds of frogs.  Have groups create an informational poster describing their findings.

3.  Have students perform this story by doing a reader’s theater.  Here is a great script for this project.

READER RESPONSE QUESTIONS:
1. What do you think the frog prince’s “worse” thoughts are while he was a carriage?

2. How do you think the princess will feel about being a frog?

3.  How can you change the ending of this book to make it become “happily ever after”?

REFERENCES:
Galda, L., Cullinan, B. E., & Sipe, L. R. (2011). Literature and the child. (7th ed. ed.). Belmont: Wadsworth Pub Co.

Scieszka. (1991). The frog prince, continued. New York, New York: Penguin Group (USA) Incorporated.

The Frog Prince Continued activity guide. Retrieved from http://www.liveoakmedia.com/client/guides/24905.pdf

The Frog Prince website and resources for the classroom.  Retrieved from http://rileycenter.msstate.edu/pdf/frog-prince.pdf

You Forgot Your Skirt, Amelia Bloomer was written by Shana Corey and illustrated by Chesley McLaren.  Would you DARE to bare YOUR underwear?  If you like CLOTHES and people with the courage to SKIRT conventions and adDRESS injustice then Amelia Bloomer and her unFITTING ideas will charm the PANTS off you! (This description is taken directly from the inside cover of the book because I love how it was written).  Amelia Bloomer was a rebellious reformer and early women's rights activist who invented bloomers (baggy pantaloons worn with a short skirt over them) and liberated women from the dangerous and oppressive clothing of the mid-nineteenth century.

You Forgot Your Skirt, Amelia Bloomer has a style all it’s own.  It is a non-fiction biography.  According to the textbook, Literature and the Child, on page 18, it explains that nonfiction books are informational sources that explain a subject.  It also further explains that biography tells about a real person’s life.  This book is a very good example of a non-fiction biography in that it explains a person’s life by giving information. The book has very colorful and whimsical illustrations that flow throughout the entire story.  The font style uses large and small font sizes to make various points throughout the book. 

This book is recommended for students ages 4 and up.  I am not sure that I would include children that young into this recommendation.  While the writing is simple and there are pages with few words on them, the story line may be hard for children that age to understand.  I would recommend students in 2nd grade and up for this book.  I think, with some background information, they would be able to understand the history behind this story and can learn a lot from it.

When presenting this book to your students, I would include the following activities:

1.  If you are in a school where your students wear uniforms, have the students write letters, or create an article for a newspaper (just like Amelia Bloomer did) to spread their opinions about the dress code. It could also be used if the students were not required to wear school uniforms, it could be a hypothetical situation such as "How would you feel if...?"

2.  In the 1800s, women wore clothing that weighed between 20 and 40 pounds. Let your students experience how difficult it was to move carrying all that weight. Place a large book-bag on a bathroom scale. Let students take turns adding books, one at a time, until the scale reads 20 pounds. Give each child an opportunity to lift the bag and walk around the classroom. Repeat by adding more books to weigh 40 pounds and have students life that bag.  Ask them to imagine wearing all that weight every day! Ask: How much do you think pants and a shirt weigh? Take out a child’s shirt and pants (bring them to school in advance), and place them on the scale. Compare the weight of the pants and shirt to the weight of women’s clothing in the 1800s.

READER RESPONSE QUESTIONS:
1. How and why did Bloomer change women’s dress and how did people react to these
changes?

2.  Are there any styles today that your parents disapprove of? Do you agree?

3.  Would you wear styles that your parents disapprove of? Would you object to other people wearing them?

4.  Does the school have a dress code? What is it?

5.  Do you own any clothes that you can’t wear to school because of the code?

6.  Do you think it is fair for schools to have dress codes?

REFERENCES
Brooklyn Public Library women’s unit.  Retrieved from http://www.bklynpubliclibrary.org/civilwar/lesson_plans/cw_lesson3_1.pdf

Corey, S. (2000). You forgot your skirt, amelia bloomer. New York, NY: Scholastic Press.

Galda, L., Cullinan, B. E., & Sipe, L. R. (2011). Literature and the child. (7th ed. ed.). Belmont: Wadsworth Pub Co.

You Forgot Your Skirt, Amelia Bloomer blog post. Retrieved from http://6elementssje.blogspot.com/2011/10/you-forgot-your-skirt-amelia-bloomer.html

You Forgot Your Skirt, Amelia Bloomer extended activity.  Retrieved from http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/lesson-plan/you-forgot-your-skirt-amelia-bloomer-extension-activity

The Very Smart Pea and the Princess-To-Be was written and illustrated by Mini Grey.  The story is based on the fairy tale The Princess and the Pea.  The story is about a queen who wants her son, the prince, to marry.  The prince goes out in search of a true princess.  After a year of searching, the prince returns home with no bride.  So, she takes matters into her own hands and places a special pea underneath twenty mattresses and twenty feather beds.  She told the prince that any princess who can feel the pea underneath all of those mattresses would be his true princess.  After many months and many princesses, no true princess had be found.  One stormy night, the gardener girl showed up at their door.  Thinking she was a princess, they invited her in to sleep.  The pea then takes matters into his own hands and the next morning, the prince had discovered his true princess.  They were married and lived happily ever after.

The Very Smart Pea and the Princess-To-Be is a great example of a fractured fairy tale and is also a fictional story.  According to the textbook, Literature and the Child, on page 15, it explains that folklore, another name for fairy tale, is composed of stories that have been passed down from generation to generation, by word of mouth.  The story has no known author.  Folklore comes in many different forms, including rhymes, fairy tales, fables, and many more.  Fractured fairy tales are explained in further detail on page 198 of the textbook.  It states that many authors have created their own literary fairy tales which are stories patterned after traditional tales, such as The Very Smart Pea and the Princess-To-Be which is patterned after the fairy tale The Princess and the Pea.

The Very Smart Pea and the Princess-To-Be is recommended for ages 5 and up.  I think this book would be great for that age group.  The story is told in a fun, whimsical way.  The illustrations throughout the book are very expressive.  The color is bright and cheery and will definitely draw students into the story. 

When including this book into a lesson plan, I would suggest the following activities:

1.  Have students take various strips of decorative paper and cut out 20 mattresses and 20 feather beds.  Glue them to a paper to represent the mattresses in the story.  Have them take an actual pea and glue it to the bottom of the stacks of paper.  Have them draw a princess on top of the mattresses and use their imagination on whether she is a true princess or not.  Then, have them turn over and write a brief narrative of why the chose to make the princess a true princess or not and some details from the story to support their decision.

2.  This story is a lot like a job interview.  Have students pretend they are the prince looking for their true princess.  Have students list the characteristics they would look for in their princess and then come up with a test that will help them find the right candidate.

3.  Using information from the Harvest of the Month handouts on peas found here and here, do a unit on peas which could include cooking peas in class, growing and harvesting peas, reasons to eat peas, how much do you need to eat, etc. 

READER RESPONSE QUESTIONS:
1. How can someone so delicate, who can feel a pea under 40 mattresses, live in the world?

2. What was wrong with all those other princesses?

3. What do you think the moral of the story is?

REFERENCES:
Galda, L., Cullinan, B. E., & Sipe, L. R. (2011). Literature and the child. (7th ed. ed.). Belmont: Wadsworth Pub Co.

Grey, M. (2003). The very smart pea and the princess-to-be. Knopf Books for Young Readers.

The Princess and the Pea lesson plan.  Retrieved from http://www.myfreshplans.com/2010-07/princess-and-the-pea/

The Rough Face Girl was written by Rafe Martin and illustrated by David Shannon.  This amazing story is a fractured fairy tale based on the fairy tale Cinderella.  The story is set in the Algonquin Indian Village.  The story is about an invisible being who wants to marry one of the ladies in the tribe.  All the ladies wanted to marry this being because he was rich and powerful and handsome.  In order to be considered, the lady how to prove to the beings sister that he was a real being.  Every lady in the village tried to convince the sister but no one could.  Then one day, the rough face girl came to prove to the sister.  The was all scarred up from working over the fires.  She was able to prove to the sister that the being was real.  She was transformed into a beautiful young woman and married the being.

The Rough Face Girl is a great example of a fractured fairy tale and is a fictional story.  According to the textbook, Literature and the Child, on page 15, it explains that folklore, another name for fairy tale, is composed of stories that have been passed down from generation to generation, by word of mouth.  The story has no known author.  Folklore comes in many different forms, including rhymes, fairy tales, fables, and many more.  Fractured fairy tales are explained in further detail on page 198 of the textbook.  It states that many authors have created their own literary fairy tales which are stories patterned after traditional tales, such as The Rough Face Girl which is patterned after the fairy tale Cinderella.

According to the Saint Leo University Core Values, respect is a vital part of our program.  This book is a great example of showing respect.  The rough face girl respected herself enough to put her trust into the hands of an invisible being to provide for her happiness for life.  Even though she looked all scarred up, she had a great amount of self respect, which is vital to survive in a life where people treat you badly because of how you look.

The book is recommended for children ages 8 and up.  I would agree with this recommendation.  The story is such a beautiful alliteration of the Cinderella story which most, if not all, students will know.  There is such an amazing lesson to be learned in this book, too.  Being able to read a very beautiful story to teach students to be themselves and by being true to themselves, good things will come to them.

When teaching this in the classroom, I would suggest the following activities to be included in your lesson plan:

1.  Students will write their own “Cinderella” story based on what they know about the story of Cinderella and what they have learned about fractured fairy tales.

2.   Create a Venn diagram based on the story of Cinderella and The Rough Face Girl.

3.  Students will research the Algonquin Indians and learn about their culture.  Then students will write a story based on facts they learned about the Algonquin Indians through their research.

READER RESPONSE QUESTIONS:
1.  How do you think Rough-Face Girl felt when her father couldn't give her the same beautiful things as her older sisters to go courting the Invisible Being?  How would you have felt?

2.  How did Rough-Face Girl show courage?

3.  What does it mean "to see all the way down to your heart"?

4.  Why was Rough-Face Girl able to see the Invisible Being where the other women of the village couldn't?

5.  Is it more important to look on someone's outer beauty or what they are like on the inside?  Why?

REFERENCES:
Cinderella Stories: A Multicultural Unit.  Retrieved from http://www.education.ne.gov/forlg/elementary/cinderella.pdf

Galda, L., Cullinan, B. E., & Sipe, L. R. (2011). Literature and the child. (7th ed. ed.). Belmont: Wadsworth Pub Co.

Martin, R. (1992). The rough face girl. New York, NY: PaperStar Book.

The Rough Face Girl literary project.  Retrieved from http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=the%20rough%20faced%20girl%20activities&source=web&cd=7&sqi=2&ved=0CGAQFjAG&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.mssunana.com%2Fuploads%2F5%2F8%2F3%2F4%2F5834463%2Flfu_-_rfg.docx&ei=bJUOUcrAEIn2qQH12YGoAw&usg=AFQjCNEKXIFuiRKRTUJhbLwniNidD3MX3w

Rachel: The Story of Rachel Carson was compiled by Amy Ehrlich and illustrated by Wendell Minor.  The story is about Rachel Carson.  She was a very curious girl who loved being outside, taking walks with her mother, and naming the insects and birds. Rachel had a lifelong dream of protecting the nature that she loved so much.  After years of research, Rachel wrote a book titled Silent Spring which changed the world.  The book warned about the dangers of poisons that were everywhere.  

Rachel: The Story of Rachel Carson is a great example of a non-fiction biography.  According to the textbook, Literature and the Child, on page 18, it explains that nonfiction books are informational sources that explain a subject.  It also further explains that biography tells about a real person’s life.  This book is a very good example of a non-fiction biography in that it explains a person’s life by giving information. The illustrations in this book are absolutely beautiful watercolor paintings of places Rachel visited or loved to visit.  They are very vividly painted and include great detail.

The book is recommended for ages 5 and up.  I think a child at the age of 5 would not really understand this book.  I think it really would be better for children 7-8 and up. 

If you were going to be presenting this book in a classroom setting, I would suggest including these activities to really bring the book to life:

1.  Design a diorama for either an eco park or an eco system and display them in the classroom.

2.  Have the students write a biography but include what they would do to change the world they live in today.  This might include things like inventing or saving something, not a super hero or something of that nature.

READER RESPONSE QUESTIONS:

1.  If you had access to all the resources how would you deal with the problem of poisons in the world?
2.  How would you feel if you were Rachel Carson but no one listened to you when you wrote a book about poisons on the earth?
3.  What do you think about Rachel Carson and her discovery?

REFERENCES:
Ehrlich, A. (2003). Rachel: The story of rachel carson. New York, NY: Harcourt, Inc.

Galda, L., Cullinan, B. E., & Sipe, L. R. (2011). Literature and the child. (7th ed. ed.). Belmont: Wadsworth Pub Co.

Rachel: The Story of Rachel Carson book club guide.  Retrieved from www.lywam.org/education/WendellMinorGuide.pdf

Sailing Home: A Story of a Childhood at Sea is based on the journal kept by Captain Madsen and his daughter Ena.  It is told by Gloria Rand and illustrated by Ted Rand.  The story is about the Madsen family and their life at sea.  The story describes the day to day lives of family as they sail around the world on their father’s ship.  Two of the children were born aboard the ship.  They had animals on the ship, played games on the ship, learned how to use signaling flags and name all the stars and planets, and even had a tutor on board the ship that taught them school six days a week, mornings and afternoons with an hour off for lunch.  The story ends with them riding out a really bad storm that lasted for days during Christmas.  At the end, it looks like the ship will go down and the family with it but the ship rights itself and they end with a big Christmas celebration.

Sailing Home: A Story of a Childhood at Sea is a great example of historical fiction.  According to the textbook, Literature and the Child, on page 17, it explains that historical fiction tells a story set in the past; it portrays events that did or could definitely occur.  It is made up of stories that take place in a certain time or place in the past.  Real historical figures and events can be included in the story, for instance, the Madsen family and the ship.  The illustrations in this book are a great example of ink drawings that are water colored to give them a realistic feel.  The attention to detail is shown in the drawings, even down to the labels on the books.  The facial expressions are very genuinely added to give the people a lifelike characteristic.

This book is recommended for ages 7 and up.  I would agree with that recommendation.  The story line, while exciting throughout, does get a little dramatic toward the end.  A child would definitely be able to handle that type of drama at this age. 

When presenting this book to your classroom, I would suggest adding the following activities:

1.  Using information from the story, explain how the activities the children participated in were similar to those of children living on land?

2.  Have the students do a timeline, sequencing the events in the story.

READER RESPONSE QUESTIONS:

1.  What do you think would be the most difficult part of living on a ship?
2.  Explain why the Christmas celebration described at the end of the story was so special.
3.  Do you think living on a ship is a good or bad thing?  Explain your answer.
4.  How would you feel if you had to go to school six days a week with no recess?

REFERENCES:

Galda, L., Cullinan, B. E., & Sipe, L. R. (2011). Literature and the child. (7th ed. ed.). Belmont: Wadsworth Pub Co.

Rand, G. (2001). Sailing home: A story of a childhood at sea. New York, NY: North-South Books Inc.

Old Thunder and Miss Raney was written by Sharon Darrow and illustrated by Kathryn Brown.  This fabulous story, which is set in Oklahoma tells of Miss Raney, who has previously been disappointed in her efforts to win a blue ribbon at the county fair, and her horse, Old Thunder, who is swaybacked and slow, but much beloved. The story, which begins with a tornado that sweeps them into the sky on the way home from the store, continues with Miss Raney using the cyclone-sifted flour to bake up a batch of exceptionally light biscuits. Disappointed that someone else wins the blue ribbon again this year, she feeds the remaining biscuits to Old Thunder, who astonishes her by entering the plow horse race and winning. The judges then give Miss Raney's biscuits a blue ribbon for "best horse feed."

Old Thunder and Miss Raney is a great example of historical fiction.  According to the textbook, Literature and the Child, on page 17, it explains that historical fiction tells a story set in the past; it portrays events that did or could definitely occur.  While the actually story, if written without the illustrations, could be classified as contemporary realistic fiction, when adding the illustrations to the mix, it definitely makes it set in a historical setting.  The illustrations in this story are a great example of ink drawings that are then water colored to give them a whimsical feel.

This book is recommended for ages 4 and up.  I would definitely agree with this recommendation but, for a child to be able to read the book on their own, they would definitely need to be a good reader.  It is written with a 1800’s feel so some of the verbage leans toward words like “giddyup”, “indeedy”, “ain’t a-goin”, etc.  Readers will need to be able to figure out words that are not normal vocabulary. 

If presenting this book to your students in your classroom, I would suggest adding the following activities to bring the book alive:

1.  Have students rewrite the story, telling what recipe they would make and what ingredient would get mixed up in the tornado.  Then have them end it with whether their recipe won the blue ribbon or not and give supporting details on why/why not.

2.  Have students create an advertising poster that advertises Miss Raney’s Sooner High-Energy Horse Biscuits and display them on a bulletin board outside the classroom.

READER RESPONSE QUESTIONS:

1.  How would you feel if you were Miss Raney and you were convinced your biscuits would win the blue ribbon?
2.  Can you create new and unusual uses for Miss Raney’s biscuits?
3.  What are some of the problems of this story?
4.  Can you explain what must have happened to the flour when it was mixed in the tornado for it to make Old Thunder win the race?

REFERENCES:

Darrow, S. (2000). Old thunder and miss raney. New York, NY: Dorling Kindesley Publishing, Inc.

Galda, L., Cullinan, B. E., & Sipe, L. R. (2011). Literature and the child. (7th ed. ed.). Belmont: Wadsworth Pub Co.

Sylvester and the Magic Pebble was written by and illustrated William Steig.  The story is about a donkey who loves to collect rocks.  While out on a walk one day he finds a extraordinary flaming red rock.  Much to his surprise, the rock grants wishes.  As the donkey was heading home, he happened upon a lion who wants to eat him.  He makes a bad wish and is transformed into a rock.  He stays that way through many seasons until one day when his parents come to picnic on him, as the rock, and they see the red rock and the donkey is transformed back into himself and everyone lives happily ever after with the rock safely tucked away from the world.

Sylvester and the Magic Pebble is a good example of a fantasy story.  According to the textbook, Literature and the Child, on page 16, it explains that fantasy books are imaginative literature distinguished by characters, places, or events that could not happen in real life.  In fantasy stories, animals can talk and act and dress like humans.  The illustrations in this book are very vibrant and colorful.  The illustrations bring the story to life.  The facial expressions are very expressive throughout the whole book and the illustrations draw you into the story.

This book is recommended for ages 3 and up.  I would agree with this recommendation.  The story is very easy to understand.  The moral of the story is very easy to realize.  I think children of all ages will enjoy this book.  I would suggest the following activities to be included when studying this book:

1.  Give each of your students a red rock or marble.  Have them close their eyes and pretend that the red rock or marble is a magical rock.  Depending on the age group, have the children open their eyes and write or draw one or two things they would wish for and why.

2.  Have children write down their own wish and put these wishes into a hat, then have each child pick a paper and guess whose wish it was.

READER RESPONSE QUESTIONS:
1.  If you were Sylvester and you saw the lion approaching, how would you have used the magic pebble to help you?

2.  How will Sylvester’s life, after his experience in this story, be different?

3.  What was the problem in the story and how was it resolved?

REFERENCES:

Galda, L., Cullinan, B. E., & Sipe, L. R. (2011). Literature and the child. (7th ed. ed.). Belmont: Wadsworth Pub Co.

Steig, W. (1987). Sylvester and the magic pebble. New York City, NY: Aladdin Books.

Sylvester and the Magic Pebble book club guide.  Retrieved from http://lanairoad.org/files/Download/SylvesterandMagicPebble%282ndgrade%29.pdf.

Moses: When Harriet Tubman Led Her People to Freedom was written by Carole Boston Weatherford and illustrated by Kadir Nelson.  Harriet Tubman was a woman born into slavery.  One night she hears a word from God telling her she will be free.  Taking only her faith with her, Harriet sets on into the night on her first of 19 trips to carry herself, her family and as many as three hundred other slaves to freedom.  This book chronicles, in lyrical format, the epic first journey of Harriet Tubman as she traveled with God to freedom.

Moses: When Harriet Tubman Led Her People to Freedom has a style all it’s own.  It is a non-fiction biography.  According to the textbook, Literature and the Child, on page 18, it explains that nonfiction books are informational sources that explain a subject.  It also further explains that biography tells about a real person’s life.  This book is a very good example of a non-fiction biography in that it explains a person’s life by giving information. The illustrations in this book enhance the setting, characterization, and the plot.  The text throughout the book is written in various fonts, sizes and shapes depending on who is speaking.  As seen in the picture below, the words of God are circling Harriet as she is sitting on the ground.  I love how the illustrator used the circular words to symbolize that she feels the words of God flow all around her as a protection to her. 

This book is listed as appropriate reading for 5-7 year olds.  While I agree with this age grouping as far as the difficulty of the passage, I definitely think that some background information needs to be shared with the classroom prior to reading.  The story really doesn’t explain who Harriet Tubman is.  It just assumes that you already know.  I could see this being included in a Black History Month unit with several activities leading up to this reading and some after.  I would suggest the following activities to be included within the unit:

1.  Do some additional research on Harriet Tubman, including her 19 trips back to free her family and other slaves.  Create a timeline, with possible dates/number of people, of Harriet’s various trips. 

2.  Map out the route Harriet Tubman took on her initial journey.  Add to this map, in different colors, the various other journeys that Harriet Tubman took during her other 19 trips.

READER RESPONSE QUESTIONS:
1) Why do you think Harriet Tubman, and others forced into slavery, wanted to
run away?

2) Freedom for all people is one of the ideals our country is founded on. How do
we experience freedom in our daily lives?

3) Harriet Tubman showed great courage by standing up for something she
believed in. Have you ever stood up for something you knew was right, even
though others may have been against you? How did this make you feel?

4) Do you think Harriet Tubman was right to lead slaves to freedom, even
though it was against the law at the time? Why or why not?

REFERENCES:
Galda, L., Cullinan, B. E., & Sipe, L. R. (2011). Literature and the child. (7th ed. ed.).
     Belmont: Wadsworth Pub Co.

Harriet Tubman and the Underground Railroad study guide.  Retrieved from
     https://www.peacecenter.org/images/files/HarrietTubmanStudyGuide.pdf

Weatherford, C. B., & Nelson, K. (2006). Moses, when harriet tubman led her people to freedom.
     New York, NY: Jump At The Sun.