Book Review Roundup #13
December 6, 2024
The Lost Key (Green Ember Lost Tales 1) by S. D. Smith
The Lost Key is a thrilling short story that draws us back to the time at Halfwind Citadel between The First Fowler and Ember Falls. Smith packs it with suspense, action, and a search for the mysterious “lost key.” Our favorite characters are present, and we meet some new ones that I want to know more about. In this story, there’s a traitor in their midst, wolves on the attack, and clues to unravel, all while racing to protect their world.
At time of publication, the best place to get this brand new book is from the Story Warren store.
Misadventured Summer of Tumbleweed Thompson by Glenn McCarty
The Misadventured Summer of Tumbleweed Thompson by Glenn McCarty is a delightful, fast-paced western adventure that will capture the imaginations of middle-grade readers and families alike. Set during the settling of the American West, this story is a perfect blend of humor, action, and heart, making it an ideal family read-aloud. The sequel, The Golden Road of Tumbleweed Thompson is just as much fun if not more!
Rembrandt Is in the Wind by Russ Ramsey
Wow! I’ve heard Mr. Ramsey speak about art and artists and the way to look at art through a Christian lens, so I’ve heard some of the material in this book before. Nevertheless, I was riveted as I listened to this new book, written by a Presbyterian pastor from Nashville. The book features chapters about Rembrandt, of course, but also Michelangelo, Caravaggio, Van Gogh, Edward Hopper, Johannes Vermeer, and Lilias Trotter. (You’ve probably heard of all of those except the last one, but her story may be the most intriguing of them all.) If you want a book that will help you to appreciate fine art in a whole new way, whether you’re an art connoisseur or an art amateur or a just a wannabe, like me, this is the book.
Eyes that Kiss in the Corners by Joanna Ho and illustrated by Dung Ho
Eyes that Kiss in the Corners by Joanna Ho and illustrated by Dung Ho is an enchanting picture book that captures the love between mother, daughter, sister, and grandmother. This beautiful story celebrates family and ethnic diversity in a really lovely way. Heart-warming and delightful, this picture book is charming.
Van Gogh Has a Broken Heart by Russ Ramsey
What Russ Ramsey offers up in this second volume of art history stories is a compassionate and broad vision for what art can show us about how to live our lives through times of joy and wonder as well as through periods of suffering and injustice. The chapters in Van Gogh Has a Broken Heart tell stories about the artists Gustave Dore, Leonardo DaVinci, Rembrandt, Artemisia Gentileschi, Joseph Turner, the artists of the Hudson River School, Norman Rockwell, Paul Gauguin, Norman Rockwell, Edgar Degas, Jimmy Abegg, and others. Each artist’s story illustrates some aspect of life’s journey and some way of seeing that life that is found in the art of those who sacrificed something for the art’s sake.
The Art of Miss Chew by Patricia Polacco
Patricia Polacco, renowned for her heartfelt and extensive collection of books, is an author-illustrator whose work I love. Her illustrations are vivid and full of emotion, even if I don’t always consider them “beautiful” in the traditional sense. Many of her stories draw deeply from her own family history, capturing stories told by her Russian and Irish grandparents. Because they are personal, her stories have an authenticity that is compelling and satisfying. The Art of Miss Chew stands out as one of her most powerful and personal stories, highlighting the incredible impact two teachers had on Polacco’s life.
Palace of Books by Patricia Polacco
Patrica Polacco has lived a challenging but storied life. In my review of The Art of Miss Chew, I touch on some of her experiences. What makes her storytelling remarkable is how she addresses her struggles honestly but also converts them into tales of hope and gratitude. Like The Art of Miss Chew, Palace of Books is a testament to the power of kindness and intervention at pivotal moments. And just like that book, I absolutely love Palace of Books!
An Everlasting Meal by Tamar Adler
I picked up Tamar Adler’s An Everlasting Meal because the person who recommended it likened it to The Supper of the Lamb, which I loved. Adler also appreciates Capon’s Supper and refers to it more than once. She quotes several other cookbooks, and her epigraphs are from widely varying sources, from M.F.K. Fisher to Anton Chekhov and C.S. Lewis. Somewhere in the middle of her book, she says that she loves two things, cooking and words. Ah, yes, I identify with the “words.” Teach me to love the “cooking.”
White Stallion of Lipizza by Marguerite Henry
A classic tale from 1964. What a delightful story that could lead to any number of delight-directed studies and pursuits! After reading about Hans, the baker’s boy, and his overwhelming desire to become a Riding Master, to ride the famous Lipizzaner stallions at the Spanish Riding School in Vienna, Austria, I was impelled to look up and read more about the Lipizzaners and the school and the history of these horses who entertained the elite society of Vienna. I also became curious about Xenophon and his book The Art of Horsemanship, the earliest known work on the horse and his care. And I developed a bit of an urge to visit Vienna and see the castles and statues and maybe even the Lipizzaner stallions that still perform their acrobatics in Vienna and across the world in dressage shows and competitions.
Up a Road Slowly by Irene Hunt
Up a Road Slowly by Irene Hunt is a lovely and thoughtful coming-of-age story about a young female writer. Though not strictly autobiographical, the novel brims with emotional authenticity and bears notable similarities between Hunt’s life and the lives of her characters. Like her protagonist Julie Trelling, Hunt grew up in the rural Midwest. Julie’s Aunt Cordelia, a strong and nurturing figure, mirrors Hunt’s own experiences as a schoolteacher before her retirement in 1961. As I read, I couldn’t shake the feeling that Hunt had poured much of herself into both Julie and Cordelia, crafting characters that felt deeply personal and vivid.
The Ink Garden of Brother Theophane by C. M. Millen
When I was teaching at a classical Christian school, in a multi-level classroom, we studied the history of the Middle Ages and Renaissance every three years. I always looked forward to the projects related to the preservation of ancient manuscripts and the art of illumination. Some of the now-adult students from my very first class will always remember copying the first verse of the book of I John while windows and doors stood open in mid-winter Wyoming. We wanted to get a feel for what the monks endured. It was my students’ first experience writing with a feather pen, the nib of which they had cut themselves, and dipping it in a bottle...
The Restorationists series by Carolyn Leiloglou
- Beneath the Swirling Sky by Carolyn Leiloglou. Illustrated by Vivienne To.
- Between Flowers and Bones by Carolyn Leiloglou. Illustrated by Vivienne To.
I read Beneath the Swirling Sky last year when it came out—and failed to write a review. Now, I just finished the second book in what is slated to be a trilogy, and I must say that this series, already pretty good in the first installment, just got better in the sequel. Reading Between Flowers and Bones was an immersion experience, just like stepping into a book (or a painting).
My Vicksburg by Ann Rinaldi
While My Vicksburg offers intriguing historical insights, such as the cave dwellings of Vicksburg’s residents, its moral undertones leave much to be desired. Claire Louise’s rebellious actions and her unsettling relationship with Robert subtly reinforce the idea that good ends justify immoral means. Readers should approach this book with caution, particularly when recommending it to young audiences.
The Education of Mary: A Little Miss of Color: 1832 by Anne Rinaldi
I feel betrayed by The Education of Mary: A Little Miss of Color: 1832 by Anne Rinaldi.
Another disappointing novel by this author who is so often recommended to teens. Such an interesting and hopeful book about Quaker abolitionist Prudence Crandall and her school for Black young ladies that turned dark in all of the wrong ways. I hope that my review can serve as a cautionary warning.
Candy Bomber: The Story of the Berlin Airlift's "Chocolate Pilot" by Michael O. Tunnell
...It was then that he had the idea to drop gum and chocolate to these kids when he flew back into Berlin the next day with the normal supplies. He told them he would wiggle the plane’s wings so they would know it was him and be ready for the drop....
Rosa by Starlight by Hilary McKay
New in 2024 from British author Hilary McKay, Rosa By Starlight is a modern day fairy tale about an orphan girl, Rosa Mundi, and a magical cat, Balthazar, and couple of wicked villains, Rosa’s aunt and uncle who become her guardians. Brief and well-paced at about 150 pages long, the book incudes a trip to Venice and a flight through the stars on the back of a winged lion. As it should be, the good are rewarded, and the evil characters get their just deserts as well.
The White House Cat by Cylin Busby, illustrated by Neely Daggett
The story is both charming and clever, with a light, fun tone that’s perfect for young readers. The whimsical tour of the White House is just the right balance of informative and playful, making it a delightful read for children curious about the iconic building and its day-to-day workings. And, the end of the book has a dollhouse-like interior view of the White House plus a couple of pages of fun facts about each room of the White House featured in the story.