Book Review Roundup #10
October 25, 2024
Angel On The Square by Gloria Whelan
Angel on the Square by Gloria Whelan follows Katya, a young aristocrat in Russia during World War I and the Russian Revolution. As she witnesses the collapse of the Russian monarchy, Katya grows from a naive girl to a compassionate young woman, understanding the hardships of the common people. The novel blends rich historical detail with personal growth, offering an immersive exploration of Russia’s revolutionary era
Damerosehay Novels by Elizabeth Goudge
I read these three related novels in the wrong order. I read Pilgrim’s Inn and reviewed it before I read The Bird in the Tree, the book that begins the saga of the Eliot family and their association with the house, Damerosehay. Then I found a mass market paperback copy of The Heart of the Family at a thrift store for 50 cents, and I brought it home and read it. Each of the three books in the ongoing story was a delight, a joy, and a wonder. I now want to re-read them all in the correct order, just to see what I missed the first time through. But I think I’ll wait a year or so, maybe read them in the winter rather than in the summer, just to see if that changes my appreciation of these novels or my thoughts and feelings about them.
Note: I wrote this review in 2015. I haven't re-read the books, but perhaps I'll find time to do so this fall.
That Book Woman by Heather Henson
I had already read That Book Woman by Heather Henson once before reading it aloud to my class today. But I choked up on the last page again anyway.
“‘Wish there was something I could gift you too.’
That Book Woman turns to look at me with big dark eyes. ‘Come here, Cal,’ she says real gentle, and I come close. “Read me something.’
I open up a book I’m holding, a new one brought this very day . . . and I read a little out.
‘That’s gift enough,’ she says, and smiles so big, it makes me smile right back.”
Lucy Maud and the Cavendish Cat by Lynn Manuel
This enchanting true story is illustrated with the kind of beauty that even Anne Shirley would approve of. Drawing from Montgomery’s journals, Lynn Manuel elegantly tells the story of Maud’s grey cat Daffy. And Janet Wilson paints pictures that are rich in color and texture and beg the reader to get lost in them. Lucy Maud and the Cavendish Cat by Lynn Manuel gives us an intimate view of Maud’s life while living with her grandparents in Cavendish, the move to Park Corner, and her subsequent move to Ontario to live with her new husband.
The Silver Donkey by Sonya Hartnett
The Silver Donkey is an odd sort of book. Two sisters who live on coast of the English Channel (do the French call it the French Channel?) in France, find a man lying in the forest who appears to be dead. The sisters, Marcelle, age 10, and Coco, age 8, are deliciously thrilled with their discovery, brimming with “anticipation and glee.” Their response feels very French, and somewhat true to the nature of children. As they approach the man, they find that he is not dead, but merely sleeping. He also tells them that he cannot see. In return for their help, and to pass the time, the soldier tells the children stories–stories about donkeys.
Toward Morning: A Story of the Hungarian Freedom Fighters by Alta Halverson Seymour
Alta Halverson Seymour’s book, Toward Morning: A Story of the Hungarian Freedom Fighters, is a fast-paced, small-slice story of a group of family and friends escaping Hungary in the midst of the Hungarian Revolution of 1956.
The Kirkus Review of this book from March, 1961 says, the “heroic story will interest American teenagers who met it realistically through the headlines of their newspapers only a few years ago.” This was a bit before my time, and I had never heard of this event before. Though over 3,000 Hungarians and Soviet soldiers were killed, and 200,000 Hungarians were forced to flee their country, the revolution was short-lived, like a paragraph in a brief chapter of the entire story of the Cold War.
Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
Initially dismissed as mere horror, Frankenstein reveals itself as a profound exploration of ethics, human responsibility, and the consequences of abandoning one’s creation. Dr. Frankenstein emerges as the true villain, not his creature. Through themes of moral formation and the soul’s journey, this work has become a favorite for its intellectual depth. The novel’s questions about humanity and justice resonate deeply, making it a standout in literature. Smidgen Press’s edition elevates the reading experience.
Across So Many Seas by Ruth Behar
Published in 2024.
Across So Many Seas, the story of four twelve year old Sephardic Jewish girls from different time periods, felt very . . . educational. I didn't mind the didactic tone of the story, and I was somewhat fascinated by the saga of the Sephardic Jewish experience from Spain to Turkey to Cuba to the United States (Miami). We tend to know and read more about Ashkenazi, Eastern European Jews and Judaism than we do about the Sephardic Jewish people, who came from Spain after the 1492 expulsion of the Jews under King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella (yes, Columbus's sponsors). These Sephardic Jews spoke a Spanish-derived language called Ladino and either became conversos (converts to Catholicism) under threat of death, or left Spain as refugees, going to Italy and Turkey and other places to find freedom to practice their Jewish faith.
Julie of the Wolves by Jean Craighead George
Julie of the Wolves by Jean Craighead George is a title I have often seen on lists of good books for children. It seems to be recommended for children starting in about fifth grade. Because there is a perpetual controversy surrounding this book because of a “rape” scene, I wanted to know for myself what all the hubbub was about.
Homeless Bird by Gloria Whelan
Homeless Bird by Gloria Whelan is a beautifully crafted middle-grade novel that transports readers into the heart of modern-day India, exploring the complex world of arranged marriages, cultural traditions, and the need for courageous virtue. Gloria Whelan’s compelling storytelling invites middle readers into the vibrant colors, sounds, and textures of Indian life, offering a truly poignant journey through the eyes of a young girl named Koly.
Creekfinding: A True Story by Jacqueline Briggs Martin and Claudia McGehee
Once there was a creek in northeast Iowa that got covered up by a cornfield. Then, a guy named Mike bought the land and anted to bring the creek back. But it took a lots of planning and work and rocks and dirt and plants and insects and birds and fish—and even some big earth-moving machines–to revive the creek and make a place for Brook Creek to flourish and nourish both people and wildlife. I’m not much of an outdoors girl. But I did find this true story of how Mike Osterholm, who is “passionate about the prairie, cold water streams, brook trout, and partnering with the earth,” decided to revive the creek that once flowed through his land and how he did it, a fascinating one.
Marguerite Makes a Book by Bruce Robertson
Marguerite Makes a Book by Bruce Robertson
Once again I get to teach a group of children something of the history of ancient manuscripts and the art of illumination. In my review of The Ink Garden of Brother Theophane, I noted that my favorite resource for the subject is Marguerite Makes a Book. Robertson’s story outlines the process of making a book in the 1400s. The amount of information is just right for the age group I’ve typically introduced to the topic; third through sixth graders. Kathryn Hewitt’s enticingly detailed, winsome illustrations are lessons in themselves.
Jenny: The Airplane that Taught America to Fly by David Weitzman
In Jenny: The Airplane that Taught America to Fly, David Weitzman masterfully captures the spirit of the JN-4D “Jenny,” an iconic aircraft that played a pivotal role in early American aviation. In our 2022 interview with Weitzman, I was captivated by how his editor encouraged him to illustrate his own books. While Weitzman is an engaging storyteller without illustration, it is his illustrated books that give me the most pleasure and stand out to me as being the most memorable.
The Wednesday Witch at Stump Lake
The Wednesday Witch at Stump Lake by Ruth Chew I could almost believe a whiff of certain smells, caught just right, has the power to physically transport me to another time or place. Sourdough can be like that for me. This summer it was the mint in my garden. Mmm, Oregon cow pasture! Most recently, though, I experienced this transport not with a smell, but with a book.
The Voyagers by Padraic Colum
Padraic Colum’s The Voyagers offers an exciting middle-grade adventure that intertwines history, exploration, and beautiful prose. With a wide range of voyagers, from ancient mariners to bold explorers, the book takes readers on thrilling journeys into the unknown, reflecting how “the world is always at the beginnings of things.” Colum’s storytelling is both engaging and educational, making it a valuable resource for students and teachers alike. Smidgen Press’s reprint adds to the experience with high-quality paper, durable binding, and a luxurious hardcover that is delightful to hold. This edition is a perfect blend of rich content and physical beauty, ideal for any library.
Running Out of Time by Margaret Peterson Haddix
We did a crazy thing. We purchased a locker full of nearly 200 mystery book boxes. We kept about 400 books and discarded the remaining 8,000. Emptying that locker—in three days—is one of my favorite memories from this summer. In the many children’s boxes, we found multiple copies of Running Out of Time by Margaret Peterson Haddix. Our immediate reaction was to discard them, seeing they looked like trashy YA fiction. But after reading the back cover, we were interested enough to take a copy or two home with us to preview. A task I took on.
The Sea Snake by Steven W. Meader
I hate being asked, “what’s your favorite book?” It’s tough to answer because you’re expected to say something like Lord of the Rings or Pride and Prejudice—which I do love! But if we put classics on a separate scale, my all-time favorite is The Sea Snake by Steven W. Meader.
This WWII story follows 15-year-old Barney, a fisherman’s son, who secretly watches for Nazi U-boats along the coast. Filled with danger and suspense, it’s a thrilling read that I think everyone should experience!
Follow My Leader by James B. Garfield
Follow My Leader by James B. Garfield tells the story of Jimmy Carter, blinded in a firecracker accident. He has to relearn basic tasks like dressing and reading, using Braille. Jimmy gets a guide dog, Leader, and learns how to rely on him. The book offers insight into how blind individuals navigate daily life and teaches valuable lessons on forgiveness. Jimmy must forgive his friend Mike, who caused the accident, and help others do the same. It’s a compelling, meaningful read under 200 pages.