A Must Read: Strictest School in the World

I had The Strictest School in the World books on my "want to own" list for quite some time, and when Mr. Whitehouse offered each autographed, hardback book for just $5 plus shipping ($21 total for the three books-autographed!) I jumped at the chance.  You may not know this, but I really don't buy many fiction books.  I typically use the library for them...and review books that I like to pass along, too, of course.  I was excited to buy these books for ME, though I can't wait until my kids are older so that I can share them with my own children.  (If you are curious about the review the convinced me to want these books, read it here.)

Check out the title!  The Strictest School in the World-Being the Tale of Clever Girl, a Rubber Boy and a Collection of Flying Machines Mostly Broken or the Mad Misadventures of Emmaline and Rubberbones.  

The title really explains it all, but if you let the title get you, you will miss out on an incredible book!  Emmaline is a very clever girl who creates flying machines though she is terrified of dying in one.  So enters her new friend, Rubberbones, who just can't be hurt!  He is willing to fly her machines.  Unfortunately, she is soon sent to truly the strictest school in the world-which keeps the students there with fear of the "birds" that are really not birds at all, but something much more terrifying!

I actually read this book a while ago (as you might know if you like to keep track of all the books I read over at Net's Book Nook).  I wanted to savor the series and not read it all at once, though really, I want to devour this adventurous children's book-that is lovely for adults, too.  So I have not completed the series yet.   However, I instead of waiting to share these books with you until I finish the series, I wanted to tell you now for a couple of excellent reasons.  I HIGHLY recommend these books (okay, I've only read the first).  If our library has it, yours likely will, too!!

1. I don't know how many more books Howard Whitehouse has to offer with his incredibly kind deal.  You can email him at professorbellbuckle (at) yahoo (dot) com to discuss it in detail even if you are only slightly interested.  (How can you go wrong?)

2. You can actually win these books!  Remember the great giveaway I mentioned?  Well, I blogged about it before I knew all the goodies Reading to Know was offering!  Well, Howard Whitehouse is offering a set of his signed books!  Check it out here.  (And then don't forget to check out her other giveaways, too.  There are 10 total.)

Words: A Novel~ WOW! (Giveaway)

I don't usually include the publisher's summary when writing a review, but this summary hooked me, and I encourage you to read it, too!

"I collect words. I keep them in a box in my mind. I'd like to keep them in a real box, something pretty, maybe a shoe box covered with flowered wrapping paper. Whenever I wanted, I'd open the box and pick up the papers, reading and feeling the words all at once. Then I could hide the box. But the words are safer in my mind. There, he can't take them."

Ten-year old Kaylee Wren doesn't speak. Not since her drug-addled mother walked away, leaving her in a remote cabin nestled in the towering redwoods-in the care of a man who is as dangerous as he is evil. With silence her only refuge, Kaylee collects words she might never speak from the only memento her mother left behind: a dictionary.

Sierra Dawn is thirty-four, an artist, and alone. She has allowed the shame of her past to silence her present hopes and chooses to bury her pain by trying to control her circumstances. But on the twelfth anniversary of her daughter's death, Sierra's control begins to crumble as the God of her childhood woos her back to Himself.

Brought together by Divine design, Kaylee and Sierra will discover together the healing mercy of the Word-Jesus Christ.


Words: A Novel by Ginny L. Yttrup was an amazing book that riveted me from the beginning.  Kaylee can't talk because of horrible abuse from the man her drug addict mother has left her in the care of-at the tender age of ten.  She is truly cut off from the world, and only God could bring Sierra to the giant redwood where Kaylee finds refuge. 


Sierra is able to offer comfort to Kaylee, though it was oh-so-tentative of a relationship.  Sierra comes to an understanding that Kaylee is undernourished and uncared for at home.  As she intervenes, she is the one confronted with her past as she has hope for the future and for Kaylee.


Sierra has compassion for Kaylee's drug addict mother...because she was once there.  As she give's Kaylee's mother the benefit of the doubt, Sierra risks losing Kaylee and their fragile relationship, and all the progress that Kaylee has made to overcome her abuse.


From start to finish Words had my heart and mind.  I found myself thinking about the book when I  needed to be sleeping.  Author Ginny L.Yttrup has truly allowed the truth and the Truth to set her free.  Knowing her past, this book was even more disturbing and intriguing to me because though this is a work of fiction, she has lived too much of what the character Kaylee lived.  She has overcome her own past, and is now an author and speaker.  She encourages women to allow the Truth to set them free-never to let allow shame and guilt to silence a person.


I highly recommend this book, but do have a tissue box close by.  It may be tough for many to read, but it was a very good book.  Some of the subject matter is adult content.
Giveaway
I have decided to share my ARC copy with one Live, Learn, Love reader.  This book is meant to be shared, so I'm sharing! Leave a comment below telling what other book you found challenging (emotionally) to read, if any.  If you are a follower, please leave an extra comment.   Giveaway will be open through February 16.
Contest is over.  Callie is the winner and has been contacted.


I thank B&H Publishing Group for sending me this Advanced Reader Copy for review purposes.

Read Aloud: Raggedy Ann

 My four year old daughter and I thoroughly enjoyed reading The Raggedy Ann Stories!  Raggedy Ann books, written and illustrated by Johnny Gruelle, were first introduced to the public in 1918, and Raggedy Andy just two years later.  I love the idea of reading a book that our grandparents may have enjoyed as children.  The adventures in The Raggedy Ann Stories are inspired by the author's daughter (who died at age 13) and her own rag doll named Raggedy Ann.  The Raggedy Ann Stories contains the best original stories and artwork by Gruelle, but this is not the very first book when Raggedy was introduced to the public.  That book is called Raggedy Ann Stories (missing the article "the" in the original book). 


The Raggedy Ann Stories is by far, the longest chapter book we have read.  Though it is perfect as a read aloud for us, it is not for an early reader to read independently.  The great thing is that there is at least one illustration in each two page spread...with lots of text.  I should clarify that each chapter is a stand-alone story, so it is not a true chapter book.

Raggedy Ann lives in the nursery with many other dolls and a dog named Fido.  Her mistress is Marcella, a kind and loving girl.  (Raggedy actually belonged to Marcella's grandma before Marcella found her in the attic after fifty years!  That was its own chapter.)  Marcella loves her dolls dearly, and even changes them into night clothes before tucking them in at night.  Raggedy Ann is clearly a leader in the nursery and everyone loves her dearly.  She is giving and selfless...and a perfect friend.  She repeatedly tells her friends that she is stuffed with "nice soft cotton" so it doesn't hurt her like it might others to sleep on the floor or fall from a fence post.

Raggedy Ann and the other dolls have fun with Marcella, like when Raggedy flies as a kite!  However, the dolls seem to find the most adventure on their own.  In several stories, they climb out the nursery window!  Somehow it doesn't seem naughty though.  Imagine that!  Even when the dolls have a feast of cornbread, molasses, and jam and make a mess of themselves, Marcella is happy to clean them up and hang them from the clothes line.  (She does say, "Shame on you!" though.)

I actually had a little struggle with The Raggedy Ann Stories.  The illustrations show Raggedy with brownish yarn hair.  The text never mentions the color of her hair, though Raggedy often runs her hand through it.  We all know that the Raggedy Ann dolls are known for their red hair.  I'm sure red heads, especially in the early 1900's needed all the support they could get!  I'm glad red-haired girls could relate to Anne and Raggedy Ann!  I think the Raggedy Ann dolls are adorable with red hair, especially since the red yarn hair distinguishes her from other rag dolls, though it deviates from the original illustrations.  That's okay.  These dolls may have a triangle nose and a painted smile, but I don't think they have shoe button eyes.  I will just accept that these dolls are inspired by a great children's book and let it be.

M and I loved this book.  At the end of a chapter, I would tell her the title of the next chapter.  At the next nap or bed time, she would remember the name of the chapter!  I can't wait to get another Raggedy Ann book from the library-and introduce her to Raggedy Andy!  If our love of these books continues, I think she might like to have a Raggedy Ann doll of her own.  How fun!

 

The Movie and Book: Anne of Green Gables

It has been years since I had watched Anne of Green Gables.  I was ever grateful for TWO friends offering to loan both Anne of Green Gables and the Sequel to me!  My friends had read my introduction to the Lucy Maud Montgomery Reading Challenge and my desire to watch the movie...and generously offered to help!  (It is also wonderful to know that a few people I know in real life enjoy reading this blog!)

Just in case you are not familiar with the story of Anne of Green Gables, I'd be happy to share a bit.  Anne is an imaginative, loquacious, red-haired, 11 (13 in the movie) year old orphan girl that has been adopted by Matthew and Marilla (brother and sister).  They had wanted to adopt an boy, but mistakenly get sent a boy.  They decide to keep her after all, and their lives are never the same!  She makes many, many mistakes, but she never makes the same mistake twice!  The story takes place on Prince Edward Island in Canada


Anne the Book and Anne the Movie.  Both good!  What do I love specifically about the movie Anne of Green Gables?  Hmm.  LOTS, since it's so close to the book!  (Unlike many book-turned-movies.)

1. Megan Follows is incredible.  (Pronounced Mee-gan.)  I cannot imagine any other Anne!  I was definitely interested in a recent post about Megan Follows, including casting information.  She played 13-16 year old (11-16 in the book though) Anne perfectly, as well as the school teacher Anne in Anne of Green Gables the Sequel, though she was age 16 when she was acting in the first movie.

2. The producer, Kevin Sullivan kept to the storyline very well.  He also cast the characters marvelously!  All of them!

3. The characters often quoted word-for-word from the book.  It seems that is a rare thing.  There are minor changes from the book to the movie, but they are quite minor.

4. The beauty of Prince Edward Island.  Often Anne and Diana view the beauty of the water surrounding Prince Edward Island.  The movie gives a little peek into PEI.

What do I love about the audio unabridged audio recording of Anne of Green Gables?  Well, it's Anne, word for word, but I can just wash my dishes and chop carrots while listening to the wonderful voice of Barbara Caruso!!  I listen to A LOT of audio books.  Though some books are in the car, most of my audio reading happens in the kitchen!  Barbara Caruso feels like a dear friend, I have listened to so many of her books!  In addition to all of the Anne books, she is also the voice for unabridged books by Karen Kingsbury and Beverly Lewis.  I recognized her voice (and name) when I was listening to Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott last year.

One big difference between the book and movie is that in the book there was no "trial period" for Marilla and Matthew to decide if they will keep her in the book.  I didn't care for the trial period in the movie, because, really, Anne knows how to find trouble!  There seems to be a bit more drama (as in teenager drama) and whining in the movie, but still lovely and wonderful.

There were many minor differences, but another one that stood out to me was Mrs. Allan, the Reverend's wife, had incredible positive influence over Anne's teenage years, but she was barely in the movie.

I love Anne for her imagination, passion, and love of life.  The books are excellent, and this movie is just as wonderful and delightful.  I can't wait to add  Anne of Green Gables to my own movie collection.

This post is for the Lucy Maud Montgomery Reading Challenge!  It's not too late to join in the fun!  I am currently reading Anne of Ingleside while I wait for Lucy Maud and the Cavendish Cat to arrive.

A Happy Mom

If you read with any sort of regularity, you know how I like children's books-especially ones that give a bit of historical insight.

 Recently I have been listening to the Little House on the Prairie series in the car.  I borrow the CD's from the library.  When we traveled during December we listened to Farmer Boy.  Then we moved on to On the Banks of Plum Creek.  I was absolutely thrilled when M and I got in the car (on the way to the library) and she asked if we could listen to more Laura and Mary!!  Now she is even calling it Little House on the Prairie.

Though I read the pictures book based on this series to her a bit, I didn't know that she was really enjoying the audio books, especially since she doesn't get to hear all of the books.  I am just thrilled.  In a couple more years I will read to her the actual series.  I purchased it from Scholastic back when I was teaching.  I thought the price was good...and I was hoping to have a girl to share it with.  (We don't find out the sex of our babies until birth.  It's exciting that way.)

I am so excited about this and just wanted to share!  Oh, and if you are interested, the audio books are excellent.  I love the way Cherry Jones tells the stories!

Lucy Maud Montgomery Challenge 2011

Like last year, I intend to participate in the Lucy Maud Montgomery challenge during the month of January!  It takes place over at Reading to Know.  

I just love the Anne of Green Gables series.  This year I plan to listen to the first book in the series-my favorite-Anne of Green Gables.  I don't know if I will read (or listen to) any of the others in that series this month.

However, if it arrives in time, I will be reading Lucy Maud and the Cavendish Cat.  I ordered it from Amazon after Christmas, and can't wait for its arrival.  However, it's due to arrive anywhere between January 6 and January 24th.  I have only read one other book of LMM's other than the Anne books, so I'm am quite excited...and it will be my own book, like my Anne set!

It's been years since I've seen the Anne videos.  I was hoping to get Anne of Green Gables and Anne of Green Gables-The Sequel, but since that didn't happen, I might try to borrow from our library.  The problem with that is trying to return them after just three days!

Last year I read Anne's House of Dreams and Anne of Windy Poplars.  (Linked to my reviews.)  I just loved Anne's House of Dreams!

If you want a great reason to read an Anne (or any LMM) book, watch a movie, or listen to any work by Lucy Maud Montgomery, head on over to the Lucy Maud Montgomery Reading Challenge!  Others will be sharing their plans of LMM reading, and their reviews.  Soon I will share my thoughts, too!  

Deep Valley Books

You might remember my fondness of Maud Hart Lovelace.  It was just over a year ago that we were introduced.  Her writing tells the story of a simpler time-the early 1900's, and I just love it!

 The Betsy-Tacy series just wasn't enough for readers, and I am so excited to share about Betsy's friend Carney and a book of her own!  Carney's House Party is not part of the Betsy-Tacy books.  It is one of the Deep Valley books, taking place right in the same town as the Betsy-Tacy books and with many of the same characters, newly republished by Harper Collins Perennials.

Maud Hart Lovelace always wanted to be a writer, and after telling and retelling stories from her own childhood to her daughter Merian, she began writing the Betsy-Tacy books.  These books are fiction, though closely based on her own life in Minnesota.  Since Maud didn't go to college, she wasn't comfortable sending Betsy to college, so instead, she sent Carney!!

In the first book in this two-book volume, Carney's House Party, Caroline (or Carney) Sibley has just completed her sophomore year at Vassar College in 1911.  She returns to Deep Valley for the summer.  Carney hesitantly invites her roommate from back East, Isobel, who will stay with her for a month of summer.  Then her old friends, Bonnie and  Betsy, are able to come visit, too!  So Carney has a house party!

Their summer in Deep Valley is wonderful and filled with parties, fun, and fudge.  Carney's high school sweetheart returns for a visit after four long years apart.  Though they corresponded frequently, they need to see each other to see if marriage is in their future.  In the meantime, a rich, young man named Sam becomes part of the crowd and Betsy and Isobel become quite friendly with him, even though he reminds Carney of a baby hippo!

With Carney's House Party taking place over just a summer, as I read, I felt that the characters were well-developed.  The ending was not what I expected, but I was not disappointed either.  I was happily surprised.

Carney's House Party was enjoyable and gratifying to read.  Really, I didn't want to put it down!  I really enjoyed Carney, Betsy, and the crowd all grown up.  The Sibley family has its own unique values, traditions, and daily life.  They were still fun, and there was plenty of teasing; after all, most of the characters are familiar from the Betsy-Tacy books.  Carney's House Party is not from Betsy's point-of-view, so it is definitely different.

The girls attend college, and despite thoughts of engagements, intend to complete their schooling.   Isobel and Carney don't always understand one another's ways, but they remain friends and get along well enough.  (I never knew that breakfast, lunch, and dinner vs. breakfast, dinner, and supper were regional terms!  We happen to have breakfast, lunch, and dinner OR supper.  Except on Sundays.  On Sundays our noon meal is dinner.)  Carney is truly a sweet character, and I am thankful that Maud Hart Lovelace devoted an entire book to her.

Once again, there is a lot to learn about the early 1900's from reading Maud Hart Lovelace's work.  When I read Heaven to Betsy, I noticed how MHL was able to weave history (especially of the Mid-West...or the Middle West, as Carney prefers to call it) into the story in a fascinating, yet subtle way.  This time, there is a reference to women's suffrage, and even to the Mona Lisa's theft from the Louvre.  "She (Isobel) was too much like that smiling and inscrutable Mona Lisa who had been stolen last month from the Louvre Museum in Paris."  Throughout the book there were references to another book called The Little Colonel, which intrigued me, as well.  


The second Deep Valley book in this volume is Winona's Pony Cart.  Winona Root is a wealthy friend of Betsy and Tacy.  She is also a bit spoiled and about to have her eighth birthday.  She brags to her friends that she is going to get a pony for her birthday.  Winona is able to send out fifteen birthday invitations.  Without talking to her parents, she invites twice as many friends to the party!  When the time for the party arrives, Winona still hasn't told her parents that more kids will be coming.

Though Mr. Root has said no to giving his daughter a pony, he arranges for a pony to come to the party.  It proves to be quite entertaining for all the children.  Winona's Pony Cart gives a bit of a look into another child's life and of course, Betsy, Tacy, and Tib are still a three-some while being friends with Winona, too.

Though I didn't relate to Winona as much as Maud Hart Lovelace's other characters, this was still an enjoyable book.  Winona was a bit of a brat at times, but she did get over herself, too, even if she had her way in the end.


If you are a fan of Maud Hart Lovelace and have not yet explored the Deep Valley books, I definitely recommend them!  I will be reading Emily of Deep Valley very soon and can't wait to share it with you!

Big thanks to Harper Perennial for sending me this volume for review and for republishing them!!