Palace Beautiful by Sarah DeFord Williams

Palace Beautiful by Sarah DeFord Williams
Book Review by Emily

When Sadie's family moves to Salt Lake City, she discovers a secret room in the attic with a painted sign that says "Palace Beautiful". Inside, she and her new friend, Bella, find the diary of a girl who lived during the flu epidemic of 1918. When the journal ends suddenly, they find themselves caught up in the mystery. Did the girl die of the flu? Is she still alive? Did she lose the people she loved?

Meanwhile, Sadie's stepmom is pregnant, and since her mom died in childbearing, Sadie is afraid.

Palace Beautiful is...well, beautiful. It's a tale of mystery, history, friendship, death, family relationships, and growing up. The best part is this...the characters. Every character is so well-developed that you feel like you are their friend. I particularly got a kick out of Sadie's dramatic friend, Belladona Desolation, known as Bella. I also enjoyed Sadie's unusual color descriptions.

In full disclosure, Sarah Williams is a friend of mine. I actually did some critiquing for her on this story. That said, I know I didn't just love this book because I love Sarah. It. Is. Amazing. (Go Sarah!!!)

I recommend it for kids and up who know where babies come from (or who you're ready to have that talk with), because Sadie makes mention about how embarrassed she was when she found out where babies came from. There is also a little bit of romance. A very little bit, but Bella does kiss a neighbor boy.

People who enjoyed Shug by Jenny Han or A Crooked Kind of Perfect by Linda Urban are sure to like Palace Beautiful.

I'm Back with a Review--Crispin by Avi

Avi. 2002. Crispin: The Cross of Lead.

Review by Becky Laney, frequent contributor.

Becky's Book Reviews

Young Readers

Reading with Becky

I honestly didn't know what to expect from this one. Not the most clever way to start out a review, but true nevertheless. The cover. I was not easily won over with the cover. It is ugly and unappealing. It doesn't shout out "read me, read me." But I'd heard good things about it, of course, and it did win the Newbery in 2003. So I knew that I had to get past my initial misgivings.

Here's how it begins:

England, A.D. 1377 "In the midst of life comes death." How often did our village priest preach those words. Yet I have also heard that "in the midst of death comes life." If this be a riddle, so was my life. The day after my mother died, the priest and I wrapped her body in a gray shroud and carried her to the village church. Our burden was not great. In life she had been a small woman with little strength. Death made her even less. Her name had been Asta.

Our narrator is a young boy. At first, we only know him as Asta's son. Later his real name is revealed, Crispin. Here is a young boy, a peasant, tied to the land for life. But the day after his mother's funeral everything changes. (Or maybe it's the day of his mother's funeral.)

Told by John Aycliffe (boo, hiss) that he must return the ox to the manor since his mother is dead (and he's now an orphan) he is told that he can starve. His life, his welfare is of no concern for this substitute lord-of-the-manor. Upset, he runs into the woods. He's working out his emotions--anger, grief, confusion, etc., but a fall and a bump on the head changes his life. Or you could say saves his life. He wakes up at some point during the night. He sees two men. One is John Aycliffe (boo, hiss) and the other is unknown to him at that time. What he hears confuses him. He can't make sense of it. But when he is seen, he gets a sick feeling that his life is in danger.

He is able to get away and hide for the rest of that night and the day. But the next night, he makes his way to his trusted friend, the priest, Father Quinel. What the priest tells him doesn't erase his questions. If anything, it just adds to his confusion. He's told that his mother could read and write. He's told that he was baptized (albeit secretly) Crispin. He's told that he MUST flee for his life. That John Aycliffe (boo, hiss) has started spreading lies about him. Accused him of theft. Is offering an award for whoever kills him. The priest gives him a few things to do on his own, and makes arrangement to meet him again before the two part ways forever.

His errand? To go to Goodwife Peregrine's house and pick up a cross of lead. But on his way to meet the priest one last time, the time where all would be revealed, he is met by another man instead. A man who claims he comes in the priest's place. But something doesn't feel right.

Crispin doesn't know who he is or exactly why John Aycliffe (boo, hiss) is out to kill him. Why Aycliffe (boo, hiss) wants him dead so very badly. He doesn't know who he is or where he needs to go, he just knows that his life is in danger and he is being pursued relentlessly.

Crispin's journey could have been a lonely one. But he meets an unusual friend, a man called Bear, who takes him under his protection. Together they try to make sense of it all. But the journey won't be easy.

I loved this book. I can easily see now why it won the Newbery. I definitely recommend this one to lovers of historical fiction. Also for those that love coming-of-age novels.

Small Steps: The Year I Got Polio by Peg Kehret

Small Steps: The Year I Got Polio by Peg Kehret

Review by Joyce Moyer Hostetter, our newest regular contributor!

http://www.joycemoyerhostetter.com/

http://www.joycemoyerhostetter.blogspot.com/


The homecoming parade (and the 7th grade float that was sure to win first prize) was all that mattered to Peg Schulze on that September day in 1949. But then she collapsed at school and was sent to the hospital for testing.

The diagnosis – polio.

There are 3 kinds of polio and Peg soon learned that she had all of them. First she lost the use of her muscles and was paralyzed from the neck down. Then she began to experience difficulty with breathing. And from there, things only got worse as she discovered she also had bulbar polio which affects a person’s ability to swallow or talk.

For days, an iron lung stood at the ready in case she could no longer breathe on her own. For more than a week, she could not eat. But Peg was a determined gal with strong family support. Their intervention and a chocolate milkshake probably saved her life.

In Small Steps: The Year I Got Polio, Peg recalls the particulars of her illness and the difficult road to recovery. The reader is impressed with the role of family who sustained, not only her, but also her hospital roommates.

In the end it was these friends who understood more powerfully than anyone what she endured.

This memoir informs, moves, and inspires its reader. The language is succinct and the story is compelling. Published in 1996, this book will be appreciated for many years because it serves important functions. It reminds us of the polio years. It validates the stories of so many individuals who had polio. And it opens the eyes of those who have not!

But don’t think of it in useful terms. Think of it as a page turner because that’s exactly what it is!

The White Giraffe by Lauren St. John

The White Giraffe by Lauren St. John.

Making a virtual journey to another place and being held captive throughout the duration of the story is one of the great discoveries of reading. Learning that people in other places struggle with the same issues is an important concept for young readers to understand. In The White Giraffe by Lauren St. John, 11-year old Martine Allen's life changes dramatically on her birthday night. Martine loses her parents in a tragic accident and must move to Africa to live with a grandmother she's never heard of. Her grandmother manages a game preserve. Transplanted into an exotic locale with a grandmother who seems put out by her very existence makes Martine feel alone and afraid. Almost as soon as she arrives, Martine begins to hear tales of a "mythical" white giraffe, and she stumbles upon some clues about her grandfather's death two years before. Readers will identify with Martine's struggles to make friends in a new school in a new country where everything is different from "home". The wild animals and their habitat on the reserve, their need for protection against predators (mostly the two-legged kind), and the growing awareness that things are not always as they appear make for a good adventure story. Martine comes to find her place in this new world, helps solve a mystery, and learns to accept her special gifts.

First-time novelist Lauren St. John grew up in Zimbabwe on a farm that was part game preserve. Her love for the landscape and the people is evident throughout the book and she clearly identifies with Martine's quest to find a home in this new strange land.
ISBN978-0-8037-3211-7. Dial Books for Young Readers.





Review by Annie Teich, guest reviewer.


http://crazy4kidsbooks.blogspot.com/


http://www.newdaypublishing.net/

In Honor Bound by DeAnna Julie Dodson

In Honor Bound by DeAnna Julie Dodson.

Set in a fictional medieval kingdom, In Honor Bound is the story of one king, four sons, and the raging war that threatens to destroy them all. Prince Philip never wanted to be king. As the second son, he hoped to escape the drudgery and responsibility of his legacy: a kingdom at war with no peace in sight. In love with a commoner, Philip hoped for nothing more than a quiet, simple life. But alas, none of that was to be. Within a year, his mother, his older brother, his youngest brother, and lover (whom he had secretly married) all die. Accidents. Murder. War. Betrayal and treason. Philip knows exactly who to blame: his father, Robert.

Will this future king learn to forgive and put away his bitterness? Or will he be haunted by these losses the rest of his days? Philip has vowed to never love again. To never trust again. Can Rosalynde, his new wife whom he was forced to marry, melt his heart of ice? Can her prayers melt his bitter resolve?

In Honor Bound is an exciting, fast-paced novel that I could not put down. Even with heavy eyes, I wanted to read just one more chapter. The characters. The plot. Everything was done so well. I can't wait to read the rest of the novels in this trilogy.

Review by Becky Laney, regular contributor

Becky's Book Reviews: http://blbooks.blogspot.com/

Ordinary Days: Family Life in a Farmhouse by Dorcas Smucker

Life is sometimes hectic and busy. Sometimes we need to slow down. Ordinary Days: Family Life in a Farmhouse will encourage you to do just that. Dorcas Smucker, the author, is the wife of a Mennonite minister and mother of six. She has written a collection of stories that will make you want to sit, relax, and appreciate the ordinary, yet important, moments of your life.

The essays are divided into categories: family, seasons, relatives, places, and lessons. While Mrs. Smucker's life on her farm is much different than my own, I found myself nodding and smiling as I related to her stories. Her tales brought back memories of long car trips, helped me remember the way it felt to finish school and begin a seemingly endless summer, and rekindled my appreciation for seeing life through the eyes of a child. Her stories reminded me to value the ordinary days that make up my own life.

Whatever your station in life, you will appreciate that these stories reflect on issues common to the human experience: life, death, work, play, family, friendship, even speeding tickets. These essays are meant to be read slowly and savored, so plan to spend some time as you journey through Mrs. Smucker's ordinary days. The time you spend with her stories will help you remember and appreciate your own.

If you are interested, Mrs. Smucker also has a website and a blog. She invites you to come and visit.

Review by Lauren, regular contributor

Baseballs and Bows

In Search of Mockingbird by Loretta Ellsworth

In Search of Mockingbird by Loretta Ellsworth. 2007.

In Search of Mockingbird is a new book that feels like an old friend. Erin is a sixteen year old on the run. But it isn't like you might think. She's not running away from something, so much as she's running towards something. Since her mother died when she was a baby, Erin has felt disconnected. She has no memories of her mother, but she's tired of people telling her that she shouldn't miss what she never had. She feels an emptiness, a loss, that is very real. This void begins to be filled when she picks up a tattered copy of To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee. The book belonged to her mother and is filled with gems like these: "I love this part" and "Scout's father, Atticus, was much more than a man" (7). These notes and markings from her mother are like a tender message to her daughter. Since she first discovered it in the attic, it has become her most treasured possession. That is until her father gives her mother's diary to her as a birthday present. Now, these two possessions and a dream are her way to connect with her mother. Her dream? To go to Monroeville, Alabama, and find Harper Lee. More than anything, she wants to talk with this author who has created a bond between her and her mother. So on the eve of her sixteenth birthday, Erin sneaks out of her house and buys a one-way bus ticket. Along the way, she'll meet interesting characters who teach her some important life lessons. This book is a perfect illustration that sometimes the journey becomes more important than the final destination.
In Search of Mockingbird is beautifully told in poems and prose. Erin is a memorable character who showcases what it means to be human. What it is about--what it is all about--is a young woman's search for a deeper connection with life. She wants more. She needs more. The novel satisfies from cover to cover.
Unspoken lies are the worst kind. Scout said she was young when her mother died, and she never missed her presence. I was preoccupied with my mother at an early age, like a memory long gone that I yearned for. I think Dad missed her, too, even though he didn't say that he did. "Was Mommy pretty? Did Mommy have long hair?" "Yes." "No." Short answers masked in sadness. Did I say something wrong? Finally, I stopped asking. (69)

Posted by Becky Laney, regular contributor.

Becky's Book Reviews

Don't forget to comment on this or any other Clean Reads post for a chance to win a new signed copy of RULES by Cynthia Lord!

Remembering Mrs. Rossi by Amy Hest

Remembering Mrs. Rossi by Amy Hest. 2007.

Annie Rossi may seem like your average eight-year-old, but she has to cope with more-than-average problems when her mother becomes sick and dies suddenly. Now Annie and her father are coming together as a family. Learning to do things together. To rely on one another. To trust one another. It’s not always easy. Sometimes she feels her father is “mean” or “unfair.” And sometimes she’s angry that her mother is gone and she can’t be a“normal” girl. Sometimes she breaks into tears and can’t help it. But no matter what she is never alone. What helps this family in its time of grief, is a small gift from a class of sixth-grade students. Mrs. Rossi was a sixth-grade teacher. And her students write a book--with a help of their substitute teacher--to honor her memory and pay respects to her family. This book “Remembering Mrs. Rossi” becomes a security-blanket of sorts for the pair. Slowly and together, Annie and her father turn the pages of their book. When they get to the end, they go back to page one and start again (27). Once she wrote a letter to the authors in Room 222, all twenty-four. The letter was her father’s idea, but she did all the work--including lots of pictures by Annie. “Thank you for making a book about Remembering Mrs. Rossi. It’s my favorite book, and you are my favorite authors. Guess how many times I’ve read my book? Answer: one million. Okay. This is true. A book about your mother makes you feel cozy as cocoa inside. Okay, this is funny. One time I was reading "RMR" in the bathtub, and it almost fell in! I never did that again. Guess which is my FAVORITE page? Answer: ALL of them! This is secret. Sometimes late at night, my father thinks I’m sleeping, but I’m not! I am reading "Remembering Mrs. Rossi". I read and read. It’s like giving my mother a kiss good-night. And she is giving me a big kiss too.” (53-54). The book ends with a presentation of the book "Remembering Mrs. Rossi". The reader finally gets a chance to read this work-of-art by the students that memorializes this beloved mother, teacher, and wife. The relationship between father and daughter is well-developed...and the story is both touching and realistic.

Recommended Readers: 7 and up.

Posted by Becky Laney, regular contributor

Becky's Book Reviews

Elsewhere by Gabrielle Zevin

Elsewhere by Gabrielle Zevin

What happens when we die? Imagine if it was just like life, except instead of getting older you begin to age backwards until you are ready to be reborn. When 15 year old Liz dies this is exactly what happens to her. In Elsewhere Liz has to live with her grandmother even though she died before Liz was born and they have never met. Liz also has to get a job until she is too young to work. But Liz doesn’t want to age backward, she wants to get older. She wants to get her license and go to concerts and proms.
Liz eventually realizes there are perks to living in Elsewhere, her ability to speak with animals, for example. She also befriends a man who was her favorite rock-star when they were alive. She also develops a relationship with a boy, Owen, who has been dead a long time and still sometimes pines for his wife. Liz learns important lessons about relationships and family. Her quirky romance is portrayed beautifully. She eventually realizes that the things that are important in life are still important whether you are living forwards or backwards.
This fantasy takes a somewhat morbid topic and manages to make it heartwarming and original. Zevin’s writing style is engaging, and the book is funny and sweet. The book also has a great website at: http://www.fsgkidsbooks.com/elsewhere/
And was listed as an ALA Notable Book.

Recommended ages 13 and up.

Posted by Bee, regular contributor.

Booknerd-Bee

Fever 1793 by Laurie Halse Anderson

Fever 1793 by Laurie Halse Anderson. Set in Philadelphia in 1793, Fever follows the spread of yellow fever within the community through the eyes of a young girl, Mattie (Matilda). Mattie's family owns a coffeehouse. When the epidemic first begins their side of town has not been effected yet. In fact, their business is booming because people are scared to go to certain streets/places in town. But all that changes as the disease makes it way through town. Young, old, man, woman...all are at risk...all are at danger. Mattie is no stranger to danger as she watches her mother get sick. Soon her and her grandfather are packing up what they can and trying to leave town. There is a family in the country where they feel they'll be safer. But are they taking the danger with them into the country? Is any place really 'safe' with an epidemic this size? The novel traces the epidemic from August to December. It is a personal, emotional journey of struggles, sorrows, and endurance.
This book pairs excellently with the nonfiction book An American Plague: The True and Terrifying Story of theYellow Fever Epidemic of 1793 by Jim Murphy.

Recommended Ages: 9 and up.

Posted by Becky Laney, regular reviewer.

Becky's Book Reviews

Letters for Emily by Camron Wright

Letters for Emily by Camron Wright was one of the best books I read in 2006. I walked into my public library and chatted with the librarians about clean novels they loved. Letters for Emily came highly recommended.

Harry Whitney is dying. Alzheimer's is taking away his mind and life. In his "good" times, Harry types frantically at his computer. His estranged kids think he is crazy, and never cared much for him in the first place.

After Harry dies, they find three exact copies of a book complete with stories and poems by Harry. The collection is called Letters for Emily, as Emily, Harry's granddaughter, was his only true friend at the end of his life.

Each poem/story in the book is a riddle. Each answer is a password for a computer file. Harry's children and grandchild learn a lot about Harry that explains much of his behavior, but more importantly they learn about themselves and the power of forgiveness.

This is one of those books where you laugh one second and cry the next. The structure of the book is fascinating. If you enjoy books by Mitch Albom, Nicholas Sparks (not all his books are Clean Reads), and Richard Paul Evans, you'll like this one, too. I loved it.

Posted by ME, Emily. My personal blog is here.

And look what others have said about this book!

“Clever, heartwarming and heartfelt, LETTERS FOR EMILY is a novel every member of the family should read. I love it!”
– Mary Higgins Clark, #1 New York Times Bestselling Author

“This is an exceptional story, gleaming with goodness and hope.”
– Richard Paul Evans, #1 New York Times Bestselling Author

“Eloquent...powerful and gripping.”
– Publishers Weekly

“...An advice-laced heartwarmer in the tradition of Mitch Albom’s popular Tuesdays with Morrie .”
– The Boston Herald

“This wonderful book is touching, sweet and blessed with a voice that remains long after the last page is turned.”
– Kathy Ashton, Editor, The Inkslinger Book Review

“...A very intelligent, well-crafted and feeling piece. I found it totally absorbing and difficult to lay down. The writing style is full of energy -- the characters real and alive. …A passionately poignant work that touches the human heart. Reading it was an absolute pleasure.”
– Ray Goldrup, Movie and Television Screenwriter

“I loved this book. I absolutely loved it! Telling the story through the letters, the passwords, and the poems was enthralling, wonderful and unique. You can’t imagine how close to my heart it came.…A warm inspirational story which leaves you feeling more grateful for love and family. Chills. Tears. Fabulous!”
– Amanda Dickson, KSL Radio

“Two pages had not passed, and I had already laughed out loud twice and felt the catch of a tear. This is an honest and good-hearted book.”
– Marvin Payne, Actor and Playwright

“Comforting as cocoa, a heartfelt first novel...”
– Kirkus Reviews

Julia's Kitchen by Brenda Ferber

There are not enough words to describe how much I loved Julia's Kitchen by Brenda A. Ferber. I enjoy much of what I read. I love many. But there are a few that touch my heart and I know that I'll always always love. Julia's Kitchen is now one of them. It is the story of a young girl, Cara Segal, as she goes through a heartbreaking journey of grief and sorrow when her mother and sister die in a fire.

When we first meet Cara she is happy and carefree. Having stayed overnight at a friend's house she is unaware that her life is forever changed. One phone call changes everything. Suddenly a happy family of four is a confused and grief-stricken family of two. Having been her mother's pet, the two liked to bake together, she is struggling trying to connect with her father emotionally. Her mother, Julia, owned her own catering business "Julia's Kitchen" and Cara loved helping her mother. Now she's vowed never to eat another dessert. Cara's journey of how she learns to live again, love again, believe in God again, and yes, even bake chocolate chip cookies again is unforgettably touching. And there is even a recipe for those cookies in the book!

Recommended Ages: 8 and up.

Posted by regular reviewer, Becky Laney

Becky's Book Reviews

Summer of the War by Gloria Whelan

Summer of the War by Gloria Whelan is another wonderful Junior High/Teen book that I just finished. I usually do enjoy Whelan's work so I wasn't surprised that this one scored high on my list. This book is set in Michigan during the summer of 1942. It is the story of Belle and how each summer she and her siblings go to the Upper Peninsula to spend some time on "their island". It is usually a summer filled with family time and lots of fun outdoors but this summer is different - their wealthy, Parisian cousin, Carrie plans to come and stay. It turns their summer upside down and Belle has to learn what it means to live with someone you have a hard time getting along with. Consequently - since it is set during 1942 we have two "wars" going on during this summer! The end takes quite a turn but really clinches the story - I enjoyed this one!

Becky Bilby, regular contributor
In the Pages

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