The Hiding Place by Corrie ten Boom

The Hiding Place, written by Corrie ten Boom, is a true story about the author's experiences during the holocaust. Corrie ten Boom was a leader in the Underground. With the help of her family, she kept many Jews safe from the Nazis. However, she was eventually caught, and along with her family, thrown into prison and a concentration camp.

This inspirational story is about how Corrie found faith and held onto it for dear life. She witnessed many miracles, but the greatest miracle to me, is that Corrie and her sister, Betsie, were able to maintain such a positive outlook because of their unwavering faith in God. I mean, Betsie prays IN GRATITUDE for the fleas in the bunker, which do, amazingly enough, turn out to have a good purpose.

Here is a brief excerpt:

"Corrie Ten Boom stood naked with her older sister Betsie, watching a concentration camp matron beating a prisoner. "Oh, the poor woman," Corrie cried. "Yes. May God forgive her," Betsie replied. And, once again, Corrie realized that it was for the souls of the brutal Nazi guards that her sister prayed."

The Hiding Place is a life-changing classic. It is a quick read. Although it is about the holocaust, it is not deeply depressing but enlightening. I hope you enjoy it! It is one of the best books I have ever read.

The above review was published on this blog in 2008.

Grace's Note, 2019: What an incredible book. I'm 13 and I loved it. Have your kids read it! It's informational about WWII and uplifting.

The Cat of Bubastes by G. A. Henty

We read The Cat of Bubastes by G. A. Henty as part of Family School.

I've heard many homeschoolers recommend G. A. Henty's books, because they are well-researched historical novels. This was our first experience reading one.

The Cat of Bubastes takes place in Ancient Egypt in about 1200 BC.

Amuba is the prince of the Rebu, when Egypt comes and conquers his people. His father dies in battle, and his mother poisons herself in her despair. Amuba is taken to Egypt as a slave, where he serves a kind master, Ameres, the High Priest of Osiris.

In Egypt, he becomes friends with Chebron, the boy he is assigned to serve. When Chebron accidentally kills the sacred cat of Bubastes, the boys are forced to flee.

This story is full of adventure, morals, a tiny bit of romance, and intrigue.

This book made an entertaining read-aloud, but I think kids would have a hard time getting through it on their own. Bubs (9) and Welly (7) really enjoyed it, but one chapter per day was enough. Wy (4) sometimes felt like a chapter was more than he could handle.

We learned a lot from this book...a lot about Ancient Egyptian culture. It's also a fabulous coming-of-age type story.

Our Current Reading

I'm usually a One-Book-at-a-Time kinda girl, but at the moment I'm all over the place.

As much of a reader as I've been over the last decade, I feel like my eyes are just beginning to open, and I feel this thirst for more knowledge...and it feels good.

Right now, I'm making my way through...

Non-LDS Books


The Cat of Bubastes by G. A. Henty-There's so much to learn from his historical fiction. Wow! Makes a great read-aloud. Long at times, I admit, but it's quite the adventure. We're all enjoying it.


Les Miserables by Victor Hugo-So great when I read it, but I find myself drawn to other books first.


LDS Books


10 Critical Keys for Highly Effective Mormon Families by William Dyer and Philip Kunz-Interesting look at what successful families do.


The Infinite Atonement by Tad R. Callister-Beautiful. Great insights.


The Temple Experience by Wendy Ulrich-Haven't read much yet, but I'm hoping that it will help me get more out of my temple experiences.



That's it at the moment. What are you reading?

Book Review: Liberty Lee's Tail of Independence by Peter W. Barnes and Cheryl Shaw Barnes

As you know, I've been a blog-slacker lately. Who knew that having four kids and a big house would be so time-consuming? Anyway, publishers have been asking me to review various titles, and I've been passing most of them by. Sad, but true.

However, when I was asked to participate in the blog tour for Liberty Lee's Tail of Independence, I didn't want to say no. I'm always looking for fun ways to teach my kids about important subjects. The founding of the United States of America is a very important subject to me.

Liberty Lee's Tail of Independence is a picture book narrated by a mouse named Liberty Lee. He takes us on a journey through the history of our beloved country.


The story is both informative and interesting. It is written in rhyme. Rhyming can be tricky, especially when trying to pack it full of facts, but the author/illustrator team, Peter and Cheryl Barnes, do a surprisingly good job combining the two.


On the first page, we meet Liberty Lee. Then he jumps into his "tail":


"To begin, let's go back more than 400 years
To meet the first settlers--the first pioneers.
Across the Atlantic from England they came
To seek opportunity, fortune, and fame!"

He then goes to the 13 colonies, the Boston Tea Party, the Revolution, and the Declaration of Independence. It's a great overview for children who are learning about our history.

After the story, there are 7 pages called "The Tail End" that describe the events mentioned in the book in more detail.

Although I enjoyed the character Liberty Lee, I think the book might be a more effective learning tool without mixing fantasy and history. When the mouse mentioned his fictitious ancestors, it threw me off for a minute. Here's an example:

"There were carpenters, shopkeepers, sailors at sea,
And farmers--like my uncle, Hamilton Lee.

At planting tobacco, you'd find no one better--
He worked any farm that would pay him in cheddar!"

In contrast, I love the section about the Continental Congress writing the Declaration. Here's part of it:

"They debated, and then on the 4th of July,
In 1776, they said, "Aye!"--
They voted together, with great dedication,
For liberty, freedom, and starting a nation.

Fifty-six patriots signed right below
The powerful words they decided would show
That these United States would forever be
One nation, under God, independent and free!"


PS. Happy Birthday to our Country (this month) and to me (today).  :)

Book Review - Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand

Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption by Laura Hillenbrand

Let me just say this: Louis Zamperini has had one incredible life! From a childhood where he was always stealing things and running away to training for and competing in the olympics to fighting in WWII to taking up skateboarding in his eighties, this man has done many things in his life that others (like us) only read about.

Louis was gearing up to run in the olympics for the second time when WWII hit the world with full force. He became a bombardier.

The war took Louis on a wild adventure (that most people would rather die than live through). Stranded on a small raft for a month and a half, he came to believe that if he ever stepped back onto land, his troubles would be over. In reality, they were just beginning.

The raft, after drifting some 2000 (!) miles, landed in enemy territory, where Louis found himself in one prison camp after the next. A sadistic Japanese POW camp leader zeroed in on Louis and literally made his life a living hell.

This book was fascinating to me. Depressing at times. Even disturbing at times. But fascinating. If you make it to the end, you'll find sweet redemption and even forgiveness.

If he could forgive the atrocities he lived through, how can we ever hold grudges?

This book is heavy. I recommend it for adults, although there is some talk of sexuality and pornography, but in my opinion, it isn't graphic or gratuitous. For example, while in the air force in Hawaii, they called their bathroom stall the "pornography palace" because of all the pictures taped up. Hillenbrand doesn't give any more detail than that, although it is portrayed as a funny and possibly even a positive thing. In a disturbing part of the book, she also talks about a duck that became a pet of the prisoners in a war camp. One of the guards violated the duck, and it died. She says it quickly, and without any detail so that some people may not even realize what happened...but it's there. A brief portrayal of a terrible yet real occurrence. Finally, there is some swearing. It's mild for a book about war, but it's there, too. For example, they give their various guards nicknames, and one is called the swear word for excrement. It isn't a fluffy book.

It's full of facts, not a lot of dialog...and the topic itself is heavy. However, I'm glad I read it...to understand about a true time in the world's history and to see that no matter what the world has in store for us, we can come out on top, as we seek the Lord's help in forgiving others.

Uncle Tom's Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe

Uncle Tom's Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe

It is rumored that Abraham Lincoln met Harriet Beecher Stowe at the beginning of the Civil War and said, "So this is the little lady who started this great war."

Despite changing the course of America's history, this is a book many people have heard of, but far fewer have read.

Well-drawn characters are interwoven in a web of stories that portray life in the slave states. Through unimaginable trials, most of the slaves in the story buckle under pressure and lose hope. However, some stay strong and true to their Christian faith.

Uncle Tom is a strong character who looks to God for guidance. When all the other slaves buckle under the pressure of a tyrannical slave-owner, he stands strong in his faith and doesn't budge.

What a beautiful example of true Christianity! Tom realizes that no matter what is done to him on Earth, he will be rewarded in Heaven for sticking to his morals and his God.

Well-written, although definitely written with an anti-slavery slant that sometimes comes before the story itself, this book instantly rose to be on my list of most wonderful, life-changing, powerful books.

I highlighted a few parts of this classic as I read. One sentence that struck me was this: "It's pretty generally understood that men don't aspire after the absolute right, but only to do about as well as the rest of the world." This is only too true. How often do we do things just because it is commonly accepted? Whether or not they are right?

Highly recommended for teens and adults.

Little Women by Louisa May Alcott

Little Women by Louisa May Alcott

I recently finished reading Little Women by Louisa May Alcott (on my new Kindle  :) What a wonderful classic! I thoroughly enjoyed it...but I wonder if most teens today would struggle with it. It is long, and it isn't particularly exciting. It's just a picture of life in the 1800's. An idealistic picture full of morals...which might be unwelcome to some...but turned out to be just what I was in the mood for.

Page after page, I found myself drawing welcome advice from Alcott's wisdom. I almost saw it as a manual for motherhood hidden within a fun, romantic story.

Four daughters are being raised by their mother while their father is away fighting in the Civil War. The family struggles with poverty but tries to make the most of what they have. The sisters and their mother are close and loving as can be as they face trials together.

Here are some quotes that stood out to me...

Marmee (mother) was a "tall, motherly lady with a 'can I help you' look about her which was truly delightful. She was not elegantly dressed, but a noble-looking woman, and the girls thought the gray cloak and unfashionable bonnet covered the most splendid mother in the world." The maid said of her, "Some poor creeter came a-beggin', and your ma went straight off to see what was needed. There never was such a woman for givin' away vittles and drink, clothes and firin'."
-Wouldn't you like to have such things said about you? I would.

The girls often put on plays. What could be better, honestly? "It was excellent drill for their memories, a harmless amusement, and employed many hours which otherwise would have been idle, lonely, or spent in less profitable society." Yes! The value in spending time with our families and amusing ourselves together.

When the girls left the house, "they always looked back before turning the corner, for the mother was always at the window to nod and smile, and wave her hand to them. Somehow it seemed as if they couldn't have got through the day without that, for whatever their mood might be, the last glimpse of that motherly face was sure to affect them like sunshine."
-I want to be sunshine to my kids...not the tall person that growls when they don't make their beds.

"For love casts out fear, and gratitude can conquer pride."

When the youngest sister, Amy, is punished for something at school with a strike to the hand, it says, "She had been governed by love alone (at home), and a blow of that sort had never touched her before. The smart of her hand and the ache of her heart were forgotten in the sting of the thought, "I shall have to tell at home, and they will be so disappointed in me!"
-This is ideal, I think...getting our kids to want to do what is right. Not because it will free them of a spanking, but because Mom (and their Father in Heaven) will be disappointed...though always loving.

Marmee tells her daughter, Jo, how their father helped her by saying, "He never loses patience, never doubts of complains, but always hopes, and works and waits so cheerfully that one is ashamed to do otherwise before him...he showed me that I must try to practice all the virtues I would have my little girls possess, for I was their example. It was easier to try for your sakes than for my own." Later, in another teaching moment, she says, "If I don't seem to need help, it is because I have a better friend, even than Father, to comfort and sustain me. My child, the troubles and temptations of your life are beginning and may be many, but you can overcome and outlive them all if you learn to feel the strength and tenderness of your Heavenly Father as you do that of your earthly one. The more you love and trust Him, the nearer you will feel to Him, and the less you will depend on human power and wisdom. His love and care never tire or change, can never be taken from you, but may become the source of lifelong peace, happiness, and strength. Believe this heartily, and go to God with all your little cares, and hopes, and sins, and sorrows as freely and confidingly as you come to your mother."

"I'd rather see you poor men's wives, if you were happy, beloved, contented, than queens on thrones, without self-respect and peace."

I like that Marmee allows the girls to make some mistakes. When they desperately want a week off from their responsibilities, she allows them to make an experiment of it. She says, "I think by Saturday night you will find that all play and no work is as bad as all work and no play." To solidify her point, she and the maid take time off, too. As you can imagine, things don't run very smoothly when no one is cooking, cleaning, and making fires.

"The clocks were striking midnight and the rooms were very still as a figure glided quietly from bed to bed, smoothing a coverlet here, settling a pillow there, and pausing to look long and tenderly at each unconscious face, to kiss each with lips that mutely blessed, and to pray the fervent prayers which only mothers utter." Sound familiar? It's a special time at night, isn't it? Before mother snuggles into her own rest, she checks on her babies, makes sure their warm, uttering silent prayers for them?

Anyway, this post is super-long...but I wanted to share the inspiration this book brought to me.

Book Review: Chosen: The Lost Diaries of Queen Esther by Ginger Garrett

Chosen: The Lost Diaries of Queen Esther by Ginger Garrett

You know I read a lot. A lot, a lot. This book intrigued me from the get-go, and it was worth all the anticipation. I loved it. It's one of those books that, as I finished, I started thinking of all the people I wanted to pass it along to, so we could talk about it.

Esther is a beautiful, orphan girl, in love for the first time. She spends her days selling lamb meat that she can't afford to taste.

She has her trials, but she is happy, until she is wrenched away from everything she knows and cares about.

King Xerxes desires a new Queen, nevermind that he already has a whole harem of women already at his disposal.

Esther is chosen as one of many girls to go the palace and be prepared for one night with the King. As a Jew, she believes that sex should be between one woman and one man who have a life-long commitment to each other. Despite this, she feels that God is directing events.

I wouldn't give anything away, except you know this story, don't you? If not, stop reading.

Esther is chosen to be Queen, and she and the King share a love for one another. However, when a decree goes out that all Jews are to be executed, Esther must risk her life, revealing the she is a Jew, to save her people.

This book gave me a lot of food for thought.

In terms of cleanliness, there is talk of preparing for sex. Esther is given sensuality lessons and rubbed with oil daily to prepare for the King's touch. However, the sexuality does not go any farther than that. I consider this a clean read, although I'd only recommend it to adults because of subject matter.

Using Historical Fiction to Teach History

I wrote an article over on Latter-day Homeschooling about Using Historical Fiction to Teach History. It contains a list of our favorite historical fiction for children through teens. Check it out here.

And have a wonderful day!

Warmly,
Emily

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.

Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O'Dell

Book Review: Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O'Dell
Review by Emily

We recently listened to Island of the Blue Dolphins on CD (read by Tantoo Cardinal). I liked this book as a child, but couldn't remember much about it. The story captivated me and the kids.

Karana's father and many of the villagers on the island are betrayed by a hunting company and killed. After this incident, there are many more women on the island than men. The women take over some of the jobs of the men, but then contention sets in. They decide to leave the island.

When the ship is leaving with the villagers, Karana sees that her brother is still on the island. She jumps out of the boat to be with her brother. Unfortunately, her brother does not live long, and Karana is left alone on the island for several years, with only animals for companions.

Island of the Blue Dolphins is a tale of survival, friendship, and adventure. Karana is a powerful female character, who is brave and determined.

As mentioned, there are many deaths in this book, including that of a beloved dog. The book is appropriate for all ages, but may not be ideal for sensitive readers.

Longbourn's Unexpected Matchmaker by Emma Hox

Longbourn's Unexpected Matchmaker by Emma Hox

Book Review by Emily

This retelling of Pride and Prejudice was an enjoyable read. Imagine a Pride and Prejudice where nothing goes wrong. Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth are free to fall in love without all the distractions. Okay, there are a few complications in it, but they are quickly resolved and you can get back to the developing love story.

I consider this novel a supplement to the original Pride and Prejudice. It's fun to read more about what could have happened to the characters we love so well.

My copy has quite a few editing issues, but hopefully they'll get those straightened out.

Recommended for adult fans of Jane Austen.

Four Picture Book Reviews

I'm catching up on some picture book reviews today. I highly recommend all four of these books.

A River of Words by Jen Bryant, Illustrated by Melissa Sweet

This inspiring picture book biography is about William Carlos Williams, a family doctor who always loved to write poetry. He influenced American poetry by writing about common, everyday things, such as fire trucks, wheelborrows, plums, etc. When these things didn't fit into traditional rhyme and rhythm, he came up with his own type of freestyle poetry.

A River of Words is a great story with stunning, modern illustrations. You hardly even realize you are reading a biography.

**Tip: After we read this together, we cut words out of old magazines and formed them into poems. It was a fun project to follow up with.

Zero is the Leaves on the Tree by Betsy Franco, Illustrated by Shino Arihara

Zero can be a confusing concept, but this book explains it well through the eyes of a child. It says, "Zero is ...the balls in the bin at recess time...the leaves on the bare, brown arms of the oak tree...the sound of snowflakes." Do you hear how poetic it is? Like the last book, this book is teaching a concept without being boring in any way.

Henry and the Crazed Chicken Pirates by Carolyn Crimi, Illustrated by John Manders

This book is just fun. Well, I shouldn't say 'just', because it has a great message, too.

Henry, a rabbit who loves to read and write, is convinced that a ship full of crazy chicken pirates is coming to steal all his loot. Nobody believes him, of course, so he has to take matters into his own hands. He researches about dealing with chicken pirates and writes his own book about it. When the pirates show up, Henry saves the day.

This story is heaps of fun and encourages a love of reading and writing (which, you know, I'm kinda passionate about...).

Hat by Paul Hoppe

Henry (yes, another one...) finds a hat in the park and imagines all the great things he could do with it. He could use it for a sled or a boat or to protect himself from rain or crocodiles. Will he keep it? What if someone else needs it ?

I love simple picture books that spur the imagination. Sparse text and bright illustrations make this book a pleasure to read over and over.

Book Review: My Fair Godmother by Janette Rallison

My Fair Godmother by Janette Rallison
Book Review by Cindy Bohn of Digging up Bohns


This starts off as a pretty standard case for a little magical help here. Jane is pretty and smart, but can't make handsome Hunter notice her. But she gets a makeover and poof! instant happy ending. Except that Hunter is her little sister's boyfriend. Oops.

Now pretty, popular, oblivious little Savannah is the one in need of some help. But instead of a Fairy Godmother, she gets a Fair one, and this one can't even be bothered to listen long enough to figure out what three wishes Savannah wants. Looks like she'll have to get through Cinderella and Snow White on her own before she can find her Prince Charming.

This was a fun and breezy read that had a very satisfying ending, as well as a reminder that Middle Age life was nothing like it is in those Disney movies.

* I reviewed this book, too. You can see my review here. -Emily *

Book Review: Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford

Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford

Book Review by Bobbi Cook from This Little Book Blog


I have to say that I chose to read this book both for its sentimental cover and clever title. I had a feeling that it would be softly romantic, perhaps tragic even. It definitely lived up to my expectations, and I was left quite satisfied for having read it.

Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet is the story of Henry Lee. We meet him as he is rediscovering and remembering his past. He is searching for a long lost object that means as much to him as it did to the sweet girl that he had a crush on when he was in his childhood. His journey takes him back to a time and place that were both turbulent and formative on his young, innocent soul.

At age twelve, Henry lives in Seattle’s Chinatown during the beginning of World War II. His parents are traditional Chinese immigrants who want the best for their only son. They send him to an all white school where he is on a scholarship. There he meets Keiko who is in a similar position, also attending Rainier Elementary. The two become fast friends, sharing an interest in Jazz.

Although Keiko lives just blocks away from Henry, their worlds are very different. She is Japanese American and lives in Nihonmachi. Her family is friendly and open minded, whereas Henry’s family will have nothing to do with the Japanese (his father angrily followed the Japanese invasion of China). Henry and Keiko meet in secret, until their friendship is threatened by the government evacuating her family to an internment camp. He is left to sort out his feelings for Keiko, and to make difficult decisions about his future.

Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet has been dubbed as a “wartime-era Chinese-Japanese variation on Romeo and Juliet” by The Seattle Times. I can understand the comparison. It is a story of young love, thwarted by societal prejudices, but I thought it was more than that. It made me really think about our history as a country, and the war-time decisions that were made that affected the lives of many thousands of Japanese American citizens. It also renewed my faith in the importance of love and friendship.

Book Review: Left to Tell by Immaculee Ilibagiza

I have another great book club book to share with you. It has a bit of violence. It is about living through a massacre, after all, but it's inspiring. It's a true, life-changing book like The Hiding Place.

Left to Tell by Immaculee Ilibagiza
Book Review by me, Emily

The subtitle of this book says it all...Discovering God Amidst the Rwandan Holocaust. While the unthinkable is happening all around her, Immaculee Ilibagiza finds peace in God's love.

Immaculee grew up in a Rwandan paradise. It wasn't until she was ten, that she even learned the words Hutu and Tutsi. When her teacher began taking ethnic roll call, she didn't know which tribe she belonged to. However, prejudices deepened into hatred, and when Immaculee was 24, a massive genocide took place. It is estimated that a million Tutsis were killed in three months.

Immaculee hid in a bathroom with six other women. The space was so small, that they had to take turns standing. When someone needed to use the toilet, everyone had to shift to accomodate her. The ladies nearly starved to death. Worse still, they could her the killers outside looking for them, chanting horrible death songs.

Immaculee spent nearly all her time praying in that bathroom. The women couldn't talk to one another because they might be heard, so Immaculee talked to God, who spared their lives because of her prayers.

Each time it seemed that Immaculee's life would end or that there was no way to go on, she prayed "show me" how to do this, and God would literally show her what to do.

I was touched by this story. I think it will make a wonderful book to discuss in my book club.

Book Review: The Shakeress by Kimberley Heuston Book Review

The Shakeress by Kimberley Heuston

Review by Me (I could really use some reader reviews!!!)

We've all heard that we shouldn't judge a book by its cover, but I still do sometimes. I mean, I dive into some review books the moment I receive them. Others (I admit) sit on the shelf for quite some time. I'm afraid The Shakeress is one of the latter. Little did I know, it would be such a treat when I finally got around to it.

The Shakeress takes place in the early 1800's during a spiritual revival. Naomi's parents have recently passed away, and she feels the burden of caring for her siblings. Naomi decides to move in with a Shaker community that will take care of them.

Naomi helps with gardening and doctoring. She enjoys her work in the community, but, as she grows up, she feels the urge to move on.

She finds a position as a doctor, leaving her family and community behind.

What makes this book so great, are the characters. Readers will relate to Naomi, and in so doing, will look inside themselves for answers to life's great questions.

The Shakeress is an interesting glimpse into life during this historical period, and particularly into the lives of the Shakers and early Mormons.

For more historical fiction/non-fiction book reviews, click here.

Book Review: Comfort by Joyce Moyer Hostetter

Comfort by Joyce Moyer Hostetter

Review by Me.

I have come to a conclusion. Joyce Moyer Hostetter is an amazing writer. She brings history to life by developing intriguing characters and slapping them into poignant time periods. I admit that this book took me a while to pull off the shelf. I didn't realize it was a sequel to a book I already knew and loved. When I finally picked this book up, I was pleasantly surprised and hooked from chapter one.

I look forward to sharing Hostetter's historical fiction with my children as they grow a little older.

Comfort is the sequel to Blue. I thoroughly enjoyed Blue and its heroine, Ann Fay Honeycutt. In Comfort, WWII has ended. Her father has come from the war, but he is a changed man. Ann Fay is recovering from polio. She had thought that when the war was over and her father was home, everything would fit perfectly back together. But war changed her life for good.

This is a story of courage and healing, of forgiveness and friendship, and of growing up.

Blue and Comfort would be perfect for homeschoolers who are middle-school aged. I also enjoyed Healing Water by Joyce Moyer Hostetter. You can see that review here.

PS...Illnesses and a complete computer reboot (that has stolen all my pictures for the time being) are causing a bit of blog-slacking. See you soon.

Pioneer Project #2: Corn Husk Dolls

We followed this simple little tutorial and made corn husk dolls a couple days ago. Bubs was more into the process of making the dolls, while Welly-Bells couldn't wait to be done and play with them.The project was inspired by our reading of Little House in the Big Woods by Laura Ingalls Wilder. This is the first book in the Little House series, and it is highly recommended!

Little Laura is a great protagonist. She wishes she could be good like her big sister, Mary, but finds herself hopelessly flawed. She treasures her corn cob doll, and when she is finally given a 'real' doll, she makes sure her corn cob doll still feels loved, too.

I loved reading Little House in the Big Woods aloud to my kids for two reasons. First, it is an excellent intro into pioneer life. We glimpse the roles of Ma and Pa, the work that must be done with each new season, and the simple life they lead...which brings me to #2...

It shows how much we have and helps prompt a feeling of gratitude. Laura talks about how she savored her treats because she only had them twice a year.

This book made me long for a simpler life, where the family is truly the central unit of society.

Chains by Laurie Halse Anderson

Chains by Laurie Halse Anderson

Review by Katy of What K Reads

Isabel was supposed to be freed when her mistress died, but through a series of events she and her sister and sold to a fairly nasty loyalist couple and shipped to New York. It's early 1776 and a war with England is brewing. Isabel is told by fellow slave that if she spies on her loyalist owners and reports the information to the Colonists she will have a chance at freedom. Things start falling apart and something terrible happens to Isabel's sister. Isabel finds herself having to solve her problems alone.

This book covers a subject I knew little about - slavery before the Revolutionary War. I knew it existed, but I tend to think of slavery in context with the Civil War. The amount of history that Anderson is able to weave into the story is pretty amazing. It was easy to fall into the story and feel like I was in New York with Isabel.

Chains is also somewhat horrifying to read. Isabel's loyalty bounces between the colonies and England hoping that one will grant her freedom. At some point she says something along the lines (I don't have the book in front of me) "Why should I care which side wins the revolution when I have to fight for my own freedom?" And, knowing the whole time that she (or at least slaves in general) won't be granted freedom when the Colonies win the war eats at you after a while.

While the story itself isn't necessarily a fun read, Chains is fascinating and the writing is incredible.