Book #20 - French by Heart

My friend has a daughter whose family is over in France for a three year job stint through her husband's company. What an adventure this must be for them! Well, I am sure there are days that it does not seem to be an adventure, with the challenges of a different language and culture.  So many memories are being created for them and their extended family as they come and visit them while they are there.

I happened upon a delightful blog Wonders Never Cease ( a friend had recommended it, and rightly so), and as I got to reading it, I noticed a book to the side French By Heart: An American Family's Adventures in La Belle France, and when I went to check it out, I notice they had lived in the same area as my friend's daughter. And, of course, it was the same company which had offices over there. Well, it piqued my interest to peer into what life was like over there from another perspective, as I have kept up with the other family as well.

Delightfully written, her experiences of living in France are similar to what I have heard, with the cultural and language challenges, along with having young children. It was a written documentary of their life in Clermont-Ferrand, France, approximately 4 hours away from Paris. Full of humor, with a here and there of frustrations on the vicissitudes of life, Ramsey's family eventually returns to the US in one piece, with treasured memories of friendships and experiences.

I look forward to sharing this with my dear friend, and French by Heart will head over to Clermont-Ferrand, France to share. Thank you, Rebecca, for sharing your experiences and allowing us to peer into a life of a family who travels to another country and ALMOST becomes French.

Book #19 Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close

Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close: A Novel- by Jonathan Safran. I'm counting this book, though I did not finish it til the end. I read 2/3 of the way through and found it wasn't the book for me. I tried to like this book. There were aspects I did like about this book, which centered around a nine year old boy whose father was killed in the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center.  Just wasn't my cup of tea.

Book #18 - The Double Comfort Safari Club

The Double Comfort Safari Club (No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency) oooh how I like The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency books. I'm not sure why because nothing really surprising happens, but I love the way the characters talk to each other. And I always feel like I am right there with them while the story is being told. I believe I have read all of the Detective Agency books - I read another one last week which I will post soon. They are a pleasure to read.

Book #17 The Wonderful Wizard of Oz

 The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by Frank Baum was a free Kindle download and also on the top 100 chapter books (I would link to the original list, but School Library Journal has redesigned their website and I cannot locate it now) for children. It's one of my goals this summer to read a few more of these books so I can try and flesh out the books from children literature that are popular that I somehow missed the first time around (in my childhood). Of course some of the books on the list were not around while I was growing up, but I guess you could say I'm still growing up since I continue to enjoy children's literature. This was a quick read and one can certainly see the similarities to the movie  which I grew up watching yearly (no DVDs and VHS to watch it over and over again). Of course it was a long time before I could watch it in its entirety since that Wicked Witch was way too scary and I had to leave the room whenever she came into the picture.

It was also interesting to see the differences in the story and the movie as the movie did leave some of the story line out, but isn't that the case with all movies? Oh yeah, there were no ruby slippers, only silver. I always loved the ruby ones in the movie and still dream one day of having a pair. Wonder what it will take to get a pair? Hopefully not a tornado!

Book #16 Major Pettigrew's Last Stand

Major Pettigrew's Last Stand: A Novel by Helen Simonson was one of my beach reads. Pettigrew, a retired British major and widower, lives in a small town in England. He meets a widowed woman, Mrs. Ali, originally from Pakistani descent and a relationship develops. Of course this causes a stir in their small community. In addition, Pettigrew's brother passes away, and the brothers have each inherited a valuable gun, both of which are part of a pair. Tension develops as to who actually inherits the gun of the deceased brother along with what to do with the gun becomes part of the plot, and it thickens quite well.

Very enjoyable read!!

Book #15 A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle

A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle is a book on the top 100 chapter books chosen by blog readers as the best. This particular book was ranked #2, so since I am a fan of her adult books, I knew this was long overdue on my "to be read" list.

Glad I read it - written in the 60s, there was the definite feeling of "good vs. evil" and the fear of the concerns of the day with communism.

This has no reflection on the quality or value of this book, however, I am not a fan of this genre of traveling to different planets, dimensions, that sort of thing. It has a little science fiction and fantasy, so that had some impact on what I thought of the book. Don't get me wrong. L'Engle is definitely and excellent writer, as I have read many of her adult books and cherished them.

Book #14 - Listening Below the Noise

Listening Below the Noise: The Transformative Power of Silence was a book I had started before going to the beach. It was on my Kindle, so I didn't intentionally bring it. But I intentionally finished it while I had a good bit of time.

Leclaire's account of her experience throughout the years of her intentionally chosen days of silence allowed me to view her time spent in the real world, her home, with her family, while choosing times where she would be silent. Two Mondays out of the month, she decided to make those her silent days - not so much that her world was silent, but she chose to be silent in her world.

It's not an easy experience - she comes up against her family who does not understand her choice to do this. Frustration that others have during this time are all a part of her experience. However, her choice last throughout the years, even during the times she comes to the conclusion that she is going to stop, she plows through it with keeping the silence, even though she really sees no reason to continue.

The author also shares times where silence can be abusive, as those who have not chosen silence, but when others choose silence and isolation for them. Examples include those who have been placed in solitary confinement, those who choose silence as a form to abuse others close to them.

However, the majority of her book addresses the importance of having time in one's life to experience silence at some level. At the end she shares ways of going about the silence in our noise filled world.

How do you make quiet time or periods of silence for yourself?

Book #13 The Watsons go to Birmingham - 1963

In my quest to read a few more popular children's chapter books, I chose this one at the suggestion of Deb, who has read many of the ones on this list.

The Watsons Go to Birmingham-1963, by Christopher Paul Curtis, is the story of the Watsons, who live in Michigan during the 60s. The oldest son, Byron, has had trouble keeping OUT of trouble, so the decision is made to make a trip to Birmingham, Alabama to take him to spend some time with his strict grandmother, who will take care of ALL of his problems.

Well, anyone who knows what went on historically during the 1960s in the south, more specifically, what happened in Birmingham during that year, know that the South was going through quite a bit of turmoil, and this plays a part in the story.

The writing style of Curtis kept my attention and was quite the enjoyable book. 4 out of 5 stars for children's chapter books.

Book #12 - Charlotte's Web

It's about time I read this book. It was voted the number one children's chapter book from the School Library Journal's web site.  And I can see why it was rated number 1. It's a delightful book on friendship and devotion and loyalty and more. E. B. White's classic book Charlotte's Web is deserving of being at the top.

I just wonder how I missed it through childhood and here I am at age 54 completing it. One never grows too old for wonderful books like this.

I vowed to read at least 10 more books on the list to add to my paltry 12 I am SURE I have read. There were others that I wasn't positive I read, so excluded them in my total. I was greatly humbled by my friend Deb, who had read 88. 
So.... one down, nine to go - but who knows, I might go for more!

Book #11 - The Prince who Wrote a Letter by Ann Love

A quick and delightful children's book to read, I thank a friend I have known since I started teaching come by and share a children's book to read. She came by to talk to me about volunteering in my classroom - now what kind of wonderful gift is that??? I am excited!

Anyway, the little prince goes to his first day of school and writes a letter - the parents, the king and queen, are very excited and begin to spread the word about the letter he wrote - well... as the story spins, things get a bit complicated about the letter. Oh the little boy had not a clue what a stir his letter would bring to the people in the kingdom. Such a fun little story to read!

Top 100 Children's Chapter Books - What do you think?

This post is dedicated to my friends who are always looking for books to try to satisfy their children's quench for literature.

The School Library asked its readers to list their top 10 books. With 318 responses, they compiled a list of the top 100 children's chapter books. I am humbled. I have only read 10. Some of these have been so long ago, that the ones I highlighted are the ones I am almost certain I have read. The others that are iffy, I left alone. (Update 6-7-10 --- I have read 14 now)

#1 Charlotte's Web by E.B. White (read after the posting)

#2 A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle

#3 Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling
#4 The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis
#5 From the Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E. L. Konigsburg
#6 Holes by Louis Sachar
#7 The Giver by Lois Lowry
#8 The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett
#9 Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery
#10 The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster
#11 The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin
#12 The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien
#13 Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson
#14 Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J.K. Rowling
#15 Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamillo
#16 Harriet the Spy by Louise Fitzhugh
#17 Maniac Magee by Jerry Spinelli
#18 Matilda by Roald Dahl
#19 Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl
#20 Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt
#21 Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief by Rick Riodan
#22 The Tale of Despereaux: Being the Story of a Mouse, a Princess, Some Soup, and a Spool of Thread by Kate DiCamillo
#23 Little House in the Big Woods by Laura Ingalls Wilder
#24 Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling
#25 Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
#26 Hatchet by Gary Paulsen
#27 A Little Princess by Francis Hodgson Burnett
#28 Winnie-the Pooh by A.A. Milne
#29 Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland /Alice Through the Looking Glass by Lewis Carroll
#30 The Dark is Rising by Susan Cooper
#31 Half Magic by Edward Eager
#32 Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH by Robert C. O'Brien
#33 James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl
#34 Watsons Go to Birmingham, 1963 by Christopher Paul Curtis(read after the posting)
#35 Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire JK Rowling
#36 Are You There, God? It's Me, Margaret by Judy Blume
#37 Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry by Mildred Taylor
#38 Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by J.K. Rowling
#39 When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead
#40 The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum
#41 The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare
#42 Little House on the Prairie by Laura Ingalls Wilder
#43 Ramona the Pest by Beverly Cleary
#44 Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing by Judy Blume
#45 The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman
#46 Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls
#47 Bud, Not Buddy by Christopher Paul Curtis
#48 The Penderwicks: A Summer Tale of Four Sisters, Two Rabbits and a Very Interesting Boy by Jeanne Birdsall
#49 Frindle by Andrew Clements
#50 Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O'Dell
#51 The Saturdays by Elizabeth Enright
#52 The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick
#53 Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame
#54 The BFG by Roald Dahl
#55 The Great Gilly Hopkins by Katherine Paterson
#56 Number the Stars by Lois Lowry
#57 Ramona Quimby, Age 8 by Beverly Cleary
#58 The Wolves of Willoughby Chase by Joan Aiken
#59 Inkheart by Cornelia Funke
#60 The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle by Avi
#61 Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli
#62 The Secret of the Old Clock (The Nancy Drew mysteries) by Caroline Keene
#63 Gone-Away Lake by Elizabeth Enright
#64 A Long Way from Chicago by Richard Peck
#65 Ballet Shoes by Noah Streatfeild
#66 Henry Huggins by Beverly Cleary
#67 Jeremy Thatcher, Dragon Hatcher by Bruce Coville
#68 Walk Two Moons by Sharon Creech
#69 The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart
#70 Betsy Tacy by Maud Hart Lovelace
#71 A Series of Unfortunate Events: The Bad Beginning by Lemony Snicket
#72 My Father's Dragon by Ruth Stiles Gannett
#73 My Side of the Mountain by Jean Craighead George
#74 The Borrowers by Mary Norton
#75 Love That Dog by Sharon Creech
#76 Out of the Dust by Karen Hesse
#77 City of Ember by Jeanne DuPrau
#78 Johnny Tremain by Esther Forbes
#79 All-of-a-Kind Family by Sydney Taylor
#80 The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman
#81 Where the Mountain Meets the Moon by Grace Lin
#82 The Book of Three by Lloyd Alexander
#83 The Thief by Megan Whalen Turner
#84 Little White Horse by Elizabeth Goudge
#85 On the Banks of Plum Creek by Laura Ingalls Wilder
#86 Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling
#87 The View from Saturday by E. L. Konigsburg
#88 The High King by Lloyd Alexander
#89 Ramona and her Father by Beverly Cleary
#90 Sarah, Plain and Tall by Patricia MacLachlan
#91 Sideways Stories from Wayside School by Louis Sachar
#92 Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine
#93 Caddie Woodlawn by C. R. Brink
#94 Swallows and Amazons by Arthur Ransome
#95 Pippi Longstocking by Astrid Lindgren
#96 The Witches by Roald Dahl

#97: The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Kate DiCamillo

#98 Children of Green Knowe by L.M. Boston
#99 The Indian in the Cupboard by Lynne Reid Banks
#100 The Egypt Game by Zilpha Keatley Snyder

How many have you read? I think I may try to read some this year. Any that you recommend?
 

Book #10 Sarah's Key

This is the second book I have read from the period of World War II, more specifically the Holocaust. This one was a little different in that this centered around the Jews from France who were taken to Auschwitz, and as for many, where taken to their death.

Sarah's Key by Tatiana de Rosnay revolves around two stories. One was of today, of a woman who is researching the story of the French Jews who were captured during the regime of Hitler and the Nazis to share this little known part of the World War. The second was of Sarah, who is a young girl, who has been captured and taken to a concentration camp and lives with the fact she has hidden her little brother back in a "safe place" at home, knowing she will return to him where all will be safe and sound. Of course, that is not to be.

There the stories and then they converge into one story in where they connect. Little did the woman who was researching would find how she was connected to this story that happened 60 years ago.  How it connects is for you to find out in this captivating story.

Book #9 Jesus Freak by Sara Miles

I just finished reading Jesus Freak and was not disappointed in Sara Miles book of her journey as a new Christian, after walking into an Episcopal Church and taking communion and having a conversion experience.  A member of St. Gregory of Nyssa in San Francisco, she shares the life she lives fully through this parish, from working the food pantry, which feeds hundreds every week by distributing food to anyone who walks in the door. But they go a step further - these people who walk in the door are also asked to help give food at the pantry to others also.

Miles is not your conventional Christian, nor is St. Gregory's the typical Episcopal Church (if you watch some of the services on Youtube, you will get a feel of the flavor of the worship there).  She walks the walk that Jesus walked, to feed the hungry, to eat and worship with those who may not be exactly who we want to be sitting next to for whatever reason.
Sara challenged me to continue to think outside of the box, to think long and hard about what ministry means in the church. How are we opening our doors to the needs of others? Are we a church for ourself or are we a church for the unchurched? How are we as a church and as individuals going to follow the teachings of Christ?
I found Miles' book inspiring, refreshing, reverent and genuine. Unconventional? Yes. Radical? Absolutely? Recommended? Highly. Run, don't walk, to get this book. Savor it.

Book #7 - Hiding in the Spotlight

Hiding in the Spotlight: A Musical Prodigy's Story of Survival, 1941-1946 by Greg Dawson is a fascinating account of two Ukrainian sisters who are child prodigies in piano. During World War II, they were captured by the Nazis, and escaped. Changing their identities, they survived the Holocaust by entertaining the Nazis, who did not realize they were Jewish. After the war, they came to America and their story continues where their talent as pianists are realized.

The author, Greg Dawson, son of one of the girls, wrote the book and traveled to the Ukraine to visit the places his mother and aunt had lived, gone to school, and other places of note in the book. A video shares the story here:

This is probably the most enjoyable book I have read in sometime.  Now I want to go listen to all of the music they mention in the book.

Book #5 For 2010 - Their Eyes were Watching God

I read Zora Neale Hurston's book "Their Eyes Were Watching God" for a book group - I attempted to start reading it and had a hard time reading it. I found the book on Audible - and listened to it - it was a 6 hour "read".  And for me, probably the best read book I have listened to with Ruby Dee as reader. It took me two days to listen to it and had the opportunity to knit and "read" at the same time.
Hurston's book is probably one of the most important pieces of literature written in the 20th century and it poetic flow in the story spins the story of a woman who is a woman evolving into her own being through three marriages, becoming increasingly more independent, despite the many trials and tribulations she experiences.

Set in Florida in the early 20th century, many cities and towns will be familiar to those who have lived in Florida. Whether you read it or listen to the book, you are in for a treat.