Leaving China by James McMullan — a book to savor

By Beth | October 16, 2014 |

Title: Leaving China: an artist paints his World War II childhood Author/Illustrator: James McMullan Publisher: Chapel Hill, NC: Algonquin, 2014 Genre: Autobiography; illustrated book for older kids Audience Age: 8 and up (including adults) Themes/Topics: Author/Artist’s early life; China during World War II; Art and growing up Opening Sentences: “My earliest memory is of throwing…

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Re-read Any Good Books Lately?

By Beth | October 2, 2014 |

I love to re-read books. Some books, such as Karen and With Love from Karen by Marie Killilea, I have read so many times that my copies have worn out, and I’ve had to replace them. You’ll note that the links I’ve given for these two books are to Amazon. I rarely link to Amazon…

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Finding Grace, by Becky Citra — Middle Grade Book Recommendation

By Beth | September 18, 2014 |

Title: Finding Grace (A Gutsy Girl Book) Author: Becky Citra Publisher: Toronto: Second Story Press, 2014. Genre: Middle Grade Fiction, set in 1954 Audience Age: 8-12 Themes/Topics: Friendship, secrets, families Opening Sentences: Dear Grace, I have been accused of a crime! Someone stole Nancy Collier’s brand-new glow-in-the-dark yo-yo today. Miss Noonan did a desk check.…

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Under One Roof by Barry Martin (with Philip Lerman)

By Beth | May 22, 2014 |

When I brought this book home from the library, and even as I read it, I didn’t realize until I got to the last pages that I was not reading a work of fiction. It seemed too incredible to be true, but Under One Roof: Lessons I Learned from a Tough Old Woman in a…

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Life on the Refrigerator Door by Alice Kuipers (YA)

By Beth | April 24, 2014 |

Have you ever left a note for a family member on the refrigerator door? Most of us have. It’s a central location, and most people go to the fridge on a regular basis. You can pretty much count on them seeing the note. Have you ever thought of writing a book consisting solely of fridge…

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In the Spotlight — Teresa Robeson and Fiction for a Cause

By Beth | April 3, 2014 |

My friend Teresa Robeson is multi-talented. She’s a homeschooler, a homesteader, and a writer in several genres. And you should see her sketches of birds! I got to know her because of her interest in writing for kids, and particularly writing picture books, but the books we’re focusing the spotlight on today are collections of…

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