Christian Book Review: Holocaust: Number the Stars ~ Lois Lowry

My family is studying the holocaust right now and while mom wanted a good story that closely followed what it was like for Jews, she didn't want anything too graphic. Well we found this little book that does exactly that. And children are more spellbound by learning if it is written in story form. After reading chapters, if mom stops, the kids beg for more.

Number the Stars follows the life of 10 year old Anna Marie who is Polish, and whose best friend, Ellen, is Jewish. Anna Marie and  Ellen can't understand why the war is going on, and why Jews are being persecuted and ripped away from their homes and families. When Ellen's parents are forced into hiding, Anna Marie and her family take in Ellen and vow to protect her and her family's whereabouts

. But soon, the fate of Ellen and her family rest in the hands of terrified Anna Marie one dark night. Their whole future might change...for good or bad, no one is sure.

This book even keeps the adult riveted. My mother and I were as excited to pick the story up as the children. A great benefit to a Holocaust study!



Age Interest: 5 and up
Violence: Mild, soldiers slap people, an accident briefly described

Audio Theater: Under Drake's Flag ~ Based on G.A.Henty

" Imagination is more important than knowledge." Albert Einstein 

I am one who has enjoyed reading books by the inspiring historian Henty, yet I wasn't fully able to share his stories with younger children because of the advanced writing of his works.

Our family just got the thrill of listening to one of G.A. Henty's most inspiring stories, through live audio!  Henty's works have been literally brought to life.
Bill Heid took a group of employees--including his son Nick--to London and reproduced G.A. Henty's adventure book, Under Drake's Flag: A Tale Of The Spanish Main in audio theatre format. "I spared no expense in hiring some of the finest English actors... most of whom are in the Shakespearian theatre and movies over there. And, as a special treat, we were able to convince prominent British actor Brian Blessed to join our team as the narrator," says Heid. Adding, "In addition, the production crew we hired was top notch including award-winning composer John Campbell who did the original score for C.S. Lewis's The Chronicles of Narnia."

Bill Heid took a group of employees--including his son Nick--to London and reproduced G.A. Henty's adventure book, Under Drake's Flag: A Tale Of The Spanish Main in audio theatre format. "I spared no expense in hiring some of the finest English actors... most of whom are in the Shakespearian theatre and movies over there. And, as a special treat, we were able to convince prominent British actor Brian Blessed to join our team as the narrator," says Heid. Adding, "In addition, the production crew we hired was top notch including award-winning composer John Campbell who did the original score for C.S. Lewis's The Chronicles of Narnia

Bill Heid, founder of Henty Alive, introduces the first audio dramatization of Under Drake's Flag: The Extraordinary Adventures of G. A. Henty.

Bill Heid took a group of employees--including his son Nick--to London and reproduced G.A. Henty's adventure book, Under Drake's Flag: A Tale Of The Spanish Main in audio theatre format. "I spared no expense in hiring some of the finest English actors... most of whom are in the Shakespearian theatre and movies over there. And, as a special treat, we were able to convince prominent British actor Brian Blessed to join our team as the narrator," says Heid. Adding, "In addition, the production crew we hired was top notch including award-winning composer John Campbell who did the original score for C.S. Lewis's The Chronicles of Narnia."

Our children are living in a world that is increasingly bombarding them with visual imagery. And the effect of all this visual imagery (television, video games, online videos, et cetera) and all other kinds of image-based "education" and entertainment is that it creates a world that's highly artificial.

And this highly artificial world, quite literally... shuts down their imagination! Give the children in your life timeless stories of character, courage and commitment that will ignite a lifetime of passion for living boldly in God's world. Bill and his creative audio were recently featured on Glenn Beck's TV Show (please watch:http://bit.ly/1j5WydZ) and described by Glenn as "Old style storytelling- done really wel

Applauded and recommended by Glenn Beck:
" Under Drakes Flag is a..."rip roaring" adventure story that teaches foundational moral values and brings "true" Christian to life. There's simply nothing like it."

Hop over to the main website to learn more! Under Drake's Flag

Book Review: The Black Arrow ~ Robert L. Stevenson

"The Black Arrow" is a tale comparable to Stevenson's most famous works, the plot swiftly carried by thrilling suspense and narrow escapes. Set during the Middle Ages, Stevenson depicts the harsh conditions of life at that time, as well as the horrors of civil war, dealing in particular with the fifteenth-century War of the Roses."

From the man who gave the reader 'Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde' comes yet another thrilling, classic tale depicting the political struggle of the War between the Roses.

In this captivating tale the reader follows young Master Richard Shelton as he braves betrayal, abandonment, and fights for what he stands for in the face of the very man that murdered his father. While fighting for his existence, he is also charged to rescue Joanna Sedley, a young woman who becomes very dear to him. Through his hardships, and the battles he faces, Richard learns profound lessons of life, of courage, loyalty, and honor, and above all that ones actions good or bad, impacts others in unimaginable ways.

I thought this a wonderful read and refreshing with it's sound morals. It was hard to get into, but after the third chapter, the book has sold itself to you! Stevenson's romantic and eloquent way of writing charms the reader.

Indecency: None
Violence: Various battles and sword fights. Nothing graphic.
Language: None
Age Interest: 15-up

 

Ranger's Apprentice #2: The Burning Bridge~ John Flanagan

 

The peaceful kingdom of Araluen has prospered with the dark Lord Morgarath  permanently divided by the impassable mountains-made that way fifteen years ago. 
When Will and his battleschool friend Horace embark on a journey to a neighboring village they stumble upon valuable information that means imminent danger to the future of all Araluens. Alone and with no one to guide them, Will and Horace realize they are the only ones that can prevent their king and his forces from being crushed, and ultimately, save the future of everyone.

My friend Jess is also a fan of this series...
"This series contains the cloaked rangers who live in mystery, an orphaned boy with remarkable skills,  a crotchety old man set in his ways, and a whole host of other characters.  The remarkable characters, settings, and plot twists in this series keep you entranced with all eleven books.  I love the humor sprinkled throughout. My siblings and I read the different humorous dialogues aloud to each other as we go. Another thing about the series is how the different people groups are designed around people from history.  As you read the series you encounter the British during the Middle Ages, the Vikings and their warships, and the Japanese with their unique fighting system.

Last, but not least, I love the strong morals, unique work ethic, and the respect of life that all the heroes and heroines show.  The young men, and their older male mentors, have a tremendous respect for women and the lives of others (including their animals).  I really appreciate this in modern books;  it's a rare find.  The women also are feminine, letting the men lead, yet being remarkable strong for the men and helping them with various missions. All in all, I love the Ranger's Apprentice series and I highly recommend it!"


Indecency: Little to none. Mild talk of two people once liking each other.
Violence: Present but not graphic. Sword fights and injuries occur but not explained gory.
Language: This is the one aspect of the book I don't get. The author is so clean and morally sound in these books but for the few peppered curses. Da*m uttered three times. "Good Lord in Heaven". (Though some reverence is given to God at one point so these could be used in the positive way.)
Age Interest: 13-19

Christian Review: The Witch of Blackbird Pond~ Elizabeth George Speare

First off, don't be turned away by the book's title! I had my hesitations of it at first but this is another "Don't judge a book by it's cover (or title)."

For Katherine Tyler, life changed drastically when she had to leave her paradise of Barbados Island with its sparkling turquoise bay and the freedoms it allowed a young woman of her day.  Unexpected and unwanted, Katherine must learn to adapt to the strict rules of dull, religious, stoic Wethersfield Village. But that won't be easy since she has brought all her seemingly barbaric customs with her.

But hope is yet near for Katherine as she finds a kindred spirit in the shunned company of old Hannah, a supposed witch who lives alone. Though her relatives do not understand her and are even cautious of her, Katherine tries to bring joy into the lives of her aunt and cousins and attempts to understand their way of life.

Katherine finds comfort in being able to teach in the Wethersfield school alongside her cousin, but the town is soon stirred up by Katherine's activities with the children and her association with Hannah. Her relationship with her family is threatened, as is her new courtship with respectable William Ashby as the town actually accuses her of witchcraft!

Lots of discussion can be taken from this book as I do not agree with everything in it, but it is entertaining, well written and gives the reader a better perspective into the way we too often let rumors and false accusations form our opinion of others, robbing ourselves of potentially enriching relationships.


Indecency: None unless you consider mild flirting.
Violence: Minor. Talk of women being hung and burned. A character is sentenced to death. Houses burned.
Language: None
Age Interest: 15-18

Coronation of Glory ~ Deborah Meroff

Guest Post:

 Coronation of Glory: the Story of Lady Jane Grey 

by Deborah Meroff

by Ciera, age 17

“Lord, keep me true.” Thus says Lady Jane Grey as she is led into a room full of Queen Mary’s robed Catholic priests. Queen Mary declares she will forgive the false charges for treason under one condition, Jane Grey must recant her Protestant faith and confess the queen’s own Catholic one. Set during a time of royalty and power, this book gives us a glimpse into the life of 16-year -old Lady Jane Grey. 


Fifth in succession to the throne, it seems her every decision forces her farther into a world she never wanted to live in. Her only dream was to stay tucked away in the quiet splendor of her family’s home deep in a pocket of green woods, distant from all royalty. 


But her mother’s thirst for power and her father’s desire for money overcome her and she is thrown into high society court at a young age: in hopes of making her royal lineage known and a good match to be made. She was only 13 when she was sent away to become the charge of Lord Thomas and Lady Catherine, distant relations, with the ever sought after high positions and royal rank. Fortunately for young Jane, Lady Catherine, widow of the late King Henry VIII, opens up to her a loving heart, and adopts her as a daughter.


 The scars given her by her own mother begin to heal as she feels loved by this ‘new’ family, despite news of an unavoidable war coming, a war that will split England and rip apart her family forever. This book will take you on a journey of a girl who lost it all in order to gain everything, and the faith given to her to get her there.


By Living Books Library

Famous Men of the Renaissance & Reformation ~ Shearer

"The biographies in this volume show the continuity between the Renaissance and the Reformation. The revival of learning which characterized the Renaissance led directly to the recovery of the tools and texts that the Reformers used to place the Bible in the language (and hands) of the people. This book will give readers a sense of the events that helped to shape the modern world, the modern political state, and the church. You will meet men and women of tremendous ability and often unbelievable courage who were at work in the events of the Renaissance and Reformation." Christian Book

This is not your normal account of boring history facts and dates and dead guys. Shearer brings to life some of the most prominent men that shaped history. I used this as party of my history in school and it's shallow enough that you can read the ten minute account of, say Petrarch and have a good grasp of who he was and what he stood for, yet it doesn't go into such a depth that children are bored by every tiny detail of their lives.

"Drawing on 30 years of reading in Renaissance & Reformation history, I have selected 15 figures from the Renaissance and 15 from the Reformation whose lives illustrate the history of the times.
From the Renaissance: Petrarch, Giotto, Brunelleschi, Donatello, Cosimo de' Medici, Lorenzo de' Medici, Savonarola, Botticeli, da Vinci, Michelangelo, Cesare Borgia, Machiavelli, Pope Leo X, and Erasmus.
From the Reformation: Wyclif, Hus, Luther, Charles V, Durer, Zwingli, Muntzer, Grebel & Sattler, Menno Simons, Henry VIII, Thomas More, Tyndale, Cromwell & Cranmer, Calvin, and Knox. " Robert Shearer

Indecency: One or two mild comments about a man being attractive to women.

Violence: Discussion of war

Language: None

Age Interest: 12-up

Fun Fact: The author of this book is the homeschooling father of nine children.

Moment of Courage ~ Scott Brown

"Out of eighty Medals of honor awarded to the Marine Corps in World War 2, twenty-seven were given to men who fought on the shores of Iwo Jima. "

Moment of Courage is a short but powerful read telling the story of the twenty-seven soldiers who fought and ultimately sacrificed their lives for their country and comrades in arms.

A glimpse of four of the brave heroes:

• Joseph R. Julian " He consistently disregarded all personal danger."
• John H. Leims "A dauntless leader, concerned at all times for the welfare of his men."
• Charles J. Berry "Determined to save his comrades, he unhesitatingly chose to sacrifice himself."
• Donald J. Ruhl "He dived on the deadly missile, absorbing the full impact of the shattering explosion in his own body."

"On Iwo Jima, boys became men in the crucible of pain, suffering, and enormous sacrifice. They jumped on grenades and ran into unrelenting firepower to save their comrades. They ran and crawled and groveled in the dirt to do their duty. We need boys like that today. I hope this book can help a few of them understand the sacrifices of heroism."

This would be a wonderful handbook for fathers and sons as fathers strive to lead their sons in the fight for courageous manhood.

The World of Columbus and Sons~ Genevieve Foster

"This is the story of a wonderful, changing, reawakening world the world of the Renaissance and Reformation. Measured by the lifetime of Columbus and his sons, this book spans the years from 1451-1539.

With Columbus as the central figure of this narrative, readers will also learn the fascinating stories of Prince Henry the Navigator, Ivan III of Russia, Gutenberg, Queen Isabella, Leonardo da Vinci, Mohammed II, the African ruler Nomi Mansa, Martin Luther, Erasmus, Albrecht DÃrer, Copernicus, Michaelangelo and many others.

Told in Foster's engaging and winsome style enhanced by her helpful chronologies and timelines, readers will learn of the religious, cultural and scientific changes that ushered in a new frontier of exploration and discovery." Book description

I highly recommend this excellent guide through over eighty years of history for home school curriculum. My siblings love this as a read aloud and it captures the attention of all ages with its well worded but comprehensible writing.

Indecency: There is a pencil drawing of a famous art work that shows a nude woman

Violence: Minor, just talk of wars and persecution to Christians

Language: None

Age Interest: 10-up

A Tale of Two Cities ~ Charles Dickens

A special guest post by my dear friend Jessica Pritchett from Plants and Pillars

Introduction: A Tale of Two Cities was a wonderfully deep and intriguing read. Sometimes the wording would get really tough (then I would have to take a deep breath and try again), but I kept at it and finished a Tale of Two Cities.

Dickens was a new author for me. I have watched Bleak House (a BBC film based on his book by the same title), but I had never read one of his books the whole way through. I picked A Tale of Two Cities because everyone always talks about it, and it was in a time period I was studying at the time (The French Revolution). I was very glad I did.

Overview: A Tale of Two Cities is filled with heroic men, devoted women, and hateful enemies. It is also filled with themes from Dicken's early life with his father and family.

Characters: "If all French Noblemen would abandon privilage as Darney, if all intellectuals would expose abuse as Dr. Mannette, if all men were as willing to sacrifice life as Carton, if there were more kindness as Lorry's or love like Miss Pross's; or more loyalty in a tight spot as Jerry Cruncher's; then, we are expected to believe, the world would be a better place.

Characters like this fill the pages of A Tale of Two Cities. The love between a Father and Daughter is powerfully displayed between Dr. Mannette and Lucie. The love of a Husband and Wife is equally displayed in the relationship of Lucie and Darney.

In Contrast, there is Madame Defarge. Madame Defarge is a monster. Her desire for revenge has turned her into a "monster of pure evil". Finally you reach the showdown between The Monster and The Lamb (if you will!). Madame Defarge and Miss Pross struggle physically as the emotions they each represent struggle as well (Love versus Hate). Love wins as Madame is destroyed when her gun discharges.

Themes:

1. •Prison Doors - The book opens with the opening prison doors and the closing of prison doors. This was powerfully significant to Dickens due to the fact that his father was in debtors prison while Charles was young.
   

2. •The Betrayal of Fathers - Again, a piece of importance to Dicken's reminding him of his father
   

3. •Obsession with Destructive Violence - Note that his emphasis was not on the guillotine, but with the "Mob Mentality".
   

4. •True Sacrifice as the Price of Love - This theme came from a play by Wilkie Collin's that Dicken was in at a young age (The Frozen Deep). The theme is: two young men love the same girl, one wins the girl, the other young man finally comes to grip with the fact that she does not love him, and as a final tribute; sacrifices his life for her true love.
   

5. •Dickens in the Heros - Darnay and Carton share initials with Charles Dickens and they also share personality traits. Darnay portrays the good side of Dickens, and Carton the evil side.
   

What Was My Overall Impression? I loved this book and I highly recommend this to families. One warning: There is a lot of violence and bloodshed. The French Revolution was a sad time in history and deserves to be told, just be careful with young readers. This gets 5 points.

Indecency ~ None

Age Appropriateness ~ 16 and Up

Violence ~ (4) Beheading, Death, Violence, Mobs, Bloodshed,

Language ~ (1)

Rating -4

Hero Tales Volume 2 ~ Dave and Neta Jackson

Hero Tales is an excellent read aloud and a great way to learn about past history but not be overwhelmed by too much information. Filled with biographies of the Christian Heroes of the past, short, but inspiring stories of the people that made history:

Eric Liddel 'Olympic Champion and Missionary to China'

Elizabeth Fry 'Angel of the Prisons'

Peter Cartwright 'The Two-Fisted Preacher'

Corrie Ten Boom 'The Watchmaker's Daughter'

Florence Nightingale 'A Nurse at Heart'

Indecency- None

Language-None

Violence- Simple, non-graphic stories of the heroes persecutions

Age interest- 8-adult

Pearl Maiden ~ H. Rider Haggard

This delightful tale written in 1903 follows the extraordinary journey of a young Christian maiden born in the time of persecution under the brutal reign of Nero.

Young Miriam is thrust into a world of brutality and hardship after both of her parents, persecuted for their faith and ultimately die for it; leave their only daughter with a trusted Libyan servant as her only protection. Miriam and the faithful Libyan Nehushta soon find a place of refuge among a religious group of men which call themselves Essenes, who swear their lives to the protection and education of the young girl.

But peace among the Christians lasts only for a little while, and Miriam's faith is soon put to the test when a Roman Tribune enters her solitude and challenges her beliefs by his passionate admiration and love for Miriam whom he deems a goddess.

Meanwhile, Miriam's childhood friend Caleb is prodded by jealousy and revenge and plots to ruin the lives of those who ruined his.

Will Miriam be able to hold fast to her hope in Christ? Or will she forsake Him for a pagan life and to save her own life?

This chronicle written with such power and truth gives a glimpse of what it would have been like to be a Christian in A.D. 60 and throughout Nero's short reign. The story flows well and is immediately captivating; all events and dates are accurate and educate the reader of what the Roman Empire truly was in that horrific age of the rule of Nero Claudius Drusus Germanicus .

Violence: Lets just say if you can't bear reading about Blandina, then this isn't your book

Indecency: There is mention of a dress being scandalously low and against the wearer's will.

Language: Pagan romans occasionally say "By the gods!" or mention some other gods name

Age interest: 14-up

Rating: 5

The Story of the World ~ Susan Wise Bauer ~

It can be difficult to find a good overview of history written in a captivating yet simple form. The Story of the World series is one such work. These are not in-depth accounts of history, but enough to become familiar and spark interest.

After we started reading this account of ancient history from the nomads to the last Roman emperor, my siblings begged to go to the next chapter; they couldn't get enough. Bauer draws the reader in by writing as if she's having a one-on-one conversation with him.

Very easily understood by children, yet written well enough that adults enjoy it, this and Bauer's other World series is a must for your school library.

A few of the numerous, fascinating stories include:

Romulus and Remus- the boy kings raised by wolves and that founded Rome

"The basket floated along the river until it got stuck in the root of a fig tree at the river's edge. That might have been the end of the two boys-but a wolf heard them crying...The wolf had cubs of her own. But she felt pity for the two hungry babies, and so she tugged the basket up onto the bank and then back to her own den. There, she raised the babies with her own wolf cubs, as her own."

Dido the Phoenician princess- the woman that founded Carthage on a bull skin

When they reached the place where Dido wanted to settle, they found that the land was already settled...But Dido was determined to build her new city on that very spot...So she said to the owner of the land, "Will you sell me as much land as I can cover with the skin of a bull?"

Alexander the Great - The richest man before 30 and ruler of the Persian Empire

What is that? Alexander asked. That is the Gordian Knot," the people told him. "We have a legend about it. The man who loosens that knot will rule all the rest of Asia. But it is impossible to untie the knot. Hundreds of men have tried, and no one has ever succeeded!" Alexander studied the knot carefully. Then he took out his sword and sliced the knot in half. "There," he said. "I have loosened the knot."

Pharaoh Cheops-Making his mummy!

"Let's imagine that we're back in the old Kingdom of Egypt, at the time of the Pharaoh Cheops. Cheops has been pharaoh for years. He has made Egypt's army strong, and he's kept Egypt safe from enemies. But in the middle of the night, word comes from the palace that Cheops is dead!"

The Story of the World also provides geographical locations and shows you maps of ancient history. This is also a wonderful book to explore as a family. Dads will enjoy this too!

Violence: Brief, non-graphic accounts of battles fought

Indecency: Many mythological stories told of the Roman and Greek gods and goddesses

Language: None

Age Interest: Whole family

My Rating: 5 out of 5

Longitude ~ Dava Sobel

" During the great ages of exploration, "the longitude problem" was the gravest of scientific challenges. Lacking the ability to determine their longitude, sailors were literally lost at sea as soon as they lost sight of land." From Longitude by Dava Sobel In our modern world of convenience today, we take for granted so many things that enable us to go about life. The timekeeper and chronometer are two of them.

In our modern world of conveniences, we take for granted so many things that enable us to so easily go about life. The timekeeper and chronometer are two of them.

This piece of literature combines scientific exploration with history and biographies as it explains the many trials and triumphs of John Harrison. In 1707 British Parliament offered a prize of several million dollars to the man who could solve the impending problem of Longitude. John Harrison stood to the challenge and dedicated almost 50 years to the solution of longitude.

( Above picture is Harrison's Marine Chronometer H3)

I thought it was very well written; Sobel has a creative way of writing history as it should be, easy for the reader to understand.

P.S. There is also a movie made in 2000 about John Harrison and Longitude with Jeremy Irons and Michael Gambon. I have not yet seen it but thought I'd put that out there.

Indecency: None

Violence: None

Language: None

Age Interest: 15-adult

My Rating: 4 out of 5

The Scarlet Pimpernel ~ Baroness Orczy

The Scarlet Pimpernel is my favorite puffin classic yet! Very well written with a captivating plot, the book is difficult to put down. Be sure to get the complete and unabridged version.

It is the year 1792, the middle of the French Revolution, and numerous amounts of aristocrats are daily being captured and executed by the guillotine. Only one man and his courageous band of followers have the gumption to stand against the French government and cunningly whisk the aristocrats from beneath the government's blade. Known as the Scarlet Pimpernel, his identity is the toast of London.

But a merciless French agent known as Chauvelin swears he will not rest until he sees the Pimpernel dead.

The Scarlet Pimpernel is a most captivating tale of insane bravery, elusive love, and the ability of one man's actions to change the course of human emotions.

(There is also a very accurate account in the 1982 version of the movie 'The Scarlet Pimpernel with Anthony Andrews, )

Violence: Non- graphic talk of the guillotine, a few fist fights, a man is whipped, altogether nothing the reader can't handle

Indecency: None, although the reader gets a negative picture of the relationship in a marriage but it is put to right

Language: The Londoners use the occasional word "demmed"

Age Interest: 14-adult

My Rating: 4 out of 5

Beginnings of American Literature ~ A Beka Book

This book is a treasure chest for the passionate reader! It is filled with poems, art, biographies, hymns, short stories, questions and answers, and over 100 works of the greatest authors and poets. It also includes the complete, unabridged book "The Scarlet Letter" by Nathaniel Hawthorne. From firsthand accounts of establishing Plymouth by William Bradford, to tales of Deerslayer by James Fenimore Cooper, Beginnings of American Literature will not disappoint the reader's appetite for adventure, well written literature, and learning about the great nation America and its people.

Some of the literature and their authors...

Sinners in the Hand of an Angry God ~ by Jonathan Edwards

Contents of the Dead Man's Pockets ~ by Jack Finney

Haircut ~ by Ring Lardner

The Town Poor ~ by Sarah Orne Jewett

The Pit and the Pendulum ~ by Edgar Allan Poe

Poor Richard's Almanac ~ by Benjamin Franklin

I find myself constantly going back to this book, I can never get enough of the numerous authors and their works.

You can find this book at Amazon

Language - None

Indecency- None

Violence- mild cases throughout different stories

Age Interest- 14-adult

My Rating: 5 out of 5