Book Review: Araminta Spookie: The Haunted House and The Sword in the Grotto

This CD set contained books one and two of the Araminta Spookie series by Angie Sage. Of course, given my MS's fixation on Halloween and all things spooky, I assumed this one would really catch his attention.

Sadly, despite an effort to play the CD for him, he refused to listen to more than one chapter of the story. Since I had already listened to the whole thing on my drive home from the CMI weekend, I knew he would really enjoy the books. However, I thought it best to return it to the library and try again closer to Halloween (if they aren't already checked out) or perhaps next October.

Araminta is a ghost-obsessed girl who lives in a haunted house with her aunt and uncle. When she discovers that her aunt intends to sell the house (before Araminta has even located a single ghost), she determines to drive away any would-be buyers. In the midst of her antics, the ghosts in the house finally show themselves and do their best to help her.

The characters are classic - the uncle sleeps upside down with the bats in the belfry, the aunt is very tight-lipped and struggles with keeping the boiler going. Araminta is just plain delightful. I highly recommend the audio version, because the narrator does an excellent job of fleshing out their character in the voices she gives them.

In the second book, Araminta is joined by her new friend, Wanda as they seek out an appropriate gift for Sir Horace, a ghost who is about to turn 500 years old. They discover a sword in a grotto near the home and make plans to follow the underground tunnels from their home to the grotto. What they hadn't expected (although Wanda actually had expected the worst, since she is more timid than Araminta) was a portcullis trap and the tides to begin filling the grotto cave. This book contained much more suspense and once again, the characterization was fantastic.

I'm actually looking forward to the time when MS and YS are ready to explore these funny, delightful books! Moreover, I wouldn't be surprised if this series ends up as television fare or an October released animated movie.

Book Review: The Castle in the Attic

I originally picked this up at the library, intending to play it for my boys before bed when we were out at camp together. However, by the time we arrived back at our room in the evening it always seemed so late already, that I skipped bedtime stories altogether. Thus, as I headed off to the CMI alumni weekend, I grabbed the children's book CD's, as well, and ended up listening to it by myself as I drove.

This would make a very good read-aloud story for use in classrooms (probably 2nd-4th grades). Although it features a boy as the protagonist, I do believe that girls would be equally interested in this story. Plus, it touches on enough common childhood problems (self-confidence issues, loss of a friend, latch-key situations) that it would appeal to any child.

William is devastated when he learns that Mrs. Phillips, his nanny/housekeeper, will be moving back to England. She feels that he is old enough to fend for himself, despite the fact that both of his parents work jobs with demanding hours. He determines to find a way to keep her with him.

As a parting gift, Mrs. Phillips gives William a life-like miniature castle. He is instructed to open the box containing the white knight when he is alone. When the white knight comes to life, he draws William into an adventure that tests Williams inner resources.

Have You Seen This?

This is truly amazing. A perfect demonstration of how art and music combine to tell a story. Kseniya Simonova just won a Ukrainian talent show with her drawings in the sand, set to music. What a gifted young lady!

Nature Photographer and Friend

A few weeks back, I received a welcome surprise. My ES's kindergarten teacher from DeKalb, IL, Tracy Paszotta, friended me on Facebook. After ES finished a year of kindergarten with her, I spent a year in her classroom, working as an individual aide for an autistic boy. I smiled, sighed, and clicked "Confirm."

I don't know why I had never thought to look for friends from my old Littlejohn Elementary School colleagues. I suppose, ever since I joined Facebook, I haven't really been on the lookout for new friends. Mainly, old friends from The Salvation Army have found me and occasionally I would see another person I wanted to add from their friend lists.

Now, I had some DeKalb contacts to add and I was having fun. I was able to skim through photos and see how some of the kids I remember from Littlejohn have grown up. I reconnected with two students who used to write to me often through the "Wee Deliver" program at the grade school. (This was a delightful program, headed by Ms. Sharon McKee. Both my son and Jenny, a student I worked with, spent time as carriers, so I felt deeply committed to the program ... plus, I just love to write and read letters!)

When I discovered Debbie Miller (an old friend and fellow individual aide) on Facebook, I was extra excited because I noted that she has a blog. From the moment I clicked on her blog, Nature-ally Beautiful, I fell in love with her photography. Now I am scheming and conniving to try to get her to come take pictures on our property. I would love it if she could get a professional shot of one of our blue heron.

I was also feeling frustrated that I had not found her just a few weeks earlier. She recently held a poll on her blog to determine a final shot for a set of note cards featuring cats. Everyone who participated in the poll was entered into a contest and the winner received a set of four of her beautiful note cards.

Not to worry, though. On my way up to the CMI reunion weekend, I made arrangements to stop in and see Debbie. I brought her a loaf of my Banana Chocolate Chip bread, just like old times, and we sat in her kitchen talking about blogs and how thrilling it is to pursue something you feel passionate about. I made a purchase from her line and she added in a jar of her homemade Autumn Orchard Salsa - yum! (Her jams and salsas are so delicious that she has to hide them from her kids, or they disappear too quickly. Indeed, she recently found two boxes she had hidden away and it felt like Christmas.)

I also snagged a chance to look out at her garden. She has a little nook surrounded by stunning sunflowers, where she sits quietly and waits for the birds to come and take their poses. She has promised to send me some of the sunflower seeds so that I can attempt to grow my own. (Inwardly snorting, remembering how black my thumb is!) She assures me that sunflowers are not difficult to grow. I think I would achieve more success if she were to make a trek down here to Indiana to walk me through the planting process. She'd teach me a new skill and I'd offer up the beautiful setting, ripe for nature-ally beautiful photography!

Take a moment and visit her blog. From there you can take the link to her card page, if you are interested in purchasing any of her beautiful note cards. While you're there, tell her Wendy sent you!

Book Review: Thorn in my Heart

As I set out to drive to the CMI Alumni Reunion in my husband's car (extremely thankful for his working CD player), I popped in the first disc of Liz Curtis Higgs' Thorn in My Heart. To be honest, I had no idea that the book was going to be a retelling of Scripture; although, I did know that it was Christian fiction. What had drawn me to check this out from the library was the endorsement by Tracie Peterson on the back of the case. She writes, "A moving account of love, deception, redemption, and hope. I was hooked from the first page."

I definitely agree with her first sentence, but disagree with the second. From the outset, despite the fact that the tale is set in Scotland in 1788, I could tell that it was going to be the tale of Jacob and Esau. Given Scotland's history for clan feuding, this was a clever choice of setting. But, I found myself wondering if I should set it aside and pick up one of the other audio books I had packed. It wasn't until the story moved into the second portion, where two sisters (Leah and Rachel) vied for one man's affections, that I began to feel hooked in the story.

I have often wondered about Leah. How did she endure those long years of trying to earn her husband's affections by producing male offspring? Why would God allow Leah to live in such poverty of love, knowing that her husband preferred her sister and was tricked into marrying her? Did her children really fill the longing for love she must have experienced?

Although Thorn in my Heart merely re-tells the Biblical tale (it cannot be expected to follow the story entirely), it does present the emotional and spiritual issues of these Biblical characters. Jamie's (Jacob) deception has forced him to leave home and seek shelter with a distant relative. When he arrives, he immediately falls for the younger sister, Rose (Rachel). Leana (Leah) is about to be married off to a man she disdains. When this arrangement is interrupted by misunderstanding, Leana believes she is done for. However, her crafty father (Laban) has plans to redeem the situation.

I must admit, I cried as I listened to the final disc of the story. This tale provided so much to think about. Even today, many individuals find themselves living in a loveless marriage. God provided the comfort and determination Leana needed in her situation. Her example of loving faithfully, though unloved, was powerful. Indeed, her love became a symbol of the way God loves us. He is steadfastly faithful, despite our insistence upon chasing other means of fulfillment for the hole in our heart which He was designed to fill.

Liz Curtis Higgs has written three other books in this series. I'm wondering if they are all a re-telling of Scripture. I'm pretty sure they all are set in Scotland. She has also written a book called My Heart's In the Lowlands, detailing a ten day trip through Scotland. Wouldn't it be fantastic if I could find a book club reading these four books? Wouldn't it be truly over the top, if that book club then decided to take a trip together to Scotland, following the journey set out in My Heart's In the Lowlands? Ah, to dream the impossible dream ...

Book Review: The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society

I love reading correspondence, even when it's addressed to someone else. That's why I enjoyed my college job at the Marion E. Wade Collection, transcribing C. S. Lewis' personal letters. Letters contain interesting tid-bits, relational building blocks, and thoughtful life evaluations.

When I tried to write an epistolary novel, I researched many books in that style. I relished the books of Kate and Sarah Klise. Another favorite epistolary novel was Love, Ruby Lavender. I believe The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society appealed for the same reasons.

Unfortunately, I read this book before leaving for camp (CBLI). Since I returned it to the library prior to camp, my brain is fuzzy for writing this review. Plus, with so many other well-written reviews, I worry I've nothing worthwhile to add. I enjoyed the book. Yet, I don't think I'd say it is among the top books read this year.

The book includes correspondence between columnist Juliet Ashton and a group with a mouthful of a name. At least this colorful name lent a unique title for the book. The correspondence kicks off when one member, Dawsey Adams, notes the columnist's name and address in a second-hand book he purchased. Sensing a kindred soul, he dashes a letter off to her.

Side note: Now, wouldn't that be fun to experience? Imagine opening your mail to discover a letter from a complete stranger. The letter is full of comments regarding a book you discarded. I rarely discard books. Still, it would be great fun to interact with someone else who feels passionate about a shared reading experience.

My blogging friend, Lucy, recently mentioned an interesting reading group to which she belongs. The five participants each select a book and read it, while making notes in the margin. Lucy will receive her original book back, filled with the notes of her other four friends. Sounds intriguing!

But back to the book: Dawsey explains this strangely named literary society's origins. They meet during the German occupation on the island of Guernsey. Juliet is so fascinated by his tale and further correspondence from the group, she journeys to Guernsey to conduct more research. She feels compelled to write about their experiences. As she digs deep into their problems, she stirs up a few of her own.

The author's storytelling ability is profound. Although the beginning seemed slow, once I got mid-way into the book, I cared for the well-drawn characters. Plus, the book offered an interesting view into life during war-time occupation. The final positive? It provided clear evidence of how books enrich our lives. It was a great read.

Book Recommendations from the CBLI Guest

I'm always on the lookout for good reading. I mentioned before that I discovered Bill Bryson when a special guest at CBLI (Paul Rader?) spoke of his book, I'm a Stranger Here Myself. This book appealed to him because he was also returning to the United States after many years of living in other countries.

This year, I decided to actively seek out book recommendations from the CBLI guest speaker. The guests this year were Commissioners Alex and Inge Hughes. There were two books I jotted down during various Bible classes. One was In God We Doubt: Confessions of a Failed Atheist, by John Humphries. Another was William Beckham's Redefining Revival. Since my husband has always had a keen interest in apologetics, I may purchase the Humphries book for him.

When I approached Commissioner Hughes to ask for his top five book recommendations, he asked if I was interested in books concerning leadership. It was an understandable assumption, given that I was at a "leadership institute," but I indicated that I was merely interested in what he considered to be profitable books for any Christian to read.

For his first suggestion, he reiterated the two books he had already mentioned in his classes. Next, he asked if I had read Philip Yancey's book on grace. I had and admitted that I have enjoyed almost all of Yancey's books. His third suggestion was to read anything by Henri Nouwen and his fourth, any books by Max Lucado. The final suggestion was to read the books of Eugene Peterson, especially the two concerning David and Jonah (Leap Over a Wall and Under the Unpredictable Plant).

To be honest, I think I would hate to have this question posed to me. How could I ever narrow book suggestions down to just five? Still, I think his suggestions are sound and I will try to carve some time for those books in the future.

If you were asked to recommend five profitable books, which would you suggest?