Sunday, December 22, 2013

A Christmas Review

A Stubborn Sweetness and Other Stories for the Christmas SeasonA Stubborn Sweetness and Other Stories for the Christmas Season by Katherine Paterson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I have long loved Katherine Paterson's collections of Christmas stories, Angels and Other Strangers and A Midnight Clear, so I was excited about this new collection...only it isn't a new collection; it's a compilation of stories from the aforementioned books, with only one new story. If you haven't read Paterson's Christmas stories before, you are in for a treat: They're not about lights and tinsel; they are about the Incarnate Word and the impact of His dwelling among us. These are called family stories, but some of them are a bit gritty for young children -- read them ahead of time if you plan to share them with your family. Thanks to the publisher for providing a free e-book for review through NetGalley.

Happy Reading and Merry Christmas!

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Tuesday, November 26, 2013

Brief Book Review: The Long Awakening

The Long Awakening, a memoirThe Long Awakening, a memoir by Lindsey O'Connor
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This was an interesting glimpse into a situation most of us (hopefully) won't find ourselves in: a long coma with a long recovery. What precipitated the coma was childbirth -- a uterine rupture and massive blood loss. This hit a little too close to home for me, but I am thankful that I didn't suffer to the extent that the author did. What I really appreciated about her account was her admission that even though so many who prayed for her consider her recovery a miracle, she isn't sure of the "meaning" of it all.

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*Thanks to the publisher for providing an ecopy for review through NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Saturday, November 16, 2013

Book Review: Dear Mr. Knightley

Dear Mr. KnightleyDear Mr. Knightley by Katherine Reay
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

I have mixed feelings about this book. I am no Jane Austen fan (despite having degrees in English and Library Science), so perhaps that influenced my enjoyment (or lack thereof), but I had a very hard time buying the main character in this epistolary novel. A former foster kid whose traumatic childhood was far from sheltered, Samantha Moore somehow knows very little about the world -- think Dr. Temperance Brennan in "Bones" for a pop culture reference. She has long taken refuge in books, particularly Austen's and the Brontes', and the two-year period of the book reveals her slow blossoming into trust and connection with others, notably a couple who become surrogate parents and a famous author. Her letters themselves are addressed to "Mr. Knightley," an anonymous benefactor who is paying for her to attend graduate school in a program not of her choosing (although the reasons behind this are never quite clear), and in which she struggles mightily. Anyone who has read "Daddy Long Legs" will not be remotely surprised by the "twist" at the end, and perhaps that deflated the book's plot for me as well. Despite all of this, I was compelled to finish the book --perhaps because of the inherent momentum of a book written in brief letters? -- and the ending was as I expected. I'd like to hear an Austen fan's take on this novel.

* Thanks to the publisher for providing an e-galley for review through NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

View all my reviews

Book Review: Dear Mr. Knightley

Dear Mr. KnightleyDear Mr. Knightley by Katherine Reay
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

I have mixed feelings about this book. I am no Jane Austen fan (despite having degrees in English and Library Science), so perhaps that influenced my enjoyment (or lack thereof), but I had a very hard time buying the main character in this epistolary novel. A former foster kid whose traumatic childhood was far from sheltered, Samantha Moore somehow knows very little about the world -- think Dr. Temperance Brennan in "Bones" for a pop culture reference. She has long taken refuge in books, particularly Austen's and the Brontes', and the two-year period of the book reveals her slow blossoming into trust and connection with others, notably a couple who become surrogate parents and a famous author. Her letters themselves are addressed to "Mr. Knightley," an anonymous benefactor who is paying for her to attend graduate school in a program not of her choosing (although the reasons behind this are never quite clear), and in which she struggles mightily. Anyone who has read "Daddy Long Legs" will not be remotely surprised by the "twist" at the end, and perhaps that deflated the book's plot for me as well. Despite all of this, I was compelled to finish the book --perhaps because of the inherent momentum of a book written in brief letters? -- and the ending was as I expected. I'd like to hear an Austen fan's take on this novel.

* Thanks to the publisher for providing an e-galley for review through NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

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Tuesday, October 22, 2013

My First #MamaVoxBox from Influenster!

I read about Influenster on another blog and took about 10 minutes to register and set up a profile.  Shortly thereafter, I found out that my #MamaVoxBox was on the way!  What a great box of free samples.  I was excited to find two full-size tubes of Pond's BB Cream (in light and medium; I'm pale but my sister is not, so I gave her the medium!), a pair of Dr. Scholl's for Her Comfort Insoles (which have greatly improved my favorite fall/winter boots), a belVita SoftBaked Breakfast Biscuit (yum!), and Annie's single-serving microwaveable mac & cheese, which Evan happily ate for lunch one day.  If you'd like to try out great stuff for free, signing up for Influenster is a really easy way to do that. 

*Obviously, I was given free samples of these products by Influenster.  All opinions are my own.

Tuesday, October 1, 2013

My Brilliant Idea: Personalized Dishwasher Magnet

I couldn't find a clean/dirty dishwasher magnet I liked, so I made up my own!
Photo Gallery Magnet
Click here to browse Shutterfly's modern graduation invitations.
View the entire collection of cards.

Tuesday, September 10, 2013

Book Review: Expecting Better

Expecting Better: How to Fight the Pregnancy Establishment with FactsExpecting Better: How to Fight the Pregnancy Establishment with Facts by Emily Oster
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Oster, an economics professor, wanted to know the "why" behind all of the recommendations she was given during her first pregnancy, and she figured she wasn't the only one. So she wrote a book examining all the studies that have led to various recommendations for pregnancy and childbirth, with very interesting conclusions...but it was like a cliffhanger ending regarding breastfeeding; the author only mentioned it in the epilogue that the nurse wanted to supplement with formula in the hospital since her newborn daughter had lost 11% of her body weight, and Oster realized she had more research to do. Hopefully there will be a sequel! I appreciated her conversational style and the way she simplified the medical research. I'd recommend this to anyone interested in pregnancy and the current medical system.

*Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing an e-galley for review.

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Friday, August 30, 2013

Brief Book Review: The Outcast

The Outcast: a modern retelling of The Scarlet LetterThe Outcast: a modern retelling of The Scarlet Letter by Jolina Petersheim
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I haven't read The Scarlet Letter since high school, so I can't say how close this adheres to the original, but transferring the setting from the Puritan community to the Old Order Mennonite community works very well, and the modern twist that leads to the revelation of Rachel's illegitmate son's father ratcheted up the tension. A worthwhile read.

*Thanks to the publisher for providing an e-galley for review through NetGalley.

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Monday, August 19, 2013

Review: Easy Canvas Prints

When Easy Canvas Prints contacted me to do a review in exchange for a free canvas print, I jumped at the chance.  There are so many canvas companies out there, and they often offer great deals through Groupon, but I've always been a little leery to snap one up, because they're still not cheap.  But with free, I had nothing to lose!

My first choice for the canvas was a beautiful photo of me and a very tiny Ben taken by Joan Elizabeth Photography.  It was indeed easy to upload the photo to the site, choose my options, and check out.  However, apparently the resolution wasn't good enough on the file I had, and Easy Canvas Prints notified me very quickly that they wanted to make sure I was happy with the resolution before they completed my order.  I'm so glad they did, because it would have been quite blurry.  We went back and forth three times trying to get the photo to work, but unfortunately we were unable to.  They were so helpful, but I ended up using a different photo, one of both boys taken by Lois Pierpont for last year's Christmas cards.

My 16x20 canvas was shipped very quickly, packaged securely, and I love it!  I think it looks very professional, with nicely wrapped edges and easy-to-hang hardware.  I hung it above the couch, and now I'm already itching to purchase another one..

If you sign up for Easy Canvas Prints e-mails, you can get lots of great offers that way.

* I was not paid to write this review.  I was given a free product by Easy Canvas Prints in exchange for an honest review.  All opinions are my own.  If you know me, feel free to stop by my house to check out their work in person. :)


Canvas
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Saturday, August 10, 2013

Saving Money: Making Your Own Iced Coffee Concentrate

Starbucks® Caramel Naturally Flavored CoffeeI was first introduced to iced coffee at Starbucks several years ago, when the barista informed me that it would be cheaper to replace my iced mocha with an iced coffee + milk + mocha syrup.  Then iced Via came out, and I officially became an addict.  It started in the summer...and before I knew it, I was drinking iced coffee year-round.  Every morning I would measure out half a pack of caramel iced Via (3 teaspoons), then mix it with half cold water and half chocolate milk (sometimes dairy, sometimes soy, sometimes almond) and a couple of ice cubes.  And even though it was cheaper than making a Starbucks run every day, it was still pretty pricey.  Then I discovered the Pioneer Woman's recipe for making your own iced coffee concentrate.  I wondered if I could use Starbucks' caramel coffee* and replicate the iced caramel Via.  Turns out, I could!  So now, for about $7.50, I can make three weeks' worth of my elixir.  The best ratio I've found is 2 cups of water for each ounce of coffee, so 22 cups for an 11-oz package, and I usually let it steep overnight.  I haven't invested in cheesecloth yet (I just use paper towels over a strainer), and I still buy my chocolate milk to mix with it, but I can now start my mornings off both caffeinated and guilt-free!

*For more info, see http://www.starbucks.com/coffee/flavored/caramel.  I usually buy mine at Target.

Thursday, August 8, 2013

Book Review: The Dream Thieves

The Dream Thieves (The Raven Cycle, #2)The Dream Thieves by Maggie Stiefvater
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Another impressive fantasy from Stiefvater. Unlike any other fantasy series I've ever read -- firmly set in our own world, but with a sinister undertone of magic. While the first in the series had its main focus on Blue, Ronan is the hero (or antihero) in this one, and now I am anxious to know what becomes of Noah and Adam, who didn't get a lot of "screen time," and also of Blue and Gansey...in short, while the ending was satisfying, it also left me anxious for the third book, since there is so much more to reveal, about the characters and about the magic itself. The plot is way too complicated to summarize, so if you haven't read the first book, which sets up Blue's dilemma and Gansey's quest, head to your local library today! :)   Thanks to the publisher for providing a copy for review through NetGalley.

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Saturday, July 27, 2013

Book Review: Ready for Air

Ready for Air: A Journey through Premature MotherhoodReady for Air: A Journey through Premature Motherhood by Kate Hopper
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was a cathartic read for me. The author had her daughter at 32 weeks due to preeclampsia, and while our situations were not identical, there was so much with which I could identify, from the magnesium sulfate to the C-section to the NICU journey that ended with bringing home a baby with reflux who would only sleep while being held. I'd recommend this to any preemie parent or memoir fan.

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Thursday, July 18, 2013

Potty Training the Not-So-Easy Way

To read all about my adventures in potty training Evan, head on over to The Cloth Diaper Whisperer for my post.

Tuesday, July 16, 2013

Review: God's Little Explorers Preschool Curriculum

Evan just turned 3 at the end of June, and I've decided I needed to add a little structure to our at-home time.  I found a lot of free preschool curriculums in cyberspace, but I wanted something that was easy-to-follow and, most importantly, had a Christian foundation.  That's when I came upon Stacie of Motherhood On a Dime's curriculum, God's Little Explorers.  Stacie, the author, has a background in elementary education, and she homeschools her girls.  The curriculum is 28 weeks, and covers all the letters of the alphabet (one week per letter), but the unique thing about it is that it doesn't start with A -- it starts with X, because X marks the spot for the treasure, and the treasure is God's Word.  The second week is G for garden -- the creation story, of course -- and so on.

Now, Stacie offers the curriculum for free (just follow the links on her website for each week's lessons), but if you're like me and would like it all gathered in one handy download, with improvements and extras, you can spring for the $14 package.*  And all proceeds will be donated to fund the building of an orphanage in India.

We're only on day 2, but I've already reviewed the curriculum, and I'm really impressed.  It's easy to follow, doesn't require a lot of prep (or supplies), and is good even for the craft-phobic like me.  Plus, I really appreciate the biblical focus.  I'm glad I took the plunge.

*Oh, and through July 31, 2013 at 11:59 PM CT, you can save $2 by using the code SAVE2 at check-out!
 

Saturday, July 13, 2013

Two Books About S-E-X

So, reading books with sexually explicit content is totally not my style.  Before I got married, I avoided such books on principle (why spend time thinking about something I was intent on avoiding?), and now that I am married I really don't care to read about other people's sex lives, even if they are fictional.  Then how did I manage to read two in a row?



The Infinite Moment of UsThe Infinite Moment of Us by Lauren Myracle
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I appreciate Myracle's talent -- and I met her in person once, and she was really gracious and engaging -- so I was glad to get a chance to read this one before its release. I was looking forward to a sweet story of first love. This is realistic fiction, though, so these 18-year-olds think about sex a lot. And have it.  Wren is a good girl, Charlie is a foster kid from "the wrong side of the tracks," and sparks fly the summer after they graduate.  A little too much description for my taste, but I'm sure teenagers will devour it.



Love OverdueLove Overdue by Pamela Morsi
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I should have known, this being published by a Harlequin imprint and all, that there would be sex. But how could I pass up the chance to read a book about a librarian? The library details were well-done, but the love story was a little unrealistic, in my opinion (what's with our culture's reversal of what should be love's natural progression?); namely: boy and girl meet at a club on spring break, have a one-night-stand, and then try to forget each other until they meet again years later and, of course, fall in love. I would have enjoyed this a lot more without the focus on the physical aspect of the characters' relationship and without the guy's meddling mother-in-law (the subplot about her desire to commit suicide was kind of annoying).

All my own opinions, of course. Thanks to the publisher for providing e-galleys for review through NetGalley.

Wednesday, June 26, 2013

Brief Book Review: We Laugh, We Cry, We Cook

We Laugh, We Cry, We Cook: A Mom and Daughter Dish about the Food That Delights Them and the Love That Binds ThemWe Laugh, We Cry, We Cook: A Mom and Daughter Dish about the Food That Delights Them and the Love That Binds Them by Becky Johnson
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I enjoyed this glimpse into a mother-daughter relationship and the food that defines it. I also found the daughter's "conversion" to veganism very interesting. If I had a physical copy of the book I would likely try out a few of the recipes that appear at the end of each chapter. An enjoyable, hunger-inducing read.

* I received an e-galley of this book from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

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Monday, June 17, 2013

Book Review: Unveiling Grace

Unveiling Grace: The Story of How We Found Our Way Out of the Mormon ChurchUnveiling Grace: The Story of How We Found Our Way Out of the Mormon Church by Lynn K Wilder
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was a fascinating look at the Mormon church and an inspiring account of how God worked in the lives of the Wilder family. Having been active members of the Mormon church for over 30 years (Lynn Wilder was even a professor at Brigham Young University), it took many events, big and small, to open their eyes to the true Gospel. One of the Wilder sons took it upon himself to actually read through the New Testament, and, one by one, the other members of the family followed, noting all the inconsistencies between the Bible and the Mormon scriptures, and subsequently leaving all that they knew to follow the Biblical Jesus. I am encouraged by their story to spend more time in the Bible, because it is "living and active." A very helpful appendix notes many of the contradictions between Mormon doctrine and Christianity.

* I received a free egalley of this book from the publisher, through NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.

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Thursday, June 13, 2013

Brief Book Review: Rose Under Fire

Rose Under FireRose Under Fire by Elizabeth Wein
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Having overdosed on Holocaust literature as a teenager, I was somewhat reluctant to read Wein's latest, a (fictional) Ravensbruck survivor account, even though I thought _Code Name Verity_ was amazing. (As an adult, it seems that such atrocities are harder for me to handle than they were when I was an adolescent.) However, I need not have worried -- Wein is more than capable of taking an old (though important) subject and making it fresh and new through the eyes of 18-year-old Rose, an American, a poet, and a volunteer who ends up in a concentration camp toward the end of the year. The prose and poetry is beautiful, the story harrowing, and the ending uplifting. I am grateful I got to read this.

*I received an egalley from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

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Thursday, June 6, 2013

Brief Book Review: Raising Henry

Raising Henry: A Memoir of Motherhood, Disability, and DiscoveryRaising Henry: A Memoir of Motherhood, Disability, and Discovery by Rachel Adams
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Interesting but a little dry for a "memoir." I suppose the fact that the author is a professor and the book is published by a university press should have prepared me, but I wasn't expecting so much exposition on the author's past research (which was on "freaks," so I can't say it was exactly boring), and her current work in disability studies. A lot of the "memoir" part of her son's first three years was about his therapies and education; I didn't get a real feel for her emotions and feelings about Henry himself, only about his education, his opportunities, his future, and how others perceived him. I also didn't get much of a sense of her relationship with her husband or her older son. Perhaps what this book needs is a different subtitle.

* I received an e-galley from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

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Sunday, June 2, 2013

Brief Book Review: Better to Wish (Family Tree, #1)

Better to Wish (Family Tree #1)Better to Wish by Ann M. Martin
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This first in a quartet of stories about different generations of the same family begins with Abby, growing up in the 30s. A rather short book intended for middle-graders, it begins when Abby is eight and ends when she is eighteen, so there is a lot that happens offstage between chapters. For a middle-grade book, there is also a lot of tragedy and some rather weighty issues (prejudice, depression, the institutionalization of a disabled sibling, and two significant deaths), but there are also a lot of lighter moments and interesting historical details. The book ends on an abrupt cliffhanger, an event that always annoys me, but I do plan to read the next in the series, so perhaps the desired result was achieved.

*The publisher provided an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

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Wednesday, May 8, 2013

Brief Book Review: Someday, Someday, Maybe

Someday, Someday, MaybeSomeday, Someday, Maybe by Lauren Graham
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

What a fun, entertaining, and surprisingly literary read. Who knew Lauren Graham could write? (Apparently she has a B.A. in English.) It doesn't hurt that she wrote about a world she probably knows quite well -- trying to "make it" as an actress in 1995 New York City -- but her prose is witty and her characters are entirely believable. I enjoyed every minute I spent with aspiring actress Franny, and I hope a sequel is forthcoming!

*Thanks to the publisher for providing an e-galley (through NetGalley) in exchange for an honest review.

Monday, May 6, 2013

I'm on the Cloth Diaper Whisperer!

Check it out! They published a blog post of mine!

Sunday, May 5, 2013

Breakfast for Dinner

We have a new tradition on Sunday nights: breakfast for dinner.  Mike wasn't too crazy about the idea at first, but since I do most of the cooking, he can't really complain.  Breakfast is something I know my picky toddler will eat, too.  And so far, we've had two hits, both from Weelicious

The first is cottage cheese pancakes, which Mike declared the best he's ever had.  I like that they have extra protein, especially when they are for dinner! (The first time I made them, we had no leftovers, so now I double the recipe.  Believe it or not, Ben eats a lot -- more than Evan sometimes!)

The second recipe, which I tried for the first time tonight, is for whole wheat waffles.  I modified the recipe some to 1. make them acceptable to my wheat-flour-averse husband, and 2. give them a hit of healthy fat for my boys.  For 1., I substituted whole wheat pastry flour for the plain whole wheat flour -- the whole wheat pastry flour is lighter and milder-tasting than regular whole wheat flour, and Mike wouldn't have even noticed unless I'd told him. (You can use this in most baked goods instead of wheat flour; I've read that the only exception is yeast breads.)  For 2., I substituted coconut oil for the canola.  And I used buttermilk instead of plain milk and added some blueberries, too.  Yum.

Just wanted to share two easy, healthy recipes that everyone in my family will eat any time of day!

Thursday, May 2, 2013

I Could Have Written This

This is an article from the her*meneutics blog on Christianity Today's website that I could have written myself: Gosnell and My Heart for Tiny Babies.

Friday, April 26, 2013

March For Babies

Tomorrow my mom and dad and I are taking Ben and marching for babies with the March of Dimes!  I am so thankful for all the work March of Dimes has done.  I know their research is one thing that enabled Ben to do as well as he did.  To learn more, go  here.

Tuesday, April 9, 2013

School of Cloth Twitter Party -- TONIGHT!

You probably haven't noticed, but I am now on Twitter.  I wouldn't call myself a Tweeter, but I tweet occasionally at Twitter parties.  Basically, I joined Twitter so I could win things.  I've participated in 4 or 5 Twitter parties, and won a prize twice, so I feel like it has been worth it.

There's a great Twitter party tonight, hosted by the Cloth Diaper Geek. Go here to learn all about it!

Saturday, March 30, 2013

Brief Book Review: Also Known As

Also Known AsAlso Known As by Robin Benway
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

If Goodreads allowed half stars, I would give this a 3.5.  Maggie comes from a family of spies, and at sixteen she is on her first solo assignment -- to befriend a boy at a posh Manhattan high school and make sure his father doesn't blow their cover. There's more relationship drama than actually spying, but it's a fun, light read fans of the Gallagher Girls.

*I received an e-galley from the publisher through NetGalley for an honest review.
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Thursday, March 21, 2013

March of Dimes March for Babies

I decided to do the March of Dimes March for  Babies this year out of gratitude for all the research they've done over the years that benefitted Ben and ensured a good outcome for my little preemie.  If you'd like to join -- donate or walk with me -- check out my fundraising page.

Here's Ben a year ago:
And here he is now! :


Sunday, March 17, 2013

Anyone else love the Austins?

Sara Zarr writes about Madeleine L'Engle's literary family, in whose company I spent many hours when I was a tween.  I appreciated her insights. Click here to read.

Thursday, January 31, 2013

Book Review: The Lost Husband

The Lost Husband: A NovelThe Lost Husband: A Novel by Katherine Center
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I really enjoy Katherine Center's novels...they are like "grown-up" chick lit about women with husbands or children. This one is about Libby, a widow who decides to escape her "piece-of-work" mother and move in with an aunt she doesn't know, who owns a goat farm in the "wilds" of Texas. There's the adjustment to farm life, parenting dilemmas, new friends, and, of course, a love interest. It's the execution that is so fun, as well as Libby's very honest voice. I found it to be a completely engaging and quick read -- in fact, I wished it were longer!

* I received a free e-galley from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

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Saturday, January 19, 2013

More of a Complaint than a Book Review, But There You Go

The Madness Underneath (Shades of London, #2)The Madness Underneath by Maureen Johnson
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Oh, Maureen Johnson, I love you and your quirky heroines but you have fallen prey to that all-too-common and maddening middle book syndrome that YA seems particularly susceptible to: the second book is just a placeholder in (what I assume will be) a trilogy, and the ending isn't a cliffhanger so much as it isn't an ending at all. I feel like I got dropped off in the middle of the story and now I can't get back in until the next book is published, which I'm guessing is in 2015. Sigh.

*Thanks to the publisher for providing an ARC through NetGally.

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Wednesday, January 16, 2013

Books That Inspire Compassion

One of the most wonderful things about good fiction, in my opinion, is its power to trasnport the reader not only to a different time or place, but to a different mindset.  One of the best ways to teach compassion to our children is to let them see through someone else's eyes by immersing themselves in a good story.

To that end, three of my favorite stories that inspire compassion for those who are "different":

WonderWonder by R.J. Palacio
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A lovely and deeply moving book about a 5th-grader with a facial deformity going to school for the first time.  Palacio uses different viewpoints to tell Auggie's story, the most compelling being Auggie's own perspective on what it's like to be him.  The only con to this story is that you might have Natalie Merchant's song stuck in your head the whole time you read it.


RulesRules by Cynthia Lord
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Twelve-year-old Catherine's little brother has autism, and the "Rules" she comes up with to help him be more "normal" (including "keep your pants on in public")might make readers laugh, but her friendship with a paraplegic boy and her growing awareness of the kind of person she wants to be will also inspire.



Out of My MindOut of My Mind by Sharon M. Draper
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Fifth-grader Melody has cerebral palsy and is trapped inside her own body and head.  Unable to speak, she still learns to find her voice.




In case you are thinking that these are only books for grade-schoolers, think again.  Even grown-ups need the reminder to be a little more compassionate!

Friday, January 11, 2013

In the mood for some historical fiction?

A great article from the Atlantic Wire: "A Literary Tour of Historical Y.A."  It not only includes some old favorites, like the Betsy-Tacy series, but some new ones I added to my ever-growing "To Read" list.  You're welcome!