Calm Within Chaos by Paul DeRenzo

 

Genre:  Nonfiction

Source: I received a copy to facilitate my review. The opinions expressed here are my own.

As a middle school teacher I found this book to be a wealth of knowledge. The author has definitely done a lot of work with teens.  The first section talks about emotions and how to learn to regulate them.  The first thing is to understand emotions and how and why teens react to them the way they do. There is an entire section on how to deal with those emotions and a quiz at the end.

The fifth chapter talks about resiliency. This to me was one of the most important chapter. The reason I found this chapter so important is because we have resiliency lessons  every month at school. We are teaching them some of the same things that this book teaches. The book is far superior to the simple lesson we give once a month. The author explains what resiliency is and why it is important to our mental health.  This is a practical guide for teens, parents and anyone. I say anyone because teens aren’t the only ones who need to learn to regulate and deal with their emotions.  This should be used in every school.  Great book that every parent should have.

Hiding in Holland by Shulamit Reinharz

Genre:  Biography, Memoir, Non-Fiction, Adult

Source:  I received a copy from the author. The opinions expressed here are my own.

                Let me start by saying that I have loved reading about this part of history since I was twelve and learned I shared a birthday with Anne Frank. I was fascinated by the resilience of the Jewish people. I was fascinated by kindness and often the sacrifice of their own lives that a handful of non-Jewish people showed in the face of such atrocious adversity. John 15:13 says, Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” In the case of the holocaust, often the person who laid down their life for the Jews were total strangers, yet they exhibited true love.  When I read these stories and memoirs I find myself angry at those who saw what was happening to their neighbors and did nothing and then when the war had ended tried to pretend like they knew nothing or that it was all a lie.  Those same feelings came back as I read where Max had returned to his hometown and this was the attitude of so many. So many still blamed the Jews.  

                This book starts of with the author finding boxes of old documents which her father tells her she can throw out. Instead she takes them home and organizes them. She cobles together an account of her father’s survival and resistance to the Nazi atrocities around him. It is obvious that he saw himself as more than just a survivor of the atrocities thrust upon the Jewish people. It was years later after discovering and organizing the materials that she finally had them translated. She used those findings along with massive amounts of her own research to write this book. One thing that became clear was the importance of keeping alive memories. Not all of us have gone through something so horrific. However, memories of our past and those of our parents and grandparents are important. Does that mean we should all write books about what our parents went through? No. However, the importance of documenting not only good times, but extreme hardship is what may make the difference in future generations not repeating mistakes and atrocities of the past.

                I was shocked to learn that Jews who were not real strict followers of their Jewish religion often survived compared to those who stuck religiously to their Jewish beliefs.

When I read the percentage of murdered Jews from different countries, I was shocked to learn that 85% of the Dutch Jews were wiped out compared to other countries.  It still boggles my mind that we as humans could let something like this happen. Yet for centuries we have allowed this to happen.  One thing that stood out in this memoir is found in the following excerpt where the author explains why and how her parents survived the German occupation. She mentions what her father considered the most important lesson he learned. He said, “There are some good people in this world.”  The author said, “Dad’s belief is not to be confused with Anne Frank’s naïve idea that there is ‘some good in everyone.’”  As a teacher I have taught “The Diary of Anne Frank” for years. I don’t know how many times I have pointed out that quote.  It wasn’t until I read this book that I truly see how naïve she truly was.  This is not a put down to her. I believe we all want to believe that there is good in everyone. However, after reading this book I actually have to agree with the author’s father’s statement.  If there was “some good in everyone” then those who stood by and let the Nazis do what they did, or turned their neighbors in for money, we would have to conclude there was more evil than good in them.

    For me one of the things I really loved about this book is all the references.  Obviously, the author did so much more research to add to her father’s accounts.  For me it just added so much more for me to read to add to my own understanding. I as a non-Jew can never understand what they went through. However, I can increase my understanding of those times to try to pass that knowledge on to future generations. I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to learn more about the holocaust.

 

He's Not a Pig; He's My Brother by Mark Tiffany

 

Genre: Children's Chapter Book

Source:  Purchased

In this great adventure Carter, acting as the big brother decides he should be the alpha. He claims since they came from wolves that have an alpha leader, and since he is the oldest, he should be the alpha. He tells his half-brother Jack that he gets first choice on everything.  Jack disagrees. This causes an argument and Jack and Carter stop talking. Their human parents can see the issue and are not sure what has caused it. Matthew decides they need to follow the advice of a dog whisperer. When he becomes the alpha Carter doesn't like it. While watching a TV commercial about pig races Carter gets the bright idea to become a pig racer. There is just one issue, he isn't a pig. Carter runs away  to the fair where the pig races are held. He disguises himself and joins in the races.  His parents and half brother look for him everywhere. Finally Jack writes a letter to the pig racer man asking about his brother. He decides to go and look for him. When Matthew and Erin realize that Jack is also gone they become even more sad. Will Jack find his brother and convince him to come home?  Will Matthew and Erin ever see their beloved pets again?  I loved how the book shows that love can overcome just about anything.  I am really enjoying the books by this author.

The Green-Eyed Monster in a Maltese Suit by Mark Tiffany

 

Genre:  Children's Chapter Book

Source: Purchased

In this book we learn how Carter and Jack came to live with their adoptive parents. Matthew and Erin adopted Carter. From the pictures they had seen he looked different than his brothers and sisters and they fell in love with him. When he arrived at the airport he was determined to get back at these people who had taken him from his family. He didn't realize that all of his brothers and sister would be adopted. He made life very difficult for his new parents. They tried everything including obedience school.  When even school failed they decided maybe he needed a companion. They took a chance and found another maltese from the same people.  He looked just as cute as Carter. He was actually Carter's half-brother. They had the same mother. When Carter was introduced to his new brother he could smell his mother on the little pup and the bond was made.  From that day forward Carter took it upon himself to train his brother right.

What a wonderful story of love and affection.  I, as an adult, loved this book so I think children of all ages would love it as well.

My Life is Good by Mark Tiffany

 

Genre:  Children's Chapter Book

Source:  I purchased a copy

Carter and Jack are two dogs living the good life. Even though they are brothers, their personalities are completely different.  Jack has smelled a coyote in the area. He knows the danger for all smaller animals.  Many have gone missing.  Carter, on the other hand, doesn’t want to concern himself with such things. He thinks they should be focusing on how humans need to take better care of them.  In his opinion, humans were put on earth to wait on them hand and foot. It isn't until he is attacked by a coyote that he learns what is really important in life.  

This is the perfect book for this time of year when we reflect on what we are thankful for. This is a time when we really practice gratitude.  What a wonderful chapter book for the young reader.  I definitely recommend this book to adults and children alike.

Blood Gone Cold by Katy Grant

Genre:  Young Adult, Thriller, Novel in Verse

Source: I own a copy.

This is a quick read. The novel is told in verse. The story starts out with two sisters snowboarding with their parents, Abby is the nerdy one and Natalie is the popular sister.  They used to be so close. They are constantly arguing with each other. After returning to the cabin and arguing about what to do for dinner the parents solve the issue. The two girls can figure out what they are going to eat and the parents are going to go out for dinner.  Abby hides her sisters phone while she is in the shower. Then she goes out and sits in the hot tub.  She sees car lights in the drive and assumes it is her parents returning. To her surprise and horror it is not her parents but two men in a pickup.  She hides in the hot tub and hears them break into the house.  Now she is worried about her sister.  When they bring her sister downstairs she has to come up with a plan to save her sister and escape from these men.

This kept me on the edge of my seat. Abby comes up with the plan and Natalie is grateful.  This is a book that accurately displays the relationship between sisters and how it changes over time yet often finds its way back again.

 

Kristjan's Rise by Kandi J. Wyatt

Genre: Young Adult, Adult, Fantasy

Source:  I received and advanced copy to facilitate my review. The opinions expressed here are my own.

Kristjan is the son of the chief. One day he will be the new chief of the clan. Only one thing can stop this from happening, the voices in his head that keep telling him how useless he is. For every positive voice he hears there is a negative voice.  Kristjan and his best friends Marko and Bastian his cousin are almost inseparable. They live in a city carved out of the stone. The gems they mine have been found less and less. They need these gems to bring the traders in. Marko and Kristjan are more like brothers. They have been this way since they were tiny.  Kristjan's mother died giving birth to him. His father the chief raised him. For some reason Kristjan doesn't believe he can live up to one day being the chief. The darkness in his mind escalates when he volunteers himself, Marko and Bastian to go out hunting for food. A freak accident claims the life of his best friend and sets him down the path of darkness.  He blames himself for Marko's death. He feels he needs to be punished, and the punishment should be death.

I believe there are so many people who could relate to this book.  I was once like Kristjan.  I had dark thoughts.  The thing is that as a Christian you just keep crying out to God to help you find the peace.  The journey Kristjan is on is hard to read. We will either see ourselves in him or we will see someone we know or knew. For me this book was very  soothing.  It resembled a time in my life I can look back on and know that God brought me through.  There is so much more to this book than just the darkness. This is as much a book of hope.  I highly recommend this book and can't wait for the next one to come out.  This book is supposed to be published sometime in September so keep your eye out for it.

 

Citrine's Monsters by Angela J. Ford

Genre: Fantasy

Source: I received a copy to facilitate my review. The opinions expressed here are my own.

This prequel short story set the series up in away that made me want to dive right into it. Citrine is a unique character. When you see how she was betrayed by the one she loved and used by others you can't help but feel sorry for her and root her on.This is the beginning of a world filled with fantastic characters and what I believe will be a great adventure.

 

When the Silence Fell by Christopher Francis

 

Genre:  Young Adult, Dystopian

Source:  I received a copy to facilitate my review. The opinions expressed here are my own.

Christopher Francis has quickly become one of my favorite dystopian writers.  Mara is a survivor. She lives in a world coated with ash and silence.  She is on a journey to find her brother Gabe and her sister Cami. They left one day to find supplies and never returned. Now all she wants to do is survive and find them. Sometimes  life doesn't go as planned. When Mara finds a young boy named Silas, things change.  Silas has a device that leads him from one relay point to another. She is not sure how or why only he can receive the signal, but she is sticking with him to protect him and to hopefully locate her brother and sister.  Along the way she and Silas are saved by Jared, a young man they had encountered before. They also rescue a young girl who seems to be reacting to the signals the way a lot of adults do before they become hollow.

I kept reading to know more about the sickness and the signals and each of the characters we meet along the way. I kept reading to find out how a world could go so wrong, how adults who seem so ready to help and protect can be just the opposite. Although the ending was tied up neatly, it left us waiting for the next book in this series. 

How To Improve Leadership Development In Business: A Simple Blueprint to Build Strong Teams, Master Emotional Intelligence, Inspire Confidence, and Achieve Leadership Excellence Dr. Francis Dumbuya

 

Genre: Adult, Inspirational Leadership

Source: I received a copy from the author to facilitate my review. The opinions expressed here are my own.

This book is set up to teach you how to become a successful leader.  To do this you need to become well disciplined. Part of this is connecting emotionally with your team. This makes things so smooth. He talked about active listening and giving and receiving feedback. A lot of the things he talks about in the first half of the book are things we do with our students at school. We teach them to be active listeners. We teach them to be risk takers. 

The author describes different types of leadership shedding light on the pros and cons of each type. He gives examples throughout the book using real people and real situations. This is a very motivational book no matter what your leadership role is.

Project Human by Pen Avey

 

Genre: Middle Grade, Science Fiction
Source: I won a copy. The opinions expressed here are my own.

I am so thankful I won a copy of this book from the author through LibraryThing Early Reviewers.  I read this book in under three hours. I had to take a break for breakfast. The major theme of this book is, What does it mean to be human?  This story about a girl named Eva and her father, and the android sister they created for her, caught my eye from the very beginning.  Eva and her sister Ann are home schooled. The reason? Ann is and android, called a simulant. Eva calls her a Humant. One day their father tells them he has to try to find a different job. He will need to have them stay with his sister. The problem is he hasn't exactly asked his sister Jo to keep them. He makes Eva promise not to tell anyone about Ann. For the first time in their life they will be going to a public school. The new neighbors below her aunt have a son named Rokas. He and Eva hit it off. When a day trip to a science museum leads to Ann's disappearance, Eva and Rokas set off to find Ann.  What happens next will keep you on the edge of your seat, reading. It brings into question what love will make you do for someone else. The major plot twist that happens about three-quarters of the way through was one I suspected. Every part of this book was a pleasure to read. I don't think five stars is enough. That is how much I loved this book.

Edge of the Woods by A.J. Rivers

 

Genre: Adult, Young Adult, Mystery
Source: I received a copy to facilitate my review. The opinions expressed here are my own.

I loved this book. It had an element that many people hate or find confusing. In this story, a group of girls is spending their last year at camp. They have just graduated from high school. After camp, they will be moving on with their lives. In the middle of their camping, Bethany walks out of their cabin and never returns. The story has flashbacks through text messages and memories.

Now move to the present time. Annie is awakened with another nightmare. Every June for fifteen the nightmares return. Annie finds it difficult to function.  Then she and two other girls receive a call from someone who wants to make a movie about what happened at camp that summer. Annie finally agrees so that it is told from the right perspective.  But what happens when things start happening at  camp again.  Will it destroy or help Annie?

There was everything to love about this book. The mystery, the characters, all of it.  I definitely recommend it.

The Abandoned Theater by dana Robertson

 

Genre: Middle Grade, Mystery, Fantasy

Source: I received a copy from the author to facilitate my review. The opinions expressed here are my own.

What an amazing  and wonderful middle grade book.  We have a mysterious theater, said to have swallowed up people in the past, a young girl and two friends who have chosen to figure out the mystery.  Then there is the whole portal to another world. What story like this would be complete without someone who wants to take over all worlds?  The mystery genre has been my favorite since I was in elementary school. Throw in a fantasy world and I have the best of both genres.

If you have ever been in an old theater, especially at night you know the eerie feeling you get. It is a bit creepy. That feeling is definitely in the this theater.  The author has done an excellent job of creating twists and turns at just the right place.

I received a copy from the author to facilitate my review. Since I teach middle school and I am always looking for great books for my classroom shelves, I am glad Dana reached out.  I can’t wait to do my first book tasting and book talk. This will be the first book I recommend to my students.  I am looking forward to the second book in this series.

Charlotte's Snowman by Lainey Dee

 

Genre: Children's Picture Book

Source: I received a copy from the author. The opinions expressed here are my own.

A cute story about Charlotte and her love for a snowman. One winter it snows and Charlotte builds the most beautiful and special snowman ever. After giving him a stick mouth her snowman begins to talk. Beautifully illustrated and a pleasure to read. You must read to find out what the snowman said to her and why he was so special.

Escape From East Berlin by Andy Marino

 

Genre:  Middle Grade, Historical Fiction

Source: I own a copy

The story is told from two different time periods. The first part of the story is set in Berlin three months after the Berlin Wall has gone up. We meet two young men who are planning to swim the river to the west side to meet up with two girls. Unfortunately someone has informed on them and they are shot at. One is killed the other imprisoned.  Two months later we meet the dead boy’s sister Marta. She hates those who shot her brother. It has pretty much destroyed her family. She knows they are constantly watched by the Stasi. When she overhears her cousin planning to escape to the West side things are set in motion.

The second story is set in 1989. We meet Kurt Muller. His brother is a border guard and his grandfather is a high ranking official in the Stasi.  Kurt’s parents were arrested and the grandfather arranged for them to be sent to the West.  Both of their stories are held together with the grandfather in common. 

This story shows just a small part of what it was like to live on the East side of the Berlin Wall and want the freedom of the West.  The book is full of fear, hope and dreams. There was a lot of research done in this book. At the end the author gives us the names of books he used to research for the writing of this book. Several of them I have already read.  This is a quick read, but one you will want to slow down as you read.

Haunted Houses Creak by M.H. Altis

 

Genre: Adult, Horror
Source: I won a copy from LibraryThing Early Reviewers. The opinions expressed here are my own.

You want to read something creepy?  This is the book for you. “Phantoms of Eternity: Haunted House” has the creep factor that tells you the following: when someone suggests you go into a house they say is haunted because people have disappeared, your answer is NO. I was so glad I read this book during the daytime and was glad that I was not in the house alone. This story definitely creeped me out. That means this is a book I definitely recommend.

“The Weeds was another story I enjoyed. I could identify with swimming  in an area where there was massive amounts of seaweed or in a river where there were weeds at the edge.  It is always a creepy feeling. The what-ifs that come to mind as you step in seaweed or weeds of any kind at the edge of the water.

I am not going to go through all of these stories. I believe there is something here that will resonate with everyone if you truly enjoy horror stories. With that said, I highly recommend this book to all horror fans out there.

Finding God in Anime #3 - Moriah Jane and Laura A. Grace

Genre: Christian, Devotions

Source: I received an ARC. The opinions expressed here are my own.

These Devotionals  are just as good as the first two volumes. I am so impressed that God has used people who love anime to reach out to others through these devotionals.  God can and does use us and anything he desires to get his message out.

Let me tell you a few things I love about this new volume. In  A Willing Change of Heart by Miya Sae she speaks about trying to force someone to change as opposed to leading them and letting them make the change on their own. It has to be their own free will or it is just lip service. I know what it is like when you think you are leading someone to God and they tell you they accept him because they feel that is the only way they can get something they want. If there is no fruit you truly won’t know if you will see them until you get to heaven.

Noor: Stupendously Simple by Hannah Mae reminds us that no work we do for Christ is useless. God uses all of us where we are needed. Purposeful Rest by Kathleen Bird  shows us the importance of quiet time.  My husbands number one complaint is that I am always on the go. Sometimes it is to the point that I tell myself I will read my Bible when I finish just this one thing because it has to be ready for work.  Then I finish and realize I have to leave for work and didn’t spend time resting with God.  Then I wonder where my strength, physical, mental and spiritual went. This is such an important lesson to learn

How Do You Live  by S.E.M. Ishida caught my eye from the very beginning when mentioning the cliché, “He’ so heavenly minded that he’s no earthly good.”  Sometimes we are so set on making sure that we do everything the way WE think God wants it done we forget about what he actually did for us.  This is actually a turn off to those we are trying to reach.

These devotions use Anime to show the themes of forgiveness, second chances. These devotions are messages of hope and shining our light even during the darkest times. These are messages of hope in a time when our world seems determined to stamp out hope.  I highly recommend these devotionals.

 

Getting Better by Will Carter

Genre: Adult, Memoir
Source: I won a copy from LibraryThing. The opinions expressed here are my own.

I have known three people with traumatic brain injuries in my life. All three were involved in terrible car accidents. My cousin was thrown from the car her boyfriend was driving and the car landed on her. She had to learn to walk and talk again.  A guy I dated in high school was hit when a drunk ran a stoplight on New Years Eve. The third was an sixth grader I taught.  He had been in an accident the year before. He wasn't wearing a seat belt. The accident threw him from the backseat, through the windshield onto the roadway. Every day I would meet him in the office.  He was embarrassed with having to use a walker. His grandfather asked if I would talk to him. He was endangering himself. So I showed up the next day with a walker. His eyes got real big. I told him we were in this together. I informed him that I was going to have to have both of my knees replaced and I was running a risk each day NOT using my walker. So I told him I need to learn to be brave like him and use my walker. We walked to class each day.  No I had not lied to him. I had fallen twice at school when the knees just gave out. I asked him about his therapy and encouraged him. I was to miss the last three weeks of school for my surgery. All of my students gave me hugs and gifts for the rehab facility I would go to. They gave me words of encouragement. This young man stepped up and said the following: "This is going to be the toughest thing you have ever done. It is going to hurt, but you work through the pain. Don't lie, if they ask you what your pain level is, tell them, they know how to help you better. Most important don't give up.  You can do this. It is a mental game you have to play until you believe it. Don't worry, I will be here to support you next year like year like you did me."  Both he and his grandfather came to visit me in rehab. So much love and support from a young kid who had to learn to read, write, walk and talk again. I was told before the accident he had an extremely high I.Q. and was in the gifted program. His story of recovery  is one of the reasons I wanted to read Will Carter's book.

This is Will Carter's story. His senior year in high school he was involved in an accident. With all of his sever injuries he was put into a coma to give his body a chance to heal. With such a traumatic brain injury he had to learn to walk and talk all over again. He tells you right from the beginning that these are his memories of that time and he can't be one hundred percent sure how accurate they are. This is a story of perseverance and becoming a new and best you.

The majority of this story takes place during Will's senior year. He talks about his different therapies. He talks about the challenges of going from a straight A student to someone who has trouble remembering what was said just a few minutes before.  The theme that ran throughout this book and is a part of the title is the theme of getting better, and what exactly that means.  At what point  do you realize and accept the definition of  getting better?  This is a very inspirational book and one I will proudly put on my shelves at school.

10th Anniversary Special Edition via Kickstarter

 

It’s Anniversary Time. No, not my anniversary. It has been no secret that Kandi J. Wyatt is one of my favorite authors. She is the one who started my love of reading about dragons. We are celebrating the 10 year anniversary of her book Dragon’s Future.  Check out her Kickstarter where you can get the boxed series with a beautiful dragon across the spines.

Check out all the things on her kickstarter. It goes 7/15 - 8/4.

Link: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/kandijwyatt/dragon-courage-10th-anniversary-special-edition

Blurb:

In a world where dragons and humans live in peace with each other, it is a privilege to be a dragon rider, but riders, like everyone else, must find their purpose.

In this series, twins Ruskya and Duskya fight for their dragon’s futures and their lives! Braidyn struggles with balancing justice and mercy as he searches for a stolen nestling. Kyn and a new friend, Ben’hyamene, discover a breed of wild dragons which have been at war with humans for four hundred years, and the two learn that peace is better than revenge.

Kyn helps Duskya and her daughter, Carryn, search for a young rider who stumbles upon a slave trade. Carryn learns that bitterness leaves a person in bondage as much as being a slave. And Mere learns there are some things even better than being a dragon rider!

Follow along the riders’ quest in this exciting middle grade fantasy series by author Kandi J Wyatt.

 

Dragon's Future by Kandi J. Wyatt

 

This is copied from my post on July 8. 2015.  Check tomorrow's post to Celebrate this special anniversary.

From Goodreads:

Every child of Woolpren dreams of becoming one, but only a few are chosen. Now, ten-year-old twin brother and sister, Ruskya and Duskya, have been selected to join an elite group of riders: dragon riders. Full of awe and excitement, the twins leave their mother, and their home, to train for their new lives.

Fifteen years later, dragons are becoming extinct and riders are rare. One day, Ruskya is at the general store in town when a man announces that he is recruiting new dragon riders. Ruskya goes undercover, and discovers that there is another colony of riders with their own agenda—a quest to find a mysterious plant that could restore the dragon population, or destroy it. When a battle erupts between the two colonies, it’s up to Ruskya and his friends to fight for their dragons’ future, and their lives.

Follow Ruskya’s quest as he finds courage and friendship in this exciting middle grade fantasy series by new author Kandi J Wyatt.

My Thoughts:

Not since reading Christopher Paolini’s “Eragon” have I read a book about dragons that made me want to be a part of that world.  I felt myself wishing I could be in the procession and chosen by a dragon. The book is full of adventure, danger and courage.  All of these are qualities I look for when searching for books for my students to read.  The author has given special gifts to these dragon riders and used simple plants to create the magic that makes all of this work together.  I read this book much slower than I usually read because I wanted to savor every word and didn’t want it to end.  The world the author created was so well described and authentic I could visualize it.  There are subtle lessons and themes throughout the story about friendship, trust, courage and the abuse of power. This would fit right in with my first or second teaching unit on adversity because the characters face some of the most adverse situations ever.   It is at times an emotional read as you feel the pain the twins feel as the story of what happened to their father is slowly unfolded.  This author is truly gifted at feeding in back story a little at a time in just the right places to keep it flowing. She never creates an information dump.  The book ends with so many possibilities for future books I the series.  I can hardly wait for the next book.

Kandi Wyatt has created a story that keeps you flying high like her dragon riders, making this a story for everyone from the reluctant middle school reader to the adventure seeking adult. This is a book that should be on every fantasy shelf, in every school.