Demi and the Dolphins – Alyssa K. Harrell

Publisher:  iUniverse Publishing

Pages:  108

Source:  I received a copy for review

Genre:  Elementary/Middle Grade Fantasy

Product Review from Amazon:

Captain Demi is young, smart, and beautiful, but she is also stubborn and selfish. She comes from four generations of tuna fishermen. She is the youngest captain and the only female to have taken over the family business.

New laws governing tuna fishing with nets is making business difficult for her. Her family has been net fishing for generations, why should things have to change now? Demi doesn’t care if net fishing drowns dolphins; they are not how she makes her living.

Demi and her crew are anxious to finish their run and head home. They need a big catch and the quickest way to do that is with the illegal nets. Convinced it is okay to do as long as no one is around to catch her, Demi prepares to drop the nets on a school of tuna. She knows some dolphin will get caught as well and drown, but all she cares about is making money.

Demi is unaware that one of her crew is also a spy for the police, and he is watching her every move in order to catch her in the act of using illegal nets. An accident occurs that puts Demi’s life in peril. What happens next is magical, and becomes life changing for her.

About the Author

Alyssa K. Harrell wrote this story when she was ten years old for a homeschool writing project. Alyssa is an animal lover, having grown up around her mom's veterinary hospital. She has raised many types of baby animals and has a particular passion for horses. Alyssa and her sister, Demi, have been homeschooled since fourth grade and live in Tampa, Florida.

My Thoughts:

I loved this story.  I live in Florida about 45 minutes away from the author’s home town.  There is nothing I love more than watching dolphins.    In this day and age so many people think about money and not the consequences of their actions. The fishing industry is a large one and often we would hear of dolphins  and turtles getting trapped in the nets.  Laws were put in place to stop the senseless death of these wonderful animals.  No everyone likes it or thinks it is necessary.    In this story we see a young captain who feels just that way.  She believes that it is okay to break the law.  That is she feels that way until she falls overboard and is turned into a dolphin.  She is given the chance to return to the life of a human and to make changes to help save the dolphins.  This is a powerful message told in a simple form.  Kudos to the author for finding a way to bring an important message to our young people.  It is important that they learn these lessons as children so they may grow up to become responsible adults.

Irena's Jars of Secrets - Marcia Vaughan

Publisher: Lee & Low Books

Pages: 35
Genre: Children, Picture Book, Autobiography, Biography, & History
Source: Review copy from Netgalley

Irena Sendler, born to a Polish Catholic family, was raised to respect people of all backgrounds and to help those in need. She became a social worker; and after the German army occupied Poland during World War II, Irena knew she had to help the sick and starving Jews who were imprisoned in the Warsaw Ghetto. She began by smuggling food, clothing, and medicine into the ghetto, then turned to smuggling children out of the ghetto. Using false papers and creative means of escape, and at great personal risk, Irena helped rescue Jewish children and hide them in safe surroundings. Hoping to reunite the children with their families after the war, Irena kept secret lists of the children's identities.

Motivated by conscience and armed with compassion and a belief in human dignity, Irena Sendler confronted an enormous moral challenge and proved to the world that an ordinary person can accomplish deeds of extraordinary courage.


My Thoughts

This was a wonderful story. This is a book I will definitely recommend to my history department at school. It is beautifully and simply written yet the message is so powerful. It is the story of a woman, one of many selfless people, willing to put their own safety on the line to save as many Jewish children as possible from the Warsaw Ghetto. The Holocaust happened so many years ago that our children know very little about it. This is one way to start an inquiry based lesson on the Holocaust. This is an excellent book and one that needs to be on the shelves of all schools.

Love Twelve Miles Long - Glenda Armand

Illustrated by: Colin Bootman

Publisher: lee & Low Books
Source: Netgalley
Genre: Children's Biography/Autobiography & History

Synopsis from Publisher:
It's late at night, and Frederick's mother has traveled twelve miles to visit him. When Frederick asks Mama how she can walk so far, Mama recounts her journey mile by mile. Every step of the way is special, as it brings them closer together; and Mama passes the time by remembering, listening, praying, singing, and more.
Set on a plantation in 1820s Maryland, this story based on the life of young Frederick Douglass shows the power of his mother's love. The faith she has in her son puts him on a path to escape enslavement and to become a champion of human rights, an influential writer and speaker, and an unforgettable leader.
Expressive, candlelit paintings illuminate the bond between parent and child in this heartfelt story. Love Twelve Miles Long will resonate with children of all backgrounds who cherish the tender moments they share with those they love.

My Thoughts:This was a beautiful book. It is the story of young Frederick Douglas. His mother lived twelve miles away and walked to visit him. He asked her about each mile. She tells him the first mile is for forgetting, the second is for remembering, the third is for listening. The fourth mile is for looking up, the fifth is for wondering, the sixth is for praying, the seventh is for singing, the eighth is for smiling, the ninth is for giving thanks. The tenth mile is for hoping, the eleventh is for dreaming and the twelfth is for love.

If you want to know what exactly they are dreaming and remembering and forgetting then read the book. It is no wonder Frederick Douglas grew up to be the man he was. With a mother with such high hopes and dreams for her son he could do nothing less.