Sharing My Faith

I often wonder how much I show my faith on my website. No one wants to turn people away. However, I want to make it clear I am proud of my faith. I am proud to call myself a Christian. Therefore I proudly submit for your viewing the following video.

Max Anderson Books Day Two

Two more wonderful books by Max Anderson

When the Lights Go Out

Publisher:  comfort Publishing

Pages:  172

Genre:  Mystery, Middle Grade

Source:  I purchased a copy

Peyton Aldrich is proud of his father.  His father is an Army Ranger.  He wants to grow up to be just like his dad.  When his family moves to a new base Peyton makes two new friends named Dave and Gill.  Peyton definitely has a lot of influence.  He convinces his new friends that they need to train like the Army Rangers.  They soon learn how difficult this is.  Peyton pushes them to their limit on the workout course.  Peyton decides that working out is not enough for them.  They need to find a mission to complete just like the real Army Rangers do.  What he and his friends don’t count on is finding a mission that can cost his father his job or put the lives of many Americans in danger.  He and his friends have uncovered a terrorist plot and their pretend game becomes a real life and death situation.  This is a book that takes place right after the events of 9/11.  You don’t have to wait until another anniversary of that date rolls around.  This is a book that will grab you and hold you until you read the last word.

The Scarecrow

Publisher: CreateSpace

Pages:  188

Source:  Review copy from the author

Genre:  Middle Grade, Realistic Fiction

This was a story that I could relate to.  As a teacher so many of my students face hardships in life that I’ve never had to face.  They see their families torn apart by divorce, drugs, prison and death.  In this book Billy and Becky have the misfortune of living with a mother who drinks too much.  On one occasion their mother accidentally sets the apartment on fire.  Children’s services steps in and removes them from their mother.  Billy sees this as a blessing until he realizes he and his sister will be separated.  Billy is sent to his aunt and uncle’s farm.  He withdraws into himself.  Before they were taken from his mom he had been having dreams about a scarecrow.  When he sees the scarecrow on his uncle’s farm he starts having conversations with it.  His uncle becomes worried and sets out to teach him that there is someone who will be a true friend and will never leave you.

I have to be careful how I teach this lesson because I work in a public school.  Putting books like this one on my shelves does the job for me.  Max Elliot Anderson is one of the top authors in my book.

In Accordance with the FCC:  I received a review copy from the author in exchange for my honest review.

Student Saturdays: Latasha and the Little Red Tornado - Michael Scotto

Student Reviewer: Orbilia

From Goodreads:

Latasha and the Little Red Tornado tells the story of Latasha Gandy, a precocious and inventive third-grader who lives in Pittsburgh with her hardworking mother and a naughty puppy named Ella Fitzgerald. At eight years old, Latasha cannot wait to grow up. Ella, on the other hand, absolutely refuses to! When Ella's antics push the Gandy's landlady, Mrs. Okocho, to her wits' end, Latasha realizes that she must turn her mischievous mutt into a model dog. Latasha enlists the help of a classmate and neighbor, Ricky, in her efforts to train Ella. Their friendship grows as Ricky joins the girls on their adventures in the park. But after Latasha and Ricky have a falling out, Latasha decides to take Ella out on her own, a choice that proves to have grave consequences. At turns hilarious and heartbreaking, this tale of friendship and maturity follows Latasha as she struggles with Ella, school, and her mother's absence from home.

 

Student's Thoughts:

In the book Latasha and the Little Red Tornado, the mom works at this hospital and she loves that place.  Ella is the dog and she was named like that because it is the girl’s favorite singer.  There is a main character and her name is Latasha Esther Gandy. She is only 8 years old and now she wants to be treated as an adult.  This story takes place in Pittsburgh and it’s a little place.  It is also a favorite and really friendly place to live.  In this book, Latasha only lives with her mom and her dog Ella and she lives in an apartment with another Lady named Mrs. Okocho and the lady doesn’t  really like Ella.

Then she starts school and she meets this boy named Ricky and they would take Ella for a walk.  One day only Ella and Latasha go by themselves walking. For the first time alone and then Ella runs away and Latash is so worried.  Her mom was worried because Latasha has not come home.  Latasha and her mom look for Ella everywhere. She was no place to be seen.  This reminds me of my friend last year.  She loved her dog so much.  But, then one day it ran away and she never found him.  Ithink that this book is amazing and it has a wonderful lesson.  It is a funny and exciting book to read.  I recommend this book to my friends because then they will also know what Latasha had to go through.  Do you think that Latash and her mom will find Ella?  I think you should read this book to find out!!!