Cole's Perfect Puppy by Frances Crossno

Genre: Children, Middle Grade, Realistic Fiction, Christian
Source: I received a copy to facilitate my review. The opinions expressed here are my own.

From Goodreads:
Cole's Perfect Puppy is a Christian novel intended for young readers who love animals, especially dogs. The story revolves around Cole, his younger brother Caleb, and their new-found friend Rachel who teaches the brothers about friendship, sacrifice, and God’s perfect love.

My Opinion:
I absolutely loved this book. I sat and read it in less than thirty minutes. I liked how the author showed the older brother taking responsibility for his younger brother. She also showed that the older brother could be a little irresponsible when distracted.  All of the characters were believable. The situations such as bullying, standing up for others. Giving to others by making a personal sacrifice are lessons I want my students to learn.  Both Rachel and Cole and his brother Caleb had hardships when it came to their parents. I won't tell what it is because I don't want to spoil it.

I read a review that said this book would be great for a Christian school or library. I find it perfect for a public school because students will be able to relate to the message. I also love that my Christian students will be able to find books their parents will approve of them reading. I loved the Christian message presented, yet not crammed down the reader's throat.  I finished the book and took it in to my mother and told her she had to read the book.  I gave her just enough info she started thinking about who we knew that would love a copy of this book.  I will enjoy putting this on my school shelves and recommending it to all of my students.

The Snake Fence by Janet Kastner Olshewsky

Genre: Middle Grade, Historical Fiction

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

This is a great historical novel. Take a young Quaker boy named Noble, who believes in nothing less than peace, and put him in the middle of violent situations. He wants to bring peace between the Delaware Indians and the British settlers.

Noble wants to be a cabinet maker. Although he’s finished his apprenticeship his desire won’t become a reality until he has his own tools. That requires money. He searches for a way to make the money. An opportunity opens the door and he step through. He joins a wagon train from Pennsylvania to take supplies to Fort Cumberland. He isn’t exactly excited that he must have an older brother travel with him. This is the only way his father will allow it.

But what happens when he wants to continue helping against his father’s wishes?

I really enjoyed the book. There was obviously a lot of research don’t before the author wrote this book.  It gives us a look at the belief system and work ethic of those peaceful people called Quakers. Most people think of Quakers only when they see the oatmeal box. This gives kids an opportunity to learn about them and about the time period it is set in.  I recommended this to my 8^th grade teacher as part of one of her units. I believe this would hold their interest and help them learn so much about that time period. This is one book I will highly recommend.

Lost Reviews

My last week at school in May was full of me rushing around. I was trying to make sure I had all assignments graded for my students. I was trying to make sure I had everything set up for my sub. I was trying to get our house ready to be tented the day I had surgery. I was trying to help my mother, who lives with us get her items ready as she and my husband would have to be out of the house for three days. My mother-in-law opened her home to my mom so we didn't have to rent a motel.  I was also trying to gather up everything I would need to take to the Therapy Rehab Center. I needed my husband to hold on to that packed bag until I was transferred from the hospital.  The last thing I was preparing was a group of reviews.  As I read and wrote the reviews on paper, I gave the books to a fellow teacher to share with her young son.  Somewhere along the line I never got the reviews posted. As I was going through my notebook, I found them and thought it would be a good idea to get them posted. Here they are, I hope you enjoy them.

Monty: The Courageous Survival of a Rescue Dog by Janet Squires
Genre:  Children's Picture Book
Source:  I received a copy to facilitate my review. The opinions expressed here are my own.

Monty is a mixed pit-bull dog. He is found out in the desert. He has been shot and is severely injured, and near death. Nicole is an animal rescuer who finds him and takes him to a vet in hopes he can be save. Once they realize he will live they try to find him a forever home. This is a true story so there are lots of pictures and very little writing. I kept wondering, what kind of person would do something like this to a dog? Then I wondered what made him so special and determined to survive. By all odds he should have died.  If you want to learn more, he has a Facebook page.

If You Were Me and Lived in Elizabethan England by Carole P. Roman

Genre: Children’s Picture Book

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

The author has given us a look at a time called Elizabethan times. This was when Elizabeth the I was queen. The author has done a great job comparing and contrasting the life of the poor to the wealthy. She also showed major differences between life in the city and the country. In the back of the book she has included a small biography of eight very important people who lived during the Elizabethan period and what they contributed. There is also a glossary included to help explain unfamiliar terms.

If You Were Me and Lived in Renaissance Italy by Carole P. Roman

Genre: Children’s Picture Book

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

In this book we learn about the period after the Middle Ages. It was a time of rebirth. The awakening of creativity. It was called the Renaissance. The author has given a lot of information about how those who had some money lied. Everything was different from the clothes they wore to the food they ate. The author included a section on the changes in art, famous artists and a glossary.

If You Were Me and Lived in Colonial America by Carole P. Roman

Genre: Children’s Picture Book

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

The research done for this book had to have been extensive. The author gives the reader some history in England that led to people moving across the ocean to what became Colonial America. We get a look at how tough life was for these people, especially the first year. You learn about the friendship with the Natives that helped them survive. The back has small biographies of several important people to the colonies.

If You Were Me and Lived in Ancient Greece by Carole P. Roman

Genre: Children’s Picture Book

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

Readers will learn about some of the most important city-states. They will also learn a bit about the different gods they believed in. They will learn about how homes were made and what they ate. I found it interesting that girls were not considered citizens. I loved the way this book was set up. As you read about a specific topic you learned about the god or goddess that best fit with that topic. There is a separate section in the back that deals with the different gods.

Mortimer: Chapter Book for Early Readers by Mary Kincaid

Genre: Children, Early Reader

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

This story is written in first person. This is the story of Mortimer the mole. He learns to dig and eat worms with his family. However, Mortimer is very curious. He hears noises from above. He asks his father about them and is forbidden to go above ground. His father tells him that moles that go above ground never return. What will happen to Mortimer when his curiosity gets the best of him?