More vacation reads! These ones are all review books through from Raincoast, books that I am previewing for my lad before he digs happily into them.
Let Your Voice Be Heard. Do you know who Pete Seeger is? You know, neither did I, BUT I know his music oddly enough. As I read this book and it trailed it's way through his early years, through the rest of his life, it was surprising to me, how many songs I knew that he wrote or popularized.
Mr. Seeger said "I started to paint because I failed to get a job as a journalist. I started singing and playing more because I failed as a painter."
From musical parents he became a musician. But he was more than that. The cares and concerns of the poor working class, the plight of the underdog, these are things that stirred his heart and caused him to write more songs.
It landed him in a lot of hot water during the anti-communism days but he was able to work his way through that difficulty until he was noticed by just the right people and became very popular.
It's a bigger than average book, filled with pictures, and easy reading text. For young people interested in learning more about the music and troubles of this time period, this book is filled with information. It would help round out a study of folk music and how musicians can let their art show their heart.
Mr. Seeger said "I started to paint because I failed to get a job as a journalist. I started singing and playing more because I failed as a painter."
From musical parents he became a musician. But he was more than that. The cares and concerns of the poor working class, the plight of the underdog, these are things that stirred his heart and caused him to write more songs.
It landed him in a lot of hot water during the anti-communism days but he was able to work his way through that difficulty until he was noticed by just the right people and became very popular.
It's a bigger than average book, filled with pictures, and easy reading text. For young people interested in learning more about the music and troubles of this time period, this book is filled with information. It would help round out a study of folk music and how musicians can let their art show their heart.
Captain. My son was intrigued by this book but wanted me to read it first. His first question when I finished it was "Mom, is it a good book for me to read?". I told him it was a good book, but it wasn't an easy book to read. That things happen in this book that made me feel sad.
It's the story of an underage boy heading off to battle in the great war (WW1), fighting hard battles in Turkey. Seeing death and destruction all around him, and meeting a lad with his donkey and the unlikely friendship that happened between them. Hard lessons were learned by both boys, and through it all the donkey Captain was part of their lives. You HAVE to meet the camel though...oh my.. that camel!
The chapters are a good length.
I NEEDED to read the book all the way through. It was just that kind of book.
Would I recommend middle schoolers read it? Yes, but probably along side their parents so they can talk through the book. It was be an EXCELLENT book to read as part of learning about WW1 and the conditions the soldiers fought in and the supports they needed in order to battle.
It's the story of an underage boy heading off to battle in the great war (WW1), fighting hard battles in Turkey. Seeing death and destruction all around him, and meeting a lad with his donkey and the unlikely friendship that happened between them. Hard lessons were learned by both boys, and through it all the donkey Captain was part of their lives. You HAVE to meet the camel though...oh my.. that camel!
The chapters are a good length.
I NEEDED to read the book all the way through. It was just that kind of book.
Would I recommend middle schoolers read it? Yes, but probably along side their parents so they can talk through the book. It was be an EXCELLENT book to read as part of learning about WW1 and the conditions the soldiers fought in and the supports they needed in order to battle.
Sunker's Deep. This is the second book in the series "The Icebreaker Trilogy". It stands quite well on its own. It's a fantasy with a mystery built and with a good lead in for the last book of the trilogy.
This coming of age book leads us through Sharkey needing to be honest with the people he is leading, needing to learn to give up control and to trust his people. It lead two groups of people together who NEEDED to be together in order to, hopefully in the third book, fulfill their true destiny. Some of the characters are a we bit odd
This coming of age book leads us through Sharkey needing to be honest with the people he is leading, needing to learn to give up control and to trust his people. It lead two groups of people together who NEEDED to be together in order to, hopefully in the third book, fulfill their true destiny. Some of the characters are a we bit odd
The Courage Test. The book surprised me. I want my son to read this book and I hope that he will enjoy it. A story of a boy and his dad traveling the route that Lewis and Clark took. It was a dangerous journey for those men with many pitfalls along the way, and as Will and his father journey, Will has to navigate a hard journey as well.
It was a touching book about how families make things work and how sometimes the decisions parents make actually have reasoning behind it. Lots of history in this book, even from sources I didn't expect. It brought to mind some of the history I've learned of this expedition, putting it all together was kinda fun. :)
But as a book for middle schoolers? For sure. A book even to read along with your child or tie into your own history study of Lewis and Clark. I liked how the tie made for a good life story.
It was a touching book about how families make things work and how sometimes the decisions parents make actually have reasoning behind it. Lots of history in this book, even from sources I didn't expect. It brought to mind some of the history I've learned of this expedition, putting it all together was kinda fun. :)
But as a book for middle schoolers? For sure. A book even to read along with your child or tie into your own history study of Lewis and Clark. I liked how the tie made for a good life story.
A Storm Too Soon. This book is an adaptation of a longer novel called a storm too soon. This book is meant for younger readers.
As an adult I found it an interesting read with no strong compelling need to read the adult version.
Based on a true story, it was written by Michael J Tougias. Three men on a cruise when a nasty nasty storm unexpectedly hits.
I found it to be a good read. Enjoyed the book.
As I read it in tried to imagine my 11 year reading it. So as I talked with my son about the book he sounded quite intrigued by it. He asked some good questions so I think it would appeal to him and other children like him.
At the close of the book they had various people give some closing thoughts, I was left wondering why Ben didn't give his thoughts at the end. In the centre of the book, their are a lot of good pictures that show the various people involved, and what the size of the storm they were in was like.
As an adult I found it an interesting read with no strong compelling need to read the adult version.
Based on a true story, it was written by Michael J Tougias. Three men on a cruise when a nasty nasty storm unexpectedly hits.
I found it to be a good read. Enjoyed the book.
As I read it in tried to imagine my 11 year reading it. So as I talked with my son about the book he sounded quite intrigued by it. He asked some good questions so I think it would appeal to him and other children like him.
At the close of the book they had various people give some closing thoughts, I was left wondering why Ben didn't give his thoughts at the end. In the centre of the book, their are a lot of good pictures that show the various people involved, and what the size of the storm they were in was like.
Terror at Bottle Creek. My lad wants to read this book next. He's quite intrigued by the thought of a boy having to help two girls through a horrible storm, with crazy pigs, lots of snakes and an unexpectedly helpful bear. Lots of water, strange mounds in the middle of a swamp, living on a house boat, and more. He's just intrigued, and I have to admit, I actually enjoyed reading this book though I did find all the things that happened felt at times a little bit too much. Watt Key does an excellent job at character development, not only of 13 year old Cort, but of all the surrounding people in his life.
I could FEEL the pain that his dad had with Cort's mom leaving him, the joy he has in being a swamp guide, to Cort's confusion over his future, the love of the dog and the terror the storm brought to a little girl.
Well written, good book.
I could FEEL the pain that his dad had with Cort's mom leaving him, the joy he has in being a swamp guide, to Cort's confusion over his future, the love of the dog and the terror the storm brought to a little girl.
Well written, good book.
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