Review: The Miner's Lady

The Miner's Lady by Tracie Peterson


Chantel Panetta returns from visiting her grandparents in Italy, only to discover that her younger sister is stepping out with Orlando Calarco. The Calarcos and the Panettas have been feuding for decades - from Italy to their immigration to the United States. As she tries to keep track of her sister, she continues to bump into Orlando's older brother Dante. As Chantel's life changes, so does Dante's, until they realize a new love for life and a stronger faith in God.

Peterson continues the Land of Shining Water series with a focus on mining in Minnesota (in the far, far North). It's a fantastic occupation to highlight because of all the history. Residents, as well as visitors, can still visit mines and their museums in Minnesota. I really appreciated the highlight of these difficult and historic jobs.

Beyond the feud and the love story between the sisters and brothers, Chantel's single brothers also receive part of the storyline. It's a minor storyline, but influential to the total tale. It would have been great to see more of their stories in the book, but again, a minor storyline overall.

It looks like the Land of Shining Water series is complete with The Miner's Lady. I loved this series! It would be great to see more, but Peterson usually writes trilogies. Readers can enjoy these books together, but they can also read each book individually. Happy reading, friends!

Time Period: 1800's
Location: Ely, Minnesota, USA

Reviewed from a NetGalley copy. Thank you, Bethany House!!

Review: Jim Henson's The Storyteller

The Storyteller by Katie Cook

Jim Henson created The Storyteller many years ago as a television program. A group of writers and artists came together to recreate the magic in a graphic novel format. Each story can be enjoyed by a wide-range of readers from older elementary students to adults.

The book is setup in little chapters by each story. Readers can easily sit down and enjoy the whole book or enjoy little snippets as time allows. The art is wonderfully varied, so readers will be able to see different techniques and forms by each artist. The stories also hold variety - an Aesop retelling to a Japanese folktale to an Appalachian Jack tale. It's a fantastic book for offering options to readers. I believe it will grab the attention of reluctant and avid readers.

Reviewed from a NetGalley copy. Thank you, Archaia Entertainment, LLC!

View all my reviews

Visiting!

Looking for a new post this week? I went over to visit my new blog friend, Juanita Nobles, who writes at Christian Living: Real-Life Stories and Book Reviews. Stop by and take a look around! Juanita is an author, interviewer, and reviewer (to just name a few). She's currently taking vacation, but will return with more articles, interviews, and reviews!

Thank you, Juanita!

Review: The Bramble

The Bramble by Lee Nordling


Nordling and Zick are very talented men. They have an amazing list of project they have helped to create (view the author bios on the dust jacket). Unfortunately, this title didn't strike home for me.

It's a nearly wordless graphic novel. The illustrations are intricate with a dark overtone and the reader can follow along with the overall story. The boy wants to play tag, but the other children don't want to play with him. He visits the Bramble and discovers new creatures and how to stand up for himself. He goes back to play with the children and he's finally accepted. I think the audience is for older elementary students. You could have some discussions about different group games, what would you see behind a Bramble, or situations where you showed bravery. If there is interest in wordless graphic novels, this could be a choice, but I prefer the Owly series by Andy Runton.  


Reviewed from a NetGalley copy. Thank you, Lerner Publishing Group and Carolrhoda Books!

ISBN: 9780761358565
Published: September 2013

Review: April Gold

April Gold by Grace Livingston Hill


The Reed family's circumstances took a drastic turn. Father passed away unexpectedly and he defaulted on his house payment. Mother, Thurlow, and Marilla need to move and find employment. College is a distant dream for Thurl and Rilla. Will they survive their new circumstances in their new neighborhood?

I've read many Grace Livingston Hill books, but I never picked up April Gold until the new publishing by Barbour. Although Marilla is pictured on the cover, everyone in the Reed family is featured in this story. I would say Thurlow is the lead character in April Gold. It's a tale of how each of the Reeds overcome their new lifestyle - a move to a neglected neighborhood and entering employment. They question God and find He is with them in their new life. Even with pain in their lives, they learn to lean on the Lord and find joy in their circumstances.

Reviewed from a NetGalley copy. Thank you, Barbour Publishing, Inc.!

Review: The LIEographies

 Alan Katz, author of the Silly Dilly Songs, has created a new series for young readers: The LIEographies, or "Absolute Untrue, Totally Made Up, 100% Fake Life Stor[ies]" about historic figures. He begins with Thomas Edison, Babe Ruth, and Harry Houdini. (Other historic, as well as modern, individuals also make cameo mentions in this series.)

If readers appreciate humor and ridiculous reads, this is a series for them. The books are easy to read and quick to finish. They're a great way to introduce children to historical figures (even if nothing is true about them.) The author does include a "For Real!" section which suggests additional (true) titles they can enjoy. I would have liked to see more in the "For Real!" section instead of just titles for more information.

I hope readers realize the stories are false and humorous. Is there a possibility that readers will believe these ridiculous stories? I'm not sure. I hope they never end up in a school report! These books would work well for comparison biography reports. I don't need to read these stories again, but if readers want something outrageous this is for them. I would recommend these titles to students around third grade.

Reviewed from NetGalley copies. Thank you, INscribe Digital!

Review: Adoring Addie

Adoring Addie by Leslie Gould

Everyone believes Addie Cramer and Phillip Eicher will court and be married. Addie isn't so sure that she should be married to Phillip. When Jonathan arrives in town, he takes her breath away, but being a Mosier causes trouble.

Gould's second Amish tale with a Shakespearean twist is a great read! Addie Cramer and Jonathan Mosier replay a new version of Romeo and Juliet with a family feud between the Cramers and the Mosiers. I loved that Addie gave all her brothers nicknames to describe their personalities. I was intrigued on how the death scene would play out and it was slightly cheesy, but appropriate for this story. Adoring Addie is book two in the The Courtships of Lancaster County series.  Adoring Addie can be read as a stand alone, but it's better after reading book one in the series, Courting Cate. The third title in the series, Minding Molly, is scheduled to come out next year. I look forward to reading it!

Reviewed from a NetGalley copy. Thank you, Bethany House!

Review: Stealing the Preacher

Stealing the Preacher by Karen Witemeyer

The Archer brothers were legendary in their town. The previous title by Witemeyer, Short-Straw Bride, featured the eldest Archer and his brothers. Stealing the Preacher shares the story of Crockett, the Archer with a heart for God and hands for healing. He's on his way to begin his first post as a preacher, but suddenly is stolen off the train as a birthday gift!

A man's heart deviseth his way: but the Lord directeth his steps. Proverbs 16:9

I loved Short-Straw Bride and the story of the crazy Archers. I wanted more stories about how the Archers grew up after realizing they could live outside their land when I finished Short-Straw Bride. I never realized Stealing the Preacher was following Short-Straw Bride. I picked it up because I loved Witemeyer's stories (and her cover art was fun). It was such a joy to read Crockett's name! I quickly read the story and enjoyed the comedy and faith journeys of the characters in Crockett's tale. You can read Stealing the Preacher on it's own, but it would be better to read Short-Straw Bride beforehand to understand the background story of Crockett.

Time Period: Western, 1885
Location: Burleson County, Texas, United States

Reviewed from a NetGalley copy. Thank you, Bethany House!

Karen Witemeyer's Website
The First Chapter of Stealing the Preacher

Review: Highland Crossings

Highland Crossings by Pamela Griffin


Four novellas combine to tell the stories of four ladies who are connected by the family's keepsake: a priceless brooch. Each generation sees it as a blessing and a curse.

Healer of My Heart by Pamela Griffin
Printed on My Heart by Laurie Alice Eakes
Sugarplum Hearts by Gina Welborn
Heart's Inheritance by Jennifer Hudson Taylor

If you like a nice quick read, Barbour creates fantastic 4-in-1 books like this one. If you enjoy stories set around the early years of the United States or if you enjoy stories with a highland twist, this collection is for you! I loved the occupations that the authors highlighted in their stories. Griffin's themes included healing and witches, Easkes shares printing, Welborn offers candy, and Taylor highlights weaving and preserving a town's history. The characters were also from all over the Highlands, not just one location which it fantastic. Beyond occupations, each story combines family, friendship, and faith.

Time Period: 1700's
Location: Highlands and North Carolina, USA

Reviewed from a NetGalley copy. Thank you, Barbour Publishing!

Review: Dog-Gone School

Dog-Gone School by Amy Schmidt


Go "bark" to school with adorable dogs and poetry!

Amy and Ron Schmidt combined their talents for an adorable and creative poetry, picture book. The poems are short, sweet, and humorous about dogs at school. The photos are crisp and whimsical in a school setting. The photo setting could be considered generic and "Photoshopped," but that's looking at it with critical adult eyes. It's a very sweet book that children will enjoy if they like poetry, puppies, or school.

Wonderful additions for teachers and the curious include a brief "Note about the Poems" in the beginning and Class Superlatives at the end. The beginning note shares the poetry forms used in the book. The Class Superlatives lists the dogs' names and breeds used in the photos.

Reviewed from an Edelweiss copy. Thank you, Random House!



Once I Ate a Pie by Patricia MacLachlan, Emily MacLachlan Charest, Katy Schneider would be a fun companion book to Dog-Gone School.