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When I picked up “The Witch of Blackbird Pond” and read the back, I already knew who Elizabeth George Speare was.  I love many of her books, so expected to find another book to love.  I was surprised to see the back of the book saying that “The Witch of Blackbird Pond” was about Kit’s learning to “follow her heart”.  That’s not good, I thought, but trusted Mrs. Speare too much to put the book back down.  I was not disappointed.  I’m not sure where the author of the back of that edition got the idea that Kit learned to “follow her heart”.  She does not.  What she learns is to read her heart’s intentions and thoughts better, to control her impulses, to appreciate hard work a little, the value of friends, the consequences of disobedience, not to judge people right off the bat, and the power of love.  As usual, Mrs. Speare crafted an engaging, entertaining and educational story.  And though the words “heart warming” are such a cliche, the book is “heart warming” too.

Honestly, I think there is nothing in here that would be inappropriate for a small child.  There is a touch of romance, but far from being inappropriate, and there are indeed mentions of the colonial’s ideas of what a witch is, and some of the comparatively milder things that happened to supposed “witches” is mentioned, but in no detail.

But I still think that a very young child would not appreciate it as much as an older, so I would put this in the age category of 8+.

To preface this review, I love Charles Dickens.  But for some reason, “David Copperfield” just didn’t hit it off with me.  I liked it fine, I just didn’t love it as I expected.  There are memorable characters to be sure, and Dickens’ usual charm is there, it’s just- I don’t know.  It didn’t hold my attention very well, making it take forever for me to finish it (good thing the library fine here isn’t too bad! :D).  I didn’t feel it was a complete waste of time, but I would have enjoyed reading something else more.  I have heard from other people that they loved “David Copperfield”, even that it was their favorite Dickens.

“David Copperfield” is still about the same reading level as the other Dickens in all ways, style and content.  My siblings are all -15, and they would find it very boring, just as they did “Oliver Twist”.  The only thing content-wise to be wary of is a character runs away with her “lover”.  But that even details a beautiful tale of forgiveness and unconditional love.

Overall, “David Copperfield” is very much worth a try if you like Dickens.

I have heard rave reviews about The Count of Monte Cristo, and had read a highly abridged version of it, which I enjoyed.  So it was with great anticipation that I plunged into the story.

Unfortunately, I came to material that forced me to abort the reading altogether.  Alexander Dumas lived a life that was far from moral, and the things that he did not consider wrong, but are nevertheless terrible, made it’s way into both the books of his that I have read.  Suffice it to say that lust is a word that he uses shamelessly.

The version I was reading is toted to be the best translation out there.  As usual, it was unabridged.

Perhaps there is a well abridged version of The Count of Monte Cristo out there.  If you know of one that is lightly abridged, only enough to strip the immoral themes out of it (which would be pretty easy, as they are of little importance to the story) then it might be good to read.  But as I said, I have not read it all the way through, so I do not know if there is something else that should be avoided.  It was a disappointment, but I’m still on the lookout for an well abridged version.

However, I’m not sure that even with the obvious stuff cut, it is a beneficial read.  As far as I could tell, not having read the whole story, it was glorifying revenge.  And cruel revenge at that.  Is that something that I should be reading?  Is there anything for me to gain from dwelling on it?  I don’t think so.  Maybe I shouldn’t try to find a well abridged version and just skip it altogether.  It might be the best for me.

I love this series!  It moved me, disturbed me (yes, some of it made me squirm with horror and discomfort) and thrilled me.  Here you’ll find family life cherished, God worshiped with due reverence, familial love exalted, adventure in a more than worthy cause.

The back of the book says it’s for 10-14 year olds, but it’s easily read and enjoyed by those older than 14.  And 10 year-olds…?  Well, I was hardly old enough to read it when I was 11.  The reason is that the detail in which they describe the real devastation is very disturbing.  One of the worst parts is when a torture device is described, in detail.  “The Boot” was a thing that was clamped onto a person’s knee and a hole was left in it to drive a huge pin into.  I won’t give all of the detail that was given in the book, detailing the results of this torture.  Let it suffice to say that I remember nothing more clearly in that book, because of the great impression it made on me.  Another time, some guards were playing a version of soccer with a severed human head.  Things like that, events that happened (both of those instances are recorded in history), but were horrible.

Overall, “The Crown and Covenant Series” is well written, exciting, and inspiring to read, though at times very disturbing.  However, though it handles a period of time where torture was a common punishment for belief in Christ, it is a period that should never be forgotten.  We must not under any condition lose sight of the blessing we have in our freedom, and we must not forget the martyrs who gave their lives for Him who sacrificed His life for us.  Yes, it is sad, yes, it is disturbing, yes, a preteen might need to wait to read it until he or she is older.  But if we don’t know that this existed, it will happen again.  To understand what happened, to be emotionally involved in that tale of immolation by reading this series is worth waiting for.

C. S. Lewis considered George MacDonald to be one of the best writers of his time.  He once said, “I have never concealed the fact that I regarded him as my master; indeed I fancy I have never written a book in which I did not quote from him.” If the great C. S. Lewis held George MacDonald in such high esteem, we could hardly do better than to check him out ourselves.  I have greatly enjoyed MacDonald’s books, even before I was aware that C. S. Lewis also delighted in them.

I think that MacDonald must have one of the most fecund imaginations I have ever seen.  He also writes some of the best “modern” fairy tales, and I admit, I love fairy tales.  “The Wise Woman and Other Stories” are all short fairy tales, only “The Wise Woman” even has chapters.

All of these stories are fairy tales.  however, they all have a deeper meaning, if you can find it.  The stories contained in “The Wise Woman and other Stories” all have different meanings.  They deal with love and hatred, overcoming bad habits, controlling your temper, kindness even to those who are ugly, obedience and disobedience and much, much more.

What child does not love fairy tales?   Who hasn’t at one point wanted to believe in magic and fairy godmothers?  Who does not enjoy being whisked away into a world of make-believe?  Whose eyes do not twinkle at the thought of beautiful Princesses and heroic Princes?  George MacDonald is a master of fairy tales.   They are written for everyone, children included.  While some of the material might be a little over the head of a very young child and the style possibly slightly difficult as well, a young child will certainly enjoy the stories.  An older child will see the underlying lessons, and it makes for very interesting and deep conversations.  Plus, what’s wrong with a little old fashioned fun in the land of the fairy tales?

“Catriona” is the sequel to “Kidnapped”.  It may not be as well known, but it is every bit as good as its’ predecessor.  “Kidnapped” is not a complete book, in that, at the end, the reader doesn’t really know what ultimately happens to all of the characters.  You’re left to draw your own assumptions and hope the final end is all that the David and Alan planned it to be.  “Catriona” comes in and ties up all the loose threads, and even adds a new one, telling how David Balfour falls head-over-heels in love with the daughter of his enemy.

“Kidnapped” is a story of adventure and friendship.  While,  “Catriona” is a love story, through and through.  Though there is certainly more to it than just romance, the main and lasting focus of the book is David’s love for Catriona.  Clarification: I am not a romance fan.  I can handle it, but I am far more likely to roll my eyes at romance than enjoy it.  It is, I think, a very tricky thing to write about, but Stevenson does it magnificently.  David’s love and honor for Catriona is the kind of love and honor that any father would be looking for in a husband for his daughter.  His character reflected that honor that could suffer no permanant stain even when he failed, because his heart was pure.

As I said, I an not a fan of romance, but I thoroughly enjoyed “Catriona”.  Having read “Kidnapped” and fallen in love with the characters, I was anxious to learn what happened to them.  Alan Breck Stewart plays a rather large part, for not being in it much, David comes into his own, and the Appin Murder case is wrapped up.  All that was started in “Kidnapped” is finished and my only complaint is that there’s no more!   I was very disappointed to finish the book and have to leave them, knowing that that’s the end of it right there.  Yes, it’s very sad… *sniff*.

Dealing with falling in love, courtship and marriage as it does, “Catriona” is probably for a more mature audience than “Kidnapped”.  Older teens to adult, I would say.   There are no “adult” topics however, and it’s very “clean”, it merely deals with more mature ideas.   But whenever you read it, you can’t go wrong reading “Catriona”!

I do not own “Catriona” in book form, but there are two I have my eye on.  It’s so difficult to choose between them! There’s the one that is by the same publisher as the “Kidnapped” I have.  The benefit of that one is the extensive Scottish glossary in the back, pretty much a necessity at times.  The other is one that calls itself “David Balfour”, and the benefit of that one is the illustrations by N. C. Wyeth.  8-0  Oooooo!  Decisions, decisions…  which one?  The Scottish Glossary, or the fabulous illustrations?

I own the unabridged audio version from www.emusic.com.  I enjoyed listening to David Case very much (so much so, I’ve cast my eye on several other books that he also read aloud)!  His Scottish accents were delightful, and even his girl voices were excellent.  You can download it in a free trial by clicking on the banner below.

If Jesus came to my house
and knocked upon the door
I’m sure I’d be more happy
than I ever was before.

I’d run downstairs to meet Him,
the door I’d open wide,
and I would say to Jesus,
Oh, won’t you come inside?”

This is a sweet book, all written in rhyme. A little boy imagines what he would do if Jesus came to his house and was “about my age and height”. It was originally published in England during the early 50s and the illustrations charmingly reflect the period.

“If Jesus Came to My House” shows where the golden rule originated; it is how Jesus wished us to treat one another. With it’s sweet and endearing rhyme, and positive look on why and how we treat each other well, “If Jesus came to my House” is easily one of the first books with a direct correlation between the golden rule and Jesus that a child may ever hear. This book never fails to make me smile!

Here is a collection of some of Robert McCloskey’s best and most beloved picture books:

• Make Way for Ducklings

• One Morning in Maine

• Lentil

Make way for Ducklings

Mr. and Mrs. Mallard are looking for a place to raise their ducklings, but every time Mr. Mallard points out a place, Mrs. Mallard finds something the matter with it.  “There were sure to be foxes in the woods or turtles in the water, and she was not going to raise a family where there might be foxes or turtles.”  When they finally settle on a place, soon after a better place is found not far away.  However, there are roads and cars and boys on bikes between Mrs. Mallard’s family and that place.   Mrs. Mallard, however, is determined to move her ducklings.  How can she ever do it?

One Morning in Maine

Sal is a big girl now!   One of her teeth is loose, and she knows exactly what she’s going to wish on it too.  A choc- oh, wait, it’s supposed to be a secret wish.  So when the tooth comes out unexpectedly and is gone, poor Sal nearly cries.   But she doesn’t, because, after all, she is a big girl now.   Then she finds a gull’s feather, and when she learns that it too came out just like her tooth, she wishes her secret wish on that.  Her father suggested that the gull might have already used up the wish, but Sal tried to convince herself that was not true.  Was it?  Has Sal lost her tooth wish forever?

Lentil

Lentil is a boy who is almost perfectly happy, but not quite, because he cannot sing!  It’s very embarrassing, as every time he opens his mouth to try, very strange sounds come out.  But Lentil is quite set on making music, so he saves up his pennies to buy a harmonica.  One day, the little town hears the news that the great Colonel Carter (who has been away for two years) is coming back!  He is the most important citizen of the the town, and they prepare a special welcome for him.  But one person in the town thinks that Colonel Carter needs a taking down, and it’s up to Lentil to save the day!

Overview

Robert McCloskey is one of those wonderful and rare people whose written charm is every bit as potent as his artwork.  His stories are easily understood and loved by not just toddlers, but readers of all skill levels too.  “Make way for Ducklings” shows the difficulties a duck has trying to raise a family, and causes awareness of nature in an endearing way.   “One Morning in Maine” is about growing up and taking responsibility, which is not always easy.  “Lentil” is about never giving up, and standing up for something even when everyone else is unwilling or unable.  The drawings are quite irresistible, and the stories are captivating.  It’s no wonder that Robert McCloskey’s work is adored the world over.

“The World of Robert McCloskey” is a collection of the three above mentioned stories.  It is a quality hardback edition.

This was (and is) one of my favorite picture books.  All the paintings are so sweet and realistic, and the story’s charm is still fresh, even though I’ve read it over and over and over again.

“Floss” is the tale of a young female Border Collie who lives in town with an old man.  Floss loves to play ball in the park with the children, and she’s very good at it too!  Nose kicks, passes and springs in the air are her best skills.  The man has a son who is a sheep farmer, whose herding dog is old and needs help.  So the old man sends Floss to help his son, but Floss misses the children and their playtime.  Will she ever be able to play again?

“Floss” is a lovable read aloud or for an early reader to add to their reading list.  It tells of the importance of balancing work with play by integrating a beautiful and endearing dog so we can watch her learn the lesson.  I sat and stared at the pictures in “Floss” for hours when I was a young child.  Not only did I love the illustrations, but it gave me a glimpse into the life of a herding dog.  In fact, “Floss” began my love for and fascination with herding dogs.  Before the phrases “loose eyed”, “stalking”, “header” and “heeler” became common everyday language for me and my family, Floss served as a wonderful first look at the life of a herding dog.  Thank you Floss for being such a superb example of herding dogs and their relationship with those they serve.