"Paws from Heaven: True Stories of God's Amazing Animal Angels"

Paws from Heaven:  True Stories of God's Amazing Animal Angels contains short stories about cats the first half of the book, and short stories about dogs the second half of the book.  I used two bookmarks and alternated between the cat and dog stories.  These are very short so a good book for waiting at the doctor's office or for short waiting times at home.  I enjoyed them but it took me a long time to get through it.  It's definitely a relaxing read.  (Karen's review, 4 stars)

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"Unlocking the Animal World: Incredible Facts and How Kids Can Be Superheroes for Animals by Ingrid Newkirk

Unlocking The Animal World by Ingrid Newkirk is a short fun read about all kinds of animal facts and how kids can help animals.  The author makes many comparisons between animals and humans.  It's a whole collection of many interesting animal facts.  I think any animal lover would enjoy this short book that shows our God's great creativity throughout the animal world.  (Karen's review, 4 stars)

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"West With Giraffes" by Lynda Rutledge

West With Giraffes by Lynda Rutledge is based on true story how two giraffes went on a 12-day road trip to the San Diego zoo just as World War II was about to start.  An old man tells the story, and what a story it is!  I enjoyed this because it has a good storyline and some good fiction with a good ending.  This was recommended to me by a friend from pickleball.  (Gerard's review, 5 stars)

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"Stay" by Bobbie Pyron Inspires Children to Help Others

Stay by Bobbie Pyron is about a family that has to live in a homeless shelter and a woman who lives on the street with only her small dog to keep her company.  It also shows how people can rally around for a good cause and help others who are going through hard times.  I especially loved the parts where the dog tells the story. (Gerard's review, 5+ stars)

Stay by Bobbie Pyron is a heartwarming, children's story about a girl, Piper, who is homeless but whose heart is set on helping someone worse off than her--an old homeless lady with a little dog, Baby.  I really enjoyed this book about the homeless, friendship, adventure, and helping others.  The dog had a big part in it and it has a good lesson about not judging others on the basis of their appearance.  I think it's a great children's story and highly recommend it.  I had trouble putting this one down!  (Karen's review 6/12/23, 5 stars)

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"Remarkably Bright Creatures" by Shelby Van Pelt

In Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt, the two main characters are Tova,  a 70-yr.-old woman who cleans an aquarium after visiting hours and Marcellus, a giant octopus.  They form a friendship and help each other.  This is a quick, cute, happy, fun read.  Marcellus was a great, fun character!  The ending was real good too.  I enjoyed this.  (Gerard's review, 5 stars)

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"Paws from Heaven--True Stories of God's Amazing Animal Angels" (Guidepost Contributors)

Paws from Heaven is a collection of short stories about cats and dogs that do remarkable things to help us through life.  All the stories are really good and if you have a pet, you will sometimes see yourself in them.  If you do not have a pet, you will want one after you finish this book!  (Gerard's review, 5 stars)

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My Weird School FAST FACTS Series by Dan Gutman

Explorers, Presidents, and Toilets by Dan Gutman is a FAST FACTS series book that I found extremely interesting and filled with fun facts about U.S. history.  I learned new things in an enjoyable way and highly recommend this book to anyone wanting to learn more about U.S. history, including the history of toilets!  (Karen’s review, 5 stars)

Dogs, Cats, and Dung Beetles by Dan Gutman is a FAST FACTS series book I found to be informative and funny!  It is filled with interesting fun facts about all sorts of animals as well as some jokes throughout the book.  I especially enjoyed the chapter on presidents’ pets.  Arlo and Amanda both alternate sharing facts in a fun way.  I highly recommend this book to any animal lover.  (Karen’s review, 5 stars)

Sports by Dan Gutman if a FAST FACTS series book I found to be interesting and funny.  Arlo and Amanda both alternate sharing facts as in the other books in this series.  Most sports are covered, but I noticed pickleball was not included. I especially liked the baseball and basketball facts, but enjoyed the whole book.  I liked that at the end it encourages kids to search the internet for their own weird facts about a subject that interest them.  (Karen's review, 5 stars)

Dinosaurs, Dodos, and Woolly Mammoths by Dan Gutman is a FAST FACTS series book that I skipped because I just am not interesting in reading about dinosaurs and other extinct animals.  I included it here because it is part of this series.

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"The Secret Life of the Sea Otter" by Laurence Pringle

The Secret Life of the Sea Otter by Laurence Pringle is a children's book containing lots of full page pictures and facts about sea otters.  I did learn some things about sea otters that I didn't already know; however, it read like a school report rather than like a story.  I expected it to be more of a story with the facts coming through more in story form.  (Karen's review, 3 stars)

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"Funny Farm--Life with 600 Rescue Animals" by Laurie Zaleski

Funny Farm by Lauri Zaleski is the true story of her childhood and her mom who had a love for animals.  Throughout the book we learn about some of the animals she had on her farm.  I really enjoyed reading this one very much.  What a story Laurie tells so well.  If you are looking for a "feel good" story, this is it!  (Gerard's review, 5++ stars)

Here is a funny video of animals at Funny Farm (guaranteed to make you laugh!):

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"Fox & I--An Uncommon Friendship" by Catherine Raven

Fox & I by Catherine Raven is about her friendship with a fox!  Catherine is a park ranger who begins a friendship with a red fox when their paths crossed.  I learned a lot about foxes and also some other animals when I read this book.  The best part of this book is her interactions with the red fox.  I especially enjoyed the part where she reads Dr. Suess books to the fox!  This is a good, happy non-fiction read.  (Gerard's review, 4.5 stars)  

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"A Girl, a Raccoon, and the Midnight Moon" by Karen Romano Young and Jessixa Bagley

Every so often, I like to read a children's book for a change of pace, so I picked A Girl, a Raccoon, and the Midnight Moon by Karen Romano Young and Jessixa Bagley.  It is about two young girls who try to save a library from being shut down.  It's a pretty crazy book with good flow and not too kiddish.  I liked the raccoons!  (Gerard's review, 4 stars) 

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"The One and Only Bob" by Katherine Applegate

The One and Only Bob is the follow-up children's book to The One and Only Ivan by Katherin Applegate.  In this book the main character is a dog named Bob.  I thought this book started out a bit slow, but once Ruby and Ivan came into it, it picked up and stayed good the rest of the way.  I enjoyed the interaction between the animals and the story had a good pace to it.  I liked getting back to this world of talking animals.  More please!  I thought Bob was a good character and it was good to hear from Ivan again.  The ending was very good and I liked the funny moments.  (Gerard's review, 4.5 stars)

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"Bravelands--The Spirit-Eaters" by Erin Hunter

You can never go wrong with an Erin Hunter book!  Bravelands--The Spirit-eaters has talking animals!  Bravelands faces danger like it has never known before.  A pack of wolves has broken "the code."  They must be stopped, but by whom? and how? 

I enjoyed this book very much.  It flows along well and has plenty of action.  It has maps on the inside covers.  It looks like a book two is coming which I am happy about.
(Gerard Zemek, 5 stars)

Teaser from page 10:  "They didn't eat anything of their kills--nothing, except the heart.  These wolves, they believe that when they eat a creature's heart, they take its spirit and its abilities."

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"The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse" by Charlie Mackesy

The Boy, the mole, the fox and the Horse by Charlie Mackesy is a very short book with illustrations on every page.   It is about a young boy who becomes friends with a mole, a fox and a horse.  It is thought provoking because the boy asks some interesting questions.  It has some life lessons that apply to both young and old people with some humor too.  It is about kindness, friendship and love.  It's a happy quick read that is very unique because it is handwritten!  We enjoyed it, always like books with talking animals! 
(Karen & Gerard's review, 3.5 stars)

Teaser (pages are not numbered):  "Often the hardest person to forgive is yourself."  What is the bravest thing you ever said?" asked the boy.

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"Wolf Pack" by C. J. Box

In Wolf Pack by C. J. Box, two game wardens want to go after the person who is causing deer and elk to stampeed and some are getting killed, but they are told to stand down!  For the good of national interest or else!  Why is this person being protected?

This is good stuff!  The story and action kept me turning pages.  The ending part ws very good to say the least!
(Gerard's review, 5 stars)

Teaser from page 48 (large print version):  Joe felt a tremor wash through him.  He couldn't help but think the wolf was sending him a warning of some kind.

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"Walking with Henry" by Rachel Anne Ridge

Walking With Henry--Big Lessons from a Little Donkey on Faith, Friendship, and Finding Your Path by Rachel Anne Ridge is a true story about Rachel and her donkey, Henry.  One day, Rachel decides her donkey, Flash, needs company in the pasture.  So, she rescues a small donkey and names it Henry.  Rachel has plans, but Henry will teach her lessons that she never expected!  I enjoyed this short book very much which is just about 200 pages.  Rachel tells the story very well and I loved Flash and Henry!  (Gerard's review, 5 stars)  

Teaser from page 5:  Then, when I least expect it, a small beam of light breaks through the darkness and offers a glimpse of goodness.  A reminder, perhaps, that I am never really alone.
Grace is present.
And if grace is present, then God is too.

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"Marooned in the Arctic" by Peggy Caravantes (non-fiction)

Marooned in the Arctic by Peggy Caravantes is the true story about Ada Blackjack, a desperate mother of a sick young boy who agreed to go on an Arctic expedition for two years to Wrangel Island to get some extra money for her son.  Wrangel Island is north of Alaska and Siberia!  She agreed to go along with three men as a seamstress to sew warm clothes for them during the two years. Although she was told some Eskimo families would join them, none did. During her time there, out of necessity, she learned to hunt, trap, kill, and even build a small boat! She and Vic the cat out survived the men!

Her story is quite remarkable, and I enjoyed the tidbits about the cats, walruses, polar bears and the Arctic Fox.  I can't imagine a day 50 degrees below zero like this expedition crew had to deal with.  No one could pay me enough to live like Ada did in the Arctic!  If you like adventures in tough conditions, read this!
(Karen’s review, 4 stars)

Gerard's review:
Marooned in the Arctic by Peggy Caravantes tells the true story of Ada Blackjack, a young Eskimo girl who goes along with four men on an expedition to Wrangel Island in the Arctic, a remote uninhabited territory.  She goes along because she needs money to help care for her ill son.  

I thought this book was pretty good.  I enjoyed the parts that dealt with the animals that she encountered.  This book is very short, but it kept my interest for the most part.  (4 stars)

Teaser from page 13: Cats and sailors have had a strong bond throughout history. Felines destroy rats and mice that could cause havoc on a ship in various ways: getting into a cargo of grain, chewing on the ship’s mooring ropes or woodwork, or carrying diseases. Cats do not like water, but they adapt to travel on it and become companions to lonely sailors.


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"The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise" by Dan Gemeinhart

The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise by Dan Gemeinhart is a heartwarming children’s story about a father and daughter on a road trip. They just bought a bus and drove all over together for five years after the wife and other two daughters were killed in a car accident when Coyote was 7. The father tries to forget by changing their names—he Rodeo Sunrise and the girl Coyote Sunrise. At 12 years old, Coyote gets talks on the phone to her grandmother and finds out the park is being torn down in a few days. Coyote is determined to get there to dig up the box her and her sisters and mom buried just before they died but needs to get her father to go somehow. As her and her dad travel from Florida back home to Washington State, they pick up some travel companions along the way: a cat she named Ivan, a boy and his mother, a musician, the boy’s aunt, a runaway girl, and a goat!

This book is a fun read with lots of touching moments and some wild, fun times. I liked both the dad and his daughter and her best friend, Salvador. As soon as Coyote got a kitten, I was hooked! This book has a good lesson: don’t judge people by how they look and most people want to help others if they can. Although this is a children’s book, it kept my interest all the way. It is a quick read I enjoyed! (Karen's review, 5 stars)

Teaser from page 26:  Ivan, superstar kitten that he was, managed to keep his grip on Rodeo's neck through all the screeching and the leaping.  Once Rodeo had shot to an upright position, Ivan decided he'd rather not be attached to a screaming, vertical hippie.


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"A Dog's Way Home" by W. Bruce Cameron

A Dog's Way Home by W. Bruce Cameron is about Bella, a very good dog who is taken from her home in Denver until her owner, Lucas, can find a new place to live that allows pit bulls.  Unfortunately, Bella sees her opportunity to break out of that yard and head on home to her Lucas the day before he was coming to get her!  It takes her two years to find her way home!  Along the way, she runs into lots of adventures and has several different people who she lives with including doggie foster parents, two gay men, an alcoholic woman, a homeless vet, and a cougar!

I had a hard time getting through this book because it was just so heartbreaking.  I felt so bad for this poor dog and very angry at the animal control guy who was just part of a plot to harass Lucas and Bella.  The only reason I finished it was because the title implies that she does make it home. I liked how there were lots of cats in this story and some parts were pretty funny, such as when Bella discovered what a great place a grocery store is.  I also liked how the VA hospital patients enjoyed Bella which reminded me of how those in the nursing home enjoyed our dog, Abby's, visits when we used to take her every week.  The unfairness of the breed discriminatory law was very upsetting to me.  Anyone could see by her behavior that Bella was not a dangerous dog, nor was she a pure pit bull, but was viewed as one by one guy in animal control.
(Karen's review, 3 stars)

A Dog's Way Home by W. Bruce Cameron is told by Bella, who is a very good dog!  She is pronounced a pit bull by three animal control officers (in spite of being a mix and many others saying she is not a pit bull) and the state she lives in has laws that will not allow her to be a house pet.  She gets separated from her owner and makes it her goal to get back to her person somehow.  I enjoyed this book very much.  Bella tells the story quite well and it has a great ending!
(Gerard's review 8/6/17, 5 stars)

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"Oregon Disaster--Trails of the Heart Book 5" by Rachel Wesson

Oregon Disaster by Rachel Wesson is Book 5 in the “Trails of the Heart” series and centers on Sarah, who ran off to marry Edwin Morgan, a violent drunk miner, womanizer and hateful man against her parents’ wishes. Walking Tall had Bear, one of his men, follow her to make sure she was all right and in the process, they fell in love. Tala, Bear’s wolf/dog, helps protect them against a mountain lion. Bear looks after Sarah and she falls in love with him in spite of the fact that he is part Indian

I liked this book a lot because Bear and Tala were in it a lot and Sarah matures and finally shows some concern for others. She is a feisty girl though and wins Bears heart and respect. This book is about forgiveness, and overcoming one’s past. I loved the ending! (Karen’s review, 5 stars)

Teaser from Loc. 933-34 on Kindle: “You can’t leave me with that wild animal” “He is better company than you usually keep.”


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