"Shelterwood" by Lisa Wingate

1.    

Shelterwood by Lisa Wingate is based on a true story about little children and women who protected them from lord barons who tried to exploit them for their own sake.  This book has a good storyline and plenty of action.  (Gerard's review, 5 stars)

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"The Book of Lost Names" by Kristin Harmel

WOW!  The Book of Lost Names by Kristin Harmel was SO GOOD!  It is based on a true story--how one woman, Eva, was able to save countless numbers of Jewish children from being rounded up by the Germans during World War 2!  You will have to read the book to see how she did that.  I enjoyed this book because the story line and the characters are both good!  I suggest you make time for this book.  You will be glad you did!  (Gerard's review, 5++ stars)

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"The Winter Orphans" by Kristin Beck

The Winter Orphans by Kristin Beck is based on a true story.  These type of books are always special to me.  This one tells the story of brave women who were able to keep children away from the Germans who wanted to take them to work camps.  The kids in the book were very brave also.  I enjoyed this book very much!  (Gerard's review, 5 stars)

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"The Children on the Hill" by Jennifer McMahon

In The Children on the Hill by Jennifer McMahon, in 1978 a young boy and girl are introduced to a young girl who does not talk.  They are told to get along with this girl.  They start a monster club to hunt them down.  When it's 2019, a monster has been sighted.  Lizzy, who hosts a popular show about monsters, is coming to hunt this one down.  This was a great book!  I loved the characters and story line as well as the great ending!  (Gerard's review, 5++ stars)

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"The Children's Blizzard" by Melanie Benjamin--A Very Sad Story

The Children's Blizzard by Melanie Benjamin tells the story of two young prairie school teachers who have to find an answer not found in their school books.  How are they going to get the children left in their care home safe and sound when the weather turns from a warm day into a blizzard?  The author does a very good job of making the reader feel how it was on that day.

This historical fiction book is much more than just that one day.  You really get to know the characters!  I had high hopes for this book going in and it certainly delivered.  It was better than I expected!  I LOVED this book and even read the author's notes, which I normally do not do.  (Gerard's review, 1/31/21, 5++ stars)

Karen's review: 

The Children's Blizzard by Melanie Benjamin is based on a true event but with fictional characters.  This is a very sad story with lots of death and guilt.  Just reading it made me feel cold!  Knowing this actually happened made it interesting and even sadder.  It revolves around two sisters who both were school teachers and one of their students.  Both teachers were only 16 and 17 or 18, Raina and Gerda.  Raina made a right decision and Gerda, a terrible one.  This is a story about immigrants and homesteading in the 1800s and survival.  It has adventure and much heartbreak.  Reading this for me was like plowing through a blizzard myself.  (4 stars)

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"The Institute" by Stephen King (Husband and Wife Both Liked This One!)

The Institute by Stephen King got my attention and kept it throughout the book.  There are no boring parts in this!  I normally do not like Stephen King books; however, this one involving kids peaked my curiosity.  It is horror because of the emotional and physical pain the children endure.  It is about a bunch of kids who were kidnapped for experimentation on developing their special telekinesis and telepathy abilities for the good of the world.  I liked the group dynamics among the kids and how they became friends and worked together to escape the Institute.  It is not all horrific.  There are some funny lines and lots of adventure.  The ending didn't really make sense to me, but I liked the book anyway.  (Karen's review, 5 stars)

Gerard's review 10/24/19:
The Institute by Stephen King is about children who are really smart and have a special ability to do something are taken and put into a large building.  They are held there and are experimented on and they better behave, or else!  Who is doing this and why?  What about the families of these children?

This is very good!  It flows well and is action packed to be sure!  The ending was amazing!  Good stuff!  (5++ stars) 

Teaser from page 63:  Something began to flutter in his chest, and he took several deep breaths to try and quiet it.  He went to the door and grasped the knob, sure he would find himself locked in.

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"One of Us" by Craig DiLouie

One of Us by Craig DiLouie is about a bunch of children who were born with extreme genetic mutations.  They are kept in a home, but this is not a happy home to say the least!  They want that to change.  I thought this book was okay.  The story line was told pretty well; however, some parts did not hold my interest.
(Gerard's review, 4 stars)

Teaser from page 62:  "You creepers keep away from normal kids, you hear.  Next time, there won't be no warning.  I'll just take off my belt and get to whuppin'.  Understand?"

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"Guess Who" by Chris McGeorge

Guess Who (One room.  Five Suspects. Three hours to find a killer.) by Chris McGeorge is this author's first book which is pretty good.  Morgan Sheppard, an 11-yr.-old, solved the murder of a teacher when everyone thought it was suicide.  But now he has a new case to solve!  Five strangers and Morgan are locked in a room and he has three hours to figure out who killed the corpse that is also in the room.  One of the five did it, but who? 

I enjoyed trying to figure out who the killer was along with Morgan, but would have liked more action.  The best part of the book for me was Morgan's interaction with the other people in the room.  Some parts fell flat, but for a first-time author, not too bad at all!
(Gerard's review, 4 stars)

Teaser from page 16:  What?  He didn't have to time to think about the words because there came a terrible sound.  The dull tone of a dead phone line.

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"Oregon Dreams" - Book 2 in Trails of the Heart series by Rachel Wesson

Oregon Dreams – Trail of Hearts Book 2 by Rachel Wesson centers on Johanna and Rick with a side story about Rebecca and Captain Scott Jones. There is a lot of traveling in this book and Johanna gets closer to Rick’s nieces, Carrie and Sarah. Sickness hits the camp and Johanna and Rebecca basically become the nurses with help from Eva, Mrs. Newland and Rick. Rebecca enjoys wearing trousers and a flannel shirt to go hunting because being short on men, they had to double up on guard duty Almanzo, a young boy, is found unconscious with a high fever just outside their camp. Johanna nurses him back to health in her wagon. There are many near death experiences and Johanna and Rick get engaged. We find out what Rick and Johanna’s dreams are when they reach Oregon and learn a bit more of the Captain’s background.

I enjoyed this book as much as the first of this series. The relationship between Rebecca and the Captain is quite humorous and entertaining. Johanna and Rick’s relationship is sweet. The suspense during the river crossing and through the mountains kept me glued to the book.
(Karen’s review, 5 stars)

Teaser from Kindle Loc. 137-38: Johanna didn’t say anything but she couldn’t help but pity Captain Jones a little. He really had no idea what he had let himself in for with her sister.


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"The Whisper" by Emma Clayton (Juvenile Fantasy)

The Whisper by Emma Clayton is the follow-up to The Roar.  Mika and Ellie, telepathic twins, are back together again, but now they have to try to lead the brainwashed army of children that the government controls to freedom and to stop the war that is coming.

I found this book to be better than The Roar.  There is much more action and I enjoyed the parts leading up to the ending very much!
(Gerard's review, 5 stars)

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"A Rancher for Their Mom" by Leann Harris

A Rancher for Their Mom by Leann Harris is a happy Christian fiction romance for Mother's Day.  A widow rancher with two young boys who want to be cowboys and one little girl prays for God's help to get her farm planted and keep the ranch going.  The answer comes in the form of a rodeo cowboy passing through town.

This is light reading and you know right from the title how it turns out, but the boys in it made it somewhat interesting and a heartwarming read.
(Karen's review, 3 stars)

On a sad note, this our cat, Manny's, last photo shoot.  He was a very affectionate cat and we will miss him terribly, but he stopped eating and when he did, he couldn't keep it down anymore.  He kept losing weight and I had to do what was best for him.  We chose to end his life so he would die with dignity and not be in pain any longer.  This picture was taken on his last day with us. 

Have you read this one? What did you think of it? If you reviewed this too, feel free to share your link to your review in the comments. To find books on a specific topic, scroll to the bottom and click on the topic you want. Happy Reading!

"Every Heart a Doorway" by Seanan McGuire

In Every Heart a Doorway by Seanan McGuire, the children find a way into a fantasy world, for a time at least.  Their parents send them to a home under Miss West's care to get their heads straight.  When Nancy arrives, strange things start to happen and it is up to Nancy and her schoolmates to get things back in order.

I got this as an audio book.  I enjoyed the different children and how they had to work together but give it only 4 stars because it is so short.  The book only has 170 pages.
(Gerard's review, 4 stars)

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"The Poet's Dog" by Patricia MacLachlan

In The Poet's Dog by Patricia MacLachlan, two young children are all alone in a fierce winter storm.  Teddy (the talking dog) locates them and leads them to a cabin where he lives so they will be safe.  Teddy tells them a story while they wait for the storm to end and for help to come.

This is a young reader's book, but I enjoyed it very much.  I hope it touches your heart like it did mine!  Perfect read for the holidays!
(Gerard's review, 5++ stars)

Karen read it too and here are her thoughts:
I read it because it was a short children's book that I could read quickly but did not enjoy it as much as Gerard did.  The dog understood words and only children and a poet could understand what the dog said.  I liked the ending but overall wasn't impressed, but then, poetry isn't my thing.  I liked other dog stories much better.
(Karen's review, 3 stars)

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"When Friendship Followed Me Home" by Paul Griffin

When Friendship Followed Me Home by Paul Griffin is about Ben Griffin who is not big on friendships.  Being a foster kid, he has had to experience a lot of pain in his young life by people leaving him.  However, that all change when he befriends a homeless dog who leads him to meeting a young girl!

I liked this book a lot.  The story moved along well and I thought all the characters were very believable.  I never really had it figured out, which is very good!
(Gerard's review, 5 stars)

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"Stay Where You Are and Then Leave" by John Boyne

In Stay Where You Are and Then Leave by John Boyne, as the first World War rages on, Alfie thinks that his father died to the war. As the war continues, Alfie learns something that changes everything. Even though Alfie is a very young boy, he must take on a man's job.

I thought this book was very good!  I enjoyed the character of Alfie very much and the story moved along well. 

(Gerard's review 6/25/16, 5 stars)

Karen's review, 4 stars:
This is a sweet story about a boy's love for his dad during World War I.  The boy, Alfie, lives in London and is only five years old, wanting to join his dad on the milk run.  The father volunteers to fight in the war but writes regularly.   The mother keeps telling the boy his dad is on a secret mission and can't write home which makes Alfie think his father may be dead.  One day when Alfie is making money shining shoes, he discovers that his father is actually in a hospital.  Alfie takes on a secret mission of his own for love.

This is a good read and I enjoyed it.  It goes very fast because it is a children's book, but Alfie is a very brave and loving, caring boy who I liked very much.  Although this book takes place during the war, the focus is on those who are not fighting and so there is hardly any violence at all. 

We have enjoyed two other books by this author too and recommend them all:  The Boy in the Striped Pajamas and The Boy at the Top of the Mountain. 

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"True (. . . Sort of) by Katherine Hannigan (A Kid's Book)

Every once in a while I like to read a book that I can just enjoy and is not on a heavy subject.  Something quick, light and entertaining.  True (. . . Sort of) by Katherine Hannigan is this kind of book.

Delly Pattison, Brud Kinney and Ferris Boyd all have problems of their own, but when they all befriend each other, it is a beautiful thing to see!  Delly has her own way of speaking that I found entertaining.  This has a good story line and goes very quickly!  This is a kid's book I enjoyed.
(Gerard's review, 4 stars)

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"Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets" by J. K. Rowling--Both of Us Loved it!

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J. K. Rowling is the second book of this series which is about Harry’s second year at Hogwarts. I loved the action in this book and the relationships with Harry, Ron and Hermione. The ending had me on the edge. This was a page turner to the very end.
(Gerard's review, 5++ stars)

I enjoyed Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J. K. Rowling.  It's about Harry's second year at Hogwarts and is quite the mystery with adventures of an elf named Dobby, a flying car, changing into other people, attacking trees and huge spiders, and an attack on Harry's life!  Harry proves to be very brave and very nice once again in this book.

I don't understand though why he just didn't keep that invisible cloak on when he went into the forbidden forest.  It would save him a lot of trouble.  Anyhow, I really like Hermione and felt sorry for her when her magic potion didn't work so well for her and when she got petrified.  This is a very fun read and I plan to continue on with more of this series.
(Karen's review 6-1-15, 5 stars)

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"The Battle of our Age-Fighting for the Hearts and Minds of the Next Generation" by Bob Hoskins

The Battle of our Age-Fighting for the Hearts and Minds of the Next Generation by Bob Hoskins is a short booklet about a charity organization called OneHope that seeks to reach every child in the world with the Word of God. Bob Hoskins is the founder of OneHope and his passion is to see children’s lives transformed by God’s word. This booklet contains short stories of various children who have believed in Jesus through this ministry and have had their lives changed. Some were in poverty, in prison, had alcoholic parents, were in abusive situations but turned to Jesus when they read the Book of Hope about Jesus or saw other materials produced by OneHope.

I was very encouraged when I read this booklet and was pleased to learn about OneHope, an organization I wasn’t aware of. I enjoyed reading the stories and found the statistics mentioned staggering! I got this in the mail but you can learn more from their website at www.OneHope.net.
(Karen's review, 4 stars)

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Books I Finished in One Sitting (or close)

I did this video for Top 5 Wednesdays, a Goodreads group.  I'd love to hear your thoughts on it and what books you finished in just one sitting (or close) in a comment.  Hope you will check out my YouTube channel.

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"Wings of a Dream" by Anne Mateer

Wings of a Dream by Anne Mateer is about Rebekah, a young woman in Oklahoma who desires adventure and is determined to get out of the small town in which she lives with her mother and father.  She is a bit jealous of Will, her older brother who is a soldier during WW II because he gets to travel.  She is attracted to a pilot who she dreams of marrying one day.  When her aunt becomes ill and Rebekah goes to nurse her, she gets her adventure, just not the one she dreamed of.  She discovers her aunt was helping raise four little children while their widowed father served his country overseas. 

This is a good Christian historical fiction book that I enjoyed reading.  It is based on a real situation that actually happened and focuses on Rebekah’s search for God’s will for her life.  It is a clean romance that I highly recommend to anyone who enjoys historical fiction. 

(Karen's review, 5 stars)

Have you read this one? What did you think of it? If you reviewed this too, feel free to share your link to your review in the comments. Happy Reading!