I was an elementary school teacher for thirty years. I always made time to read novels to my classes. These are five of the novels that I really enjoyed reading to my students. Of course, adults can read them too!
Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH
By: Robert C. O'Brian
Mrs. Frisby is a mouse living in Mr. Fitzgibbon's garden. She is a widow with several young children. At the end of Winter, just before the the time for Spring plowing, her frailest child becomes ill and cannot be moved. Mrs. Frisby must find a way to save him from from Mr. Fitzgibbon's plow. Her search leads her to the rats where she learns the secret shared by the rats and her poor dead husband.
Running Out of Time
By: Margaret Peterson Haddix
Jessie and her family live in the small town of Clifton, Indiana in the year 1840. As she has grown up, Jessie has noticed odd things about the town. There are words they are not allowed to use, and places they are not allowed to go. Although there is a doctor in Clifton, people often ask Jessie's mother for medical help. When an epidemic threatens the lives of several young children, Jessie's mother decides to send Jessie for some modern help. That's when she reveals the truth about Clifton.
The Seventh Princess
By: Nick Sullivan
On the bus to school, Jennifer is upset. Her homework is not done. She was supposed to write about her most fantastic dream, and she couldn't think of anything to write about.
Then there is a jolt, and Jennifer is in a horse drawn carriage. The carriage delivers her to a castle where she meets Duke Rinaldo. Soon, Jennifer is adopted by the king as the Princess Miranda.
It is an open secret that Jennifer is not really the Princess Miranda. Then we learn that she is the seventh princess. There is an evil witch who demands the tribute of a princess every year. What has happened to the previous six princesses?
I love this book because it is so well written. The description of the harpy attack is an excellent example of fantastic writing.
A Door in the Wall
By: Marguerite De Angeli
Robin is the son of a knight. He hopes one day to fallow in his father's footsteps. As the story begins, Robin's father is in the North fighting with the king. His mother has left to serve as a lady in waiting for the queen. After his mother leaves, Robin is taken ill and can no longer move his legs. The man who is supposed to take Robin to his father never arrives. Eventually, the entire house staff has either succumbed to the plague, or departed in fear. Robin is left alone.
Kindly Brother Luke takes Robin to the hospice of St. Marks. There Brother Luke takes care of Robin both body and soul. Robin learns to adapt to his disability, and he learns to be a better person.
The Green Book
By: Jill Paton Walsh
Pattie's family is leaving Earth. There is something wrong with the sun. Because they are among the last to leave, their spaceship is not very powerful. So each person is allowed to bring only one personal item. Pattie brings a green book. The others make fun of Pattie when they discover that Pattie's book is just a blank journal.
The novel tells the story of Pattie and her family's trip aboard the ship, and their experiences on their new planet, Shine.
Friday, June 28, 2013
Wednesday, June 26, 2013
The Chalice of Blood by Peter Tremayne
Genre: Historical Mystery
Setting: Ireland, A.D. 670
First Sentence: The snow had begun to descend in thick icy flakes, driving into their faces, cold and clinging, obscuring the path along the river bank and adding another coating to the already whitened landscape.
This novel is the 21st book in Tremayne's Sister Fidelma series.
In Tremayne's novels, the Ireland of the 7th century is in the early stages of incorporating Christianity into Irish society. Traditional customs and laws often come in conflict with the new religion.
Ireland of the 7th century was a unique place for women. They had almost complete equal rights with men. Women could be highly educated and could hold secular leadership positions.
This is the Ireland in which Fidelma lives. Fidelma is a religieuse, essentially a nun. She is a highly trained lawyer who is famous throughout the kingdom for her ability to solve mysteries. Fidelma is also a princess. Her brother is the king.
Fidelma is a strong willed woman who doesn't mince words. This makes life especially difficult for Eadulf. In the 7th century, clergy was allowed to marry. Fidelma is married to Eadulf, a Saxon monk, and together they have a young son.
Each of Tremayne's novels about Fidelma stand alone as a complete story. Running through all of the novels is the continuing story of Fidelma's relationship with Eadulf. Eadulf plays "Watson" to Fidelma's "Sherlock". By herself, Fidelma can solve most mysteries. Yet, Eadulf often provides an important fact or legal reference which helps Fidelma prove her case.
Fidelma has recently decided to leave the religious life and devote herself completely to practicing the law. Eadulf, on the other hand, would rather enter an abby and lead a quiet life with Fidelma and their son. This disagreement threatens to destroy their marriage.
In this installment of the series, Fidelma and Eadulf are asked to investigate the murder of a young monk. The monk has been found dead in his locked chamber. Even before Fidelma and Eadulf arrive, they are attacked by unknown warriors.
As they investigate, Fidelma and Eadulf uncover a tangled web of clues. Secrets, revenge, heresy, and madness combine to make this case an especially difficult one for Fidelma to solve. In addition, there have been new attacks by the unknown warriors in the area. Soon, the whole region could be thrown into bloody conflict.
Fidelma's high standing in the kingdom, allows her to lead conflicting leaders to a lawful solution. When Fidelma eventually puts all the pieces together, her solution forms an interesting counterpoint to Fidelma's personal issues.
I really enjoy reading about Fidelma. Tremayne does a great job of leaving clues and red herrings. I am often surprised when Fidelma reveals the solution in the courtroom scene in the final few chapters.
I hope Fidelma and Eadulf can find a resolution to their differences in future episodes of the series.
I definitely recommend this enjoyable book!
Check out my eBook
Setting: Ireland, A.D. 670
First Sentence: The snow had begun to descend in thick icy flakes, driving into their faces, cold and clinging, obscuring the path along the river bank and adding another coating to the already whitened landscape.
This novel is the 21st book in Tremayne's Sister Fidelma series.
In Tremayne's novels, the Ireland of the 7th century is in the early stages of incorporating Christianity into Irish society. Traditional customs and laws often come in conflict with the new religion.
Ireland of the 7th century was a unique place for women. They had almost complete equal rights with men. Women could be highly educated and could hold secular leadership positions.
This is the Ireland in which Fidelma lives. Fidelma is a religieuse, essentially a nun. She is a highly trained lawyer who is famous throughout the kingdom for her ability to solve mysteries. Fidelma is also a princess. Her brother is the king.
Fidelma is a strong willed woman who doesn't mince words. This makes life especially difficult for Eadulf. In the 7th century, clergy was allowed to marry. Fidelma is married to Eadulf, a Saxon monk, and together they have a young son.
Each of Tremayne's novels about Fidelma stand alone as a complete story. Running through all of the novels is the continuing story of Fidelma's relationship with Eadulf. Eadulf plays "Watson" to Fidelma's "Sherlock". By herself, Fidelma can solve most mysteries. Yet, Eadulf often provides an important fact or legal reference which helps Fidelma prove her case.
Fidelma has recently decided to leave the religious life and devote herself completely to practicing the law. Eadulf, on the other hand, would rather enter an abby and lead a quiet life with Fidelma and their son. This disagreement threatens to destroy their marriage.
In this installment of the series, Fidelma and Eadulf are asked to investigate the murder of a young monk. The monk has been found dead in his locked chamber. Even before Fidelma and Eadulf arrive, they are attacked by unknown warriors.
As they investigate, Fidelma and Eadulf uncover a tangled web of clues. Secrets, revenge, heresy, and madness combine to make this case an especially difficult one for Fidelma to solve. In addition, there have been new attacks by the unknown warriors in the area. Soon, the whole region could be thrown into bloody conflict.
Fidelma's high standing in the kingdom, allows her to lead conflicting leaders to a lawful solution. When Fidelma eventually puts all the pieces together, her solution forms an interesting counterpoint to Fidelma's personal issues.
I really enjoy reading about Fidelma. Tremayne does a great job of leaving clues and red herrings. I am often surprised when Fidelma reveals the solution in the courtroom scene in the final few chapters.
I hope Fidelma and Eadulf can find a resolution to their differences in future episodes of the series.
I definitely recommend this enjoyable book!
Check out my eBook
Wednesday, June 19, 2013
Dust by Allison M. Dickson
Genre: Science fiction short story.
Setting: Earth in the near future.
First sentence: The dust eats the living and buries everything else.
The space program has staged a return trip to the Moon. There they find something unexpected.
After the 9/11 attack on the World Trade Center, Clyde Johnson built a terrorist resistant safe room. From his bunker, he watches the dust.
This is a very good short story. I was completely surprised by the ending.
Check out my eBook!
Setting: Earth in the near future.
First sentence: The dust eats the living and buries everything else.
The space program has staged a return trip to the Moon. There they find something unexpected.
After the 9/11 attack on the World Trade Center, Clyde Johnson built a terrorist resistant safe room. From his bunker, he watches the dust.
This is a very good short story. I was completely surprised by the ending.
Check out my eBook!
Tuesday, June 18, 2013
The Silver Locomotive Mystery by Edward Marston
Genre: Historical Fiction
Setting: England, 1855
First sentence: Nigel Buckmaster knew how to make an entrance.
This novel is thesixth in Marston's Railway Detective series.
A silversmith's assistant is given the task of delivering a silver coffeepot shaped like a locomotive to a customer in Cardiff. The assistant is traveling alone on the South Wales Railway. The next day, he is found horribly murdered at the Railway Hotel. And, the silver locomotive is missing.
Once again Inspector Robert Colbeck, the Railway Detective, is on the case. Assisting him, as always, is the intrepid Sergeant Victor Leeming.
As Colbeck and Leeming investigate, they uncover a wonderfully entangled web of clues. In Cardiff, they find several individuals whose lust for silver could lead to robbery and murder. Among the suspects are members of an acting troupe, a professional mistress, and some of Cardiff's well-to-do upper crust. Even the silversmith's son is under suspicion.
With Colbeck and Leeming's hard work and persistence, the culprits are sure to be apprehended. But, just when they seem to have solved the case, the discovery of one important clue forces our investigators to re-examine their conclusions.
Can the Railway Detective one again find the solution to the mystery?
Edward Marston is one of my favorite authors. His prose is enjoyably readable. The pages fly by and, too soon, you've reached the end of another great book.
I highly recommend all of Edward Marston's novels!
Check out my eBook!
Setting: England, 1855
First sentence: Nigel Buckmaster knew how to make an entrance.
This novel is thesixth in Marston's Railway Detective series.
A silversmith's assistant is given the task of delivering a silver coffeepot shaped like a locomotive to a customer in Cardiff. The assistant is traveling alone on the South Wales Railway. The next day, he is found horribly murdered at the Railway Hotel. And, the silver locomotive is missing.
Once again Inspector Robert Colbeck, the Railway Detective, is on the case. Assisting him, as always, is the intrepid Sergeant Victor Leeming.
As Colbeck and Leeming investigate, they uncover a wonderfully entangled web of clues. In Cardiff, they find several individuals whose lust for silver could lead to robbery and murder. Among the suspects are members of an acting troupe, a professional mistress, and some of Cardiff's well-to-do upper crust. Even the silversmith's son is under suspicion.
With Colbeck and Leeming's hard work and persistence, the culprits are sure to be apprehended. But, just when they seem to have solved the case, the discovery of one important clue forces our investigators to re-examine their conclusions.
Can the Railway Detective one again find the solution to the mystery?
Edward Marston is one of my favorite authors. His prose is enjoyably readable. The pages fly by and, too soon, you've reached the end of another great book.
I highly recommend all of Edward Marston's novels!
Check out my eBook!
Saturday, June 15, 2013
Supervolcano: All Fall Down by Harry Turtledove
Genre: Fiction
Setting: The near future, after the Yellowstone supervolcano has erupted.
FYI: Some adult content.
First Sentence: Colin Ferguson called upstairs to hi wife: "You ready?"
This novel is the second in Turtledove's supervolcano series.
The title of this novel, and the graphic on the dust cover, led me to believe that there would be plenty of action due to increased volcano activity. Perhaps some of the main characters lives would be put in peril. After reading the novel, I was disappointed to find that the volcano is actually a very minor player in the plot. The one character who is a geologist, and an expert on the Yellowstone supervolcano, visits the volcano once. She spends more time in this novel getting pregnant and having a baby than studying the volcano.
The novel is the tale of the Ferguson family and how they adapt and survive the effects of the eruption. Most of the family is based in Southern California with others in the Great Plains and in Northern Maine. Life is tough but they all seem to survive, get jobs, find love, and have babies while the snow falls, food gets scarce, and the price of gas goes up.
None of the family members seem to "fall down".
Turtledove uses an easy to read style. He includes pop culture references and word play to keep the novel fun to read. However some of his puns are real groaners.
To be sure, this novel is not one of Turtledove's best. If you are a big fan of his you might enjoy it.
Check out my eBook!
Setting: The near future, after the Yellowstone supervolcano has erupted.
FYI: Some adult content.
First Sentence: Colin Ferguson called upstairs to hi wife: "You ready?"
This novel is the second in Turtledove's supervolcano series.
The title of this novel, and the graphic on the dust cover, led me to believe that there would be plenty of action due to increased volcano activity. Perhaps some of the main characters lives would be put in peril. After reading the novel, I was disappointed to find that the volcano is actually a very minor player in the plot. The one character who is a geologist, and an expert on the Yellowstone supervolcano, visits the volcano once. She spends more time in this novel getting pregnant and having a baby than studying the volcano.
The novel is the tale of the Ferguson family and how they adapt and survive the effects of the eruption. Most of the family is based in Southern California with others in the Great Plains and in Northern Maine. Life is tough but they all seem to survive, get jobs, find love, and have babies while the snow falls, food gets scarce, and the price of gas goes up.
None of the family members seem to "fall down".
Turtledove uses an easy to read style. He includes pop culture references and word play to keep the novel fun to read. However some of his puns are real groaners.
To be sure, this novel is not one of Turtledove's best. If you are a big fan of his you might enjoy it.
Check out my eBook!
Sunday, June 9, 2013
Lord of Mountains by S. M. Stirling
Genre: Fantasy
Setting: In a post-apocalyptic version of North America in the year 2023AD, 25 years ofter the change.
First Sentence: He is coming!
This novel is the twelfth in Stirling's Change series.
When I started reading this novel, I was hoping for the big battle of good versus evil. As the novel opens, Rudi's followers, the army of Montival, are massing to fight a battle with the larger army of the Church Universal and Triumphant. Rudi, with the help of the magical Sword of the Lady, must plan the battle well in order to defeat a much larger foe.
Before we reach the battle scenes the novel plods along with Stirling's extensive descriptions of clothing, food, castles, and familial relationships. The pace picks up as the battle ensues. Yet the evil Prophet Sethaz only appears in one brief scene.
After the battle ends, it's time for Rudi to solidify his standing as High King for the newly created Kingdom of Montival. The kingdom is a confederation of several different groups. Some of which, most notably the Portland Protective Association and the Clan Mackenzie, have recently been sworn enemies. Rudi must find a way to stage a coronation that will satisfy all of the various religious and political groups of Montival.
Fortunately, the solution comes to Rudi in a dream. He must take the Sword of the Lady to the Lost Lake, and there commune with the spiritual powers of good.
The novel fades slowly to the end with a "they lived happily ever after feel." Yet the war versus the evil Prophet is not over. I was waiting for an unexpected attack from the prophet and his evil minions, but it never came.
I don't know if I'll read the next novel of the series. If you are interested in medieval clothing, food, and armaments you might enjoy this novel more than I did.
Check out my eBook!
Setting: In a post-apocalyptic version of North America in the year 2023AD, 25 years ofter the change.
First Sentence: He is coming!
This novel is the twelfth in Stirling's Change series.
When I started reading this novel, I was hoping for the big battle of good versus evil. As the novel opens, Rudi's followers, the army of Montival, are massing to fight a battle with the larger army of the Church Universal and Triumphant. Rudi, with the help of the magical Sword of the Lady, must plan the battle well in order to defeat a much larger foe.
Before we reach the battle scenes the novel plods along with Stirling's extensive descriptions of clothing, food, castles, and familial relationships. The pace picks up as the battle ensues. Yet the evil Prophet Sethaz only appears in one brief scene.
After the battle ends, it's time for Rudi to solidify his standing as High King for the newly created Kingdom of Montival. The kingdom is a confederation of several different groups. Some of which, most notably the Portland Protective Association and the Clan Mackenzie, have recently been sworn enemies. Rudi must find a way to stage a coronation that will satisfy all of the various religious and political groups of Montival.
Fortunately, the solution comes to Rudi in a dream. He must take the Sword of the Lady to the Lost Lake, and there commune with the spiritual powers of good.
The novel fades slowly to the end with a "they lived happily ever after feel." Yet the war versus the evil Prophet is not over. I was waiting for an unexpected attack from the prophet and his evil minions, but it never came.
I don't know if I'll read the next novel of the series. If you are interested in medieval clothing, food, and armaments you might enjoy this novel more than I did.
Check out my eBook!
Monday, June 3, 2013
Murder on the Brighton Express by Edward Marston
Genre: Historical Mystery
Setting: England, 1854
First Sentence: Hands on hips, Frank Pike stood on the platform at London Bridge station and ran an approving eye over his locomotive.
This novel is the fifth in Marston's Railway Detective series.
Inspector Robert Colbeck is known by reputation as the Railway Detective. While employed by Scotland Yard, rather than a railway company, Colbeck has shown a knack for solving crimes associated with the railroad. He is aided in his investigations by the very capable Sergeant Victor Leeming.
There has been a terrible accident on the Brighton Express line. The train has jumped the track and collided with another train. Many passengers have been injured, and there were several fatalities. Colbeck has been asked by the railroad company to aid the company's own Inspector General in investigating the accident. The Inspector General jumps to the conclusion that driver error has caused the collision. Colbeck is not so sure. Soon he and Sergeant Leeming find clues that lead to a more sinister conclusion: Someone caused the accident in order to murder one of the passengers on the train.
Will Inspector Colbeck and Sergeant Leeming find the evidence needed to exonerate the train driver and implicate the murderer before he strikes again?
Edward Marston is one of mu favorite authors. He writes in as extremely readable style. He creates unique and interesting characters. His plots move forward with just the right amount of description. And, for me, his dialogue is a joy to read.
I enjoyed this novel. If you are looking for a nice, pleasant read, give Marston a try!
Check out my eBook!
Setting: England, 1854
First Sentence: Hands on hips, Frank Pike stood on the platform at London Bridge station and ran an approving eye over his locomotive.
This novel is the fifth in Marston's Railway Detective series.
Inspector Robert Colbeck is known by reputation as the Railway Detective. While employed by Scotland Yard, rather than a railway company, Colbeck has shown a knack for solving crimes associated with the railroad. He is aided in his investigations by the very capable Sergeant Victor Leeming.
There has been a terrible accident on the Brighton Express line. The train has jumped the track and collided with another train. Many passengers have been injured, and there were several fatalities. Colbeck has been asked by the railroad company to aid the company's own Inspector General in investigating the accident. The Inspector General jumps to the conclusion that driver error has caused the collision. Colbeck is not so sure. Soon he and Sergeant Leeming find clues that lead to a more sinister conclusion: Someone caused the accident in order to murder one of the passengers on the train.
Will Inspector Colbeck and Sergeant Leeming find the evidence needed to exonerate the train driver and implicate the murderer before he strikes again?
Edward Marston is one of mu favorite authors. He writes in as extremely readable style. He creates unique and interesting characters. His plots move forward with just the right amount of description. And, for me, his dialogue is a joy to read.
I enjoyed this novel. If you are looking for a nice, pleasant read, give Marston a try!
Check out my eBook!
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