Saturday, November 27, 2010

The Yearling

by Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings is the story of a boy and his pet fawn, living in the backwoods of Florida sometime in the 1800's. Both I and a friend who has read it agree that it was well-written, but not a very enjoyable book. On the other hand, my sister read it and thoroughly enjoyed it, so you should probably read it, and decide for yourself whether it is enjoyable or not. I would appreciate any comments after you have read it.

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

A Goodly Heritage

by George Holbert Tucker is an interesting history of Jane Austen's ancestors. It would be a good book to read if you were assigned to draw up Jane Austen's family tree, and write some facts about each person on it.

Rilla of Ingleside

by L. M. Montgomery is the last book in the "Anne of Green Gables" series. I really enjoyed it; however, be sure to read Rainbow Valley (book 7), first, as the authour has various characters refer to events that took place in Rainbow Valley. The reason that I read Rilla of Ingleside first was because in one of my family's Anne of Green Gables books, Rainbow Valley is listed last.

Old Creole Days

by George W. Cable is an enjoyable book about Creole life in Louisiana in the 18th or 19th Century. I really enjoyed reading all of the stories in this book, and wouldn't mind reading them again.

Thursday, July 1, 2010

The Lark in the Morn

by Elfrida Vipont. This book is published by Bethlehem Books, and as with all the books they publish, is a really good book. Kit Haverard is a young girl who greatly frustrates her cousin, Laura, who runs the Haverard household. After an illness, Kit is sent to stay with her great-aunts at Manningleigh, where she discovers her talent for singing. This is the first of two books about Kit Haverard.

Tuesday, June 15, 2010

Kateri Tekakwitha: Mohawk Maiden

by Evelyn M. Brown. This is a good book about the life of Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha. Although she suffered many trial during her life, she was cheerful and hardworking. In addition to learning some interesting facts about her, we also learn about how Kateri's mother, Kahenta, was captured by the Iroquois and married a brave from the Iroquois tribe. This is a really enjoyable book.

Friday, May 28, 2010

Around the World in Eighty Days

by Jules Verne is a good book. It isn't quite like Verne's other books, but I really enjoyed reading it.

Monday, April 19, 2010

Emily of New Moon

by L. M. Montgomery is a good book. It is similar to the Anne of Green Gables books in several aspects. I read it on the recommendation of a friend and thoroughly enjoyed it.

Emily Byrd Starr has never known what it is like to be lonely until her father dies. She doesn't think that living with two aunts at New Moon will be much fun, but once she makes friends it's not so bad after all.

Friday, April 9, 2010

The Hound of the Baskervilles

by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle is an exciting book about one of England's most famous (though legendary,) detctives, Sherlock Holmes. Most of the Sherlock Holmes books can be grouped together in a few large books. However, The Hound of the Baskervilles is not the size where this can easily be done. The unabrigded Puffin Classics edition is 240 pages long.

Unlike most of the other books which follow Sherlock Holmes' adventures, several chapters focus on Watson, Holmes' loyal assistant, and from whose point of view the stories are written. A Dr. Mortimer asks Holmes to investigate the legend of a mysterious hound, which suddenly seems to have turned to reality. Holmes sends Watson to protect the heir of Baskerville Hall, and later comes himself. Together the two companions find themselves unraveling many exciting clues until they come to the conclusion of the mystery.

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Saint Anthony and the Christ Child

by Helen Walker Homan is a wonderful book about the life of Saint Anthony of Padua. The author depicts his life vividly; sometimes we feel that we are actually there.

Saturday, March 20, 2010

Darby O'Gill and the Good People

by Herminie Templeton Kavanagh. The most enjoyable chapter, in my opinion, is "The Banshee's Comb". Anyone who enjoys tales set in Ireland will REALLY enjoy this book, cover to cover!

Disney changed a lot in making the movie "Darby O'Gill and the Little People", but of course, film-makers always have to adapt a book quite a bit before making a movie based upon the book. It's still a good movie.

Thursday, March 11, 2010

The Voyages of Doctor Dolittle

by Hugh Lofting.  Join Dr. John Dolittle, his friends, Tommy Stubbins, Bumpo, Chee-Chee, Jip, and Polynesia on their adventurous voyage to Spider Monkey Island. Whether the doctor is bull-fighting in Spain, or governing the natives of  Spider Monkey Island as their king, you'll will enjoy the whole book from cover-to-cover!

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Saint Joan: the Girl Soldier

by Louis de Wohl is a GREAT book about the life of Stè Jeanne d'Arc (Saint Joan of Arc), the French peasant girl who saved France when it was being attacked by the English. She loved God enough to become a martyr, and a saint.

Captain Blood

by Rafael Sabatini. Yes, it doesn't sound like the nicest title but it fits all that Peter Blood was in the book: a soldier (mentioned at the beginning), a physician, and a pirate. I read this book for the Literary Club, and enjoyed it, for the most part. I would probably recommend it for ages 12 or 13 and up.

The Story of King Arthur and His Knights

by Howard Pyle. This is an excellent book by an excellent author. As with Men of Iron, it's not very exciting in the first few chapters, but as you read further into it you'll hardly be able to put it down! Boys might like it more than girls, but anyone who likes to read adventure books will enjoy The Story of King Arthur and His Knights. By the way, it's long, but well worth the read.

Monday, January 18, 2010

Anne of Green Gables

by L. M. Montgomery is the first book in the "Anne of Green Gables" series. Laugh and cry with Anne as you read about her mischevous escapades, and her dissapointments. There are some times in the book when you want to laugh and cry, such as when Anne let her friend, Diana, have three glasses of wine, thinking that it was rasberry cordial.