The House of the Seven Gables

by Nathaniel Hawthorne is a good book. Briefly, it is about Hepzibah Pyncheon, Clifford Pyncheon, Phoebe Pyncheon, and Judge Pyncheon. Hepzibah Pyncheon is a sour, grouchy old lady until young relative (Phoebe) comes and brightens up the lives of Hepzibah and Clifford. Clifford had spent many years in prison, on the charge of murdering his uncle, Jaffrey Pyncheon. Clifford is rather like his sister until Phoebe comes to stay with them for a while. Judge Pyncheon is Hepzibah and Clifford’s cousin and while some of his offers to help them seem kindly, he is really harsh and unjust and definitely deserved his fate at the end of the story.

Sorry that I haven't posted anything for awhile, but my family and I are busy.

The Lord of the Rings

by J. R. R. Tolkien. This is actually a trilogy, and while some might call a it a fairy tale, it is very different from fairy tales such as Snow White, Goldilocks, and Rapunzel.

The Fellowship of the Ring : In the first book, two hobbits, Frodo Baggins and Sam Gamgee set out, per Gandalf's request, to destroy the ring made many, many years before by Sauron. They are joined by two other hobbits, and five other companions, Gandalf, Aragorn, Legolas, Gimli, and Boromir, making nine members of the fellowship.

The Two Towers : The first half of the second book focuses on the adventures of Aragorn, Legolas, Gimli and Gandalf. The second half focuses on Frodo and Sam, who, having been seperated from the rest of the party, continue on their way to Mount Doom, with the assistance of Gollum.

The Return of the King : The conclusion, I will leave for you to find out for yourselves. However, you can comment and ask me to write a little something if you would like.   

The Witch of Blackbird Pond

by Elizabeth George Speare.  I read this book once before for the Literary Club which my sister and I were  a part of.  I recently read it again, and thoroughly enjoyed it as before.  Kit Tyler, looking at the shores of New England where she is going to live with her mother's sister and her family, realizes that her life will be very different from the life she enjoyed with her grandfather in the Caribbean.  This book is a good book which I would recommend for Grade 5 and up.  In reading or listening to it, one learns a lot about life in New England in the 1600's.   

The Hidden Treasure of Glaston

by Eleanore M. Jewett.  As one can see on the side-bar of my blog, this is one of my favorite books.  Set in twelth century Glaston, England this story is about young Hugh, whose father bring him to Glastonbury Abbey and leaves him in the care of the monks there.  Hugh, along with his friend, Dickon find themselves caught in a mystery of the Holy Grail (the chalice that Our Lord used at the Last Supper).  An old, supposedly mad hermit, the exciting setting, and the details of life in a twelth century monastery all add to the enjoyment of this book.

Miss Rumphius

by Barbara Cooney is a picture book about a lady who, when she was a little girl was told by her grandfather that someday she would make the world more beautiful. She didn't know what this was until, one day (unintentionally,) she discovered how.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.