The Boy, the Mole, the Fox, and the Horse is by Charlie Mackesy. A charming fantasy for young children. A young boy leans many valuable lessons from his friends. A wonderful book! A Reader's Corner Highly Recommended Read.
Ratings: 4th grade - 9 out of 10.
Murder in the Mill-Race is by ECR Lorac. Another historical fiction Golden Age Inspector Macdonald mystery. In a small town on the North Devon Moor, a new doctor and his wife attempt to start a new practice. Everywhere in town they hear about Sister Monica, who runs a children's home, and what a saint she is. Then she is found drowned and Macdonald and Dr. Ferens discover she wasn't as saintly as they had been led to believe. Who is everyone in town covering for? Golden Age fans will love this mystery.
Ratings: 9th grade - 8 out of 10.
Crook O'Lune is by ECR Lorac. Another historical fiction Golden Age mystery. Macdonald goes to High Gimmerdale to stay with friends as he looks for land to buy - he wants to raise cows when he retires. While he's there, sheep go missing and a woman dies in a mysterious fire and Macdonald must step in and go to work to solve the crime. Fans of Lorac will enjoy this, as will Golden Age mystery fans.
Ratings: 9th grade - 8 out of 10.
The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion Vol 3 is by Beth Brower. The third installment in the historical fiction Emma M. Lion series. Emma must deal with her injured cousin and her Aunt Eugenia's machinations. She also might be falling for her strange tenant. Fans of the series will enjoy this installment.
Ratings: 9th grade - 7 out of 10.
The Marriage-Go-Round is by Leslie Stevens. A charming realistic fiction drama about marriage problems. A married pair of college professors take in a female guest from Sweden, who almost wrecks their marriage. A comedy in two entertaining acts.
Ratings: 11th grade - 8 out of 10 - AC (mature thematic content).
Henry V is by William Shakespeare. The final installment in the Henriad, Shakespeare's second historical fiction tetralogy. Hal is now Henry V and is headed to France to battle the French king for his throne as well. This play has several magnificent monologues, including the famous "Band of Brothers" speech. A must read classic for all lovers of the Bard. The Hollow Crown series is an excellent video representation of the tetralogy and Kenneth Branagh's version is also not to be missed.
Ratings: 11th grade - 9 out of 10.
The Titanic Locket is by Suzanne Weyn. The first book in the fantasy Haunted Museum series. Two sisters embark, with their parents, on a vacation cruise on a replica of the Titanic. Before boarding they toured the Haunted Museum and touched a mysterious locket from the original Titanic. Once the replica sets sail, strange things begin to happen and Samantha and Jessica must solve the ghostly mystery before it's too late for them both. Good for young adults.
Ratings: 6th grade - 6 out of 10.
Jesus: The Prequel and the Incredible Difference it Makes in Your Life is by Van Harden. A enlightening nonfiction theological book on the Jesus. Who was he before He came to Earth? What was He doing prior to the incarnation and why does it matter? A must read for all Christians and those with questions about Jesus.
Ratings: 10th grade - 8 out of 10.
An Ideal Husband is by Oscar Wilde. One of Wilde's lesser known historical plays. This one follows the foibles of a married couple: she believes he can do know wrong and he did some wrong. When a less than honorable lady attempts to blackmail Sir Robert Chiltern, Viscount Goring decides to help him out. Typical Wilde hijinx ensue. Not the best of Wilde's plays, but thoroughly enjoyable.
Ratings: 10th grade - 7 out of 10.
A Letter to the Luminous Deep is by Sylvie Cathrall. The first book in the Sunken Archive series. Two families exchange letters and information when one member of each family disappear in an undersea explosion. The families find the discoveries the two made and compare notes on their own undersea discoveries which could change the world as they know it. It's hard to tell if this is the future of our world or a completely different world - but the story is fascinating.
Ratings: 10th grade - 7 out of 10 - AC (mature thematic content).
A Little Princess is by Francis Hodgson Burnett. A classic historical fiction children's tale. Seven-year-old Sara is brought from Indian to England by her father for her education. Her father is very rich and she gets everything she wants. Sara however, remains unspoiled and loving to everyone around her. Miss Minchin, the headmistress, is thrilled with her rich pupil, until tragedy strikes. Can Sara remain the "princess" she pretends to be on the inside when she can't be seen as one on the outside? A charming classic tale. A Reader's Corner Highly Recommended Read.
Ratings: 5th grade - 9 out of 10.
Childcraft: Stories and Fables Vol 2 is by Childcraft. A marvelous fantasy collection of short stories and fables. I wish I still had the complete set I had as a child. These are magnificent classic tales for young children. A must have for all new parents. The illustrations are beautiful.
Ratings: 1st grade - 10 out of 10.
The Busybody Book Club is by Freya Sampson. A realistic fiction mystery about a book club in Cornwall. Nova Davies has moved to a Cornish seaside village with her fiancée, and has begun work in the local community center where she runs a very small book club full of eccentric people. When a large sum of money is stolen, one of the book club members is suspected. Phyllis, the local Miss Marple, decides that Michael is being framed and drags Nova and the other book club members into a quest to find Michael and prove his innocence.
Ratings: 11th grade - 7 out of 10 - P (profanity) - AC (mature thematic content).
Summers End is by Juneau Black. The fifth installment in the fantasy Shady Hollow mystery series. Vera agrees to chaperone a school trip to Summers End, a tomb built by ancient woodland cultures. Scientists of all types are there excavating the site and doing scientific tests. When one of them is found murdered and Lenore's sister is the prime suspect, Vera must step in and help solve the crime. Fans of the series will love this story.
Ratings: 9th grade - 8 out of 10.
Fiend is by Alma Katsu. Katsu offers up another novel based on real events and fantasy. This one is a take on the Sacklers, only with a real demon. An import-export firm run by the Berisha family always seems to come out on top. Their rivals have buildings mysteriously catch on fire or have strokes or earthquakes swallow up evidence in manufacturing plants. Whistleblowers drop dead before they can testify - that's the way it is with the Berisha clan. Zef, the patriarch, is the keeper of the family secret. As his three children jockey for control of the empire, the blood they spill may be their own. Not my favorite of Katsu's novels, but an interesting read.
Ratings: Adult - 6 out of 10 - P (profanity) - AC (mature thematic content) - V (violence).
Empire of the Summer Moon: Quanah Parker and the Rise and Fall of the Comanches, the Most Powerful Indian Tribe in American History is by S. C. Gwynne. A fascinating and thrilling nonfiction look at the history of the Comanche tribe. The thing I most enjoyed about this book is its even-handedness. The author points out the problematic doings of both the whites and the Comanches. The history of Quanah Parker, who was the son of a Comanche and a white woman captured by the tribe was unknown to me. I enjoy reading about Native American history and found this book to be well written and informative. A Reader's Corner Highly Recommended Read.
Ratings: Adult - 9 out of 10 - V (violence) - AC (mature thematic content).
The Magnolia Palace is by Fiona Davis. A work of historical fiction set at the Frick Museum in New York. The book toggles between the 1920s and the 1970s. Lillia Carter, under the name Angelica, has been New York's most sought after nude model. She is the inspiration behind countless New York sculptures. After her landlord is killed, she finds herself a suspect. She is afraid this negative publicity will destroy her chances of a film career and runs. By chance she stumbles upon a job opportunity at the Frick mansion as a secretary to the demanding Helen Frick. In the 1970s, Veronica Weber is an English model summoned to the Frick Museum for a Vogue photo shoot. The is her big chance, but when she finds herself locked in the museum during a blizzard with an intern curator, she realizes she has a chance to solve the Frick mystery and discover a lost treasure. Watching as these two timelines come together and the mysteries of the Frick family as resolved is a choice bit of historical fiction.
Ratings: 12th grade - 8 out of 10 - P (profanity) - AC (mature thematic content).
Childcraft: Poems and Rhymes is by Childcraft. A magnificently illustrated collection of poems and rhymes for children. I remember having a full set of Childcraft when I was young and am devastated that they got lost somewhere along the way. I highly recommend this volume for teaching young children to love poetry and rhymes of the classic variety - you will find no modern trash here.
Ratings: 1st grade - 10 out of 10.
The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion Vol 2 is by Beth Brower. The second volume in the historical fiction Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion series. It is 1883, Emma is still dealing with Cousin Archibald and the financial situation he has left her. There is now - a Tenant. Archibald has walled off part of the house and rented it to a rather strange man. Aunt Eugenia is still using Emma as a foil for her own daughter as she seeks a Eugenia approved husband, and Emma is determined to run her own life. This is a delightful series and I can't wait to read other installments.
Ratings: 9th grade - 8 out of 10.
The Prayers of Jane Austen is by Jane Austen. A charming nonfiction book containing prayers written by Austen. This small book is beautifully illustrated and the printing is marvelous. A must read for Austen fans of all ages and for Christians.
Ratings: 10th grade - 10 out of 10.
