The Dead in Their Vaulted Arches, Alan Bradley

The Dead in Their Vaulted Arches, Alan Bradley

Flavia de Luce, an eleven-year-old amateur detective, desperately wants the approval of those around her. Her sisters, her father, Bishop Lacey's real detective, and his beautiful wife Antigone. Her deepest desire comes to fruition in The Dead in Their Vaulted Arches as she not only discovers that her family is essential in classified government missions, but that she has been unknowingly prepared her entire life, by those closest to her, to play an extensive role herself.

The Dead in their Vaulted Arches is beautiful and the reader celebrates with Flavia as she matures, makes connections, and discovers her self worth and self importance. The unraveling ends in this novel leave room for even greater adventures to be had and stories to be told.

Speaking from Among the Bones, Alan Bradley

Speaking from Among the Bones, Alan Bradley

With the 500th anniversary of the death of Bishop's Lacey's patron saint, St. Tancred, nearing, plans are made to celebrate with an exhumation of his grave. Flavia, the eleven-year-old part-detective, part-chemist, elbows her way into being helpful during the private event so she can be the first to eye these holy bones. What she finds however, is both unexpected and shocking. Readers will race with Flavia through the pages of this novel as she unfolds the clues behind the church organist's murder. 

Alan Bradley does not disappoint in the 5th book of his Flavia de Luce novels. I love each one more then the last, become more endeared to Flavia herself, more fascinated with mystery, and feel more and more like I am a resident of Bishop's Lacey. I would and will purchase this book for my library and continue to call out to everyone within reach that Flavia de Luce is a literary friend they want to make. 

I Am Half-Sick of Shadows

I Am Half-Sick of Shadows, Alan Bradley

With finances running low, Colonel de Luce agrees to transform Buckshaw Manor into a movie set over Christmas. Caught between wanting to avoid these high profile visitors, and having late night private chats with them, Flavia de Luce overhears secrets, discovers scandals, and gets caught right in the middle of a jealous revenge plot. Although Flavia desperately wants to beat the investigators to the bottom of this surprising murder, she also is highly concerned with ensnaring Saint Nicholas on Christmas Eve and proving to her sisters that he really does exist. Her split focus causes her to overlook important details and she finds herself staring death in the face. 

This may be my favorite Flavia de Luce novel. I absolutely loved it. Flavia + Christmas + high profile  movie stars? Yes please. I loved this book. And there were no dead babies. I can't swallow murdered babies very well, which spoiler alert, book 2 and 3 have those. This one however, was brilliant, fantastic, a page turner and every other positive compliment one could contrive. I read it in 2 days; I couldn't even help it. 

The Weed that Strings the Hangman's Bag

The Weed that Strings the Hangman's Bag,
Alan Bradley

When a famous puppeteer rolls into the tiny town of Bishop's Lacey, curiosities abound and Flavia de Luce is in the center of all of it. Just as Flavia's thirst for figuring out the untold dramas peaks, the puppeteer ends up dead. Resolved to figure out the small and overlooked details leading up to murder, Flavia, once again, uncovers old town secrets, makes progress one step ahead of the investigators and gives readers a close up look into the silly and lovable mind of an eleven-year-old. 

After finishing the first book in this series, I couldn't wait to get started on the second, and I wasn't disappointed. The particulars in this story however are a little heavier to bear than in the last. Upon closing this purple book, I didn't dare start on the third without giving myself time to breath, consider and let my mind unravel. Flavia had me wrapped around her little finger from page 1 til the end. But today I start the third, and I can hardly wait, because these books are fascinating.

Boston Jane

Boston Jane, Jennifer L. Holm

Jane finds the propriety of Philadelphia society tiring. She wants to play, she wants to be silly, she wants to get her hands dirty, and she does not want to follow Lady Godey's Guidebook on how to be a young lady. When she receives an invitation from a handsome suitor to sail over to the Washington Territory and be his bride, Jane jumps at the opportunity, leaving all familiarity behind. When she arrives however, and her fiance is nowhere to be found, Jane must embark on her own life among the settlers, fur trappers, and Indians in the Washington Territory.

Boston Jane is one of my guilty pleasures. We all have books that we love, but wouldn't necessarily be caught reading on campus. But I'm saying it now, I love it. And there's really nothing guilty about it; it's amazing. Jane is a role model. While showing that being a girl is not about to slow her down, and that she too is capable of doing hard things, she simultaneously encompasses all that is feminine. She constantly stands up for herself, yet swallows scrutiny when no other option is available. Prone to tantrums and bemoaning tragedy, as Jane learns from her trials, she encourages us that we too can learn to gracefully wade through difficulty. 

The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie

The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie, Alan Bradley

Flavia de Luce is the child you wish you were. Imaginative, brave and curiously sweet, Flavia is sure to capture the reader's heart as she tumbles her way through murder clues, determined to solve the mystery. After overhearing an argument in her father's study, Flavia wakes up to find a dead man in the garden lying among the cucumbers. When her father is accused as the murderous villain, she resolves to get to the bottom of the riddle and in doing so uncovers deathly, overlooked secrets from years past. 

Okay I absolutely loved this book. I snatched the last copy from the library and promised myself I would only read it at work and while walking home from work so as to savor the pages. Today, being only halfway through, I forgot the blasted book at home. Never surrendering, I found a copy online, and finished it. I honestly haven't turned pages like this since the seventh Harry Potter book. 

Heaven is Here

Heaven is Here, Stephanie Nielson

Heaven is Here: An incredible story of hope, triumph and everyday joy, by Stephanie Nielson is an inspiring memoir. Nielson shares the heartbreaks of her life and how they not only strengthened her faith in Christ, but also strengthened her marriage. Her life in the spotlight began in 2005 as a blogger. Gaining the attention of a large follower base, Nielson captivated those who followed her blog about the joys of motherhood and married life while sharing her gratitude for blessings and instilling hope.

In August 2008, everything changed for Nielson and those she loves. Her and her husband Christian were in a terrible plane crash. While Christian burned over 40% of his body, Stephanie had burns covering over 80% of her body, and was straddling death's door. She remained in a coma for four months. Waking up was a nightmare. They psychical pain was unbearable, yet it didn't hold a candle to the emotional pain that came with seeing herself in the mirror, her children's harsh reactions to her image, and her feelings of inadequacy as both mother and wife.

Nielson was able to pull from her childhood foundation of being raised in the LDS church as well as the support of those who loved her and constantly reminded her of Heavenly Father's love for her, in order to pull through this billowing tragedy. She gives readers a unique perspective on where joy, beauty and love are found and reminds them of the foundational truths that help strengthen home and family. 

A Little Princess

A Little Princess, Frances Hodgson Burnett

I've constantly been searching for a book with a stalwart enough main character that you could name a child after, and they'd have a constant role model. A character that is realistic, but pure and good the whole way through. I've found her in Burnett's, A Little Princess. Sara Crewe was raised in India as a little lady by her wealthy military father. However, when she finds herself orphaned, her fancy world turns upside down and she has to decide how to behave in her new reality.

Sara is always kind and always pleasant. She thinks though perhaps this is due to the fact that she has always had everything she ever wanted. She often wonders how she would act if she were poor, and suddenly and shockingly gets the chance to prove herself. Sara decides that no matter her circumstances, she will act as if she were a princess, always checking herself with the question of, if I were a princess, what would I do or what would I say. Little Sara wins the hearts of the reader and of those who surround her, and rises above her circumstances, inspiring all those who become familiar with her story. 

The Last Lecture

The Last Lecture, Randy Pausch

Heart breaking, uplifting and life changing all in one, Pausch allows readers to experience his last months on earth after his sudden serious diagnosis of cancer. Married, with three very young children at home, making preparations for his family's upcoming life without him was the last thing he expected. However, Pausch somehow manages with humor and gently reminds readers what is actually important in life.

Important lessons like letting the small things go, investing time and money into your marriage, never being afraid to ask, and always showering the people you love with love are humorously approached in this short memoir that is chalk full of one liners sure to be cherished. Teenagers and adults alike will find hope distilled within the pages of The Last Lecture, motivation to be better and an appreciation for what they have.

The Host

The Host, Stephanie Meyers

Don't let Twilight stop you from reading The Host. In a thrilling futuristic tale, Stephenie Meyer captures the magic of forbidden love, the danger of living in hiding, and the hope that is found in numbers. As one of very few humans left in a world where the human race has been taken over by souls from another planet, Melanie lives to keep herself and her little brother Jamie safe. When she is taken and her body implanted with an alien soul named Wanderer, Mel fights to remain, and Wanderer battles with herself over the morality of who she is and what she has done.

 Sharing ideas, hands, feet, and even people is a headache inducing task. But once these two girls find out they have more in common than they thought, a friendship is formed, and a shared goal forged. Wanderer and Melanie eventually learn to work together to save the human race. Meyer intrigues readers with her realistically relatable characters and a plot that continues to twist. The Host infuses hope into all who open its pages and reminds readers of the raw power they posses simply for being human.

The Heretic's Daughter

The Heretic's Daughter, Kathleen Kent

In this international bestseller, Kathleen Kent dives into the realm of a young girl in the late 1600s. At an insecure age, Sarah Carrier, daughter to Martha Carrier, tries to understand the events of the Salem Witch Trials. When her mother is arrested for being a witch, Sarah clings desperately to what she knows to be true, and yet has to tell a lie in order to save herself and her family. 

The Salem Witch Trials are well documented and well known, but not often talked about or written on. The Heretic's Daughter gives a thought provoking inside look into what it could have been like to grow up surrounded by the chaos involved in accusing friends, neighbors and families as witches. Young Adults and Adults will simultaneously find Kent's novel fascinating and terrifying, and will walk away reeling trying to comprehend the madness and to decide how they would have reacted and what they would have done. 

Stay Where You Are & Then Leave

Stay Where You Are & Then Leave, John Boyne

John Boyne delves into the hardship of being left behind on the home front in World War One England. Georgie volunteers to enlist, against his wife’s wishes, on his son Alfie’s 5^th birthday. Boyne helps readers envision what London was like when the men left, the women worked and the children unofficially had more time on their hands as he illustrates Alfie’s World War One experience.

With his dad gone, his mom working day shifts, night shifts as well as taking in laundry and mending, Alfie skips school to secretly polish shoes at Kings Cross Station in order to supplement his mother’s wages. Stay Where You Are and Then Leave offers a realistic perspective without being too heavy on the heart, as Alfie’s understanding is more innocent than most main characters in wartime. World War One is not written about as often as other wars, and Boyne does an excellent job of giving a small taste of war in a thought provoking novel sure to be enjoyed by young adults as well as adults. 

For One More Day

For One More Day, Mitch Albom

Like all Mitch Albom novels, For One More Day engages readers minds and captivates their hearts from page one. Chick Benetto, a lonely, washed-up baseball player, survives suicide. During the intermittent between trying to die and realizing he's still alive, Chick gets one more day with his mother, who passed away years previous. She reminds him of what is important, but most of all that he's important.  

Albom illustrates the significance of a mother-son relationship. He opens readers minds to the unacknowledged attempts at motherhood, and builds an appreciation for mothers everywhere. Albom brings the unbalanced efforts on the part of mother and son in maintaining their relationship to the attention of the reader, and causes internalization as well as application. Like most Albom books, For One More Day is a little heavy, it causes the heart to sorrow, both for Mrs. Benetto and it's own mother. It is beautifully written. It will change lives. 

The Folk Keeper

The Folk Keeper, Franny Billingsley

The Folk Keeper is a bewitching tale of a young girl seeking to feel important and to find her true identity. Corinna, abandoned as a baby, is strong willed and determined. Passionate about feeling in control of herself, she changes her name to Corin and adorns boy clothes so that she can work a lad's occupation. When she is personally sought out to work at a large estate, hiding who she is becomes even harder, and finding herself becomes almost intuitive.

The new manor holds many secrets, and Corinna is determined to discover them. In doing so, she unwraps her own hidden past. Corinna's rough background has hardened her heart. Her new occupation and those living within the walls of the estate help to mold her into something softer. Corinna willingly yet almost unknowingly trades her unfriendly attitudes in for sweet pleasantries. With the help of the estate's young master Finian, adventure is always nigh, exposure of her true identity near, and tenderness and love are kindled. The Folk Keeper is an enchanting story full or charms, friendship and love and is sure to be adored by elementary ages, young adults and even adults.

Someone Named Eva

Someone Named Eva, Joan M. Wolf

Joan M. Wolf gives readers an insight into an almost completely untold facade of Nazi Germany. Milada, a young Czechoslovakian blonde haired blue eyed beauty is stolen from her homeland and placed with dozens of other similar looking children in a German citizen training center. They receive new names, learn a new language, a new history and receive a new life mission: to become German wives and mothers. 

Eva desperately tries to remember her real name is Milada and clings to the hope that she one day will be reunited with her family. Based on a true story, Wolf narrates the horrors that happened to the little Czechoslovakian village of Lidice, when Hitler took revenge on the wrong town for an assassination attempt. All the men were killed, and the women and children who didn't fit the ideal Aryan look were sent to intense labor camps. There were very few survivors of this monstrosity, and Milada's story is an example of what a survivor would have felt, experienced, and endured. This is a fascinating read that elementary, young adult, and adult readers will all enjoy. 

Hundreds of children were displaced overnight 

The Nazi's spent a year completely plowing down the town of Lidice

For more information on Lidice, visit Lebensborn (Germanisation Project) or Lidice

The Book Thief

The Book Thief, Markus Zusak

The Book Thief is not a story about a family who hides a Jew. It is. But it's far more. Markus Zusak composes an unexplored world in the realm of World War II novels. Lonely, orphaned, and almost always hungry, Liesel Meminger catches onto the power of words, both written and oral, as she makes sense of her new milieu and recognizes her own worth. 

When Liesel arrives at her new foster parents home, in a new town, she is unsure of everything. By utilizing the raw innocence of a young heroine, Zusak is able to approach the sensitive subjects of Nazis, Jews, unemployment and insecurity as he weaves this unforgettable tale. The reader derives a unique perspective to life in Nazi Germany as Death is the one who narrates. Death describes his job as demanding, relentless and never ceasing in those years. Liesel caught his eye, or perhaps his soul, and he became attached to her young story. As he unfolds the details, that far advance Liesel's maturity, of her life, Zusak juxtaposes Death's comprehensive understanding and Liesel's finite, childlike awareness. The experience of forming an irreversible friendship with a Jew, putting on a good face for Hitler's Youth, and finding comfort in stolen books changes Liesel's life forever, and is sure to permanently alter the reader as well. Zusak engages young adult and adult readers in this New York Times Bestseller as they embark on a journey of altered perceptions and self discovery. It is a book to be enjoyed and recaptured countless times. 

An Elephant in the Garden

An Elephant in the Garden, Michael Morpurgo

Michael Morpurgo, bestselling author of War Horse, does it again in this unusual tale inspired by a true story. The bombing of Dresden is still fresh in Lizzie’s mind decades later, while as a nursing home patient she recounts her experience. Morpurgo allows the reader to determine, alongside Lizzie’s audience, whether or not her remarkable drama is true.

16 year old Lizzie, whose father is fighting the Russians, worries what her friends will think when her mother brings home an elephant to stay in their garden. Her mother, who works at the zoo, was especially concerned for the welfare of Marlene, a young elephant, when the zoo keeper related to the employees that if and when the bombs come, all the animals would be shot in order to prevent tigers and other dangerous animals from roaming the streets. When the bombs do finally come, Lizzie and her family are in the park walking Marlene, and are compelled to escape the fiery town, in the middle of winter, without supplies, and with an elephant as a companion. The war was hard for everyone, but Marlene allowed Lizzie to learn things she can’t forget, to meet someone who changed her life forever, and to distract strangers long enough to keep her family alive. Intermediate and Young Adult readers will be enthralled with Lizzie’s intriguing story, come away bigger and better people, and become acquainted with a peculiar piece of history.

Lafcadio. The Lion Who Shot Back

Lafcadio. The Lion Who Shot Back, Shel Silverstein

Lafcadio is an imaginary tale about a lion who loves marshmallows. Departing from a collection of poems, in this children’s short story, Silverstein aids little ones in expanding their fantasies as Lafcadio learns how to walk, talk, dress, eat and even shoot a gun like a human. Young readers also face a moral dilemma when Lafcadio is tired of human life, but lion life isn’t quite appealing anymore either. 

Small fingers will love this page turner. The illustrations and the text cooperate in creating a magical world for young imaginations. Preschool and primary students will savor this story, and adults will be entertained by the fresh silliness contained within the pages. The content is very graspable for developing minds, while the implied meanings and dilemmas can be grappled by more advanced intellect. All readers alike will enjoy Lafcadio, the Lion Who Shot Back.

A Thunderous Whisper

A Thunderous Whisper, Christina Diaz Gonzalez

Christina Diaz Gonzalez stretches the reader’s imagination as she delves into the drama, loss and courage found in the bombing of Guernica. Life for Ani in the Basque town of Guernica is chaotic, but Gonzalez impresses that meaning is to be found when one decides what is to be done with that chaos.  Ani, a self-assumed twelve-year-old nobody, finds her voice when a boy with a strange accent moves to town and they embark on daring adventures as spies.

Selling sardines with her mother every afternoon, and smelling like fish every day, is not what Ani esteems as being of worth or popularity. However, when Mathias moves to town, and also has zero friends, the two form a friendship and aid each other in their self-discovery. A Thunderous Whisper is a beautiful story. Although Gonzalez did an excellent job of building the story and keeping the reader interested, characters believability through their dialogue lacked. Nonetheless, intermediate and young adult readers will find A Thunderous Whisper engaging and enthralling and as they begin to conceive the untold dramas of the Basque town and the bombing of Guernica.

Don't Bump the Glump! And Other Fantasies

Don't Bump the Glump! And Other Fantasies,
Shel Silverstein

Shel Silverstein’s first poetry collection, Don’t Bump the Glump! And Other Fantasies, although perhaps not quite as well-known as his other works, shines just as the rest. This collection of poetry will keep young children reeling for more as their imaginations are fed new ideas to explore.

In this collection, Silverstein traverses the topic of monsters. This publication is Silverstein’s only one illustrated in full color, which adds to the magic to be enjoyed as young minds cartwheel around his long, made up words and rhymes.  All preschool and primary aged children will be thrilled by the silliness Silverstein invites into the realm of monsters as well as the new levels of imagination that will be sparked by the everyday objects discussed in Don’t Bump the Glump! And other Fantasies.

A Snicker of Magic

A Snicker of Magic, Natalie Lloyd

Natalie Lloyd weaves hope into the pages of her novel as the reader discovers that there are always small pieces of magic to be found if only one has a willing eye. Brand new to Midnight Gulch, Felicity Pickle deals with all the awkwardness involved in being the new kid in town. Rumor says that Midnight Gulch used to be a magical place; Felicity is determined to uncover the secrets of the past and simultaneously forms lasting friendships as well gains a fuller understanding of the strength of family.

Felicity is a word collector. Most words are feeble and come and go, however, “Hope doesn’t fizzle or flicker or burn out. Hope holds steady.” Pressured to participate in a school talent show, Felicity discovers the meaning of friendship and family as well as unearths the idea that talents and quirks are not something to shy away from but instead are something to be celebrated. Middle School girls will be carried away in the charm that comes with A Snicker of Magic. Lloyd teaches the reader most importantly that love pushes fear away by creating a relatable character and a timeless script. As the story unfolds and Felicity hunts down secrets, untold stories, and tries to break a family curse, unforeseen wonders find her and enrich the whole town of Midnight Gulch. Encircled by a shaky surrounding, Felicity surges forward and establishes her own safety net of hope. 

A Corner of White

A Corner of White, Jaclyn Moriarty

Jaclyn Moriarty weaves parallel stories into a magical tale of two strangers who find together the capacity to forge hope. Madeline, finding herself in a new town and an unfamiliar impoverished lifestyle, discovers an unlikely friendship with Elliot who lives in a parallel universe. The two bond over similar trials and find that although backgrounds differ, friendships which create hope can still be discovered.

Moriarty triumphs in her efforts to create relatable characters for high school aged readers. Madeline and Elliot believably experience, react to and discover life’s firsts and its ups and downs as they face challenges and achievements. Moriarty teaches the reader that change and unfamiliar circumstance aren’t something to be feared but rather something to venerate as it is in such occasion that one gains a chance at lessons to be learned and intellectual foes to defeat. A Corner of White will be enjoyed by young adults who will find the story prevalent to their life situation, as well as reminiscing adults who enjoy a light and fun read. Readers of A Corner of White have the unique experience of rediscovering hope amidst trouble and seeing life as a bit brighter.

The Great Unexpected

The Great Unexpected, Sharon Creech

In a whimsical tale Sharon Creech weaves the magic of Ireland with the small American dirt road town of Blackbird Tree as she ties the reader’s heart to two orphan girls in their journey of finding a sense of belonging. While striving to understand their place in the world around them, the young best friends discover that when blood relatives are not to be found, similar experiences and dreams have equal potential to forge lasting bonds.

Creech successfully captures the enchantment that rules a young girl’s life as she delves through the heartache, mystery and surprise that entwines the lives of the two orphans of Blackbird Tree, Lizzie and Naomi. The reader learns that by taking the time to learn more about your neighbors and especially about your past, one finds themselves on a path of self-discovery. Naomi eventually chooses to wade past the cruel local nicknames of a few towns folk and in doing so makes new friends and learns lessons applicable to herself. Creech teaches the reader valuable lessons about the gems that can be discovered when one steps outside of their comfort zone and especially when one shows care for those around them. Middle school students will find comradery and solace in The Great Unexpected as they will easily relate to the two main characters. Teachers and parents alike could utilize The Great Unexpected to instill confidence and integrity into their young pupils and daughters. 

A Moment Comes

A Moment Comes, Jennifer Bradbury

In an enchanting bildungsroman, Jennifer Bradbury beautifully weaves the triumphs and disappointments of three teenagers who although come from very different backgrounds, find their lives to be surprisingly similar. Set in India during the climax of events leading to the creation of Pakistan, life lessons seep from the unstable conditions present in 1947 India as well as the confusion surrounding adolescence. Margaret, the daughter of a British map maker, Anupreet, a Sikh servant in the map maker's house and Tariq, a Muslim servant in the map maker's house, take turns sharing their understandings and insights of the happenings of the household. The three stumble upon a surprising friendship as they learn together the lessons mystery, danger and love have to offer.

Bradbury successfully portrays the drama involved in the creation of Pakistan to an audience who probably finds the involved dilemmas unfamiliar. She balances the important historical fiction aspect of her novel with the folds in the lives of her three main characters Margaret, Anupreet and Tariq. In using three characters of different backgrounds and displaying their individual concepts of their surroundings, Bradbury is able to discreetly build bridges between cultures and world views. In doing so she invites her readers to also discover similarities in unforeseen places. Teachers and parents could therefore utilize this novel as a gateway to encouraging youth to look beyond their inner circle and to become curious and engaged in others around them. Teens will find A Moment Comes easy to relate to. The cover is alluring to female readers although one could argue its potential among both sexes as the main characters are each easily relate-able in their own context. Following a scandal involved with an American soldier, Margaret reflects one who is a product of her upbringing yet simultaneously fights between what society expects of her and how she wishes to view and accept herself. Tariq offers a comradery with those who have turned from their roots are are looking to find a way back. And sweet Anupreet illustrates one who finds themselves in a sticky situation, the root of which cannot quite be found or understood, and the growth that comes with making sense of one's surroundings.

Bradbury accurately captures the wonder attached to adolescence, but possibly goes a step too far in her descriptions of Margaret and her American soldier as well as the tension between Tariq and the two girls. Bradbury takes advantage of the setting by using local jargon that adds validity as well as class to the story. By including a dictionary of sorts at the conclusion of the novel the reader is continuously able to remain engaged despite the common usage of a foreign language. In a smooth plot, Bradbury paints a vivid picture for her reader of the excitement involved in being young and the danger involved in not fully understanding one's surroundings or circumstance. A Moment Comes can be enjoyed by readers of all ages. It is especially appropriate for young adults as that is the age of the three the story follows.