Escape to Liechtenstien: The Young Refugees Book 1

I apologize that it's been 1 1/2 months since my last post.  My job and the holidays conspired against me.  Due to circumstances beyond my control, I am no longer working, so I hope to be able to post more often.
Today's book is the first in a three-part series entitled "The Young Refugees."  I will discuss books 2 and 3 in posts soon.

Title: Escape to Liechtenstein

Author: Ed Dunlop

Target Audience: ages 9-12

Reading level: approximately fifth grade

148 pages, plus a short glossary of German terms used

Main characters:

Gretchen, a nine-year-old Austrian girl

Hans, a twelve-year-old Austrian boy

Jacob, a thirteen-year-old Jewish fugitive 

Summary: The story is set during World War II, summer and fall of 1942.  Austria has been taken over by Germany, and the small village where Gretchen and Hans live has been attacked, leaving the children alone after their mother's death and their father being taken into the German army.  When soldiers storm the village, searching house by house for a young boy, the children have no idea that the fugitive is hiding in their barn.  The soldiers leave, not finding their prey, and Hans and Gretchen discover Jacob.  They agree to let Jacob hide in their barn overnight and share their small supply of food with him, learning that he is the one that the German soldiers are searching for, and he is heading for Liechtenstein, a neutral country that borders Austria.  They agree to accompany Jacob, although he protests at first.  The three children face a long, dangerous journey, with little help and many enemies.  Why does it seem like the entire German army is looking for Jacob?  And with dangers everywhere they turn, can they possibly make it to safety?

Review: Several German terms are used, but a glossary is included in the back for definitions.  The basic idea of the word can often be determined from context ("a steaming bowl of gulyassuppe . . . and a single slice of ankerbrot" -- possibly soup or stew, since it's hot, but it's morning, so it could be something like oatmeal, and a slice of bread, maybe? look in the glossary and find that gulyassuppe is a Hungarian soup and ankerbrot is an Austian bread), and all of the German words are in italics for easy identification.  The book clearly shows God's protection and providence as the children go through many trials heading for the Liechtenstein border.  There is some violence in the form of guns, land mines, and fists, but it is contextual (it is a war, after all) and it is not too graphic.  I have thoroughly enjoyed this book each time I have read it.

***** Five stars

Josie's Gift

Merry Christmas!

Title:  Josie's Gift
Author:  Kathleen Bostrom
Illustrator: Frank Ordaz
Reading level:  approximately 6th grade
35 pages

Summary:  The first Christmas after Josie's father died is also the first Christmas of America's Great Depression.  Despite Papa's yearly reminder that "Christmas is not about what we want.  It's about what we have," Josie badly wants a blue sweater she sees in the dress shop in town.  Although money is extremely tight, Mama is somehow able to buy the sweater.  When Josie, missing her father sneaks downstairs in the middle of the night Christmas Eve, she finds the sweater under the tree, then decides to seek comfort in the barn with the animals.  In the barn, she finds a couple with their baby, who came in the barn to get warm while traveling east.  They refuse Josie's offer to come into the house, but the baby's cries remind Josie of the newborn sheep she has helped with on the farm, and she insists on giving her new sweater to the baby, telling them of her father's saying about Christmas.  Josie returns to the house and becomes the newest participant in her father's wooden nativity scene, worshipping Jesus.

Review:  I love Christmas and Christmas stories, and this is a good one.  Christmas has become about what gifts we're going to get, rather than the greatest gift possible, which we have already been given.  Josie is reminded of what the season is really about--the baby Jesus--as well as the principle that it is better to give than to receive.  I have thoroughly enjoyed this book each time I have read it.
4 stars

I know it's a few days after Christmas, but that doesn't mean we can't still celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior.  I had planned to post this before Christmas, but, hey life happens. :P

Bystander: A Bystander? Or the Bully's Next Target?

Title:  Bystander:  A Bystander?  Or the Bully's Next Target?
Author:  James Preller
Reading level:  Approximately 8th grade
223 pages
Main Character:  Eric Hayes

Summary:  Eric recently moved to Bellport, Long Island.  When Griffin, one of the most popular kids in seventh grade, decides to befriend Eric, Eric is happy.  But slowly Eric realizes that Griffin is not what he first seems to be.  But is Eric really doing anything wrong if he doesn't actively participate in Griffin's bullying, but merely watches without protesting?  Eventually, Eric decides to stand up to Griffin--and Griffin turns on Eric, even using a former victim to lure Eric into a trap.  However, as Eric continues to refuse to follow Griffin's example, Griffin chooses to ignore Eric.  As the story ends, Eric has made the basketball team, and Griffin has a new set of "friends." 

Review:  Griffin is a manipulative bully.  A bad guy who can fool people into thinking he's a good guy.  There are hints to Griffin's stealing things, and a reference to his having smoked, as well.  Griffin lives with just his father, who drinks and is sometimes abusive.  Griffin is not officially punished for his actions, but he loses his friends.  Also, one adult realizes he's not the charming young man he appears to be and that he's taking advantage of her decides to hire Eric rather than Griffin to care for her dog, even though Griffin took care of her previous dog.  There is also a fight, and possibly some language. (It seems like I remember at least an almost bad word, but I can't re-find it.)  So, obviously, there are some objectionable elements.  But, this book about bullying can be valuable in opening discussion.  Is it really possible to be just a bystander?  Or is a person who stands by without helping a victim of bullying condoning the bullying? 
The author also discusses the different types of bullying.  Girls bully differently than boys, and bullying does not have to be physical force.
Unrelated to the main plot line, but something you might want to be aware of:  there are a few references to Eric's father suffering from a mental illness.
3 stars--A good meal.
The book is satisfying. Maybe a couple problems with how things are treated, but overall a good book. Be very cautious with readers who accept everything they see in print. I would try another book by this author.
The biggest reason I dropped this from 4 stars is that I think Griffin's bullying and theft should have been found out by the authorities.  I realize that doesn't always happen, but I think it would have made the book better.

delays

Even though my new job is only part-time, it's making it harder to post consistently.  Also, it didn't help that the book I started to read for my next review was missing several pages (about 20 of the first 50), meaning I had to try to find another.
That being said, I will try to get another review up as soon as possible.  I have found another book, and look forward to reviewing it, as the topic is bullying.

Love in Christ,
Bella

2 more books about the Wemmicks

Titles:  If Only I Had A Green Nose and Best of All
Author:  Max Lucado
Illustrator:  Sergio Martinez
Target Audience:  young children
Reading level:  Can be read independently at approximately a 4th grade level, although it can also be read to younger child
Main characters: 
Eli, the woodcarver
Punchinello and Lucia
Punchinello's friends

Summary:  In If Only I Had A Green Nose, the Wemmicks are obsessed with the "in" thing.  At first, everyone is standing in line to have their noses painted green.  As the story progresses, the popular nose color changes to yellow, orange, and many other colors.  As the story opens, Punchinello and Lucia are in Eli's workshop, wondering why anyone would want to paint their nose.  Eli's answer is, "Because everyone is."  Punchinello is convinced to get his nose painted by some friends, but especially by Twiggy, a fellow Wemmick whom Punchinello likes.  But Punchinello and his friends soon learn the foolishness of doing something only because everyone else is.  They decide they want to be themselves again and return to Eli to ask for help.  Although the sanding is painful, Punchinello and his friends are glad to be returned to the way their Maker made them.
In Best of All, the Wemmicks are happy to welcome Bess Stovall to Wemmicksville, looking for Wemmicks to join her "Wonderful Wemmicks Club."  Bess Stovall is "the best of all" Wemmicks, and she's famous because everyone knows her (and everyone knows her because she's famous).  Bess Stovall is obsessed with "ancest-tree"--what type of tree each Wemmick was made from, and from what forest.  Some of the townspeople are made of walnut, pine, or elm while others are made of maple, which is the best (any guesses what Bess Stovall is made of? Anyone? That's right! Maple!)  Lucia is even made from the same tree as Bess (which of course makes Lucia better than the other maple Wemmicks).  One Wemmick is made of willow, which is the weakest wood, and therefore the worst--Punchinello.  Before long, the Wemmicks are caught up in looking down on each other because of their "ancest-tree."  Punchinello begins to feel sorry for himself until Eli reminds him that the Wemmick-maker knows better than the Wemmicks.  Lucia has also talked to Eli and apologizes to Punchinello for listening to the other Wemmicks instead of Eli.  The two Wemmicks walk back to town for Bess Stovall's send-off party.  As Bess is leaving, she leans too far out her carriage window and falls over the bridge.  Punchinello is the only Wemmick limber enough to rescue Bess (funny how she isn't worried about what type of wood she's touching when her life depends on it).  Punchinello has a new respect from the other Wemmicks, who decide to stop worrying about "ancest-trees." 

Review:  Again, love Max Lucado's ability to put important truths on a child's level.  Popularity is one of the most common problems today.  How many people, even Christians, haven't done something stupid to try to be popular?  But If . . . Nose shows that popularity isn't always easy--walking around with your nose in the air (how else will everyone see your popular painted nose?) makes it easy to bump into things.  And when the definition of popular changes, it's difficult to keep up.  Who decides what's popular anyway?  Who put "Willy With-it" in charge?  And, although it may hurt, it's always best to go back to your Maker and be what He wants you to be.  Best of All also deals with a common problem--judging others.  Often, people judge others about something over which they have no control (often skin color, gender, or disability, although not always).  Best of All teaches that everyone is purposefully made by the Maker--in the Wemmicks case, with that specific wood.  One wood is not better than another.  If reading the Wemmicks series, Best of All also shows that everyone messes up from time to time.  Although Lucia has followed Eli in the other books, she chooses to listen to Bess Stovall in this one and even begins ignoring Punchinello.
5 stars--Gourmet meal.
Great book. Nothing wrong whatsoever. It's pretty close to, "I don't think I could ever read anything better. " I think everyone should read this book. It is likely that very few books will get this rating.

2 books about the Wemmicks

Titles:  You Are Special and You Are Mine
Author:  Max Lucado
Illustrator:  Sergio Martinez
Target Audience:  Young children (although we all need a reminder sometimes)
Reading Level:  Can be read independently at approximately a 5th grade reading level, but is more of a read-aloud book, for example with kindergartners.  (Reading level is slightly elevated based on the formula I use due to names of characters)

Summary:  The Wemmicks are wooden people.  They are each different, but each was carved by Eli, the woodcarver who lives up the hill from the Wemmick village.  Punchinello is the main character in the Wemmick books, and he learns a valuable lesson in each book. 
In You Are Special, the Wemmicks give each other stickers--gray dots for "bad" Wemmicks and gold stars for "good" Wemmicks.  The other Wemmicks give Punchinello gray dots for falling while trying to do tricks, for scratched paint, and eventually just for having so many gray dots.  Punchinello begins to believe that he is not a good Wemmick.  Then Punchinello meets Lucia, who has no stickers.  When other Wemmicks try to give her a star or a dot, it falls to the ground.  At Lucia's suggestion, Punchinello visits Eli, where he learns that Lucia's stickers don't stick because she has decided that Eli's opinion is more important than the opinion of the other Wemmicks.  As Punchinello leaves Eli with an agreement to come back each day, he begins to believe Eli's promise that he is special because Eli made him and one of his gray dot stickers falls off.
In You Are Mine, Punchinello gets caught up in the latest Wemmick craze--buying boxes and balls.  He even works extra hours and sells all of his belongings trying to have the most.  When someone decides that stacking the boxes and balls the highest will determine which Wemmick is best, all the Wemmicks start heading up the hill near the village.  But along the way, Punchinello wanders off the path since he can't see because of all his boxes and balls.  He doesn't realize he's off the path until he trips in the doorway to Eli's house.  In the conversation that follows, Punchinello learns that his boxes and balls have cost him quite a bit--even more than his bed, home, and books, they have also cost him happiness, friends, and his trust in Eli to make him happy.

Review:  I love the books about the Wemmicks.  The stories are told in a simple, straightforward manner and the illustrations are also beautiful.  You can see the Wemmicks' wooden joints, but also the happiness and sadness in their faces.  The books teach important Biblical truths--you are special because of Who made you, not because of what you look like, what you have, or what you can do.  God's opinion of you should be more important than the opinions of other people.  And, other people's opinion will affect your happiness only if you let them.
5 stars--Gourmet meal.
Great book. Nothing wrong whatsoever. It's pretty close to, "I don't think I could ever read anything better. " I think everyone should read this book. It is likely that very few books will get this rating.

With You All the Way

Sorry about the delay folks.  I missed this week's post earlier because Miss Bella the Bookworm got a job, and I was gone all this past Tuesday.  I've decided to go with some younger books this next few weeks.  They are written to be read to young children, although they are on about a fourth grade independent reading level.  But, I still enjoy reading them because they teach valuable truths that even adults sometimes need to be reminded of.

Title:  With You All the Way
Author:  Max Lucado
Illustrator:  Chuck Gillies
Target Audience:  Young Children
Reading Level:  Approximate independent reading level of 4th grade, but designed to be read as a picture book to younger children, perhaps kindergarten.

Summary:  The three best knights in the kingdom compete for the princess' hand in marriage.  The first to travel with a companion through Hemlock Forest and arrive at the castle will marry the princess.  But Hemlock Forest is dark and dangerous.  And the Hopenots live there--small creatures known more for their cleverness than any strength.  Some people even think the Hopenots are people who were lost while travelling through the forest and were changed by it.  Since Hemlock Forest is so dark and dense, the travellers will be led to the castle by the sound of a song played by the king three times daily.  Only the king and the prince know the song, and they have two identical flutes on which the song is played.  Who will escape Hemlock Forest first?  Carlisle, the strongest?  Alon, the swiftest?  Or Cassidon, the wisest?

Review:  As with many of Max Lucado's stories for children, With You All the Way is told in parable format.  Not everything has an extra meaning, but the story can be used to teach Biblical truth.  There is only One Person Who will be with you all the way, and Only One Who can lead you to the King through the forest filled with hopenots.  The story is easy for a young child to follow while listening to a reader.  The illustrations are beautifully done with strong colors that are not bright.  Most of the pictures are close-up, although one picture is from a long-distance viewpoint to show that no one can tell who the winning knight is as he comes out of the forest.
5 stars--Gourmet meal.
Great book. Nothing wrong whatsoever. It's pretty close to, "I don't think I could ever read anything better. " I think everyone should read this book. It is likely that very few books will get this rating.
Although the book is geared to younger readers, I think many could benefit from reading it occasionally and reminding themselves of the One Who is always by their side.  I know I have.
Speed and strength are no defense against imitation of the truth.

Love in Christ,
Bella