Adult Nonfiction I've Read Since March

Unlike the fiction I've been reading, which has tended toward fantasy & steampunk lately, my nonfiction has been all over the board. I crave a good nonfiction read every so often to balance out all the fantastical stuff.

Also, as much as I enjoy making themed lists, I'm falling way behind! So, in the interest of catching up on reviews, here they all are!

50 Children: One Ordinary American Couple's Extraordinary Rescue Mission into the Heart of Nazi Germany, by Steven Pressman

4 stars: A testament to the power of determination, persistence, and faith.

Gilbert Kraus was a successful lawyer when Hitler rose to power in Germany. As concerns mounted over the state of the Jews in Europe, a friend approached him with an unusual idea: maybe they could go over there and bring back Jewish children to safety. Virtually as soon as he heard the idea, Gilbert was determined to do it. His wife Eleanor had grave concerns, but she too thought they should pursue a rescue mission.

The problems seemed impossible to overcome. Most notably, obtaining visas for the children to enter the United States. At that time America had very strict anti-immigration laws and there was a lot of anti-Semitic public sentiment, particularly when it came to allowing Jews to come into the country. In addition, the idea of bringing over a group of children unaccompanied by their parents raised all kinds of outcries over the logistics of their care and prospects once they came.

Kraus was relentless, politically savvy, and knew (or learned) immigration law to the letter. He was determined to make this happen. Eleanor worked behind the scenes, filling out reams of paperwork (each child had to have a sponsor, each sponsor had to be extensively vetted). When it finally came time to leave for Berlin and Vienna, the visas still weren't a sure thing. Kraus went anyway.

Despite everything they had overcome, there would be even more obstacles to face once they arrived in Vienna.

* * * * *
Based on Eleanor Kraus' memoir and personal papers, this was a remarkable story. It left me with such hope. A couple who persevered against all odds to save these kids. A great example of what one person, or one couple can do. The percentage of children they saved from certain death was very small in the grand scheme of things, but if more people had stepped up and saved who they could--think of the cumulative effect!

There were many heartbreaking aspects of it, among them: they had to choose just 50 children, out of hundreds; the children were separated from their families, some of which were never reunited; and unbelievably, the Kraus' motives were misunderstood by many and they were publicly maligned for what they did, before and after the mission.

It was also fascinating for me to gain a greater understanding of the politics in America at the time, which Pressman brought forward. The American people were not ignorant of what was going on over in Europe. They knew the Jews were in dire straits. What were the factors that kept this country from throwing open its doors and providing a safe haven for more of them here?

Now I want to see the HBO documentary!

(Finished reading March 30)

The Egg and I, by Betty MacDonald

3 stars: Lively storytelling with a few downsides.

MacDonald's memoir of her early marriage, homesteading and building a chicken farm up in the mountains of Western Washington. It was a bestseller when it was first published in 1945.

* * * * *
When I found out that the author of our beloved Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle books had written books for adults, I was excited to find this one on the library bookshelf. While there were many parts I enjoyed, I didn't love it nearly as much as her kids books.

The good:
She wrote with a keen eye and sharp wit, making the daily events and characters come alive. Her ability to find humor in what must have been very trying circumstances brought a grin to my face several times.

I also quite enjoyed her descriptions of the beautiful scenery and farm life in general. She had a real knack for celebrating the wonderful side of life, while not glossing over the hard parts.

The not-so-good:
I was bothered by her constant denigration of the Native Americans she encountered. She pretty much had nothing good to say about them. I know, I know. It was a different era back then, and even her daughters in the Forward said that if she had written it now she probably would have chosen to portray them differently. So I'm not trying to say she was a terrible person for it, just that for this modern reader it was offensive and hard to get through.

There was also quite a bit of bad language--mostly quoting people--more so than I expected. I suppose because I was coming off her children's books, and didn't expect there to be any. Naïve of me, I know.

So, taking the good with the bad, it evened out to 3 stars.

(Finished reading April 10)

The Great Divorce, by C.S. Lewis

4 stars: Raised some great points to ponder.

A English man gets on a bus one afternoon, only to find that he's an accidental passenger from Hell to Heaven. His experiences and conversations while in Heaven prove enlightening.

* * * * *
Like others by C.S. Lewis, I feel like I need to re-read this one a couple of times to really get all that I want to out of it. The allegory itself wasn't my favorite, necessarily. Some parts of it were a bit strange. As a vehicle for bringing out various points of ideology and doctrine, however, it sufficed.

His ideas of why people are or are not suited for heaven--or why they do not allow themselves to become suited for it--were quite instructive. I particularly enjoyed his explanation for why repentance is necessary. I'm still thinking about many of the ideas he brought up.

This would be a great one for book club sometime.

(Finished reading April 12)

The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind: Creating Currents of Electricity and Hope, by William Kamkwamba

5 stars: A remarkable story!

William grew up in Malawi, Africa, the son of a farmer. His hardworking parents made great sacrifices to send his older sister to school, and were prepared to do the same for him. Unfortunately, a severe drought caused a nation-wide famine around the end of his 8th grade year. They had to focus on simply surviving for several months, until the new growing season came. When the famine finally ended, there was no money left to send William to secondary school.

A smart boy with a mechanical mind, William was desperate to learn more and attended school as long as he could. Finally, though, he was turned away due to the lack of funds. At that point he undertook his own education, by visiting the village library and checking out some textbooks to read. This proved a turning point for him, when he discovered books on Physics, in particular one called Using Energy.

He had long had questions that no-one could answer about how certain things worked--the headlamp on bicycles powered by pedaling, for example. The books he found answered his questions, with diagrams! Using his newfound knowledge, William built a windmill to provide electricity for his home, using scrap and scavenged parts and pieces.

That was just the beginning.

* * * * *
William's story was so inspirational, on many levels. First, if you ever start to feel sorry for yourself or think your middle class first-world life is hard, read this book. It will bring you back to your senses very quickly.

Second, I was inspired by the way William had a clear vision, used what was available to him (which was not much at all), and made his dream happen. Despite his lack of schooling or any type of mentor as a support, not to mention the mockery of almost everyone around him, he did it! Plus, his dream wasn't just something he did for his own selfish ends. It was to help his family and ease the burdens of his parents.

Read this to be grateful for what you have, then go out and use whatever that may be to do great things!

(Finished reading April 24)

Elena Vanishing, by Elena Dunkle & Clare B. Dunkle

4 stars: Brutally honest, eye-opening, and ultimately, redemptive.

Elena's struggle with anexoria began as a teenager when her family lived in Germany. However, attempts at diagnosis and treatment were scattered and ineffective until several years later, as she was nearing the end of her college career. By that time she was at a critical point, hovering on the brink of the downward spiral toward death. With her parents' constant support and at times, tough love, she entered a residential treatment program, determined to finally win this battle.

* * * * *
Although eating disorders have not touched my life directly, I have long felt compelled to learn more about them and the people who suffer from them. This memoir takes us right into Elena's mind and motivations through her years-long battle with this disease. The perfectionism and harsh self-criticism at any failure--perceived or real, the deceptions and shame, the defiance and despair. It's all there. If that's where it ended, it would be a tough read.

Thankfully, she also lets us in to the slow process of her recovery. As she confronts her demons, old and new, she opens herself up to healing that she didn't even recognize she needed. Her perspective begins to shift and despair recedes just enough to let in some hope.

My heart went out to Elena and her family as I read this book. They all suffered. It's really a story of the journey they all were on to save Elena from herself.

Content: A lot of language, vivid description of a miscarriage, adult situations. For older teens and adults.

(Finished reading April 29)

* * * * *

So, what have you read that has informed or inspired you lately? Do tell!

How Does Your Garden Grow? 10 Picture Books to Share

May is gardening month for most places! Granted, this year has been a bit different.  With such a wet spring and the upcoming move I haven't gotten much planted. Here in Washington I usually don't plant summer vegetables until Memorial Day weekend, but in the past at least my spring stuff has been up and growing strong by May! Not to mention all the beautiful flowers everywhere.

Yay for May!

Flower Garden, by Eve Bunting
Illustrated by Kathryn Hewitt

     Garden in a shopping cart
     Doesn't it look great?

     Garden on the checkout stand
     I can hardly wait.

A little girl and her dad put together a window box full of flowers for a sweet surprise.

* * * * *
What a lovely little book this is! Flowers to brighten up a city windowsill, and as an expression of love. What could be better?

With 1-2 simple sentences per page, accompanied by richly colored full-page illustrations, this one would be perfect for the younger crowd. Or their mothers. I'm putting it on my wish list to purchase! :)

The Gardener, by Sarah Stewart
Illustrated by David Small
(Caldecott Honor 1998)

Lydia Grace goes to stay with her Uncle Jim in the city, during the Depression, until things get better for her parents. She brings seed packets along and a determination to find a place to grow things in the city. Uncle Jim is a baker and he never smiles, but Lydia Grace is determined to change that, too.

During her sojourn in the big city, she learns to work in the bakery, makes friends, and discovers a secret place up on the roof that she fills with flowers.

* * * * *
Written all in letters, each one a glimpse of Lydia Grace's new life. The illustrations are done mostly in muted, sepia tones, with Lydia Grace herself, her flowers, and some of the other characters adding some spots of color.

Now this is a girl after my own heart! She doesn't let bad circumstances get her down, she's not afraid to learn new things, and she is absolutely crazy about flowers!  I love the last 2 lines of her letter to Grandma: "I can't wait to help you in your garden again. We gardeners never retire."

Left me with a smile on my face!

The Good Garden: How One Family Went From Hunger to Having Enough, by Katie Smith Milway
Illustrated by Sylvie Daigneaull

Maria Luz lives with her family in the hill country of Honduras, struggling to get by with poor soil and not enough food to eat from what they've grown. Then a wonderful teacher comes to the village: Don Pedro. He shows his students how to feed the soil by making compost and how to build terraces to keep the good soil from washing down the hillside when it rains. He teaches them about growing cash crops and shows them how to sell directly at the market instead of to the coyote--the middleman who always takes a hefty cut of any profits.

As the new ideas take hold, the villagers begin to have enough: enough food to eat, enough seeds for next year, enough money to buy what they need and build up their homes. Don Pedro must move on at the end of the year, but his influence keeps spreading.

* * * * *
Longer text telling an important story: the power of education, the power of one person to make a difference in many lives, and the good that can happen when families are able to become self-reliant. Many lessons to be learned from here. This is the kind of book that will help expand your child's view of the world, including some of the problems faced by those in poverty.

Another geared more toward middle grade listeners, though younger children could benefit from a simple retelling while looking at the pictures.

Paddington in the Garden, by Michael Bond
Illustrated by R.W. Alley

Paddington quite enjoys living with the Browns. He likes it even better when they decide to set aside a small garden plot for each of the children and him! Jonathan and Judy get right to work with their plans, but Paddington has a harder time deciding what he wants to do with is space.

He even buys a book to get some ideas. When the book suggests taking a look at your garden site from a distance, Paddington knows just the place: the construction zone across the street has some tall ladders he can climb. Oh dear! Some bears just have a nose for trouble!

* * * * *
Paddington fans will enjoy this addition to the stories about the bear from Darkest Peru. The bear in the blue slicker and red hat is always good for some comfortable storytime fun.

My Day in the Garden, by Miela Ford
Illustrated by Anita Lobel

Three friends visit a little girl on a rainy day, and they spend the whole day playing dress up in elaborate garden-related costumes.

* * * * *
Short text in an extra-large font size describes each costume and game, generally with 1 sentence per page: "Berry-picking with the birds."  Looks fun! Perhaps it will inspire some imaginative fun at your house, too.

Plant a Little Seed, by Bonnie Christenson

A neighbor girl and boy plant seeds in their shared backyard space, until they're able to have a feast together with their families in the fall.

* * * * *
The joys of growing a garden and a friendship, illustrated with strong black outlines and what looks like colored pencil.

The text has a lyrical quality to it, though it I have to admit it bothered me a bit. Some of it rhymed and some didn't, and I found myself listening for the rhyme to resolve, then feeling like I had missed something when it didn't come through.

We had fun finding the bunny in all the pictures, which then becomes a family of bunnies (true to life!)

Quiet in the Garden, by Aliki

A little boy sits quietly in the garden. As he does, he notices all the animals and insects eating and imagines their conversations with each other.

* * * * *
A good introduction to the joys of a wildlife garden. Each page starts off with the boy's observation, such as: "The snail ate holes in some leaves." Then another animal or insect asks "Why did you do that?" Each time the answer is some variation of "I was hungry."

Reading through this myself, I thought the repetitive nature of the questions and answers would get tiresome as a read-aloud. I should have known better! Kids love repetition! My 5-year-old stayed interested all the way to the end. I made an attempt to do different voices for all the creatures, but there were a lot!

The very last page gives basic, illustrated instructions for making your own quiet garden.



Secrets of the Garden: Food Chains and the Food Web in Our Backyard, by Kathleen Weidner Zoehfeld
Illustrated by Priscilla Lamont

A family plants their garden, and a girl watches all the creatures and animals in their interactions throughout the growing season.

* * * * *
I'm surprised this one was in the picture book section of my library, rather than the nonfiction. Almost every page has a pair of chickens sharing facts about various facets of biology. A good, basic introduction to the idea of food chains, as the title suggests, with several different food chains within the garden illustrated and labelled.

I doubt a preschooler would sit through this one without a lot of skipping and summarizing. Definitely more geared toward elementary-aged kids, and those in the lower grades would probably still need it read aloud to them, with the level of  vocabulary presented.

Vegetable Garden, by Douglas Florian

A pair of red-headed siblings and their parents grow and harvest a garden.

* * * * *
This one would work for the toddler crowd. Rhyming text, with just one phrase per page keeps it moving quickly. Illustrations are interesting--pen and ink, plus watercolors. The outlines of the whole page look sort of hazy, like the author painted over the finished picture to purposely smear the hard lines.

A Year in Our New Garden, by Gerda Muller

A family moves into a new house that comes with a large garden spot, but it is overgrown and rundown. They work together throughout a year to plant grass, pull weeds, and grow flowers and vegetables. The boy upstairs offers help and advice, and they enjoy their new garden with friends and family.

* * * * *
Longer text and variety of picture sizes, with a few pullouts illustrating how to make a leaf crown, lemonade, and how some plants--like potatoes and spring bulbs--look above and below ground.

Originally published in German, which makes sense after reading it. It's not sugary. The cycle of life--including death--in the garden is dealt with very matter-of-factly: the children come home from a seaside summer vacation to find their vegetables and flowers shriveled and wilting, and their father tells them it's a natural part of the changing seasons. Later on, they find a dead goldfinch under a bush and bury it at the end of the garden, with a little poem to memorialize it. Then life goes on.

* * * * *

Is your garden up and going this year, or are you still just reading about it like me?

Rose Daughter & Chalice, by Robin McKinley

Robin McKinley is one of my favorite authors. She's done several fairy tale retellings, and some fantasy. Her fantasy worlds tend to be richly detailed and her characters flawed but quick to learn.

As a caveat: Based on the reviews I've read concerning content, I have not read her adult novels.

Both of these would work for teens on up. Content-wise, they would be fine for older middle grade readers, if they were particularly interested.

Chalice

4 stars: A stand-alone fantasy with intriguing characters and a well-developed world.

I first read this in November of 2011. Here's what I had to say back then:

"Mirasol is Chalice: a job, or calling rather, which means she listens to the land and must bind it to its new master. The trouble is that the new Master was nearly finished with his training as a Fire Priest, which means he is not altogether human anymore. Whether or not he is capable of overseeing the land and winning the hearts of the people remains to be seen.

Before she was chosen to be Chalice, she was a beekeeper, and since the previous Master and Chalice both died under unfortunate circumstances, she has no mentor and no training in her new responsibilities. If she can't figure it out, her beloved land and its people may be overtaken by outside rule, which would mean disaster for all concerned.

Enjoyable, with characters I cared about." 

* * * * *
It stood up to a re-reading. It had been long enough that I remembered the main story but not the details. Perfect!

If you don't like bees, you had best stay away from this book. Mirasol was a beekeeper and her bees, plus their honey, played a large role in the book. I am fascinated with bees and beekeeping, so I really liked that part of it, but it may not be for everyone.

I appreciated the way Mirasol's relationship with the new Master grew slowly, over time. McKinley managed to make even a red-eyed smoke man become an appealing leading man. That's impressive! The ending was fitting, I thought, and redemptive. Lots of bees there too.

Not my favorite of her work overall, but a pleasant world to get lost in for a couple of hours.

Content: clean

p.s. 4 gold stars for the cover!

(Finished reading March 18)

Rose Daughter

3.5 stars: Many elements I quite enjoyed in this one, some I didn't like at all. Overall, I still like Beauty better.

I would venture to guess that most authors do not revisit the same story, once they have written about it. Robin McKinley's Beauty: A Retelling of the Beauty and the Beast ranks up there as one of my favorite fairy tale retellings. In fact, I think the animated Disney movie was largely based on her retelling. So it's intriguing to me that 20 years later, she wrote the story again. Not a sequel, or any relation to the first, other than the fairy tale at the base.

In this version of the tale, Beauty and her sisters must forge a new life for themselves in a tiny village far away from the family catastrophe (their father's bankruptcy and ensuing fallout.) They learn skills they never knew they had, and even come to thrive under the constraints of hard work and small spaces.

Beauty finds great joy in bringing the cottage's garden back to life and is thrilled when the mysterious thorny bush surround the front door actually bursts into glorious bloom. There is not a hedge witch in the area--hasn't been for quite some time, in fact--so her way with plants sets neighbors to talking. Though Beauty herself is certain it can't be magic--just a knack for growing things, is all.

When it comes about that she must go to the Beast's castle, what she finds is that he needs a gardener as much as anything. His roses, inside an enormous greenhouse, are dying. There is really no life of any kind to be found at the castle or around the grounds. As Beauty works to save the roses, her gentle influence welcomes all sorts of critters to make their homes on the grounds. Slowly, she is bringing everything back to life--including the Beast. But will it be enough?

* * * * *
Some things I really liked:

Beauty's family relationships. Though they started out cold and distant, Beauty and her sisters really pulled together during their family crisis (and beyond) to become great friends and confidantes. Her father's gradual recovery was well-written and hopeful.

I appreciated the symbolism of Beauty's talent for bringing life, and how that carried over to her time at the Beast's castle. Her animal visitors at the castle were delightful and brought a very down-to-earth element to the fantastical happenings.

The descriptions of the gardening and tending the roses. I am a gardener, after all. I can see why many reviewers felt like it dragged, though. I think McKinley must really love roses, because the detail and care she took describing this aspect of the story was much more pronounced than in her first version. If you don't care so much about gardening, you might be bored stiff during those parts.

Some things I didn't like so much:

There was quite a lot of ambiguity surrounding the physical reality of the castle and its grounds. I understood that it was magic, and therefore things wouldn't have to remain in the same place, etc., but where it was charming in Beauty, somehow it came across as confusing and pointless in this one.

The unicorns and their poop. Okay, that was just kind of weird.

Beauty's nightmares and final journey to find the Beast. It was all so murky. Why would she have these nightmares from the time she was little? Why must that final journey be so long and drawn out?! Why couldn't hedge witch what's-her-name do a little more to help out?

The ending--not my favorite.


So there you go. Worth your time if Beauty and the Beast is your favorite fairy tale and you want another perspective on it. Or if you really love roses.

Content: Clean.

(Finished reading March 14)

* * * * *

Do you have a favorite Robin McKinley novel? Do tell!

End of April Garden Views

If you're new here, welcome!

I currently garden in Eastern Washington state, USA.

It has been awhile since I've done one of these.

They make a great record to look back on, though, so here we go!

We'll start out back in the flowerbed closest to the house:

View from the deck

View from the other end of the bed.

I love all the daffodil varieties back here!

Some are already done, but there are still quite a few blooming.

Geum 'Prairie Smoke' (also in the back bed)

In the shade bed, one of my favorites is blooming right now:

Brunnera 'Jack Frost'

I think our extra wet spring must be good for it--it's looking bigger and bushier than ever!

Coming around the side, I have a few cherry blossoms.

These just opened up recently.

By this time last year there was already fruit forming.

Last year was unusually warm, though.

Out front in the porch bed:

The big empty space will be filled up by the oakleaf hydrangea leaves, once they unfurl.

Right now it looks pretty bare, doesn't it!

My bleeding heart is blooming. Hooray!

The front terraced beds still have some spring blooms:

Overview

A few closeups:

We're still enjoying the 'Festival Pink' hyacinths, windflowers there on the left, and even a few early tulips have bloomed!

Primroses and powder blue muscari.

The pink primroses in the middle survived the winter from my daughter's garden plot.

We decided to transplant it up amongst its friends, so we could till the vegetable bed.

In the middle terrace, we've got peonies coming up strong and tulips that should bloom any day now!

I'm betting on the next sunny day--which, with our weather this spring, could be awhile.

 More tulips from the front beds.

The short and tall together made me smile.

Rounding the corner on these front beds we have a few more blooms:

Not sure why there is only 1 yellow--it was supposed to be a mix!

Grape holly, which has really thrived in this shady, narrow end of the bed.

Oh and I almost forgot!

The ornamental plum is beginning its yearly show!

Thanks for visiting my garden today!

See more gardens over at Helen's blog: The Patient Gardener.

4 Middle Grade Novels

Friends, I'm slipping! I just sat down to read a book this evening that I've renewed from the library a couple of times already. I was on page 2 when I realized that I have read this book. Recently. It can't have been more than a couple of months. Nothing about the cover, the blurb on the back, or even the character's names rang a bell until I actually opened it up and started reading.

Not a great sign! I hadn't reviewed it anywhere, or even wrote down when I finished it, which I try to do with every book I read. Now you know why I review the books I've read. Give me a couple of weeks and POOF! They're gone. Oh dear. I may be losing my marbles. Hopefully I will find them again once we have moved!

At least these 4 books I actually remember reading. Sheesh!

Charlie's Raven, by Jean Craighead George

3 stars: At times the plot and characters became secondary to observations of the raven, but still enjoyable.

Charlie loves spending time at his grandparent's house right up close to the Teton Mountains. He spends all of his summers there, ever since his family moved to town, and soaks up all he can of the natural beauty and wildlife. His grandfather was a scientist and naturalist, but lately his health has deteriorated.

Charlie had heard of the old Native American story that Raven can heal people. He's determined to find a raven to heal his grandfather. He actually finds one, too--a chick he takes from its nest and names Blue Sky. Young Blue Sky is not only smart, he does seem to be helping Granddad regain some strength and vitality. 

As he learns about raising a raven, and protecting him from all sorts of danger, Charlie also tries to determine if ravens are good or bad.

* * * * *
Blue Sky is really the star of this book--all the other characters, including Charlie, are supporting players. Not as strongly written as some of her others in that respect. Fascinating and entertaining to observe raven behavior along with Charlie, though, and find out how incredibly smart they are.

I always feel like I've learned something valuable after reading a book by Jean Craighead George.

(Finished reading April 21)

Grayling's Song, by Karen Cushman

3 stars: A magical quest for a young girl and her companions.

Grayling is the daughter of a witch. Her mother has always been extra competent and many, many people have come to her for remedies, spells, and advice over the years. Grayling sort of feels like the hired hand most of the time. Despite her mother's many virtues, she has never been what you might call nurturing. She constantly gets after Grayling for her daydreaming and work-avoidance tendencies.

Then her mother is turned into a tree. It becomes Grayling's task to find her mother's grimoire, or book of spells, and come to the rescue. Grayling is very reluctant to go adventuring, but she does anyway. Along the way she discovers that it's not just her mother who has been turned into a tree. Witches and enchanters of all sorts have been affected by the same dark magic.

Before long, Grayling has fallen in with some companions who will prove invaluable on her journey. The most important person, though, will be herself--once she figures out where her own strengths lie and gains some confidence.

* * * * *
I liked this one, despite the formulaic feel to it. It had some interesting and entertaining characters. The villain was not who I was expecting, but once I knew who it was I had a hard time believing that character could really create that much trouble. Grayling had some believable growth, which was satisfying.

Several reviewers say this one is great on audiobook, read by Katherine Kellgren. I may give that a try and see if I like it better! It does seem like it would lend itself well to reading aloud.

(Finished reading April 12)

Jed and the Junkyard War, by Steven Bohls

4 stars: Highly imaginative.

Twelve-year-old Jed's parents have always expected quite a lot of him. For instance, making his way home from the middle of nowhere, armed with only a package of gum and some string. (Or maybe it was a lighter and a bottle of water? There were several instances...) Other than the quirk of tossing him into perilous situations and expecting him to survive, they have had some great times together.

Then one day, his parents disappear, leaving behind a mysterious note and an even more mysterious tunnel behind the dishwasher. Oh, there's a backpack, as well, this time with bottles of water and batteries in it. Also, a can opener....because, of course.

As Jed follows the instructions left to him by his parents, he comes to an incredible world made out of junk. Trash. Piles of it as tall and as far as the eye can see. Not only that, it's a world with its own people, currency, food, and pecking order. He is somehow supposed to find his parents in all of this?! His task would seem a lot more impossible if he wasn't used to thinking on his feet. Suddenly, a lot more of his childhood begins to make sense. Unfortunately, other parts have become even murkier. No time for much sentimentality now. He's got a job to do!

* * * * *
This world was so unique, yet I could picture it quite clearly. Memorable characters and fast-paced plot. Despite the near-constant danger of all kinds for Jed, there was an undercurrent of humor and wit that I enjoyed very much. Just when I thought I knew where it was all headed, the climax came along and surprised me. I love it when that happens!

Now here's the question: is this steampunk or just fantasy? I'm calling it steampunk, folks. No elves or fairies here! Just a whole lot of action-packed fun in a world of mechanical junk!

I'm ready for the sequel!

(Finished reading April 14)

 

Jack: The True Story of Jack and the Beantstalk, by Liesl Shurtliff

4 stars: Another winner from Liesl Shurtliff!

Jack has always known that he was named after an ancient ancestor--Jack the Giant Killer--and as such, there are great expectations on him as well. People in his day and age don't really believe in giants anymore, though. Jack's not sure what to believe. Until the day the sky rains dirt and 2 giants come down, completely wreaking havoc of his family's farm. They take his father with them when they go, along with the entire rest of the village, buildings and all.

Jack knows what he has to do: he's got to live up to his name and go after the giants, so he can bring his dad back home again. He sells the family cow for some magic beans, and you know the rest. Or do you? ...

Jack and his feisty little sister Annabelle have some giant problems to face up in the land above the clouds, not the least of which is changing their expectations to reality. It could be that not all giants are evil bloodthirsty killers. Perhaps the giants may even have troubles of their own.

* * * * *
This isn't a story that gets retold very often--at least that I can think of. The original tale seems fairly straightforward--at least as far as fairy tales go--and you may think there wouldn't be much room for re-imagining things. Shurtliff proves that assumption wrong right from the beginning!

Jack is a troublemaker with a good heart. As he makes his way amongst the giants, both sides of his personality will be called upon to succeed at his task of reuniting his family. One of my favorite parts about the book was Jack's relationship with his little sister. There's sibling rivalry, mixed with actual caring, admiration, and bickering, just like many real-life sibling relationships I know (including some in my own household.) 

I also liked that Jack found his own way to be a hero, separate from what his however-many-greats grandpa did. Different situations call for different types of greatness, after all. Also, it was fun catching the references to other fairy tales within this one.

(Finished reading April 18.)


* * * * *
Which of these have you read and liked? Do you have any middle grade fiction to recommend (since that seems to be my go-to choice lately)?

Have you ever gotten that funny feeling you've read a book before, because oh that's right--you have?!  C'mon, spill it!

Flowers on Temple Square

I wanted to post these before I forgot.

When we were in Utah house hunting at the beginning of April, we took our kids over to Temple Square in Salt Lake City, and met up with my parents for a few minutes.

The flowers and landscaping there are always stunning, but never more so than in the spring.

This color scheme filled up my soul.

The combination of the deeper hues of pink and purple, with the pastel purples and yellows for contrast. I had to take some pictures so maybe I can replicate it someday.

Wow!

Man alive, it was all so beautiful!

I could have taken 100 pictures...except it was quite chilly, and also, we were there to visit not take pictures. :) (By the way, I did pictures of family, too!)

If you have never had the chance to tour Temple Square, it's worth your time!

The Wonders of Pruning + Spring Chores

Hey look! It bloomed!

Remember the forsythia bush at the top of our slope that I pruned last summer?

Last year I just happened to notice a few yellow flowers at the very tips of some of the branches, which was the only thing that tipped me off that it was a forsythia.

It was way overdue for a pruning.

Well, what do you know?

It's covered with blossoms this spring!

It has been quite satisfying to look up there and see how pretty it is, knowing that I had a hand in that!

I don't know that anyone else has even noticed it, but it makes me happy!

In other news, I finally got out and got the raspberries pruned last Saturday.

I'm actually a bit concerned about the old raspberry patch.

Several of the old canes I cut down had a nasty white grub hiding out in the middle of them, right at ground level. In the same area, there weren't any healthy fruit-producing canes for this year.

If there were any canes at all after I took out the old, they were spindly and short.

I killed all the grubs I could find, (GROSS!) pulled out all the dead pieces of canes, and even dug around the roots a bit, too.

Even though I won't be around to see the end of it (NMP), I hate to leave it in such a state.

I've done some reading on various extension websites and I think they may be Raspberry Crown Borer--the larvae of a clear-winged moth that has the coloring of a wasp.

I do remember seeing what I thought were wasps around the raspberry patch last year.

I probably did not get them all.

My apologies, future home owners!

Yuck. Grubs are just gross.

Also, they squirt when you kill them. Sorry--TMI, I know.

Meanwhile, the black raspberry canes were going crazy: sliding through holes in the fence to invade the neighbor's yard and sending long shoots behind the shed.

Showing their parentage there, I guess.

Sidenote: those canes are a pretty color right now, kind of a powdery blue, but super prickly.

Anyway, it was obvious some extra means of restraint were needed, so I put up a line of twine through the middle of that side of the bed for them to drape over.

They're much more drapey than the other raspberries.

I also yanked them back through the fence and chopped off about a foot off most of the ends to stop the leggy growth and get them to settle into fruit production.

I am curious what the fruit will taste like--too bad I won't be around for that!

Finished up the day's work by pruning the hydrangeas.

Everything looks so much better once it has been pruned!

Well, ok. The roses maybe not so much.

They look pretty bare.

Never fear, though, they will fill in quickly over the summer!

The rest, though. Definite improvement all around.

Then after I had cleaned up and come in, I looked out back and realized I didn't get the oregano cut back. Strawberries could probably use it too.

Next sunny day.

Meanwhile, my 9-year-old begged to rototill the garden.

So I let him!

Didn't want to deprive the boy.