Historical American Fiction, Time-Travel~ Great Juvenile Summer Reading set! (Review)

My History-loving Youngest was so excited when a package came from Adventures of Rush Revere #1 New York Times Bestselling Book Series by Rush and Kathryn Adams Limbaugh with this lovely set of books, the Adventures of Rush Revere Book Series.  Many adults are only familiar with Rush Limbaugh as a talk radio host. However, he has also co-authored a great series for the elementary set, intended to foster excitement about our nation's founding, and the amazing people that made it happen. 

First off, I personally appreciated the attention to detail in the packaging~ a box arrived with the books stacked and beribboned. We were so excited that we took them out before we remembered to take a photo~ they looked so neat in the box!  The presentation made him feel very special! This would be a great gift idea for the history-loving bookworm in your life! 

Now on to the review.
There are five hardcover books in the series:

• Rush Revere and the Brave Pilgrims
• Rush Revere and the First Patriots
• Rush Revere and the American Revolution
• Rush Revere and the Presidency
• Rush Revere and the Star-Spangled Banner

The stories revolve around a substitute teacher (Rush Revere) who dresses up like his hero, Paul Revere, every day, a group of modern-day children (Tommy, Freedom, Cam, Ed, Maddie, and Elizabeth), and Liberty, a time-traveling horse from the Revolution. They end up in a variety of interesting present-day and historical situations, as they rub shoulders with some of the most exceptional Americans of the day.

The books were not only presented beautifully in shipping, but are themselves lovely. The pages are high quality with a parchment look, and include "Rush Revere and the Gang" Illustrations, Original Source Documents, Helpful Information, and Fine Art from the period. These help the stories and history come alive, and both younger readers and middle schoolers should find things of interest in many of the graphics. 

Bottom Left~ Map sketched by John Adams of taverns in Braintree and Weymouth, 1761 

My son read through the series right away (he's a speedy/voracious reader, so he was through the series in 5 days~ one book/day), and has reread them, as he does with many books that he enjoys. Each time through, at various points in the stories he was chuckling to himself over the action and/or conversation. He also still spontaneously offers historical information that he has gleaned from his reading in general conversation with the family, so that is a win in my book!

While the conversations and side-stories are sometimes silly and goofy, and words like "stupid" and "brat" show up (those are kind of considered "bad" words in our house, in that my kids aren't allowed to use them...  so when it *is* appropriate to use them, *I* get called on it... ;) ), juvenile humor *does* tend to catch some kids' attention, and I totally understand it's use in this format.

Living in New England, my son has been steeped in Massachusetts history, so any book that catches his attention on this well-loved, much read topic must offer something new to pique his interest~ The Brave Pilgrims did not disappoint~ and he was annoyed with me that I made him wait till the next day to read the second story, The First Patriots. This book included some of his favorite historical characters "Give me Liberty, or give me Death!" was heard in my home even as I'm writing this review... ;). Having just visited Philadelphia last summer, and stood where the Constitutional Convention took place, and having watched National Treasure (the National Archives are of great interest to my Youngest), The Star-Spangled Banner was another book that was greatly enjoyed.

Patriotic themes show up in the stories that relate to today's young Americans. One I appreciated, that showed up in my son's favorite book of the series (The American Revolution), offered support for the military children of our time. Cam's dad is in the military, and Rush Revere helps him see that he is away FROM his family at times, FOR his family, and the country, just like the original Patriots.
In The Presidency, the concept that those who are seeking election shouldn't be doing so for fame, fortune, careers, and power, but to actually SERVE their country and fellow-citizens is another patriotic theme that I hope these books will help the next generation take more seriously than many have in recent decades. ;)

Beyond reading the books, the Rush Revere website offers a number of resources for educators (home and school), including study guides and a couple of activity pages for each title. The study guides are intended for parent/teacher use, and include an introduction and book summary with a handy synopsis of each chapter, as well as quizzes for each chapter. These could be printed out, or used as discussion questions, depending on how you feel.

There are also some online word and art activities for your child to check out, and a few online games, for those that like to reinforce their reading with interactive electronic play.

Not So Nutty Nitty Gritty 
My personal take~ This would be a great gift idea for the history-loving bookworm in your life! (And a super summer reading pack!) 

• Company: Adventures of Rush Revere #1 New York Times Bestselling Book Series by Rush and Kathryn Adams Limbaugh
• Product: Adventures of Rush Revere Book Series
• Ages: intended for 8-12
• Price: varies~ check your favorite book-seller ~ 
• list price $19.99/book

You can visit Rush Revere on the following Social Media Pages: 

Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube

Please click the banner below to visit the TOS Homeschool Review Crew and see what others had to say. As always, I hope that this review was useful to you as you choose where best to spend your homeschool budget.

Blessings~

#hsreviews  #history #AmericanHistory

Peggy Consolver - Author Shepherd, Potter, Spy--and the Star Namer

Being a Bibliophile who enjoys Historical Fiction, I am always appreciative of  new, well written stories, so I am delighted to write this review of Peggy Consolver - Author's Shepherd, Potter, Spy, and the Star Namer. This is the story (mainly) of Keshub, a young  (13 year old) Gibeonite shepherd boy during the time of Israel’s conquest of the Promised Land. In addition to following his activities, there are short segues into the Hebrew perspective as seen through the eyes of young Hosiah,  a nephew of the infamous Joshua. 

It is quite interesting to read the story as told from such a different viewpoint than that of the conquering Hebrew people of the Bible. Although in many ways, I am sure Keshub’s life is very similar to that of a young Israelite shepherd~ he has to train to protect his flock, and do many other chores as part of his family responsibilities. 

There is a fair amount of "quiet"action (I appreciate that this isn't a gory story!), and some subjects such as sibling rivalry and bullying are lightly touched upon in the course of the story, as the main character grows and matures. 

As the drama unfolds around Jericho, Keshub joins in spying on the Israelites and reporting back to his family and neighbors. His desire for adventure must certainly be filled, as God’s amazing miracles take place before his very eyes. 

Peggy Consolver spent time in Israel as a volunteer with the Associates for Biblical Research and it is obvious that her time spent on archaeological digs, handling ancient pottery from the locations written about in Joshua 9 and 10 gave her new insight into Ancient times. Her writing is filled with details that bring one right into the story, and bring those ancient, exciting Bible times to life. 

 Not So Nutty Nitty Gritty 

• Company: Peggy Consolver - Author
• Product: Shepherd, Potter, Spy--and the Star Namer
• Ages: Tween-Adult
• Price: $15.99

I  also want to mention that an interactive 45 page study guide with 13 units is also available. You can find a free sample on her website to get a feel for the content of the study guide. 

Peggy Consolver can be found on Facebook!  Go say "Hi!" :)

Please click the banner below to visit the TOS Homeschool Review Crew and see what others had to say. As always, I hope that this review was useful to you as you choose where best to spend your homeschool budget.

Blessings~

#hsreviews #siblingrivalry #geography #Bible #survival

Shiloh Run Press ~ The Glass Castle by Trisha White Priebe and Jerry B. Jenkins

My Eldest (19-ish) and I both enjoy reading middle school fiction, in part because MUCH of the time we can rest assured that it will be clean and interesting, without any of the yuck that is in so much adult fiction these days. For that reason, we were both pleased to have a little light reading to review in the form of The Glass Castle by Trisha White Priebe and Jerry B. Jenkins, published by Shiloh Run Press.

The Glass Castle is a fantasy/fairytale with many elements that make for an exciting read. Mysterious 13 year old orphans hiding in a castle so large that they can avoid discovery while inhabiting a parallel life to the one occupied by the adults. A missing heir, a little romantic element, jealous girls, danger from within and without, treasures, and an old crone. All familiar facets, but fashioned together in an entirely different format, to create a new story with an uncertain ending.

Those who have read and enjoyed Princess Academy and are looking for something with a similar feel for their younger readers might be very happy with the Glass Castle. The action is less intense but the plot is interesting and strong (if perhaps at times a bit confusing).

Avery (the main character) is kidnapped while playing in the woods with her little brother on her 13th birthday. She is brought to a castle by an old woman, to live with a large group of orphans. However, to the best of her knowledge, she isn't an orphan. Avery can't figure out why she is there, and confusion reigns in her heart (and our heads) as we all (Avery and the reader) realize that there are children who know more than they are saying. Cryptic remarks that leave Avery scratching her head, and worrying about finding her little brother and her father. Maybe, just maybe, Avery can help herself, and all the other orphans, but she needs to listen and make wise decisions.

Side note: At first one might be a little surprised to hear 13-year olds talking about marriage. That seems  little young, especially when we have so many children "growing up" too quickly in our day and age. However, once one realizes that the time-period/culture "married young" it will likely become part of the story (at least that was our experience ~ but we aren't precisely the target age group. I'm curious what a tween/early teen will think?).

The beginning of the book starts with a BANG WHALLOP!  The greater portion of the rest of the book is a little slower, as the story-line is laid and expanded with some detail that paints a fascinating picture of this double-lived castle. In the last third of the book the action builds, the story gets exciting, and your heart kind of drops as you realize that there aren't enough pages left, with the size of print used to conclude the tale with any sort of authenticity. Eldest was very disappointed in the cliff-hanger ending. For a book this size (250 pages of fairly large type) she felt that unless there is an amazing plot twist that requires 3/4 of a book to resolve, that the author should have just lengthened the book and completed the story. However, there is an Olympiad to look forward to, and quite a few hanging threads that need to be neatly tied together, so instead we'll anticipate reading the sequel The Ruby Moon when it is published this fall. If you or your children can't stand cliffhangers, you might want to add both books to your autumn or winter reading list! This would be a fantastic read-aloud for the right age group as the air gets crisp and the days get shorter!

Not So Nutty Nitty Gritty 

• Company: Shiloh Run Press
• Product: The Glass Castle by Trisha White Priebe and Jerry B. Jenkins
• Ages: 10-14 target age
• Price: List $12.99 

Shiloh Run Press can be visited on their Social media pages on Facebook and Twitter.

Please click the banner below to visit the TOS Review Crew and see what others had to say. As always, I hope that this review was useful to you as you choose where best to spend your homeschool budget.

Blessings~

Astrid Lindgren's Rasmus and the Vagabond (Propeller Promotions Book Review/Giveaway)

I don't know about you, but having been a bookworm from a very early age, I remember spending many days reading about Pippi Longstocking (And I remember when my father brought home Pippi in the South Seas from the book club order at the Junior High where he taught~ what joy! More adventures! I was delighted when I was asked to review a book that I had never seen, also written by Astrid Lindgren.

Rasmus and the Vagabond has just been republished by Plough publishing, and tells the story of a young orphan (Rasmus) who runs away from his orphanage, and falls in with a vagabond, one "Paradise Oscar" by name. They encounter a variety of adventures while in search of a family who would want to keep Rasmus for their very own.

My 17 year old did a pre-read for me (having devoured the Pippi books in her younger years), and said she could tell just by the tone that Rasmus was written by the same author as Pippi. The story has a few tense moment that may make younger readers (or listeners) throw their hands over their eyes or ears, just like they do for similar moments in movies and videos (at least my 7 year old did when I read the book aloud to him... not sure what he was blocking out when he covered his eyes, but I understood what he was aiming for), but by and large, it is a return to simpler, more innocent times, and is a reasonably gentle read for the tween years, or read-aloud for the 6-9 crowd.

I love it when books that were published in the 40's and 50's are republished for another generation to enjoy, particularly in an era when libraries are clearing their shelves of all these wonderful wholesome, sweet old stories. Rasmus and the Vagabond definitely falls into this category, and now that I know that Astrid Lindgren is the author of so many more titles, you can bet that I'll be hunting them down to add to reading lists for my 7 year old over the next few years. You can learn more about Astrid Lindgren and read the official blurb on the book on Plough Publishing's webpage.

Now, here's one of the things that gives me great joy! I get to give a copy of "Rasmus and the Vagabond" to one of my readers. Hurrah! (please wait for the Rafflecopter to load)
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Blessings~

Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”): Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway. Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post. 

Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway. If you have won a prize from our sponsor Propeller / FlyBy Promotions in the last 30 days, you are not eligible to win.  Or if you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification.

Reader's Gift List #1 (Juvenile/Young Adult/Series)

I like to give books for Christmas~ some years I have had more success than others in finding GOOD books to give. :) I thought there might be some others out there who would like a little inspiration in their literary gift-giving for the 10-16-ish year old who appreciates a good story. These are all books that I have read and enjoyed as an adult as well, because good literature is good literature is good literature! :)

I'll start with our most recent reads

Eisley Jacobs is a great Indy Author who writes sci-fi/fantasy books
Her most recent series  Dragons Forever is currently a trilogy (Hoping there might be additional stories to be told???)
In Born to be a Dragon we are introduced to Meia (the orphan girl) and Deglan (the dragon). The worlds of human and dragon collide, and it is high adventure as Meia and Deglan begin to unravel the tangled web that has woven the two of them together...

Blink of a Dragon is my daughter's favorite in the triology as well as mine. This is the book that we both read and thought "THIS book needs to be made into a movie!" Wow~ so descriptive and action-packed. Super themes of great character and personal development as Meia and Deglan search for the only way that their world(s) can be saved, and send the rising dark dragons away.

Dragons of the Deep  brings the story to Scotland and the ever-enchanting (?) setting of Loch Ness, as Meia hopes to unlock more of the mystery of her past, and Deglan continues to fight back the forces of evil that would like to destroy both humans and dragons forever.

If you like reading books on an electronic device, 

Dragons Forever Series, Books 1-3

are available as a set on Amazon...

Eisley has also written a young adult sci-fi/fantasy/thriller novel,
Pieces of Me, which delves into the life of Braidan, a seventeen year old girl who has developed amnesia, and must rely on yellow post-it notes to navigate her way through life, as EVERY day is a totally new day to her... as in, her identity and everything she is and does is totally new to her. Eldest can hardly wait for the sequel to come out! :)

The Next Fine Day is one of those stories/classics by Elizabeth Yates that hasn't received a lot of press, but is one of my favorites~ I enjoyed the gentle and lovely unfolding of this beautiful story as a young boy, struggling with his worth learns that he *is* important.


The final series that I'll mention in this post is the Viking Quest Seriesby Lynda Archer Buckley. These books tell the story of Bree and her brother Devin, Irish siblings who are captured by Vikings. The stories are filled with adventure, and even a bit of history, as we get a glimpse into life during the time of Leif Erikson. This series has been enjoyed by my kids from 8-14 years old and beyond, up to and including mom! :) (BTW, I linked to the Kindle version of these books, but personally, I prefer to have the real book in hand)

Blessings~

Please note that I used Amazon Associate links, and if you purchase through them I will receive a few cents. Those cents do add up eventually, so I thank you for using them.