Under the Egg

Author:  Laura Marx Fitzgerald

Rating:  ** (2 stars out of 3 possible, "B")
              Recommended

Audience:  Middle School

My second WWII book in a row, Under the Egg plays out like a Monuments' Men for youth, although it is highly fictionalized.

13-year old Theodora (Theo) Tenpenny doesn't inherit much when her Grandpa Jack dies:  a few hundred dollars, a failing townhouse in Greenwich Village, and full-time care of her distracted, unstable mother.  There's also the unusual egg picture above the fireplace mantle and a few family chickens out back.

Grandpa Jack's final message to "look under the egg" finally begins to make sense when rubbing alcohol is spilled on a portion of the egg painting and a new image begins to appear.  Considering Jack's service in WWII, as well as his job as a security guard at the Metropolitan Art Museum, Theo is now faced with perplexing mysteries:  What is the painting?  And who was Uncle Jack?

With help from her friends (quirky, bold, new-agey Bodhi, Librarian Eddie and Episcopalian Reverend Cecily), Theo just might be able to solve these mysteries while preserving her family's way of life.

The book gives a nod to both Buddhist (Bodhi=Buddha's enlightenment) and Christian spirituality, but is primarily neutral in terms of moral instruction.  Fans of The Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler and Chasing Vermeer will definitely enjoy this eclectic take on art mysteries.

The War that Saved My Life

Author:  Kimberley Brubaker Bradley

Rating:  *** (3 stars out of 3 possible, "A")
              Highly Recommended

Audience:  Middle School

This is excellent historical/WWII fiction.  It's summer, 1939 and London is preparing for German bombardment by sending children off to country families.  Ada and her brother Jamie live in a shabby flat with "Mam," their impoverished and abusive mother.

Ada is 11 or 12 years old, crippled by a club foot and Mam's frequent reminders of her shameful condition.  Ada walks so poorly, she can barely drag herself to look out a window to the street scenes below.  She has never been outside.  Jamie, 6 or 7, has the run of the neighborhood although Ada has informed him he'll be forced into school soon.  Jamie is her eyes and ears, her link to the outside world.

When Ada realizes Mam plans to send only Jamie for country evacuation, she becomes determined to learn to walk so she can escape with her brother.  Upon reaching the Kent countryside, they are fostered by Miss Smith, the unlikely protagonist who provides the siblings with just the right blend of compassion and accountability.

Without revealing more of the unique plot structure, I assure you your family will not miss lessons of empathy, self-esteem, gratitude and forgiveness.  Ada and Jamie suffer many of the same stressors and emotions that foster and/or adoption families experience today, but these events are explored in a safe, positive environment, making this book an outstanding choice for middle schoolers adjusting to contemporary challenges.

The Family Romanov

The Family Romanov:  Murder, Rebellion and the Fall of Imperial Russia

Author:  Candace Fleming

Rating:  ** (2 stars out of 3 possible, "B")
              Recommended

Audience:  High School

While thoroughly enjoying a Russian fantasy/folklore (Egg and Spoon), I stumbled upon this new nonfiction book for teens covering the same turn-of-the-century time period:  The Family Romanov.

Winner of the Orbis Pictus Award (outstanding nonfiction for children) and the Sibert Honor Award (distinguished informational book), Candace Fleming's book satisfies all of one's curiosity about the tragic Romanov family, while providing plenty of 1905-1917 Russian history.

The reader feels both compassion and frustration with the oblivious Romanov family, Russian politics, class struggle, and the destiny of a continent.  The book is an enjoyable way for high school students to collect background knowledge in the perils of imperialism and the risks of revolution.

The book is sometimes advertised for middle school ages, but while the story is fascinating and compelling, it is equally dark and graphic for younger ages.  Few details are spared when the Romanov family is brutally gunned down in an Ekatarinaberg basement.  Their remains are carelessly disposed of by a regime based on secrecy and terror.  Final details are not brought to light until the Iron Curtain falls in the 1990s.  Now, even current events cause today's reader to wonder how Russia can mend the past and prepare a better future for all her peoples.

History Year By Year

Title:  History Year By Year:  The History of the World, From the Stone Age to the Digital Age

Publishers:  Dorling-Kindersley and Smithsonian Enterprises

Rating:  **  (2 out of 3 stars)
              Recommended

Audience:  Elementary and Middle School Ages

If you're a history buff, or if your middle schooler needs to bone up for the National History Bee (www.nationalhistorybee.com), this is a must-have volume.

Both DK and Smithsonian know how to put out a quality product, and those of us familiar with The Eyewitness series know what to expect:  full-color spreads, bulleted details, informative inserts.  This publication delivers on all counts and doesn't disappoint.

I recently viewed a few different history volumes to supplement our home library and found this to be the most accessible and best format.  Only two initial pages are spent on the least significant (and least evidenced) topic of history:  the evolution of man (weakly evidenced by the inclusion of only three skull visuals, of which just one appears to be human).  With a secular publisher, this is about the best you can do.  In fact, it's rather extraordinary, compared to the other books I skimmed.

Presidential Movies

Titles:  Lincoln (Steven Spielberg, Director; Doris Kearns Goodwin/Tony Kushner, Writers)
           Hyde Park on Hudson (Roger Michell, Director; Richard Nelson, Writer)

Ratings:  ** (2 stars out of 3 possible, "B") for Lincoln
              Highly Recommended

              0 stars out of 3 possible, "D"/"F" for Hyde Park on Hudson
              Not Recommended

Audience:  Lincoln, PG-13
                 Hyde Park on Hudson, R

America loves its presidents, and sometimes loves to hate them.  I thought it interesting that two of our most polarizing presidents were both subjects of feature films in 2012.

I intended to review Lincoln much earlier.  By now, everyone is already aware of both the quality of the film itself, as well as the performances by most of the cast.  I was initially hesitant, given Tony Kushner as the screenwriter, that one might sense a hidden, liberal agenda.  Every political entity tries to claim some sort of kinship with our 16th president, but this film portrayed him genuinely:  principled, yet flawed; politically astute, yet homespun.

To truly enjoy the film, the audience member should not mind a slower-moving historical drama with significant portions of political discourse.  Recall the film only portrays the last 6 months or so of Lincoln's life.  Was Daniel Day-Lewis' portrayal of Lincoln Oscar-worthy?  Yes!

John Adams

Director:  Tom Hooper
                (based on the book by David McCullough)

Rating:  **  (2 stars out of 3 possible, "B")
              Recommended

Audience:  High School juniors and seniors

This 7-episode HBO series released in 2009 provides a quality look at events that formed our nation--not just war, but the rule of law, the development of our Constitution, and the delicate balance between freedom responsibility.

History buffs and AP students will benefit most from this careful study of John Adams, a frequently overlooked Founding Father.  He suffered bouts of temper and pride, but never wavered in his dedication to the law, public service, and the need for a free people to be guided by wise government.

Picture Book Biography Series

Titles:  30 + including George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, Abraham Lincoln, Helen Keller, Anne Frank, Martin Luther King, Jr.

Author:  David A. Adler

Rating:  *** (3 stars out of 3 possible, "A")
             Highly Recommended

Audience:  Ages 7-10

David Adler has done a great favor to children and families in producing these thorough and well-written short biographies.  The number of subjects he covers combined with the chosen illustrators offers a comprehensive and engaging history curriculum for young people.

Adler deftly balances concise facts with interesting details to hold even a young reader's attention.  He provides a useful timeline at the end of each book.  Also, he doesn't pull any punches, so be aware that a biography about Anne Frank, for example, will be realistic and almost graphic.

I find biographies to be especially convicting examples of character building.  I encourage families to expose kids as early as possible to these real stories of children growing up in another time, often overcoming difficult circumstances yet always displaying unique giftedness, courage and perseverance.

David Adler also has biographies in the 200+ page range for 5th grade and up, and is the author of the Cam Jansen mysteries, a girl's counterpart to Encylopedia Brown.

The Great Depression

Title: Nothing to Fear

Author: Jackie French Koller

Rating: ** (2 stars out of 3 possible, "B")

Recommended

Audience: 7th grade and up

Set in New York City during the Great Depression, Nothing to Fear is narrated by 13 year old Danny Garvey, a first generation Irish Catholic. His family is hit hard by the Depression and his father leaves to find work while his mother takes in laundry. Their lot in life seems mild when compared to the Riley family next door: nine children and a father in jail.

Danny is sworn to honesty and hard work while his father is gone, but the reader will still encounter the harsh difficulties of the Depression: homelessness, unemployment, violence, hunger, prejudice. Koller offers believable characters and settings, including the curmudgeonly Jewish shopkeeper who has a heart of gold and Danny's fiesty, devout Catholic mother. Danny and his family display a strong sense of honor and integrity. Mature themes include adolescence (Danny and Mickey become attracted to Kitty and Maggie Riley), alcohol abuse, domestic violence (Mr. Riley is arrested after assaulting his family). From the standpoint of these characters and situations, President Franklin's New Deal is a much-needed and anticipated improvement, but faith in God and personal diligence is at least equally valued.

World War II Titles

Titles: Number the Stars/Lois Lowry (***=A)

Highly Recommended

Lily's Crossing/Patricia Reilly Giff ( *=C)

Recommended with Reservations
Across the Blue Pacific; The Greatest Skating Race;

The Little Ships/Louise Borden ( **=B) Recommended

Audience: Ages 10 and up for Number the Stars and Lily's Crossing
Ages 8 and up for Louise Borden

We just completed a short home study on World War II and I find one of the best ways to reinforce history is to supplement with historical fiction. These books are a good selection.

Number the Stars is a Newbery Award winner and well deserving of the honor. In a mere 140 pages the author deftly describes the efforts of the Dutch Resistance to rescue 7000 Jews and secure their safe passage across open water to Sweden. Told from the perspective of 10 year old Annemarie, the novel carefully shows the reader when and how it becomes necessary to stand against evil. In discussing the themes of courage and honesty, I'm reminded of the apostles Peter and John before the high priest in the book of Acts: "We ought to obey God rather than man." (Acts 4:19)

The writing in this book is some of the best I've read. No word is wasted or unnecessary; the plot is engaging and suspenseful. Lois Lowry ends the book with a clever historical twist and adds an afterward that clearly explains to the reader the facts and the fiction of her book. When your middle schooler is not yet ready for Anne Frank, give him or her Number the Stars.

Blood on the River

Title: Blood on the River/James Town 1607

Author: Elisa Carbone

Rating: *** (3 stars out of 3 possible, "A")

Highly Recommended

Audience: 5th Grade and up

Ahh, I love to give out a well-earned "A"! This book is an excellent example of fiction (historical fiction) that is real literature: well-written with meaningful themes.

Necessities such as plot and character development are not overlooked. This book will appeal to boys and girls who love adventure, and they'll learn valuable history painlessly along the way.

I am so impressed with this book that I wrote a 9&1/2 page review in my journal! Let me do my best to condense it here:

Samuel Collier was a real orphan boy (age 11) chosen to sail to Jamestown as servant to Captain Johns Smith. Other boys accompanied other gentlemen on the trip and this novel explores their relationships and experiences. Elisa Carbone did her research well and the book offers an excellent portrayal of real-life struggles and realistic situations faced by the Jamestown colony between 1607-1610.

Drive Thru History DVD Series

Titles: 9 including Rome if You Want to; Greece and the Word; Turkish Delight; East Meets West; Columbus/Pilgrims/Boston; New York/New Jersey/Washington; Patriots/Penn/Freedom; Soldiers/Jamestown/Virginia; Discovering America's Founders

Producer: Focus on the Family; Coldwater Media; Dave Stotts

Rating: *** (3 stars out of 3 possible, "A")

Highly Recommended

Audience: 4th graders and up

My 9 year old states these dvds "present history in a fun and humorous way that is also kid-friendly and educational."

Indeed, this series is a creative, fast-paced and informative introduction to Western Civilization and American history. If you get the Pantheon and Parthenon confused, or don't know the difference between the Circus Maximus and the Coliseum, or have trouble remembering that Octavian defeated Mark Antony and went on to become Caesar Augustus (yes, that Caesar Augustus), you'll also enjoy watching these with your kids.

For homeschoolers there are discussion guides and even a mini-curriculum based on US history (the 9-unit Foundations of Character).

I've not seen history for kids done in such an engaging way with excellent production standards. Dave Stott is the live-action, on-site host and the monologue is complemented with maps, slides and stills. The series will appeal to both boys and girls but be cautious with your younger viewers as there are some graphic descriptions of historical events.

Little House Series (9 Books)

Titles: Little House in the Big Woods; Little House on the Prairie; Farmer Boy; On the Banks of Plum Creek; By the Shores of Silver Lake; The Long Winter; Little Town on the Prairie; These Happy Golden Years; The First Four Years

Author: Laura Ingalls Wilder

Rating: *** (3 stars out of 3 possible) "A"

Highly Recommended

Audiences: K-6th Grade

A review of these classics seems almost moot, but as I begin the series a second time with my 6 year old I realize again the value of this uniquely American collection.

We are all aware in general of these pioneer stories detailing the struggles and joys of our austere American history. Many families are tempted to doubt their application to a fast-paced, entertainment-oriented generation. Can these simpler, slower-paced, coming-of-age tales really captivate our modern kids?

I have an energetic 6 year old daughter who's internal computer is automatically programmed to "play" and "entertain." She is not like her 9 year old sister who can read 3 hours a day. If any kid would find Laura and Mary's life in the Big Woods dull, it would be my 6 year old. Surprisingly, she cannot get enough of Laura and now has me reading Farmer Boy while I simultaneously read The Long Winter with her big sister. How does this work?

It is simply the definition of "classic" put into action. A classic never goes out of style and has components that remain applicable to any given age. You will not find yourself lecturing or preaching to your kids as you read Little House books; the stories make their application all on their own. Kids love to hear how other kids live and easily pick up on the work ethic, contentment and family dedication inherent in these books.

Curiously, every time we work through a Little House book, my kids automatically become more content and less demanding! Of their own volition, they will say things like "I don't really need anything for Christmas" or "I'm going to skip candy for two weeks" or "Please read another chapter!" Now, they don't have the will power to follow through on such rash promises, but they do at least consider it!

But that is not really why I treasure these books with my kids. More than that, it is the American spirit that shows through: starting out with nothing; building your family and livelihood from the ground up; knowing when to cut your losses; starting over with a good attitude; trusting a good God; redeeming the time; persevering through adversity; using lessons from the past as strength for the present, hope for the future. These are themes our kids need. These are themes I need.

When I read these books I find myself complaining less about the weather, colds, laundry, other mundane chores. I look for opportunities to share work with my kids and encourage their efforts. We revel in simple pleasures like popcorn and tea shared under blankets. Sometimes we even play "mad dog" or "kittens in the corner."

One way to enjoy these books is to read one or two a year, starting in Kindergarten or first grade. If you don't think boys will be interested in this series try Farmer Boy and The Long Winter. These books feature strong male characters overcoming challenges. Of course, Pa is an outstanding role model in any of the books.

These are books from a simpler time, but they are not simplistic literature. Wilder is a master at storytelling from a young person's point of view and writes fine description. She possessed a remarkable memory for events as well as emotions. The books' style matures as the characters age. Foreshadowing is subtly employed and events are revisited in future books. Another mark of quality: five of the nine books received Newbery runner-up honors. Garth Williams masterfully illustrated many events in the series that might otherwise remain archaic: threshing machines, maple sugaring, hay racks, even covered wagons.

If you are hoping to develop relationship with your kids, reading is a great starting point for many conversations and experiences. As with most habits, beginning early is half the battle. Don't wait for passive entertainment to capture all their attention, and don't overlook this series as you read with your kids!