Fever 1793 ~ Storybook Fridays

This summer I am reading a few books that I  have set aside to share with the boys during our fall homeschooling session  later this year.  

I love to search and find books that bring history to life, capturing the readers interest to the point where you forget about learning and just enjoy the story.  This week’s book falls right into this category!

Fever 1793

by

Laurie Halse Anderson

ISBN-10:0689848919

ISBN-13: 978-0689848919

Category: Historical Fiction

Reading Level:  Ages 9-12, Young Adult

Fever 1793  by Laurie Halse Anderson is a riveting, historical fiction novel about an actual Yellow Fever epidemic that occurred in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania during the summer of 1793.

At that time, Philadelphia was the capital of the United States.  The epidemic felled over 5,000 people (10% of the city’s population) in less than three months. Those who could flee to the country did so and those left behind in the city were faced with unfathomable hardships and tragedy. 

Ms. Halse Anderson has done a superb job of bringing history to life with this captivating book. This story has stayed with me even after finishing it and I  look forward to reading it with my kids this fall. This is an awesome book!

The story opens with Mattie, a 16 year old girl who helps her mother and grandfather run a coffee house in Philadelphia.  She longs to turn 18 so that she can escape her daily drudgery and explore the world.

Mattie’s day starts out as usual but it quickly turns into a nightmare as those she loves fall sick with what is rumored to be Yellow Fever. She is forced to flee the city with her Grandfather and so her adventure begins.

Tragedy, trials and triumphs await her as she forges a new path during one of the worst epidemics this country has ever seen.

How will it all turn out?

Will she survive?

Will her loved ones survive?

Pick up a copy of this book to find out!

Read Full Post »

How Huge the Night ~ Storybook Friday

ISBN-10: 082543310X

ISBN-13: 978-0825433108

Category: Young Adult

Click here to read this review!

Read Full Post »

Shattered ~ A Daughter’s Regret Book Review

ISBN-10: 1600069495

ISBN-13: 978-1600069499

Reading Level: Young Adult

Category: Christian Fiction

From the publisher:

Everybody does it—sneaks out of the house now and then. It’s harmless enough, right? Not this time. Cleo Neilson faces the chilling consequences of her actions. Now she has a secret and can’t tell anyone, and it’s breaking her heart. As Cleo fights through her grief and guilt, she learns about faith in God and forgiveness through him. As teenage girls read Cleo’s journey, they too will learn the value of having faith and receiving forgiveness as well as just how dangerous it really is to keep a secret. 

 Shattered ~ A Daughter’s Regret  is powerful, gut wrenching, emotional and a truly outstanding book! This is a story that will stay with me for a long, long time. Honestly, I kept wishing this book had been out when I was a teenager.

Ms. Carlson has such a deep understanding of young adults. Through out this story she addresses so much of what many teens are going through in this stage of their lives. She also leads the reader to understand that for each choice, there is a consequence and that through it all God’s love can heal and forgive but in a way that isn’t soppy or preachy.

While this book is targeted for young adults, I encourage it for readers of all ages; there is truly something for everyone to enjoy and learn in this wonderful book!

Click here to find out more about Shattered.

 

 

Many thanks to Glass Road Public Relations for the opportunity to review this book. The above review is a reflection of my honest opinions and views of this book.

Read Full Post »

The Curse of Captain Lafoote ~ Storybook Friday

My boys and I really enjoyed this book. The story just grabbed us and we were transported to another place and time as we read this swashbuckling tale of adventure and suspense. We couldn’t put it down! Many thanks to KCWC for the opportunity to review this book.

 

The Curse of Captain LaFoote

by

Eddie Jones

A Young Adult/Tween novel

Port Yonder Press

ISBN-10: 1935600044

ISBN-13: 978-1935600046

Categories: Young Adult, Action, Suspense, Fantasy, Fiction

 

Book Summary

RICKY BRADSHAW has never sailed the Caribbean Sea, searched for buried treasure or battled pirates on the deck of a Spanish Galleon. He’s never fallen through the floor of Davy Jones’ locker or watched an old fisherman morph into a porpoise. All Ricky knows is his lonely life with his widowed mom in a tiny apartment overlooking the Chesapeake Bay.

But all that changes on a snowy Christmas Eve when Ricky’s apartment building burns down and he suffers a seizure, falling into the chilly waters. Suddenly Ricky finds himself thrust into a world where there is surprising beauty on every island, danger around every corner and great honor and glory ahead of him—if only Ricky can summon the courage to survive the curse of Captain LaFoote!

Author Bio

Eddie Jones

EDDIE JONES has authored four non-fiction books, one young adult novel, and written over a hundred articles that have appeared in over 20 different publications. He is co-founder of Christian Devotions Ministries and a contributing writer for, CBN.com, Common Ground Christian News, The Ocracoke Observer, and Living Aboard Magazine. He’s a three-time winner of the Delaware Christian Writers Conference and a member of the American Christian Fiction Writers and Boating Writers International. Eddie sails, surfs and writes in North Carolina. For more information visit his website.

 

Read Full Post »

Amon’s Adventure: A Family Story for Easter ~ Storybook Fridays

 We’re taking a weekend break so I wanted to post early and wish you all a Happy Easter!

 

 

ISBN-10:0825441714

ISBN-13: 978-0825441714

Categories: Easter, Faith, Fiction

Recommended Ages: 9-12

Here’s the description from the publisher:

Thirteen year old Amon, the son of Jotham and Tabitha, enjoys playing with this friends but is also eager to join his father in the temple court where only men are allowed. So when his father is falsely accused of a terrible crime, Amon willingly sacrifices his childhood ways in hopes of saving Jotham’s life. 

Along the way, he sees the jubilant crowds that gathered on Palm Sunday, hears the Messiah address the angry mob, is present during the daring betrayal of Judas Iscariot, and witnesses the ultimate sacrifice made on Good Friday.

Continuing the tradition of the popular Advent books – Jotham’s Journey, Bartholomew’s Passage, and Tabitha’s Travels  - this captivating story will take you through Lent with read aloud chapters and short devotionals to help make Easter a meaningful season of relection and worship.

 Our Review:

Amon’s Adventure  by Arnold Ytree is a wonderful family read-aloud story!  

The story is enchanting and the devotionals are insightful.  It can lead to some wonderful learning, a deeper understanding of the season of Lent and of course, the true meaning of Easter. 

The introduction chapter contains one of the best descriptions and understanding of Lent that I have read. It also includes a  guide to parents and teachers.

Each chapter (28 total) has a short devotional at the end allowing you and your children to explore a deeper understanding and meaning of Lent/Easter.   

Another really neat bonus is that this book is linked to the author’s website and contains special features (click here) that enhance the children’s (and everyone’s)  learing while having fun.

We highly recommend this book! 

Click here  for more information on this book and the website’s special features!

Read Full Post »