Plumfield Moms

Book Review: Homeless Bird by Gloria Whelan

Homeless Bird is a beautifully crafted middle-grade novel that transports readers into the heart of modern-day India, exploring the complex world of arranged marriages, cultural traditions, and the need for courageous virtue. Gloria Whelan’s compelling storytelling invites middle readers into the vibrant colors, sounds, and textures of Indian life, offering a truly poignant journey through the eyes of a young girl named Koly.
At just 13, Koly is married off in an arranged union to a boy who, unbeknownst to her, is gravely ill. When her husband dies only weeks after their wedding, Koly’s world unravels, leaving her trapped in the poor and often cruel household of her in-laws. As a young widow, she is considered bad fortune and less than human. She is relegated to a life of servitude, facing cruelty from her heartless mother-in-law. But it is in the quiet, stolen moments with her sad father-in-law that Koly learns to read, and she begins to have hope again.
Koly’s journey is one of heartbreak and hardship, but it is also one of courage and inner strength. Whelan skillfully portrays the stark realities of a young girl who cannot return home without bringing shame on her own family, but who also is abandoned by her mother-in-law rendering her homeless and almost hopeless. Through her struggles, Koly learns to navigate the restrictions imposed on her, ultimately finding a path to freedom and fulfillment.
It is in her abandonment that Koly is befriended by a boy her own age who brings her to a special charity home for abandoned widows. A place where Koly is given clean clothes, a safe home, a house mother to look after her, friends, and meaningful skilled work. It is here that Koly takes her future into her own hands, with the help of good women, and she forges a path for herself that is beautiful and inspiring. 
What makes Homeless Bird stand out is its gorgeous storytelling and thread of hope in unthinkable circumstances. The book is both clean and uplifting, making it a perfect read for teen girls and middle-grade audiences who seek stories that inspire. Koly’s journey from a powerless widow to a young woman forging her own path is a testament to the strength that lies within even the most difficult circumstances.
This novel not only offers a captivating story but also serves as a window into Indian culture and traditions, enriching readers with a greater understanding of life beyond their own experiences. Homeless Bird is a must-read for those looking for a touching, thought-provoking, and ultimately hopeful tale of survival and self-discovery.
I intend to use this in a book club with teen readers. The audio is fantastic. We have also reviewed Hedge School, Angel On The Square, and Small Acts of Amazing Courage by Gloria Whelan.
 
https://plumfieldmoms.com/plumfield-moms-book-reviews/homeless-bird

Reflection: Don’t Be Outwitted

"What is it that Paul says he is afraid of here? He isn’t writing because he fears some of the Corinthians are on the verge of committing perjury or embezzling thousands of dollars or killing someone. He is afraid their “thoughts will be led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ.” This is where all of the Big Ten horrible, obvious sins begin–with our thoughts going astray. When it comes to thoughts, does Satan really have to work very hard to start those on the wrong path?  
 
Sincerity and purity are closely related and can sometimes be used as synonyms. Both have elements of simplicity. Something pure is simple because it is not tainted with anything. It is unadulterated. If I pour myself a glass of water that has passed through my water filter, then add a tiny grain of arsenic, drinking the water may not kill me outright, but the water can no longer be considered pure."

Book Review: A Lot Like Christmas by Connie Willis

With this recipe in mind, she has been writing Christmas stories for years and has pulled them together for this collection of short stories. All of them are deeply human while also being about everyday people. All of them deal with some aspect of humanity that needs the kind of transformation that only the Christ of Christmas can bring. And all of them end well even if it is unclear, while you are reading, how that can possibly happen. But, signature Connie Willis, all of them have a sci-fi twist of some kind as well. And that makes them more unpredictable and, frankly, more fun.
 
https://plumfieldandpaideia.com/a-lot-like-christmas/https://plumfieldmoms.com/plumfield-moms-book-reviews/a-lot-like-christmas

Reflection: His Everlasting Light

There will come a day when “night will be no more” and we “need no light of lamp or sun,” because the Lord God will be our light. Until then, the eyes of our hearts can be enlightened, and we can walk as children of light.
In the first chapter of Paul's letter to the Ephesians, he tells them he is praying that God will give them a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of their hearts enlightened, that they may know the hope to which they are called; that they may know the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and that they may know the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe.

Our Librarian Life: 21st Century Packhorse Librarian

Facebook Group - 21st Century Packhorse Librarians
Jack vs. the Tornado by Amanda Cleary Eastep 
Down Cut Shin Creek by Kathi Appelt
That Book Woman by Heather Henson
The Tree Street Kids by Amanda Cleary Estep
S. D. Smith - Favorite Author
The Green Ember by S. D. Smith
The Bark of the Bog Owl by Jonathan Rogers
Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows
Purple House Press
Moody Publishers
21cbookwoman@gmail.com
T-shirts, Sweatshirts
Packhorse Librarian List
Biblioguides
Semicolon
Book Review Roundup
Mighty Networks
Shelf Notes
Picture Book Preschool  
LibraryThing
TinyCat
Find us at The Card Catalog Website: https://thecardcataloglibrarians.com/

Book Review: The Scarlet Stockings Spy - A Tales of Young Americans Book

Trinka Hakes Noble’s The Scarlet Stockings Spy is a compelling historical picture book that captivates readers with the story of a young patriot, set against the backdrop of the American Revolution. Part of the celebrated Tales of Young Americansseries, this book brings history to life by exploring a lesser-known, civilian side of the war in 1777 Philadelphia.
The story centers on Maddy Rose, a courageous young seamstress whose father has already given his life for the cause, and her brother is away fighting. With her mother also working as a seamstress, Maddy wants to make a difference. Each morning, she dutifully delivers her mother’s finished sewing work on her way to her job working for a kind Quaker woman, all while keeping a close eye on the Philadelphia harbor.
As she makes her deliveries, Maddy is acting as a spy for her brother and the revolutionaries. Each week, she hangs the laundry and carefully arranges clothing, including her beloved red stockings, to send coded messages about the enemy ships in the harbor. This subtle yet risky act of bravery emphasizes the vital role civilians, even children, played in the revolutionary effort.
Illustrated with rich and lively artwork, the book immerses readers in the tension and hope of the time. Maddy’s story is both poignant and inspiring, making it ideal for young readers who are just beginning to learn about the sacrifices made during America’s struggle for independence. Noble’s storytelling draws readers into Maddy’s world, showing that courage comes in many forms, often in the quiet, behind-the-scenes actions that support a greater cause.Parents may wish to know that Maddy suffers a dear loss, but the story focuses on how she turns her grief into something beautiful.
The Scarlet Stockings Spy is a fantastic pick for any family, classroom, or library seeking to engage young readers with American history in a meaningful way. You may wish to read our review of another in this series, Lily’s Victory Garden, here.
 
https://plumfieldmoms.com/plumfield-moms-picture-book-reviews/the-scarlet-stockings-spy

Reflection: Angels Long to Look

“Concerning this salvation, the prophets who prophesied about the grace that was to be yours searched and inquired carefully, inquiring what person or time the Spirit of Christ in them was indicating when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the subsequent glories. It was revealed to them that they were serving not themselves but you, in the things that have now been announced to you through those who preached the good news to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven, things into which angels long to look” (1 Pet. 1:12).

Our Reading Life: December - 2024

Welcome to our December 2024 episode of Our Reading Life where we chat with our dear friends, Tanya Arnold and Sarah Kim from Biblioguides about our reading lives. We are so glad you are here!
 
Sara Masarik’s References 
Tree Street Kids Series by Amanda Cleary Eastep
Jack Versus the Tornado by Amanda Cleary Eastep
The Viking Quest Books by Lois Walfrid Johnson
Amos Fortune, Free Man by Elizabeth Yates
Roman Roads Media: Old Western Culture 
 
Diane’s References
Crispin’s Rainy Day by Forrest Dickison
Ensnared in the Wolf's Lair: Inside the 1944 Plot to Kill Hitler and the Ghost Children of His Revenge by Ann Bausum 
Paradise Lost by John Milton
 
Sarah Kim’s References
Chinese Menu: The History, Myths, and Legends Behind Your Favorite Foods by Grace Lin  
One Long Line: Marching Caterpillars and the Scientists Who Followed Them by Loree Burns
Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen
 
Tanya’s References 
Bjorn the Proud by Madeleine Polland 
The Year of Miss Agnes by Kirkpatrick Hill 
General References
Biblioguides 
Semicolon
Book Review Roundup 
Mighty Networks
Shelf Notes 

Book Review: Impossible Journey by Gloria Whelan

The Impossible Journey by Gloria Whelan is a fascinating sequel to Angel on the Square, delving deeper into the complexities of post-Czarist Soviet Russia with a storyline that grabs readers at the start.Now grown up, the heroes from the first book are married, have two children, and are living in Leningrad (formerly St. Petersburg). Living in the harsh reality of a regime that persecutes their aristocratic heritage, they barely resemble the characters we knew in Angel on the Square. This shift allows us to detach from them and focus on their children.
When Katya and Misha are arrested in the early chapters of the book, Marya and Georgi are left to fend for themselves. Marya’s intelligence and resilience become central to the story, as she and her brother set out on a daring and dangerous journey across Russia in hopes of reuniting with their mother, who has been exiled to Siberia. Their epic journey is filled with difficult terrain, logistical challenges like not having passports, and the incredible challenges of having to navigate whom to trust and when. The children meet people who are immeasurably kind and villains who seek to exploit them in their desperation. After having made mistakes early on about trusting the wrong people, Marya’s undergoes a gradual transformation as she begins to trust again. This provides a subtle but essential theme that shapes her character arc beautifully.
What makes The Impossible Journey particularly captivating is the varied cast of characters the children encounter. Each individual they meet on their journey is unique, authentic to their time and place, and contributes to the plot in meaningful ways. Nothing is wasted in a Whelan novel, nor is it written in a predictable way. The diversity of these encounters brings an authenticity to the children’s journey: it teaches us much about the kinds of people who lived in Russia at that time and the struggles they endured. 
Overall, The Impossible Journey is an unforgettable tale of resilience, family, and hope, perfectly balancing historical accuracy with heartfelt storytelling. Readers will find themselves deeply moved by Marya’s bravery and her ability to overcome adversity, making this book a must-read for anyone who values historical fiction that both educates and inspires.
Parent Note: Some parents may wish to know that Marya’s father was taken to the Siberian work camps. Whelan tells the reader just enough about that experience to inform them and make them curious about that horror, but not so much as to hurt them. The conversation where it is unpacked is short and gentle. Sadly, however, he does die. His death is as sad as it should be, but there is a sweetness to it that keeps the reader from despairing. 
https://plumfieldmoms.com/plumfield-moms-book-reviews/the-impossible-journey

Reflection: A Root of Bitterness

“See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no ‘root of bitterness’ springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled” (Heb. 12:15).
It’s disturbing the way God startles you into looking at something you’ve been busy not seeing. I’ve read through Hebrews many times and noted the phrase “root of bitterness.” I’ve even looked up the Greek words to see if their meaning would add insight. What they mean is, root of bitterness. All right, then, nothing to see here. I don’t have one of those. 
What brought me around to rethink this was a recent reading of Hebrews 12:1; “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.”