Plumfield Moms

Our Reading Life: October 2024

In this conversation, we discuss the value of picture books in both education and personal enjoyment. Sara Masarik delves into the works of Gloria Whelan, highlighting her contributions to historical fiction, specifically mentioning, The Hedge School, The Miracle of St. Nicholas, Small Acts of Amazing Courage, The Angel on the Square, and Homeless Bird. The discussion also touches on the significance of setting in storytelling and the connection between literature and geography. Sarah Kim talks about Brunelleschi's Dome: How a Renaissance Genius Reinvented Architecture as well as Dorothy Sayer's Gaudy Night. The discussion highlights the richness of Sayer's storytelling and its connection to her personal life. Diane explored the significance of a book club focused on 'Mama Bear Apologetics' and convinced all of us to buy it (while we were recording!). She also shared the beautiful story, Mountain Born. Tanya shared the remarkable story of Jim Key, a horse that demonstrated extraordinary intelligence and abilities, leading to a movement for kindness towards animals. She also discussed the relatable and timeless experiences of family life depicted in Hilda von Stockum's books, particularly focusing on the Mitchells' adventures during World War II.
The discussion highlights the importance of kindness, education, and the shared experiences of parenting, making it a rich and engaging dialogue for listeners.
Sara Masarik’s References 
The Hedge School by Gloria Whelan 
The Miracle of Saint Nicholas by Gloria Whelan 
Small Acts of Amazing Courage by Gloria Whelan 
The Angel on the Square by Gloria Whelan 
Homeless Bird by Gloria Whelan 
Gary D. Schmidt 
The Mistmantle Chronicles by M. I. McAllister
The Borrowed House by Hilda Van Stockum 
The Tangled Skein by Alta Halverson Seymour 
Hilda Van Stockum 
Alta Halverson Seymour 
Lines of Courage by Jennifer Nielsen 
Jeeves and Wooster by P. G. Wodehouse
Hilda Van Stockum Page at Biblioguides   
Sarah Kim’s References
The Found Boys by S. D. Smith 
Brunelleschi’s Dome by Ross King
Murder Must Advertise by Dorothy Sayers
Whose Body by Dorothy Sayers
Gaudy Night by Dorothy Sayers
Diane’s References
Mountain Born by Elizabeth Yates  
Amos Fortune, Free Man by Elizabeth Yates 
Mama Bear Apologetics: Empowering Your Kids to Challenge Cultural Lies by Hillary Morgan Ferrer
Tanya’s References 
The Town That Fooled the British by Lisa Papp 
Step Right Up: How Doc and Jim Key Taught the World about Kindness by Donna Janell Bowman
The Mitchells: Five for Victory by Hilda Van Stockum
The Borrowed House by Hilda Van Stockum
The Winged Watchman by Hilda Van Stockum 
Interview with Bethlehem Books
General References
Biblioguides 
Semicolon
Book Review Roundup 
Mighty Networks
Shelf Notes 

Book Review: Under the Cover of Mercy

Earlier this month I reviewed Hidden Yellow Stars by Rebecca Connolly and celebrated it as being perfect for the “hopeful stories from WWII” category. When I finished, I went looking to see what else she had written and was delighted to see that she had a historical fiction novel that was released last year about Edith Cavell and WWI. I instantly grabbed it. My Greta loves Edith Cavell and here at Plumfield, we have been actively looking for more WWI novels that would be appropriate for teen readers. Under the Cover of Mercy absolutely fits the bill.
 
https://plumfieldmoms.com/plumfield-moms-book-reviews/edith-cavell-under-the-cover-of-mercy

Reflection: I Thank You, Father

"I believe that Jesus was teaching us that true thanksgiving is concurring with God’s right judgments. Whether circumstances look good to me or not, I want to be transformed by the renewal of my mind. "For who has understood the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?’ But we have the mind of Christ' (I Cor. 2:16)."

Author Interview: Kevin T Ford Talks About His Book Lepunia

In this engaging conversation, Sara, Diane, and Kevin T. Ford discuss the journey of becoming an author and the creative process behind his book 'Lepunia'. They explore themes of family, writing inspiration, and the importance of understanding the target audience for children's literature. Kevin shares insights into his writing style, future projects, and the unique experiences that shaped his storytelling. Ford emphasizes the importance of creating believable characters, particularly in the context of animal protagonists, and how these characters can convey deeper themes of relationship and identity. The discussion also touches on the significance of place in storytelling, drawing from personal experiences in the Great Plains, and the collaboration with illustrator Michael Genova to bring the story to life visually. In this engaging conversation, Kevin T Ford shares insights into the importance of crafting a read-aloud experience for families and anticipates the release of his sequel, emphasizing the value of community engagement and the moral lessons embedded in his stories.
 

Book Review: Keeper of Hidden Books by Madeline Martin

Inspired by true events in World War II of the Warsaw librarians’ resistance, Madeline Martin’s 2023 historical fiction novel, The Keeper of Hidden Books is her strongest novel so far. As Poland tries to avoid succumbing to the invasion of Germany, young Poles are organizing themselves into various forms of resistance work. Zofia and her Jewish friend Janina are assigned to assist the Warsaw public librarians as they work to preserve and protect Poland’s national collections. When Poland falls and the Germans take control of the libraries, the librarians work to hide and protect the books from the German eradication of all works which do not support Hitler’s agenda. 
This story is powerful and very well done. I continue to be very impressed with Martin’s ability to tell clean and exciting stories that have literary value and historical significance. For mamas and teen readers, these books are more elegantly written and more complex than Jennifer Nielsen’s YA novels but have much of the same flavor and interest. I cannot wait to see what she writes next!https://plumfieldandpaideia.com/keeper-of-hidden-books-warsaw-librarians-resistance/

Reflection: How Will You Compete with Horses?

If Paul considered his affliction light and momentary, what are we called to think about ours? He didn’t have anything we can’t have. When he told the Ephesians to “be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might,” it wasn’t a suggestion. It was a command followed by instructions on how to do that. “Put on the whole armor of God,” and when you have done everything, “stand firm.”
When he wrote to the Corinthians, Paul didn’t say he had exclusive access to the mind of Christ. He said we have the mind of Christ. We’re not competing with horses on our own power. “It is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure” (Phil. 2:13).

Book Review: Who Walks the Attic

The story: The Blair family has recently moved to the country from Detroit. Dad and Mom had to go back to the city for a few days so they left the four kids to take care of things at the new house. The oldest sister is college-age, so that’s okay. 
Their very first night alone in the house, the two boys hear a noise in the attic that needs to be investigated. Hollis, the oldest boy, maybe twelve years old, wants so badly to have a mystery to solve that everyone assumes he’s making a big deal out of nothing.
 
https://plumfieldmoms.com/plumfield-moms-picture-book-reviews/who-walks-the-attic

Reflection: Having Our Senses Trained

 “Nothing that exists by nature can form a habit contrary to its nature . . . Neither by nature, then, nor contrary to nature do the virtues arise in us; rather we are adapted by nature to receive them, and are made perfect by habit.” 

Our Reading Life: September 2024

Tanya’s References 
The Librarian Spy by Madeline Martin 
The Last Bookshop in London by Madeline Martin 
Once Upon a Wardrobe by Patti Callahan Henry
Becoming Mrs. Lewis by Patti Callahan Henry  
Stone Fox by John Reynolds Gardiner 
Sarah Kim’s References
The Betrothed by Alessandro Manzoni
Beneath the Magnificent Dome by Anna Iakovou 
Sara Masarik’s References 
A Canticle for Leibowitz by Walter M. Miller, Jr.  
Lord of the World by Robert Hugh Benson 
Alas Babylon by Pat Frank
Dead-Eye Dan and the Cimarron Kid by Glenn McCarty  
Diane’s References
Irena’s Gift by Karen Kirsten 
War Diaries by Astrid Lindgren 
Snow Treasure by Marie McSwigan
 

Book Review: Crosstalk by Connie Willis

I have been on a Connie Willis kick lately. You may have read my review of To Say Nothing of the Dog – the hilarious comedy that reminds me of Jeeves and Wooster or The Importance of Being Earnest. Or, you may have heard me raving about Blackout and All Clear. At Christmas, I read and reviewed her collection of Christmas-themed short stories, A Lot Like Christmas. And I just re-read Doomsday and reviewed it, here. This review is for something totally different from Willis, Crosstalk. 
Crosstalk is part sci-fi and part psychological adventure with a little romance thrown in. No time travel. This book was a lot of fun to read and had an intriguing premise. That said, I will not give it to my teens as there is frequent discussion about unmarried characters having sex, and the plot revolves around sexual attraction. https://plumfieldmoms.com/plumfield-moms-book-reviews/crosstalk