Plumfield Moms

Our Librarian Life: August 2024

Plumfield Reads Guides
Plumfield Reads Guides: Ben-Hur
Plumfield Reads Guides: Kensuke’s Kingdom
Plumfield Reads Guides: Snow Treasure, Coming Soon!
Rascal by Sterling North 
Lepunia Kingdom of the Gallopers by Kevin Ford 
The Found Boy by S. D. Smith 
Kensuke’s Kingdom by Michael Morpurgo 
Little Men by Louisa May Alcott (Smidgen Press) 
The Mysterious Voyage of Captain Kidd by A. B. C. Whipple 
Ivanhoe by Sir Walter Scott 
Wonder Boxes
The Green Writer by S. D. Smith
Biblioguides 
Semicolon
Book Review Roundup
Shelf Notes
Picture Book Preschool 
Find us at The Card Catalog website: https://thecardcataloglibrarians.com/

Book Review: Doomsday by Connie Willis

Connie Willis is a master storyteller who loves old movies (and new movies) almost as much as she loves great literature. Consequently, her storytelling is richly visual, and when reading, it often feels like I am watching a movie in my mind. In 1992, she crafted a novel that was set in 2054 as well as during the Medieval Bubonic Plague. I read the Doomsday Book in February and March of 2020. Actually, I finished reading it a mere four to six hours before my husband called to tell me that the schools were shutting down for two weeks because of growing concerns over the devastating illness in New York. Willis’s incredible and vivid descriptions haunted me throughout our COVID quarantine! https://plumfieldmoms.com/plumfield-moms-book-reviews/doomsday-book

Reflection: They Set Up Their Own Signs for Signs

"When God was leading his people through the wilderness and laying down his laws, he gave instructions for things that were to be set up for worshiping him and remembering his deeds. He gave detailed directions for setting up the tabernacle. Often, he commanded an altar or monument to be set up as a sign or memorial. God knows we need tangible reminders, but he was always specific that these be set up at his direction.
Serious problems arose when God’s people started setting things up on their own. In the time of the Judges, when everyone was doing what was right in their own eyes, one tribe set up their own idols and appointed their own priests. King Saul went terribly wrong when he set up a monument for himself. Many of the kings of Israel and Judah set up their own pillars and monuments. At times, the people even set up their own king."

Book Review: Kensuke's Kingdom

"In this story, there is an accident while Michael is sailing, but he is with his parents at the time. They are a small, happy family on a trip around the world in their yacht. It’s not an every-day situation, to be sure, but I found it refreshing that the parents aren’t the bad guys.
It isn’t long before Michael discovers that he is not the only human on the island. But the other person isn’t at all happy to see Michael. Why the man is there and why he doesn’t appreciate company is a mystery that unfolds over time. He may be a recluse, but he isn’t going to watch Michael starve or get hurt without trying to help him. 
The story is as much about the relationship between Michael and Kensuke as it is about deserted island survival. Kensuke has been on the island for a very long time, and considers it his kingdom. He considers the animals to be under his care, and he does his best to guard them from hunters."

Author Interview: S. D. Smith Talks About New Book The Found Boys

In this lively interview with S. D. Smith, we chat about his new book: The Found Boys. We also talk a little bit about his most recent release, the sequel to Jack Zulu, Jack Zulu And The Girl With The Golden Wings. As things so often do when we chat with Sam, we dug into some of the big cultural questions that we are all facing today. 
You can find Sara's review of The Found Boys here: https://plumfieldmoms.com/plumfield-moms-book-reviews/new-book-the-found-boys
You can find Sara's review of Jack Zulu 2 here: https://plumfieldmoms.com/plumfield-moms-book-reviews/jack-zulu-and-the-girl-with-the-golden-wings
SD Smith Page: https://plumfieldmoms.com/favorite-authors
Green Writer: https://plumfieldmoms.com/green-writer-program 
 
 
 

Book Review: The Found Boys by S. D. Smith

The Found Boys by S. D. Smith is an exciting and interesting story about ordinary boys growing up in two churches on either side of the river in 1980s West Virginia. Scott and Tommy are white boys from Valley Baptist Church who like to jump off of swings, shoot hoops, run along the shoreline, and chase after adventure. Dooley is a black kid from Mt. Zion Baptist church who likes to do pretty much the same things. When the boys agree not to fight over their differences but instead join together on a mission to steal something from the junkyard, they get a lot more than they bargained for.   https://plumfieldmoms.com/plumfield-moms-book-reviews/new-book-the-found-boys

Book Review: Jane of Lantern Hill

"Despite some over-the-top incidents, such as Jane being instrumental in capturing an escaped circus lion, she is a loveable character. Montgomery gives her some unbelievable wisdom and talents for a girl her age, which isn’t unusual for Montgomery’s heroines. Bringing Jane’s parents together because of a life-threatening illness is an awfully tired device, one that has been used by some of the best authors. In the end, the good people are happy and the not-so-good people get their come-uppance, which is a neat ending for a children’s story. 
The way the ending landed for me reminds me of how I felt about Pat of Silverbush. Montgomery didn’t seem to know how to manage a well-adjusted family. Not only is neither of Jane’s parents well-suited to keeping house as well as their twelve-year-old daughter can, but she is also going to have to keep an eye on their marriage? Throughout the story, the responsibility Jane felt for taking care of the adults in her life was slightly off kilter, but I hoped that when her parents got together again, they would lift that responsibility from her young shoulders. For me, the story ended completely out of balance."
https://plumfieldmoms.com/plumfield-moms-book-reviews/jane-of-lantern-hill
 

Reflection: You Feed Them

John’s gospel says that Jesus asked Philip where they were going to get enough food for all the people and that, “He said this to test him for he himself knew what he would do” (John 6:6). In any case, the disciples went to find out exactly how much food was available - five loaves of bread and two fish. What in the world could anyone do with that?   
Jesus said, “You give them something to eat.”

Author Interview: M. I. McAllister of The Mistmantle Chronicles

Books and Links:
Margi's Website
Margi's Facebook Page
Mistmantle Book Reviews
Mistmantle Book Club Podcast with the ladies of Biblioguides
Mistmantle books at Purple House Press
A Friend for Rachel/The Secret Mice
Father Brown TV Series
Father Brown Books
Jo March & Plumfield
Aslan Sings Narnia into Existence
Hold My Hand and Run
James Herriot
Elizabeth Gouge
Join the conversation:
Mistmantle Book Clubs at the Plumfield Reads corner of the Biblioguides Mighty NetworksPlumfield and Paideia Facebook PagePlumfield Moms Podcast Page

Book Review: The Last Bookshop in London by Madeline Martin

I was wrong. 
The Last Bookshop in London by Madeline Martin is not cheesy. 
It is, in fact, quite lovely. I must have been in a mid-winter funk when I read it the first time. This time, I was quite taken with it. Now, that said, it is not as strong as The Librarian Spyor The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, or my real favorites, Blackout and All Clear. But, it is absolutely lovely and a fun read that I will re-read again. https://plumfieldmoms.com/plumfield-moms-book-reviews/the-last-bookshop-in-london