Books

Borrowed Literature

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Often on Facebook I see posts asking for a book recommendations. Truthfully I am not usually one that has time for books with much substance i.e.; politics, dry facts etc. so I hasten to recommend any of the recent Barnes and Noble nook book of the day deals I may have recently indulged in. Life is so busy and chaotic some days that I really enjoy a book that is entertaining and light to take my mind of life.  On more than one occasion I have borrowed a book from our son who is the epitome of book worm. The boy devours books at all levels.
His highly gifted language arts class is following the Iditarod race currently being run in Alaska and his teacher assigned the book Winterdance by Gary Paulsen to the class complete with an email to patents regarding some of the language.
Intrigued I picked the book up and likewise devoured it. This book is brilliantly written completely eye opening to a lifestyle I had no knowledge of and a race I truly knew nothing about, and the chapter “Major Wrecks” had me laughing out loud while the kids slept. As a marathon runner there were parts of the book I could relate to, I completely understand a mentally and physically grueling accomplishment that can be related to childbirth, you easily forget how hard it was and are ready to do it again. However, I am still in awe of this man’s journey and all other mushers that even considering attempting this race.

I was surprised by the relationship between the dogs and mushers, the totally trust and respect but that these were not lap dogs, these are not social dogs that romp in the dog park and play fetch with their human family.
Truly emotional and written by a fellow Minnesotan!!! From my sons 6th grade class and I this is a must read!

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Great Summer Read for the Whole Family

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Raiven received this book for her 7th birthday.  We just finished reading “Callie Vee”,the night before school let out for the summer.  However, this would be a terrific summer read out loud book for the whole family. And perhaps inspire some to get their own “notebooks”.

Summary of the book : Calpurnia Virginia Tate is eleven years old in 1899 when she wonders why the yellow grasshoppers in her Texas backyard are so much bigger than the green ones.With a little help from her notoriously cantankerous grandfather, an avid naturalist, she figures out that the green grasshoppers are easier to see against the yellow grass, so they are eaten before they can get any larger. As Callie explores the natural world around her, she develops a close relationship with her grandfather, navigates the dangers of living with six brothers, and comes up against just what it means to be a girl at the turn of the century.

Each chapter in this book has an except for Darwin’s Evolution of Species book, the vocabulary in this book is phenomenal, it has some words that even I had to look up and I feel my vocab is adequate.  My son who is 8 and daughter who is 7, listened intently every night to the chapter we would read.  Even the 1 and 3-year-old listened some nights.

This book really brings to light how far women have come in earning rights and respect in many male predominant fields.  Callie Vee wants to be a scientist and go to the University, her mother wants her to be a domesticated women, typical of this time.  Callie has 6 brothers, so she feels the pressure of her mothers desire.

Her Grandfather is an open-minded, mad scientist of sorts, the relationship that builds between them is empowering and inspiring.

Our family fell into many conversations at the dinner table regarding the topics in this book as well as timeline and historical achievements in women’s lib, and how amazing science and nature are.   Read and enjoy, and feel free to add your thoughts on this book.