21. February 2010 by Shannon.

Susan Wise Bauer, known among homeschool circles as the author of the Story of the World series and also The Well Trained Mind, has written the first two books in a highschool history series similar in concept to the Story of the World.  The first two books are The History of the Ancient World: From Earliest Accounts to the Fall of Rome and The History of the Medieval World: From the Conversion of Constantine to the First Crusade. 

When I was in school I had absolutely no luck with history teachers.  All the way through I think my teachers thought history more boring than even their students did.  I didn’t understand history… I mean, I was the kind of kid who spent hours listening to my grandparents tell tales of their youth, and of stories of their parents’ lifetimes.  I knew somewhere in the back of my brain that the stories went back further and that those people must have lived lives similar in challenge and feelings as my wonderful grandparents did.  Unfortunately it was all locked up in dry textbooks that gave no insight into the passions and motivations of these Ancient Peoples.  It was lists of dates and battles and declarations.  There was no teaching about WHY.  And of course anyone who has ever spent time with a child knows that the only question that Really Matters is WHY?

I wish Susan Wise Bauer was not a peer of mine.  I wish she’d lived at least two generations before me, so that her work might have made it into my radar as a child, and that burning question could have been transformed into a solid understanding of History - especially the “Middle Ages”.  What young girl doesn’t dream of being a princess with ladies in waiting?  What young man’s heart does not beat a little faster at the very idea of duals and knight’s quests?  Ms. Bauer has created a place to kindle these dreams and interests.

As with all her work, this is a very thorough book - and is no way limited to the history of the European world.  The material is challenging enough for an adult but presented in a way as to inspire continued reading.  I am currently using the Story of the World and it’s activity guides with my Littles and having great success and recently started these higher level books with my Bigs.  Over the summer I read through The History of the Ancient World and learned a great deal.  The same holds true for my review reading of The History of the Medieval World.  I found my eyes opened to many things I never learned in school.  I remember having just one passionate history teacher in all my years of schooling, and that man was teaching Canadian History in the tenth grade (a little too late, imho).  So all the details of World History was lost to me.  That’s not to say I wasn’t interested, I was!  Since leaving highschool, I have done abundant reading of historical fiction, biographies and autobiographies - but each book became a big investment both mentally and financially (I love to own the books I read, but I’m learning to use the library as much as it pains me to send my “friends” back at the end of our time together *grin*).  Susan’s “History Of” books afford me the chance to see the world as it was, to see the connections between the Peoples of Old… and to be able to afford to keep these friends with me for future “visits”.

The writing in each “story” is engaging and clear.  It connects you to the stories with maps and even original text quotes.  For anyone who has never spent time reading how the early (as it was happening) historians recorded the events of their day, I really encourage you to spend time reading some… people then were just like people today.  They all saw the world as “worse in this generation than ever before” (sound familiar?).  When we see these people as “people” and not as “historical figures beyond our grasp of understanding” - we really get to know History.  Susan Wise Bauer has provided such an opportunity, and anyone who reads her “The History Of” books is sure to be changed in their view of by-gone times.

I have no idea if anything like a “Guide for High School Students” (with essay questions and answer keys) will ever become available for the homeschooling community - but using the Well-Educated Mind as a guide, I’m leading my Bigs and myself through this series with great success.  I look forward to seeing the next installment - and thank the generous people at Peace Hill Press for the opportunity to honestly review this book for free. 

Blessings!

P.S.  Here are some links to some of the other products by Susan Wise Bauer.

As a review blogger,  I am provided a free copy of the book, curriculum or product to test and use in order to write an honest review. I receive no other compensation and the opinions I share are my own and not influenced by the company in question.

Posted in F is for FANTASTIC!, Literature | Print | 2 Comments »

29. January 2010 by Shannon.

Another Revell Blog Tour book!!  (I love my “job” *grin*)

The Hidden Flame takes us back to the very foundations of the Christian Church.  Back to the time of the Apostles… and their helpers.  As with all churches, there is much work done by the “invisible people” (no offence, and I do not believe these people’s works go unnoticed by our Heavenly Father).  Abigail is one of those “invisible people”… a behind the scenes kinda girl.  Orphaned with her younger brother, she serves the people following The Way dutifully, even though she is in great pain both physically and emotionally.  And now along come two suitors, both unbidden, looking to have her as their wife.  With a cast which includes Stephen, Martha, Peter and many other familiar figures of the Early Church, this is truly an incredible book by author team Davis Bunn & Janette Oke.   Abigail’s journey of faith, of learning to rely fully on God and trusting in His good plans for our lives, is not only a good read.. it’s good encouragement for those of us facing challenging circumstances which we feel we can not control.  Bunn & Oke remind us gently throughout the novel - sometimes in the words of people we know and love like Martha - that God is in control… and that He loves us.

The writing style was enjoyable to read, and the historical insights captured my imagination and had me often forgetting I was reading a romance novel.  There is another book by this author team called The Centurion’s Wife which I’m looking forward to buying soon to enjoy more of this style of historical fiction.

** a little side note… and I didn’t realise this till right now, but did you know that Janette Oke (pronounced Oak) is from Canada?  I know… silly thing not to have known, but she is.. Yay for Canada! :o)

Available 2010 at your favourite bookseller.

As a review blogger,  I am provided a free copy of the book, curriculum or product to test and use in order to write an honest review. I receive no other compensation and the opinions I share are my own and not influenced by the company in question.

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26. January 2010 by Shannon.

The first book I get to review for the Revell January Blog Tour (doesn’t that sound so nice? I’m on a tour! LOL!) is The Choice by Suzanne Woods Fisher, who is also the author of Amish Peace, Simple Wisdom for a Complicated World.  I don’t know much about the Amish besides buggies and their desire to shun all modern conveniences… so I was curious to learn while reading this book.  I wasn’t disappointed!!

The story is pretty much like any other romance novel, with all it’s unpoken feelings and love triangles… but this novel has a comforting godly twist… Carrie Weaver is not looking for love, she’s already found it in the heart of one of her community’s “black sheep” who has plans to run away with her to join a local baseball team.  But life doesn’t always go the way we planned… and just as they are preparing to “escape”, the Lord calls her father home to Him, the love of her life leaves without her, and she finds herself accepting a marriage proposal with a man who is almost a stranger to her.  Carrie’s life is very typical in that often we have seasons of trials that feel like they last forever.  When one thing after another goes wrong in her life, Carrie finds herself struggling with her faith, her community restrictions, and her Choice. 

The highlights in this book are the colourful characters (”Steelhead” comes to mind) who, although seems rough around the edges, have a fervent love of the Lord.  I also learned a lot of little tips (like how to hang laundry!) which I’ll remember probably for the rest of my life.   The simpleness of the Amish lifestyle appeals to me, even if I couldn’t imagine giving up my front loading washing maching, and so I found the “little things” in the book most interesting.  The writing style is enjoyable to read.  I was surprised to find that overall I enjoyed the book, and would definately recommend it to any of my friends over the typical romance novel out there. 

Available January 2010 at your favourite bookseller.

As a review blogger,  I am provided a free copy of the book, curriculum or product to test and use in order to write an honest review. I receive no other compensation and the opinions I share are my own and not influenced by the company in question.

Posted in Literature | Print | 2 Comments »

27. November 2009 by Shannon.

Okay.. maybe not QUITE yet, but what better way to prepare for the upcoming season than to warm your heart with a couple of nice Christmas novels?

I’m not generally a novel reader, to be honest, but I do love a good Christmas story.  I was blessed enough to be given the opportunity to review The Christmas Dog by Melody Carlson and The Unfinished Gift by Dan Walsh.  My thanks to the publishers for such a lovely pre-holiday gift!

The Christmas Dog tells the tale of a grandmother living in a “going downhill” town.  As Christmas approaches she debates the merit of staying in the home that she and her late husband shared so many memories or selling it and moving closer to her grown children.  The arrival of a secretive, undesireable neighbour has brought a grey cloud to the once community-centered neighbourhood.  Add in an unexpected visit from her wayward grand daughter and an unwelcome mud-covered pooch and well, you’ve got the makings of a wonderfully heartwarming tale of forgiveness and charity.  So many people today walk through their lives without seeing the many little miracles and blessings all around them.  Betty was becoming one of those people till some strange circumstances get a hold of her.

This books is a wonderful holiday treat, reminding us of the true spirit of Christmas… the spirit of giving of ourselves as a offering to He who was born in a stable so long ago.  Forgiving those who have harmed us, opening the door to those we may not want, and believing in those who need our encouragement.  The Christmas Dog looks past the pretty decorated windows and holiday store music and looks into the heart of the true meaning of Christmas. 

The Unfinished Gift is the first novel of the Senior Pastor of Grace Church in Dayton Beach, Florida.  This is by far one of the best Christmas books I have ever read!  The only thing crotchety old Ian Collins wants is to be left alone.  Estranged from his son, a WW2 fighter pilot, Mr. Collins suddenly finds himself the sole guardian of his 7 year old grandson, Patrick.  The only thing Patrick wants this Christmas is his daddy home from the war… and a forbidden treasure he found gathering dust in his grandfather’s attic. 

I don’t want to spoil all the exciting twists and turns this incredible page-turner has to offer, but in the end there are mended hearts, new friends, tearful reunions and the gift of God’s forgiveness and abundant blessing everywhere.  And some thing special for a very special little boy.  Although this book does not come with tissues, I would advise that a box be wrapped along with it… to wipe the tears of sorrow AND joy this book will trigger.  I will be watching this new author for another installment of his talented writing skills!

I would HIGHLY recommend both of these books for the book-lover on your Christmas List. 

As a review blogger,  I am provided a free copy of the book, curriculum or product to test and use in order to write an honest review. I receive no other compensation and the opinions I share are my own and not influenced by the company in question.

Posted in F is for FANTASTIC!, Literature | Print | 1 Comment »

17. July 2009 by Shannon.

Summer is here and we’re too busy playing outside (well, sometimes.. we are getting a lot of rain this summer!) so I’ve been a little MIA.  But books are never far from my thoughts… children’s books topping the list in my library.  SO, you can imagine how excited I was when I heard that Bookcloseouts is having a HUGE children’s book sale (please tell me you’ve heard of Bookcloseouts!).

Since I’m pressed for time - there is a little girl at my elbow begging Mama to go start a “marshmallow fire” (you know, a cookout fire so she can cook marshmallows) - I thought I’d just share the banner I got notifying me of the sale and I’ll leave it for you to go check out all the goodies.  But please leave me SOMETHING… okay?  I’ll be heading over there later when the Littles are in bed! *grin*

Blessings!

Posted in F is for FANTASTIC!, Literature | Print | 1 Comment »

12. February 2009 by Shannon.

We are a spoiled family. As a Bible lovin’ Mom, I am very big on making sure we have LOTS of great kids bible music to listen to in our home.  So you can imagine how excited I was to receive a copy of a music CD called Bible Story Songs in the mail to review!! 

Unfortunately, our excitement didn’t last too long.  I did mention that we are spoiled when it comes to Bible music and CDs for the kids… so that isn’t to say that this is worthless (the Word of God is never worthless), but the members of this house found the CD to be a little on the annoying side, often asking that it be turned off before we even finished the whole CD.  That is unusual for my kids, we just love music. 

I think that part of our issue is that the creators of Bible Story Songs have taken familiar hymns/songs and changed the words to make a new song about a Bible story - my kids, familiar with some of those songs found it confusing.  And, personally, as much as I love Bible stories, we have a particular preference for scripture CDs (which take actual scripture verses and put them to music, not just paraphrase a story).  The CD reminded me a lot of Sunday School songs, of which neither myself nor my children are big fans.

I had to really think about this review.  I don’t want to give the impression that the CD has no merit… it’d make a nice travelling CD if you have little ones with no “set in their ways” tastes yet in Bible music, it would also be an excellent background music for a church nursery school class, or during rest time in a christian daycare.  The philosophy is sound and good - I believe that it is very important to teach our children the stories of their Christian heritage, but again, our PERSONAL preference is for scripture verses put to music, not story songs. 

But I know lots of young children who would love this kind of music CD, so I still recommend it.  Anything that puts the Word of God into the hearts of our children can’t be all bad… right?  LOL!  So… if you aren’t as spoiled as we are… please, do not hesitate to try out Bible Story Songs, at only $10 a CD, it’s worth trying out and seeing if it’s a good fit for YOUR family!

Blessings!

As a review blogger,  I am provided a free copy of the book, curriculum or product to test and use in order to write an honest review. I receive no other compensation and the opinions I share are my own and not influenced by the company in question.

Posted in Literature | Print | No Comments »