Longitude

Longitude: The True Story of a Lone Genius Who Solved the Greatest Scientific Problem of His Time by Dava Sobel
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I knew a basic sketch about John Harrison from studying him with my kids, but this wowed me from start to finish.

William Bradford: Pilgrim Boy

William Bradford: Pilgrim Boy by Bradford Smith
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A great introduction to William Bradford, the governor of Plymouth Colony. Perfect for upper elementary-aged students.

Luther, the Leader

Luther, The Leader by Virgil E. Robinson
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

An good overview of Martin Luther and the origins of the Protestant movement. However, one glaring historical inaccuracy has me questioning the rest of it...Martin Luther did NOT write Away in a Manger.

Strength in What Remains

Strength in What Remains: A Journey of Remembrance and Forgiveness by Tracy Kidder

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

It wasn't an easy read, but I found it inspiring and I know it will stick with me. It is also a good book club book. There is lots to discuss.

To the Rescue

To the Rescue: The Biography of Thomas S. Monson by Heidi S. Swinton
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Inspiring man. I didn't love the writing style, but this is certainly well worth reading.

Heaven Is Here

Heaven Is Here: An Incredible Story of Hope, Triumph, and Everyday Joy by Stephanie Nielson

On the library stacks: Adult Biography
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I should say up front that I know Stephanie and her sweet family. We lived in the same area in New Jersey for a couple of years and we went to church together. In August 2008, Stephanie (a popular blogger), her husband Christian, and their friend and flight instructor Doug were in an airplane crash. Doug passed away after a short time, Christian broke his back and has burns on 30% of his body, and Stephanie has burns on nearly 80% of her body.

This book starts out talking some about the crash. Then it goes back in time to Stephanie's upbringing, her love story with Christian, and then chronicles their life together until the time of the crash. After the crash, Stephanie discusses how hard it was to accept her new self, to connect with her children again after being in a coma for months, and to move forward in a different life to the one she had planned.

I think the highest recommendation I can give this book is that I can hear Stephanie's voice throughout the book. Not only is it well-written, but the sentiments are authentic and genuine. I read the book in one sitting, both laughing and crying as I read. I think this would make a great book club pick and a great gift. I've already purchased one for a friend.

Source: Library

Tuesdays with Morrie

Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom

AR Book Level: 5.5
On the library stacks: Adult Biography
Awards: ABBY Children's Award/Honor Book; Christopher Award

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

For those who aren't familiar with this book (or the movie) this is the story of the last days of one of Mitch Albom's professors, Morrie Schwartz, who passed away from Lou Gehrig disease. Mitch visited Morrie for 13 Tuesdays and recorded the life lessons Morrie taught.

Nothing in the book was really new or earth-shattering, but it's a book that is a good reminder about the important things in life. It's a sweet story and I was surprised at how emotional I got at the ending. I think I liked The Last Lecture better, but this is a quick read and well worth the time.

Here's my favorite quote:

Aging is not just decay, you know. It's growth. It's more than the negative that you're going to die, it's also the positive that you understand that you're going to die, and that you live a better life because of it...if you've found meaning in your life, you don't want to go back. You want to go forward. You want to see more, do more.

Source: BookMooch

Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother

Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother by Amy Chua

On the library stacks: Adult Biography
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I was originally scared that reading this book would upset me. But our book club decided we would read it this month so we would really have something to talk about. I read this book in one sitting. It's fast-paced, surprisingly funny and thought-provoking.

Amy Chua is a professor of law at Yale. She and her husband Jed have two daughters named Sophia and Lulu. Amy and Jed decided early on that Amy would raise the children in the Chinese way, and that the kids would be raised Jewish like Jed.

Amy explains the differences between the Chinese mother and the Western mother. Yes, she forced her kids to do hours of piano and violin practice. They had to be #1 in most of their classes at school. But she has good reasons for this. Amy believes that self-esteem for kids comes by making them do hard things. They will feel good about themselves after their dedication pays off and they accomplish something difficult. And Amy stands by her kids every step of the way--through every practice session and rehearsal, driving them wherever they need to be, and all while holding down a full-time job. I honestly don't know when this woman sleeps.

While I question some of Amy's methods, I think her principles are quite valid. However, the one weakness in this book for me is that it doesn't really have an ending. She began writing the book when Lulu rebels, trying to make sense of it all. And really, how Lulu turns out and the backlash from her mother's strict parenting is still to be determined. Still, there is much to think about here and I can't wait to discuss it.

Check out: Amy's website & Sophia's New York Post article in defense of her mother

Also reviewed by: Planet Books ~ In the Pages... ~ BestBooks ~ Bloggin' 'bout Books ~ Your link here?
Source: Library

Alive

Alive: The Story of the Andes Survivors by Piers Paul Read

AR Reading Level: 7.7
On the library stacks: Adult non-fiction
Recommended for: Grades 9+

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Years ago I saw this movie. I'm not sure I knew it was a book until recently, but reading this book is just as eye-opening as watching the film.

In 1972 a plane carrying a team of Uruguayan rugby players crashed in the Andes mountains on their way to Chile. 16 of the 45 people on board survived for 70 days on the snow-covered mountains by resorting to cannibalism. Eventually, the snow melted enough that two of the men were able to climb out and find help.

This is an incredible story. It is a little grisly, of course, but inspiring as well. I liked that it was written in the tone of a newspaper article. The author stuck with the facts and left moralizing out of it. This story is an amazing testament to our human will to survive and helped me to appreciate the gift of life even more.

Also reviewed by: The Book Nest ~ Your link here?

Book 89 of 100 for the 100+ Reading Challenge, Book 50 of 50 for the New Author Challenge
Source: BookMooch

Our Eleanor

Our Eleanor: A Scrapbook Look at Eleanor Roosevelt's Remarkable Life by Candace Fleming

AR Reading Level: 8.0
On the library stacks: YA Non-fiction
Awards: SLJ Best Book; VOYA Award/Honor; ALA Best Book for Young Adults; ALA Notable/Best Books
Recommended for: Ages 12+

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

After reading The Lincolns last year, I've had this one high up on on my TBR list. Similar in style to The Lincolns, this book contains letters, photographs, newspaper clippings and other mementos from the life of Eleanor Roosevelt.

This is a truly fascinating book that I really enjoyed reading. The weird thing is that I like Eleanor significantly less now than when I started the book! Eleanor was not a good mother to her 5 children, had a passive-aggressive relationship with her mother-in-law, ignored FDR while she pursued her own political goals, and she was an anti-Semite. At the same time, however, she was a champion of the poor, the aged, (most) minorities, servicemen, the homeless and the unemployed. Many of the government welfare programs of today stem from her encouragement during FDR's unprecedented 3+ terms in the White House.

I had a few minor quibbles with the book. It needed a little more editing. Sometimes the same fact would appear just pages apart, as if we had never learned it before. Also, there were parts where I felt like the author's personal feelings got in the way. Her assumptions of what was good or bad about Eleanor, particularly in regard to political views, might not be the same for every person.

This is resource is a gem. Eleanor's influence on the world is legendary. Even though I may disagree with some of her political and moral views, I can't help but respect many of her amazing accomplishments. I would caution that this book should only be given to kids who are mature enough to handle discussions of FDR's marital infidelities and the question of Eleanor's own faithfulness and sexual preferences.

Also reviewed by: Gamila's Book Review ~ Through the Looking Glass

Book 81 of 100 for the 100+ Reading Challenge, Book 38 of 50 for the YA Reading Challenge, Book 22 of 25 for the Support Your Local Library Challenge

Source: Library

The Lincolns

The Lincolns: A Scrapbook Look at Abraham and Mary by Candace Fleming

Book 87 of 100 for the 100+ Reading Challenge
Book 19 of 50 for the New Author Challenge
Book 3 of 5 for the Book Awards III Challenge
Awards: NCTE Orbis Pictus Award/Honor Book; Booklist Editors' Choice; Horn Book Fanfare; Flora Stieglitz Straus Award; ALA Notable/Best Books; Kirkus Editors Choice; Los Angeles Times Book Prize; Boston Globe/Horn Book Award/Honors; Junior Library Guild Selection

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I kept my eye on the SLJ Battle of the Books this year and saw that this book was the contender against The Hunger Games in the third round judged by Chris Crutcher. I figured even though it lost (The Hunger Games ultimately won the whole thing) it still had to be pretty good.

Candace Fleming uses a scrapbook approach to tell the story of the lives of both Abraham and Mary Lincoln. On each page, there are copies of newspaper articles, lithographs, wood cuttings, photographs, and handwritten letters. Instead of just reading the history in words, the scrapbook approach helps add life and meaning to the fascinating lives of the Lincolns.

Don't get me wrong. The scrapbook approach is not frivolous. Even though it is 155 pages, it took me multiple days to read. I wanted to fully immerse myself, explore every page and cram as many facts into my head as it would hold. This book is written on an 8th grade level, and I think it is an excellent resource for anyone interested in a serious study of Abraham and Mary, their upbringing, their family, his career, and his Presidency and the Civil War. It is well-researched and documented and includes detailed notes and an index.

I understand that Fleming has a book about Eleanor Roosevelt done in a similar style. I will definitely be looking into that one in the future. This is a fabulous way to read history. I enjoyed it from the first page to the last.

Also reviewed by:

• The Well-Read Child
• books4yourkids.com
• A Comfy Chair and a Good Book

Have I missed yours?

Source: Library

Three Cups of Tea

Three Cups of Tea: One Man's Mission to Promote Peace . . . One School at a Time by Greg Mortenson

rating: 3 of 5 stars

This is the true story of Greg Mortensen's quest to build and staff schools for children, especially girls, in Pakistan and Afghanistan. As a mountain climber, he was taken in by a small village in a time of need. He promised them a school, and despite being broke himself, returned to make good on that promise. In the process, he realized that virtually no funds are reaching remote mountain villages for education. Through a lot of pluck and determination, today Mortensen runs the Central Asia Institute which has built 63 schools since 1996.

The first 100 pages were good. They really set the stage on Mortensen's personal life and make you realize how far he has come to be the man he is today. The second 100 pages slowed me W A Y down. That section portrays a lot of the technicalities of getting the job done--negotiating with the local tribes, raising funds, etc. The last 100 pages were probably the best. They cover his time in the region since 9/11 and effectively argue that secular schools in this terrorist-infested region will promote peace in ways that that bombs or missiles never can.

The book doesn't read as smoothly as I would have liked. Nor did I really feel that I totally understood Mortensen. His style of personal management and priorities just didn't jive with me. However, I have tremendous respect for him and his sacrificing family who are trying to make the world a better place, one person at a time.

They also reviewed it: bethany, Trixie, Just a (Reading) Fool
(let me know if you did also so I can add you)

The Red Leather Diary

Here's the most interesting part of this book:
Lily Koppel was a gossip columnist for the New York Times when she found the red leather diary in a dumpster outside her building. She decided to track down the owner, who miraculously was 90 years old and still alive.

Here's the rest of the book:
The owner of the diary, Florence Wolfson, grew up among the Manhattan elite in the '20s and '30s. For Florence, life was all about art, plays, music, literature, and sexual experimentation with both men and women. She was self-centered, moody, and melodramatic. Florence grew up with virtually no parental guidance and no religious or moral conviction.

It showed.

I thought in the intervening 70 years that maybe Florence would have learned what life is really about. Instead, when the diary was brought to her, she said she felt that during the rest of her life she had not been true to the "real" person she was--the person from the diary.

Ick.