War Horse by Michael Marpurgo

Last year I had several students - boys - who loved to read about history. I saw the previews for this at the movies and I realized that it was based on a book. Stories about animals always really choke me up, but I knew that I had to read this book.

I'm SO glad that I did!!! I love horses and if for no other reason, this book is a wonderful horse story. That said, it is also so much more than that! It's a story of love, trust, friendship, courage and loyalty. The personification used by the author for the horse, Joey, represents the best in all of us and all we hope to be. It reminded me much of the timeless classic, Black Beauty, but of course, more from a boys perspective. Like Black Beauty, it is told from the perspective of the horse, Joey. It is a brilliant story but if you read it ( and I highly recommend that you do!) better have the tissues handy! Joey and all the characters of this treasure are unforgettable.

I recommend this for readers of all ages, especially those with an interest in history. Great book for boys!

Reading Update

This is the story of Elizabeth the first and her life long love, Robert Dudley, the Earl of Leicester. It's a tragic love story, a reminder to everyone that love has the be cherished and nurtured. Elizabeth and Robert loved one another from childhood, but because of her past and her place in the world, they just couldn't seem to get it right. They had an intriguing history together that ranges from the halls of Henry the 8th's Tudor court, to the Tower of London and finally to the dazzling court of Elizabeth herself. Dudley was one of Elizabeth's most trusted companions and advisors. Throughout her life she referred to him as Eyes because he saw and understood everything. If you enjoy history, this book is well worth the reading.
There is much obscure history in it, like Elizabeth's relationship with her Boleyn cousins, Francis Drake and Walter Raleigh make their appearances, and many other fascinating characters. I enjoyed this book tremendously and it gave me an even greater reverence for a truly great Queen.








This book is, of course, about the famous Bronte sisters. Charlotte, who wrote Jane Eyre and Emily, who wrote Wuthering Heights. This book goes deep into their background and their time growing up as children. The hardships that they faced were daunting and yet they stayed together as a family. I was amazed to see characters and places that I recognized as their story unfolded. So much of their great literary contributions were inspired by their real story.
I do believe that writers often write what they know, and that truly great stories come from within. As an aspiring writer it is both inspiring and intimidating to be reminded of this as I search for my own story.

Up net - currently working on the Secret Speech by Tim Robbins Smith - a follow up to the amazing Child 44. I am also reading The Dumbest Generation, a scary yet true evaluation of children growing up in the digital age. More later.

Band of Angels

This was our recent book club selection. I'm trying to step back and let the other ladies lead a little more, after all, the point of a book club is reading a book that you normally wouldn't. This was one of those books.

It was an interesting book written about a time and place that I know very little about. War is a terrible thing, but imagining what war must have been like in the in the mid 1800's. Part of this book is based on a true story. The Crimean war was a horrible and costly conflict. The British lost thousands to typhus and malaria alone. British outcry over the treatment of soldiers in the Crimea finally brought enough pressure to bear that Florence Nightingale was given permission to take 30 nurses to help to the hospital in Scutari. This is one nurse's story. For those of you interested in this sort of thing, you can read more about the actual history behind the story here

All the fascinating history aside, this book is basically a love story. The love story aspect was refreshing for the time period in which it is based. The female lead, Catherine, is actually an extremely strong character who does what she feels she must, in spite of her lovers thoughts and objections.

I'm glad I read the book, but would only give it a three out of five stars. It's not a must..... but I did feel like I learned something. I went into it thinking it was a glorified romance novel and it was much more than that!

Very exciting about my summer reading! Now I am working on the Infinity Tower by Sara Douglass who I adore! If you like fantasy, the Wayfarer Redemption is a great book. Then perhaps the Overton Window, The Passage, The Lion's Game and more. The library and my Nook are full of endless possibilities and I have some catching up to do.

My fifth graders gave me a gift card to Borders. Those children are geniuses!