Review:The book was published in the 1930s and depicts Wisconsin pioneer life during the 1860s. While I found the book somewhat interesting, I think it may best serve nowadays as a historical snapshot of how even 'positive' portrayals of American Indians at the time were cringingly racist. Multiple instances of conversations between Caddie's family and the local American Indian tribe of the 'Ug, me Indian, you Red Hair' variety. Multiple references to 'savages' and 'half breeds.' In one scene that ... Read more

Review:I thought The Courage of Sarah Noble by Alice Dalgliesh was a great book for children. I think it reminds you to always keep up your courage. In the book at least once every chapter it says, "Keep up your courage." Always keep up your courage even more when you are in the wilderness because there are a lot of wild animals. Sarah Noble meets Indians along the way. At first she is only with her dad and horse, Thomas. Then her dad goes home to get all of Sarah's brothers and sisters. Sarah s... Read more

Review:Maid of Fairbourne Hall, The. I enjoyed this book because I love to read about England in the 1500. The different characters in the families are some time so different from each other. Makes you wonder how they fit with family they are in. Read more

Review:This book follows the pattern of the other Julie Klassen books, It is well written but predictable. It is the kind of book you look for after reading something very intense. It is grounding and always has a moral. Read more

Review:Vulgar. I have enjoyed reading Julie Klassen books and even let my teenage daughter read them. I enjoyed the fact her books have great story lines and they were clean so that I was not worried about what my daughter read. This book made me blush. Just because you throw God in the story does NOT make it okay to throw sex scenes in. Yes, God is a God of forgiveness but I believe all the "details" of the sins could have been left out.
Very disappointed even in this particular story line it rea... Read more

Review:Another beautiful Klassen book. Clearly the author does her research: the time period, the painting world, the war. I don't have much to add, but it was a thoroughly enjoyable story. I look forward to each Klassen book as they come out, and I'm never disappointed. Read more

Review:Although this book is geared toward young adults, I was interested in reading it because it takes place in Rockaway, NY - my home town. I enjoyed the content and the fact that the book deals with the themes of loss, love and war in an age-appropriate way. What I couldn't get over, however, was the constant reference to Cross Bay Boulevard as if it's in Rockaway. It's not and never has been. This glaring factual error detracted hugely from the book for me, unfortunately. Read more

Review:.

The year 2015 marks the 70th anniversary of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki

The narrative is about Amaterasu, who along with her husband leave Japan after the war. Amaterasu is living in a retirement home in the United Sates, her daughter Yuko and grandson Hideo died when the Americans attacked Nagasaki with an atom bomb. Amaterasu is truly alone as her husband has passed away and there is nobody else who is close to her, in her new homeland. When one day someone, w... Read more

Review:First three stories were fairly good -- not great because the narrative felt hurried, but certainly readable. The last story made the whole book worthless for me. The final story was about a modern day woman going back in time to the regency era and falling in love there. For those who love the idea of merging the two eras, my critique is useless. But for regency enthusiasts, this time-travel twist was unnecessary drivel. I now wish I could get my money back... Read more

Review:I really enjoyed this book! Riding Freedom is an excellent book to read to elementary and middle school students. As a young girl, Charlotte, knew what she wanted to do with her life. Charlotte knew she wanted to work with horses and have her own ranch someday with her best friend Hay from the orphanage. Charlotte very much disliked the orphanage and Mr. Millshark, the owner, so she ran away. Charlotte had to disguise herself so no one would recognize her after she ran away. She dressed as... Read more