The Quiet Book

Name of Book:  The Quiet Book Author:  Deborah Underwood Illustrator:  Renata Liwska Publisher:  Houghton Mifflin Books for Children ISBN:  978-0547215679 Audience:  Ages 3 and up; may work well as part of an intergenerational conversation. Summary:  This picture book explores the many kinds of “quiet” that we experience throughout our lives. Young animals are seen in [...]

Ted Studebaker: A Man Who Loved Peace

Name of Book:  Ted Studebaker: A Man Who Loved Peace Author:  Joy Hofacker Moore Illustrator: Jim Guenther Publisher:  Herald Press, 1987 ISBN:  9780836134278 Audience:  From the words of the author, “I perceive this book as one that touches all persons, form the two-year-old who becomes excited about the tractor to the adult who marvels at [...]

Ender’s Game

Name of Book:  Ender’s Game Author: Orson Scott Card Publisher: Tom Doherty Associates ISBN: 9780812550702 Audience:  Ages 12+ Summary:  Aliens, known as the buggers, have attacked Earth twice and almost destroyed the human species.  Although it has been years since the last attack, the world wants to make sure humans win the next encounter, so [...]

Bibliography: Peace

Sometimes after a particular book review, we get emails asking for other suggestions about books on that same topic.  While it isn’t always possible to reply individually to ever question, we do save those questions and work on developing bibliographies to share with our readers that might help them explore other stories around similar topics. [...]

Welcome Janet Lloyd! (And her review of Potatoes, Potatoes)

Some of you may remember that when we began the Lectionary Links feature on this blog, I spoke about discovering a series about 15 years called Joy and Wonder in All God’s Works.  Today, I’m even more excited to tell you that we’ve discovered the author of that series and she is going to be [...]

Listen to the Wind

Name of Book: Listen to the Wind: The Story of Dr. Greg & Three Cups of Tea Author: Greg Mortenson & Susan L. Roth Illustrator: Susan L. Roth Publisher: Dial Books for Young Readers Audience: Ages 3-6 Summary: A story told from the perspective of the children present in the village when changes occurred, based [...]

Amazing Peace

Name of Book:   Amazing Peace- A Christmas Poem Author:   Maya Angelou Illustrator:   Steve Johnson and Lou Fancher Publisher:  Schwartz and Wade Books Audience:  Ages 6-9 Summary:  This poem by Maya Angelou begins as an African American family trudges through the cold snow wondering if God is indeed still there.  As the family continues on their [...]

The Librarian of Basra

Name of Book: The Librarian of Basra Author:  Jeanette Winter Illustrator: Jeanette Winter Publisher: Harcourt Inc. Audience:   This book is written for all ages – however the faith questions here are for older adolescents. Middle school up. Summary: This book is the true story of Alia Muhammad Baker, a librarian in Basra Iraq.  The invasion [...]

Whoever You Are

Name of Book: Whoever You Are Author: Mem Fox Illustrator: Leslie Staub Publisher: Voyager Books, Harcourt Publisher’s Intended Audience: Ages 3 – 7 Summary: Whoever You Are is the powerful, and yet simply told tale of our common humanity—“Whoever you are; wherever you are.” Literary Elements at Work: One of the most effective literary elements [...]