Featured Reviews
Mind Joggers! 5 to 15 Minute Activities that Make Kids Think
by Susan Petreshene Review by Karen Lange
I happened across this book at the library one day, and liked it so much I bought my own copy! It was a great treasure, fun and useful while homeschooling my three kids, and something that complemented our co-ops with other homeschool families. Despite the fact that this book is meant for grades K-6, I was able to adapt several activities into games and writing exercises for our junior and senior high co-ops, too.
This book was written to address small time gaps in the classroom with short thought provoking activities for students in grades K-6. I am pleased to report that it is quite user-friendly for the homeschool family as well. Included in the book are 153 brief activities in four major subject and skill areas: Thinking and Reasoning, Math, Language and Writing, and Listening and Remembering. The activities are meant to encourage creative thinking, introduce topics, review skills, and stretch thinking and reasoning skills.
The beginning segment of the book lists each of the activities by title, subject/skill targeted, grade level, and so on, so that you can see at a glance what is appropriate for your needs. It also includes a section with suggestions for easy and effective use. Included on the activity pages are directions, materials needed, type of activity (group, individual, or partner), variations, and other pertinent tips for use.
One activity in the K-3 Thinking and Reasoning section addresses the seasons. It encourages a quick review of each season, and then has a list of questions where the students must decide what season is the appropriate answer to the question. One Math section activity for 4-6th graders provides quick practice in dividing by 6 and 8. “Verb Pairs,” in the Language and Writing section, gives 3-5th graders practice with parts of speech.
These activities helped generate many discussions with my kids. We even used them occasionally while waiting for appointments, or on a day where not much structured schoolwork was likely to get done. One of my favorite ways to use the book was with our small writing co-ops. The activities made all the kids think a little faster on their feet with some low key, healthy, tests of and review of skills. Whatever the use, it was nice to have ready-made activities that would address areas I knew they’d benefit from practice in.
Mind Joggers delivers on its claim to make kids think. It is a wealth of quick and fun ideas to get the brain in gear and moving in the right direction.
William Henry is a Fine Name
Author Cathy Gohlke Review by Karen Lange
Genre – Historical Fiction Age – YA- Adult
Notes – 2007 Christy Award Publisher – Moody Press
Set in Maryland prior to the Civil War, this coming of age tale of thirteen-year-old Robert Glover is packed with action, adventure, laughter, and tears. We join Robert and his family at their home in Elkton, Maryland, where his father, Charles, works as overseer on a Quaker farm. Mr. Heath, Charles’ employer, freed his slaves, and now pays them to work the land alongside Charles and Robert. Robert’s mother Caroline hails from a prominent slave holding family in North Carolina, and loyalties are challenged when The Underground Railroad is nearly discovered in Robert’s area.
Many secrets are revealed the summer Robert turns thirteen, including the fact that Mr. Heath and Robert’s father work with The Underground Railroad. William Henry, son of freed slaves that work for Mr. Heath, is Robert’s best friend. Robert and William Henry grew up together, but until that summer, William Henry has a better idea than Robert of why skin color matters.
Robert also meets his North Carolina relatives that year, which further clarifies his growing convictions concerning slavery. Will Robert step up and fill the shoes his Grandfather wants him to fill as sole heir of the North Carolina family plantation? Or will Robert join his father in the Underground Railroad?
Cathy Gohlke paints an inspiring and realistic portrait of life just prior to the Civil War. Robert’s story serves to richly illuminate the past while entertaining the reader. The book’s informative and entertaining value will appeal to ages 12-100. It would also be an excellent teaching tool for those studying American history. This book is a marvelous testimony to the genre of historical fiction. In my opinion, this book is a winner!
Parental Note: William Henry is a Fine Name contains subject matter pertaining to the realities of slavery. Depending on the ages and maturity levels of your children, you may wish to preview this book before allowing your children to read it or using it as a read aloud. I recommend this as independent reading for mature preteens and up.
I Have Seen Him in the Watchfires
Author Cathy Gohlke Genre – Historical Fiction
Age – YA- Adult Note – 2009 Christy Award Nominee
Publisher – Moody Press
Robert Glover faces more choices in this sequel to William Henry is a Fine Name. This time, we join Robert near his eighteenth birthday at his home in Maryland. The Civil War rages on, and Robert’s father Charles is away, working for the Union making maps. Robert’s mother Caroline has decided to stay on her father’s plantation in North Carolina. Despite his desire to fight for the Union, Robert promised his father that he would not enlist until he turns eighteen.
Emily, Robert’s cousin, asks him to visit her father, an officer in the Confederate army. Uncle Albert is being held as a prisoner of war at Fort Delaware. Robert agrees, due in part to family obligation, but mostly because he loves Emily. After he visits Albert, Robert plans to go help his mother, who he has not seen in four years.
Robert involuntarily gets caught in a prison escape plan, derailing his plans to travel to North Carolina. He is abducted, left for dead, and faces charges as a spy, challenging his integrity, his endurance, and his faith. Robert’s adventures include new friends, a persistent enemy, and even a friend from his past travels on the Underground Railroad.
This book is a roller coaster reading adventure packed with action and intrigue. We see Robert mature and find his place in life while coning to terms with family secrets. It is a wonderful story that gives the reader thoughtful insight into days gone by. Robert’s story brings history to life, and it would serve as a great teaching tool for this era. If you liked William Henry is a Fine Name, you are sure to enjoy Cathy Gohlke’s satisfying conclusion to Robert’s story.
Parental Note: I Have Seen Him in the Watchfires contains subject matter pertaining to the realities of war and post Civil War slavery. Depending on the ages and maturity levels of your children, you may wish to preview this book before allowing your children to read it or using it as a read aloud. I recommend this as independent reading for mature preteens and up.
Reviews by Karen Lange. Karen homeschooled her three children K-12. She is a freelance writer, homeschool consultant, and creator of the Homeschool Online Creative Writing Co-op for teens. Visit her website at www.hswritingcoop.bravehost.com. Copyright 2009, used with permission.
Mind Joggers! 5 to 15 Minute Activities that Make Kids Think
by Susan Petreshene Review by Karen Lange
I happened across this book at the library one day, and liked it so much I bought my own copy! It was a great treasure, fun and useful while homeschooling my three kids, and something that complemented our co-ops with other homeschool families. Despite the fact that this book is meant for grades K-6, I was able to adapt several activities into games and writing exercises for our junior and senior high co-ops, too.
This book was written to address small time gaps in the classroom with short thought provoking activities for students in grades K-6. I am pleased to report that it is quite user-friendly for the homeschool family as well. Included in the book are 153 brief activities in four major subject and skill areas: Thinking and Reasoning, Math, Language and Writing, and Listening and Remembering. The activities are meant to encourage creative thinking, introduce topics, review skills, and stretch thinking and reasoning skills.
The beginning segment of the book lists each of the activities by title, subject/skill targeted, grade level, and so on, so that you can see at a glance what is appropriate for your needs. It also includes a section with suggestions for easy and effective use. Included on the activity pages are directions, materials needed, type of activity (group, individual, or partner), variations, and other pertinent tips for use.
One activity in the K-3 Thinking and Reasoning section addresses the seasons. It encourages a quick review of each season, and then has a list of questions where the students must decide what season is the appropriate answer to the question. One Math section activity for 4-6th graders provides quick practice in dividing by 6 and 8. “Verb Pairs,” in the Language and Writing section, gives 3-5th graders practice with parts of speech.
These activities helped generate many discussions with my kids. We even used them occasionally while waiting for appointments, or on a day where not much structured schoolwork was likely to get done. One of my favorite ways to use the book was with our small writing co-ops. The activities made all the kids think a little faster on their feet with some low key, healthy, tests of and review of skills. Whatever the use, it was nice to have ready-made activities that would address areas I knew they’d benefit from practice in.
Mind Joggers delivers on its claim to make kids think. It is a wealth of quick and fun ideas to get the brain in gear and moving in the right direction.
William Henry is a Fine Name
Author Cathy Gohlke Review by Karen Lange
Genre – Historical Fiction Age – YA- Adult
Notes – 2007 Christy Award Publisher – Moody Press
Set in Maryland prior to the Civil War, this coming of age tale of thirteen-year-old Robert Glover is packed with action, adventure, laughter, and tears. We join Robert and his family at their home in Elkton, Maryland, where his father, Charles, works as overseer on a Quaker farm. Mr. Heath, Charles’ employer, freed his slaves, and now pays them to work the land alongside Charles and Robert. Robert’s mother Caroline hails from a prominent slave holding family in North Carolina, and loyalties are challenged when The Underground Railroad is nearly discovered in Robert’s area.
Many secrets are revealed the summer Robert turns thirteen, including the fact that Mr. Heath and Robert’s father work with The Underground Railroad. William Henry, son of freed slaves that work for Mr. Heath, is Robert’s best friend. Robert and William Henry grew up together, but until that summer, William Henry has a better idea than Robert of why skin color matters.
Robert also meets his North Carolina relatives that year, which further clarifies his growing convictions concerning slavery. Will Robert step up and fill the shoes his Grandfather wants him to fill as sole heir of the North Carolina family plantation? Or will Robert join his father in the Underground Railroad?
Cathy Gohlke paints an inspiring and realistic portrait of life just prior to the Civil War. Robert’s story serves to richly illuminate the past while entertaining the reader. The book’s informative and entertaining value will appeal to ages 12-100. It would also be an excellent teaching tool for those studying American history. This book is a marvelous testimony to the genre of historical fiction. In my opinion, this book is a winner!
Parental Note: William Henry is a Fine Name contains subject matter pertaining to the realities of slavery. Depending on the ages and maturity levels of your children, you may wish to preview this book before allowing your children to read it or using it as a read aloud. I recommend this as independent reading for mature preteens and up.
I Have Seen Him in the Watchfires
Author Cathy Gohlke Genre – Historical Fiction
Age – YA- Adult Note – 2009 Christy Award Nominee
Publisher – Moody Press
Robert Glover faces more choices in this sequel to William Henry is a Fine Name. This time, we join Robert near his eighteenth birthday at his home in Maryland. The Civil War rages on, and Robert’s father Charles is away, working for the Union making maps. Robert’s mother Caroline has decided to stay on her father’s plantation in North Carolina. Despite his desire to fight for the Union, Robert promised his father that he would not enlist until he turns eighteen.
Emily, Robert’s cousin, asks him to visit her father, an officer in the Confederate army. Uncle Albert is being held as a prisoner of war at Fort Delaware. Robert agrees, due in part to family obligation, but mostly because he loves Emily. After he visits Albert, Robert plans to go help his mother, who he has not seen in four years.
Robert involuntarily gets caught in a prison escape plan, derailing his plans to travel to North Carolina. He is abducted, left for dead, and faces charges as a spy, challenging his integrity, his endurance, and his faith. Robert’s adventures include new friends, a persistent enemy, and even a friend from his past travels on the Underground Railroad.
This book is a roller coaster reading adventure packed with action and intrigue. We see Robert mature and find his place in life while coning to terms with family secrets. It is a wonderful story that gives the reader thoughtful insight into days gone by. Robert’s story brings history to life, and it would serve as a great teaching tool for this era. If you liked William Henry is a Fine Name, you are sure to enjoy Cathy Gohlke’s satisfying conclusion to Robert’s story.
Parental Note: I Have Seen Him in the Watchfires contains subject matter pertaining to the realities of war and post Civil War slavery. Depending on the ages and maturity levels of your children, you may wish to preview this book before allowing your children to read it or using it as a read aloud. I recommend this as independent reading for mature preteens and up.
How Harwinton Got His Middle Name By Linda Machado Children’s Christian Fiction Ages 8-12 Xulon Press
We meet Harwinton Bear at his family home in the Dark Forest. He and Uriah Maaziah Pekiahiah Elisha Rabbit, also known as Bumper, are best friends. This unlikely pair shares all sorts of adventures, big and small. Their greatest adventure, however, occurs when a fire wipes out their home and separates them from their families. Harwinton and Bumper manage to escape the fire, but face the daunting task of gaining their bearings and merely surviving. Determined to find their loved ones, they set out, meeting some interesting characters along the way. These diverse characters include my favorite one, a friendly field mouse named PeppyRoni.
It’s interesting to note that Ms. Machado addresses hearing impaired issues in the book. There is a hearing impaired park ranger named Ranger George Goodwill who uses American Sign Language (ASL) and the teletypewriter (TTY). The book includes a brief but helpful explanation of ASL and the TTY for readers who are not familiar with either.
I think this would be a suitable family read aloud book for ages 5-8 or so, and independent reading for older children who might be interested. Machado uses interesting and vivid details to tell Harwinton’s story, and of course, how Harwinton gets his middle name.
Reviews by Karen Lange. Karen homeschooled her three children K-12. She is a freelance writer, homeschool consultant, and creator of the Homeschool Online Creative Writing Co-op for teens. Visit her website at www.hswritingcoop.bravehost.com. Copyright 2009, used with permission.
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