Journey to the Center of the Earth

     Journey to the Center of the Earth was written by Jules Verne and was illustrated by Scott McKowen.This copy of the book was published in 2007 by the Sterling Publishing Co. You can get this book at your local library.

    

      It is the middle of the nineteenth century, and Prof. Otto Liedenbrock has made an amazing discovery: he has translated instructions on how to get to the center of the earth! Along with his nephew, Axel, and an Icelandic hunter, the three start out on their trek down the mouth of a volcanic crater and deep into the caverns of the earth. Are those giant mushrooms? And an underground ocean teeming with ichthyosaurui? And what about that twelve-foot-tall primitave man? Find out about all these discoveries and more in Journey to the Center of the Earth, a book you will want to read again and again!

The Cat Who Went to Heaven

        The Cat Who Went to Heaven was written by Elizabeth Coatsworth and was illustrated by Raoul Vitale. It was first published in 1930 and again in 1958. This edition was published in 2008 and can be gotten from Barnes and Noble. It is a Newberry Medal winner.

        A poor artist in ancient Japan is struggling because he has almost no money. It doesn't help when his housekeeper, instead of buying food with what little money they have, brings home a cat. Yet when the head priest commissions a painting of the Buddha for a large sum, the artist believes the cat has brought him luck. But when the artist includes the cat in his painting, he angers the head priest, making him poorer than he was before. It seems like his life is ruined - until he is rewarded for his act by a miracle. 

Homesick: My Own Story

     Homesick: My Own Story was written by Jean Fritz and was illustrated by Margot Tomes. It was published in 1982 and one a Newberry Honor medal. You can get this book at Barnes and Noble. It is an autobiography.
     Instead of roller-skating to her heart's content in America, ten-year-old Jean Fritz was stuck in China, singing "God save the king" at her British school and worrying about the cook she suspected was trying to poison her. This was a period of turmoil in China, and foreigners like her could be evacuated in a moments notice. Although she enjoyed sailing on the Yangtze and visiting her friend Andrea, she longed to be in the States where she really belonged.

Where the Mountain Meets the Moon

     Where the Mountain Meets the Moon was written and illustrated by Grace Lin. It was published in 2009 and has won a Newberry Honor award. You can get this book from Barnes and Noble. It is a book based on stories.
     Minli has lived in the Valley of Fruitless Mountain all her life with barely enough for her family and her. They slave all day in the unyielding rice paddies, coming home tired and hungry. The only enjoyable part of Minli's life were the stories Ba told at dinner. Ma was never happy with these stories, for they were all about changing someone's fortune, or something of the sort. As a result, she always sighed, for she was never satisfied with their meager belongings and always wanted more. Minli, sensing her mother's discontent, left home in search of the Old Man of the Moon, the man in Ba's stories that could change someone's fortune. Along the way, Minli meets some interesting characters with interesting results.

The Terrestria Chronicles #1: The Sword, the Ring, and the Parchment

     The Sword, the Ring, and the Parchment is an allegory written by Ed Dunlop. It has no illustrator, and was published in 2006. You can find this book at www.talesofcastles.com. It is the first of the seven books in the Terrestria Chronicles.
     Josiah Everyman lived a cruel life under the blacksmith Argamor. That was before he met King Emmanuel, before he was redeemed, before he became a prince. Now, as a son of King Emmanuel, Josiah must learn to obey his King and to have a servant's heart. Josiah has many adventures, each time learning a lesson to better serve his King. He learns new and surprising things - and I bet you will, too!
    
     In each of the Terrestria Chronicles, there is a certain theme unique to that book. These themes help us to become stronger in our walk with the King. The theme of the first book is that our King loves us and will never desert us because we do wrong.
    
         

The Terrestria Chronicles #2: The Quest for Seven Castles

    The Quest for Seven Castles is an allegory written by Ed Dunlop. It has no illustrator, and was published in 2006. You can get this book at www.talesofcastles.com. It is the second book in the Terrestria Chronicles.
     When King Emmanuel sends Josiah, now a devoted servant and son of  the King, on a journey to seven castles all across the kingdom, Josiah is little prepared for what he will face. Serpents, swamps, and Argamor's men are only a few of the perils Josiah comes across. But if he can make it to all seven castles - the castles of Virtue, Knowledge, Temperance, Patience, Godliness, Brotherly Kindness, and Charity - Josiah will obtain seven priceless jewels for his Shield of Faith!

     Each book has a theme that helps us become closer to the King. The theme in this book is trust.

The Terrestria Chronicles #3: The Search for Everyman

     The Search for Everyman is an allegory written by Ed Dunlop. It has no illustrator, and was published in 2006. You can get this book at www.talesofcastles.com. It is the third book in the Terrestria Chronicles.
     Prince Josiah, Prince Selwyn, and Princess Gilda have been instructed by King Emmanuel to deliver a pardon to a condemned man by the name of Adam Everyman. The trio has three weeks before Everyman is hung, so they must hurry. Along the way, they face basins made of glass, giants, and more, all the while trusting in their King and giving Him the glory of their victories.

     In each book, there is a theme or lesson that brings us closer to our King. The lesson in this book is about pride.