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.

The Terristria Chronicles #4: The Crown of Kuros

    The Crown of Kuros 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 fourth book and the heart of the Terrestria Chronicles.
     When Josiah fails to lock the keep at the Castle of Faith because of an archery tournament, the Crown of Kuros, a priceless crown that is cut from a single diamond, is stolen in broad daylight. All evidence points to Morphina, an evil enchantress that can change her appearance to look like any animal or person. Prince Josiah, Prince Selwyn, and other knights search for the Crown so that it does not fall into the hands of Argamor. But Josiah alone came recover the Crown, and will have to fight a life-or-death battle to do so.

     In each of the books, there is a theme or lesson that helps us grow closer to our King. This book is the heart of the Terrestria Chronicles, and instead of a lesson or theme, this book poses a question that each one of us must answer ourselves: Will you yield your heart to the King?

The Terrestria Chronicles #5: The Dragon's Egg

    The Dragon's Egg 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 fifth book of the Terrestria Chronicles.
    After saving a peasant couple's house, Prince Josiah, Prince Selwyn, and Princess Gilda are shown a rare object that is against King Emmanuel's law: the egg of a Cararian Greatwing. Even though Josiah knows it's wrong, he accepts the egg and takes it to the Castle of Faith. For a while, he can conceal the egg, but when it hatches, Josiah realizes too late that he is powerless against the beast. He must kill the dragon - but how?

     In each book, there is a lesson or theme that the book emphasizes. In this book, the lesson is to guard your hearts and minds for the King.

The Terrestria Chronicles #6: The Golden Lamps

     The Golden Lamps is an allegory written by Ed Dumlop. It has no illustrator, and was published in 2006. You can get this book at www.talesofcastles.com. It is the sixth book in the Terrestria Chronicles.
     The villagers of Mitspah have sent petitions to His Majesty to send them an architect to help them build a castle against Argamor's forces. The King sends James of Arwyn to oversee the project. All goes well until one day one of the villagers finds a golden lamp. This lamp draws everyone away from the castle and to the mine to find more lamps. More and more lamps are found. These lamps have strange powers, and if these lamps are destroyed, they may spell doom for the village and the castle.

     In each book there is a lesson or theme that the book emphasizes. In this book, we learn that the King's business is our first and foremost priority.

The Terrestria Chronicles #7: The Great War

     The Great War 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 seventh and final book in the Terrestria Chronicles.
      It has been 11 years since Josiah Everyman came to the King's service, and Argamor's forces are still at work. Josiah is grown up and is husband to Princess Gilda, who has a son named Ethan, the "Little Knight." When Ethan is taken from them to the Golden City, Gilda is devastated. Argamor senses this, and plans to use Gilda as a main role in the destruction of Prince Josiah and the Castle of Faith.

     In each of the books, there is a lesson or theme that the book emphasizes. In this book, we learn that our King Emmanuel will win every time, because his power surpasses everything we can comprehend or imagine.

Charlotte's Web

     Hi, followers! AJ here. Today, I would like to share a book review by Maddy L, who is going into second grade. This is her very first book review, so enjoy!

     I liked Charlotte's web because charlotte wrote words in her web. My favorite characters are Fern, Wilbur, and Charlotte.  I liked Fern because she cared about Wilbur. I liked Wilbur because on the word "Radiant," he jumped in the air and had a half-twist in it. I liked  Charlotte because she really liked Wilbur and she kept him safe from Mr. Zuckerman. My favorite part was that Wilbur kept Charlotte's kids safe.  I would want people to read this book because everyone in the book liked each other.


     Thanks for sharing, Maddy! I hope all you readers enjoyed this guest post.

Pinocchio

     Pinocchio was written and illustrated by Carlo Lorenzini, better known as Carlo Colodi. The first edition was published in 1883. You can find this book at your local library.
     Pinocchio was made into a puppet by his father Geppetto. Right from the beginning, Pinocchio proves himself lazy and rebellious; running away from his father and going along with the Fox and the Cat to "grow" money. Once he meets the Fairy, though, he changes. He says he will be good -  and means it. Then he is tricked once again, and off he goes, getting into one scrape after another. Finally, he is reunited with the Fairy, and Pinocchio leads a good life going to school and learning things until fateful day when the Fairy tells Pinocchio that she will turn him into a real boy and that he will have a party to celebrate. Pinocchio runs off to invite all his friends to the party. He invites everyone and then goes of to find his friend Candlewick to tell him this great news. When he finds Candlewick, his friend tells him that he will go to the Land of Boobies where boys do nothing but play. Pinocchio, after much persuasion, goes with him. What follows is a series of chaotic events: turning into a donkey, being sold to the circus, almost being made into a drum, and, finally, reuniting with Geppetto and turning into a real boy!

Fever 1793

     Fever 1793 was written by Laurie Halse Anderson and has no illustrator. It was published in 2000 and is a work of historical fiction. It is about a girl living during the 1793 fever epidemic.
     Mattie Cook lives at the Cook Coffeehouse in Philadelphia with her mother, her grandfather, and their cook, Eliza. She spends her days avoiding chores and making their coffeehouse the best Philadelphia has ever seen. All goes well until the fever breaks out. Disease is everywhere, and at her feverish mother's insistence, Mattie and her Grandfather leave the city. This starts one of Mattie's craziest adventures: taking care of her grandfather, coming down with the disease herself, and, finally, finding her mother and reopening their coffeehouse. Anderson will keep you turning pages and may even make you cry at the end of this bittersweet story.

Baby

     Baby was written by Patricia Maclachlan and was published in 1993.  It uses the poem "Dirge Without Music" by Edna St. Vincent Millary. It is a work of fiction.
     Larkin returns home one summer afternoon and finds a baby on her porch with a note that says, "This is Sophie. She is almost a year old and she is good...you are a good family. I will lose her forever if you don't do this...I will come back for her someday." Thus begins one of the craziest years of her life, one beginning with fall and ending with summer. Along the way, Larkin deals with her own struggles as she tries not to get attached to Sophie and tries to handle her anger inside. When summer does come, and brings Sophie's mother with it, Larkin deals with one of the biggest struggles of her life - letting go of Sophie. 

Out of My Mind

     Out of My Mind was written by Sharon M. Draper and is not illustrated. It was published in 2010 and can be found at Barnes and Noble. It is work of fiction.
     Melody is eleven years old, and has a photographic brain. It's always recording with no delete button. Always. She's the smartest kid in her whole school, and no one knows it. Actually, up until recently, all of Melody's classes consist of listening to the same preschool alphabet over, and over, and over again. If only she could speak up - tell the world what's going on inside this wonderful brain of hers. But she can't. That's because Melody can't talk. Or walk, for that matter. She can't even hold the fluffiest stuffed animal, much less write. It makes her go out of her mind - until Melody gets a voice of her own. But not everyone wants to hear what she has to say.   

Smile

     Smile was written by Raina Telgemeier and has color by Stephanie Yue.  It was published in 2010 and can be bought at Barnes and Noble. It is an autobiography written as a graphic novel.
     Raina just wants to be an ordinary person with an ordinary life. But that all changes after a Girl Scout meet one night when Raina trips and falls, knocking out her two top teeth. What follows is on-again-off-again braces, embarrassing headgear, even a retainer(with false teeth!). On top of this, she has to deal with boy confusion, a major earthquake, and friends who are not so friendly. This long and frustrating journey continues into high school, where Raina meets new, trustworthy friends, discovers her artistic talent, and finds that she can finally... smile.

Return to Gone-Away

   Return to Gone-Away was written by Elizabeth Enright and was illustrated by Beth and Joe Kush. It was first published in 1961 and again in 1989. You can find this book at Barnes and Noble. It is the sequel to Gone-Away Lake.
     Portia Blake is back - and all her dreams have come true! Her family now officially owns the Villa Caprice, and now Portia is neighbors with her cousin Julian, and also with Uncle Pin and Aunt Minnehaha, the last of the residents on Gone-Away Lake.
     When the Blakes actually go in the Villa Caprice, they find it's more than they bargained for. Bead curtains, a Turkish Cozy Corner, even an attic full of treasures to explore. But when Portia and her friend Lucy find Mrs. Brace-Gideon's hidden safe, then everything gets turned upside-down!
    

Gone-Away Lake

     Gone-Away Lake was written by Elizabeth Enright and was illustrated by Beth and Joe Krush. It was first published in 1957 and again in 1985. You can find this book at Barnes and Noble. This book takes place during the 1950s.
     Eleven-year old Portia Blake always expects summer to be a special time, a time when she and her little brother Foster travel to the country to stay with their aunt and uncle. But nothing has prepared Portia and her cousin Julian for the surprise they find - a hidden swamp with dozens of old, broken-down houses lining the edge.
     "A ghost-town" Portia calls it. But she and her cousin find an even bigger surprise. Someone is living in one of those spooky-looking houses.
     Portia and Julian befriend Aunt Minnehaha and Uncle Pin, and claim one of the houses for a clubhouse. They have many adventures along Gone-Away Lake, the name of the swamp that was once a crystal blue lake. They get to know the old houses there. The one that is really special, though, is the largest, grandest house, the Villa Caprice - the one that might become the Blakes summer home.

A Letter to Mrs. Roosevelt

     A Letter to Mrs. Roosevelt was written by C. Coco De Young. It has no illustrator and was published in 1999. It takes place during the Great Depression.
     Everything is going well for Margo Bandini, an eleven-year-old girl living in in Johnstown, Pennsylvania. She and her brother have always felt safe at home. But it's 1933, and the Great Depression is changing lives everywhere.
     In school, Margo is learning about Mrs. Roosevelt, the "Eleanor Everywhere" as she is called. The First Lady is Margo's inspiration, going around the country to help those effected by the Depression.  But then the impossible happens. The Sheriff Sale sign goes up on the Bandini's front door. They have two weeks to pay the bank, or they lose their house forever. Margo is scared, but she's also determined to help Papa save their home.

Stuart Little

     An all-time classic, Stuart Little was written by E.B. White and illustrated by Garth Williams, the same person who illustrated the Little House books. It was published in 1945. You will most definitely find this book at your local library.

     Into the spotlight comes Stuart Little, the mouse born to the Little family. Just a little over two inches, his size gets him into trouble now and then, but on the whole his life is a happy one. His big adventure starts at age seven when he searches for Margalo - the little bird who settled for a time in the Little's Boston fern.

Hero Over Here

            Hero Over Here was written by Kathleen V. Kudlinski and was illustrated by Bert Dodson. It was published in 1990. It is a story of World War I.
           Theodore’s father and brother are off fighting in the First World War and have left Theo to be the man of the house. He is proud of the responsibility – it’s his chance to be a hero. But when his mother and his sister become victims of the deadly flu virus of 1918, Theodore has to take care of them alone – and learns what it truly means to be a hero.

All-of-a-Kind Family

     Hey, readers! Sorry I wasn't keeping up with my books lately. Well, here I am with a new book, All-of-a-Kind Family!
     All-of-a-Kind Family was written by Sydney Taylor and illustrated by Helen John. It was published first in 1951, and again in 1979. It is a sweet book that is sure to have you living alongside the main characters.
     Meet Ella, Henny, Sarah, Charlotte, and Gertie - five sisters who live with their parents at the turn of the century. Whether they are looking for buttons while dusting the front room or finding a friend in the Library Lady, their antics are sure to have you giggling.
     Charlie is Papa's right-hand man, but he always seems lonely. The five girls hear the reason one night - Charlie once had a sweetheart that his parents didn't approve. Charlie was so frustrated that he left home and found a job working with Papa. One night, Charlie and the Library Lady are at a party thrown by Mama. Charlie catches a glimpse of the Library Lady. "Kathy?" he asks. Is the Library Lady Charlie's sweetheart? If so, will Charlie and the Library Lady work things out with Charlie's parents? Find out in All-of-a-Kind-Family!

Search and Rescue

     Search and Rescue was written by Colleen Coble. It was published in 2013. You can find this book at Barnes and Noble.
     Emily O'Reilly loves Search and Rescue. She spends every free moment on missions with her stepmom Naomi. She was even allowed to get her own puppy to train. But when an expensive necklace is stolen under her care, she is thought to be the thief by everyone -- including her own parents who take some other girl's word instead of their daughter's. Even worse, Emily is not allowed to get her puppy! Emily has to trust God immensely in order not to have all her respect taken from her. This book ends with some pretty surprising suspects and a pretty surprising thief.
     Emily's friend Rachel has worked up some pretty suspicious lies about Emily's words. But when Rachel goes missing, it's up to Emily to find her. Will she find Rachel? Will Rachel and Emily make up? What if Emily never finds Rachel? Find out in award-winning Colleen Coble's newest book, Search and Rescue!