The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie (Little Brown & Company, 2007).

I didn't realize I was reading such a hot topic and controversial book when I picked up The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian at Inklings (Yakima, WA) when I used a gift card I had received for Christmas.

AFTER I finished the book, I noticed a local school district having conversations with parents about using this book with younger high school students. Ah-ha. I knew what they were talking about!

This book is a great book. Yes. It has teenage and adult themes and situations in it. The language is blunt and many times extremely colorful (not colorful as in skin color, but colorful metaphors = no longer deleted words heard on everyday TV and most movies).

But what a conversation starter. The peer and rivalry interactions could really resonate with young adults. The experiences and comparisons between on reservation and off reservation locations should cause all of us to stop and consider how the other half lives. Teen issues are well represented, clearly and often humorously.

I am somewhat familiar with the culture surrounding a reservation. Not an expert by any means, but having lived and completed high school on a reservation, this book gives much to contemplate.

Read this book, but not with or to anyone younger than high school. Be prepared to deal with real life.

C.S. Lewis - The Man Who Gave Us Narnia

C.S. Lewis, The Man Who Gave Us Narnia by Renee Taft Meloche (Heroes for Young Readers, YWAM Publishing, 2008)

I love Narnia and reading C.S. Lewis work. This tome for younger readers is written in prose. It actually gives quite a life history for C.S. Lewis, beginning when he was a young child and continuing through his death in 1963.

What I enjoyed about this book were the illustrations (way to go Bryan Pollard) and how author Renee Taft Meloche shared life circumstances (of Lewis) that directly translated into the fantasy world of Narnia. Lewis' strong Christian beliefs made the journey to Narnia and gave a great biblical foundation to the imaginary world of Narnia.

If you enjoy Narnia, this book is a good one to give young readers a short history on a fascinating, creative author, C.S. Lewis. Even older readers will appreciate the historical poetry.

The Sweet Life in Paris

The Sweet Life in Paris, Delicious Adventures in the World's Most Glorious - And Perplexing - City by David LeBovitz (Broadway Books, 2009).

I turned 50 last November. I'm the first in our group of regularly meeting college friends to hit the big mark. We've decided to throw our own 50th birthday party next summer where each of us brings a very nice gift with a $50 price tag. Some game will decide who gets which gift, but the important thing is we are celebrating a monumental life marker.

Ouch. 50.

But a wonderful surprise arrived in my mailbox, from one of my French-loving college friends. Actually, her maiden name was French. If that had been mine, I think I would have considered long and hard about keeping my maiden name instead of switching to hubby's. Alas, my maiden name wasn't French, so I'll go with the Quantrell, as in Quantrell raiders. Better to have an outlaw connection in the family, eh?

The Sweet Life in Paris poured onto my palms as I opened the wrapping. What a treat! (Pun intended.) Not only does this entertaining book share about life in Paris, it is filled with delicious recipes adjusted for our side of the pond. I can't wait to try them.

To make this book even more meaningful, she had put personalized sticky notes alongside some of her favorite dishes and recipes from France. Not only are the recipes and conversation about Paris fantastic, but the hand written sentiments make the book that much more special.

Way to go, Miss French!

Let's Learn About...

Let's Learn About... by Angie Quantrell (Woman's Missionary Union, SBC, 2012).

It's here! I finally got my excited little fingers on my copy. :)

And it looks great.

This book is written for preschoolers and their parents, teachers, family, church, and school. It's also a Molly and Mikey book (missions). Molly takes Mikey on a tour of a Mission Friends classroom to show what kinds of things he will learn about when he is at church.

The focus of the book is to introduce and reinforce the concept areas in a Christian preschool setting. These concept areas are important and should be included in every preschool setting to provide a comprehensive learning environment for preschoolers. The concept areas are Jesus, Bible, Church, Self, Family, God's Creation, World, Community, and God.

Illustrations are a cool combination of photographs, graphics, and icons to signify which concept is being explained. This book also includes Bible thoughts for each concept area and extra activity ideas for the concept areas.

I hope you enjoy this book! Visit www.wmustore.com or wmu.com/preschool for more information. Purchase your copy at www.wmustore.com. Thanks!

Anna and the French Kiss

Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins (Dutton Books, 2010)

Not about what it sounds like. Well, sort of. I was sold on the word French and the cover illustration of the Eiffel Tower.

Geared towards high school/college aged readers, this love story is well written, interesting, and has wonderful character development. Personally, I will read almost anything that is set in Paris or France. Perkins gives readers a tour of some of the most famous Parisian icons.

Besides a great setting and believable characters, complete with teenage hormones and angst, parental issues, and peer conflict, Perkins adds the adventure of spending senior year in Paris. Anna, against her wishes, is forced to study in Paris (how she could be forced is beyond me, as who wouldn't want to study in Paris? But, if that were not the case, the story would not work.) Anna joins a group of friends, one of which (Etienne) becomes her love interest, though he has a steady girlfriend.

This is a quick, entertaining read. Anyone who enjoys travel, France, love stories, and relationships will enjoy this book.