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The Lions’ Run Book Review

Posted on by Econogal

Middle Grades’ Winner

Sara Pennypacker’s The Lions’ Run renews my hope for good middle grades fiction. Set during World War II in wartime France, the book presents the atrocities of the Nazi occupiers at an age-appropriate level. The Lions’ Run will keep both kids and adults turning the pages.

Primary Characters in The Lions’ Run

The story revolves around Lucas and Alice. Their backgrounds are worlds apart. Lucas was abandoned at birth and lives in an orphanage. Alice is the daughter of a British horse trainer. But both know to stay away from the Germans. And both have something to hide. Their friendship starts slowly. However, the common enemy binds them together.

Merging Goals

Alice is determined to hide her prized and beloved mare Bia. She trains her at night and has acquired papers to save the thoroughbred from the Germans by shipping the horse to Kentucky in the United States before travelling back to Britain herself.

At fourteen, Lucas is small for his age but hard-working. Gradually he notices many of the townspeople quietly resisting German rule. He considers himself a coward, but readers see him as a brave hero. Whether saving kittens or a newborn baby destined to be taken from his young French mother and sent to Germany to be raised as a soldier for the future, Lucas demonstrates his care for those who cannot help themselves.

In the end, the two youngsters learn wartime blurs the line between right and wrong.

Recommendation

The Lions’ Run is an adventurous historical novel geared for middle grades but highly enjoyed by this adult. Furthermore, the traditional approach by Pennypacker is much appreciated. Kids need stories that entertain with a bit of teaching thrown in. They do not need brainwashing, nor does writing need to be dumbed down.

If you have kids or grandkids from the age of twelve on, buy this book for them. It will make a great gift. Furthermore, school libraries need this kind of fiction. Books full of comic strips pale in comparison. Sara Pennypacker is a bestselling author for a reason.

Board Books at Halloween and Anytime

Posted on by Econogal

Alphabet book highlighting fruits and VegetablesThis weekend I will spend some time with the youngest member of the family. So I have picked out a handful of board books that I think will entertain. Youngsters can enjoy books from a very young age and board books are perfect for chubby hands as well as drooling mouths.

Halloween Board Books

Since Halloween is just around the corner, two of the four books are holiday related. The first of these is titled Peek-A-Boo. It is published by Simon & Schuster under their Little Simon imprint. This is truly a board book for the very young with virtually little writing but lots of drawing. Ellen Appleby is the illustrator. Each page has a different type of Halloween costume. This book is a great way to prepare little ones for their first Trick-or-Treat experience.

The second book could easily be attacked by the anti-capitalist crowd, but I love it. The Cheerios Halloween Play Book is another production by Little Simon. Lee Wade is the author. This Halloween-themed board book has an interactive component. Each page spread asks the child to fill in empty spots with Cheerios. I only wish this book had been available when I had toddlers at home.

Instructional Board Books

The remaining two board books are among my favorites. The first is one of the alphabet books I reviewed earlier. Click here to read that post. Eating the Alphabet by Lois Ehlert is one of the Red Wagon Books by Harcourt Brace and Company. I have owned it for over twenty years and it was a favorite of my youngest child.

Each letter of the alphabet is represented by one or more healthy, delicious fruits or vegetables to eat. The author manages to creatively portray an edible item even for the “difficult” letters. I consider Eating the Alphabet a classic. Every home should own a copy.

The final selection is simply titled the horse. The book was originally published in Italy. The author is Emanuela Bussolati with illustrations by Carlo A. Michelini. This board book is more advanced with the text.

Basic information about horses is given regarding the types of horses, their markings, as well as how to care for them. The author shows the many places horses live and the type of jobs they perform. This is a perfect book to read before visiting a ranch, farm or even a race track.

Books All Life Long

I believe books are an important part of life. So, board books have an integral place in the family home. Occasionally, they do fall apart. But many others can last for decades and for multiple generations. Those like Peek-A-Boo are primarily an early introduction to words or themes. But others, like the horse impart far more information.

All have a place in the home library. Reading to a child, even one that has yet to form words, is an essential first step toward education. Learning is more than attending school. While one can learn without reading, the written word makes life for most of us so much easier.

If you have an infant in your life, buy them a board book. Read to them and let them handle the pages. Board books are the first step in a journey that should last a lifetime.

Four Board books
Four Favorites

 

Field of Thirteen Book Review

Posted on by Econogal

Earlier this week I walked to the library to see if any books on the Kentucky Derby were in the collection. I found Field of Thirteen by Dick Francis. This book is actually a collection of short stories revolving around horses. Only one involved the Kentucky Derby. So I read that story first.

I enjoyed the story of “The Gift” which as published back in 1973 in a Sports Illustrated issue covering the Kentucky Derby. Horse racing fans can tell you right away who won the Derby that year. And some casual fans can too. I would love to see a copy of that magazine to see how “The Gift” was placed.

Francis explains a bit about each of the short stories. Some were sold to magazines just wanting a story with word count the only specified requirement. A few of the stories he wrote to fill out Field of Thirteen. Thus the stories are quite varied.

While “The Gift” centered on a washed up sportswriter gifted one last major coup, other stories feature jockeys, trainers and owners. Some of the stories take place on a flat track and others cover steeplechase. Weaved throughout are glimpses of human nature.

Dick Francis paints pictures of the foibles of mankind. His writing is reminiscent of the Brothers Grimm fables. In fact one story has a horse named Fabled. I do not believe this was coincidence. The author also has tones of Agatha Christie. There are little twists that serve as catalysts. I love this kind of writing.

The various stories are not always flattering to the subject matter. Many of the characters are quite flawed. However, each story does have at least one person of virtue.

Field of Thirteen

Field of Thirteen was published in 1998. But a quick check via the Internet indicates the book is still available for purchase. I am thinking of gifting one to a horse racing fan at Christmas. The short stories are entertaining. My favorite was “Spring Fever.” Even if you are not a fan of horse racing or of short stories, you might give this book a try. I liked Field of Thirteen.