"Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows", by J.K. Rowling

 Have you ever read a series that reeled you in from book one and did not release you until you had read the very last word of the final book?

This is what I experienced with the Harry Potter series.

Avidly, I read my way through books one, two, three, four, five, and six. The books seemed to grow with the character. As Harry became older and discovered more of the often dangerous world around him, the books became darker and more intense.

Each one pulled back a layer of the many mysteries surrounding the person of Harry Potter, and in each one I got to know Harry better and like him even more. 

At last, partly reluctant, mostly excited, I started book seven, "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows."

I was reluctant because I did not want the series to end. I did not want to finish the book and realize that no more would follow it.

I was excited because yet another chapter in the life of Harry Potter was unfolding. I sensed the imminent climax, the feeling that everything I had read in the other 6 books, everything that had occurred in the life of Harry Potter heretofore, was about to culminate in something big…

But even these premonitions could not have prepared me for the rising action and climactic end of the Harry Potter series.

To tell you even a little of what happened would give away too much.

The book made me laugh. It made me cry. It made me bite my knuckles in barely containable excitement.

All in all, “Harry Potter” is a series that I know I will be re-reading many times in the future.

Admittedly, it’s not for everyone. (After all, if we all liked the same books the world would be a pretty boring place.)

But if you are a fantasy fan who is looking for an engrossing, magical series with colorful characters that you can relate to and who become real to you, “Harry Potter” might just be for you.

"The Borrowed House," by Hilda Van Stockum

Janna is an eleven-year-old girl who lives in a small German town during WWII. She is a proud member of the Hitler Youth group, and admires Hitler above all else. All of her life she has been told that the Jewish people are dangerous criminals and that Hitler is doing the world a favor by getting rid of them. She believes that the Jews are being sent to a special place where they will be treated kindly and kept from harming other people.

One day Janna is sent to Holland to live with her parents, famous German actors who she has not seen in 2 years.

During her stay in Holland, certain events occur that slowly but surely began to shake her faith in Hitler and his soldiers, and which challenge her bigotry against Jewish people.

This thoughtful, descriptive story by one of my favorite historical-fiction authors instantly grabbed my attention. It explores the lies Hitler told to his people and unearthed the reasons so many German young people admired and believed in him. During the book, instead of feeling angry at Janna and other young people for supporting Hitler, I was deeply saddened for them. They were carefully shielded from the truth and consistently spoon-fed lies, ultimately becoming brain-washed supporters of one of the most terrible and wicked tyrants who ever lived.

As you read this book you will cheer Janna on as she searches for the truth.

Inspirations 4 Writing

Write a story from the perspective of a person who holds views you do not agree with. Reveal why this person believes the way he or she does. Does this person end up changing his or her views? If so, why?

"The Hunger Games" by Suzanne Collins

Katniss Everdeen is a 16-year-old girl, and the sole provider for her family. She lives in what might once have been America; now it is merely a country divided into 12 poverty-stricken provinces and presided over by the evil Capitol. To remind the people who populate the provinces of their subjugated state, the capitol holds a yearly event called “The Hunger Games.” A boy and a girl from 12 to 18 years of age is chosen from each district. After a short training period, the tributes are thrown into an arena and forced to fight each other to the death. The event is televised and everyone, including the contestants’ parents, are forced to watch it.

This year, Katniss is the tribute who must fight in the arena for the warped entertainment of the capitol. 

Quite frankly, I had a hard time reading this book. It wasn’t that the writing was bad. (In fact, I thoroughly enjoyed Suzanne Collin’s style.) It wasn’t even the violence. It was because Suzanne Collins writes so vividly that I felt like I was Katniss. It was as if I was the one who was in that arena, killing and waiting to be killed. I was the one with the hopeless feeling in my chest, and the raw determination to somehow survive. I was the one watching children being slaughtered. Sometimes I became so involved in Katniss’ emotions that I had to put the book aside. At the end I was left with the depressed feeling in my heart that is ultimately what Katniss feels at the end of the book. 

Over-all, Suzanne Collins does an excellent job of subtly yet openly infusing her views and opinions into the pages of the book. I did not agree with all of those views, but I still had to admire how she was able to express what she believes through a science-fiction novel.

In conclusion, I’d have to say that this book is very well-written and will provide you with an exciting, heart-throbbing adventure, but if you dislike books with dark, heavy content or get very emotionally involved with the characters, “The Hunger Games” might not be for you.

Note to Parents: This book is not for younger readers.

"Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" by J.K. Rowling

For years, I thought that Harry Potter was a terrible book. I assumed that it was a dark story about witchcraft that glorified evil, and I was shocked if anyone told me they had read it. However, I supposed all these thing without actually having read the book for myself. One day my mom and I made the decision to try it out. We sat down in the living room and started reading it together. I was in love with it from the very first sentence. I discovered quickly that Harry Potter is anything but dark and evil. On the contrary, it is an enchanting fantasy story full of excitement and adventure that makes you think deeply about life.  

In "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone," (which is the first book in the series), Harry Potter is a 10-year-old orphan who has lived nearly his entire life with his aunt and uncle. On Harry’s eleventh birthday he discovers a truth that will change his life forever. He is a wizard.

Simultaneously, he receives a letter telling him that he has been accepted at Hogwarts school of magic. Harry is abruptly thrust into a world he never knew existed; the wizarding world. In that world Harry learns that portraits can talk, trolls really exist, and animals sometimes turn out to be people.

Yet he also discovers something else, a fact far more sinister: there’s a dark wizard on the loose, and he wants Harry dead.

Note to Parents: I would not recommend this book for younger children, but rather for ages 12 and up. 

Inspirations 4 Writing

One of the many reasons I admire J.K. Rowling is her stunning imagination. It’s as if she left all boundaries behind when writing about the wizarding world and let her imagination go wild. The result is a book full of spell-binding adventures, fantastical creatures, and magical objects that excite the curiosity and capture the mind’s-eye. If you like writing children’s fantasy, try letting your imagination loose as well and see what you come up with.   

A Child's Anthology of Poetry

A Child's Anthology of Poetry, edited by Elizabeth Hauge Sword with Victoria Flournoy McCarthy

Do you find poetry boring? Dull? Dreary? If so, then you have not yet read this book. It is an anthology of some of the most interesting and entertaining poems I have read. They range from light-hearted poems by such authors as Emily Dickinson, to dark tragedies like the famous poem, “The Highwayman.” All in all, this book will give you a round diet of some of the best poetry written. Even people who strongly detest poetry might just change their mind after reading this collection.

Inspirations 4 Writing

After reading some of the poems in “A Child’s Anthology of Poetry” try your hand at writing a poem or two of your own.

Stuck? Here are some suggestions to get you started. Study the rhythm of the words in “The Highwayman.” Why is it as haunting is it is? How can you infuse this style into your own poetry?

Read a poem by Emily Dickinson and then write your own poem from the unique outlook of life that she possessed. See if you can see things in a new and whimsical way, like she did. Keep studying the other poems in the book for inspiration. Who knows? You might even become the next Robert Frost!

Book Review of "The School Story" by Andrew Clements

Natalie Nelson is a normal 6^th grader…and she intends to stay that way, even though she has just written a novel that her best friend Zoe insists should be published. At last Natalie gives in a little and lets her English teacher read it. Her English teacher loves it almost more than Zoe. The next step is getting published. Natalie’s mom is an editor for a publishing company and the obvious thing to do would be to give it to her. But Natalie knows that if her mom’s boss once found out that Natalie wrote the book, she would never let it get published. That is when Zoe comes up with a harebrained scheme. Natalie can turn the book in using a pen name and Zoe can pose as her agent. Their English teacher promises to help.  The only question that now remains is will it work?

This book has been a favorite of mine ever since I  read it several years ago. I was about Natalie’s age and, like Natalie, a writer who deeply desired to have a book published. This book reminded me that my young age does not have to be a barrier to this dream. Andrew Clements writes in a compelling style that makes it very hard to put the book down. When you do finish the book, rest assured that you will someday want to pick it up and read it again!    

Inspirations 4 Writing

One of the best pieces of encouragement an author can give is that you are never too young to become a writer or even a published author. “The School Story” inspired me in this way, and I hope it inspires other young writers as well!

Book Review of "The Ides of April" by Mary Ray

Hylas is a Greek slave. His master is the affluent Caius Pomponius. One day Hylas wakes to discover that his master was murdered in bed while asleep in a room in his villa. Suspicion instantly falls on the household slaves; who else in the villa could have committed the vile crime? In Rome when one slave was suspected of murder every single slave in the house was executed, whether man, woman or child. Soldiers soon arrive, arrest the slaves, and herd them to prison. Hylas, however, manages to escape arrest and flees the house. It is only a matter of time before he will be missed and the soldiers start searching for him. Hylas is frantic, and for good reasons. His own mother is one of the slaves facing torture and death in a Roman prison. Trusting his life into the hands of people he hardly knows, Hylas must somehow prove that the murderer was not one of the slaves while evading capture himself.

This exciting mystery set just after the time of Christ is so thrilling that I could not put it down. The author connected me emotionally with the characters and compelled me to pause a moment to imagine how it might have felt like to be a slave in Rome. I found myself growing exceedingly angry at the distorted form of justice displayed by the Roman Empire in such murder cases.

At the same time, I was moved by the mercy showed to Hylas by people who are virtual strangers. When an author can invoke so many different emotions while juggling a complicated cast of characters I cannot help but be greatly inspired. 

                       

 Inspirations 4 Writing

How does it feel like to be a slave? How does it feel like to be an escapee with your life on the line? Ponder these questions and try to imagine yourself in such circumstances. Then write feelingly about a character who is either a slave, an escapee running from some danger, or both.

Book Review of "Snow Treasure" by Marie McSwigan

Peter Lundstrom and his friends are ordinary Norwegian children living in 1940. They enjoy excitement of any kind and love to sled, build snowmen, and have snowball fights. Peter could never have foreseen that these innocent pastimes would become the tools for a daring mission…but that is exactly what happens when the Nazis invade Peter’s small town. Peter and his friends must now use their sleds to smuggle millions of dollars worth of gold under the very noses of the Nazis. If their country’s gold fell into enemy hands it would spell disaster for Norway.

Often in literature, unassuming heroes are the ones that endear themselves to the reader. These are exactly the sort of heroes that Peter and his friends are. They did not want to be heroes. They never planned to risk their lives for their country. But when circumstances call for immediate action they choose to do whatever it takes, even self-sacrifice. A story of courage, danger, and loyalty, this book is a must-read!

Inspirations 4 Writing

If you were faced with a life and death situation, what would you do? Write a story using an autobiographical character and place this character in just such a situation. How does this character choose to act? 

"I Am David" by Anne Holm

 

 David is a young boy who has lived in a concentration camp for as long as he can remember. All he knows is concrete and barbed wire, cruel hard guards, and desperate prisoners. He has never seen a tree. He has never seen a child his own age. He has never even heard music before. One day a guard at the concentration camp suddenly takes pity on David and helps him to escape. At last David is free. But how can a single boy who is virtually a stranger to the outside world survive on his own?

The author of “I am David” writes so vividly and emotionally about David’s plight that I was moved to tears. In the course of his short life David has experienced suffering, evil and death close-hand. Music, food, and laughter are things that never cease to be miraculous to him. Things we take for granted he sees as extraordinary gifts. In reading David’s story I realized how rich in blessings my own life is.  

I hope that other people who read this book are moved similarly. I know for certain that they will eagerly read to find out what becomes of David, and if he will ever find a place where he truly belongs.

Inspirations 4 Writing  

Imagine a setting with a character who is without the necessities and pleasures which we often take for granted. Perhaps the character is lost in the wilderness, or, like David, is in a prison camp. Use your imagination. What would it feel like? Try to put yourself into this character’s shoes in the way the author of “I Am David” put herself in David’s shoes. How does the character feel like when he/she returns to civilization? 

Book Review of "Sparrows in the Scullery" by Barbara Brooks Wallace

Colly Trevelyan is an eleven-year-old boy who has been coddled and protected by his wealthy parents for all of his life. When he receives the news that his beloved parents were killed in a carriage accident, he is devastated. He knows his life is about to change for the worse, but he could not have possibly imagined how worse… 

On a cold dark night, two men creep into his room and kidnap him. He is taken to The Broggin Home for Boys, an institute that is run by the miserly and cruel Mr. and Mrs. Crawler. The façade of the institute is that of a loving refuge for homeless boys where they will be educated and taken care of. In reality, Mr. and Mrs. Crawler use orphaned boys as free labor in factories.

It is all Colly can do not to slip into despair. Why was he kidnapped and taken here? Who kidnapped him? Will he ever be rescued?

This riveting mystery story has been a favorite of mine for years. From the start, the author opens a window into Colly’s heart and mind, vividly describing his thoughts and emotions during his abduction and while he is at The Broggin Home for Boys. The way she describes Mr. and Mrs. Crawler and also the other poor orphans at the institute renders them unforgettable. Years after reading it I could still recall the details of the Crawlers appearances and even the names and characteristics of the boys. I remember that when I was a little girl listening to a recording of the novel on tape I exclaimed to my mom, “Someday I want to write a book just like this!” If an author has the ability to inspire young people in their desire to be a writer you know that they have to be good!

Inspirations 4 Writing

The title of the story at first appears enigmatic and unintelligible. After all, what do sparrows have to do with a mystery story about orphans? Upon reading it, however, the meaning of the title becomes clear. Titles like these always inspire me to carefully choose significant names for my novels, a name that catches your eye and holds deep meaning that is fully understood only when you read the book.  

Book Review of "The Trumpet of the Swan" by E.B. White

Louis is a young trumpeter swan. Trumpeter swans are known for their voices, which earned them their name. But poor Louis was hatched unable to speak.

However, the indomitable Louis is not the type to let such things impede his life. With the help of his affectionate father Louis acquires a trumpet and learns to play it, thus making himself a “trumpeter” swan in the literal sense of the word. He also learns how to read and write. With the help of his trumpet and his school-learning, Louis not only can communicate with swans but also with people. But even this extraordinary swan cannot began to foresee the direction that his abilities will take him.

With humor, wit, and emotion, E.B. White spins a tale that will excite, enthrall, and make you laugh! You cannot help but cheer on Louis the trumpeter swan and read eagerly to see what he will do next.

This heart-warming story from the author of “Charlotte’s Web” and “Stuart Little” is bound to become a family classic.

Inspirations 4 Writing

A story for children is often one of the most fun things to write! Taking inspiration from E.B. White’s theme of talking animals overcoming obstacles, see what you can come up with. As you write, try to think of the sorts of things that would make a child laugh. When I first listened to a recording of this book as a child, E.B White certainly made me laugh!

Book Review of "Princess Academy" by Shannon Hale

“Princess Academy” tells the story of young Miri, a girl named after a pink mountain flower. She lives with her family in a small village on Mount Eskel. Everyone works in the rock quarries mining a valuable rock called Linder; everyone except for Miri, that is. Her father has forbidden her from working in the rock quarries along with every other able-bodied villager. As a result, Miri grows up feeling like a useless burden to her father and to the village. Then the news comes that in one year the Prince will be choosing his bride and that his bride will be one of the girls from Mount Eskel! Miri, along with the 19 other eligible young women of her village, are taken to an academy where they will learn how to think, look, and behave like princesses. Miri sees this as her chance to truly be someone of importance, but her heart is torn by the conflict between these new desires and her love and longing for Mount Eskel. 

This Newbery Honor winning book is a poignant tale that revolves around such subjects as friendship, home, family, and true love. I was awestruck by the profound thoughtfulness and careful usage of adjectives Shannon Hale used in writing this fantasy novel. She showed rare skill in involving you emotionally with each character’s lives. As I read it with breathless anticipation it was as if I experienced Miri’s hopes, fears, and confusion. Hale also vividly describes Mount Eskel, and I found my imagination drawn to this beautiful mountain that Miri and her village call home.

Inspirations 4 Writing

What I appreciated about this novel was how the author presented human nature and emotions. She described Miri’s feelings in such a way that you felt you could relate to her. I do not think it is easy to capture in words something so elusive as an emotion but the author somehow did it. I find this greatly inspiring and I hope you do too. 

Book Review of "The Faerie Door" by B.E. Maxwell

From the moment I picked it up I was enthralled by this novel. It tells the story of Victoria Deveny and Elliot Good, two children living in two separate time periods. Victoria, a girl living in late 18^th century England, is staying at her uncle’s house for the summer. Her bold and adventurous ways lead her to discover a magical ring.

The novel soon switches to the perspective of Elliot Good, a boy in 1966. A series of magical events direct him to explore an old Victorian house where he finds his own magical ring. After that, the pace of the plotline quickens. By some extraordinary magic Elliot and Victoria’s paths converge and they find themselves in the enchanted land of the Faeries. There they are sent by the Faerie Queen on separate quests into separate realms, both quests equally perilous. Victoria and Elliot must rely on the magic of their Faerie friends and their rings to protect them, but the great evils they face may be too vast even for the Faerie Queen.

B.E. Maxwell’s style of writing is compelling and unique. It reminds me of someone telling a tale to enthralled listeners by the fire, or a scribe recounting a magical history that really occurred. He uses plenty of words I had not come across before, or if I had I had completely forgotten them. As I read I kept an index card and a pen nearby so I could jot down words to look up in the dictionary. His vivid descriptions transported me not only to another time but to other worlds: worlds that abound with faeries, ogres, dragons and magic! I could hardly put the book down. However, I recommend this novel for young adult readers and not to children.

Inspirations 4 Writing

I was greatly inspired by B.E. Maxwell’s knack of  describing magical things and places as if they were real and he had seen them. He made you feel as if you were there, experiencing the wonders of an enchanted land. I hope you also are inspired in your own writing to imagine something so vividly and then describe it so well that the reader can picture it clearly in his mind’s eye. 

Book Review of "Kidnapped" by Robert Louis Stevenson

This classic book by Robert Louis Stevenson begins with young David Balfour setting out to seek  his fortune. He has heard that he has rich relatives but when he arrives at the Balfour estate he finds only his miserly uncle. His uncle wants the family fortune that rightfully belongs to Davie. Unbeknownst to Davie he arranges for his nephew’s kidnapping. David soon finds himself tied hand and foot in the bottom of a ship bound for distant shores where they plan to sell David into slavery. However, when the crew allows on board a man named Alan Breck Stewart,  David’s future swiftly takes another turn. A battle, a shipwreck, and  the famous Appin murder; this is what you will find in the book’s following pages. David and Alan Breck are wrongfully accused of the murder and must “take to the heather” to escape from the hands of the King’s soldiers. Dogged by those who seek his life, will David ever gain his inheritance?

Written by the author of “Treasure Island,” this book is a must-read! Almost as soon as I started it I found it impossible to put down. Set in Scotland, this stunning piece of historical fiction weaves fact with fiction, imaginary characters with real people. For instance, while David Balfour is fictional,  Alan Breck truly lived. I think the question you must ask yourself when writing historical fiction is “What if?” What if the real Alan Breck met a boy named David Balfour? What if they were both accused of the same crime? What if….? This is how a story begins!

Inspirations 4 Writing

Settle on a favorite time-period. Research people who lived in the past and whom you admire. Now, write a story that involves these actual people and also ones that you create yourself. Write about events that really occurred and couple them with ones that exist only in your imagination. Let the fun began!        

Book Review of "The Westing Game" by Ellen Raskin

The famous and eccentric millionaire Sam Westing has been reported dead. Sixteen potential heirs to his 200 million dollar estate gather in the old Westing mansion to hear the reading of his will and to learn which one of them will inherit his fortune. Sam Westing will not let the answer be found quite so simply, however. In his will, Sam states that his life was taken from him by one of the people then present in the room. Which one is up to them to find out. Here’s the catch: the only way to find out is to play “The Westing Game.”  Instructing them to team up as pairs of two, Sam has each team given a set of clues. They have a limited amount of time. Whoever discovers the answer first wins the fortune and wins The Westing Game. 

When I finished this story all I could say was, “This is the best mystery novel I have ever read!” Abounding with disguises, mind-boggling riddles, word games, and unforgettable characters, this will prove to be an exciting and memorable adventure. Perhaps it was its unique plotline that made it the only mystery to ever win the Newbery Medal.

Inspirations 4 Writing 

I don’t know about you, but reading this book made me want to write my own story that contained riddles and word games! Take this idea and see what type of unique story you can create. Perhaps it is a story about a clue that leads to a clue and so forth until you reach a treasure….perhaps it is about a puzzle that leads to an answer as in "The Westing Game." Perhaps….Well, I will let you fill in the gap. The possibilities are endless!

Book Review of "Wonderstruck" by Brian Selznick

Wonderstruck is written by the author of “The Invention of Hugo Cabret,” which is now a major motion picture. Sections of both stories are told solely with the author's own illustrations, while the remainder of the book is in words, the style unique to Brian Selznick.
Wonderstruck begins with the story of Ben Wilson, a boy in 1977 grieving the death of his mother. Suddenly it goes back 50 years to a girl named Rose in the 1920’s. Rose’s story is unfolded in Brian Selznick’s beautiful black and white illustrations; the novel continues to alternate between the two character’s lives, one life told in pictures, the other described with words.
In 1977, Ben has a terrible accident that robs him of the sense of hearing. Back in 1927, you learn Rose is deaf as well. The similarities between the two children continue throughout the book. At last the parallels culminate in one surprising discovery. 

The thing about this book that I especially appreciated was how it entered into the mind of Ben. You got to experience a bit of life through the eyes of a boy who is deaf. Deeply profound, this book and its characters grabbed my heart from the very beginning. I felt in an indescribable way as if the characters were real. This is one of those rare novels that I will never forget and whose characters will always feel real to me.

Inspirations 4 Writing

What always inspires me about Brian Selznick’s writing are the characters he creates. The details of their emotions, their innermost thoughts, their habits, their likes and dislikes all work together to make them become real to the reader.

Book Review of "The Two Princesses of Bamarre" by Gail Carson Levine

This book is a tale of two sisters: Adelina and Meryl, the princesses of the magical land of Bamarre. Meryl is blonde and brave. She longs to go on quests to battle the ogres, dragons, gryphons, and specters that plague their land.  Adelina is dark-haired and timid. She is afraid of everything; from monsters right down to spiders. One day something occurs that will change the course of both sisters lives forever. Meryl falls ill to the Gray Death, an incurable disease that strikes suddenly and takes swiftly. Adelina knows there is a cure out there somewhere. Propelled by a love that is stronger than fear she embarks on a quest to save her sisters life.   

Written by the author of Newbery Medal winner “Ella Enchanted,” this story is one of my favorite fantasy novels. It combines fantastical creatures and occurrences with the relatable story of a sibling bond that is so strong it is unbreakable. What touched me most about this story is the love that Adelina has for Meryl, a love that moves her to do above and beyond what she thought she could. This novel is sure to move you, excite you, and enchant you in a way that only the best fantasy authors can.

Inspirations 4 Writing

Consider writing a story about a relationship between two or more people: siblings, friends, etc. Don’t merely state in your story that these characters love each other so much they would do anything for each other. Have the characters demonstrate this by their actions, as Adelina demonstrated it by risking her own life for her sister. Actions often speak louder then words. 

Book review of "In Search of Honor" by Donna Lynn Hess

 “In Search of Honor” is a stunning piece of Christian Fiction that grabs your attention and does not let go. The main character in the story is Jacques Chenier, a young man who lives in the chaotic times that mark the outset of the French Revolution. At age 15 Jacques is already known as a master sculptor, yet he is angry and bitter about life. He holds the nobility responsible for the death of his parents and he longs for revenge. Yet another part of him also longs for peace and tranquility of heart. His actions and the actions of those around him cause him to encounter people and places he would never have predicted coming across: everything and everyone from a cell in the dreaded Bastille to such leaders of the Revolution as Georges Danton and Robespierre. 

This book is a wonderful example of how a deep message can be communicated through the form of exciting historical fiction. In his adventures Jacques comes to question what is more important; the honor and recognition of man or the honor that only God gives. This is the kind of story that you will want to tell everyone about as soon as you complete it.

Inspirations 4 Writing

 Be inspired in your own writing by how Donna Lynn Hess can intrigue you, entertain you, and teach you through her writing. I was certainly inspired by the message she was able to portray in the story of young Jacques. Instead of telling you what God does in the life of an individual she showed you what He could do, all through a fictional character in an historical setting.   

Book Review of "After the Dancing Days" by Margaret I. Rostkowski

This book paints a poignant picture of how things were like just after the first world war, or “after the dancing days.” Annie is a 13-year-old girl who has just been reunited with her dad after he was away for over a year because of the war. Right before she is reunited with him at the train station, she sees a veteran soldier carried off the train on a stretcher: his face had somehow been totally deformed. Nothing about him looked normal, until he opened his eyes, which were a deep brown, just like her own. Try as she might, from that moment on Annie cannot forget that ravaged face or those eyes. By chance, she meets up with this soldier again at a hospital. Though others might shun him because of his appearance, Annie decides she wants to pursue a friendship with the young soldier, angry and bitter as he is about the war.

This book illustrates in a tangible way what can happen when a person looks beyond the forbidding exterior of another person and down into that person’s heart. Oftentimes, if one decides to brave the things about a person that make him or her seem unapproachable, a wonderful friendship can blossom as a result. This book is a must-read for all historical-fiction fans.

Inspirations 4 Writing

An author’s use of words in describing things often are what makes those descriptions so memorable. The author of “After the Dancing Days” carefully used words that made you picture everything vividly. She did not use too many words. She did not use too few. Be inspired by this. See how you can choose words in your own writing that capture the essence of what you are trying to say. Make each word count.

Book review of "A Dog's Life: The Autobiography of a Stray" by Ann M. Martin

This unique novel is the first-person account of a stray dog who relates her life to you, beginning with her puppy years and ending when she is an elderly dog. With the progression of the story you become increasingly attached to Squirrel, the lost puppy whose mother left one day and never returned. Squirrel and her brother Bone must survive on their own in the world, attempting to stay far from danger and find food, as best as two small puppies can.

The heartwarming story of a stray dog is a deceptively simple one. At first it seems merely a children’s bedtime story, but this well-written tale is bound to intrigue people of all ages, even some adults.  Many times  it is the story that begins with a relatively simple idea and plotline that develops into a well-loved book. I hope this book encourages writers that you do not have to have a lofty and complicated plotline to have a book that will be cherished forever. 

Inspirations 4 Writing

Be inspired with how the author took a simple idea and made a heartwarming story out of it. Think of something relatively simple: a boy who builds a tree house, a lost cat, a girl who wants a doll, etc. Then write a story about it connecting your readers with the characters in a very real way.

Book review of "Homeless Bird" by Gloria Whelan

Homeless Bird is about a thirteen-year-old girl in India named Koli. Her family is too poor to feed her anymore, so they go with what is to them the obvious solution: marry her off to someone who will have the money to care for her. Koli is told they have found a suitable match, but she does not meet her future husband until the wedding day. She quickly discovers that her new husband has a fatal illness. Soon, he dies, and Koli is left a widow in a culture that treats widows not much better then animals. But Koli is not about to be beaten down by the cold, hard laws of tradition. Join her on a journey in which she not only prevails against adversity, but discovers true love.

I enjoyed this book so much I read it in one day. The theme of many of the books I like best is about a character who must battle against enormous odds such as culture and come out the victor. Much of the time such stories, like Homeless Bird, are sad or even tragic, but also heartwarming. Though the story does not began in the most uplifting of settings, the character does not allow this to control the rest of their lives. In the ensuing struggles, they most often discover a courage inside of themselves they did not know existed.

Inspirations 4 Writing

• The theme of a battle with adversity is often very memorable. What about Koli’s own battle sticks with you the most?
•  Try to write a story in a way that is as memorable as Homeless Bird. Be inspired by how Gloria Whelan connects you in a very real way with her character. Analyze what makes you feel this way about Koli. Attempt to create characters as life-like and relatable as Koli.

Book review of "Men of Iron" by Howard Pyle

Men of Iron is the riveting tale of Myles Falworth, a young man in Medieval times who is a squire at the estate of the Earl of Mackworth and hopes someday to be a knight. Myles’ father was formerly very rich and in possession of the family castle, but when Myles was only a lad, his father made the mistake of housing an old friend of his who turned out to be involved in a plot to assassinate the king. His family had to swiftly go into hiding in an obscure farmhouse to avoid the wrath of the king and the wiles of a mysterious enemy that Myles has only heard hinted at.
Now, all hope of restoring the family of Falworth to their former estate and position of honor rests on the shoulders of young Myles. He must become a knight among knights if he is to be worthy to someday face his father’s enemy and present the name of Falworth without blemish. 

Men of Iron is an epic story of knights and chivalry, lords and fair ladies, enemies and duels. It is also the story of Myles’ journey from innocent boyhood to courageous manhood.  In a sense, it is a coming of age story, one that will definitely intrigue boys and certainly intrigued me. Howard Pyle, the acclaimed author of “The Adventures of Robin Hood,” includes such authentic details that I literally supposed he lived in Medieval times. Turns out he didn't.
One thing more I must say in closing: All dialogue in this book is in “Thees” and “Thous.” However, once you concentrate, understanding the character’s old-fashioned way of speaking comes easily enough. In the meantime; "A fair reading to thee!"      

Inspirations 4 Writing

Howard Pyle describes Myles in such a way that you feel as if he is real. As the book continues and Myles grows older, you feel as if you are getting to know him more and more and you watch eagerly as he approaches knighthood. What do you think Howard Pyle did to make you feel this way? Was it the way he described Myles? How can you be inspired by this for your own writing?

Book review of "I, Juan de Pareja" by Elizabeth Borton de Trevino

This is the intriguing historical-fictional autobiography of Juan de Pareja. He is a man who is a slave to the famous Spanish painter Diego Velazquez. As a slave he helps his master with his painting as far as mixing paints, etc. However, Juan desires far more. He wants to become a painter as well, but as a slave he is forbidden by law to learn art. Juan’s passion for art is so strong that he sets about teaching himself by observing his master’s paintings and he soon learns to use his brush to create exquisite works of art. Juan’s tender conscience pricks him constantly in regards to his secret. If it was once known that he was doing this the consequences could be dire.   

When I was about twelve I read this book for school and absolutely fell in love with it. Juan is a relatable human hero with faults, desires, and secrets. He quickly endears himself to the family he is enslaved to and they come to view him as a human being and not just as a servant. The ability to write in a deeply feeling way about human emotions is a gift that not all writers possess. Elizabeth Borton de Trevino is definitely one of those authors who has this gift. Juan’s idea of observing a master’s art and technique is quite practicable and I recently undertook to copy a famous sketch in order to teach myself to draw better. This method can also be applied to writing. If you want a book to provide you with a better sense of good writing I would recommend this one.

Story Prompters

Write a pretend biography from the viewpoint of someone in history. Put yourself in the person’s shoes and write in a relatable way from this standpoint. Underscore this person’s human emotions. Let that person become real to both yourself and the reader. As always, include authentic historical details to make the story believable to the reader.

Book Review of "Shadow of a Bull" by Maia Wojciechowska

This is the enthralling story of Manolo, a boy who is expected to live up to his family legacy and become a Spanish bullfighter, like his father, the famous bullfighter Juan Oliver. But all Manolo has inherited from his deceased father is his looks; his heart lacks the same love and passion for bullfighting that his father once possessed, and almost his entire village possesses. In fact he is quite terrified of facing a bull. Manolo confronts two choices: to live up to the expectations of the on-looking village of Arcangel and become a bull-fighter, or to pursue what he actually desires.

I think this story, though short, goes quite deep. Should one do something because everyone else expects you to do it and because it is tradition? Should you give into what is popularly called peer pressure? It takes much more effort and bravery to go the opposite way of a culture or popular fad then it would to just go with the stream. I think that all who read this book will relate to Manalo in his search for courage and will watch breathlessly as he finds himself on the precipice of choosing his future and his destiny. 

Story Prompters

• Write a story about someone who is struggling with the choices of either going along with everyone else or going against the mainstream. Make sure that what the character is facing is worth standing up for; do not have him or her protest for the sake of being contrary.
• Delve into the emotions of your character and describe them in a realistic manner.  

Book Review of "Number the Stars" by Lois Lowry

 Annemarie Johansen is a young blonde-haired girl who lives in Copenhagen during WWII with her parents and her little sister. Annemarie’s closest friend is Ellen, a Jewish girl her own age. Despite food rations and other inconveniences brought about by the war and the fact that Nazis walk the streets of Copenhagen, the girls live fairly happy and secure lives. The first signs that Annemarie and Ellen’s lives are about to be transformed come when the Nazis began to relocate the Jews who live in their town. It will not be long before they will relocate Ellen and her family. Annemarie must do all she can to protect her best friend from the merciless actions of Hitler.

Alone, Annemarie can do nothing to save her friend, or any other Jewish people. Further, how can anyone stand up to the terrifying power of the Nazi regime? It is only by working and standing together that the world was able to at last defeat the Nazis. I believe this principle can be used in any sort of conflict against evil. If people stand firm and labor together for a common cause, they can accomplish almost anything.

Story Prompters

Write a story in which an individual discovers that one cannot fight against evil alone. That person can also discover that he or she is significant in the overarching scheme of the resistance. Are the evil forces that the characters fight a real struggle from history? Or is it an imaginary situation, based either in the future or in an imaginary land?  

Book Review of “Nory Ryan’s Song” by Patricia Reilly Giff

This poignant tale is told through the eyes of Nory, a young Irish girl in 1845 who has a love for music. Nory and her family cannot foresee that their life in a cottage on land owned by the English Lord Cunningham is about to change. Lord Cunningham sees the tenants on his property as obstacles, not people. He raises taxes on their land and hopes to someday rid the land of them, raze their cottages to the ground, and use their farmland as pastureland for sheep. As if the taxes were not bad enough a blight strikes the potatoes, ruining the Irish people’s main source of food. Nory, along with the whole of Ireland, is plunged into an unimaginable crisis. Will Nory be able to pull herself and her family through the hard times ahead?  

One of the reasons so many people starved to death during the Irish potato famine is that the English lords who owned the land that most Irish people lived on took away any other source of food they had like pigs and chickens. Without potatoes or livestock, they had nothing to support themselves with. I cannot help but wonder if things would have gone differently if the land lords would have acted in a different manner towards their tenants.

Story Prompters

What other tragic events in history could have ended up differently if different choices had been made? Write a piece of historical fiction illuminating the mistakes that were made which caused the tragedy to happen. 

Book Review  of “The Great and Terrible Quest” by Margaret Lovett

This novel is a long-time favorite of mine. Trad, a boy in medieval times, is an orphan who lives with his abusive grandfather. One day when he is out hunting Trad stumbles across a knight with wild white hair who has recently received a head wound and is apparently suffering from amnesia. All the poor man knows is he his on a quest…a quest both great and terrible. However, he cannot remember what the quest is for. Trad makes the decision to run away from his grandfather and aid the knight on his quest, hoping that the knight will find the key to unlock his memory. Soon Trad finds himself involved in something far greater then he at first thought, something that might not only unlock the white-haired knight’s past, but his own.

I love how this book is a quest for identity, remembering or discovering for the first time who you are and what is your lineage. Filled with danger, sword fighting, and secret identity, this is a masterpiece you will want to read again and again.

Story Prompters

• Write a story about someone who has no idea what his lineage is or where he fits in. Write about this person’s journey in which he discovers his past.
• With anything you write make sure to include details that make it believable, whether it  is fantasy, historical fiction, or science fiction.

The Mysterious Benedict Society, by Trenton Lee Stewart

The Mysterious Benedict Society, by Trenton Lee Stewart

From chapter one, this book had me hooked! I finished the entire 485 page novel in three days. The book starts by introducing you to one of the main characters, Reynard Muldoon, (otherwise known as Reynie.) Reynie is an extraordinarily gifted eleven-year-old orphan, a true genius. He feels out-of-place at the orphanage where he is teased relentlessly by the other kids. 

A chain of curious events leads him to meet a brilliant man named Mr. Benedict. Mr. Benedict has discovered that an evil scientist has figured out how to manipulate the minds of people through television and radio waves and to make them believe anything he wants them to. Only the minds of extremely truth-loving people like Reynie have the gumption to resist. Reynie and three other amazingly talented kids who meet through Mr. Benedict gang up together to put a stop to the evil scientist's schemes. They call themselves, "The Mysterious Benedict Society." 

What the four kids of The Mysterious Benedict Society discover is a situation much too enormous for any one of them to defeat individually. The theme of the book is that only by banding together will they be strong enough to defeat the evil scientist and his equally evil plans. Where one kid's talents are lacking, another member of the society is able to contribute his own. All together, they make quite a remarkable group of kids who have personalities that are described so vividly it makes you forget they are merely fictional characters and causes you to half-believe they are real people. 

Story Starters

• Make up a story in which a group of people have to band together to face a problem. Illutstrate the truth of the old saying, "Two heads are better then one."
• Make the characters of any story you write so very life-like in their personalities and other traits that your readers become almost as attached to them as if they were real people.

Book Review of "Master Cornhill" by Eloise Jarvis McGraw

Book Review of “Master Cornhill” by Eloise Jarvis McGraw.

This novel abounds with vivid descriptions of life and people in the times just after the great plague in London as seen through the eyes of young Michael Cornhill, a lad of eleven. Michael is an orphan. He has no family and has no home to stay at, but Michael’s innocent and trusting ways will soon earn him friends, and more than one temporary home. But will he ever find a place to permanently call his own? When the great ravaging fire of 1666 sweeps through London, this possibility seems doubtful.

I absolutely love the writings of Eloise Jarvis McGraw. All of her historical fiction novels are full of authentic details, almost as if she herself once lived through the historical periods she describes. “Master Cornhill” is no exception. Using her incredible talent of bringing people and places to life, McGraw creates a host of characters that you will never forget.

Story Starter Ideas

• Choose a person you know or a place you enjoy being at and describe it in such a way that someone reading it feels almost as if he or she knows the person you are speaking of, or has been to the place you are describing.
•  Choose a significant moment in history, research it, and describe it through the eyes of a fictional character. Slip in authentic facts about the times in such a way that readers feel as if you are so familiar with that time you must have lived through it yourself.