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?