Category: Books

Dreaming of America: An Ellis Island Story

Posted on by keepinthesunlightblog@gmail.com

written by Eve Bunting, illustrated by Ben F. Stahl

Fifteen-year old, Annie, and her younger brothers are on a ship to America from their home in Ireland.  Their parents had already settled in America three years before.  The journey isn’t always an easy one, but Annie does her best to keep everyone’s spirits up, and their new friend helps them out when he can.  When they finally arrive at Ellis Island, the book offers a gasp-inspiring surprise for the reader (or at least for me, it did).  While this book is fiction, it is based on the story of three actual travelers from the 1890s. 

We picked this book up while studying Ellis Island.  To be honest, I don’t know that I would have found it otherwise.  But I’m so glad we read it.  I love that the book offers beautiful illustrations as well as actual photographs from the time period.  I sob out loud every time I read this to our daughter, to the point where I can’t get words out—always a sign of great book.

Coming to America: The Story of Immigration

Posted on by keepinthesunlightblog@gmail.com

Coming to America: The Story of Immigration
written by Betsy Maestro, illustrated by Susannah Ryan

This picture book covers immigration to America from the beginning.  It starts with people who crossed over during the Ice Age and continues up to today’s new immigrants.  I really like that the book recognizes not only the hardships of the people traveling and arriving here, but also the impact these arrivals had on those who were already living here.  I appreciate the use of quotations around Columbus “discovering” the “New World.”  And I also appreciate that the book recognizes that not all people came to America because they wanted to.  While some immigrant stories were a bit glossed over in the book, like the immigrants who arrived in the west, I felt this book did a really good job overall covering the topic of immigration.  I enjoyed the ending page and its sentiments about how America’s “strength and independence” comes from its history of immigrants.  The timeline and interesting facts at the back of the book were also great additions.  If you’re studying immigration, this is a must-read.  But I also think it’s such an important read for any child to recognize the history and importance of America’s diverse people.

Princess in Black series

Posted on by keepinthesunlightblog@gmail.com

Princess in Black series
by Shannon Hale and Dean Hale

Princess Magnolia is prim and proper and everything a typical princess should be.  But she has a secret.  You see, Princess Magnolia is also the fearless Princess in Black who saves goats from the very hungry monsters of Monsterland.  There are six books in the series so far.  With each new book, Princess in Black is gradually joined by other masked heroes who help her in her quest.  The books are technically chapter books, but they are quick reads and so much fun.  They’ve got clever humor, cute stories, a fun rhythm, and a wonderful blend of princesses and masked heroes.

I tried introducing these books a few years ago, and while our daughter did enjoy the first one, it wasn’t until she was five and a half or so that she really became a Princess in Black enthusiast.  For awhile there, we read these books WAY too many times to count each day and evening.  We are eagerly awaiting Book Seven!

Yes, Please

Posted on by keepinthesunlightblog@gmail.com

Yes, Please
by Amy Poehler

I picked up Amy Poehler’s book a few years ago simply because it was displayed on the library bookshelf.  I don’t know that I would have sought it out; in fact, I probably wouldn’t have known it existed.  But I’m so glad I did read it.  And then, just recently (probably due to another Parks and Rec round), I felt inspired to check it out again. 

Not all of it was for me.  It’s DEFINITELY rated R.  I don’t know many of the Hollywood references in here and I really don’t have much interest in topics like the “obligatory drug stories.”  BUT, that being said, much of what Ms. Poehler shares was very genuine and thoughtful, and, of course, funny.  I feel like I know her so well already as Leslie Knope, but this glimpse into Amy’s past and philosophies was really an enjoyable read.  And, as an avid quote collector, I felt I found many lovely ones to pull from this book.  Thank you, Amy.

Bridget Jones’s Baby

Posted on by keepinthesunlightblog@gmail.com


Bridget Jones’s Baby
by Helen Fielding

Unlike many of my other book posts on here, which are children’s books or young adult, this one is definitely rated R.  There’s language and adult topics, so just be forewarned.

Bridget Jones’s Baby follows the story of Bridget ending up pregnant at an “older,” although undisclosed, age.  The main trouble is that she doesn’t know who the father is.  If you’ve seen the movie version, the main difference is that Daniel Cleaver is one of the potential fathers in the book.

One of my favorite themes of this book is the line that keeps popping up from both Bridget and her mother, but which is probably felt all around–“This isn’t how it was supposed to be.”  I think one of the biggest lessons of motherhood, for me, is that we can’t plan how it’s going to turn out.  I try my best sometimes, I really do, but as I learned very early on in the journey, there’s no way to make it be what I planned, for better or worse.  And I really love that Bridget learns to embrace that.  She accepts the situation and keeps loving her baby and moving forward.  I love the hilarity of it all, but the scenes with Bridget and her dad are my favorites.

I’ve read the first two Bridget Jones books, and I was so upset at Mark’s death in the third (which takes place after this 4th one) that I couldn’t bring myself to read it.  After some poking around, I’m still a little unclear as to whether this book of Bridget Jones’s Baby was written before or after the movie.  During my research, I became side-tracked reading reviews, which I normally don’t let myself do, but the general consensus of this book seemed to be that people felt it was not up to par with the first three, nor with the movie version of it.  People brought up good points, and etc. etc.  But my personal take here is that these books are just fun.  And, I am not trying to downplay them at all by saying that.  I love the books AND, rare as it is for me to like movie versions, the movies too.  But I read and watch them as an escape and an opportunity to laugh out loud.  And that is what this one has been for me.  A quick, fun and funny read about the lovable and very human Bridget Jones.  So, if you’d like to examine the book and find faulty plot points or whatnot, don’t read it.  If you want a good laugh with your old friend Bridget, then I think you’ll really enjoy it.