Tag: Favorites

Anne of Windy Poplars

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Anne of Windy Poplars by L.M. Montgomery

The Anne books are among my favorites ever!  I’ve reread Anne of Green Gables and Anne of the Island too many times to count.  But some of the books in the series, I’m less familiar with.  I’ve only read Anne of Windy Poplars maybe three times now. 

In this fourth book of the series, Anne and Gilbert are already officially engaged, but Anne is away in Summerside working for three years as a high school principal and Gilbert is a medical student in Kingsport.  Although we are only hearing from Anne, much of the book is written as letters from her to Gilbert.  Anne is older now, in her twenties, and so while she remains the same lovable Anne who is so genuinely and deeply alive in this world and is able to warm the hearts of even the sourest of folks, she also has the beginnings of a calmness and wisdom that isn’t present in the earlier books.  I love that this book basically consists of many mini stories within Anne’s years in Summerside.  It’s a wonderful part of this most magnificent series and, as with all the Anne books, has about a zillion quotes, I simply must pull from the book.

Holes

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Holes (1998) by Louis Sachar

I remember exactly where I was the first time I got lost in this book.  I found it absolutely impossible to put down and read it all in one sitting at a quiet little park.  Since then, I’ve read this book countless times.  (I refuse to see the movie, of course.)

Stanley is sent to Camp Green Lake for a crime he didn’t commit.  At this correctional facility, the boys are expected to dig a five foot hole every day in the blistering heat.  Stanley Yelnats is not your typical hero, and I love that.  I love that Louis Sachar takes such a relatively short kids’ book about a kid at a correctional facility and makes it into a grand adventure, complete with plot twists, villains, and mysteries, spanning generations.  This is such a clever book and such an enjoyable read.  I would recommend it without hesitation to adults.  For children though, I definitely hesitate.  Even though the story is an enjoyable one and the text can be read by elementary-aged readers, there are some very disturbing bits.  I’m constantly tempted to read this with my children, and then I remember some of the more intense parts – fist fights, a racist mob, a sexual assault, and a murder.  So… as much as I love this book, it might require a pre-read before handing it off to your young child.

The Secret Garden

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The Secret Garden (1911) by Frances Hodgson Burnett

I am absolutely in love with this classic children’s story!  I know many movie renditions have been made, and I’m sure they are full of lovely garden footage, but I just stick to the book and my imagination.

I’m realizing I have a theme in the books I love, whereby a young (usually orphaned) girl moves to a new place and helps others find their happiness.  The big difference in this one, of course, is that Mary Lennox does not begin the story as a happy-go-lucky girl; she, too, goes through a transformation.  I love watching how four of the story’s characters experience a reawakening, just as the garden is doing the same.  It reaffirms life and all that is good.

When I read this book, I feel like I can actually breathe in the fresh garden air and feel the wind of the Moor on my face.  This book helps me take deep, renewing breaths.  It makes me want to garden and play outside more.  I read this book at least once a year, and I find a deep, new appreciation for life every time I do.

 

Some suggested activities/further learning:  (Spoilers included!)

–Draw pictures or create another form of art to show what you think the secret garden looked like before Mary’s discovery and at the end of the story.

–Use clay or other materials to create what you think the key to the “secret garden” might look like.

–Many flowers and plants are mentioned in this book.  Research one of them and see if it will grow in your climate.  Try growing a mini-garden.

–Martha brings Mary a skipping rope.  Use a jumprope you have or make one for yourself and practice skipping rope.  Do you know any songs to skip to?

–Mary is fascinated by Martha and Dickon’s “Yorkshire talk.”  Research this accent and see if you can find any movies where actors speak “Yorkshire.”  Try it for yourself.

–The book describes some of the rooms and hallways of Misselthwaite Manor; draw a floor plan based on what you read.

–Many of the characters in The Secret Garden change their outlooks on life.  The book describes how these “inside” transformations effect the characters’ outward appearances, as well.  Draw a before and after picture of either Mary, Colin, Mr. Craven, or Ben Weatherstaff.

–One of Mary’s new friends is a robin bird.  Research the European robin.  What does it eat?  Where does it live?  How is it different from the American robin?

 

You may also enjoy:
There’s No Such Thing as Bad Weather

Frindle

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Frindle (1996) by Andrew Clements

Nick Allen isn’t a bad kid, but he certainly uses his clever ideas and wit to his advantage.  So, when he asks his 5th grade teacher, Mrs. Granger, about her favorite book, the dictionary, he’s really only trying to stall that day’s lessons.  But what she says in her answer leads to one of his biggest ideas yet.  In an experiment with how words are made, Nick creates his own new word for ‘pen’–‘frindle.’  What starts as a 5th grader testing his teacher, becomes something bigger than any of them could have guessed.

This is a super quick read, and I’ve read it far too many times to count.  It’s fun, sweet, and a great commentary on how change is created in our world.  And, if you’re anything like me, Frindle will leave you with some happy tears at the end.  If you haven’t read this yet, please do yourself a favor and do so.

Princess Academy

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Princess Academy (2005) by Shannon Hale

Fourteen-year-old, Miri, lives in the small village of Mount Eskel where almost everyone works in the quarry mining a special stone called linder.  Miri, who is exceptionally small for her age, has been forbidden by her father to join in quarry work.  Although she has her insecurities about not being able to contribute, Miri covers them with her funny stories, carefree talk, and good-natured personality.  Life is rough on the mountain, but nobody ever leaves.  That is, until, one day, a delegate from the palace arrives to announce that Mount Eskel was prophesied as the location of the prince’s future bride.  Now a princess academy is being set up at the base of Mount Eskel for all girls of eligible age.  Not many are pleased by this news, but they must obey the king.  An unfair tutor presides over the small academy, but despite a rough start, Miri proves her intelligence, determination, and bravery will change the fate of their village forever.

This book is a beautiful story that hits all the marks–friendship, courage, romance, family, learning, suspense, self-worth, community, and, yes, even a ball.  I have read this book too many times to count, but I will say that when I first stumbled across it many years ago, I was hesitant.  I’m wary of the “princess” culture that has bombarded our young girls in recent years and wasn’t so sure how I would feel about a book with the title, “Princess Academy.”  In truth, it was the lovely folk art style of the cover that drew me to the book (which I cannot find a link to now), and I’m so glad I judged this book by its cover, because everything inside is beautiful and perfect.  I’m delighted beyond belief that this is only the first of a trilogy of books, but I’ll always return to this one as my favorite.  This was also the book that brought me to Shannon Hale, and for that, I am forever grateful.

 

You might also enjoy:
Princess Academy: The Palace of Stone
Princess Academy: The Forgotten Sisters