Book Review: A Daring Venture

I received Elizabeth Camden's latest book, A Daring Venture, to review. Mrs. Camden is one of my favorite historical fiction authors. Her books contain good themes, strong women, and bits of history that aren't always common knowledge.

This book is no different, yet is an enjoyable story in its own way. The main character is Dr. Rosalind Werner, a scientist whose goal is to purify water and eliminate waterborne diseases. She and her brother were orphaned as children when their parents succumbed to cholera. As a female scientist, she faces people not trusting her work and rumors about her character. Yet she is determined and honest... until her colleague decides to take a giant step ahead with their research and she must decide if she will support him and continue their work. Hiding a secret could hurt her new relationship with Nicholas Drake.

"T is for Tree: A Bible ABC" Review

I love having good books around our house for everyone to read. We were asked to review a new book, "T is for Tree: A Bible ABC" by Reformed Free Publishing Association. It is recommended for children ages 3-6, and my youngest is close enough to that range that we wanted to check this book out.

Planet 316 Story Bible Review

I'm so glad you stopped by to read this review. We were pretty amazed by what technology can do and want to share it with you! We were asked to review the Planet 316 Story Bible and the companion Planet 316 Story Bible App from Planet 316 and WorthyKids/Ideals. At first it looks like a children's Bible but when you use it with the free app, it's kind of amazing!

Reading the Bible with kids can be tricky.. short attention spans, confusing words. We start sharing Bible stories with age appropriate language and pictures when our children are very little. We love children's Bibles for that very reason. When a child becomes familiar with the story, they are much more likely to enjoy reading the Bible with you and on their own when they are old enough! Our youngest is old enough to read the Bible, but she still likes pictures.

Sibley Birds of Land, Sea, and Sky postcard set: Review

We had the opportunity to review a neat set of postcards. This set is titled Sibley Birds of Land, Sea, and Sky. Every postcard is an original painting by ornithologist David Sibley.

The box is very sturdy, and is perfect for storing the cards in. I love how it protects the cards and also looks stylish on my shelves. It has five dividers that are labeled according to the type of bird - waterfowl, woodpeckers, wading birds, songbirds, and owls & raptors. 

Learn About Cultures and Civilizations with Carole P. Roman Books

We had the opportunity to review books from Carole P. Roman again! We really enjoy books that make learning fun, and Carole P. Roman books and collections do just that. They are written in a way that you are drawn into the story, which is full of facts about the country or civilization the book is about.

The books we received are:

• If You Were Me and Lived in... Brazil
• If You Were Me and Lived in... the Ancient Mali Empire
• If You Were Me and Lived in...Viking Europe

All are paperback, and there are Kindle versions available. This is the third time we've reviewed these books, and we are still enjoying the collection we've accumulated!

Here is our first review (with Ancient Greece, Colonial America, Ancient China, and the American West). and our second review (with If You Were Me and Lived in... Peru, Rocket-Bye, and Oh Susannah: It's in the Bag).

"A Refuge Assured" Book Review

I was sent a copy of a new book by Jocelyn Green to review. I have never read one of her books before so I was excited to read A Refuge Assured. This book is historical fiction and describes the difficulties of the people who lived during the French Revolution and were loyal to the royal family.

"I Am Harriet Tubman" Blog Tour

We have been studying United States history this year. About a week ago we reached the Civil War. A couple of months ago I was offered the opportunity to review a copy of the children's biography I Am Harriet Tubman. This is the latest in a series of books titled Ordinary People Change the World from Penguin Young Readers.

Book Description: 

"Harriet Tubman's heroic and pivotal role in the fight against slavery is the subject of the fourteenth picture book in this New York Times bestselling biography series.
This friendly, fun biography series focuses on the traits that made our heroes great--the traits that kids can aspire to in order to live heroically themselves. Each book tells the story of one of America's icons in a lively, conversational way that works well for the youngest nonfiction readers and that always includes the hero's childhood influences. At the back are an excellent timeline and photos. This volume focuses on Harriet Tubman's brave heroism as part of the movement to abolish slavery. As one of the key players in the Underground Railroad, she helped enslaved African Americans escape and find freedom."

Understanding Color in Photography Book Review

Photography has become a hobby for many people in this house! We received the opportunity to review Understanding Color in Photography by Bryan Peterson a few months ago. Since we love this author's other books, we were excited to learn more from him and see what this book could do to help improve our skills.

Book Review: Out of the Ordinary

 Recently I had the opportunity to review Out of the Ordinary by Jen Turano. I received the Kindle version of this book, and it was a pre-release copy. This book is set in the late 1800s in New York.

Gertrude Cadwalader is a companion to a very interesting lady... Mrs. Davenport has the horrible habit of taking things that don't belong to her. But she always has Gertrude secretly return them later! This makes for some interesting events in the book. Gertrude is such a generous person, she happily tolerates being the person that Mrs. Davenport, an aspiring clothing designer, experiments on.

Book Review: A Dangerous Legacy

When my kids ask me who my favorite authors are, Elizabeth Camden is at the top of my list. She has a way with historical fiction that draws me in and inspires me to learn more about the time period she wrote about. Recently I was given the opportunity to review her latest book, A Dangerous Legacy.

Lucy Drake and her brother Nick are the grandchildren of a man who invented a plumbing valve to send water up, enabling apartment tenants in New York City to have running water. This was a big deal in 1903, and it is their goal to ensure even lower income residents don't have to lug buckets up the stairs daily. Unfortunately, their grandfather had a misunderstanding with his brother, and Lucy and Nick's Uncle Thomas owns the company that manufactures and sells the valves. He does not have the same vision, rather his vision is of extravagant living and high prices. This leaves Lucy and Nick no choice but to illegally install handmade versions of the valves and hope they don't bring more of their uncle's wrath upon the building owners. By day Nick works for the city's Municipal Water Authority and Lucy is a telegraph operator for the Associated Press. They are the third generation in this family feud, and are determined to win a lawsuit that their uncle is just as persistent about.

Carole P. Roman Book(s) Review

We love books, especially books that help us learn. We recently had the opportunity to review four books from Carole P. Roman. Two of them, If You Were Me and Lived In... Peru, and If You Were Me and Lived In... the American West, were great for our geography and history studies! We were lucky to receive two of her story books, Rocket-Bye, and Oh Susannah: It's in the Bag, which were a fun addition to our leisure reading time.

 

Each book is paperback, and three have full color pages. The artwork is colorful and hand drawn, giving each book a unique story-telling feel. I've noticed how much my children enjoy looking at the pictures as they read, they pause to study them before turning the page.

You're Saying It Wrong - Book Review

We love books, and we love words. When you put those two together you get some people who are excited to review books like You're Saying It Wrong by Ross Petras and Kathryn Petras.

As soon as the package arrive, my son begged to open it. He shouted "Hooray!' when he saw what it was. I didn't see the book again for a few days, but I did get many reports on a lot of the words included!

A Review of The Adventures of Rush Revere Book Series

A couple of years ago one of my kids received the first book in the Adventures of Rush Revere Book Series from their grandmother. They loved it, and she gave another child the second book. One child found the third book at our favorite book store. When the Adventures of Rush Revere #1 New York Times Bestselling Book Series by Rush and Kathryn Adams Limbaugh came up on the Homeschool Review Crew my children were jumping around and begging me to review it so we could complete our set! They were gracious enough to send us a complete set of this five book series. After this review, my kids decided to give away some of the duplicates we now own so that their friends can enjoy the series as well.

My family has a love for reading historical fiction, and these books do not disappoint! This genre is a great way to get children interested in history and to help them learn events in an exciting way. My kids enjoy reading these books again and again, in fact their friends visited and recognized the books and the kids all started chatting about the series! When my kids pick one up, they are GLUED to the book and I hear occasional giggles. They even read their favorite parts to me. That's how much they love these!

"Heroes of History - Davy Crockett" Review

We've been studying the expansion of America. When YWAM Publishing offered a selection of books for Crew members to choose from and review, Heroes of History - Davy Crockett was one of our top choices.

The Secret Bridge, A Book Review

It's hard to catch someone without a book in their hand around here. My daughter and I had the opportunity to review The Secret Bridge from Lamplighter Publishing recently. What a great book! Lamplighter Publishing says they aim to develop "Christlike character one story at a time." I understand what they mean after reading this book.

A Review of "Bessie's Pillow, A Young Immigrant's Journey"

Can you imagine being 18 years old and immigrating to a new country, alone? That's exactly what happened to Bessie Markman in the book Bessie's Pillow. Her granddaughter, Linda Silbert, is the author and owner (with her husband) of Strong Learning, Inc., a tutoring and publishing company in New York. Dr. Linda wrote this book after listening to recorded interviews between Bessie and her daughter Ann Bress (Linda's mother). She was generous enough to send us and other Homeschool Review Crew members a copy of her book to read and review.

Circle C Stepping Stones Books: A Review

My daughter was excited to review two chapter books that are right at her reading level, and have stories about horses! These books are the latest written by Susan K. Marlow, from Kregel Publications.

We received Andi Saddles Up and Andi Under the Big Top. These paperback books are just right for ages 7-10. They are the first two books in the Circle C Stepping Stones series, which is part of a larger series of leveled stories. You can follow Andi as she grows up if you start at the beginning. What a great way to encourage children to read.

  

"I'd Rather Be Your Mommy" Book Review

My youngest child can't wait to grow up and be a mother. I love seeing her enthusiasm, so I was excited to review with her the book I'd Rather Be Your Mommy from Home School Adventure Co.

Celebrate National Reading Month with the National Geographic Kids Super Readers Program

We were asked to review National Geographic Leveled Readers recently. March is National Reading Month, and National Geographic Kids wanted to celebrate by promoting the benefits of reading! Did you know March 2nd was Read Across America Day?

By the Way Book Series: A Review of "Smoky Mountains ~ Here We Come! "

We have been reviewing a new book, Smoky Mountains ~ Here We Come! It is the second book in a growing series from By the Way Book Series.

We tried to decide between the book we received and Florida's Treasure Coast ~ Here We Come!, but chose the Smoky Mountains book because the wildlife in it is similar to the wildlife in our area. Plus, my husband has visited the Smoky Mountains so it gave him something fun to chat about with the kids. There are currently 6 books in the By the Way Book Series, with more being written.