A Net in Time

Curriculum and book reviews, faith, homeschooling and more!

Homeschooling

The Boys in the Back Row

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I thoroughly enjoyed The Boys in the Back Row by Mike Jung.  What a great story about two boys, their friendship, and the problems they had along the way.  But mostly, friendship, from a boys perspective as opposed to from a girls perspective.   Amazon affiliate links will be used. 

Boys in the back row

What I am Reviewing

272 pages round out Mike Jung’s chapter book The Boys in the Back Row.  Middle School boys learning how to adjust to change, and how to continue friendship through it all.  I received a trade paperback ARC version from Raincoast Books.  Publisher Levine Querido c/o Chronicle Books has put together a finely crafted book with great characters, that help middle school readers ask themselves good questions. 

The Details

From the cover: Best friends Matt and Eric are hatching a plan for one big final adventure together before Eric moves away: during the marching band competition at a Giant Amusement Park, they will sneak away to a nearby comics convention and meet their idol-a famous comic creator. Without cell phones. Or transportation. Or permission. Of course, their final adventure together is more than just that-really, it’s a way for the boys to celebrate their friendship, and their honest love and support for one another. 

The artwork was very minimalistic, confined to chapter headings.  Eric and Matt, along with their classmates, are true-to-life characters.  The adventure that the boys came up with I could totally see boys coming up with.  One big blast with no-one the wiser!  What fun!

The book itself is comfortable in the hand, the font easier to read and the text appropriate for the middle grades.  

Should you get The Boys in the Back Row?

YES!  I thoroughly enjoyed this read.  It was great to follow Matt and Eric on their adventures.  Seeing their friendships, and enmities with other boys gave a real glimpse into the lives of middle school boys. 

The Boys in the Back Row is a good read.  I can totally see young guys really enjoying it as they race through the pages.  Well-written with believable characters.  You’ll laugh, and shake your head. Geeky kids having a good friendship, being surprised by classmates (sometimes for good or ill), and adventures expected and … unexpected!  

Living Books for World War 2

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Over this past year, my son has been working through a study on World War 2.   We’ve engaged in a number of different ways to do so, watching movies, working through a unit study from Home School in the Woods, doing small unit studies, using timeline figures, reading a lot of living books, and doing independent research.   He has learned a lot and has thoroughly enjoyed his research.  I thought I would share some of the living books for world war 2 that he has gone through. 

Living books for World War 2

Independent Reading

“MOM!  You have got to read this series.  It’s very interesting!”  The Series on Camp x by Eric Walters consumed my lad.  For a while, every time I saw him it seemed like he was reading yet another in the series.   He spent his time learning about Camp X, a camp for Canada’s spies. 

In this series you’ll find

  • Camp X
  • Camp 30
  • Fool’s Gold
  • Shell Shocked
  • Trouble in Paradise
  • Enigma

He also read Spy Smuggler which is the story of Paul Lelaud a 13 year old French boy who wants to fights the Germans. 

How to Lose WW2 by Bill Fawcett. This book is part of the How to Lose series, and focuses on errors made during the war. 

On the Horizon is a book of poetry that looks back on the lives of soldiers at Pearl Harbour as well as citizens in Hiroshima.  

living books for world war 2

Reading Together

One of my joys in life is reading books together with my lad, one to two chapters either at night before bed, or just after dad leaves for work.  It’s our time which I guard jealously… my son perhaps not quite so much.  🙂   

But we’ve read some good books this past year. All of these came in as review books and I’ve linked to the reviews I did of them. 

Not a living book

My lad has also read some less “living book” style books.  I picked up a few books for doing some research.  Sometimes it’s easier to just have a book at hand than to go to a library and have to return them before you are ready.  

Spies, Lies and Disguise was an excellent book.  Providing problems, and then the solutions to problems. 

World War II by R.G.Grant.  My son said, “This was a good book, I learned a lot!” 

Canada’s Wars: An Illustrated History by Jonathan Webb was an overview book.  “It just told me a bit about the wars Canada has been part of.  I liked it!”  It was a source of inspiration for a couple of research papers. 

So there you have it.  Have you had your students delve deeply into a subject?  How did you approach it?  Did you utilize living books?  Or perhaps unit studies or hands-on studies? How does your student like to engage in in-depth study?  My son has enjoyed the mix of living books for World War 2 alongside his independent research and unit studies. 

God Himself is with us

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I originally posted about this hymn on my old blog.  God Himself is With Us is a lovely song that I thought was worth sharing with you again.  🙂  Speaking to God’s presence and our response to him.  The author’s story is one filled with hope. 

God himself is with us

Lyrics for God Himself is With Us

God Himself is with us:
Let us now adore Him,
And with awe appear before Him.
God is in His temple,
All within keep silence,
Prostrate lie with deepest reverence.
Him alone God we own,
Him our God and Savior;
Praise His name forever.

God Himself is with us:
Hear the harps resounding!
See the crowds the throne surrounding!
Holy, holy, holy,
Hear the hymn ascending,
Angels, saints, their voices blending!
Bow Thine ear to us here:
Hear, O Christ, the praises
That Thy church now raises.

O Thou fount of blessing,
Purify my spirit;
Trusting only in Thy merit,
Like the holy angels
Who behold Thy glory,
May I ceaselessly adore Thee,
And in all, great and small,
Seek to do most nearly
What Thou lovest dearly.

Author and History

Ger­hard Ter­stee­gen, a Geman Pietist, was born into a wealthy family in Moers, Germany in 1697. He had a successful life as a merchant and gave it up in order to search for God.   His life of solitude changed as people began to come to him for spiritual advice. Preaching, writing books and music, and devoting himself to ministry filled the remainder of his life. Over the course of his ministry, he led many people to Christ. 

Thoughts and Ponderings

Isn’t this a wonderful hymn?  Reminding us of God’s continued presence and what our response should to him. 

It makes me wonder how I see God’s presence daily and what my response is when I see him. I recently shared a post about what I call God-moments.

When we seek the things of God it can completely change our lives. What do I mean can… seeking God DOES change our lives.  God makes himself known to us and that influences everything we do!  The song God himself is with us reminds us that we need to respond to that. We need to give him the praise due to him. 

As we focus on his continued presence, can we trust him as this song calls us to do?  Adoring him for all he does?

I loved how God helped Ger­hard Ter­stee­gen turn his life around.  Changing him from being a merchant to a man dedicated to bringing others to Christ.  It’s a hopeful thing is it not?

A Place at the Table

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raincoast disclosure

Cross-cultural relations is sometimes a tough road to cross.  There are so many things about other cultures that we don’t understand.  It’s so easy to make mistakes that can sever relationships.  A Place at the Table gives us two young ladies who are learning to ask questions, open their hearts, and learn how to stand up for each other.  A most excellent read for middle schoolers and up!  Come, read my review!  (affiliate links will be used)

A place at the table

What I am Reviewing

Saadia Faruqi and Laura Shovan have written an excellent book with A Place at the Table.  A careful look into immigrant and inclusion issues within a community.  With well-developed characters, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt books has published an excellent read for youth 10-12 years old.  320 pages of alternating chapters, you really couldn’t tell who was writing from one chapter to the next. Good drama fills the pages, the kind that encourages students to look deep into the ideas presented. 

I am reviewing an ARC copy on behalf of Raincoast Books. 

The Details for A Place at the Table

From the Cover: 

Sixth graders Sara and Elizabeth could not be more different. Sara is at a new school that is completely unlike the small Islamic school she used to attend. Elizabeth has her own problems: her British mum has been struggling with depression. The girls meet in an after-school South Asian cooking class, which Elizabeth takes because her mom has stopped cooking, and which Sara, who hates to cook, is forced to attend because her mother is the teacher. The girls form a shaky alliance that gradually deepens, and they make plans to create the most amazing, mouth-watering cross-cultural dish together and win a spot on a local food show. They make good cooking partners . . . but can they learn to trust each other enough to become true friends?

I love the flowers that open each chapter, the easy flow between the authors chapters, and the growth found within. The character development was excellent, the life experiences real, and the competition result wasn’t easily predicted which I loved!  The girls made real errors in judgement and from that learned how to really be friends, even when it was tough. 

Should you get A Place at the Table?

I can see middle school readers, plus their moms loving this story.  I don’t know if most boys will love it as much.  It’s feelings and good drama between female protagonists named Elizabeth and Sara. One of them is English/Jewish and the other is Pakistani/Muslim.  How can they take an uneasy partnership and turn it into a friendship?

It’s a wonderful book about the art of friendship.  Learning to speak truth and open oneself up for understanding. Not easy things to learn in sixth grade, or for that matter, any age.  It’s hard to open yourself up for potential hurt from others AND to learn how to prevent hurt in new friends. 

Books Read Lately

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Recently we went on vacation. One of my highlights of vacation is time to read to my hearts content.  🙂   I brought a whole host of reading for pleasure, and reading for review books along with me.   Today I thought it would be fun to share with you my reading for pleasure books.   I predominately like to read historical and mystery books.  These are the books read lately. 

Amazon links used throughout.

Books read Lately

Mystery Books

I have to admit the Patricia Cornwell book, Port Mortuary, I’ve been reading off and on for the past year.  I was talking about it with my lad and he was all like “how can it take you so long to read it mom?  You read fast!”  I told him I really enjoy Cornwell books but often have to read them slow so I don’t get over-whelmed, or too caught up in the psychological thrill of them.   Port Mortuary is an intriguing mystery, but sometimes a bit alarming. 

Dan Brown’s Inferno felt very familiar to me like I had read it before, but twists I was expecting didn’t happen.  Good read and thought-provoking.  Some of the ideas presented elicited good discussion in our family. 

Dark Sacred Night is a well-written crime fiction tale. My hubby likes watching Bosch on TV and it’s not my most favourite show, but I’d happily read more Detective Bosch books.  

Jack Reacher, Worth Dying For.  Oh my, I laughed, I was horrified, I was so intrigued. A good mystery.  I was shocked that hubby picked it up and started reading.  So not his style, but it was good to hear him laugh as he read this Lee Child’s book. 

History Books

The German Heiress was such a fascinating read.   I really enjoyed it.  It was a touch of history, with a smidge of romance, a good dose of fear for the “what might happens”, and a huge sense of relief at the end.  Go ahead and read it, you’ll be pleasantly surprised I think. 

Other Books

I haven’t read much Pat Conroy books, Beach Music was my first.  Oh, I still don’t really know what I think of this read.  It’s so NOT my style.  Drama through and through, and most of the time I thought, WHO CARES! But at the same time I wanted to know if he’d finally resolve his feelings and get some healing into his life. 

What books have you been reading lately?  Anything you could recommend?

Seeking the Things of God

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Yesterday in church pastor was speaking about gratefulness and how it’s often a matter of perspective.  I’ve continued to ponder that whole matter of perspective and how much it matters when we look at the things of God.  Today’s challenge from the crew is the Wonderful Blessings of God.  God blesses us in so many different ways we don’t always make note of them.   Often our perspective skews what we are looking at when we are seeking the things of God.  

Today I thought I’d talk about how perspective matters when things happen in life. And how by shifting it, we can see God’s blessing upon us. 

Seeking after the things of God, text over bible

Seeking the Things Of God

Mom’s Story

Seeing God’s blessings in life is often what I call looking for the God-moments.  Those moments, where you know that God intervened, at just the right time.   Or that he met a need even before you knew you need it.

This Thanksgiving weekend we got together with my mom.  She was telling us a moment where God intervened before she knew the need.  Here she was, a young woman in her early 20’s, she wanted to travel to Canada.   She was all set to go on her own, one of her uncles said “Oh, I want to go to Canada too, shall we travel there together by boat?”  Mom agreed and so plans were made.   When they arrived his people came to collect him but the people who were supposed to pick her up did not.   Since his people were there they then offered to take her.  It was out of their way but they made sure she got there safe and sound.    She remembers knowing that was God at work.  Keeping her safe and sound in a brand new country where she knew very little English. 

Story from Church

Pastor mentioned this story at church this morning. I can’t remember all the details as to who said this, but there was a fellow who was robbed and he mentioned how in it he saw the blessings of God. 

  1. They didn’t get much. 
  2. He wasn’t killed.
  3. It was him and not someone else. 
  4. He wasn’t the robber. 

Isn’t that a great perspective?  Flipping it on it’s head, and seeing the other side of it all?  What a great way to see the blessings of God eh?  

I don’t know about you but I want to be more like that eh?  Seeing the good so much more than I see the bad. 

A Direct Need Answered

I’m sure we have all heard these stories, about how God answers prayer.  When you have rent due and you know you are short on funds, and somehow the needed funds end up in your bank account.  Or the bag of food that ends up on your doorstep when your fridge is empty?  What about those times when 

Recently I was thinking through a situation we have here at home and wondering if I needed to consider Jesus first.  And then I opened a box from Amazon about the inerrancy of scripture.  I had purchased this book because I was strongly advised to do so, I had not researched it, and guess what?  The author approaches this topic by looking at Jesus.  It’s known that he existed through other historical records other than the bible. So it’s a different approach that fits into where I thought God was leading me.  Wasn’t that timely?

seeking the things of God

Hurts that Open Doors

We’ve recently had a hurt in our family.  It’s caused some issues.  I think some of it has been part of Covid fallout, some of it just … stuff.  Anyways, it’s created this good-hard thing.   The other day on the way home from church I mentioned to my son that I never thought I’d be grateful for this hurt. 

But this hurt has taught me compassion, understanding, and new skills.  It’s deepened my prayer life and broadened my understanding of the things of God. 

The other day a dear lady invited me into her home.  She knew of a need I had and said “I can help with that!”   So off I went, I had a blast, she had a blast.  We laughed and chatted over a light lunch.  Needs were met.  She kept saying “I don’t know why I’m telling you this Annette”.   But I knew.  I was there to listen, and she was there to encourage.  It’s one of those moments where my hurt helped to translate for her, her hurt.  Sorta the same, but yet… different.  But a compassion I hadn’t really known before shone through and God was good.  So very good. 

How about you?

I LOVE to hear stories of how God met people when they least expected it, or most needed it. Those “God-moments”.  What are some of your seeking the things of God moments?  Would you mind sharing them with me? Let us be an encouragement to those around hmmm? 

October

Science Comics : Crows

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raincoast FTC

Did you know that I now know more about crows than I ever really wanted to?  🙂 Yes, crows are fascinating, SMART animals.  Like intensely intelligent and now I know why.  Science comics: Crows gave me all the answers, and hints on where I can go to further my education into these amazing animals. 

Come along, discover why YOU should learn about the Corvidae family of birds, you’ll be delighted, I promise.

Amazon affiliate links used in this review.

Science Comics: Crows

What I am Reviewing

Science comics: Crows is part of the fascinating and educational series of Science Comics.  An illustrated, full-colour graphic novel style, this comic goes in-depth into the intelligence of these wonderful birds.   Crows are such a genius animals!   Produced by First Second books and written by Kyla Vanderklugt. A hardcover that runs at 128 pages. Written for youth 9-13 years old, it fits well within that demographic, though as an adult, I loved it!   I am reviewing Crows: Genius Birds on behalf of Raincoast books. 

Details on Science Comics: Crows

From the cover: Did you know that crows make their own tools, lead complex social lives, and never forget a human face? Scientists are just beginning to unlock the secrets of the crow’s brain to discover how these avian Einsteins can be as smart as some primates, and even perform some of the same cognitive feats as human children! Crows have problem-solving skills that will make you you rethink what it means to be a bird brain!

You will adore this book, or at least your middle schoolers will.  Humour is found throughout as the crow and dog communicate.   You’ll love the clean, well-inked graphics, and the easy to read font. 

Being delighted with the sheer amount of information presented with a great story-line, you will most likely read through Crows: Genius Birds more than once.  

Should you get Science Comics: Crows?

YES!  Seriously, whether you love crows or not, learning about these amazing birds is well worth your time.  Science Comics: Crows is a well-done graphic novel written with a clear font and good inking.    Have fun learning about these wonderful birds, and who knows, maybe you can think of your own challenge for them.

It would be a great addition to a study on birds, intelligent animals, part of a zoology unit, animals using tools unit and such like. 

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