A Net in Time

Curriculum and book reviews, faith, homeschooling and more!

Reviews

From a Small Seed

By Leave a Comment

Don’t you just love picture books that teach children about pivotal people in history?   Today’s book, From a Small Seed tells the story of Eliza Hamilton.   I have to admit to not being up on US History so the story of Mrs. Hamilton was new to me.  She sounds like such an interesting person. 

from a small seed

What I am Reviewing

From a Small Seed: The story of Eliza Hamilton.
Camille Andros
Tessa Blackham (illustrator)
Christy Ottaviano
4-8 years, 40 pages, trade paperback
Reviewed for Raincoast Books.

Social activism, women in history, government, USA history, biography,

A lyrical picture book biography of Eliza Schuyler Hamilton, co-founder and director of the first private orphanage in New York City and wife of founding father Alexander Hamilton.
Ever since she was a young girl, Eliza Hamilton hoped to help people in need. From the private quarters of her family home to her national platform as Hamilton’s partner, Eliza was a lifelong advocate for fairness, freedom and faith. The remarkable acts of charity and public service she performed after Alexander’s death are considered a significant contribution to the Hamilton legacy the world celebrates today. Here is a thoughtful, historical account of her life beginning with herchildhood influences.

from a small seed

The Details of From a Small Seed

Tessa Blackham has done a fantastic job of illustrating this book from the 1800’s.  It feels and looks very 1800’s. The simple drawings and basic colour patterns sets the mood nicely. 

from a small seed

I loved the simplicity of the drawings, that still provided enough detail to make the images come alive.  Can’t you just see playing on the floor with the baby, or taking time to sing together?  It’s a great thing isn’t it?  Helps me to better understand Eliza’s life. 

from a small seed

Thoughts/Recommendations

I was so intrigued by the story of Eliza Hamilton I headed to youtube to learn a bit more. 

This story is an decent introduction to the life of Eliza Hamilton.  The author changed a couple of details to make the story work better but she openly tells us what those changes are.  At the close of this picture book she two page more detailed synopsis of Mrs. Hamilton’s life. 

How to use From a Small Seed well?

  1. just to read.  It is such an easy read, written in a lyrical style..
  2. history! Learning about the founding members of American society.
  3. character study… caring for orphans, teaching values, loyalty etc.
disclosure

Where the World Ends

By Leave a Comment

Do you remember that old book Lord of the Flies.  Group of boys stranded on an island and what happened with them?   Well, Where the World Ends reminded me of that book, but unlike Lord of the Flies, I was intrigued and curious.. rather hating my entire time reading it.  🙂  I’ll take intrigue over hate any day you know?  This is my review.

where the world ends

What I am Reviewing

Where the World Ends.
Geraldine McCaughrean.
Michael L. Printz Medalist.
Flatiron Books.
Reviewed for Raincoast Books.
336 pages. 12-18 years. Trade paperback.

fiction, middle school, young adult, history, based on true-life, Scotland

Every time a lad went fowling on the stacs, he came home less of a boy and more of a man. If he went home at all, that is.
Every summer Quill and his friends are put ashore on a remote sea stac to hunt birds. But this summer, no one arrives to take them home. Surely nothing but the end of the world can explain why they’ve been abandoned – cold, starving and clinging to life, in the grip of a murderous ocean. How will they survive such a forsaken place of stone and sea?
This is an extraordinary story of fortitude, endurance, tragedy and survival, set against an unforgettable backdrop of savage beauty.

where the World ends

Details on Where the World Ends

Imagine being intrigued by the story of some lads and a truth that happens.  Imagine the fascination of wanting to know what happened but not knowing the whole story.  And then consider this: you can fill in your own gaps.  Write your own story with your imaginings.  And thus the story of Where the World Ends came into being. 

Where the Worlds Ends

Boys become men.  Spending time on the stacs, hunting birds, their eggs, feathers and oil.  Helping their people who live on a small island make a living.   This they do every summer.   They go, they work, they get picked up.   The cycle repeats and boys grow up until one year, one year their pick up doesn’t come.  What will happen with the boys?  Will their guardians provide the support they need? Will they survive? How long will they need to wait?  Oh… so many questions, but you’ll have to read the book to find out!   No Spoilers here!  

Where the World Ends

Different birds preface each chapter.  Other than the map shown earlier, they are the only illustrations in this adolescent read.

Excellent character development with great capturing of teenage emotion and angst.  Seeing these boys grow in their understanding of each other and themselves was so compelling. 

Thoughts/Recommendations

I finished over the course of a day, finding it as easy read without too much darkness in it.

One aspect of the storyline I found unbelievable, but most was quite plausible, even the growing madness of one of the adults. (okay, so that was a SLIGHT spoiler). 🙂

I can imagine reading this book together with a group of teens and then talking about what is going on.  Getting their take on the characters and whether it was believable or not.  How do they think they would act in such a situation?  Do they think a situation is believable? Don’t you think it would be great to discuss such a story with them?

disclosure

Almost Time

By Leave a Comment

Ever had a book that makes you smile when you read it?  Almost Time did that for me.  Though the storyline didn’t exactly follow my son’s keenness for homemade maple syrup, his eagerness was well matched by young Ethan  Smiles of memory are a good thing.

Almost Time Review

What I am Reviewing

Almost Time.
Gary D. Schmidt & Elizabeth Stickney
G. Brian Karas (illustrator)
Clarion Books/Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Reviewed for Raincoast books.
4-7 years, 38 pages, trade paperback,
Maple Syrup, picture book, preschool, elementary, waiting, weather, seasons, growing up, patience

Eager for maple syrup, Ethan can’t wait till sugaring time rolls around. And he can’t wait till his loose tooth falls out. But his father keeps telling him it’s not time yet, and no matter how hard he tries, he can’t make time pass more quickly. The closeness of father and son is evident throughout as they wait and then celebrate the end of waiting. The brief, lyrical text is illuminated by G. Brian Karas’s beautifully composed, evocative illustrations.

Almost Time

Details of Almost Time

Almost Time is a super sweet book about a little boy sad by sweetness missing from his life.  You can tell that he knows what he is waiting for.  He gets fed well but what he wants just isn’t there.  When will the maple syrup come!?!?!?!?  Papa helps him out.  It will be maple syrup time when your tooth comes out… Can Ethan be patient?  What will he experience in the meantime?

Almost Time

Aren’t the pictures lovely?   Occasional pictures are full page colour, Other pages are bordered in white.  They have to me, a water colour feel to them. The text a great size for holding up to read to a group of children.  They all convey the story well, with good details when reading with a young child.

Almost Time

Thoughts/Recommendations

This book would be EXCELLENT as an early spring book, or working through a unit on maple syrup.  Learning about sweeteners?  Tell the story of maple syrup.  It would also be great if you were working through a character study and learning about being patient and how you can help yourself wait. 

disclosure

Survivors of the Holocaust

By 2 Comments

You know how my son and I will be studying World War 2 this year?  Breaking it down over two semesters to make for two history credits.  Means lots of in-depth work. My son likes to dig deeply into topics.   Survivors of the Holocaust I think will make a good addition to our studies.   Six stories, six children, affected by the war. Six children facing devastation because they were Jewish.   Not an easy read, but a necessary one yes?

Survivors of the holocaust review

What I am Reviewing

Survivors of the Holocaust: true stories of six extraordinary children.
Kath Shackleton (editor)
Zane Whittingham.
Sourcebooks
Reviewed for Raincoast books.
Trade paperback, 96 pages, grades 3-7, ages 10-14
History, holocaust, Jewish, biography, historical biography, middle school, World War 2, WWII, graphic, comics, true life

This extraordinary graphic novel tells the true stories of six Jewish children and young people who survived the Holocaust. From suffering the horrors of Auschwitz, to hiding from Nazi soldiers in war-torn Paris, to sheltering from the Blitz in England, each true story is a powerful testament to the survivors’ courage. These remarkable testimonials serve as a reminder never to allow such a tragedy to happen again.

Survivors of the holocaust contents

Details of Survivors of the Holocaust

Six people make up the stories in this true life tome.  Six children, families torn apart in Hitler’s world during the war.  Children from Nuremberg, Czechoslovakia, Germany, Poland, Paris and in the area between Poland and Germany called the Polenaktion.   Some with their families, and some without.  Children with hard memories stored, and some needing help to remember this terrible time. 

Survivors of the holocaust

Told in a graphic novel format we are given the highlights of their difficult time.  Tidbits of the good in people were included, like the kindertransport where Jewish children were taken to safety in Britain, or the kindness of a lady pretending a child was her daughter.  Things that mattered, events I want to know more about. 

Survivors of the holocaust

I found each section easy to tell apart as the main colours used changed with each individual. The typeset was a good size and easy to read (always a concern for me with graphic books). 

I absolutely adored that we were left with the children in difficult straits.  At the close of the book we were given an update into their lives.  They went on to live full lives, though some still search for their lost families. 

Survivors of the holocaust

Thoughts/Recommendations

Oh, if you have any interest in the war, get this book.  Help your children see what other children went through.   Six year olds, 13 year olds.  Children suffered under Hitler’s regime.   Use it as a springboard if you need to help them understand that children continue to suffer today.  Not just for being Jewish, but for being the wrong gender, faith, colour, creed or whatever.  Help them to see their potential to step up and help.   But mostly, just let them learn the world’s history.  Help them learn it well so we don’t repeat it.  We mustn’t let this happen again.

disclaimer

Little Juniper makes it BIG

By 2 Comments

Aidan Cassie writes a lovely story about little Juniper.  She is so small in her family and she feels she misses so much.  Do you know any children like that?   If so, they may find a companion spirit in Little Juniper.    Little Juniper makes it BIG allows us to watch Juniper’s perspective change.

little juniper makes it big

What I am Reviewing

Little Juniper makes it BIG.
Aidan Cassie (author, illustrator)
Farrar Straus Giroux
4-8 years, 40 pages, hardcover with fly leaf
Reviewed for Raincoast Books.

Picture book, Size, Preschool, Kindergarten, self-esteem, humour, animals

What Juniper lacks in size, she makes up for in heart. And her heart is dead-set on growing up and getting taller. She’s tired of having to reach for the cookie jar or use a stepping stool for the toilet. Everything in Juniper’s world seems to be made for adults. Ugh!
Juniper is industrious, however, and builds several silly contraptions to help reach her goals. But it isn’t until she makes a fun new friend at school, Clove, who is even smaller than Juniper, that she is able to see her world from a new perspective – and appreciate all sizes, big or small.

Little Juniper makes it BIG

Details on Little Juniper makes it BIG

Little Juniper makes it BIG is a fun book that made you see Juniper’s immense frustration with being the smallest in her family.  She tried so hard to accommodate, and to work around her size, but nothing really worked.  She was getting into such a funk.   What is a little coon to do?

Little Juniper makes it BIG

Comparing herself to her classmates helps but, it really isn’t enough.  Little Juniper only sees the difficulties she has.  How must it be for Clove?  Friendship and fun help see her way through to a different perspective.

Little Juniper makes it BIG

Thoughts/Recommendations

Between the fantastic images and the lovely (and fun) story line, Little Juniper makes it BIG is sure to please your little ones.  Laugh with Clove and delight in her antics.  Be delighted when Juniper learns to look at life from a different perspective… it’s a wonderful thing!  🙂   

There is so much colour and life in the images, different things to point out and talk about.  Items such as size difference, colour, home styles and how little Juniper would feel about taking a bath.  I love detail rich picture books.  Then the book becomes about more than just the story, but about the details of life as well.

One thing I did wish it had was more involvement by the parents in Juniper’s struggles.  Helping her to see and realize her place in the world even if she was smaller than all the grown-ups in her life. 

disclaimer

Review: College-Ready Writing Essentials™

By 2 Comments

Are you looking for a program to help your students get ready for college level writing? Look no further!  BetterRhetor has come out with a college writing course for your high school students.  Help your students succeed with  College-Ready Writing Essentials™ (CRWE)! 25 lessons to teach your children, your students what is expected of them in a college level assignment.  This review is of the full package of CRWE. 

College ready writing essentials BetterRhetor

What I am Reviewing

BetterRhetor.
College-Ready Writing Essentials™.
William Bryant, PhD.
I reviewed the full package.
Reviewed for: Homeschool Review Crew
Age: highschool (junior/seniors), graduated highschool, early college.

Writing, college, writing essentials, college readiness, student success, academic writing

You can learn more about Mr. Bryant at his website. 

BetterRhetor

The Details of College-Ready Writing Essentials™

25 lessons are presented to the student in this online writing program.  It specifically targets the skill of writing a college level paper.  These 25 lessons are divided into five sections. 

  • Overview (one lesson)
  • Planning (lessons 2-11)
  • Drafting (lessons 12-19)
  • Revising (lessons 20-23)
  • Finalizing (lessons 23-25)

Two additional resources are provided.  A PDF of Key Terms, and bonus guide to the culture of college.  Using the students knowledge, skills, behaviors, and awareness to form a piece of writing to inform and persuade their readers.

Since my lad has a love of writing research papers I thought this course would be a good fit for him advancing into highschool.  He’s just in grade nine so I wasn’t sure if it would be too advanced for him.  He likes it so that’s a good thing eh?  🙂

College ready writing essentials

I love that this online course is so nicely laid out.  The lesson order provided on the left side of the screen, the made text on the right.  Part of me wished there was a video component, but my son wisely pointed out that having it all written down meant he could reread easily instead of having to hunt down the specific portion he didn’t understand. 

When it came to doing the lessons, my ninth-grade son said “It wasn’t hard to read, but it also wasn’t extremely easy.”  He took his time doing the lessons, I expected one lesson completed each week. In three weeks he easily got four lessons done before heading off to camp.  

Easy to read

College ready writing essentials

Sometimes when working on a on-line program it is difficult to maintain your progress.   This academic writing program allows you to save your progress, helping you to easily move forward from lesson to lesson. 

College ready writing essentials

CRWE is meant to be completed over the course of five weeks.  At 25 lessons that would be one lesson daily.  Go at the speed of your student. Some may need longer to complete each lesson.  My son commented “Younger students will want to read the lesson one day, and then do the assignment the next day.  Older students would have no problem doing it all in one day.“

The assignments for each lesson are found at the close of the lesson. These files open as PDF’s that you can either print off or store on your computer. 

College ready writing essentials

PDF’s mean options

The advantage of a PDF file is the option to print or not.  Your student can easily do all their work in a notebook, or you can print off each worksheet for your student to write directly on it.  They are done in black/white making it easy on the printer.  Since it’s a PDF there is no time limit on completing the work other than what you arbitrarily set. 

College ready writing essentials

CRWE is a self-paced course.  It is meant to be done over five weeks but you can easily stretch that out as needed. It is an online program and you are granted life-time access so you can use it with all family members.  Their goal is to help your students be better prepared for college level writing, utilizing all their skills in persuasion and information gathering. 

Don’t let your students be part of the 75% of young people not prepared for college. Learn more about this gap and how to address it at The Writing Gap.  Help them learn the skills necessary to succeed pursuing their dreams.  Let them write, and write well in the subjects of their choosing. 

College ready writing essentials
Sample worksheet

Thoughts/Recommendations

I asked my son what he thought of College-Ready Writing Essentials™.  “It has a lot of reading and I couldn’t do it as fast as I wanted to.  I liked it though and want to finish doing it“. 

I loved the responsiveness of customer service.  My son does his work on his own laptop and for whatever reason I couldn’t transfer over to him.  I wrote and asked customer service what to do and they happily set my son up with his own account.  My lad loved this!  His own account, mom can’t mess things up by checking future lessons and messing up bookmarks or whatever.  It was excellent in his mind, and for me as a parent, it was just the answer I needed. 

One of the benefits of the BetterRhetor program is they offer two levels, the full and the premium.  I can totally see the advantage of doing this program twice.  Once in grades 9/10 doing the full program then doing the premium package in grade 12.   Read the reviews, come to your own conclusions. 🙂

College ready writing essentials

Read Other Reviews

Did you know that 31 other members of the crew reviewed BetterRhetor?  Some of us reviewed the full package, others the premium. I know you don’t want to miss reading those reviews.  You can check them out over at the Homeschool Review Crew Blog. 

BetterRhetor

You can find BetterRhetor on the following social media accounts. 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/collegereadywriting
Twitter: https://twitter.com/collreadywrite
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/collegereadywriting
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/collegereadywriting

disclaimer HSRC

9/11 Courage and Tributes

By 2 Comments

9/11 is an event that the world will long remember. Horrific violence against people just living out their lives.  How do we help our children remember the terror, and the hope of this event?

9/11 Courage and Tributes is a short picture book aimed at upper elementary children.  It introduces these children to the memorials that help us remember the tragedy of 9/11. Pictures and easy to read text make this a winner of a history book. 

9/11 courage and tribute

What I am Reviewing

9/11 Courage and Tribute.
Kristie Kiernan Bouryal
Gabe and Haruka Ostley (illustrators)
Context Productions.
Series: Discovering Heroes.
Reviewed for Ascot Media.
7-11 years, Trade paperback, 58 pages,
History, 9/11, American history, Children’s history,

In this story, based on true events, Tyler, Olivia and Sophia spend the weekend with their grandparents to learn more about September 11, 2001. The family visits very special tributes created to honor and remember people who lost their lives that day. By asking questions and actively listening, the kids learn about 9/11’s lasting impact and the courage of everyday heroes, including their role in our nation’s largest water evacuation. Join in their discoveries. Help the kids of today and tomorrow to never forget.

9/11 courage and tribute

The Details of 9/11 Courage and Tribute

Three excited children are ready to travel around the USA in order to see the tributes to the 9/11 tragedy,  They visited Angel’s Circle, talked with Marine Firefighters, and saw the FDNY Memorial Wall. The 9/11 Tribute Museum was next on the tour.   Seeing the reflecting pools where the Twin Towers once stood amazed the children. We learned about other memorial scattered around the country.  The children last visited the Staten Island memorial.    

9/11 courage and tribute

As the children visit each of these places wonderful, full colour pictures were included.  Five pictures included by the talented Gabe and Haruka Ostley.  They did an excellent job of showcasing Ms. Bouryal’s writing.  

I was introduced to heroes I hadn’t known of before, like all the boaters who rescued people from the shores, getting them all to safety. 

9/11 courage and tribute

One of the things I really enjoyed in this informative book is the inclusion of real photos of the places the children visited.  Along with the photos was additional information about them. 

9/11 courage and tribute

Thoughts/Recommendations

9/11 Courage and Tributes is an excellent introduction for children on the various tributes set up around the country to honour those who were part of the 9/11.  These tributes remember those who were part of it, whether the individual was injured, died or helped.  They will be remembered. 

The pictures, combined with easy to read text, with likeable characters all combines to make a book young history buffs would enjoy.  Therefore, go out and get it eh?  🙂

disclosure