A Net in Time

Curriculum and book reviews, faith, homeschooling and more!

Reviews

Medal of Honor: Jack Montgomery

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Studying the lives of real-life heroes is important for children.  It gives them someone real to look up to.  Role models show character qualities in real situations to help children learn how to emulate those qualities in their own lives.  Michael P. Spradlin introduces us to real-life hero Meal of Honor: Jack Montgomery who fought in World War II at Anzio. 

Medal of honor: Jack Montgomery

From the cover:

Jack C. Montgomery was a Cherokee from Oklahoma, and a first lieutenant with the 45th Infantry Division Thunderbirds. On February 22, 1944, near Padiglione, Italy, Montgomery’s rifle platoon was under fire by three echelons of enemy forces when he single-handedly attacked all three positions, neutralizing the German machine-gunners and taking numerous prisoners in the process. Montgomery’s actions demoralized the enemy and saved the lives of many American soldiers.

The Medal of Honor series profiles the courage and accomplishments of recipients of the highest and most prestigious personal military decoration, awarded to recognize U.S. military service members who have distinguished themselves through extraordinary acts of valor.

Medal of honor: Jack Montgomery

What You Get:

A well-written story, that speaks not only to the actual action taken, but also to the life of the man leading up to that moment.   So it’s not just a story of Mr. Montgomery being a hero, but how his life made him a hero. 

Medal of honor: Jack Montgomery

Interspersed between the story is material about the US Army, or it’s ordinances, or people involved during the battle.  For instance, readers learn about Mussolini, why the Cherokee symbol changes from a swastika to a thunderbird, the use of deception in battle and more. 

Medal of honor: Jack Montgomery

Numerous black and white images dot the pages, showing us scenes from history that the hero might have seen, or relevant to the historical period.  Some of the images: Hitler reviewing his troops, soldiers manning a machine gun, Montgomery receiving his medal and many more. 

My Thoughts

I’ve struggled reading this book.  Part of it stemmed from I think a missing page.  I reading and then the story just stopped mid-sentence and then picked up later.    The other part was, the story itself kept being interrupted, so I couldn’t just read it from start to finish. 

Was the story itself good?  Yes!  Resoundingly so.  I would happily read more real-life stories like this.  It was good to read.  Good to know how men in the army have to take risks, and simply just do their job to the best of their abilities. 

Medal of honor: Jack Montgomery

Jack Montgomery: World War II – Gallantry at Anzio
Michael P. Spradlin
Series: Medal of Honor
Farrar Straus Giroux
112 pages, paperback, 8-12 years
Military, Hero, World War 2, United States Army
Reviewed for Raincoast Books.

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Marshfield Memories

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Marshfield Memories are stories of a man telling telling a bunch of kids what it was like for him as a kid.   There he was living in a great neighbourhood, with lots of friends, and a good school.  Family was a pivotal part of his childhood years and it shines through every story he tells. 

Marshfield Memories

From the publisher:

As the oldest of nine kids, Ralph was often cast as another parent to his siblings rather than as an older brother; teetering between these two conflicting roles, Ralph longed to be home alone on a sick day, but hated the emptiness of feeling left behind. He loved to play sports with his neighborhood friends but resented the skillful victories of his younger brother. Thrust into the expectations of impending adolescence, Ralph was curious about girls, but embarrassed to take part in the school square dance. This satisfying memoir offers a snapshot of those pivotal moments between grade school and high school, all while tracing the roots of Ralph Fletcher’s acclaimed storytelling.

Marshfield Memories

What you Get

An easy read book filled with folky wisdom and stories of a boy becoming a man.  The path wasn’t always easy, but it was always a path.   

All the stories are separate, and yet connected.  They follow in order, which means you aren’t jumping around from little kid, to older and back again.  NO confusion, just an easy read of a man telling stories of his youth.    

Marshfield Memories

In fact, the stories are SO like a grampa sitting down and telling his grandkids about his exploits as a youngster that I was in no way surprised when he showed off a poem he wrote as a kid.  It just fit!

Marshfield Memories

My Thoughts

As an adult I thoroughly enjoyed this book infused with folky wisdom.  I suspect my son would enjoy it as well, I’m not entirely sure.  He tends to like books with a story line that runs from one point to the next.  This book is a series of short stories around the same theme, Fletcher’s growing up years.  BUT they do involve all the same characters and continually moves forward which he would consider a win. 🙂

Marshfield Memories

Marshfield Memories: More Stories About Growing Up.
Ralph Fletcher
Christy Ottaviano Books/Henry Holt & Co.
208 pages, softcover, 8 – 12 years
Childhood, Memories, Growing Up, Family Values
Reviewed for Raincoast Books.

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The Superpower Field Guide: Beavers

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OH!  What a fun book to review.  Seriously, just a hoot.  Learning about Beavers and seeing all the remarkable things about them.  Just a delightful read.  The book: The Superpower Field Guide: Beavers.

From the Cover

The first book in a new series, Beavers is a humorous, informative, and highly illustrated field guide written for middle-schoolers.  Take a look at an unsuspecting animal hero The Beaver.

What you Get

Humour written around highly informative text.  Elmer the beaver has 10 superpowers which we are given in lots of detail.   Some of his powers are his unstoppable fur, his ever-toiling tail, and his winter survival skills.

Each page shows colour in the illustrations.  I was delighted to see the colours suit a book about beavers.   We don’t find pinks and yellows, but rather the blues, greens and browns that would naturally pervade a beavers habitat. 

Every so often you’ll come across a quiz, making sure the reader is paying attention for after all, the goal is to learn about an amazing animal.  So pay attention and rock those quizzes!  🙂   They aren’t hard, but they do cover the super power at hand.

My Thoughts

When I first clapped my eyes on Beavers I thought WOOHOO!   A book about a quintessential Canadian animal!   It’s even on our nickel!  You know what I discovered?  Beavers aren’t just an animal for Canada!  (yeah, I kinda knew that but now I know the nitty-gritty details).  🙂 

If you have a love of Canada, an interest in beavers, or perhaps you are studying mammals… check out Beavers. Learn their superpowers and be amazed, because beavers are really interesting critters!

Beavers
Rachel Poliquin
Nicolas John Frith (illustrator)
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Series: The Superpower Field Guide
96 Pages, hardcover, 9 years +
Biology, Science, Canada, Beavers, North America
Reviewed for Raincoast Books.
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Review: For The Temple

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For The Temple  is a story I have been listening to for the past three weeks.  Heirloom Audio   is the producer of this captivating and dramatic tale, telling the story of the first-century Jewish revolt from the perspective of a fictional young Jewish man, John of Gamala. 

For The Temple by Heirloom Audio

The Story

G.A. Henty writes a tale with John of Gamala at the centre of it.  It takes place during the years of Roman occupation.  Political infighting and lawlessness ruled the day.   In the end, the destruction of the Temple.

John ends up in the middle of a losing battle between Rome, greedy political groups and bands of robbers from Palestine.  He makes and loses friends along the way.

John, a fictional character, maintains his honour and integrity throughout this conflict, eventually becomes procurator.

For The Temple by Heirloom Audio

What you Get

How do I break this down for you?   I could tell you that you get 27 tracks, cut into manageable sound bites running 4-8 minutes.  I could say that they tell the story in a logical manner that doesn’t jump around from past to present.

But how do I tell you an Heirloom Audio story differs from, for instance, an audible story?  Frankly, I LOVE listening to audio books.  Listening to a good story while I fold the laundry is one of my greatest pleasure in the course of a day.

Heirloom Audio is more than one or two people reading a story. It’s a whole cast of people, retelling a story. All the voices and dramatic action make it a compelling listen, you just want to know what is going to happen next. They have a well-rounded cast that presents their parts well. 

For The Temple by Heirloom Audio

This audio comes with an excellent study guide with is formed out three basic sections: Listening well, Thinking further, and Defining words.   I have to admit, I looked them over, but I didn’t really use them.   As I looked through I found some questions I thought were good. 

“John says that the first duty of any Jew is to protect the temple.  Why should that be?”   and “Some people are opposed to violence in books, particularly in books meant for young people. What do you think of this? Is it wrong to portray war as it is? Does it need to be portrayed graphically? Why can’t the author just say “Many men died that day?”

I listened to the audio as an adult, the study guide is designed for parents who want help talking their younger children through the storyline and its lessons. It can also serve as series of written assignments for older students.   Each lesson is meant to go with each track. 

For The Temple by Heirloom Audio

I have to tell you, this study guide was well put together and worth going through if you have your family listening with you.  It will also help you delve into the story of this battle deeper.

For The Temple by Heirloom Audio

My Thoughts

Though I enjoyed listening to the story, I was completely lost.  I listened to it twice all the way through, and then bits and pieces just to see if I could figure out the entire story.  I know there was storm and boat scene, and I know there was a terrific battle.  But try as I might I couldn’t connect all the pieces.   I don’t know why.  I have listened to Heirloom Audio tracks before and not had a problem, I own a few of them as digital recordings.  But with For the Temple something just wasn’t working for me..  

I’ve been thinking about who would this audio drama be good for.   ANYONE, except perhaps not sensitive littles.  Mind.. I’ve never had one of those in my house, so I’m not sure.  I didn’t find anything objectionable.  

It’s an excellent way to learn history, to see how political infighting from the Jewish leadership harmed the Jews as they fought to save the temple.   How Rome got annoyed with bands of rebels making things hard for them.  There is so much history in this story.  

I strongly urge you to go check out other reviews.  🙂

For The Temple by Heirloom Audio

 For the Temple
Heirloom Audio
Digital Download,
audio drama, audio theatre, audio theater, radio drama, radio theatre, radio theater, audio book, G.A. Henty, heirloom audio, Christian audio drama, Christian radio theatre, focus on the family radio theatre, homeschooling, Christian homeschooling, homeschooling curriculum

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Social Media Links: 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HeirloomAudio
Twitter: https://twitter.com/HeirloomStories  
Instagram: @HeirloomAudioOfficial

Lost Boy’s Gift

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The Lost Boy’s Gift by Kimberly Willis Holt offers hope to youngsters  struggling to find their place when family situations change.   Will Daniel find what he needs to meet the challenges before him?

From the Cover

Nine-year-old Daniel must move across the country with his mom after his parents’ divorce. He’s leaving behind his whole life―everything―and he’s taking a suitcase of anger with him. But Daniel is in for a surprise when he settles into While-a-Way Lane and meets his new neighbours.  These neighbours are Lemonade Girl, the hopscotching mailman, the tiny creatures, and especially Tilda Butter. Tilda knows how to look and listen closely, and it’s that gift that helps Daniel find his way in that curious placed called While-a-Way Lane.

What you Get

Daniel is an interesting young man, such a mix up in emotions and thoughts as you would expect of a boy his age.  Topping off the mix is a mom working long hours and an absentee Dad.    You can feel the angst produced in this lad. 

But While-a-Way Lane…. it’s got a call upon this young lad, what might he learn?   What treasures await?  Well that.. I can’t tell you.  🙂

I can tell that you the Daniel is a well-developed character as is Tilda Butter.  Humour appears in the form of other characters, not quite as well developed, but adding unique elements to the story line.

Moderate length chapters move the story forward at good speed, some surprises await, and situations arise that should delight young readers. 

My Thoughts

Recommend? It’s hard to say as my thoughts are mixed. I know that my lad wouldn’t have been interested, but my lad is from a solid two-parent home and is very sure of himself. For children that are struggling to see their good when their family situations run amuck, The Lost Boy’s Gift, might be just the book they need to read.

It’s a book that offers hope to youngsters, helping them to see how to make connections, and how to see their own unique abilities.

The Lost Boy’s Gift
Kimberley Willis Holt
Christy Ottaviano Books
Trade Paperback, 224 pages, 8-11 years
Chapter book, Fiction,
Separation, Intergenerational Friendship, Divorce,
Reviewed for Raincoast Books.

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Sharks Never Sleep

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HEY!   Did you know that sharks never sleep?   I know… weird eh?  But seriously, sharks need to keep moving in order to breathe. This is one of many fascinating facts about sharks that you will learn in Sharks Never Sleep.  You will also learn about real life shark attacks, how people are trying to protect both sharks and people and the varied opinions about sharks that abound.  

From the Cover

A Gripping Investigation into our complex relationship of fear and fascination with sharks.  In an attempt combat fear with facts, author Brendon McAloon, takes us on a journey around the world in search of true stories of extraordinary first-hand encounters with these oceanic predators.  Travel from Australia to the United States, South Africa and beyond.  Meet with scientists, conservationists, shark-attack survivors, shark lovers and shark haters.  Meet fear with fascination. 

What You Get:

Four parts make up the contents of this tome.  

Part one focuses on shark attacks.  Fear rides these pages. 

Part two presents us with not only the shark haters, but those who love sharks as well.  I was delighted to see the Shark Lady profiled. 

Part three profiles encounters that people had with shark.  This section also contains photos pertaining to details given in this book.   

Part four helps us to further understand there are no easy answers.  How does one protect a fierce predator, and yet defend those who use the waters those predators live in?   No easy answers.  Culling, Shark Nets, Hunting bans, Beach closures, and Monitoring sharks.  More research is needed to determine what will work best.

My Thoughts

Mr. McAloon presents us with many cases of shark attacks, show-casing well the need to more study into the whys of increased shark attacks.   He helps us to understand why there is such a divide between protecting these apex predators and simply culling them. 

He shows well why the divide exists… if only because there is no simple answer to “the shark problem” at waterfronts throughout the world.  Human activity doesn’t help either. 

Do I recommend it?   

This book would be a great addition to a study on sharks.  Helping the student see in stark detail why this is such a divisive topic.   It’s not what I call an easy read.  It’s not fun to read about men who hunt sharks with delight, nor to read about sharks that kill. Is it necessary?   Yes, because that is how we broaden our understanding of the issues surrounding sharks and shark attacks. 

Sharks Never Sleep: first-hand encounters with killers of the sea
Brendan McAloon
Hardie Grant Books
240 pages, middle school, trade paperback
Sharks, Ecology, Marine Life, Animals, biology
Reviewed for Raincoast Books.

Click on image for amazon link.
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Survivor Diaries Dust Storm

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Would you know what to do if you were caught up in a dust storm?  I’m guessing you are like me and thinking.. cover your mouth and shut your eyes and start praying!  Well in, Survivor Diaries Dust Storm, through the telling of a good story, you learn just how to survive a dust storm. 

From the Cover

Sixth-graders – and former best friends – Jen and Martin are geared up to attend on of the most exciting geocaching field trip ever in the New Mexico desert.  When their van gets a flat tire in the middle of nowhere, they decide to bike off on their own to get a head start.  Without warning, a blinding wall of dust and debris barrels toward them.  Separated from their field trip group and in the desert alone, they will have to use all their knowledge and grit to survive.  

What you Get

An easy read chapter book with a focus on survival.   This book is part of a series and comes complete with survival tips from the New Mexico Search and Rescue Council.

Throughout the book you will find grayscale images that serve well to advance the story.  AND it really is a story, not just a quick read with some dubious characters to help teach survival skills.   Situations popped up that were (in my eyes) funny.  It made the story real and the characters people that I would like to meet. 

My Thoughts

I think this is a great series to help youngsters prepare for survival situations.  Even if, they don’t meet the particular one in each book, hopefully the reader will pick up the basic facts.  Keep your head, think things through, use your abilities to help yourself and any companions you have with you, and survive. 

I think it’s neat that this book comes with a link to survivor diaries on-line so you can play a survival game. 

This particular book has a believable story line.  I could see a couple of kids getting it into their minds to get a head start, without thinking through the consequences.  The added benefit is that it gives the friends a chance to learn what went wrong in their friendship. 

An easy read that upper elementary youth should have no problem getting through.  A fast paced, interesting story that is enjoyable to read.

Survivor Diaries Dust Storm!
Terry Lynn Johnson
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
120 pages, softcover
Received: trade paperback
Survival, dust storm, upper elementary, middle school
Series: Survivor Diaries
Reviewed for Raincoast Books

Others in the series: Lost!   and Overboard!

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