A Net in Time

Curriculum and book reviews, faith, homeschooling and more!

Review

Butterfly on the Wind

By Leave a Comment

Disclosure: I received this complimentary product Butterfly on the Wind through Raincoast Books. Affiliate Links will be used, thank you for your support of my blog, costs you nothing to do so, and it is so much appreciated. 🙂

Imagine growing up deaf and choosing to be part of your hearing school’s talent show.  Now imagine being young and unsure of yourself and needing to be bolstered by your family.  A father’s statement encourages the heart of a young girl to sending butterflies around the world.  This is the heart of Butterfly on the Wind by Adam Pottle. 

Butterfly on the wind

Basic Details for Butterfly on the Wind

Title: Butterfly on the Wind.
Author: Adam Pottle
Illustrator: Ziyue Chen
Publisher: Roaring Brook Press
Pages: 40
Intended Audience: 3-6 years, grade preschool to one
Genre: children, picture book, deaf, children friendship, children disability
Available formats: Kindle, Hardcover
Received: Hardcover
Reviewed for: Raincoast Books

About the Book and Author

Adam Pottle grew up deaf in a hearing family, so learning sign language didn’t happen until he was older.  He has loved butterflies since he was young (including Mothra from the Godzilla movies).  Butterflies are a symbol of the death culture with their fluttering wings creating small winds of their own, just as the fluttering sign language hands create small winds.  Sign languages from around the world have their own way of saying butterfly. 

Ziyue as a deaf illustrator was perfect for helping to bring this story to life.  Showcasing butterflies and their wind circling the world. 

In Butterfly on the Wind Aurora takes hope from her father’s words and upon seeing a butterfly in her garden decides to send the wind of her butterfly sign around the world. 

Butterfly on the wind

Looking More Closely

I love the bright colours that fill the pages of this delightful story.  And oh, how I love that the words of her papa made such an impact on her.  🙂  AND then on people all over the world.  Did people know the impact they were passing along?  But nevertheless… aren’t the colours marvellous?  And the details, don’t they provide lots of little talking points? Can you spot the butterfly?

The text is a good size for reading to a child sitting at your side or to a group gathered round.  The words easy enough for young ones to understand, and yet rounded out enough to broaden vocabulary. 

At the close of the book, Adam Pottle includes an American Sign Language alphabet and tells a bit of his story.  He includes the why of how this story came about.  I thoroughly enjoyed the glimpse into his life. 

Would I recommend?

The beauty and magic of this read make it so worth while reading through.  🙂   The illustrations fit the story so well.  The heart-warming nature of Butterfly on the Wind is fantastic.  We need more of this empathy and compassion in the world you know? Spreading the butterflies from one point to the next, and not letting them die from lack of wind.  

I adore that she took her inspiration from her father, it shows a closeness in her family you know?  And throughout the butterflies being passed along you see communities in action.   Just a lovely book. 

Agents of S.U.I.T.

By Leave a Comment

Disclosure: I received this complimentary product Agents of S.U.I.T. through Raincoast Books. Affiliate Links will be used, thank you for your support of my blog, costs you nothing to do so, and it is so much appreciated. 🙂

Agents of S.U.I.T. is part of the InvestiGators Series of books, following up with some of the characters of that series.  This first book focuses on the Cilantro the Chameleon.   She’s getting her first mission!  Oh the excitement of that very first assignment. Her partner will be Monocle.   Let’s dive in yes? 

Agents of S.U.I.T

Basic Details for Agents of S.U.I.T.

Title: Agents of S.U.I.T.
Author: john Patrick Green, Christopher Hastings
Illustrator: Pat Lewis
Series: Agents of S.U.I.T, Book One
Publisher: First Second
Pages: 208
Intended Audience: 7-9 years, grade 2-3
Genre: graphic novel, animal comics, mystery, detective, humorous comic,
Available formats: Kindle, Hardcover
Received: Hardcover
Reviewed for: Raincoast Books

Book and author

Agents of S.U.I.T. by John Patrick Green follows the InvestiGators series.   You may recall that I have written about this series in the past the books InvestiGators Take the Plunge and InvestiGators.  Agents of S.U.I.T. is the first in a series of six books.  

John Patrick Green and Christopher Hastings are the authors.  I was unable to find details about Mr. Hastings, but Mr. Green likes legos, being an artist, and humorous comics. 

Agents of S.U.I.T.

Taking a Closer Look

Agents of S.U.I.T. takes animal characters and gives them human jobs.   You’ll find cats herding sheep, dogs being deputies, and so on.  Cilantro the Chameleon has the job of being a detective, and is battling her desire to do her job the way she wants to, and doing it the way her job wants her to.  It’s hard to know how to fit in you know? 

Fortunately, Pat Lewis provides excellent graphics to help tell the story.  Loads of colour on bright pages delight the eye.   Clearly written text makes it easy to read the story. 

You will discover many puns and humorous situations throughout, perfect for grades 2-4.  Remember the adage of counting sheep so you can fall asleep?   You’ll find it playing an active role in this story. 

I love that the story line makes sense.  A detective sent out on a vague mission, discovers what needs doing, and uses their talents to solve the case. I love that Cilantro makes use of the skills of others to help resolve the situation with the aliens. 

Do I recommend?

I couldn’t find anything in this graphic novel, Agents of S.U.I.T. that was objectional.  Engaging story with a real problem, with characters that reacted differently depending on the scenario.  Having to think through problems and discover solutions by working together.  It’s good stuff packed into a fun read. 

The Curse of the Shaman

By Leave a Comment

So I’ve been slowly sorting through books that I held for my boy to read during our homeschooling years.   Sometimes I go “hey, that might make a good read” so I grab it up and kept it in my stash.  Unlike me, my lad didn’t turn into much of a reader, I would have liked for him to read though The Curse of the Shaman. Themes of determination, community, and help from unexpected sources.  

The curse of the shaman

The Basic Details for The Curse of the Shaman

Title: The Curse of the Shaman
Author: Michael Kusugak
Illustrator: Vladyanan Krykorka
Series: A Marble Island Story
Publisher: Harper Collins
Pages: 168
Intended Audience: 9-12 years, Elementary Students, Middle School
Genre:  first nations, Canada, folk lore, Inuit, 
Available formats: Kindle, Paperback
Read: Paperback

About the Author 

Michael Kugusak is a Canadian author who has written several books.  Growing up in Repulse Bay, NWT he currently lives in Sooke, BC.   As a child he rode dog sled, went hunting and fishing, and lived a traditional Inuit lifestyle.  This history can be seen in The Curse of the Shaman. 

About the Book

The Curse of the Shaman takes us into the life of Wolverine from birth through to young adulthood.  We get to see him grow up within the Inuit lifestyle. The anger of a Shaman led to a curse which is later rescinded, but Shaman’s magic helper disagreed. And so the story unfolds…. 

The curse of the shaman

What Did I Think?

There were things I loved in this story and things that took me a bit to adapt to.   

I struggled with some of the names in this story as well as some of the Inuit language.  And a part of me wanted the author to make it easier for me!   How my… how selfish of me is that eh?   Good thing I recognize that eh?   Changing the names would also have changed fundamental parts of the story, which I so much enjoyed. 

The focus on family and community is fantastic!  People care for their family units deeply, and getting together with others is a time of work, celebration, and appreciation of each other.  People shared what they had and who they were freely because that was the best way to live in community.  Share and share alike is how folks survive in a harsh environment. 

Stories told to Wolverine as a youngster prove to be invaluable, again showing the importance of family.  And as children grow up and develop new skills, so do shamans!  🙂   It is good to see not only children learn new skills but the grown ups on their lives as well!   It’s a pleasant twist on a story, and another twist (though as an adult reader I rather anticipated it) is a good one as well.  🙂 

All in all, a good story that immerses us into the lives of the Inuit and a possibility of how shamans work their magic.  The Curse of the Shaman is well worth reading if you are looking at doing a study on Inuit of Canada.    

The Warsaw Sisters

By Leave a Comment

Disclosure: I received this complimentary product for The Warsaw Sisters through Nuts about Books. Affiliate Links will be used, thank you for your support of my blog, costs you nothing to do so, and it is so much appreciated. 🙂

Good and evil are part of what it means to live life isn’t it?   In war we often see more of the nasty side of what people can be.  Amanda Barratt takes the time to show us the courage of two young women, living in Poland, during WW2.  Walk into the wartime lives on Helena and Antonina. Marvel at their determination and survival skills as they manage the Nazi occupation of Poland. 

The Warsaw Sisters by Amanda Barrat

The Basic Details for The Warsaw Sisters

Title: The Warsaw Sisters
Author: Amanda Barratt
Publisher: Bethany House Publishers
Pages: 384
Intended Audience: adult
Genre: Christian fiction, Contemporary Christian fiction, World War ll historical fiction, 20th century historical fiction, Christian historical fiction, 
Available formats: Hardcover, Kindle, Audio, Paperback

The Author

Amanda Barratt says on her website “I’m passionate about illuminating oft-forgotten facets of history”.  And in The Warsaw Sisters I saw snippets of history brought to life I didn’t previously know about. Ms. Barratt is a Christian author who has written several books.  She often writes about WW2 as she’s fascinated by the contrast between good and evil. 

The Warsaw Sisters 

Takes in the lives of Helena and Antonina.   Sisters in Poland trying to survive the Nazi invasion of WW2. Through them we get to see how some of the Polish fought back against the invasion.  How they fought for their people and for the Jewish who lived among them. The question we have is, will their fight against the evil of the Nazi regime drive them apart? 

My Thoughts

I very much appreciated that each time the voice changed, or a date changed, we were clearly informed by section headings.  The font was easy on the eyes and made reading comfortable.  The story, though delineated by days/voices, was indeed a story and not a recitation of facts. 

The fact that the speaker varies between the two sisters means, that for me at least, this novel would not work as an audiobook.  BUT others might be better able at discerning the difference while listening. 

The added historical notes at the close of The Warsaw Sisters are informative, showing how the story was derived from the research that Ms. Barratt did. Very interesting and helpful.

I’m not going to tell you that The Warsaw Sisters is a happy read.  There’s lots of sadness throughout.  We see Germans doing some very nasty things and we see Polish turning a blind eye to atrocities. War is a horrible thing, and wars that include genocide are particularly nasty.  It spans the time of 1939-1945.

But I’m also not going to tell there is no hope or joy.   Joy in helping those who most need it.  Courage of people choosing to fight instead of giving up like sheep.  Bravery in choosing to do hard things.  Intelligence in learning new and necessary skills.   Wonder at the birth of a child.  The hope of the city of Warsaw rebuilt.

So it’s just like Ms. Barratt says ” In times of some of the greatest evil and inhumanity our world has ever known, there emerged glimmers of courage, resilience, and sacrifice. The juxtaposition of those fragments of light against the darkness is extraordinarily powerful and inspires me as I write.”  She fulfilled her own mandate don’t you think?  That balance between good and bad clearly seen in the lives of these women and the army they fight against. 

Hockey Girl Loves Drama Boy

By Leave a Comment

Disclosure: I received this complimentary product Hockey Girl Loves Drama Boy through Raincoast Books. Affiliate Links will be used, thank you for your support of my blog, costs you nothing to do so, and is so much appreciated. 🙂

What happens when a tall strong hockey player meets a drama boy who loves a variety of people and has a heart for others?  Is it true that opposites attract? Faith Erin Hunter takes on bullying issues with Hockey Girl Loves Drama Boy in a tender story of healing and action.  

hockey girls loves drama boy

Basic Details for Hockey Girl Loves Drama Boy

Title: Hockey Girl Loves Drama Boy
Author: Faith Erin Hicks
Publisher: First Second
Pages: 304
Intended Audience: 14-18 years
Genre: manga, graphic novel, teenage romance, LGBTQ, young adult romance
Available formats: Hardcover, Paperback, Kindle
Reviewed for: Raincoast Books

About the Author and this Story

Faith Erin Hicks writes story that feature teens and writes with a LGBQT perspective in mind.   I’ve reviewed One Year at Ellesmere and Ride On. I always enjoy her stories.  She is a Canadian and lives with her hubby and cat in Vancouver.   She’s been writing comics since she was a teenager and has written a fair number of books. A couple of her books have earned her the Eisner Award. 

Hockey girl loves drama boy - faith erin hicks

People handle bullying in many different ways, some better than others.   Alix, after what should have been a night of triumph for her hockey team, deals poorly with her mean teammate Lindsay.  The ultimatum is clear…. learn to deal with her bully is a better manner or her the invitation to the Canada National Women’s U18 Team’s summer camp is on the line.

Giving her dilemma some thought she realizes that Ezra deals really well with bullies, maybe he can help.   Ezra is a drama kid… no sports, no understanding of the fundamentals by which Alix lives.   Can he help?  Can they build a friendship by which Alix can learn what she needs to? So she asks for his help. But as they hang out and start get closer, Alix learns that there is more to Ezra than the cool front he puts on. And that maybe this friendship could become something more. . 

Digging Deeper

Ms. Hicks uses words and images to convey her story.  Some images are filled with action and no words.  Other pages are filled with clearly delineated words. 

Ezra is a boy who has complicated love life.  Alix accepts it.  It’s part of the storyline.  You’ll discover teenage drama, a decent storyline, and personal growth on a number of fronts. 

My Thoughts

I enjoyed this story.  A girl goes to a guy who she sees handling bullying well.   So she asks for help with how to handle it, and they become good friends, and then dating happens.  In the process she has to deal with his interest which goes to both genders.  But she learns how to handle bullying (in a couple of different forms) and he develops a new friendship and learns how to care for some of his other friends better.  Growth happens in both.   I love those types of stories, where romance isn’t central but where both people grow and develop into better people.  

I absolutely love that.  

But I struggle you know?  I was talking with my boy and saying, how do I recommend a book to be read by impressionable people, where something is being promoted that is NOT in their best interest?  Opposite gender households (long term) are for the betterment of society and more stable than any other types of relationship.  How do I recommend people read a book that encourages our youth to self-destructive behaviour?  So while I love the overall story, the other bit of it detracts from it.  

If you aren’t bothered by the LGBTQ aspect, read Hockey Girl Loves Drama Boy, or if you want to engage your teens in discussion, read it with them.  Honestly, because it’s a graphic novel, I had it finished in under an hour. My thinking about it took much longer. 🙂 

The Wind Blows In Sleeping Grass

By Leave a Comment

Disclosure: I received this complimentary product for The Wind Blows In Sleeping Grass through Nuts about Books. Affiliate Links will be used, thank you for your support of my blog, costs you nothing to do so, and is so much appreciated. 🙂

Okay, okay, so I wrote on my FB that this book, this book is what Christian fiction should be.  ” A real story with real people with real drama without romance being in the forefront. A solidly good book.”  Was their romance?  Yes, but it was like the romance of the everyday, a solid, you know it exists romance, but not ooey gooey romance that seems unbelievable.   The Wind Blows in Sleeping Grass is a story about people helping each other, a day where people learn to love more deeply, and the glue is a lovely lady.  You really need to meet Wilma and see the heart that she has for those around her. 

the wind blows in sleeping grass

The Basics of The Wind Blows in Sleeping Grass

Title: The Wind Blows in Sleeping Grass
Author: Katie Powner
Publisher: Bethany House Publishers
Pages: 368
Intended Audience: adult
Genre: Christian fiction, family life fiction, Contemporary Christian fiction
Available formats: Hardcover, Kindle, Audio, Paperback

the wind blows in sleeping grass

Who wrote this novel and what’s it about?

Katie Powner grew up with cows in the Pacific Northwest and has a thorough love of red shoes!  She freely admits it is all her gramma’s fault!   She has an expanded family in Montana and loves to write.   After having thoroughly this read I want to check our church library to see we we have any of them! 

What is The Wind Blows in Sleeping Grass all about?   Take one garbage man Pete, who has had a hard life, and walk with him through his days.  Then watch him make friends with Wilma and over time expand his circle.   And as his circle expands, so does Wilma’s.  Themes of redemption, forgiveness, kindness, family issues, and friendship about throughout in various permutations. 

the wind blows in sleeping grass

My Thoughts

The Wind Blows in Sleeping Grass is a tender, family-oriented drama.   I love the interplay between the various characters.  Wilma played her role so well.  A momma wanting to fix the world while being an older lady with the struggles that age can bring. Connections leading from one person to the next, new social skills learned, and the joy of living in community.   I would happily re-read this lovely novel and am looking forward to sharing it with my mom and various friends before donating it to my church library. 

You’ll find the characters well developed… including that of the pig.  🙂  The writing draws you in, as you want to see how Pete handles the different situations that pop up in his life.  Knowing the struggles that Wilma is dealing with begs for some sort of resolution.  Will they be handled by the end of the novel?  These compelling reasons keep the reader invested from start to close.  Pete is a guy I think I would want to know and Wilma reminds me of a Mrs. B in a church I used to attend.  A lady who was near and dear to my heart.  So read it, fall in love with the characters, and share it with those around you too!  🙂 

The Secret Keepers

By Leave a Comment

This is one of the many books I read while on vacation Aug 26-Sept 2.  I thoroughly enjoyed it and hope I can inspire you to give it a boo.  A little free library allowed me to pick up The Secret Keepers.  I like to check them out and often find hidden reads.  If I thought I could get my lad to listen to it, I’d pick it up from Audible for him! Affiliate Links will be used, thank you for your support of my blog, costs you nothing to do so, and is so much appreciated.

The Secret Keepers by Trenton Lee Stewart

Basic Details for The Secret Keepers

Title: The Secret Keepers
Author: Trenton Lee Stewart
Illustrator: Diana Sudyka
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Pages: 512
Intended Audience: 8 – 11 years
Genre: fantasy, mystery, detective, spy, magic, action and adventure
Available formats: Hardcover, Kindle, paperback, audiobook, audio cd

The Secret Keepers by Trenton Lee Stewart

My Thoughts

If you have read the mysterious benedict society novels the feel of The Secret Keepers won’t be unexpected.  As soon as I started this novel I wondered if familiar characters would show up. 🙂  They didn’t, but it was kinda fun anticipating it! 

Stewart takes young characters and bestows on them the ability to think and to be courageous when called upon. Reuben is no different. A child who grew up knowing his momma loves him and allows him to make of his days as he will.  Encouraging him frequently to find friends to hang out with and playing games just for the two of them.  A single mom, making a great effort to parent her boy well. 

Reuben, wants to help his mom and a new treasure just might be the way to do it.   BUT… there are troubles along the way.  Reuben is forced to get other people to help him and ends up makes friends along the way.

I enjoyed The Secret Keepers from start to finish.   Admittedly, I wasn’t surprised at who the bad guy was, or doubted how it would end up.  The ending felt a bit too neat though, and potentially leading toward trouble in the future.