Plumfield Moms

“Whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked” (1 John 2:6). The apostle John began his first letter by reminding us that he was an eyewitness to Jesus’s life on earth. He adamantly proclaimed that Jesus came in the flesh so we can have fellowship, along with John, in the Father and in Jesus the Christ.   But saying we have that fellowship isn’t enough. After some...

Sara Masarik’s References  In Defense of Beverly Cleary Blog Post Clementine by Sara Pennypacker   Lily's Victory Garden  by Helen L. Wilbur Friend of Freedom River by Gloria Whela  Mackinac Bridge by Gloria Whelan The Scarlet Stocking Spy by Trinka Hakes Noble  The Town that Fooled the British  by Lisa Papp Rudy Rides the Rails   Dandi Daley Mackall  The Impossible Journey by Gloria Whelan Ideas...

The more Ann Rinaldi I read, the more her writing disappoints me. Brooklyn Rose had the potential to be a charming and interesting historical novel, but several recurring flaws render it unsuitable for a thoughtful young adult audience or a library that aims to provide living books and quality historical fiction. The book centers around Rose Frampton, a young Southern belle who, in 1900, enters in...

Lad: A Dog by Albert Payson Terhune is a classic that captures the heart of any dog lover with its vivid language and realistic storytelling. Set in the peaceful countryside of Sunnybank, the book follows the adventures of Lad, a noble collie, whose loyalty, intelligence, and bravery are celebrated in a series of charming and heartfelt anecdotes.   The strength of this book lies in Terhune’s abili...

     "One of the most disturbing instances of idol worship in the Old Testament is when the Israelites were waiting at the foot of Mt. Sinai for Moses to come back down. They decided Moses wasn’t coming back, so they demanded that Aaron make them a god. And he did!      'And they made a calf in those days, and offered a sacrifice to the idol and were rejoicing in the works of their hands' (Acts 7:...

In this conversation, the Plumfield Moms and Bethlehem Books discuss the origins and mission of the publishing company, which focuses on providing quality children's literature rooted in a culture that values faith and education. They explore the community aspect of their work, the influence of Charlotte Mason's educational philosophy, and the journey from a bakery to a publishing house, culminati...

“So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him” (2. Cor. 5:9 ESV). What really got me thinking about how we use these words were the two translations that said, “We try our best.” Because what Paul says he is “trying his best” to do is to please Jesus. And the reason is that we are all going to appear before his judgment seat to receive what is our due for what we have done. ...

Mama Bear Apologetics: Empowering Your Kids to Challenge Cultural Lies by Hillary Morgan Ferrer Ivanhoe by Sir Walter Scott Green Writer Share your library story Link for Mail Bag Biblioguides Semicolon Book Review Roundup  Mighty Networks Shelf Notes  Picture Book Preschool    LibraryThing TinyCat Find us at The Card Catalog Website: https://thecardcataloglibrarians.com/

Angel on the Square by Gloria Whelan transports readers to pre-revolutionary Russia through the eyes of a young aristocrat. We explore how this captivating historical novel brings the Russian Revolution to life, showing the fall of the Romanovs and the rise of the Soviet regime. With rich storytelling and thought-provoking themes, this book is a must-read for those who love history and stories of...

"Knowledge makes for stability. Peter’s intention is to remind us of important points though we know and are established in the truth. That is, we are set fast, firmly fixed in the truth. Ignorant and unstable people will twist Scripture “to their own destruction.” We have been warned so we won’t be carried away with their errors and lose our own . The prophetic word we have is firmly fixed, sure...

In this conversation, we discuss the value of picture books in both education and personal enjoyment. Sara Masarik delves into the works of Gloria Whelan, highlighting her contributions to historical fiction, specifically mentioning, The Hedge School , The Miracle of St. Nicholas , Small Acts of Amazing Courage , The Angel on the Square , and Homeless Bird . The discussion also touches on the sign...

Earlier this month I reviewed  Hidden Yellow Stars  by Rebecca Connolly  and celebrated it as being perfect for the “hopeful stories from WWII” category. When I finished, I went looking to see what else she had written and was delighted to see that she had a historical fiction novel that was released last year about Edith Cavell and WWI. I instantly grabbed it. My Greta loves Edith Cavell and here...

"I believe that Jesus was teaching us that true thanksgiving is concurring with God’s right judgments. Whether circumstances look good to me or not, I want to be transformed by the renewal of my mind. "For who has understood the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?’ But we have the mind of Christ' (I Cor. 2:16)."

In this engaging conversation, Sara, Diane, and Kevin T. Ford discuss the journey of becoming an author and the creative process behind his book ' Lepunia '. They explore themes of family, writing inspiration, and the importance of understanding the target audience for children's literature. Kevin shares insights into his writing style, future projects, and the unique experiences that shaped his s...

Inspired by true events in World War II of the Warsaw librarians’ resistance, Madeline Martin’s 2023 historical fiction novel, The Keeper of Hidden Books is her strongest novel so far. As Poland tries to avoid succumbing to the invasion of Germany, young Poles are organizing themselves into various forms of resistance work. Zofia and her Jewish friend Janina are assigned to assist the Warsaw publi...

If Paul considered his affliction light and momentary, what are we called to think about ours? He didn’t have anything we can’t have. When he told the Ephesians to “be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might,” it wasn’t a suggestion. It was a command followed by instructions on how to do that. “Put on the whole armor of God,” and when you have done everything, “stand firm.” When he wro...

The story: The Blair family has recently moved to the country from Detroit. Dad and Mom had to go back to the city for a few days so they left the four kids to take care of things at the new house. The oldest sister is college-age, so that’s okay.  Their very first night alone in the house, the two boys hear a noise in the attic that needs to be investigated. Hollis, the oldest boy, maybe twelve y...

 “Nothing that exists by nature can form a habit contrary to its nature . . . Neither by nature, then, nor contrary to nature do the  virtues arise in us ; rather we are adapted by nature to receive them, and are made perfect by habit.” 

Tanya’s References  The Librarian Spy by Madeline Martin  The Last Bookshop in London by Madeline Martin  Once Upon a Wardrobe by Patti Callahan Henry Becoming Mrs. Lewis by Patti Callahan Henry   Stone Fox by John Reynolds Gardiner  Sarah Kim’s References The Betrothed by Alessandro Manzoni Beneath the Magnificent Dome by Anna Iakovou  Sara Masarik’s References  A Canticle for Leibowitz by Walter...

I have been on a Connie Willis kick lately. You may have read my review of To Say Nothing of the Dog – the hilarious comedy that reminds me of Jeeves and Wooster or The Importance of Being Earnest . Or, you may have heard me raving about Blackout and All Clear . At Christmas, I read and reviewed her collection of Christmas-themed short stories, A Lot Like Christmas . And I just re-read Doomsday an...

The life of Joseph, in the Old Testament, is a vivid example of the shade of God’s hand. Joseph was a favored son of his father. He also had the gift of interpreting dreams. While it would have been prudent for him not to advertise his dreams in front of his brothers, he wasn’t responsible for the hatred that drove them to be willing to kill him. As Pharaoh’s slave, and later in prison for somethi...

“The aftermath of World War II brought great suffering to people in Europe. Thousands of Americans responded, healing the wounds of war with kindness. My grandparents, Fran and Frederick Hamerstrom, headed one relief effort initiated by American ornithologists. This is their story. They enlisted the help of fellow scientists, and together they sent care packages to more than three thousand people...

"When I doubt my own abilities, God has me right where he wants me. My faith is not to be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God. To those who are called, that power is the word of the cross. Thank God, if my faith is in his power, I don’t need to worry about my own lack of eloquence or qualifications. I am assured that it is Jesus Christ who will sustain me, and that God who called me is fa...

I usually steer clear of apocalyptic novels because they tend to be depressing, strange, and godless. So when my Tuesday Night Classics Club chose the science fiction novel, A Canticle for Leibowitz , I was hesitant. However, since it is highlighted in Joseph Pearce’s Literature: What Every Catholic Should Know , I decided to give it a chance. To my surprise, it became one of the most thought-prov...

Set in the exciting backdrop of the Old West, Dead-Eye Dan and the Cimarron Kid by Glenn McCarty opens with a man in pain who can’t remember who or where he is. At first, he wonders if he’s a lawman—but quickly concludes he must be a poor one, given his state. Then, fearing he might be an outlaw, he feels shame and wonders if outlaws feel shame, and if they do, why it doesn’t convince them to quit...