Recap Book Chat

The Hiding Place by Corrie ten Boom with John and Elizabeth Sherrill is a remarkable story of an amazing family’s dedication to serving God wholeheartedly. Join Kate and I as we discuss the impactfulness of Casper ten Boom and his family while they operate their watch shop in Holland. The family is always on the alert for ways to be the hands and feet of Jesus. Aristotle said, “We are what we repe...

Travel the last half of Route 66 with Charles James, the famous Chicago pitchman that everyone believes was killed in a plane crash. Dying, for Charles, was an eye-opener. He decides to walk from Chicago, IL to Santa Monica, CA, In The Road Home by Richard Paul Evans, readers join Charles about two hours from Amarillo, TX. Each chapter begins with a quote from the protagonist. The quotes are like...

The same author that gave us Ebenezer Scrooge and Oliver Twist also gifted readers with a kind, loyal, misfortunate, and somewhat naïve, David Copperfield . After reading this novel from the genre, bildungsroman (dealing with the protagonist maturing) we agree with the famous praise of Thackery, ‘Bravo Dickens’. Let’s share a few quotes from these classic characters: “My meaning simply is, that wh...

Have you ever noticed how some folks seem to get a lot done with little effort while other folks g barely get the bare essentials done? One camp seems to swim effortlessly while the camp I’m in  dog paddles with our heads barely above water. Why is this? We all are blessed with 168 hours in a week but that is where the similarity between these two camps ends, my friend.  Tim Challies helps those o...

Is your life so busy you barely take time to breathe let alone pray without ceasing? We think this nugget of truths can help us to focus on God no matter what we’re doing.  Brother Lawrence was not a monk. He was a  wounded soldier, failed footman, and finally a cook and dishwasher and cobbler who lived centuries ago. How can he help us today? Brother Lawrence was known to be ‘sensible of his faul...

It’s time to head back to school and find a learning routine groove. What books have caused you to change your life? Join us as we discuss books that schooled us and caused a significant shift in our lives.  “It strengthens thy heart to do a hard thing” is a powerful quote from A Door in the Wall by Marguerite de Angeli. A cripple boy learns how to survive despite his hardships in this unique nove...

My Brain’s Not Broken (Strategies for Navigating Your Emotions and Life with ADHD) By: Tamara Rosier, PhD “Where’s my phone?” “ What did I do with my keys?” “Was that due today?” “ Wow! That took a lot longer than I thought it would!” “Where did the time go?” “I am sooooooo tired.” This author has ADHD along with 3 of her 4 kids and her husband, so the girl knows well the crazy unpredictable journ...

Let’s meet Henry (14), Jessie(12), Violet(10), and Benny(6) Alden, a.k.a. The Boxcar Children! Henry is hard-working, responsible, and protective. Jessie is brave, a talented cook and  a great problem solver. Violet is the  quiet and shy Alden. She has sewing skills beyond her years. Benny has the  ability to boldly say what is on his mind, often in a funny way. He loves a cracked pink cup he foun...

It’s me again, Hank, the Cowdog…is the opening line in every Hank book by John R. Erickson. This entertaining series about a comical canine who boastfully touts himself to be the Head of Ranch Security has become a favorite for all ages. Readers join Hank and his sidekick, Dover, while they relentlessly tease Bruno, the boxer, on their uninvited trip into town. When Bruno calls Hank a 2 bit cowdog...

“That’s one more thing I detest about war. It’s not over when it ends.” Lady Rowan Join Maisie Dobbs as she takes on a challenging case when she is hired by Mr. Waite, an august person who strives to control everything and everyone in his circle. He has met his match with Maisie who works in her own time and in her own way. She knows the value of letting fact, thoughts, observations, and feelings...

Recipe for The Hungry Place Recap   Ingredients: 1 horse lovin’ girl without a mom aka Rae 1 hard working creative dad  1 wise grandma aka Gammer 1 beautiful pony - Princess 1 kind hearted sickly owner - Roland 2 unsavory hired hands - Charlie, the trainer & his wife, Darlene 2 encouraging friends - Tully & Sam 1 concerned owner of pony camp - Tish Mix together a girl who yearns for a pony...

Join us as we discuss Little Pilgrim on his arduous trip to the Celestial City. Will he be able to navigate through the many dangers that thwart his forward progress? This beautifully illustrated allegory was derived from John Bunyan’s The Pilgrim’s Progress, but Helen L. Taylor’s use of anthropomorphism makes Bunyan’s amazing story easily understood by children. Animals that are characters make t...

Travel back in time with us as we discuss Secret Keeper by Kate Morton. This book has more plot twists than a roller coaster. It begins in the year 1961 as 16 year old Laurel is watching from her treehouse not wanting to join the family in her little brother’s birthday picnic. Her mother returns to the house with the birthday boy on her hip to get the special birthday knife to cut Gerry’s cake. La...

In this podcast episode, we open up our Kid Lit Locker delve into the world of Ted Hughes' classic novel, The Iron Giant . With our special kid guest we explore the themes of environmentalism, friendship, and the power of imagination through the story of a giant metal robot who arrives on Earth. Join us as we discuss the significance of the Iron Man's most memorable moments, from his fiery battles...

Andy Crouch gives readers a plethora of ways to put technology in its proper place in his book, The Tech-Wise Family. "To be a child, teenager, or young adult these days is to navigate a minefield of potentially life-altering choices." His daughter wrote in the forward explaining "...the best part of tech-wise parenting is focusing on something older and better than the newest thing. The key word...

Join us as we discuss a kid friendly gem similar to the classic, Robinson Crusoe. Michael Morpurgo, War Horse author, spins a tale of wonder and suspense in  Kensuke's Kingdom , which is based on a true story.  After young Michael's parents simultaneously lost their jobs, his dad shocked the family by using their savings to buy a yacht. After 6 months of training, their journey around the world be...

West With Giraffes follows a 17 year old dust bowl orphan across America in the journey of a lifetime in the company of a couple of Giraffes. Based on a true story, Lynda Rutledge beautifully weaves together fact and fiction in this adventure packed story of healing, hope, perseverance and love.

A foundational and illuminating read from one of the great intellectual giants. C.S. Lewis takes us on a journey of unpacking and unlearning misconceptions we have been taught about Christianity and uncovering it’s simplicity and beauty. Lewis is an allegory master, breaking complex ideas into understandable and relatable bites.

This classic 1883 iconic pirate adventure story did not disappoint! Robert Louis Stevenson created pop cultures vision of a buccaneer with his character Long John Silver. This book was a swashbuckling fun ride full of great quotes and memorable adventures.

Utterly charming and captivating, Maisie Dobbs will forever have a place in our hearts. Jacqueline Winspear does and excellent job of melding historical fiction and mystery. Maisie Dobbs is set post WWI in London England, but has flash backs before the war and during the war where we get to see pivotal moments of her childhood and youth and young adulthood.

In this episode we throw out a reading challenge to you, literary warrior. We go over our list and share books we have read from each category. Enjoy this free printable from our website to help you stay on track and keep track of your reading goals. I also provided links to the versions of each book we recommend and the link to the episode if we have reviewed it on the show. You are welcome, that...

A beautiful, intense and thought provoking novel from Kristin Hannah left our tissue boxes empty but our hearts full. The Great Alone set in Americas last frontier, follows a girl named Leni who is 13 at the beginning of the book. We get a look into her tumultuous childhood and her transition into womanhood amid the beautiful yet brutal Alaskan landscape. Leni's dad came back from the Vietnam war...

The Blackout Book Club is a unique WWII story set on the coast of Maine that highlights the power of books and the importance of connections. The story follows five main characters who are all dealing with secret issues that are all brought to light. Amy Lynn Green beautifully weaves their lives together and shows how we all need community to thrive.  This is our first Amy Lynn Green novel but for...

Well all have giants in our lives that taunt us and try to crush us. Some mock us or pretend to be our friend yet all of these giants ultimately want our destruction.  Louie Giglio does an excellent job in Goliath Must Fall of bringing an awareness to these giants and a strategy to not let them have a place at our table.  Fear, rejection, addiction, anger and comfort are the giants that are discus...

Reading takes time so why not get the most bang for your buck and the greatest return on your investment. Today we discuss three different ways to do that with reading strategies. These strategies help strengthen our connection to the text and have a more impactful reading experience. 1. Upside down Triangle -student preferred strategy 2. CSI - Color, Symbol, Image 3. SPW - Sentence, Phrase, Word...