Voices: The Final Hours of Joan of Arc

Joan of Arc: The Maid of Orleans video

Voices: The Final Hours of Joan of Arc by David Elliott is an absolutely brilliant novel written in medieval style verse and concrete poetry.  The entire novel takes place while Joan is tied to the stake and is told through the points of view of the people, animals, and objects in her life.  The reader learns Joan's life story as the flames rise higher and higher throughout the book.  There are also quotes from her Trial of Condemnation and Trial of Nullification.  Elliott has written an exceptionally beautiful tribute to Saint Joan.    

Frenzy

Currently reading; so far, it's crazy. Don't go into the woods while at summer camp!!! Review coming soon! 

This Monstrous Thing

Official Book Trailer

This Monstrous Thing by Mackenzi Lee, is one of the best books that I've read in a long time. Set right after the American Civil War, this story is a retelling of Frankenstein with elements of steampunk that inject a fresh life to an all too familiar tale. Alasdair Finch works in his father's clock shop where they have a basement in which they design prosthesis made from clockwork pieces to help returning soldiers who have lost limbs during their service to their country. Ostracized by society, these people are seen as non-human because they have clockwork pieces in their prosthetic limbs. With both patients and inventors being imprisoned, the Finches have to hide from authorities. Older brother, Oliver is dead, but the mystery is why and how. As Alasdair finds himself engrossed in the dream of attending college to major in engineering under the guidance of professor Geisler at Ingolstadt University in Geneva, Switzerland, he finds himself relying on Mary, who is a longtime friend to the family, but mesmerized by Dr. Geisler's female assistant.  Becoming embroiled in the fight for clockwork men's rights and the pain and grief of his brothers, death, this fast paced, exciting, unexpected mystery and action adventure speeds to an exciting conclusion with shocking details that parallel the original Frankenstein, while breathing new life into a classic for all times.   

Short

Short, by Holly Goldberg Sloan, is a laugh out loud, heartfelt, wise and honest story about Julia,  a middle school student who is exceptionally short for her age. Her mom talks both her and her younger brother into trying out for the community play of the Wizard of Oz, where they both land roles, Julia with a much larger one than her brother. She, along with adult actors, who are little people, are munchkins. The play, directed by a washed up Broadway director, becomes the portal for life lessons, wisdom, friendship, honest observations, and learning to accept oneself and others as they are. This was such a heartwarming read that anyone can relate to. I highly suggest it.  

Taming of the Shoe

If you enjoy Disney's Descendants or any of the iconic princess  stories, you will love this fun, romp of a good time that focuses on the trials and tribulations of Araminta, the middle school age daughter of Cinderella and her, now, king husband, Robert Robicheaux, (aka Robbie). After years of being a Cinderwench, Cinderella or Ella, has become the CEO of a massive cleaning products company who flies off to Europe with Robbie to close on an international deal. Uprooting their daughter, Minty, from the castle and kingdom of Robicheaux, they leave her in the care of the now reformed, evil stepsisters who own a successful business based upon injuries sustained trying to win over Robbie in years past. While trying to fit in, Minty gets drawn into the circle of the most popular click and finds herself in a crazy adventure to meet the lead singer of her favorite band, while trying to be her own person who begins her own shoe company. Will Minty survive middle school, the step-aunts, juggling the cool kids with those that she really likes, meet the band and please her parents at the same time, or will disaster ensue? With cameos from characters from Snow White, the daughter of Sleeping Beauty and a few more, this fun read will be relatable to anyone who has ever attended middle school and tried to fit in.  I can't wait to read the follow ups, Charmed, I'm Sure and Fairest of Them All! 

Mercy: The Incredible Story of Henry Bergh, Founder of the ASPCA and Friend to Animals

Mercy by Nancy Furstinger is a biography on the life of Henry Bergh, the unlikely founder of the ASPCA. Born into relative wealth in Manhattan, NY in 1813, Henry grew up with principles but no direction in life. Unable to find his true calling, he married; and upon a trip abroad, realized his calling to protect helpless animals which had no rights, after witnessing a bull fight in Spain when he was over the age of 50. Never owning a pet of his own, Bergh built the ASPCA upon the example of the RSPCA in Great Britain and even expanded his organization to include what became Child Protective Services! Beautiful colored illustrations combined with actual photos of the time and pages of informational sidebars to further support the text, hold the attention of the reader and keep them cheering for both Henry and the many animals that he helped.  

More Deadly Than War: The Hidden History of the Spanish Flu and the First World War

This incredible non-fiction book on the Spanish flu pandemic of 1918 reads more like a thriller than a non-fiction text. Especially pertinent to the present coronavirus pandemic, it speaks to what happens when mankind does not take proper precautions due to the history of the times; in this case, WWI. Riddled with fantastic black and white photos and an appendix that reads like a second book, More Deadly Than War by Kenneth C. Davis is informative, interesting, and extremely eye opening, especially during our world's present history. NOTE: Who knew that Walt Disney lied about his age and became an ambulance driver during WWI after surviving the Spanish Flu!!