Review-Heartbroke Bay, by Lynn D'Urso

HEARTBROKE BAY: A NOVEL, BY LYNN D'URSO
Lynn D’Urso
Berkley Trade Paperback
November 2, 2010
$15.00/C$18.50,HC, 320pp
978-0-425-23680-2.

In 1898 Lady Hamilton, recently from England is traveling by rail on a tour of the West. Hannah Butler is one of her servants and she bleakly envisions four remaining in her employ. During their trip Hannah meets Hans Nelson, a fellow traveler bound for the Pacific. Their courtship is brief and they soon marry. Nelson has visions of striking rich as he plans to make a fortune mining gold. Along the way they encounter three other gold seekers, Harky, Dutch and Michael Severts. Their journey seeking riches is not an easy one, as countless others discover. Undaunted by the climate and horror stories they manage to make a tenuous landing after a ferocious storm in Lituya Bay, Alaska. For months they work tirelessly with meager results. Their promise of wealth alludes them. When they loose their only means of transportation back to civilization there despair is lifted when Negook, a local Tlingit shaman agrees to take them back home. As they enter his village, abundant food and wealth are everywhere, and a plan to stay is agreed upon by all. Negook is convinced the white people are causing bad luck to his people. Knowing that the only way for him to rid himself of their presence is to give them what they want. He sees their greed is driving their destiny and is sure they won’t survive, so Negook leads them to gold, lots of gold.

Based on a true story of Hans and Hannah Nelson. With D’Urso’s research and some imagination it is easy to picture the despair and isolation felt by the the four men who along with Hannah Nelson battled the harsh and hostile climate of Alaska.


Disclosure: This book was given to me by Historical Novels Review.
Review first published HNR, November 2010.

© [Wisteria Leigh] and [Bookworm's Dinner], [2011].

Review-The House on Salt Hay Road by Carin Clevidence

THE HOUSE ON SALT HAY ROAD
Carin Clevidence
Farrar, Strauss and Giroux
2010, $25.00/C$18.50,HC
304pp
978-0-374-17314-2.


Clayton and his sister Nancy lost both parents and have moved in with their mother’s family on Salt Hay Road on Long Island. In the Spring of 1937 a firework factory explosion rocks the community as the story opens and you soon get a sense of the family dynamics. Nancy takes on the role of mother to Clayton causing some resentment on his part. She never quite accepts her circumstances or the love of her Aunt, Uncle, grandfather. When Nancy meets Robert, a visitor from Boston, she is swept away by his charm and with impulsivity agrees to marry him. Nancy assumes that Clayton will move with her, but when he refuses she is forced to leave her only family and move to Boston.

After her departure, Grandfather Scudder, is filled with sorrow and his health deteriorates as he grieves her absence. Aunt Mavis questions her own marriage left abandoned by her husband. Uncle Roy, never married becomes interested in a newcomer to the island. Clay finds a job and avoids school whenever possible. Nancy feels isolated and unhappy. When the hurricane of 1938 slams the eastern seaboard, all are caught off guard. This is not a story about this devastating hurricane, but more about the choices made, consequences, and ultimate forgiveness.

The first half sets the tone and the rhythm of daily life for the Poole family. The setting is vivid and charming as anyone who lives or visits the shore will embrace. Each character touches you with compassionate familiarity. Readers may find the pace at the beginning slow, however, the second half is much more engaging as the family struggles through the hurricane and its aftermath. The House on Salt Hay Road is a pensive and memorable achievement with a timeless message.

First published in Historical Novels Review, September 2010.
Disclosure: Copy of book was provided by HNR. This review is original and without bias.


© [Wisteria Leigh] and [Bookworm's Dinner], [2011].

Young Adult Review-Iron Thunder, by AVI

IRON THUNDER

The Battle between the Monitor and the Merrimac
by AVI
Hyperion Books, 2007
Hardcover Follett Bound, 207pp
978-1423104469

Description from the Author’s Page

When his father is killed fighting for the Union in the War Between the States, thirteen-year-old Tom Carroll must take a job to help support his family. He manages to find work at a bustling ironworks in his hometown of Brooklyn, New York, where dozens of men are frantically pounding together the strangest ship Tom has ever seen. A ship made of iron. Tom soon learns that the Union army has very important plans for this iron ship called the Monitor. It is supposed to fight the Confederate “sea monster”—another ironclad, the Merimac. But almost no one believes the Monitor will float!
Meanwhile, Tom’s job at the ironworks has made him a target of Confederate spies who offer him money for information about the ship. Tom finds himself caught between two certain dangers: an encounter with murderous spies and a battle at sea in an iron coffin. . . .

http://www.avi-writer.com/books/books/iron.html

My Review

The battle between the Monitor and the Merrimac was a distance vague memory from my childhood.  An exciting story, Iron Thunder shows off the skillful storytelling of AVI who always makes history is fun to read.  It is through his character’s lives that his nimble novel writing excels. 

Tom Carroll was an actual sailor on the Monitor who is fictionalized by Avi.  Through Tom’s point of view his vivid and clever imagination for what could have been comes alive. Backed up and supported by primary and secondary sources,  Avi’s story conveys the importance of these unproven, experimental iron ships and the significance of the battles that took place at sea.

In his author notes he shares how he researched background for the novel by examining newspaper articles, letters, memoirs, and eyewitness reports of those who served on the ships or witnessed the engagement.

Teachers should consider this an excellent choice for middle school readers, as a read aloud or literature circle study. Many themes can be explored as well as the controversy that remains as to who actually won the battle. Tom’s story becomes complicated when he is faced with tough decisions that weigh on his conscience.

Avi’s books are numerous in my school library collection.  From fantasy to historical fiction, he knows how to entertain kids. Many books about the Civil War are inappropriate for upper elementary and middle school due to the brutal reality of battle. Without depicting the harsh and horrific images of the battlefield he is able to tell an inspiring story that is age appropriate.  Iron Thunder is an important addition to the Civil War collection of historical fiction.

© [Wisteria Leigh] and [Bookworm's Dinner], [2011].

Wisteria Leigh
Library/Media Specialist
January 2011

Disclosure:  Library book in my school collection. 

Mary Mackey's-The Notorious Mrs. Winston, a review

THE NOTORIOUS MRS. WINSTON
Mary Mackey
Berkley Books
May 2007
$14.00U.S./17.50 CAN, Paperback
340 pp
978-0425215128.

Book Description from the Back Cover

"Married to an older man who sees her as little more than a possession, Claire Winston feels trapped and unhappy, but she knows her personal suffering pales in comparison to the hardships of the nation, which is teetering on the precipice of civil war. And she has a secret that helps ease her despair: her family's devotion to the cause of assisting runaway slaves to freedom, a purpose she embraces, and of which her husband is unaware. Still, the empty pretense of her marriage makes her vulnerable to temptation, and soon she finds herself captivated by John Taylor, her husband's nephew. In his arms she finds the passion and tenderness her marriage lacks, but as much as John loves her, he is devoted first and foremost to the Confederacy, and to the band of rebel guerillas known as Morgan's Raiders. Separated from John for more than two years by the forces of history, and by her husband's machinations, Claire will travel boldly across the war-torn country in search of her lover. Until, disguised as a male soldier, she finds herself drafted by none other than General Morgan himself, swept up in the greatest guerilla raid in American history, and caught between her loyalty to the Union and her love for John."

http://www.marymackey.com/Pages/books.html

My Review

Claire thought she was in love with her new husband Henry, but soon after they were married his obsession with photographing her became a source of discomfort and revulsion. He wouldn’t touch her, in fact the marriage was never consummated. Claire is not even allowed to touch him when they lay in bed at night. The mysterious green album sends shudders through Claire’s veins as it contains indiscreet photos of her, oddly provocative and perverse, a secret fetish of her husband’s. He worships her beauty in an artistic way, but for Claire, the camera lens becomes a dreaded focal point to her marriage.

When she meets John Taylor, Henry’s nephew, their mutual attraction is explosive. This event will alter her destiny as The Notorious Mrs. Winston takes on the persona of Zeke, a young boy eager to join the infamous Morgan Raiders so that she can be with her beloved.

Historiographically, General Morgan and his company of about seventeen hundred men did exist and their presence in the Ohio River area of southern Indiana was intended to cause havoc for the Union men. The fictional Claire, although she claimed allegiance to the Union cause, fought with Morgan’s men to be with John. She is clever, and devoted to him with an unstoppable tenacious willful spirit of adventure.

While it is hard to accept that Claire was able to pull of the disguise of a rebel soldier, when her beauty was evidently striking, I enjoyed her character. Her loyalty and dedication to the Underground Railroad is evident early on, yet she must somehow work with the enemy in order to save herself and a future with the man she loves. Somewhat dramatic in a soap opera way, this still is an enjoyable read. Mackey has since written The Widow’s War, set in the Civil War period which in my opinion is superb. Those looking for an adventurous book for the Civil War Challenge should consider this one.




Wisteria Leigh
January 2011

© [Wisteria Leigh] and [Bookworm's Dinner], [2011].

Disclosure: Self-purchase at National Military Park Bookstore, Gettysburg, PA.

War Through the Generations-I'm Signed Up!

I have decided to join the War Through the Generations Challenge again this year. This year the subject is The American Civil War. Ever since I attended a grad course several years ago and visited Gettysburg for the second time, I have had a fascination with this period of history. I already have a prodigious library of Civil War books both non-fiction and historical fiction. This challenge will give me a big nudge to tackle this highly anticipated TBR pile of mine. I also plan on including some YA books that are on my library shelves in school. Buying books for the library is always fun, but I don't always take the time to read the entire book, just skimming through the reviews and a few chapters.

I don't plan on participating in any other challenges at this point, although I am reserving my right to change that later. LOL

Thanks again to Anna and Serena for hosting this valuable and thought provoking challenge.


© [Wisteria Leigh] and [Bookworm's Dinner], [2011].

Teaser Tuesday-#1 2011

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme,
hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading.
Anyone can play along!

This week my teaser comes from:

The Notorious Mrs. Winston

by Mary Makey
Published by Berkley
©2007

"She has come to think of the lens as the barrel of a gun. Even now, when it is pointed in another direction, she feels as if she is standing in the crosshairs." (page 11)





Disclosure: I purchased this book in Gettysburg.

© [Wisteria Leigh] and [Bookworm's Dinner], [2011].

With Much Anticipation ....Review-The Little Princes by Conor Grennan

LITTLE PRINCES
One Man’s Promise to Bring Home the Lost Children of Nepal
Conor Grennan
William Morrow
Memoir
February 2011
978-0-06-193005-8
$25.99, 304pages

The Little Princes should be on everyone's wishlist for 2011!

When Conor Grennan left his full-time job and decided to travel for a year, little did he know his journey would end up consuming his life, heart and soul, with an incessant need to locate children of Nepal who he had made a vow to. Conor Grennan was 29 when he decided to volunteer to help orphans in Nepal, more as a means to impress than for any noble endeavor. Whatever his original intent, he ended up with a deep passion to save the children of Little Princes Orphanage who he believed he left behind in good care.

After three months of volunteering, Conor sets off to travel the world on a bicycle for a year. When he learns that the children he left behind, those he promised would be taken care of by nice people, were actually recaptured by the same child trafficker who took them initially, Conor becomes instantly sickened. He knows the children who came to trust him, now look at him with betrayal.

With an indomitable drive and no idea where to start, he researches how to start a non-profit organization. He knows he needs to raise money, because he is broke, he has spent his life savings traveling the world. He ultimately forms Next Generation Nepal (NGN) and freely admits, his purpose was to find the seven children he left behind. As he lectured and met people he raised money, and was able to return to Nepal to begin his arduous task of searching for his seven kids. Through his efforts, he and his associate in Nepal, Farid, were able to open Dhaulagiri House. Jointly, they set up the home that would accommodate twenty children. They were assisted by Gyan Bahadur from the Child Welfare Board in Kathmandu. They literally had to walk hundreds of miles to try and locate the children and families. During the early stages of their mission, they were caught up in the political unrest in Kathmandu between Maoist rebels and the king’s government, often life threatening.

In reading Little Princes, you will become aware of the child trafficking and the systemic issues in Nepal that create such terrible family separations. You read how easily children become slaves and families loose total contact with them. They believe they have handed them over to be educated, fed and a better life. This book has broadened my schema in so many ways. Nepal is so much more real to me now: the climate, the politics, the culture and the families. His stories of the children, their horrible plight and difficult rescue is just so special, a beautiful book. His organization can be found at nextgenerationnepal.org.

Book Source: I received this book from William Morrow Publisher. This review reflects my candid and truthful opinion.


© [Wisteria Leigh] and [Bookworm's Dinner], [2011].

2010 Reflections

This has been a challenging blogging year for me for many reasons. My full-time job has required much more time outside of my work day. My health status was further compromised with Lyme Disease in the spring. Wow, I can't imagine how a wee-bitty tiny tick can create such havoc and illness with one small bite. Then during this year, two of my dogs had major medical issues, and as many of you know I lost my sweet Webster in the summer. Mystery is doing much better and will always be on medicine. She is a little Diva, but cute as a button anyway. Lion is my heart dog..ever present and my protector. He is my biggest dog with an old sensitive soul. Wizard is the resident nervous Nellie. He is always on guard for my terrorist cat Owen, who sits and waits to take pot claw shots at him as he tries to sneak by him. Houdini turned fourteen and true to his name is elusive, having no interest in dogs or people, with the exception of his love for me. He is my book buddy.

Reading is always my solace and the sunshine to look forward to each day. The obstacles that prevented my passionate pursuit of print are hopefully behind me. I am looking forward to 2011 with optimism and hope to be physically better able to read and write again.


My stats for this year are: 75 Books Read

Challenges:

Challenges: ABC Historical Fiction Challenge 6 of 26 books. Although some of my books would have worked, I lost interest in the game. I loved this challenge and wish I had more focus to participate.

Reagan Arthur Book Challenge: Read two books.

War Through the Generations: One book....but it was an awesome one: The Lotus Eaters.

New Author Challenge: I didn't post or keep up my stats on this, but I read many new authors as I review for different magazines. Therefore, of the 75 books read, 63 were new authors.


Authors who blew me away with their writing this year.....

Helen Hollick
Ciji Ware
Elizabeth Chadwick
Barbara Erskine
Brady Udall
Tan Twan Eng
Fiona Mountain,
Robin Oliveira,
Lauren Belfer
Michelle Moran
Alison Weir
Catherine Delors
Alan Cheuse
Cathy Marie Buchanan.

I will be posting my 2010 Favorite Pics withing the next two days. Hmmmmmmm?


I think it is safe to admit that I am really awful at challenges. Therefore, I will probably only do one challenge this year. I love the War Through the Generations challenge, and my interest in Civil War history really makes this challenge a must accept. I already have a stack of books to include so Serena and Anna...I'll be signing up. LOL

Something new for me this year will be reading a daily journal called The Book of Awakening. This was a "favorite thing" of Oprah's this year and it became one of my favorite gifts to give special friends.

Happy New Year !

© [Wisteria Leigh] and [Bookworm's Dinner], [2011].

Global Health-200 Countries, 200 Years Visually by Professor Hans Rosling

You won't believe this video clip. Using technology to visualize data, Professor Hans Rosling presents a look at Global Health that spans 200 years and 200 countries. This was so amazing to watch, I couldn't resist sharing it with you.

So much of our lives involve collecting and filtering through data. I know as a teacher, we collect more and more information for analyzing student learning using various types of data. This video makes sharing and understanding data so clear and at the same time fascinating.

I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.






© [Wisteria Leigh] and [Bookworm's Dinner], [2011].

Happy New Year-Welcome 2011

Happy New Year to all my blogger friends and readers!
From Wisteria and all the fur kids. :)

© [Wisteria Leigh] and [Bookworm's Dinner], [2011].