Ivanhoe - Book 27 of 52 in 52

Ivanhoe by Sir Walter Scott takes place in England during the days of King John and Robin Hood where the noble knight Ivanhoe has returned from the Crusades to claim the lands given to him by King Richard.  Traveling in disguise, he assists a Jew named Isaac of York in escaping from the fierce Templar Sir Brian de Bois-Guilbert who wishes to kill him.  In return, Isaac loans Ivanhoe the armor and war horse that he needs to take part in the king's tournament at Ashby.  With these, Ivanhoe easily defeats all 5 of the king's challengers in the jousting match on the first day and receives the king's reward and the privilege of naming the lady to act as the Queen of Love and Beauty for the remainder of the tournament.  This he bestows upon his childhood love Rowena.  On the second day in the general battle, Ivanhoe's team is nearly defeated when 3 of the opposing knights move to attack him from all sides, but a knight in black armor steps in and takes out two of the opponents.  After the match the wounded Ivanhoe collapses and is whisked away from the tournament by Isaac of York at the behest of his daughter Rebecca.  She promises Ivanhoe that if he allows her to tend his wounds, then he will be able to wear his armor again within eight days.  The following day, as they journey to York, the Jews are joined by the party of Cedric, Rowena's protector and Ivanhoe's father.  The entire party is attacked by Normans masquerading as men of the forest and taken to the castle of Front-de-Boeuf, and all but two of the slaves are captured.  These with the aid of Robin Hood, the Black Knight, and Cedric's allies storm the castle and manage to rescue all but the Jewess Rebecca, who is carried off by the Templar knight.  She is placed on trial for witchcraft and sends a message to Ivanhoe requesting him to act as her champion in a trial by combat. 

Although the story is not historical accurate, it is most certainly a captivating and enjoyable read especially for those who enjoy tales of medieval knights and chivalry.  I would heartily recommend this book for ages 13 and up and am looking forward to being able to read again in a couple of years with my second daughter.

Miss Bianca - Book 26 of 52 in 52

Miss Bianca by Sharp is the sequel to The Rescuers which I reviewed earlier in the year.  Miss Bianca, now chairwoman of the Prisoners' Aid Society, challenges the ladies guild to assist in a daring rescue of a young girl named Patience, who has been kidnapped and is being forced to serve the cruel, cold-hearted Duchess in the Diamond Palace.  When their bold plan fails, Miss Bianca alone remains behind to attempt to find an escape route for the young girl.  By the time Bernard arrives to offer his assistance, the Duchess has taken Patience (and Miss Bianca who is in her pocket) to her hunting lodge for a visit.  From there the two set off on a daring escape, but they must elude the Duchess' hounds and their master the Game Keeper in order to safely reach Happy Valley and hope that Bernard is able to find them in time to provide assistance.

This is another very well written children's fantasy by Sharp.  I would recommend it for ages 7 and up with the caveat that parents with very sensitive children may want to preread the story for suitability.

PIlgrim's Progress - Book 25 of 52 in 52

Pilgrim's Progress by Bunyan is the classic allegorical tale of a man named Christian, who leaves his home and his family to set out on a journey to the Celestial City of the King.  Along the way, he finds himself bogged down by many troubles.  He must climb the Hill of Difficulty, battle the evil Apollyon, journey through the Valley of the Shadow of Death, and escape the Giant Despair.  With the strength of his King, he faces each of the trials as well as many others successfully and continues his journey to the King's city.  In the second part of the tale, Christian's wife, Christiana, sets out for the Celestial City with her four sons following in the path of her husband.  With the wisdom and strength of their guide Great Heart, they and those who join them along the path are able to make their way to their destination with far fewer troubles than Christian.

This classic is a must read for ages 13 and up with several available children's versions for the younger crowd available as well.  There are a few times particularly in the second half of the book that read more like a sermon than a story, but overall the story itself is very well and an excellent starting point for discussions on a wide range of topics.

The Rescuers - Book 24 of 52 in 52

The Rescuers, a fantasy by Margery Sharp is a delightful tale of adventure, daring, teamwork, and luck.  It all begins when Madam Chairwoman of the Prisoner's Aid Society makes a daring proposal to send a mouse to the Black Castle, the darkest prison in the country, not to cheer up a prisoner but to rescue a Norwegian poet, who has been incarcerated there for some unknown reason.  The first step in the plan is to secure the assistance of a Norwegian mouse who can speak with the prisoner in his own language.  Bernard ventures to the bedroom of the ambassador's son to speak with the pampered Miss Bianca to request that she carry out this first step since she will be shortly traveling to Norway with her owner.  After fainting, Miss Bianca agrees and once in Norway ,with a simple request, she secures the assistance of Nils, a rough and hardy Norwegian seafarer; however, she soon realizes that she cannot adequately give him directions, she decides to travel with him back to the Moot house which houses the Prisoner's Aid Society.  Once there, the second part of the plan is set in motion.  Nils, Bernard, and Miss Bianca slip onto the supply wagons en route to the Black Castle.  Armed with resolve but lacking any semblance of a plan, they manage to reach the only mouse hole in the castle for shelter, but their greatest challenge still lies before them.  They must still find the poet and devise a means to get him out of the castle and across the surrounding wasteland while avoiding the head jailer's fat but vicious cat. 

I would heartily recommend this book for ages 6 and up as a read aloud.  It has short chapters that are further divided into sections that would make it suitable for independent reading for a child reading at a Magic Tree House level that isn't quite ready for longer chapter books.  It's a charming tale for all ages.  I'm looking forward to reading it again in a few years with my youngest, who even at 4 has been listening to much of the story.

Understood Betsy - Book 23 of 52 in 52

Understood Betsy by Fisher tells the tale of the small, timid Elizabeth Ann, who grows up in the home of two older aunts.  When one of her aunts becomes ill, Elizabeth Ann finds herself sent to the dreaded Putney cousins on their farm in Vermont.  Betsy soon discovers that helping around the farm isn't nearly as dreadful as her aunt made it sound, and her confidence grows along with her abilities and her love of her new home. 

A delightful tale for girls in the 8-12 range, I would place the reading level somewhere around the 3rd grade.  It would also make an excellent read aloud for a slightly younger group.

Rob Roy - Book 22, 52 in 52

Rob Roy by Sir Walter Scott is a fascinating and complex classic set in the 18th century England and Scotland.  Against this vivid historic backdrop, Frank Osbaldistone, the son of a merchant, falls out of favor with his father and is sent to his uncle's home on the border of Scotland.  Here he encounters the boisterous company of his uncle and 3 older sons, the intriguing beauty and mystery of the young Diana Vernon, and the cunning and ill wishes of his final cousin Rashleigh.  After a time, Frank receives a letter from his father's partner entreating him to go at once to Scotland to find Rashleigh, who has vanished with a large number of the firm's assets during the absence of his father and left the firm in dire straits.  Diana entrusts him with a letter with which he might receive some assistance in the recovery of the assets if his own efforts are insufficient for the available time.  This brings him back into contact with the enigmatic outlaw Rob Roy, who bids him to come up into the Highlands to meet with him concerning the matter and promises to render him what aid he is able.  Several chance twists of fate intercede in these plans to produce an engrossing tale of adventure and intrigue.

Jessie and I both struggled a bit with all the Scottish dialect written in the dialogue of the book making it a very slow read.  The Signet Classic version that I read did contain a glossary for the more difficult terms, which was very helpful.  Despite the struggle, I thoroughly enjoyed the story; and the richness of detail into the sights, struggles, and lives of the Scottish Highlands of the times.  Overall, it was well worth the effort, and I look forward to reading it again with my other children.

The Story of Dr. Doolittle - Book 21 of 52 in 52

The Story of Dr. Doolittle by Lofting is a delightful classic children's tale which I've been enjoying as a read aloud with my 8yo boy.  As the story begins, Dr. Doolittle is a regular doctor in a small town who happens to have a fondness for animals and several pets; however, as the number and variety of his pets increases, he begins to lose patients and becomes very poor.  His parrot Polynesia teaches him to understand animal languages, and he becomes a very successful veterinarian for awhile until his pet crocodile scares off his new clients.  Just as the money is about to run out, a sparrow arrives with an urgent message from the monkeys in Africa who are suffering from an epidemic and dying in large numbers.  The good doctor immediately borrows a boat and some provisions and embarks on a voyage to Africa.  Along the way he encounters difficulties with an African tribe whose land he must cross, a group of Barbary pirates whose swift boat threatens to overtake him, and a young boy whose uncle is lost at sea.  Always with each difficulty, he turns to the animals nearby for assistance, which they gladly give. 

I would certainly recommend this as a read aloud for an elementary aged student.  For independent reading, I would estimate its probably on an average third grade level.  It's a great book for any animal lover.

The Indian in the Cupboard - Book 20 of 52 in 52

 I've been trying to find some new book ideas for my 8yo boy to read.  He's currently slogging away through the 5th Harry Potter book, so I've been trying to find some shorter lighter reads for him.  The Indian in the Cupboard by Banks is a delightful tale of a nine year old boy name Omri who receives for his birthday a plastic Indian from his best friend and an old discarded medicine cupboard from one of brothers.  His mother just happens to have a key that works the lock, so he decides to place the Indian in the cupboard for the night.  The cupboard door has not been closed long when he begins to hear noises coming from  the inside and opens the door to find his plastic Indian is now very much alive.  Little Bear is an Iroquois Indian from the time of the early settlement of North America by the French and English.  Omri does his best to provide the Indian with the things he needs:  a seed tray of dirt on which to build a longhouse, supplies for the longhouse, a horse to ride, food to eat, and even a bow and arrow.  At the same time, he is trying his best to keep his secret from his family because he is afraid that Little Bear will be taken away somewhere to be studied if he is found.  Keeping the secret becomes more complicated after he shares it with his friend Patrick, who demands his cowboy be brought to life.  Now Omri has two men and two horses to care for and keep peace between while at the same time trying to make Patrick understand that the men may be small but that they are real people not simple toys that can be ordered about.  Things promise to become even more complicated when Little Bear demands a wife. 

I found the story to be well written with an interesting premise.  Who hasn't wished at one point or another that a certain special toy or stuffed animal could actually be real?  At the same time, I think the book does an excellent job of bringing out the complexities of such an occurrence.  A toy that is alive is really no longer a toy.  Omri wrestles to balance between not ordering the Indian around and respecting him while at the same time not allowing the Indian to order him around either.  He also shows great maturity in realizing that the men are real human being that deserve care and respect.  I would recommend it for ages 7 and up.

The Time Machine - Book 19 of 52 in 52

The Time Machine by H. G. Wells is one of several science fiction works written by the author in the late 19th century.  The novella begins in the Time Traveller's home in England with a discussion of time being the fourth dimension and the possibility of being able to move through time just as easily as people move through three dimensional space.  The Time Traveller demonstrates his ideas with a small working model and announces to his friends his intention to travel in his full scale machine as soon as it is finished.  The following week, he turns up late for his own dinner party, walking with a limp with a completely disheveled appearance and an amazing tale of his travels. 

The Time Traveller used his machine to travel to London, England in the year 802701 A.D.  He encounters a small weak and childish group of people called the Eloi who live in a the remains of what once was a great civilization based on the remains of the buildings.  Seeing no sign of disease or weeds or pests, the Traveller surmises that science must have completely conquered nature and these remaining beings having no outside force of nature with which to contend had lost their physical and mental strength over time from lack of use.  Then when his time machine mysteriously vanishes, the Traveller become more interested in the wells in the ground that appear to be ventilation shafts.  Climbing down inside a shaft, he discovers a second group of what were once people, the Morlocks.  The Morlocks lurk in the darkness and are afraid of light, but seeing the remains of one of their meals on a table the traveller realizes that they must come to the surface under the cover of darkness to capture Eloi for the food source.  After 8 days, he finally manages to find his time machine and just barely elude the Morlocks and continues to travel farther into the future.  All signs of human life disappear and the sun becomes gradually larger and redder in the sky.  At last he reverses course and returns to his own time bringing with him only two wilted flowers as proof of his trip.

The book ends with the narrator awaiting the return of the traveller from a second trip for which he has been gone three years.

I actually picked this up in preparation for the upcoming school year because I thought it would make an easy book to start teaching worldview analysis to my rising 8th grader.  There is plenty of commentary of the problems of communism and capitalism juxtaposed with a huge dose of Darwinism to discuss, but I have to say I was actually pleasantly surprised to find the story very readable and interesting as well.  It will never make one of my all time favorites because of its pessimistic outlook, but I'd say it's definitely worth reading at least once.  I'd recommend it for 8th grade and up.

Richard III - Book 18 of 52 in 52

Richard III is the second of Shakespeare's historical series of plays that DD and I read this spring.  Richard III is set in England during the rise and brief reign of King Richard III in the 1480s.  In his villainous rise to power, Richard works to divide the court of his brother King Edward IV of England by blaming the death of his brother Clarence (which he orchestrated) on the queen and her relations.  Along the way he manages to seduce Lady Anne despite the fact that he killed her father and her husband and defame and murder Edward's two rightful sons.  Although he is able to stop an initial rebellion by Buckingham, he is finally defeated by the forces of Henry Tudor in the Battle of Bosworth Field, which ended the War of the Roses.

I would recommend this book for ages 13 and up.

Inkheart - Book 17 of 52 in 52

Inkheart by Funke is a delightful piece of juvenile fiction and the first in a series of three books.  One peaceful night as Maggie's father reads to her and her mother from a book entitled Inkheart, three characters suddenly emerge from the pages while Maggie's mother disappears into the story.  At the time Maggie was too young to realize what has happened; and for years, her father manages to stay one step ahead of the fictional villain who wishes to harness his magical power, but they cannot hide forever.  Suddenly, the adventures that Maggie loves to read about are no longer in a distant imaginary place; and she finds herself in the middle of her own very real adventure.  Can they escape from the clutches of the villain Capricorn?  If they succeed, what then?  More running, more hiding.  Or perhaps there is a way to harness the magical power and control it to use to finally bring the villain to an end?

I loved the premise of this book when I read dustcover and decided to give it a try.  The author does an excellent job of quickly drawing the reading into the story, so I actually ending up reading the entire book in one afternoon.  I would recommend this book for ages 8 and up with the caveat that the villains are really evil so it may not be appropriate for a sensitive child.

Henry V - Book 16 of 52 in 52

Henry V by Shakespeare is one of a series of plays based on British history.  This play is based during the reign of Henry V and covers the events leading up to the Battle of Agincourt and just after during the Hundred Years' War between England and France.  Set at the waning of the Middle Ages, the play explores the basis for a modern king's authority.  Henry V cannot claim that his authority comes from God because his father overthrew the anointed king on his rise in power.  Instead of standing over his people, Henry V spends time with commoners during his youth and walks through camp in disguise to spend time with his men gaining authority on the basis of popularity.  He orchestrates spectacles to maintain that popularity.  There are also themes of patriotism (and the rousing St. Crispin's Day speech), warfare, and justice.

The most popular of Shakespeare's historical plays, I would definitely recommend this book to ages 13 and up.

Sir Gawain and the Green Knight - Book 15 of 52 in 52

Sir Gawain and the Green Knight translated by J. R. R. Tolkien does a masterful job of keeping the original story true to the alliterative style of the original poem while making the story accessible to modern readers.  Journey back to the Middle Ages to the time of knights and chivalry, magic and wizards, quests and courage where the tale begins in the court of the legendary King Arthur where a lavish celebration of Christmas-tide is underway.  In the midst of the festivities, the Green Knight appears challenging the renowned knights of Arthur's court to a test.  The knight may take the axe of the Green Knight and strike him with one blow, but he must promise to seek out the home of the Green Knight one year hence to receive back the blow he gives.  To prevent Arthur from accepting the challenge, Sir Gawain steps forward, makes his pledge, and severs the Green Knight's head from his body only to watch in amazement as the knight picks up the head and rides off.  A year later Sir Gawain must begin his quest alone to find the Green Knight and keep his word.  After resting at Christmas-tide at the Bertilak castle where he fends off the advances of Lady Bertilak, he arrives at his destination to discover that the entire quest has been a test devised using the magic of Morgan la Fay.  How well has he done?  Did he pass the test and show himself to be a true knight?

One of the classics of literature, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, rightly deserves in place among the great books.  I would recommend the Tolkien translation for ages 13 and up.

Drumbeats in Williamsburg - Book 14 of 52 in 52

Drumbeats in Williamsburg by Isabelle Lawrence is the sequel to A Spy in Williamsburg.  Several years have passed for the Budge family.  The American Revolution has been going on for many years, both William and Ben Budge are away with the American army.  At home, the Budge women are doing whatever they can to provide for themselves and make ends meet while the men are away.  Then one day, their cousin Andy arrives from Philadelphia sent by his mother in an attempt to keep him safe.  Andy, who wants more than anything in the world to be a drummer boy in the American army, is at first disappointed to be sent away; however, he soon finds that Williamsburg is far more exciting than Philadelphia.  He meets General LaFayette, rescues a runaway British drummer boy, impersonates him to spy on the British, and finally becomes a drummer boy just in time for the final battle of Yorktown.


This is also an older book and currently out of print, but it is definitely an nice read for ages 10 and up or a read aloud for younger kids. It does an excellent job of giving the reader an in depth look at the events in Virginia leading up to the battle of Yorktown.

A Spy in Williamsburg - Book 13 of 52 in 52

A Spy in Williamsburg  by Isabelle Lawrence is an excellent piece of historical fiction set in Williamburg, Virginia, in the time just before the American Revolution.  The Budge family is struggling to establish their blacksmith shop in the bustling town; so as a means of additional income, they rent a room to Patrick Henry, who warns them to be careful of spies that have already once rummaged through his belongings looking for information on the patriots.  The oldest son, Ben takes the warning to heart but discovers that identifying a spy is not as easy as he thought.  When the Virginia governor arranges to have the militia's gunpowder stolen, Ben is shocked to finally discover the identity of the traitor.  Can he put all of the clues that he learned along the way to use in stopping the governor's new plan to blow up the militia's gunpowder?

While this is an older book and currently out of print, it is definitely an excellent read for ages 10 and up or a read aloud for younger kids.  It was one of my favorite selections of historical fiction for early American history with the girls, and I was glad to enjoy it again with my oldest son.

The Boggart and the Monster - Book 12 of 52 in 52

The Boggart and the Monster by Susan Cooper is a delightful sequel to The Boggart.  Emily and Jessup Volnik return to Scotland to visit Mr. Maconochie, the new owner of Castle Keep; Tommy, the local boy they befriended on their first trip; and, of course, the Boggart who gave them so much trouble in the previous book.  Mr. Maconochie, who only recently discovered the boggart, is thrilled to find out that the children know all about it (and that he is not going crazy).  They decide to take a camping trip with their first stop at Loch Ness where Jessup has been invited by a professor to see his state of the art submersibles that are going to look for the famous Loch Ness monster.  The boggart, who accidentally fell asleep in the camping gear, is excited to visit his cousin Nessie who hasn't been seen in hundreds of years.  Unfortunately, Nessie has spent those years asleep at the bottom of the loch in her monster form and has forgotten how to change shape.  Can the boggart figure out how to get help from Mr. Mac and the children?  Will they be able to help Nessie escape the probing submersibles and remember how to be a boggart again? 

Another excellent read by Cooper that I would recommend for ages 8 and up.  It's a little more serious than the previous book, but still a delightful read for all ages.

Macbeth - Book 11 of 52 in 52

Macbeth by Shakespeare is certainly not my favorite Shakespearean play; but having not read it since high school, I thought a reread was necessary in order to discuss it with my 7th grader.  The play opens with tales of Macbeth's valiant defeat of a rebellion against King Duncan of Scotland.  Then on his way home, he meets three witches who prophecy that he will become first Thane of Cawdor and then King of Scotland.  The first title is gladly given to him shortly thereafter by the king as reward for his recent acts in battle.  Although Macbeth should be rejoicing at his good fortune, he instead finds himself conflicted between faithfully serving a good Christian king as he should or giving in to his ambition and seizing the king's crown by foul means.  He ponders.  He talks with his wife, who spurs him on to act so that he murders the king.  One murder leads to another and another as Macbeth sinks himself deeper and deeper into evil until he himself is vanquished by those loyal to the king's son.

It is not an uplifting tale by any means, but it is an excellent source for moral discussion whether it be proper ambition, the perils of seemingly innocuous sins leading down a slippery slope, or the temptations and promises of evil versus the reality of the consequences.  This time through I was reminded of the opening verses of Psalm 1, "Blessed is the man who does not walk in the council of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers, but his delight is in the Law of the Lord and on that Law he mediates day and night."  Unfortunately for Macbeth, he listened to the witches, his wife, and his own ambition instead of what he knew to be right.  Of course as a classic it is a must read for ages 12-13 and up.

The Boggart - Book 10 of 52 in 52

The Boggart by Susan Cooper, who is also the author of The Dark Is Rising sequence, tells the tale of an ancient mischievous spirit called a boggart, who has lived for years in a Scottish castle-keep on an island with generations of the MacDevon family.  When awake, he spends his hours plotting mischief to amuse both himself and those in the castle until the last inhabitant of the keep dies.  The last MacDevon had one sister whose only living descendant turns out to be a Canadian by the name of Robert Volnik.  He along with his wife Maggie and children Emily and Jessup travel to Scotland and stay briefly at the castle in order to arrange for its sale.  Each of the children is allowed to pick one item to take back home along with a total of 6 books from the library.  Emily chooses a roll up desk where unfortunately the tired boggart had curled up for a nap.  It is long before the Old Magic of the boggart finds himself suddenly thrust into the modern world opening up all kinds of magical, mischievous possibilities. 

This is an excellent read for ages 8 and up.  I have to say I thoroughly enjoyed this book.  It is delightfully humorous and thoroughly engrossing.

The History of the Kings of Britain - Book 9 of 52 in 52

The History of the Kings of Britain by Geoffrey of Monmouth traces the timeline of Britain from the founding of Brutus to the final fall of Britain to the Saxons.  Some call it history and others myth or legend, but there is no doubt that the tales have had a profound impact on the inhabitants of that island.  It is filled with legendary figures such as Brutus, King Leir, Merlin, Vortigern, Aurelius Ambrosius, King Arthur, Gawain, Guinevere, and Mordred.  There are tales of mighty warrior kings who subdue the lands around them, evil kings that are consumed by their own vice, battles with giants, prophecy and magic, honesty, treachery, and countless brave men who gave their lives in service to their king and country.  It definitely belongs among the great books.

I was actually pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed reading this book.  Like any historical piece some portions were more interesting than others, but overall I would recommend this to anyone 13 and up as a must read book.

The Wolves of Willoughby Chase - Book 8 of 52 in 52

The Wolves of Willoughby Chase by Aiken is a delightful tale of the adventures of two young girls in England.  Silvia is sent by her aging aunt to live at Willoughby Chase with her cousin Bonnie.  Sir Willoughby has hired a governess to teach and care for the children as well as look after his estate while he takes his wife on a sea voyage to restore her health.  But if Silvia thought the most frightening part of Willoughby Chase was the wolves that roamed at night, she is sadly mistaken.  Within days of the parents leaving, Miss Slightcarp begin wearing Lady Willoughby's dresses, dismissing servants, selling furniture, and treating the girls like servants.  The girls attempt to get a message to the doctor's house for help, but it is intercepted.  They are told that the Willoughbys died in a shipwreck and sent to an orphan school that is truly more like a workhouse and prison.  With the help of a friends, they are finally able to escape and set out for the apartment Sylvia's aunt.  Will they make it to London?  Will they ever be able to return to Willoughby Chase?  How can they free their home from the grasp of the cruel Miss Slightcarp?

The Wolves of Willoughby Chase would make an excellent read aloud for ages 7-8, an independent read for 8+, or at about 160 pages a quick afternoon read for older children and adults.  I thoroughly enjoyed it and would highly recommend it to others.