He Walked the Americas by L. Taylor Hansen

Anthropologist L. Taylor Hansen, long fascinated with Indian history and legends, traces legends of Indians of the Pacific and American continent which all seem to include an account of a white bearded healer who visited them anciently (probably during the 1st century) taught each group a philosophy of love, performed miraculous healings, curiously controlled forces of nature and established a Priesthood of 12 elders. After traveling throughout the Americas, he departed by sea from the ancient city of Tula on the Yucatan peninsula with the promise that he would return in the future. Hansen never claims this legendary healer was Christ, bet the similarities are remarkable. The Book of Mormon reports the Christ also visited the American continent. It is reported Hansen had never heard of the Book of Mormon when he wrote his account.

Dragon Slippers, by Jessica Day George

Creel, the heroine of Dragon Slippers is hardly a damsel-in-distress. After her aunt totes her out to the local dragon in desperation (with the hope that the local prince will rescue her from certain death and marry her), Creel refuses the haughty prince and finds friendship with the dragons, who set her on a journey to the center of the kingdom with a pretty pair of what only seem to be ordinary slippers. Along the way we discover Creel's enormous talent at embroidery, and you can't help but linger over the rich descriptions of her lovely tapestry-like gowns, which quickly make her the most sought-after dressmaker in the kingdom. But soon enough those mysterious slippers begin to wreak havoc, and it's up to Creel to save the kingdom from disaster and defend the dragons from certain doom. Creel's feisty spirit breathes fiery new life into this epic world at every turn, making this one the most memorable and fun fantasy debuts to hit shelves since Cornelia Funke's Inkheart. -Amazon.com Review.

The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman

Somewhere in contemporary Britain, "the man Jack" uses his razor-sharp knife to murder a family, but the youngest, a toddler, slips away. The boy ends up in a graveyard, where the ghostly inhabitants adopt him to keep him safe. Nobody Owens, so named because he "looks like nobody but himself." grows up among a multigenerational cast of characters from different historical periods that includes matronly Mistress Owens; ancient Roman Caius Pompeius; an opinionated young witch; a melodramatic hack poet; and Bod's beloved mentor and guardian, Silas, who is neither living nor dead and has secrets of his own. As he grow up, Bod has a series of adventures, both in and out of the graveyard, and the threat of the man Jack who continues to hunt for him is ever present. Bod's love for his graveyard family and vice versa provide the emotional center, amid suspense, spot-on humor, and delightful scene-setting. --Megan Honig, New York Public Library

What to Read Next for December?

Here are the choices for DECEMBER. Be sure to vote for as many as sound interesting. Books with votes but without a review will return to the polls next month along with new suggestions. Please add your book suggestions in the comments section to be considered for the following month.


These is My Words by Nancy E. Turner

This novel in diary format parallels the early history of the Arizona Territories as Sarah and her family travel from the New Mexico Territory and settle down to carve out a new life on a ranch near Tucson in the 1880s. Sara's diary, based on the author's family memoirs, is a heartwarming and heartbreaking fictional account of a vibrant and gifted young woman. Sarah starts out as an illiterate, fiery 17 year old. Eventually, her writing becomes as smooth and polished as Sarah herself as she becomes a tenacious, literate, and loving wife and mother. A treasure trove of discovered books becomes the source of her self-education. Turner describes the trip in such detail that one has a sense of having traveled with Sarah, experiencing all of its heartache and sadness, it's backbreaking exertion and struggles, its danger and adventure, its gentle and lighter moments. Life in the new country brings the constant fear of Indian raids and threat and reality of floods, fire, and rattlesnakes; bandits; rough men, and pretentious women all have an effect on the protagonist but her strong marriage makes the effort worthwhile. Sarah centers her world around her home and family but maintains and independent spirit that keeps her whole and alive throughout her many trials and heartaches.

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
The Book Thief is set in Nazi Germany. Beginning in 1939, it focuses on a German girl, Liesel, who is sent by her mother to live with foster parents in a small town near Munich. As Liesel learns to cope with her new environment, all the pains she has endured, and the extreme unhappiness of pre-war and wartime Germany, she yearns to escape via reading. Her foster father Hans helps her learn to read, and Liesel finds books here and there — in a snowy graveyard, in a Nazi book-burning, and inside the local mayor's house. She has a few friends; first her neighbor and classmate, Rudy, and later the son of a soldier her foster father knew in WWI, Max, a Jew whom her new family must hide in their basement. While the toll of WWII, Allied bombing, and Nazi brutality increases, Liesel's world starts to crumble, but words and reading sustain her.



He Walked the Americas by Taylor L. Hansen

(Recommended by my Uncle Joel.) Anthropologist L. Taylor Hansen, long fascinated with Indian history and legends, traces legends of Indians of the Pacific and American continent which all seem to include an account of a white bearded healer who visited them anciently (probably during the 1st century) taught each group a philosophy of love, performed miraculous healings, curiously controlled forces of nature and established a Priesthood of 12 elders. After traveling throughout the Americas, he departed by sea from the ancient city of Tula on the Yucatan peninsula with the promise that he would return in the future. Hansen never claims this legendary healer was Christ, but the similarities are remarkable. The Book of Mormon reports that Christ also visited the American continent. It is reported Hansen had never heard of the Book of Mormon when he wrote his account.


Nineteen Minutes by Jodi Picoult
Bestseller Picoult (My Sister's Keeper) takes on another contemporary hot-button issue in her brilliantly told new thriller, about a high school shooting. Peter Houghton, an alienated teen who has been bullied for years by the popular crowd, brings weapons to his high school in Sterling, N.H., one day and opens fire, killing 10 people. Flashbacks reveal how bullying caused Peter to retreat into a world of violent computer games. Alex Cormier, the judge assigned to Peter's case, tries to maintain her objectivity as she struggles to understand her daughter, Josie, one of the surviving witnesses of the shooting. The author's insights into her characters' deep-seated emotions brings this ripped-from-the-headlines read chillingly alive.



The Goose Girl by Shannon Hale
She can whisper to horses and communicate with birds, but the crown princess Ani has a difficult time finding her place in the royal family and measuring up to her imperial mother. When she is shipped off to a neighboring kingdom as a bride, her scheming entourage mounts a bloody mutiny to replace her with a jealous lady-in-waiting, Selia, and to allow an inner circle of guards more power in the new land. Barely escaping with her life, Ani disguises herself as a goose girl and wanders on the royal estate. Does she have the pluck to reclaim her rightful place? Get ready for a fine adventure tale full of danger, suspense, surprising twists, and a satisfying conclusion. The engaging plot can certainly carry the tale, but Hale's likable, introspective heroine makes this also a book about courage and justice in the face of overwhelming odds. The richly rendered, medieval folkloric setting adds to the charm.

November's Read: Hunger Games

In a not-too-distant future, the Unites States of America has collapsed, weakened by drought, fire, famine, and war, to be replaced by Panem, a country divided into the Capitol and 12 districts. Each year, two young representatives from each district are selected by lottery to participate in The Hunger Games. Part entertainment, part brutal intimidation of the subjugated districts, the televised games are broadcasted throughout Panem as the 24 participants are forced to eliminate their competitors, literally, with all citizens required to watch. When 16-year-old Katniss's young sister, Prim, is selected as the mining district's female representative, Katniss volunteers to take her place. She and her male counterpart, Peeta, the son of the town baker who seems to have all the fighting skills of a lump of bread dough, will be pitted against bigger, stronger representatives who have trained for this their whole lives. Collin's characters are completely realistic and sympathetic as they form alliances and friendships in the face of overwhelming odds; the plot is tense, dramatic, and engrossing.

October's Read: The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd

The Secret Life of Bees is the story of Lily Owens, a girl who has shaped her life around one devastating memory—the afternoon her mother was killed, when Lily was four. Besides her harsh and unyielding father, Lily’s only real companion is Rosaleen, a tender, but fierce-hearted black woman who cooks, cleans and acts as her "stand-in mother." Set in 1964 in South Carolina, a place and time of seething racial divides, violence explodes one summer afternoon, and Rosaleen is arrested and beaten. Lily is desperate, not only to save Rosaleen, but to flee from a life she can no longer endure. Calling upon her colorful wits and youthful daring, she breaks Rosaleen out of jail and the two escape, into what quickly becomes Lily’s quest for the truth about her mother’s life. They are taken in by three black, bee-keeping sisters, May, June, and August, and Lily is consumed by their secret world of bees and honey, and of the Black Madonna who presides over this household of strong, wise women. Lily’s journey is one of painful secrets and shattering betrayals but that ultimately helps her find the thing her heart longs for most. The Secret Life Of Bees allows us into a world apart—in a novel whose strong, irresistible voice catches us up and doesn’t let go. The Secret Life Of Bees is a mesmerizing novel about women with extraordinary gifts coping with loss and finding forgiveness and especially, learning to forgive themselves.

The 5000 Year Leap by W. Cleon Skousen

"The 5000 Year Leap: A Miracle That Changed the World. For many years in the United States there has been a gradual drifting away from the Founding Fathers original success formula. This has resulted in some of their most unique contributions for a free and prosperous society becoming lost or misunderstood. Therefore, there has been a need to review the history and development of the making of America in order to recapture the brilliant precepts which made Americans the first free people in modern times."

"In this book, discover the 28 Principles of Freedom our Founding Fathers said must be understood and perpetuated by every people who desire peace, prosperity, and freedom. Learn how adherence to these beliefs during the past 200 years has brought about more progress than was made in the previous 5000 years. Published by National Center for Constitutional Studies, a non-profit organization."

I enjoyed the simplicity of this book. The principles it talks about are so basic and make so much sense but it seems in our country today those basic principles are lacking. This book was recommended to me in order to help me better understand the Constitution of the United States and it surely did that. The chapters are short and their point plainly made. I recommend everyone read it that they may understand the principles this country was founded on and that the way to solve the problems of today are to live the principles this country was based on hundreds of years ago. When principles are true, they cannot be faded by time.

Airman

Why isn't Airman one of the choices for poll? It is SUCH a great read! You all MUST read it!!!! Mike just finished it and LOVED it. He said it would make a great movie.

Found

I just finished this book and I thought it was pretty good. It wasn't a sit-on-the-edge-of-your-seat thriller like Haddix's Shaddow Children Series, but it was an interesting read. It is about 36 orphan children that share a mysterious past and two of these kids get together and try and figure it out. They find out they are from the past brought to the future and at the end they don't have the option to stay in their today. They have to choose to either go forward in time or back. So the next book will be their adventure there. I would recommend it as a fun read, but there isn't too much depth to it.

What to read next poll

Here are the choices for OCTOBER. Be sure to vote for as many as sound interesting. Books with votes but without a review will return to the polls next month along with new suggestions. Please add your book suggestions in the comments section to be considered for the following month.

Nineteen Minutes by Jodi Picoult

Bestseller Picoult (My Sister's Keeper) takes on another contemporary hot-button issue in her brilliantly told new thriller, about a high school shooting. Peter Houghton, an alienated teen who has been bullied for years by the popular crowd, brings weapons to his high school in Sterling, N.H., one day and opens fire, killing 10 people. Flashbacks reveal how bullying caused Peter to retreat into a world of violent computer games. Alex Cormier, the judge assigned to Peter's case, tries to maintain her objectivity as she struggles to understand her daughter, Josie, one of the surviving witnesses of the shooting. The author's insights into her characters' deep-seated emotions brings this ripped-from-the-headlines read chillingly alive.

Found by Margaret Haddix

Haddix's latest science fiction series starts off with a bang in this nail-biter. A plane arrives at an airline gate unnoticed by radar and most personnel. There are no flight attendants, no pilot, in fact no adults at all, but there are 36 passengers—each seat is inhabited by an infant. Thirteen years later in Ohio, teenage adoptees Jonah and his friend Chip begin receiving ominous messages declaring that they are among "the missing" and that someone is coming to find them. Frightened yet intrigued, the boys begin a search for their real identities with the help of Jonah's younger sister. Their search leads them to a discovery that strains credulity and leads them into danger greater than they ever imagined possible. The story is driven by an exciting plot rather than extensive character development, and the teens act independently of the adults, who appear as "bad guys" or are basically useless. If used in a classroom, the revelation of the babies' identities can be used to kick off a history lesson or two. This book's exciting premise and cliff-hanger ending will leave readers on the edge of their seats and begging for more.—Heather M. Campbell, Philip S. Miller Library, Castle Rock, CO

The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd

The Secret Life of Bees is the story of Lily Owens, a girl who has shaped her life around one devastating memory—the afternoon her mother was killed, when Lily was four. Besides her harsh and unyielding father, Lily’s only real companion is Rosaleen, a tender, but fierce-hearted black woman who cooks, cleans and acts as her "stand-in mother." Set in 1964 in South Carolina, a place and time of seething racial divides, violence explodes one summer afternoon, and Rosaleen is arrested and beaten. Lily is desperate, not only to save Rosaleen, but to flee from a life she can no longer endure. Calling upon her colorful wits and youthful daring, she breaks Rosaleen out of jail and the two escape, into what quickly becomes Lily’s quest for the truth about her mother’s life. They are taken in by three black, bee-keeping sisters, May, June, and August, and Lily is consumed by their secret world of bees and honey, and of the Black Madonna who presides over this household of strong, wise women. Lily’s journey is one of painful secrets and shattering betrayals but that ultimately helps her find the thing her heart longs for most. The Secret Life Of Bees allows us into a world apart—in a novel whose strong, irresistible voice catches us up and doesn’t let go. The Secret Life Of Bees is a mesmerizing novel about women with extraordinary gifts coping with loss and finding forgiveness and especially, learning to forgive themselves.

The Goose Girl by Shannon Hale

She can whisper to horses and communicate with birds, but the crown princess Ani has a difficult time finding her place in the royal family and measuring up to her imperial mother. When she is shipped off to a neighboring kingdom as a bride, her scheming entourage mounts a bloody mutiny to replace her with a jealous lady-in-waiting, Selia, and to allow an inner circle of guards more power in the new land. Barely escaping with her life, Ani disguises herself as a goose girl and wanders on the royal estate. Does she have the pluck to reclaim her rightful place? Get ready for a fine adventure tale full of danger, suspense, surprising twists, and a satisfying conclusion. The engaging plot can certainly carry the tale, but Hale's likable, introspective heroine makes this also a book about courage and justice in the face of overwhelming odds. The richly rendered, medieval folkloric setting adds to the charm.

In Defense of Food by Michael Pollan

It was number one on the New York Times Non-Fiction Best Seller List for six weeks. The book grew out of Pollan's 2007 article Unhappy Meals published in the New York Times Magazine. Pollan has also said that he wrote In Defense of Food as a response to people asking him what they should eat after having read The Omnivore's Dilemma, his previous book.In the book, Pollan postulates that the answer to healthy eating is simply to "Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants."Pollan argues that nutritionism as an ideology has overly complicated and harmed American eating habits. He says that rather than focusing on eating nutrients, people should focus on eating the sort of food that their ancestors would recognize.

September's Read: Uglies by Scott Westerfeld

Tally Youngblood lives in a futuristic society that acculturates its citizens to believe that they are ugly until age 16 when they'll undergo an operation that will change them into pleasure-seeking "pretties." Anticipating this happy transformation, Tally meets Shay, another female ugly, who shares her enjoyment of hoverboarding and risky pranks. But Shay also disdains the false values and programmed conformity of the society and urges Tally to defect with her to the Smoke, a distant settlement of simple-living conscientious objectors. Tally declines, yet when Shay is found missing by the authorities, Tally is coerced by the cruel Dr. Cable to find her and her compatriots–or remain forever "ugly." Tally's adventuresome spirit helps her locate Shay and the Smoke. It also attracts the eye of David, the aptly named youthful rebel leader to whose attentions Tally warms. However, she knows she is living a lie, for she is a spy who wears an eye-activated locator pendant that threatens to blow the rebels' cover. Ethical concerns will provide a good source of discussion as honesty, justice, and free will are all oppressed in this well-conceived dystopia. Characterization, which flirts so openly with the importance of teen self-concept, is strong, and although lengthy, the novel is highly readable with a convincing plot that incorporates futuristic technologies and a disturbing commentary on our current public policies. Fortunately, the cliff-hanger ending promises a sequel.–Susan W. Hunter, Riverside Middle School, Springfield, VT

Grades 6 and up

448 pages

Coraline

I haven't seen the new movie out and gratefully so. I like to read the book first before I see a movie so that I can experience it first within my own imagination. (It's always better that way!) This is a super quick read, but I really enjoyed it. I liked the eeriness of the story and am always intrigued at how authors can think up a storyline like this. Very interesting. I also enjoyed the message it conveyed. I like that Coraline decided she could never love her "other mother" even if she did give her all the things she could ever wish for. She couldn't love her because her "other mother" was evil and had no love to return. I liked that Coraline realized and appreciated her real family life after seeing what it could be like otherwise. Every child of mine should read this book and study it every night so that they can realize how good they got it even when I ignore them half the time and feed them "recipes".

Austenland by Shannon Hale

oooooooh! I LOVED this book. Couldn't put it down! If you are a fan of Jane Austen novels, you will love this story. It drew me in like Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice does and was a sweet story of a girl searching for every girl dreams of: to be truly loved and adored. I loved how Jane is trying to figure out what is real in her life. And towards the end she seems to be the only real thing in a world of fake. She is able to leave the fake behind and in turn finds what is real. I realized that we all have to go through that at some point in our relationships. The story had a heart pattering romantic appeal as well as a down to earth, this is reality element. I love Shannon Hale's writing style and have read The Goose Girl, and Princess Academy which I would also highly recommend.
"Jane Hayes is a seemingly normal young New Yorker, but she has a secret. her obsession with Mr. Darcy, as played by Colin Firth in the BBC adaptation of Pride and Prejudice, is ruining her life. No real man can compare. When a wealthy relative bequeaths her a trip to an English resort catering to Austen-crazed women, Jane's fantasies of meeting the perfect Regency-era gentleman suddenly become realer than she ever could have imagined. Decked out in empire-waist gowns, stripped of her modern appliances, Jane throws herself into mastering Regency etiquette and flirts with gardeners and gentlemen - or maybe even she suspects, with the actors who are playing them. Its all a game, Jane knows. And yet the longer she stays, the more her insecurities seem to vanish. Is she about to kick the Austen obsession for good, or could all her dreams actually culminate in a Mr Darcy of her own? With humor, charm and perfect sympathy, award-wining author Shannon Hale delivers a novel that will delight every reader who has ever dreamed of escaping into Austenland."

1984 by George Orwell

I've heard good things about this book from several people and so I finally got around to reading it. There are many political and social concepts explored in this book and therefore is educational but I have to say that I didn't really enjoy it. When I checked it out from the library, the library told me it was such a good book but it was dark. It was interesting but I was disappointed. I kept reading hoping for some positive resolution but it was gloomy all the way to the end. I like books that inspire or uplift me and this book did neither.

Airman by Eoin Colfer

Okay, I think this is my new favorite book. You have GOT to read it if you haven't! It was nothing like what I expected it to be. It was full of action, suspense and turmoil. This guy is innocent and gets wrongly blamed for the murder of his king by an evil, power greedy magistrate. You want Airman to seek his revenge, but he doesn't really desire to. In the end he saves the day, but not for the reasons you think he will! I loved that the storyline wasn't entirely predictable and that it was fairly realistic. A super great read and two thumbs up from me!

Millennial Glory: Hidden Light by Wendie Edwards

The Millennial Glory Series is a saga of a family set in the time leading up to the Second Coming of Christ. Hidden Light is the first book in this series. As the Second Coming of Christ is one of my favorite subjects of study, it is also one of my favorite subjects to explore in fiction. I really enjoyed the "Great and Terrible" series by Chris Stewart. When I heard there was another series written about the Last Days, I thought I'd better try it out.

Here is the summary of the book, taken from the Millennial Glory website: "A strange plague breaks out among a rebellious segment of society. The sickness is related to a mysterious man who claims he is the resurrected Savior of the world. His intent is to hide the light of the truth as he stands in its stead. His words are hypnotic. His message is deadly. Corrynne Rogers is an Intensive Care nurse who cares for the dying. Through her hospital association she uncovers a destructive plan to implant computer chips under the skin in any who worship the false Christ in an effort to control the followers. Some followers are killed by a flesh eating bacteria as they turn away from the religious leader. Eventually, Corrynne exposes the deadly plan but not in time to protect one of her own from the lethal chip. The Zulu countdown has begun. Fire is prophesied to rain from heaven to punish those who refuse to accept the false Christ. But will it? Time will only tell."

I really enjoyed this book. It is set in Provo, Utah, a place I am very familiar with. It was easy to picture the places that the story takes place in. I also liked that the story revolves around a large LDS family that is truly unified and trying to live the Gospel. I enjoyed reading about their relationships and seeing their love for each other through their reactions to what is going on around them. I loved to get to know the characters as they are easy to love and as conflict arises, they arise to the occasion to demonstrate strong character and inspire hope.

I also enjoyed that this book is so well documented. Although it is a work of fiction, there are footnotes throughout the chapter. At the end of each chapter, the author documents her sources of information, whether it be from scripture, actual events, or science, the references are there for easy perusal and further study. I found this book to be very fun to read. At 422 pages (many of which are documentation) I found it quick and exciting. Last night I was at the climax of the story and simply couldn't put my book down until it was over. I love books like that. I will definitely be reading the next in this series, and found out that the 9th installment of Millennial Glory is to be released in October of 2009. I look forward to becoming immersed in this series.

The Omnivore's Dilemma

At the beginning of this book, Michael Pollan begins with a brief overview of our recent eating culture in America. He mentions how we are quick to buy into the latest diet fads and have such a pre-occupation with being "healthy" despite our growing eating-related diseases.
The subtitle to the book is: A Natural History of Four Meals. He then takes a journey, one at a time into the history and current production of four different types of meals:

Industrial
Pollan begins with a deep exploration of the food-production system from which the vast majority of American meals are derived. This industrial food chain is largely based on corn, whether it is eaten directly, fed to livestock, or processed into chemicals such as glucose and ethanol. Pollan discusses how the humble corn plant came to dominate the American diet through a combination of biological, cultural, and political factors. The role of petroleum in the cultivation and transportation of the American food supply is also discussed.
A fast food meal is used to illustrate the end result of the industrial food chain.

Organic
The following chapter delves into the principles of organic farming and their various implementations in modern America. Pollan shows that, while organic food has grown in popularity, its producers have adopted many of the methods of industrial agriculture, losing sight of the organic movement's anti-industrial roots. A meal prepared from ingredients purchased at Whole Foods Market represents this food chain at the table.

Local
As a study in contrast, Pollan visits Joel Salatin's small-scale ecological rotation farm, where natural conditions are adhered to as closely as possible, very few artificial inputs are used, and waste products are recycled back into the system. He then prepares a meal using only local produce from nearby small-scale farmers.

Personal
The final chapter finds Pollan attempting to prepare a meal using only ingredients he has hunted, gathered, or grown himself. He recruits assistance from local foodies, who teach him to hunt feral pigs, gather wild mushrooms, and search for abalone. He also makes a salad of greens from his own garden, bakes sourdough bread using wild yeast, and prepares a dessert from cherries picked in his neighborhood.
Pollan concludes that, while such a meal is not practical on a regular basis, as an occasional exercise it helps to reconnect us with the natural origins of food as well as human history.

I really liked how the author seemed to be honest about his feelings and kept an open mind throughout all 4 journeys he went through. It is one thing to learn about new things, but to explore the feelings and associations that go along with our culture gave the book and even more applicable slant. Throughout the book, I tried to find biased opinions or maybe an "agenda", but I was impressed that he seemed to be pretty objective and let the reader come to his own conclusions about the discoveries of his journey. After reading the book, I came away feeling the importance of local food, supporting the small farmer, and a desire to be more self reliant.

I was fascinated with the "Local" meal journey and the week spent on Joel Salatin's farm. I was moved by his philosophies and his method as he strives to become a "caretaker of creation." As we are seeing with America's incredible rates of preventable diseases, the low costs of our food in reality are costing us a great deal more than we realize. I will be reading Michael Pollan's next book, "In Defense of Food"

What to read for September?

Here are the choices for August. Be sure to vote for as many as sound interesting. Books with votes will return to the polls next month along with new suggestions. Please add your book suggestions in the comments section to be considered for the following month.

In Defense of Food by Michael Pollan

It was number one on the New York Times Non-Fiction Best Seller List for six weeks. The book grew out of Pollan's 2007 article Unhappy Meals published in the New York Times Magazine. Pollan has also said that he wrote In Defense of Food as a response to people asking him what they should eat after having read The Omnivore's Dilemma, his previous book.
In the book, Pollan postulates that the answer to healthy eating is simply to "Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants."Pollan argues that nutritionism as an ideology has overly complicated and harmed American eating habits. He says that rather than focusing on eating nutrients, people should focus on eating the sort of food that their ancestors would recognize.

1984 by George Orwell A classic dystopian novel published in 1949, focuses on a repressive, totalitarian regime. The story follows the life of one seemingly insignificant man, Winston Smith, a civil servant assigned the task of perpetuating the regime's propaganda by falsifying records and political literature. Smith grows disillusioned with his meager existence and so begins a rebellion against the system that leads to his arrest and torture.

Airman by Eoin Colfer Conor Broekhart discovers a conspiracy to overthrow the king. He is branded a traitor, imprisoned, and force4d to mine diamonds under brutal conditions. He plans a daring escape.

Someone Named Eva, by Joann Wolf
Kidnapped from her village, Milada struggles to remember who she really is as she grows up in a Nazi reeducation school. This book is based on a true story.

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

The Book Thief is set in Nazi Germany. Beginning in 1939, it focuses on a German girl, Liesel, who is sent by her mother to live with foster parents in a small town near Munich. As Liesel learns to cope with her new environment, all the pains she has endured, and the extreme unhappiness of pre-war and wartime Germany, she yearns to escape via reading. Her foster father Hans helps her learn to read, and Liesel finds books here and there — in a snowy graveyard, in a Nazi book-burning, and inside the local mayor's house. She has a few friends; first her neighbor and classmate, Rudy, and later the son of a soldier her foster father knew in WWI, Max, a Jew whom her new family must hide in their basement. While the toll of WWII, Allied bombing, and Nazi brutality increases, Liesel's world starts to crumble, but words and reading sustain her.

Uglies by Scott Westerfeld

Set in a future post-scarcity dystopian world in which everyone is turned "Pretty" by extreme cosmetic surgery upon reaching age 16. It tells the story of teenager Tally Youngblood who rebels against society's enforced conformity, after her new found friends Shay and David show her the downsides to becoming a "pretty".

August's Read: Night of the Howling Dogs by Graham Salisbury

On the Big Island of Hawaii, Dylan's Scout troop hikes down into the desolation of an ancient lava flow to camp on a small beach below the volcano. It's beautiful. Peaceful. But there's a problem: Louie Domingo. He and Dylan share a secret history, and it lies like a shark beneath the surface of everything they do.

...Until the world comes apart.

Foreshadowed by two mysterious howling dogs, a disaster of unearthly proportions strikes. No one is spared its horror. But over the next hours Dylan learns the true meaning of leadership and the will to survive. More amazing still is that this story actually happened.

Reading Level: Ages 9 and up

208 Pages

Contributors: Mattie Rae

It wasn't until my adult years that I began loving books. Once my love developed, I haven't stopped reading since. There are so many good books out there to read and to learn from that I think it will take the rest of my life to even put a dent in reading all the books I want to.

I am single and have lived an adventurous life. I have traveled and been educated which has only opened my eyes to the great lessons people have to teach each other. Reading is a fantastic way to learn from others and so the books I value the most are the ones that teach me something I can use in my life whether it be by fiction or non-fiction.

I believe in old fashion values and that they are applicable today. I enjoy reading books that are free from language and other mature content. There are just too many books out there and so little time. I have chosen to give my time to books that are uplifting, informative, and clean. I hope my comments and reviews will be helpful to you in choosing good books to read!

About our Contributors: Rindee

I am a mother of 4 young children ages 1-9. I really enjoyed reading in Jr. High, but after that I filled my time with volleyball, choir, orchestra, and working. Mostly what I read in high school was required reading for my English classes. As I entered college, marriage and motherhood, works of non-fiction seemed to dominate my repertoire as I tried to get a handle on life and tried to figure out all I didn't know. I told myself that there wasn't enough time in this life to waste some of it on silly stories that weren't even real.

When I was pregnant with my first child I did a lot of reading to learn how to be a great mother. A common theme that seemed to repeat itself was the importance of reading to your children. My husband and I created a "literature budget" and vowed to buy one children's book each month to gradually build our library and fill it with books we enjoyed as children. I also made a promise to myself that if my child ever asked me to read them a book that I would stop whatever I was doing and hold them as I read their story of choice. My children love to read and have been early readers.

Four years ago I was put in charge our our Relief Society's Book Club and had to attend to monitor the subject matter. In that book club I read books of other genres that I would never chosen myself and was pleasantly surprised that I enjoyed every one of them. I now try to balance non-fiction along with fiction and have found that I can even learn things from those "silly stories." I also discovered that I love to read! I'm always reading or learning about something. Although I never would consider myself an avid reader, my husband told me once that "You read more than most."

I am picky about quality and content for me and my children. If I'm not enjoying a book, I have nothing against not finishing it. There is too much good literature out there to waste my time on garbage. I am also sensitive about the content in books. I don't enjoy excessive language, descriptive violence, detailed intimacy, or infidelity in my books. I feel that if these elements need to be included in a story that they can be included in a tactful way. I like to surround myself with inspirational stories, wisdom, and hope.

Along with non-fiction, my favorite genera is Speculative Fiction. I enjoy reading about hypothetical situations that are realistic. Some of my favorite examples of these books are the "Great & Terrible" series by Chris Stewart and "Life as We Knew it" by Susan Beth Pfeffer. I also enjoy Fantasy books such as "The Lord of the Rings" by JRR Tolkein, "Fablehaven" by Brandon Mull, and the "Twilight" series by Stephenie Meyer.

Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card

As I was looking through some lists on Goodreads.com for books for my 9- year-old son to read, this book seemed to be at the top of many of the lists of favorites. Although this book can be found in the Young-Adult section of my library, I found it on a list for 10 year-olds to read. I thought I'd better find out why it was in the YA section before letting my 9 year-old get his hands on it. I'm glad I did.

Taken from Wikipedia, here is the general summary of the book:

"Set in Earth's future, the novel presents an imperiled humankind who have barely survived two conflicts with the Formics (an insectoid alien race also known as the "Buggers"). In preparation for an anticipated third invasion, an international fleet maintains a school to find and train future fleet commanders. The world's most talented children, including the novel's protagonist Ender Wiggin, are taken at a very young age to a training center known as the Battle School. There, teachers train them in the arts of war through increasingly difficult games including ones undertaken in zero gravity in the Battle Room where Ender's tactical genius is revealed. "

This book is very well written with wonderful character development, and a sense of mystery throughout the book. I can see why it is a favorite of many. Although I enjoyed the plot the main character, and the storyline, I found myself having a hard time getting through this book. It has a general dark feeling to the book. There isn't a lot of happiness or hope in the story. There is also a lot of cruelty in the story, which I didn't enjoy reading about. I was also surprised at the amount of language used in this story. More language in this book than in any I've read for a long time. Not what I expected from an LDS author.

I don't think I'll be reading any more of Orson Scott Card's books. It took me a long time to get through this one and I didn't feel like I came away with anything of benefit. I would definitely not recommend this book for anyone under the age of 16. It had a lot of manipulative personalities and strategies that would be hard for a younger child to really grasp. It also had so much language and cruelty, I don't think it would be appropriate for younger children, either.

Sorry Mr. Card. I'm not a fan.

What to read for August?

Here are the choices for August. Be sure to vote for as many as sound interesting. Books with votes will return to the polls next month along with new suggestions. Please add your book suggestions in the comments section to be considered for the following month.



The Omnivore's Dilemma by Michael Pollan


"What should we have for dinner?" To answer this question, he follows four meals, each derived through a different food-production system, from their origins to the plate. Along the way, Pollan examines the ethical, political, and ecological factors that are intertwined in the industrial, large-scale organic, local, and personal (hunted-gathered) food chains, while describing the environmental and health consequences that result from food choices within these chains.




1984 by George Orwell


A classic dystopian novel published in 1949, focuses on a repressive, totalitarian regime. The story follows the life of one seemingly insignificant man, Winston Smith, a civil servant assigned the task of perpetuating the regime's propaganda by falsifying records and political literature. Smith grows disillusioned with his meager existence and so begins a rebellion against the system that leads to his arrest and torture.




Airman by Eoin Colfer


Conor Broekhart discovers a conspiracy to overthrow the king. He is branded a traitor, imprisoned, and force4d to mine diamonds under brutal conditions. He plans a daring escape.

Someone Named Eva, by Joann Wolf

Kidnapped from her village, Milada struggles to remember who she really is as she grows up in a Nazi reeducation school. This book is based on a true story.

Waiting for Normal by Leslie Connor

When twelve-year-old Addie and her mother go to live in a small trailer by the railroad tracks on the outskirts of Schenectady, New York, Addie tries to cope with her mother's erratic behavior.

Night of the Howling Dogs, by Graham Salisbury

A Boy Scout campout in Hawaii turns into a struggle for survival that tests courage and friendship. This story is inspired by real events following a devastating tsunami.

Schooled by Gordon Korman

Homeschooled by his hippie grandmother, Capricorn (Cap) Anderson has never watched television, tasted a pizza, or even heard of a wedgie. But when his grandmother lands in the hospital, Cap lands in public school.

The Candy Shop War by Brandon Mull

Fifth-graders Nate, Summer, Trevor, and Pigeon meet the owner of the new candy store in town and are given a magical candy that endows them with super powers. They find that along with benefits are also dangerous consequences.

the Book of 1000 days

I LOVED the book!!!!!!!! It had a lot of dramatic parts which made the book interesting like......
when Lady V ( it was a weird name) tried to cut off Dashti's foot,
When she was going to be hung, sitting in the dungeon
When suddenly Lady Saren wanted the cat and tried to pull it off of Dashti's lap in the Kitchen and so on. This is the type of book i would love to read again!!!!

July's Read: Alas, Babylon

Alas, Babylon is a 1959 novel by American writer Pat Frank (the pen name of Harry Hart Frank). It was one of the first post-apocalyptic novels of the nuclear age and remains popular fifty years after it was first published. The novel deals with the effects of a nuclear war on the small town of Fort Repose, Florida, which is based upon the actual city of Mount Dora.

The novel's title is derived from Revelation 18:10, which is interpreted and quoted in the book as describing the aftermath of a nuclear attack. In the King James Bible, this passage reads:

Standing afar off for the fear of her torment, saying, Alas, alas that great city Babylon, that mighty city! For in one hour is thy judgment come.

Here are a few questions for study and discussion.

How does Pat Frank reveal character in Alas, Babylon?
What are some symbols in Alas, Babylon? How do they relate to the plot and characters?
What is the central/primary purpose of the story? Is the purpose important or meaningful?
How does the past figure into the novel?
What is the role of women in this novel?
How do politics figure into the novel?


Be sure to vote in the poll to help choose the next read! You can vote for as many as sound interesting! A vote will keep that book in the running.

What to read next poll

To help you decide what books you may be interested in reading, I will post some details about the books in the poll. Please check boxes for all you are interested in reading. Except the first two, these books are nominees to win the Beehive Award for 2009 or 2010 given by the Children's Literature Association of Utah. If you have any other suggestions, please put them in the comments section and we will consider those as well.


Prophecy: Key to the future, by Duane Crowther
Explores LDS prophecy regarding the future of America and the events leading up to the second coming of Jesus Christ.












Alas, Babylon by Pat Frank

a 1959 novel that was one of the first post-apocalyptic novels of the nuclear age and remains popular fifty years after it was first published. The novel deals with the effects of a nuclear war on the small town of Fort Repose, Florida, which is based upon the actual city of Mount Dora.





Someone Named Eva, by Joann Wolf

Kidnapped from her village, Milada struggles to remember who she really is as she grows up in a Nazi reeducation school. This book is based on a true story.





Evolution, Me & Other Freaks of Nature, by Robin Brande

Mena is at odds with her conservative family and friends when she stands up for a teacher who refuses to include "Intelligent Design" in lessons on evolution.

Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

In a future North America, sixteen-year-old Katniss's skills are put to the test when she voluntarily takes her younger sister's place in a televised survival competition.

Waiting for Normal by Leslie Connor

When twelve-year-old Addie and her mother go to live in a small trailer by the railroad tracks on the outskirts of Schenectady,k New York, Addie tries to cope with her mother's erratic behavior.

Night of the Howling Dogs, by Graham Salisbury

A Boy Scout campout in Hawaii turns into a struggle for survival that tests courage and friendship. This story is inspired by real events following a devastating tsunami.

Airman by Eoin Colfer

Conor Broekhart discovers a conspiracy to overthrow the king. He is branded a traitor, imprisoned, and force4d to mine diamonds under brutal conditions. He plans a daring escape.

Schooled by Gordon Korman

Homeschooled by his hippie grandmother, Capricorn (Cap) Anderson has never watched television, tasted a pizza, or even heard of a wedgie. But when his grandmother lands in the hospital, Cap lands in public school.

Unwind by Neal Shusterman

In a future world where those between the ages of thirteen and eighteen can have their lives "unwound" and their body parts harvested, three teens go to the extreme lengths to uphold their beliefs --and, perhaps, save their own lives.

The Candy Shop War by Brandon Mull

Fifth-graders Nate, Summer, Trevor, and Pigeon meet the owner of the new candy store in town and are given a magical candy that endows them with super powers. They find that along with benefits are also dangerous consequences.

Wildwood Dancing by Juliet Marillier

Five sisters who live with their merchant father in Transylvania use a hidden portal in the home to cross over into a magical wold, the Wildwood.