Tag Archives: Catholic

Elementary

Taking Risks as Far as Possible: A Review of “The Tale of Peter Rabbit”

“Children, obey your parents in everything, for this is pleasing to the Lord.” –Colossians 3:20

Reading Level:

Grades K-1

Review and Comments:

The Tale of Peter Rabbit, by Beatrix Potter, is a classic tale that is ready for a new generation. Peter, that scamp of a bunny, does not heed his mother’s warning about Mr. McGregor’s garden or her instructions to stay close to home.  He immediately goes to the garden and enjoys quite a feast on all the wonderful vegetables bunnies love to eat.  Mr. McGregor spots Peter eating his produce and immediately a pursuit begins. Mr. McGregor runs all over the garden trying to catch him, but Peter is able to escape each close encounter.  Peter is completely lost because of the chase and frantically tries to find a way out of the garden.  Finally, after much searching, he locates the gate and is free once again.  He does not stop running until he reaches the safety of his home and family. By the time he gets home his ordeal has taken its toll.  Peter is put to bed and misses out on the delicious dinner that his sisters are able to enjoy. Continue reading Taking Risks as Far as Possible: A Review of “The Tale of Peter Rabbit” →

For the Adults, Holidays

Aspirations of the Heart: A Beautiful List of Prayer Books to Give Someone for Christmas

“Prayer is an aspiration of the heart, it is a simple glance directed to heaven.  It is a cry of gratitude and love in the midst of trial as well as joy; finally, it is something great, supernatural, which expands my soul and unites me to Jesus.”–St. Therese of Lisieux

The prayer books we have listed below are a meager few of some of our favorites.  They are short and simple, enough for the busy lives we tend to lead. (Click on the picture to take you to Amazon.com for more information on each book.)

Word By Word: Slowing Down with the Hail Mary by Sarah A. Reinhard is a beautiful way to slow yourself down when reciting the Hail Mary.  After years of reciting the prayer, I, unfortunately, find myself rushing through the words. This book is a compilation of reflections and questions based on the short phrases of the prayer.  They are short enough for you to read one each day and spend a few minutes meditating on the questions asked at the end of each reflection.  It’s a wonderful way to look at the Hail Mary for those of us who have become “familiar” with the prayer. Continue reading Aspirations of the Heart: A Beautiful List of Prayer Books to Give Someone for Christmas →

Middle School

Strength in the Face of Danger: A Review of ‘Hatchet’ by Gary Paulsen

“Start by doing what’s necessary; then do what’s possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible.”– St. Francis of Assisi

Reading Level: Grades 5-6

Interest Level:  Grades 5-8

Review and Comments:

As Brian buckles his seat belt and settles in the small plane to begin a trip to visit his father for the summer, he never dreams his life is about to change forever. He is distracted by angry, raging thoughts about his parents’ divorce.  In the tangle of all of those emotions is a secret about his mom and that “Secret” is like an anchor weighing him down not only in his heart but in his thoughts. Those thoughts again assault his mind as he begins his flight. After a lengthy period of silence, he and the pilot finally begin to talk a bit. Brain is surprised when the pilot shows him how to use the rudder, and he actually flies the plane on his own.  After that things go horribly wrong.  The pilot has a heart attack and dies leaving Brian alone flying over the vast Canadian woods. Continue reading Strength in the Face of Danger: A Review of ‘Hatchet’ by Gary Paulsen →

Elementary

Rhythmical Creation of Beauty in Words: A Review of ‘Pocket Poems’

“Poetry is a packsack of invisible keepsakes.”–Carl Sandburg

Grade Level:

K-1

Review and Comments:

Pocket Poems by Bobbi Katz is an anthology of 55 short poems that are both humorous and thought provoking. They cover subjects from nature themes to a twist on traditional stories like ‘Humpty Dumpty’, ‘The Old Woman in the Shoe’, and ‘Mary Had a Little Lamb’. There is even a poem written in English and Spanish entitled “You – Tu.”  Teachers will find the poem using homophones and a few poems about punctuation marks good additions to English lessons.  My particular favorites are “The Drum” and [from]” Arithmetic.”  The poems are written by classic authors such as Emily Dickinson and Carl Sandburg along with contemporary authors like the author of the anthology, Bobbie Katz. Continue reading Rhythmical Creation of Beauty in Words: A Review of ‘Pocket Poems’ →

Elementary

One Size Does Not Fit All: A Review of ‘You Are (Not) Small’

“The biggest challenge in life is being you – In a world trying to make you like everyone else.”–Unknown

Reading Level:

Easy Reader, Ages 4-8

Review and Comments

You Are (Not) Small  by Anna Kang is a story with few words but a meaningful message.  The characters in the book have a debate about their size.  One character is obviously big and the other one is obviously small.  Each character points out those physical traits, sometimes with passion. “You are small.”  “You are big.”  It seems that both are correct.  The discussion progresses when they each show that there are others who are their same size so that must mean they are not really big or definitely not small. The debate begins to get heated because they will not change their viewpoint of one another. Continue reading One Size Does Not Fit All: A Review of ‘You Are (Not) Small’ →

Elementary

Amid the Falling Snow: A Review of ‘A Snowy Day’

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“To appreciate the beauty of a snowflake it is necessary to stand out in the cold.” —Unknown

Reading Level

Grades K-1

Review and Comments

The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats is a story about a boy named Peter who awakens to his world covered in the beauty of snow. Pristine snow is a marvelous scene that just begs for the romp of a child. Peter puts on his red snowsuit and goes outside to explore. The first thing he notices is the trail of his footprints so he experiments and alters the look of them. He is pleased by the different tracks and the results fascinate him.  Moving along, he decides not to join a snowball fight and continues to make his own fun in the snow.  His very busy day is coming to an end, but before he goes home he molds the best snowball he can make and puts it in his pocket to save for another day. Continue reading Amid the Falling Snow: A Review of ‘A Snowy Day’ →

Elementary, Holidays

Celebrating the Lives of Loved Ones: A Review of ‘Dia De Los Muertos’

“A human life is a story told by God.”–Hans Christian Andersen

Reading Level:

Grade 2

Review and Thoughts

Dia de los Muertos by Roseanne Greenfield Thong is a non-fiction book about the Day of the Dead, which is a traditional celebration in Mexico.  It is celebrated November 1 and 2.  These dates were chosen as a way to intermingle the Aztec and Catholic cultures. November 1 is All Saints’ Day, and November 2 is All Souls’ Day. Continue reading Celebrating the Lives of Loved Ones: A Review of ‘Dia De Los Muertos’ →

For the Adults, Holidays

Celebrating Halloween (Part One): A Response to Halloween From Four Catholic Moms

00000018In today’s changing world, Halloween has evolved along with society.  Costumes aren’t quite as innocent as they used to be, candy is blamed for contributing to childhood obesity, and trick-or-treating has become a concern for some people worried about what could be in candy...or worse, who could be passing it out!  Luckily there is also beauty in the holiday for Catholics, in fact, its origins began with us.  Innocent celebration can teach our children a special part of our cultural history and create lasting memories for years. Below are thoughts from individual Catholic moms about their feelings toward Halloween. Continue reading Celebrating Halloween (Part One): A Response to Halloween From Four Catholic Moms →

Elementary

Life Spills Over For Better or Worse: A Review of ‘The Great Gilly Hopkins’

“No man is an island, entire of itself. Our lives are involved with one another, through innumerable interactions they are linked together. No one lives alone. No one sins alone. No one is saved alone. The lives of others continually spill over into mine: in what I think, say, do and achieve. And conversely, my life spills over into that of others: for better and worse.”  Pope Benedict XVI

Reading Level:

Grades  4-5

Review and Thoughts:

Foster Child: a child without parental support and protection, placed with a person or family to be cared for, usually by local welfare services or by court order. This is Gilly Hopkins.  Gilly, or Galadriel Hopkins, is an eleven year old girl who is starting over yet again in the third foster home in three years through circumstances beyond her control.  Gilly’s life experiences have forced her to create a list of rules written on her heart.  These rigid rules are what she fights to live by:

  1. I will accept no kisses or hugs.
  2. I will be clever and hard to manage.
  3. I will dare anyone to accept me or change me.
  4. I will be in charge of my own life.
  5. I will never appear the fool.
  6. I will never need help.
  7. I will be in charge of my education by making teachers treat me differently.
  8. I will be tough.
  9. I will continue to build a reputation and be proud of it.
  10. I will never attach myself to something that is likely to blow away some day.
  11. I will be Galadriel Hopkins – some day.

Continue reading Life Spills Over For Better or Worse: A Review of ‘The Great Gilly Hopkins’ →

High School, Middle School

Courage Under Fire: A Review of ‘I Am Number Four’

“Courage is being scared to death…and saddling up anyway.”—John Wayne

Suggested Grade Levels:

Grade 6-10

Review and Thoughts

In my continuing effort to find books that appeal to boys, I stumbled upon I Am Number Four by Pittacus Lore.  This book is full of action and adventure and teen love, which is the perfect combination for ANY young adult reader. Continue reading Courage Under Fire: A Review of ‘I Am Number Four’ →