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Set during the late 1940’s, The Lark on the Wing is the story of a young woman on the brink of a new career. Seventeen-year-old Kit desires with all her heart to sing professionally, but one obstacle after another pops up in her way. Will she be able to overcome all these obstacles to fulfill her life’s dream?

The Lark on the Wing captures the doubts, the excitement, and the energy of young people on the brink of adulthood with a world of myriad choices before them, including young love. The plot is fast-paced, effortlessly moving from one scene to the next.

With a variety of personalities, it is also a story about relationships. Using the popular idiomatic language of the 1940's, we travel back into time as the characters express their thoughts, emotions, and favorite pastimes.

The Lark on the Wing also presents a realistic picture of love, with all the emotional ups and downs, without the modern day garbage. In other words, people have real relationships. Sometimes they work out. Sometimes they don’t. People don’t always say or do the right thing at the right time. As Kit grows and matures, she must decide what a serious relationship involves.

With all the intense emotions swirling about, it is also a story about virtue, building up patience, kindness, and forbearance. How will Kit react to those around her, the person who goads her to do something she shouldn’t do or thwarts her plans or good intentions through power or money?

The Lark on the Wing also provides an interesting peek into Quaker life during the 1940’s, presenting them as an active, vibrant, socially conscious group, breaking the stereotype of a quiet and serious people. Along the way, we meet some unusual characters.

Since Kit is studying music, for the reader seriously interested in music, there is a lot of wisdom to be learned. Even though she is learning about voice, much of her teacher’s advice could apply to other instruments. For the person who thinks singing is merely picking up a piece of music, the author clarifies the importance of training.

For the young person, trying to make sense out of life, Kit offers a realistic picture of a young woman who is faced with numerous obstacles, yet perseveres in her life’s dream.

A lovely young girl with sweetness and charm, searching to find her own way, Kit learns to ignore the voices of discouragement and laziness and forge her own path among the confusing voices. Will her perseverance pay off? Will she finally achieve her life's dreams?

Immensely enjoyable, The Lark on the Wing is highly recommended!

Queen Isabella (the Catholic) of Spain is one of the most influential and controversial women in history. She and her husband were responsible for supporting Columbus' voyages to the New World, the re-conquering of all of Spain from the Moors, the expulsion of the Jews, and the establishment of the Spanish Inquisition. Her daughter, Catherine of Aragon, was the unfortunate first wife of King Henry VIII of England (who founded the Anglican church because he didn't accept the Pope's refusal to grant him an annulment of his marriage to Catherine). The story is fast-paced and gripping (as well as complex), but also very sad and even disturbing at times. It's an important period of history for Catholic to understand as many aspects of this story are frequently used to attack the Church. Reading the whole story will also dispel some common myths about history in general - particularly ones that try to make blanket statements about history and assumptions that as history progresses things always get worse.
Recommended for upper high school or adult.

The Laviniad is a truly unique work; the story is unique and the book itself is unique.

First the story: The author successfully writes in the style of the ancient epic in modern English, picking up the thread of the story of the Aeneid. The Laviniad takes up the tale of the Trojan settlement of Latium following the death of Aeneas. His son, Ascanius, assumes the leadership and almost immediatley must deal with the threat of Italians still hostile to the Trojan presence.

There are some pleasant similarities to the ancient epics, such as prophecies that are fulfilled in not quite the way the people expect, and the descriptions of the deaths of the heroes. The Trojans prevail in the end and Lavinia, Aeneas' widow gives birth to his child, the true and final mix of the blood of the Latins and the Trojans. Hope is restored to a people wearied by years of war and loss of life. Lovers of classic tales will really appreciate the poetry and the plot.

The poem reads easily and naturally with the flow and flavor of the ancient epics. A complete glossary in the back will help anyone who has not read the Aeneid or the Iliad to understand the relationship of the characters and the various names of the Greeks, Trojans, and Latins. It is not, strictly speaking, a sequel, however, a knowledge of the events of the Aeneid is helpful. A highschooler could appreciate the story whether or not he has read the Aeneid.

Now the book: I learned from the publisher that the author hand makes each book, binding and all! The story is printed on parchment and handsewn, not glued. The outer cover is a light blue cloth cover. It is a beautiful, elegant edition, wonderful for gift giving.

This lovely retelling of an old Mexican legend transports us to the mountains of Mexico, where a young girl, Lucida, prepares for Christmas with her family. Her mother is a fine weaver, and the Padre asks her to make a new blanket for the Baby Jesus. When her mother falls ill, she longs to help finish the blanket, but only seems to make a mess of things. With no gift for the Baby Jesus, Lucida hides and watches the procession from afar. An old woman assures her that "any gift is beautiful because it is given" and that "Whatever you give, the Baby Jesus will love, because it comes from you."

Feeling more courageous, Lucida picks a bundle of weeds and brings them to the Baby Jesus in the manger scene at church, where they are beautifully transformed.