20th century

The Borrowed House presents us with a look at Germany and Holland during World War II, through the eyes of Janna, a 13 year old German girl who is raised on Hitler's propaganda and is a member of "Hitler's Youth". Janna, raised in the Black Forest of Germany and separated from her parents (who are famous actors and travel around a bit), has been indoctrinated with a hatred of Jews and other aspects of Hitler's "ideals". From the beginning we learn somewhat chilling (although subtly handled) facts about the treatment of the sick and elderly in Hitler's Germany. Early in the story, Janna is sent to Holland to be reunited with her parents who are living in a large house requisitioned by the German army from a Dutch family. Here, through her mother, her new tutor, the Dutch cook and other new friends, Janna begins to see the errors and lies that she was deceived with.

The story is quite a touching family story as well as excellent historical fiction from World War II. The indoctrination and hatred pushed by Hitler and companies is very real and teenagers will benefit from being aware of how people can be misled by a strong leader. The book is clearly well-researched. Some of the details, rather than being the author's intepretation of that time period of history, appear to be based on actual testimonials collected by the author from family and friends who lived in Holland during World War II. Although the story is quite easy to read, the general subject matter and some of the details of the story make it appropriate for more mature students (probably just for high school).

The Good Master by Kate Seredy is a timeless tale of the goodness of the land and of the Faith. Set in Hungary before World War I, a young impish girl, Kate, is sent to the country because her father, a widower, cannot control her anymore. When she arrives she is a world class brat but she is tamed by her uncle through discipline and love. She is somewhat fearless and zealous to try everything the farm life has to offer and this leads her and her cousin Jancsi on many humorous farm adventures.

Throughout the story are beautiful vignettes on the wholesome Catholic life of the people, feast day celebrations, and traditions. There are also several Hungarian folk tales inspiringly told by the shepherds and an old miller. Kate finds a place to bloom and is able to give some back in return. She starts a school for Jancsi and the shepherds, teaching them to read. In the end her father, a school teacher comes to join them in the country and the improvement of his daughter overwhelms him. They convince him to stay in the country and reap the benefits of the the good life they have there.

There is much to be recommended in this story. The example of the "Good Master," Kate's uncle Marton, is the strongest in the story. His treatment of Kate is analogous to our "Good Master" in heaven. The story allows for much discussion of a father's love and the discipline involved in it. It is also a beautiful story to show the universality of the Church as we see the Faith practiced in another culture.

The story is beautifully written and illustrated. If you're lucky enough to find a hard cover version from the Sixties, you have some bonus color portraits of Kate and Jancsi, which as a child, I never tired of gazing over. The illustrations of authentic Hungarian costumes and folk art are a great addition to the story.

Recommended for grade 4+ (We read it to our young children, ages 3-8, and they loved it.)

Full of imagination and an adventurous spirit, 12-year-old Kit likes nothing more than to roam the fields playing pretending games with her best friends, Pony and Helen. But life never stays the same. After an illness, Kit goes to live with her elderly Aunts and often visits her nearby cousins. In her cousins’ home, she is introduced to a totally new world of lively interests, music, and enduring friendships.

When she returns home, her life turns upside down. Cook, who had always been a dear friend, leaves for America to live with her brother, father seems more isolated and emotionally distant than ever, and Laura, her ever-busy cousin, who acts as her substitute mother, wants her troublesome charge out of the way.

Off to boarding school Kit is sent. Here Kit struggles to find the meaning of her life. Her brothers all seem so sure of what they want to do and who they are. Kit, on the other hand, wants to sing like her happy cousins. But Laura calls her singing “awful noise.” Will Kit rise up like the lark in the morning to find her voice, her true self, and the happiness she longs for?

The Lark in the Morn offers a peek into the life of a Quaker girl growing up in England during the mid-twentieth century.

Suggested reading level ages 11-up.

This book is not a "must read", but it is an enlightening read (best for high school and up). I have not read any other compilation of letters like this, so even the concept was new to me. There isn't a format, a thesis or an argument to unify the book. Rather, it is the life, work and times of Tolkien which generate the letters. He writes to his wife, his children, fans of his work, his publishers and various friends. The book is a subset of his letters (edited with the help of his son Christopher). Much of what is represented is in response to questions about his works - Middle Earth, elves, hobbits etc. - and so it is much more interesting to read if one is familiar with his works. One missive in particular was written to his son about love and marriage (MOST interesting). Others relate events of his life. The letters to his publishers reveal how difficult it was for him to write.In explaining these things, much is revealed about his understanding of the world (both philosophically and theologically). Reading the Hobbit and the Lord of the Rings, he, in one letter, describes as a "keyhole" view of his subcreation, Middle Earth. This in itself is revealing. It seems to have been very time consuming and difficult for Tolkien to produce his works. Through the letters, you begin to see that this is partly due to the fact that he was a perfectionist. He would let you see something through the keyhole (eg. a fairly brief mention of the story Luthien Tinuviel looked upon as an historical event) but wasn't really satisfied until he tackled the complete story of Luthien as well. He must have had an enormous amount of material in his study and in his head! He indicates that there are only two things in the Lord of the Rings that he does NOT know about - one being "the cats of Queen Beruthiel". ... the point being that he DOES know about the rest in great detail. He has firm ideas about the creation and descent of the elves, the work and character of the Valar/Angels, the history of the landscape, the fables associated with the morning star, Earindel. And nothing gets more attention than the languages used. He made them up for fun - it was a true love of his. He knows where they started, how they mingled with others down through Middle Earth's history, their forms, changes and pronunciations.But I lost my thread. His philosophy and theology are very evident in his works of fiction - they make the world of Middle Earth seem real BECAUSE they are so well grounded. They blossom in these letters. He can stand back from the events and tell an inquisitor WHY something in Middle Earth happened - and that is very edifying. His perfectionism has driven him to understand our own world well enough to figure out what is really possible in Middle Earth. He makes the critical distinction between what is accidental and what is essential so that Middle Earth may diverge from our own place in space and time yet still appear REAL.As an example, he responds to a priest who challenges Tolkien's ideas about elves - elves are undying in Middle Earth. Tolkien explains the notion that this is not an essential problem with God's creative abilities - even if it seems impossible that we would see it ourselves. You have to read his explanation - the whole point being that he DID think about it and had reasons for it even before he put it in the books.It is gratifying, as a Catholic, to learn that Tolkien's good philosophy and theology are heartily Catholic in nature. And to learn that his greatest inspiration, comfort and love was the Eucharist!It is interesting to read that one letter of fatherly advice to his son about love and marraige. This is one area where he makes so much sense you want to cheer. It is not mushy sentimentalism and it is not clinical psychology. It is the very human assesment of the how fallen-nature and super-nature manifest themselves in finding and keeping a spouse. And as such it is darned good advice for anyone!You will also learn a lot about Tolkien in this book. And even though he is not perfect - there is so much to learn. There are areas in which you want to emulate him. And areas in which you may find him shy of the mark. You can do your own philosophizing about where to draw that line - and his manner and style - so humble - INVITES you to reflect like this. This book is like a life experience. His life is, after all, another life. It is good and not so good and filled with the decisions that help make us who we are.