United States

What is history? A story. In The American Revolution for Kids, Janis Herbert has given us a well written, high interest story. Her style of writing is lively and interesting as wells as fair and impartial - giving us a fair and balanced picture of an emotionally turbulent time. This book offers a good overview of the time period (suitable for putting together a unit study on the time period) or interesting reading for its own sake.

Although the majority of the book follows the development of the war from its onset until its conclusion, Herbert also takes some detours, offering information about other events and people of the time - like a typical colonist and the life of soldier - to give us a sense of day-to-day life and customs of the time. The story doesn't end with the closing of the war; the last chapter discusses the Constitutional Convention through the final ratification of the Constitution.

There are many other extra features in this book:

A timeline sets the stage beginning with the French and Indian War (1754-60), following the development of important battles, explaining important dates along the way and finally ending with Congress adopting the Bill of Rights in 1791.

Spotlight biographies cover such important figures as John Hancock, George Washington, and Nathanael Greene. Other interesting facts are also spotlighted throughout the book, such as how many musket balls were made from the torn down, lead statue of King George.

The 21 Activities noted in the title are sprinkled throughout the text and include making a fringed hunting shirt like one worn by frontiersman Gen. Daniel Morgan, reenacting the Battle of Cowpens, creating a powder horn, sewing a pouch, and baking Boston Brown bread.

The end pages include a glossary, a list of famous Patriots and Redcoats, a list of biographies, the Declaration of Independence, web sites to explore, Revolutionary War Sites to visit in person, a Bibliography, and an index.

I would suggest that families make a point of reading about how Catholics were treated at this time, since this is overlooked in most secular texts. Far from religious toleration, there was a great deal of bigotry at that time, creating mixed feelings for Catholics as to which side they should support.

The Courage of Sarah Noble is based on the true story of eight year old Sarah Noble, who accompanies her father into the Connecticut wilderness to cook meals for him as he builds the family's cabin. The story takes place in 1707 and focuses on her courage against the unknown fears of the wilderness.

Because the book focuses so much on her courage, this book could be used as a springboard for discussing the role of Guardian Angels in our lives. Of course, it should be mentioned to the child reading the story that Sarah was not Catholic and would not know that she could pray to her Guardian Angel whenever she was frightened. In the same light, it would also have been nice if Sarah would have placed more faith in God and said a prayer every time she was frightened instead of clutching her cloak or repeating the words "'keep up your courage.'" Sarah does, however, say her night prayers when she stays with an Indian family while her father returns home to bring the rest of the family to the cabin and she does read her Bible( Both incidents are naturally interwoven in the story).

In particular, I really liked the way Dalgliesh develops Sarah's relationship with her father. It is very heart warming to see this kind of relationship presented in literature. Not only is he a good role model as a father, but, as a character, he speaks with wisdom. He is very gentle, patient, and loving with her. One statement that he makes that is very heartening to hear is when he says, "'It was a blessing the Lord gave me daughters, as well as sons.'" How many daughters in real life yearn to hear their fathers say this? He also comments, when he is referring to the Indians, "'In our home all will be treated with kindness always Sarah.'" This is a nice counterpoint to the fear she had of the Indians as ruthless savages. The story also realistically makes clear that although some Indians are peaceful, some are to be feared.

My only concern with the story would be that I would be hesitant to read this story aloud with younger children (4 year olds) in the room who are already fearful by nature, because of the constant emphasis of her fear. For the age that it is intended, it should not be a problem.

Overall, this is an easy to read short chapter book for the 3rd-6th grade reader. It is a very realistic portrayal of life in the wilderness as a little girl struggles to overcome her fears, at the same time trying to do the right thing. Because of the way each chapter is presented, this book would be ideal for discussing each chapter's theme between the parent and child. I would recommend this book along with discussion. For example, "Do you think it was kind for the children to tease Sarah?" What could they have said instead.

In this first book of the new series The Danville Chronicles, Joan Stromberg has found a fun and exciting way to teach faith to your children ten years and older. It will capture their imagination and keep their minds thinking.

This book takes place in the town of Danville, Pennsylvania in 1875. The biggest Iron Mill in town is owned by Mr. Graves. It has just exploded and Mary Mulhearn, an Irish immigrant, and her blind friend Kathleen Dodd are trying to find evidence that Mary's father, Mr. Mulhearn, is innocent of blowing up the Iron Mill and becoming a Molly Maguire. Although Mary's family knows he would never turn into a Molly Maguire and blow up the Iron Mill were he worked before it exploded, they also know that their realization of his innocence alone will not be enough to win the trial against Mr. Mulhearn.

Then one day, to make things more puzzling for Mary, a man who calls himself Sean McGinty shows up at Mary's door and says he is an immigrant right off a boat from Ireland and finds a place to stay at the Mulhearns' house. But Mary doesn't believe his story and is on his case. Mary and Kathleen go through adventures and trials, they find a detective book under a man's bed, they notice a ring that has shown up on two people, they spot a man in the town graveyard during the night, and they learn how to spy on a spy. They also have many more questions than answers at one point. Who is Sean really? Is he a Molly Maguire or is he on Mr. Graves' side? Who blew up the mill and why? If you want to know the answers to these questions and more and if Mary cracks the case and finds out whom Sean really is, you will have to read The Iron Spy for yourself.

What better kind of book could you ask for than a Catholic history mystery that will not let your mind wander or let your eyes drift from its thrilling pages?

This is a lovely and engaging story set in early 17th Century Scotland and Colonial America. A mysterious "gray-cloaked" stranger leaves a toddler to be found by a passing priest. A young boy notices that he looks surprisingly unlike his "twin." It is a story of a boy being suddenly thrust into great challenges to faith and life. Secret passages, mysteriously changing identities and subtleties of who you can trust surround a story that stirs the blood to stand up for the faith - inspired by true stories of long ago. Devotion to the Eucharist and Our Lady come alive in noble characters who are boldly ready to die for their faith.

The story is Catholic through and through, but the characters are so real and the enemies are not exaggerated. I was pleased to see that not only are Protestants not demonized, but seen as fellow-sufferers (however misguided) under corrupt men . The action will keep you on the edge of your seat while surprises await you at every turn. My children and I really enjoyed this story as a read-aloud.