love to paint

Yesterday, my girls had a book group meeting (for 4th-6th grade girls).  They talked about a book titled They were Strong and Good by Robert Lawson.  It's a book full of potential material for discussion. Here are the questions that my girls came up with: 1.  Did you enjoy this book?  Why or why not? 2.  How would this story change if the author was not proud of his heritage? 3.  How does the author's story make you feel about your own family?  Why? 4.  What was the purpose or message of the book?  What was the author trying to say? 5.  How does the story connect to you? 6.  Why does it matter where you come from? 7.  Do you think that the title fits the book?  Why, if so?  If not, what would you call the book? 8.  Robert Lawson described his family as strong and good.  How would you describe your family in 2 words? 9.  Why do you think Lawson described his family as strong and good to begin ...

When I sat down a moment ago to write a review of the book I just read, the phrase "unrealistic realistic fiction" came to mind.  My husband perused the book I'm about review and declared that is wholly unrealistic. It is.  It is a Christian Romantic Suspense novel.  Lynette Eason just published the second book in her Elite Guardians series, Without Warning .  But, I don't think readers really expect all realistic fiction  to be realistic.  It is set in the present with people they can picture in a world they live in every day. Without Warning is about a personal bodyguard, Katie, who gets involved in a case of arson and life.  Katie cares about one of her self defense class students, Riley.  The man who's life is in danger happens to be Riley's uncle, Daniel. Katie quickly gets involved protecting Daniel Matthews and Riley.  The book begins with the arson of one of his six restaurants and escalates in danger from there.  Katie's fe...

This past weekend I read a book by Sarah Loudin Thomas.  When I started reading it, I had no idea that it was actually the third book in a series.  There was no indication of this on the front or spine of the book.  Surprisingly, I didn't realize that it was the third in a series until I got to the end of the book and read the descriptions of other books recommended at the back by the publisher.  This book stood on its own without depending on the two that had come before it. The book is A Tapestry of Secrets .  The story centers on Ella and her grandmother Perla.  Ella got out of an abusive relationship with her boyfriend a year before the story begins.  Her occupation is creating art quilts.  Ella is the kind of young woman who loves tradition and is closely knitted into the fabric of her family so when Perla has a stroke, she moves home to help take care of her.  The book is the story of Perla's recovery and the secret that she wants to ...