IgniteLit - Page 265 of 386 - Igniting a love for literature

The Last Holiday Concert

August 31, 2017 by Emma Filbrun · Leave a Comment

31 Aug

The Last Holiday Concert by Andrew Clemens

Title: The Last Holiday Concert
Author: Andrew Clements
Major Themes: Music, School
Synopsis: When preparations for the school chorus’s part in the holiday concert degenerate into chaos, can Hart find a way to pull everyone together?

Publisher’s description:

For Hart Evans, being the most popular kid in sixth grade has its advantages. Kids look up to him, and all the teachers let him get away with anything—all the teachers except the chorus director, Mr. Meinert. When Hart’s errant rubber band hits Mr. Meinert on the neck during chorus practice, it’s the last straw for the chorus director, who’s just learned he’s about to lose his job due to budget cuts. So he tells the class they can produce the big holiday concert on their own. Or not. It’s all up to them. And who gets elected to run the show? The popular Mr. Hart Evans.

Hart soon discovers there’s a big difference between popularity and leadership, and to his surprise, discovers something else as well—it’s really important to him that this be the best holiday concert ever, and even more important, that it not be the last.

Emma’s review:

I’ve enjoyed Andrew Clements’ books for a number of years. They are all about school children, 5th or 6th grade, who find themselves in interesting situations. There is often a surprise twist toward the end of the book. The characters always seem very real.

I enjoyed this story showing how people with very strong opinions can learn to work together and compromise for the good of all. It was also interesting to see how a well-timed sentence or two here and there could change the atmosphere in a group. This was a fun story to read.

Esther’s review:

I love going to thrift stores and seeing what kinds of gems I can find in them. Sometimes, you don’t find anything, but occasionally, as with The Last Holiday Concert, I felt I struck a bargain when I recognized a book by one of my favorite children’s authors. And better yet, I never heard of this story before I saw it on the shelf, so that was exciting! I was able to fit it into my reading schedule a few months after I found it, and I’m glad I took the time for it—this is another thought-provoking, engaging read by this master middle-grade author.

The Last Holiday Concert starts out with what appears to me as a fairly unusual main character—this is a book about a well-known, well-liked student. I could be wrong, but it seems like most middle-grade books focus on children who are on the outskirts somehow—the ones that don’t quite fit in with the rest of the crowd. Not this one! Hart Evans is the most popular student in school, and I loved watching his character arc as it grew through this story.

What wasn’t so unusual about this book was the student-teacher relationship; that dynamic felt fairly similar to some of Clements’ other works. Still, even though that element felt familiar, I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know Mr. Meinert—and seeing the way he tried to help and support his students, even when things weren’t going the way he intended them to go.

Overall, The Last Holiday Concert is a delightful, easy read about a class of students working together toward a common goal, hoping to inspire and encourage others. I thoroughly enjoyed this short read, and am planning to keep an eye out for any other Andrew Clements books that I haven’t had the chance to read yet!

WARNING: Chapter 3: I swear. Chapter 17: Children yell “idiot” at someone. Near the end: Trying to include all traditions/holidays set around Christmas time, not just Christmas.

Age levels:

Listening Level—Ages 5 – 8, 8 – 12, Family Friendly
Reading Independently—Ages 8 – 12, 10 – 12

Links to buy this book:

Amazon: Paperback | Kindle | Hardcover | Audible Audiobook (unabridged) | Audio Cassette (unabridged)
AbeBooks: View Choices on AbeBooks.com

Candy Bombers

August 30, 2017 by Emma Filbrun · Leave a Comment

30 Aug

Title: Candy Bombers
Author: Robert Elmer
Series: The Wall, book 1
Major Themes: Berlin, Berlin Airlift, Germany
Synopsis: As he struggles for survival during the Berlin Airlift in 1948, Erich must eventually decide whether to hold on to hatred or to forgive.

Ever since I was in third grade and read the story of the Berlin Airlift in my Social Studies textbook, I have been quite intrigued by that little bit of history. Unfortunately, there isn’t much in print about it, and even the revised edition of my old third-grade textbook doesn’t have the story, so I couldn’t even share that with my children when we talked about it. Therefore, I was quite interested to read Candy Bombers when I found it on my mother’s bookshelf.

Erich and Katarina, teenage cousins, are struggling for survival—not only for themselves and their mothers, but also their grandmother—in Berlin in the spring of 1948. They find food where they can, and make do with the bombed-out houses all around them. The Soviet blockade of their city makes life even more of a struggle. One day, Erich has had enough. His grandmother needs food, and he is going to find some. He sneaks inside an American cargo plane at Templehof Airport—but there isn’t any food in it. What can he do now?

A few days later, both children sneak into a plane, and are horrified when it takes off with them aboard. What trouble have they found themselves in now? What will happen to them? Then, it turns out that one of the crew is a journalist looking for a human interest story about the Berlin Airlift, and this is his big break. Can Erich let down his guard and forget about his hatred of the Americans who bombed his city so that Fred can help them? And what about when Fred needs help later? Will they be able to escape the Russians who are angry with Fred?

This little-known bit of history is told as a fast-paced mystery. Children who enjoy mysteries and historical fiction will love it. One concern, however, that we noted is that the author obviously does not recognize the difference between the kingdom of this world and the Kingdom of Heaven. The American soldiers are portrayed as being Christians. According to Jesus, in the Sermon on the Mount, and Paul in Romans 13, Christians are not to resist evil in any physical way. Therefore, we do not believe it is right for Christians to be in the army.

WARNING: See last paragraph. Also, there are fights in chapters 10, 14 and 17.

Age levels:

Listening Level—Ages 5 – 8, 8 – 12
Reading Independently—Ages 8 – 12

Links to buy this book:

Amazon: Paperback | Kindle | Audible Audiobook (unabridged)
AbeBooks: View Choices on AbeBooks.com

The Incredible Adventures of Rush Revere Series

August 29, 2017 by Emma Filbrun · Leave a Comment

29 Aug

Adventures of Rush Revere series by Rush Limbaugh

Title: The Incredible Adventures of Rush Revere series
Author: Rush Limbaugh
Major Themes: Boston Tea Party, George Washington, Pilgrims
Synopsis: This series of books uses a time-traveling horse to help children feel like they are seeing the events that led up to and followed the American Revolution, and understand the American style of government.

I’ve been seeing references in various places to the The Incredible Adventures of Rush Revere books, and was thinking I’d like to read some of them so I could review them for this website. When I had the opportunity to sign up for a review of them, I grabbed the chance. I found these books interesting, but not a great fit for our family. For the most part, the history seems to be quite accurate; I noted below where I was in question about it. This is a creative way to teach history and make it fascinating! What I don’t like so much is the magical aspect. The main character, Rush Revere, a history teacher who dresses like Paul Revere, has a magic horse who can take people through a time portal to any time in American History. The horse starts running, saying the words, “Rush, rush, rushing into history,” and a swirling yellow and purple circle opens up in front of them. Whoever jumps through quickly, before it closes up, is instantly transported to the time and place they chose. The horse can also stop time briefly.

Rush Revere and the Brave Pilgrims by Rush Limbaugh

Book #1: Rush Revere and the Brave Pilgrims: Rush and his horse take two children from the history class for which he is substitute teaching to visit the Pilgrims. First, he takes Tommy to the Mayflower as it is traveling across the Atlantic Ocean, and then he takes both Tommy and Freedom, a girl who looks somewhat Native American, to Plymouth Plantation to watch the Pilgrims starting their new life in the New World.

Buy this book: Amazon—Kindle • Hardcover • Audio CD (unabridged) | AbeBooks—View Choices on AbeBooks.com

Rush Revere and the First Patriots by Rush Limbaugh

Book #2: Rush Revere and the First Patriots: Rush is now visiting the American colonies in the 1770s, as the colonists are becoming upset with the English king. He takes Tommy and another boy from his history class, Cam, along. Then, Elizabeth, the principal’s daughter, sees them jump through the time portal and figures out what is going on. She demands to be taken along somewhere, so they take her to see George III. However, she decides she wants to become a queen, so she decides she is going to tell the king about the Boston Tea Party and change history—how can they stop her? Rush and his friends participate in that event, as well as meet Samuel Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Paul Revere, George Washington, and Patrick Henry—among other famous Founding Fathers. What I really didn’t like in this book? Freedom is able to communicate telepathically with the horse.

Buy this book: Amazon—Hardcover • Audible Audiobook (unabridged) • Audio CD (unabridged) | AbeBooks—View Choices on AbeBooks.com

Rush Revere and the American Revolution by Rush Limbaugh

Book #3: Rush Revere and the American Revolution: Now, Rush Revere is taking his students to visit scenes from the opening of the Revolutionary War. They witness Paul Revere’s ride and the battles of Lexington, Concord, and Bunker Hill. Throughout the book is woven the story of a young boy who is struggling with being upset about his father’s deployment in Afghanistan and problems with a bully. He uses the lessons he learns from watching the early battles in the Revolution to win a battle with the bully. What I really didn’t like in this book? In chapter 1 Cam gets in a fight. In chapter 3 the horse, Liberty, pretends to be a vampire, and later Rush tells Cam that fighting is sometimes necessary.

Buy this book: Amazon—Kindle • Hardcover • Audible Audiobook (unabridged) • Audio CD (unabridged) | AbeBooks—View Choices on AbeBooks.com

Rush Revere and the Star Spangled Banner by Rush Limbaugh

Book #4: Rush Revere and the Star Spangled Banner: Rush’s young friend Tommy is not feeling very happy, since his grandfather is in the Veteran’s Hospital and not doing well. To distract him and cheer him up, Rush takes Tommy, Cam and Freedom on a summer field trip to Washington, D. C., where they visit the important buildings, see the original documents that set up the United States, and learn about the government. They also time-travel to various events in the past, such as the writing of the Constitution and the writing of the Star-Spangled Banner. The word gosh appears on page 51, chapter 3.

Buy this book: Amazon—Kindle • Hardcover • Audible Audiobook (unabridged) • Audio CD (unabridged) | AbeBooks—View Choices on AbeBooks.com

Rush Revere and the Presidency by Rush Limbaugh

Book #5: Rush Revere and the Presidency: Cam wants to be elected as the president of his middle school. Rush Revere and Liberty help Cam and his friends to put a campaign together, as they learn a lot about the United States Presidency and how people become President. They travel back in time to witness President Washington’s inauguration and his farewell speech, meet John and Abigail Adams as he begins his presidency, and visit Thomas Jefferson at the time of the Louisiana Purchase. I did have to wonder about the accuracy of this book; it sounds as though even the first two presidents campaigned for votes, but the way I remember reading it, that didn’t start until much later. I did appreciate the way it was explained that the President’s motive needs to be to help people, not to be popular and famous. The word gee appears on page 110 in chapter 5.

Buy this book: Amazon—Kindle • Hardcover • Audible Audiobook (unabridged) • Audio CD | AbeBooks—View Choices on AbeBooks.com

I also do not agree with the author’s view of the United States. He believes the United States is the greatest nation that has ever existed. I do agree that it is the only country specifically built on the principles of freedom and equality, but to say that it is the greatest nation? I certainly don’t believe that it is any more. Also, I believe in two kingdoms—the kingdom of God and the kingdom of this world. I don’t believe the two can be mixed; secular government is needed, but we as Christians should not be involved (Romans 13). So, as I said, this series of books is not a good fit for our family for various reasons, although a lot of families who believe differently than us will love them.

WARNING: See main body of review for my concerns.

Age levels:

Listening Level—Ages 5 – 8, 8 – 12
Reading Independently—Ages 8 – 12

Links to buy these books:

Amazon: Hardcover (five-book set)
AbeBooks: View Choices on AbeBooks.com

Tomorrow You Die

August 28, 2017 by Emma Filbrun · Leave a Comment

28 Aug

Title: Tomorrow You Die
Author: Reona Peterson Joly
Series: International Adventures
Major Themes: Albania, Communism, Persecution
Synopsis: Reona and her friend Evelyn learned how absolutely vital a close relationship with God is when they were able to enter Albania with a tour group.

What a catchy title! The story in Tomorrow You Die is as interesting as the book sounds. A life sold out to Christ is not a boring life.

Growing up in New Zealand in the 1960s, Reona knew nothing of the sufferings of her Christian brethren in Eastern Europe until a pastor visited who had been imprisoned for his faith for a number of years. His visit prompted her to go, a few years later, to YWAM’s School of Evangelism in Europe. While there, God put a burden in her heart for Albania, the world’s first atheistic nation, which was also closed off from the rest of the world. She inquired, in 1970, about entering Albania, and was told it would be impossible. She continued to pray earnestly for that country.

Two years later, she was told there would be three tour groups entering Albania, and immediately began praying about going, and about a partner to travel with. God opened the doors for her, and in midsummer Reona and a friend, Evelyn, entered Albania. As they traveled and learned about the country, they constantly prayed and listened for God’s leading about where and when to secrete a piece of Christian literature. Then one morning, Evelyn went on with the tour group, while Reona stayed behind, sick. When Reona was called into a room for interrogation and told she would die the next day for her crimes against Albania, how would she be able to handle this pressure?

I was quite challenged, as I read this story, to listen more closely to the Holy Spirit’s leading. Without that close relationship, Reona, and later Evelyn, would have buckled under the intense questioning and this story would have had a much different ending. You will appreciate seeing the faith of these two women and the way God worked in their lives. I also enjoyed learning about the land and history of Albania. That country has a fascinating past!

WARNING: Darned appears in Chapter 15, page 135, in a letter written by an unbeliever.

Age levels:

Listening Level—Ages 10 – 12, Family Friendly
Reading Independently—Ages 12 – 15, 15 and Above, Adults

Links to buy this book:

Amazon: Paperback | Kindle
AbeBooks: View Choices on AbeBooks.com

Inferno in the Lost Pines

August 25, 2017 by Emma Filbrun · Leave a Comment

25 Aug

Inferno in the Lost Pines by Katrina Hoover

Title: Inferno in the Lost Pines
Author: Katrina Hoover
Major Themes: Disasters, Fire, Forest Fire, Texas
Synopsis: A disastrous forest fire in Bastrop, Texas is described through the eyes of the people who live in the area.

I have been looking at Inferno in the Lost Pines for a long time, thinking I’d like to read it. Finally, while visiting my sister, I had the chance. I was not disappointed; this was quite an interesting book. Katrina Hoover tells a true story in quite an exciting way.

The summer of 2011 was very hot and dry in Bastrop, Texas, the third year of a drought. People were quite concerned about fire, and no fires were allowed. However, the afternoon of September 4, the day before Labor Day, an electric wire snapped when the high wind blew a tree over…and started a fire. The wind fanned the sparks into a flame, which shot up into the pine trees, already dry and hot from the weather, and before anyone could do anything about it the county was ablaze.

Katrina tells the story by describing ten families who lived along one road and four families who lived along another road. She tells the background of each family, as well as describing their homes and belongings, both before and after the fire. One family, in particular, stood out to me; the wife of the family had been heavily involved in the occult before God got hold of her and changed her life. How would Debra respond to the fire, especially if she would lose her precious “home that God built?”

The progress of the fire is incredible to read about. I learned things I never knew before about forest fires, which was fascinating to me. Of course, the human side of the story was gripping, too, as people had to make decisions whether to stay and try to fight the fire and save their home and belongings, or flee to save their lives. And what about the animals? How could people save them—one couple had 80 cats!

Anyone who is interested in natural disasters and the effect on people will enjoy this book. One thing that made it especially interesting to me was the location; only a few weeks ago we were with friends who live in Bastrop. Knowing someone from a place always makes a story set in that place more interesting.

No warnings!

Age levels:

Reading Independently—Ages 12 – 15, 15 and Above, Adults

Links to buy this book:

Amazon: Paperback | Kindle
AbeBooks: View Choices on AbeBooks.com
Other Places: CAM Books—Paperback, Mobi (Kindle), or ePub