THE JUNGLE by Upton Sinclair Upton Sinclair's book, The Jungle, is eye-opening historical fiction into the immigrant world of 1906. Following a family of Lithuanians who come to America seeking freedom and opportunity, this read tells the story of the sobering reality for many immigrants who ended up working in factory settings. Arriving in America, strong with a seemingly unbreakable work ethic, they are quickly employed in various jobs around Packingtown (a slaughterhouse industry). Excited to purchase a home, they don't realize how much the industry owns them as they can never get out of debt. How are they making money? Their work conditions are atrocious. Every one of their jobs will steal their strength away and subject them to sickness or the potential of serious bodily harm. What began as a journey to freedom quickly becomes a slippery slide to a ball and chain hole of no escape. This book offers a lot of great discussion topics such as what is the role of an employer, what is the role of an employee, is capitalism the enemy, is socialism the answer, what happens when we abuse the freedoms that we have been blessed with in this country, the role of government offices such as the FDA, what does God expect of us in each of the above situations if we claim to be Christians? You can go on and on! HEADS UP- This book does have a sprinkling of language. It also deals with prostitution (a way to make a few extra bucks), alcoholism, and the underworld between the owners and the unions that are beginning to form.

HARRY AND THE DIRTY DOG by Gene Zion. Illustrated by Margaret Bloy Graham HARRY AND THE GUINEA PIG by Nancy Lambert I grew up on Harry the Dirty Dog by Gene Zion. This great picture book tells the story of Harry, a dog who runs away so he doesn't have to have his bath. The problem is he gets so dirty while running away that when he tries to go home, his family doesn't recognize him. It's a wonderful book that helps to reinforce the importance of obedience and clean habits without being preachy. Now Harry is back in a new story written by Nancy Lambert. Harry is used to being the center of attention, so when his family agrees to watch a guinea pig for their neighbor, Harry struggles with some jealousy. He tries to act like the guinea pig and ends up accidentally letting it go. Thus begins the search for the runaway rodent, but the only way Harry can be a help is to be the dog he is!

EASTER READS It's Easter download day! I've pulled some wonderful books to share with you. Some are not necessarily Easter related directly, but stick with me, and I'll share my thoughts on how they parallel the greatest story of all! I'm also going to give you a peek inside a couple of the books listed. Rechenka's Eggs by Patricia Polacco- I will forever beat the drum telling of our love for Polacco's books. You just can't go wrong! Typically her books are based off of true life experiences, but this one is a sweet Easter take where kindness is repaid. Miz Fannie Mae's Fine New Easter Hat by Melissa Milich- Momma needs a new hat for Easter, but nobody anticipated the surprise that came with it! The Ugly Duckling by Hans Christian Anderson illustrated by Jerry Pinkney- As I was pulling books out and noticed this one, I was reminded of how ugly in sin we are until Christ changes us. It may be a bit of a reach, but there is certainly a theme of "new life" in this classic fairy tale. Resurrection iWitness by Doug Powell - Powell goes through and examines evidence for Christ's resurrection. It also includes some of the theories and why they couldn't work. This book may be a lift the flap book, but it is one for older kids - Upper elementary and above. There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Chick by Lucille Colandro - If you enjoy There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly, you'll enjoy this Easter version. Miss Fannie's Hat by Jan Karon - Miss Fannie always wears a hat. They each hold very special memories for her. This Easter her church needs money to help the building be restored. Can Miss Fannie part with one of her hats to help raise the money? Amon's Adventure by Arnold Ytreeide- This delightful book will take you right into Jerusalem during the days of Jesus' ministry. Follow along with Amon, a 13-year-old boy, as he tries to prove his father's innocence and meets Jesus along the way. A Tale for Easter by Tasha Tudor- A sweet, little book that shows all the delightful ways a family prepares for Easter in Tasha Tudor's delightful way. One Lost Sheep by Rhonda Gowler Greene - the amazing parable by Jesus that demonstrates what his earthly mission was. Each of us (who are saved) was a lost sheep pursued and rescued by Christ.

HERO TALES by Dave and Neta Jackson If you are on the search for a great series of books to introduce your children to true heroes of the faith and help instill good character traits at the same time, look no further than Hero Tales by Dave and Neta Jackson. The stories of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Eric Liddell, Corrie Ten Boom, Florence Nightingale, and many others are shared in the books as they turned their lives away from sin or persevered through tough circumstances. These are the types of heroes we should want our kids to model instead of the often fighting, self-serving individuals that are wrongly labeled "heroes" in today's world. These books are perfect to use for family devotions or personal devotions for an older child.

CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY by Roald Dahl Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl is one of my all time favorite chapter books. As a kid I was sucked in immediately, and it was such a joy when the same just happened for Callie! Willy Wonka is the world's most amazing inventor of chocolate and candy. His factory hums, smokes, and fills the town with the most delicious of smells. That is until his secrets are stolen by competitors and produced in other factories. The gates to the chocolate factory are closed and locked never to open again, or are they? One morning there are noises heard behind the gates. Mr. Wonka makes an announcement that 5 golden tickets have been hidden inside the wrappers of 5 Wonka candy bars. The five children who find them will gain admittance inside the fantastic factory and a lifetime supply of chocolate. But is that the only reason for the opening of the gates or does Mr. Wonka have a plan that no one else is privy to?

C.S. LEWIS ON WRITING AND WRITERS by C.S. Lewis Can you imagine receiving writing advice from C.S. Lewis? Several people did! Corresponding by letter, they would submit manuscripts or parts of manuscripts to this great author for him to critique. C.S. Lewis On Writing (and Writers) is a collection of excerpts from those letters coupled with parts of his own writings, organized into different topics. Lewis never minced his words, and he doesn't here either while addressing topics such as writing fiction, poetry, children's literature, etc. The book ends with Lewis' thoughts on a lot of different authors. Some of the authors mentioned I have never read. On those I have, I found it very interesting. I even enjoyed a good chuckle over some of his comments. (I nodded my head in agreement on his thoughts about Jane Austen.) This is not a book that you need to read straight through. Due to the different topics, it is easy to jump in and out of. It is also a book that can be referred back to. I especially enjoyed the children's literature part and will definitely visit it again.

A TIME TO KEEP by Tasha Tudor For some reason this year, my thoughts have turned to Easter earlier than usual. I think it was a combination of finishing Handel's Messiah and the blooming of the daffodils. (Since they have bloomed I have kept a vase full of daffodils on the counter. They are bits of sunshine during the gray, rainy days! ) Recently, I purchased a copy of Tasha Tudor's A Time to Keep. This beautiful picture book goes through what holiday celebrations looked like in the Tudor home. Reading the text and studying the illustrations makes you yearn for meaningful home celebrations surrounded by family and friends. This book is pure loveliness!

WEST WITH GIRAFFES by Lynda Rutledge West With Giraffes by Lynda Rutledge is the type of story that makes you feel like you are in an action packed story in the safari, but set in the United States. Inspired loosely by the true events of two giraffes shipped to the states in the '30s, surviving a hurricane in the process, and transported across the country to the San Diego Zoo, this story will leave you breathless. If that is not complicated enough, the country is coming out of The Great Depression and trying to recover from The Dust Bowl, and Hitler is now appearing on the European scene. People need hope and something amazing in their lives and the sight of two young giraffes crossing the country in a converted truck is a sight to behold. But giraffes are a rarity, and there are those that would like to get their hands on them, so the chase is on. Injuries and ghosts from the past add additional hazards to this amazing journey. I was hooked at giraffe! HEADS UP- There are a few words in this book including some GDs. There's also a point where you think a scene is going to happen, but it doesn't.

PETER RABBIT AND OTHER BEATRIX POTTER TALES I still remember my mother reading me the wonderful tales of Beatrix Potter as a child. She would choose a few stories from the library, and at our afternoon reading time, out would come the sweet little white books decorated with the beautiful illustrations of animals. I think what I loved most of all about these tales was their relatability. Bad decisions were made and consequences felt, unexpected adventures occurred and were conquered, and the behind the scenes care and blessing of others was appreciated. I especially gravitated toward the the tales of Mrs. Tiggy-winkle, Jeremy Fisher, Squirrel Nutkin, and Jemima Puddleduck. How I loved these stories! What a delight it was that the year of the 100th anniversay of Peter Rabbit was the same year my first child was born. Everything was decorated in the classic illustrations of this amazing artist, and I began the process of reading these dear little stories to my own daughter!

BEATRIX POTTER'S GARDENING LIFE by Marta McDowell I recently just finished reading Beatrix Potter's Gardening Life by Marta McDowell. There is a definite part of me that resonates with this amazing woman and her passions. Beatrix's love of nature, preservation, and gardening speak deeply to me. (If only I could write and illustrate like her the package would be complete!) In this beautiful, 285 page book, pictures and illustrations abound as McDowell shows us the places in Beatrix's life that inspired her classic tales for children. They are gorgeous! (Anyone up for a trip to the Lake District in England?) If you are looking for something to inspire you to get your hands in the dirt as we usher in spring, or if you love Beatrix Potter this is a book for you!

"STAND BACK," SAID THE ELEPHANT, " I'M GOING TO SNEEZE" by Patricia Thomas. Illustrated by Wallace Tripp. Today is the first day of Spring, and it's time to bring out the Spring books! First one out is for all the sneezy people out there! This cute picture book has all the animals holding their breath, because the elephant is about to sneeze. Last time that happened it was a major catastrophe! Written in rhyming verse, this book will have you and your kiddos in loads of giggles imagining the outcome of the elephant's sneeze.

SHAKESPEARE RESOURCES Do you need a little help prepping for Shakespeare? I'm getting ready to teach Julius Caesar, and these are some of the resources I'm using.