BOOK REVIEW

I just finished reading a GREAT book. It's called Ten Ways to Destroy the Imagination of Your Child by Anthony Esolen. In this book, Esolen shows how imagination is being extinguished in our children all the time. It is being murdered by: raising our children almost exclusively indoors; in reducing love to sex education and hygiene; not allowing children free time and over scheduling them with organized free time; teaching children that EVERYONE is a hero and thus making true heroes not important; distracting children with shallow time fillers and noise; and causing the children to deny the transcendent. He takes aims at the trends that are causing this destruction while offering parents and children clear solutions as well. This book reclaims lost traditions. And it is very witty. It kinda reminds me of C.S. Lewis' Screwtape Letters (another fantastic book that I need to reread soon). I believe this book helps any parent who cares about what childhood has become, and wants to give their children something better.

Walking Man

My daughters and I just finished reading the most wonderful autobiographical novel EVER! We read "Walking Man" by Gary McCallister (aka. my dad) This book is not a complete history of my father's life. It is the story of his conversion to the gospel of Jesus Christ. It is full of spiritual thoughts he had as a child and in his teen years. It has questions and early memories of his growing up years. All the stories in the book are somewhat connected to his quest for learning the meaning of life.

My dad's gift of love has lead to many of our own thoughts and discussions about religion and what we believe. I'm soooooo grateful for his "novel." It has strengthened my own testimony to read my dad's conversion. It also helped strengthen by daughters' testimonies as well.

The girls are writing letters to the author to express their gratitude and to ask more questions about their grandfather's life. Key Lime Pie has even begun taking a family history class. She realized, through the book and talks by Elder Bednar, that she wanted to serve her ancestors by completing their temple work, etc. She's the youngest girl in the family history class, but she's loving it!

This book isn't available to purchase... yet. I hope dad will look into publishing it. I think it's a wonderful conversion story (it even has unusual religions, and a marvelous love story!)

SOMETIMES YA' GOTTA READ

My daughters read non-stop today...

THOMAS JEFFERSON MADE ME DO IT!

I am often asked why Scott and I decided to home school our daughters. Well, the answer is because of Thomas Jefferson (and Oliver DeMille).

Where do I begin? Key Lime Pie and Kotten Kandy had been begging me to home school them for about a year. I kept telling them that I didn't think I could do it. Then, last December, I read this incredible book. It was life changing.

As I read this book, it was like someone had turned on the lights and I could finally see my kids' education AND my own clearly. I had felt there was something wrong with the current education system for some time, but it was difficult for me to put a finger on what it was. Everyone seems to point blame in different directions and at the end of the day nothing has been resolved. All we do is throw more tax money at a problem we can't define.

This book finally explains where the breakdown occurred and continues to occur. It gives SOLUTIONS! Basically, DeMille challenges us as parents to study the classics and then encourage our children to do so as well. He suggests that the parent/child relationship should be one of mentor/student.

The Thomas Jefferson approach to learning resonated with me. It was because of this book that I thought we could actually go ahead and home school our daughters this year. It has been a wonderful experience for us. I've based most of our curriculum on classic literature. It has been exciting to watch our children respond and get excited about learning.

Key Lime Pie and Kotten Kandy are self-motivated with their education and they enjoy learning. Because of this book, Scott and I are more sensitive to their needs and better able to facilitate their growth. We understand better how to guide them with patience and wisdom.

FINISHED

My novel is written! I completed my 50K words last night. It was not easy. There were times when I felt that the best part of my novel was the page numbering.

I have a new found appreciation for novelists now. As I walked through the book section of our local Walmart yesterday, I realized the time, blood, sweat, and tears that went into each of those books.

I really like what John Steinbeck said of writing, "The profession of book writing makes horse racing seem like a solid, stable business."

I don't think I'll be writing another novel any time soon.... But my youngest daughter will probably be a famous novelist one day! I'll appreciate it all the more... and get autographed copies of her books.

MICHAEL VEY BOOK REVIEW

Wow! I just finished reading Michael Vey: The Prisoner of Cell 25 by Richard Paul Evans and I couldn't go to bed until I blogged about it. It was great! As a parent of two daughters, I have been concerned with the decline of positive media options available to my kids. The story of Michael Vey is very exciting and enjoyable to read, but on a different level the book also teaches and reinforces positive values. It shows that it is okay to love your family and that it is cool to be smart. It encourages personal integrity and the courage to stand up for what you believe. I also liked how the hero of the book suffered from Tourette's Syndrome. I would recommend this book to everyone. I can't wait for my girls to read it! And I can't wait for the next book in the series.

BOOK ACTIVITIES

In my daughter's Inkheart post, I explained that when my daughters finish a book, they are required to complete a book activity. (I think book activities are a LOT more fun than a book report...) Here is the list of 30 book activities that I put together for my daughters:

Make a soundtrack for the book by choosing at least 10 popular songs. For each song, explain in at least one sentence why you chose the song and how it relates to the events or characters in the book. (You can use quotes if you want to.) You may also burn a CD soundtrack if all the songs are available.

If you could change places with one character, who would it be and why? Your explanation should be at least one page. Remember to describe the character and their situation well because your audience may not have read the book. Give us EVIDENCE - examples of things the character has done or said that supports your decision.

Which character is most like you. Why? Your explanation should be at least one page. Remember to describe the character... etc. same as #2.

Change the time and place of the novel. Explain how this would change the story. First tell us where and when the novel takes place. Then tell us where and when you would change it to. Focus on how the characters would be different and how the plot might change.

Become one of the characters in the book and describe your experience during a certain event. Your description should be at least one page. Write in the FIRST PERSON and remember to use as many senses as possible in your description.

Choose one character, tell how they behaved/what they were like in the beginning, how they behaved/what they were like at the end, and how they changed. Your description should be at least one page.

Make a cartoon of the book or a chapter (at least 8 panels in full color with text).

Draw a scene from the book. Your drawing must include a LOT of detail.

Describe an experience you've had that was like something that happened in the book. Your description should be at least one page. First describe the event in the book, then describe the event that happened to you.

Write a song (to an already made up melody) for one of the characters in the book. Include a one paragraph explanation after the song of why this song is appropriate for the character.

Make a collage of a major theme from the book. Use clippings from magazines, newspapers, etc. The collage must include at least 10 different clips. On the back of the collage, explain in one paragraph what theme you are representing and what it has to do with your novel.

Imagine your book is being turned into a movie - who would play each character? Name at least 8 characters and who would play them (explain in at least one sentence why and include a quote from each character that makes your point).

Write an obituary for a character (at least one page).

Write a letter to a character. Then, have that character write a letter answering back in the voice of the character. Each letter should be at least 1/2 a page.

Pretend you are a newspaper reporter and write out an interview with one of the characters (at least 15 questions and answers).

Write an ORIGINAL song about the book. Include a paragraph explanation of how the song relates to the book.

Become a character and write a diary with at least 5 entries. Include events from the novel and how you feel about them. Write in the voice of the character.

Make an illustrated time-line of events in the book, make sure your time-line includes at least 10 events with a two sentence description and small picture or clipping describing each event.

What could happen after the story is over? Write a brief summary (one page) of a sequel to the book (describe the main characters, tell what the plot would be).

Write an imaginary interview with the author (at least 15 questions and answers).

Draw a map (in color) of one place in the book, labeling landmarks and points of interest.

Write letters from one character to another, with the second character responding. Each letter should be 1/2 a page at least.

Redesign the front and back cover of the book, complete with a blurb and quotes on the back (these should be made up)!

Write a "Dear Abby" column with questions from at least two characters asking for advice and your answers as Dear Abby. Each should be at least 1/2 a page.

Make a mobile of a character from the book. On the front of each piece have a picture that represents a character, on the back have a description of the character and your favorite quote that the character said.

Write and perform a TV commercial for your book.

Pick two characters from DIFFERENT books. Describe a meeting between the two of them (where and when and how it would take place) and write twenty lines of dialogue between them.

Rewrite a section of the book from a different character's point of view then is in the original book. This should be at least one page.

Write and illustrate a full children's book telling the story of your book - with a cover.

Choose a project that has to do with the book. OK it with mom or dad!

KOTTEN KANDY'S BOOK ACTIVITY - INKHEART BY FUNKE

Kotten Kandy has really enjoyed the Inkheart trilogy by Cornelia Funke. She has bought all the books with her own money and devoured them in an instant. She loved them so much, that now I am reading them so she can talk about them with me!

When the girls' finish a book, I require them to do an activity with the book. Kotten Kandy choose to write an interview with one of the book characters. I thought her book "report" was really well written. She really has a great "voice" when it comes to writing. So I thought I'd share her work here (with her permission). But be warned, the following narrative does contain a lot of SPOILERS!

When the news showed up, Mo was upset. He accused Elinor of calling them. Elinor repeatedly promised she didn't. When they said they wanted to interview a few people, Mo was even more upset. When they asked to interview Meggie, he was red in the face.
No!" he said. "Now please leave and stay left!"
Meggie pleaded with Mo, "It's all right if they interview me, they won't go away until they get to interview someone."
"Fine" Mo replied. Mo went over to the news reporter and said, "only a few questions and then we'll have to leave. Do not follow us." The news-caster looked cheerful and agreed. They set up and began.
"Hi, my name is Inksinker, and I am your news-caster for today. I am talking to you live from Capricorn's Village! We are here with Mortimer, Meggies father, Elinor, Meggie's Mom's Aunt, and Resa, Meggie's mother. And of course we also have Meggie, or Miss Silvertongue! Dustfinger and Farid won't be joining us today."
"Aawwwwww!" groaned the crowd.
Inksinker continued, "Unlucky for us we will only interview Meggie."
The crowd groaned again.
"So sit tight and in just a moment we will be interviewing Meggie." Meggie came forward and waved awkwardly. "So, Meggie how are you doing this fine morning?"
"Good, how about you?"
"Good. Our first question today is, how did you feel when you first saw the mysterious visitor, Dustfinger?"
"Well, I felt kind of like I was imagining Dustfinger. I wasn't scared until I saw Mo's face when I told him about Dustfinger."
"All these years you thought your dad always told you everything. How did you feel when you found out he had secrets?"
"Well, I thought it was kind of strange that he was lying - I could see the lie in his face. It was when he hid the book from me and yelled that I was frightened and confused!"
"How did you feel when you first held the book in your hands?"
"I felt kind of curious." Meggie remembered. "When I saw Dustfinger's marten, Gwin, in the book - I was really bewildered!"
"What did you first think about your mother's aunt, Elinor?"
"When I first met her I thought she was crazy, but then I got to know her better."
"So do you like her better now?" Inksinker probed.
"Of course she thinks I am wonderful" thundered Elinor. "Besides, I didn't allow her to leave unsupervised. I kept her safe."
"Uh, thank you, Elinor, but we are interviewing Meggie right now."
Elinor was about to explode in righteous indignation, when Mo shot her a warning glance.
Inksinker continued, "Meggie, when Dustfinger showed you what he could do with fire, how did you feel, what were your emotions?"
"It was amazing! But when we heard the voices inside and Mo was being kidnapped, I suddenly wasn't too interested anymore."
"When Dustfinger came back and told you he knew where your dad was, did you suspect him of being a double agent, or were you just desperate?"
"I was mostly worried about Mo. I trusted Dustfinger. I should have listened to Elinor."
"When you first saw Basta and Capricorn, did they terrify you?"
"Both of them unnerved me. Capricorn's expressionless face was enough to horrify shadows, and Basta liked to torture and torment everyone. He was pure evil."
"I can only imagine how scared you were. So, when you found out that your dad had read your mother INTO the book and that he had read Dustfinger, Basta and Capricorn OUT of the book, how did you feel?"
"I thought Mo was just joking, like he usually does, but his face remained grave." Meggie then got a far away look in her eyes as she continued, "Then I heard Mo read out loud. I lost all my senses and only had ears for his voice. I could smell the story. I could feel the story. I had a desire to read like that. I wondered why he didn't ever read out loud for me before, but I quickly remembered what he had told me had happened to my mother, Resa."
"What happened when Dustfinger came and rescued you?"
"I first thought Dustfinger was Basta. When I saw it was Dustfinger trying to rescue us, I was relieved. During the rescue, Mo said we had to rescue the boy, Farid, too. So we did."
"When you first found out you were going to see the creator of the story Inkheart, what did you think?"
"All I wanted to do was go back to Elinor's house and have everything be all right like it was. But, at the same time, I wanted to meet the man who could think us such frightening characters like Capricorn and Basta."
"Speaking of Basta, when he showed up on your door step, were you scared again?"
"Well, I was more scared for Mo. I wondered if they had kidnapped him again. I was relieved when he said he was looking for Mo."
"Let's skip ahead in your story. When you found out you read things out of books like your father, were you excited? Or were you worried about the penalties that came with the gift of reading?"
"At first I was really excited and I couldn't believe it. But then I remembered the penalty. I was worried. When we heard Basta coming, I was even more panicked."
"When you first saw your mother, Resa, was she how you imagined her?"
"I wanted to hug her and never let go. But I knew they wouldn't let me." Meggie smiled at her mother. Resa smiled back.
"When the shadow first made an appearance, how did you feel?"
"It was nothing you could ever imagine. It was horrible. I could feel the terror."
"Don't ask her such question. We all want to forget what the Shadow looks and feels like!" Elinor interrupted.
"It's all right, Elinor." Meggie replied. "Elinor sat back and stuck out her chin rebelliously.
Before the news reporter continued, she shot a look at Elinor that seemed to say, "are you finished?" Then she pursued, "Meggie, are you glad all the exciting and scary stuff is over?"
"Very!" Meggie emphatically proclaimed. "I am glad Capricorn is dead, but I am worried about Basta and the Magpie. They escaped, you now."
"Yes, I heard." Inksinker lamented. "Well, thank you for letting me interview you, Meggie. I know you are very busy, so that will be all for today. Thank you all. And I hope everyone has a nice day."
"Mine's already ruined," muttered Elinor.
By Kotten Kandy