26. The Life of Emily Carr by Paula Blanchard

A thoroughly researched, balanced biography of Canadian  painter and author Emily Carr (1871 -1945). Makes you realize how isolated Victoria and Vancouver were during her life time. Details her early years,  family life, love of animals, education and development as an artist. Doesn't dwell on her supposed eccentricities and volatile temper.

25. The Silver Chair by C. S. Lewis

In book six of the chronicles, Eustace and his friend Jill find their way to Narnia when fleeing school bullies. With the help of Aslan and assorted other characters, they travel north to find Prince Rilian to reunite him with his father the ailing King Caspian the Tenth.

24. Emily Carr by Rosemary Neering

 Insightful biography that explores Emily Carr's personal and artistic struggles. Details of her studies and time spent in San Francisco and London help the reader understand her quest for a way to capture the essence of the Canadian wilderness on canvas. Her eccentricities and perseverence are endearing and inspiring.

23. Voyage of the Dawn Treader by C. S. Lewis

 Lucy and Edmund return to the world Narnia with their obnoxious cousin Eustace in tow. Their voyage on the "Dawn Treader" with Prince Caspian and crew is life changing, especially for Eustace.

22. Emily Carr by Bryan Pezzi

A basic biography of Canadian painter Emily Carr written for a young audience.

21.Prince Caspian by C.S. Lewis

In this fourth book in the Chronicles of Narnia, the Pevensies are transported back to Narnia and discover that hundreds of years have passed since their last visit. With the guidance of Aslan, they help Prince Caspian claim his rightful throne.

20. The Horse and His Boy by C. S. Lewis

Engaging tale with enjoyable characters and exciting chases and battles. Another side of Aslan is revealed. Lewis' wry humour adds to the mix.

19. The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe by C. S. Lewis

 

Explains how the four children discover Narnia by travelling through the back of the wardrobe in Professor Kirke's house and how they become Narnia's royal family.

18. The Magician's Nephew by C. S. Lewis

Although it was originally published sixth, this book is the prequel to the Chronicles of Narnia and introduces characters, setting and events helpful to the reader in understanding the series. It is set in 1900 London and there are autobiographical elements particularly connecting Lewis and Digory Kirke who grows up to become the professor who takes in  evacuated children, during World War II,  in the successive books.

17. She by H. Rider Haggard

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First published in 1887, She defies categorization. It's part Gothic romance and part fantasy of the "Lost World" sub-genre. Set in England and the fictional ancient north African kingdom of Kor this novel explores themes of female authority, evolution and race. Haggard uses name "She-who-must-be-obeyed" to refer to the supernatural Ayesha, a term which is later co-opted by John Mortimer in his Rumpole of the Bailey novels

16. The Eagle has Landed by Jack Higgins

 A German plot to kidnap British Prime Minister Winston Churchill gets foiled by the most unlikely turn of events. Set in Germany, the Channel Islands and England in 1943.

15. Cat Tales by Gordon Hutson

A entertaining children's picture book that would make a good basis for a writing and art classroom project.

14. The Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton

An insiders look at the class structure of 1870s New York. Wharton builds intrigue through the relationship between Newland Archer and Countess Ellen Olenska, his wife's cousin.

13. Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

 The final book in the Hunger Games Trilogy is arguably the most violent as the war between the rebels and the "Capitol" is in full force. With the popularity of the series and the way this novel ends, I can't help but wonder if there will be more books about life in post-apocalyptic Panem.

12. The Bridge of San Luis Rey by Thornton Wilder

A Franciscan monk, Brother Juniper, seeks to find out about the five victims that fell to their deaths when the Bridge of San Luis Rey, an ancient Inca rope bridge, suddenly collapsed. Set in 18th Century Lima, Peru, this novel explores the "direction and meaning in lives beyond the individual's own will".

11. Corning Pyroceram Cookware by Debbie and Randy Coe

Great reference book for Corning collectors and enthusiasts. Brief summary of the history and development of the company and brand. Some photos are of poor quality.

10. Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

This second book in the Hunger Games trilogy introduces some interesting characters. The relationship between Katniss and Peeta goes through some surprising changes. Some people have told me that this is their favourite book of the trilogy. I'll reserve judgement for now.

9. Southern Cook Book: 250 Fine Old Recipies Edited by Claire S. Davidow & Ann Goodman

On our trip to the Deep South I wanted to bring home some of the local cuisine. This old-fashioned recipe book is the next best thing. Includes hush puppies, okra & tomatoes, apple pandowdy and mint julep.

8. The Mason Jar by James Russell Lingerfelt

When I bought this book at a restaurant in Franklin, TN I thought it was going to be more mystery than romance. Although first-time novelist James Russell Lingerfelt writes a disclaimer stating "This is a work of fiction", one can't help wondering how much of himself is part of main character Clayton "Finn" Fincannon. Some memorable words of wisdom penned by Finn's grandfather and left in a mason jar for him to read.

7. Swindle by Gordon Korman

This is the first book in the Griffin Bing, "the Man with the Plan" series. When Griffin gets "swindled" out of a  valuable Babe Ruth baseball card he comes up with a plan to steal it back from the dishonest dealer. He enlists the help of some friends and enemies to commit the perfect heist. I look forward to reading the others in the series.

6. The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger

Part romance, part science fiction and totally compelling. Not what I thought it would be about at all. Niffnegger's details about the city of Chicago, the Newberry Library and the art of papermaking add authenticity. I would love to find out what happens next to Alba, Clare and Henry.

5. Peggy of the Cove: Secrets by Ivan Fraser

An adventure story in which Peggy, shipwrecked in Nova Scotia as a child, finds out about her family in Scotland. Follow the clues left to her in a poem written by her now deceased father to discover her fortune.

4. Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie by Alan Bradley

This first book in the Flavia De Luce mystery series is set in the English village of Bishops Lacey in 1950. Eleven-year-old Flavia is keen on chemistry but not her older sisters Ophelia and Daphne. She helps police unravel a current murder and one that occurred  twenty years earlier.

3. Inconceivable by Ben Elton

   In this sometimes funny, sometimes sad story about a couple's struggle with infertility, Ben Elton takes a poke at the BBC, Hollywood and the people who make their livings in TV, radio and film.

2. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Many friends and students recommended I read this trilogy, especially when the first film was released last March. I am surprised at how well written it is and at how it stretches the typical plot and character development of teen fiction . Don't know if I want to see the film now; have my own vision of Katniss, Peeta and the other tributes. Looking forward to "Catching Fire". I bought my Advnce Reader's Copy at a yard sale. Only 500 were printed. Currently, there's one in similar conditon on sale on ebay for $299 US. I paid a dollar. Deal.

1. City of Thieves by David Benioff

Two young men meet after being arrested in Leningrad in 1942. They expect to be executed but instead are given a seemingly impossible task by the Colonel. In a city under seige, full of starving people, find a dozen eggs for a wedding cake. The plot's many twists and turns will keep you guessing until the last chapter.

Viking Penguin, 2008, ISBN 0-670-01870-8

New Goal: 150 Books

On 29 July 2012, I will start my sabbatical which will end in September 2013. In 2007 I achieved my goal of reading 100 books during my year off work. This time I'm ramping it up to 150 books. I've already got a few lined up and ready to go. Let the fun begin.

100. Doctor Fischer of Geneva or the Bomb Party by Graham Greene

ISBN 0 14 00.5588 6 - Penguin, 1980

Alfred Jones is a translator for a Swiss Chocolate company in Vevey. In his fifties, Jones marries Anna-Luise, daughter of infamous millionaire Doctor Fischer who made is fortune by inventing Dentophil Bouquet, a toothpaste.
Fischer is reviled and feared by all, including his "Toads" - an odd assortment of greedy, wealthy people that attend his appalling, degrading dinners.
Is Jones corruptible? How will he exact his revenge? Greene keeps us guessing until the final scene.

99. Prairie Willow by Maxine Trottier

ISBN 0-7737-3067-2 - Stoddart Kids, 1998

A tale that spans three generations of settlement on the Canadian Prairie and centres around the planting of a symbolic weeping willow tree.

98. Whitethorn Wood by Maeve Binchy

ISBN 1-55278-602-1 - McArthur & Company, 2006Compelling story about a well dedicated to St Ann that is said to have spiritual properties. Set in the small town of Rossmore, outside of Dublin, Ireland, Whitethorn Woods is told from the points of view of more than a dozen characters - from the local priest to a young woman in prison for murdering her rival. The prospect of a new road threatens the well and divides the towns folk. Maeve Binchy at her best.

97. My Home Bay by Anne Laurel Carter

ISBN 0-88995-284-1 - Red Deer Press, 2003

Gwyn's family move across Canada from Vancouver, BC to Mahone Bay, NS. It's a big adjustment and a bit of a culture shock for her at first but eventually, with the fulfillment of three promises her parents made to her, Gwyn starts to feel at home.

96. Salmon Forest by David Suzuki and Sarah Ellis

ISBN 1-55054-937-5 - GreyStone Books, 2003

Set in Canada's Pacific Rainforest, this book about the forest salmon explains the food chain and how the survival of each species of animal and plant is interconnected in this ecosystem. Ties Grade 4 Science strand about Habitats and Social Studies unit on Regions of Canada.

95. One is Canada by Maxine Trottier

ISBN 0-00-224556-6 - HarperCollins, 1999

Not your average counting book (5 Great Lakes, 8 lines in the first verse of O Canada). I'll be basing the introduction to Canada's provinces & regions Social Studies unit for my Grade 4s on One is Canada.

94. Camping by Nancy Hundal

ISBN 1-55041-668-5 - Fitzhenry & Whiteside, 2002

A beautifully illustrated poetically written book about a family that experiences a holiday different from the theme park, fancy hotel and shopping mall vacations they have become accustomed to.

93. East Sussex Events by David Arscott

ISBN 1-86077-251-X - Phillimore & Co Ltd, 2003

Full of fascinating contemporary photographs, Arscott's book is divided into chapters like: Fires, Crime & Violence, Weather and Celebrations & Special Occasions. Most of the events selected for this volume occurred in the cities & large towns of Sussex - Brighton, Eastbourne, Hastings & Lewes. Given their relatively large and dense populations, the human and economic costs of events such as floods and bombings were greater there than they would have been in rural areas of the county.

92. Building Bridges by Kathy Furgang

ISBN 1-4108-0404-6 - Benchmark Education, 2004

Shows how engineers design and build beam, arch, movable, suspension and cable-stayed bridges. Uses famous bridges as examples. The "Be a Bridge Builder" feature gives simple instructions for building models of each type of bridge.

91. Action: Defence by Jo Windsor

ISBN 1-86944-527-9 - Heinemann, 2005

Explains the various defence strategies used by animals: camouflage, flight, threat, bluff, physical armour and co-operation.

90. Prairie Dogs - Social Animals by Jo Windsor

ISBN 1869445120 - Heinemann, 2005
Interesting parallels to human social behaviour can be made to the habits of the prairie dog.

89. Monkeys, Diverse Animals by Greg Pyers

ISBN 1869445066 - Heinemann, 2002

Highlights the diversity of monkey species with examples from both new and old world groups.

88. Myths and Mysteries of Washington by L.E.Bragg

ISBN 0-7627-3427-2 - The Globe Pequot Press, 2005
An interesting collection of mysteries that occurred in Washington state that ranges from a skyjacking in the 1970s to the accidental discovery of a skull over 9000 years old. Many tales are linked to the regions gold prospecting past. Several relate people's encounters with the paranormal or unexplained phenomenon. I was intrigued by, "The World Famous Lobotomy" and the claims by surgeon Dr Walter Freeman than he performed such an operation on famed actress Frances Farmer.

87. Dead Man's Mirror by Agatha Christie

ISBN 0-425-10435-4 - Dodd Mead, 1931

Four short mystery stories featuring Hercule Poirot: Dead Man's Mirror, The Incredible Theft,

Murder in the Mews, and Triangle at Rhodes. Christie provides a snapshot of the political and social scence in 1930s England. The roles of women, and Poirot's attitude towards them, are particularly interesting in this pre-World War II world.

86. Everybody's Normal Till You Get to Know Them by John Ortberg

ISBN 0 310 25084 6 - Zondervan, 2003

There are three sections to Ortberg's book about building Christian community: Part 1 - "Normal: There's no such thing, dear"; Part 2 - How to get close without getting hurt and; Part 3 - The secret of strong relationships.
Ortberg examines the issues of conflict and forgiveness using anecdotes, quotes from theologians and scripture. Conflict is "normal", how we usually handle it is the real problem. He explains how forgiveness, forgetting and reconciliation are separate exercises.

85. Jan Karon's Mitford Cookbook & Kitchen Reader edited by Martha McIntosh

ISBN 0670032395 - Penguin, 2004

Throughout Jan Karon's Mitford series, one gets the sense that both she and main character Father Tim Kavanaugh have a deep appreciation for good food. This volume is much more than a southern cookbook, it is chock full of quotes from the novels and tips on food preparation and cooking.
So far, we've sampled Louella's Cornbread which hubby described as, "a poem" and Puny's Squash Casserole which was equally tasty.

84. The Aliens Have Landed at Our School by Kenn Nesbitt

ISBN 0 88166 502 9 - Meadowbrook Press, 2001

Humourously illustrated by Margeaux Lucas, this collection of Kenn Nesbitt poems for kids is certain to amuse readers of all ages. I like the way Nesbitt has fun with words and turns everyday situations, like going to the doctor or eating lunch, into wacky adventures. Some of my particular favourites are: "The Aliens Have Landed!", "Don't Bring Camels in the Classroom", and "Don't Rat on a Mouse". I plan to use several poems as shared reading lessons.

83. On the Same Page:shared reading beyond the primary grades by Janet Allen

ISBN 1571103325 - Stenhouse Publishers, 2002

A teaching resource that includes theoretical and practical information about shared reading in the Junior grades. Allen's book covers topics related to shared reading like: word study/vocabulary, writing, text book reading, cross-curricular connections and assessment. The many black line masters for graphic organizers provided and the lists of recommended books are very helpful.

82. Blue Ridge Parkway: The story behind the scenery by Margaret Rose Rives

ISBN 0 916122816 - KC Publications Inc, 2004
Beautifully illustrated with varied photographs, this book outlines the flora, fauna, landscape and history of settlement along the 469 miles (755 km) of the Blue Ridge Parkway. A southern portion of the Appalachian Mountains,the Blue Ridge extends from Pennsylvania to Georgia. The Parkway links Shenandoah National Park's Skyline Drive with the Great Smoky Mountains and winds its way through Virginia & North Carolina to Tennessee.

81. Colour Scheme by Ngaio Marsh

ISBN0 00 651238 - HarperCollins, 1943

Colour plays an important role in unravelling the clues to solve a rather gruesome murder, det against the backdrop of the second world war and the geothermal hot springs of New Zealand's North Island. Marsh's passion for Shakespeare is personified in the character of Geoffrey Gaunt, a celebrated and tempermental actor. Insight into the "white" New Zealander's opinions of and interactions with the native Maori seems dated but was probably close to the mark at the time of writing.

80. The Mitford Snowmen: A Christmas Story by Jan Karon

ISBN 0670030198 - Penguin, 2001

Heavy winter snow inspires an impromptu snowman contest on Mitford's Main Street. Living up to the town's motto, "Mitford takes care of its own", Mayor Esther Cunningham comes up with a plan that makes everyone a winner.

79. Light From Heaven by Jan Karon

ISBN 0739458930 - Penguin, 2005

The Kavanagh's are "farm sitting" at Meadowbrook for the year and Father Tim faces many new challenges as vicar of Holy Trinity Church, located in a remote part of the mountains. The church had been closed for many years but not deconsecrated. We meet a host of new characters: The "Flower Sisters" ; Agnes Merton and her son Clarence who have lovingly been maintaining Holy Trinity; Jubal Adderholt a reclusive squirrel hunter; Dovey Luster who has a mysterious illness and her brother Donny who bears enormous responsibility at a young age.

78. In This Mountain by Jan Karon

ISBN 0670031046 - Penguin, 2002

Cynthia's success as an author is putting a strain on her marriage to the now retired Father Tim. Changing gears to a slower pace of life is not as easy as some may think. Our identity and sense of self-worth can be tied to our "day jobs" and when we stop, something has to fill the void. This stressful situation has dire consequences on Father Tim's health and a tragic accident puts him on the brink.