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.

77. A Common Life: The Wedding Story by Jan Karon

ISBN 0670894370 - Penguin, 2001
This sixth book in the Mitford Series is chronologically out of sync. It relates the events of Father Tim and Cynthia's wedding from his proposal to their honeymoon, although not much is said about their wedding reception.
I have always found people's "how we met" stories touching and here many of Miftord's colourful characters reminisce about past and present love. Many also express their true feelings towards Father Tim, Cynthia and the institution of marriage.

76. A New Song by Jan Karon

ISBN 0140270590 - Penguin, 1999
Father Tim is "supplying" at St John's in the Grove on the island of Whitecap. When he hears about the trouble facing his former parishioners back in Mitford, it's difficult for him not to rush to the rescue. But time and time again, circumstances prevent them from returning home.
We are introduced to two intriguing new characters: Helene Pringle, a piano teacher, who has rented the Kavanagh's Mitford home and Morris Love the brilliant organist who has become a hermit due to his physical disabilities.
Tim wonders whether Cynthia has become too attached to the 3 year old boy they're caring for while his mother recovers from the debilitation depression she suffers after her husband leaves her for another woman.

75. Out to Canaan by Jan Karon

Reading Jan Karon's Mitford Series is like good Christian Fellowship. Whether folks in the fictional North Carolina town encounter tragedy or joy they face it with prayer and scripture. Father Tim often reflects on words from favourite hymns or wisdom from Christian theologans like Oswald Chambers Patrick Henry Reardon.
One criticism of the series is that it does not show diversity. There are a few "ethnic" characters: African-American Louella Baxter Marshall; Italians Anna & Tony Nocelli, and Angelo, Leonardo, and Roberto Francesca; Hélène Pringle who has a French background and Ben Isaac Berman who is Jewish. Economic diversity is shown - from Homeless Hobbes to the very wealthy Edith Mallory. How diverse are small towns in North Carolina? In a week or so I'll find out for myself.

74. These High, Green Hills by Jan Karon

ISBN 0140257934 - Penguin, 1996
The storyline of Father Tim and Cynthia jumps from his proposal to her, on his birthday, at the end of "A Light in the Window", to them being married at the beginning of "These High, Green Hills". It's hard to get a sense of how much time has lapsed between the two novels and there is very little description of the wedding, which is disappointing.
We are introduced to several engaging new characters: young Lacey Turner needs rescuing from abusive father, Scott Murphy hired as chaplain for Hope House and Dooley Barlowe's "lost" mother Pauline and brother "Poobaw".
Father Tim has a "life changing" experience when he and Cynthia get lost in a cave on a camping trip. He recalls a line from a Theodore Roethke poem: In a dark time, the eye begins to see.

73. A Light in the Window by Jan Karon

ISBN 0-14-025454-4 - Penguin, 1995
Miss Sadie Baxter and Edith Mallory are two of Mitford's wealthiest women. The similarity ends there. Miss Sadie, an elderly, frail spinster, lets her kindness and generosity shine again and again in this second book in the Mitford series. Recently widowed, chain smoking Edith Mallory attempts to use her money to manipulate folks ito getting her own way. A rough ride is in store for Father Tim as she sets her sites on him.
Father Tim is in for further turbulence when his neighbour and sweetheart Cynthia Coppersmith goes to New York for an extended stay and his cousin Meg Patrick arrives from Ireland.

72. At Home in Mitford by Jan Karon

ISBN 014 02.5448 X - Penguin, 1994

Originally published in Jan Karon's local newspaper, The Blowing Rocket, as a series of stories about Episcopal (Anglican) priest Father Tim Kavanaugh, this first volume introduces the reader to many lovable characters in the fictional town of Mitford, North Carolina.
By the end of the book the 60 year old bachelor has a dog the size of a Buick, a beguiling new neighbour and scrappy, freckle-faced nine year old "mountain boy" in his life.

71. Blue Shoes and Happiness by Alexander McCall Smith

ISBN 13: 978-0-676-97624-3 - Random House, 2006
When Phuti Radiphuti asks his fiance Mma Makutsi if she is a feminist she replies, " Of course I am....These days most ladies are feminists. Did you not know that?" This question was prompted by a radio program on which Phuti heard a "feminist" talks about men being, "swept aside". As it turns out, he had nothing to worry about. But it made me wonder; is feminism dead? or are most women feminists today.
This 7th book in the No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency series offers insight into the different ways that men and women view relationships, marriage and the world around them.

70. The Wounded Deer: Fourteen poems after Frida Kahlo by Pascale Petit

ISBN 1-902382-75-7 - Smith/Doorstop Books, 2005
Pascale Petit assumes the perspective of Frida Kahlo and uses Kahlo's voice in fourteen poems each written about a significant painting.
It was interesting to read Petit's poetry after reading Kettenmann's biography of Kahlo which includes many of the paintings that inspired the poems. I purchased both of these books last October at the Lewes Live Literature Festival in England, after attending Petit's presentation.
"Pascale Petit was born in Paris, grew up in France and Wales and lives in London. In 2004 the Poetry Book Society and Arts Council named her as one of the Next Generation Poets. She has published three full-length poetry collections. Her last two, The Zoo Father (Seren, 2001) and The Huntress (Seren, 2005), were both shortlisted for the T. S. Eliot Prize and were both Books of the Year in the Times Literary Supplement."

69. Kahlo by Andrea Kettenmann

ISBN 3-8228-5983-4 - Taschen, 2003
Frida Kahlo (1907-1954) is probably best known for her exotic looking self portraits frequently in traditional Mexican dress with braided hair, like this one on the book's cover. This is because more than half of her works were self-portraits. When asked why this was the case, Kahlo replied, " I paint myself because I am so often alone and because I am the subject I know best."
Her tempestuous marriage to muralist Diego Rivera and ill health due to a traumatic bus accident and polio contracted in childhood have lead Kettenmann to subtitle the book Pain and Passion .

68. Clutch of Constables by Ngaio Marsh

ISBN 0-00-651259-3 - HarperCollins, 1968
Once again, Troy Alleyn is 'in situ' when a crime takes place. This time, a gang of international crooks is involved in forgery, robbery and murder. But which one of the river cruise boat Zodiac's passengers is the notorious ringleader nicknamed the 'Jampot'?
As is frequently the case in her mystery novels, Ngaio Marsh displays her interest and expertise in the art world.

67. A Busy Woman's Guide to Prayer:forget the guilt and find the gift by Cheri Fuller

ISBN 1-59145-321-6 - Integrity, 2005

Keele Street Christian Church's women's group has been using this book
as a study guide over the past few months.
It's not one of those books you read once and put back on the shelf.
There are many practical ideas to nurture your relationship with God and improve your prayer life.

66. Final Curtain by Ngaio Marsh

ISBN 0-00-651241-0 - Harper Collins, 1947

The Ancred family make it impossible for painter Agatha Troy Alleyn, (CDI Roderick Alleyn's wife) to refuse the commission of portrait of patriarch and Shakespearean actor Sir Henry Ancred, Bart for his 70th birthday. There is much "drama" at Ancreton Manor which largely revolves around the family's distaste for Sir Henry's fiance Miss Sonia Orrincourt.
If Araidne Oliver was Agatha Christie in her own novels, Troy Alleyn was Ngaio Marsh living vicariously.

65. The Villa of Reduced Circumstances by Alexander McCall Smith

ISBN 0-676-97681-6 - Random House, 2004
In this final book of the trilogy, von Igelfeld spends four months in at Cambridge University where he believes the country to be populated by eccentrics and becomes convinced that the British have no sense of humour.
When he goes to Colombia to accept an academic award, von Igelfeld gets involved in a military coup with bizarre consequences.