Across Five Aprils

I read this when I was a kid and decide to read it again for curiosity's sake. It was all right. It's a coming of age story set during the Civil War. The Creightons have their fair share of enemies even though they are good people. I'm mixed about the parts of the book where they tell about history and then jump back into the story. It's probably good for children but I wanted to get back to the plot. The most inspirational thing about this book to me is that the author was 57 when it got published. As an inspiring writer, this made me happy. It's never too late to be discovered. She would go on to write other successful books too.

Black Hearts in Battersea

This was a sequel to The Wolves of Willoughby Chase but you don't have to necessarily have to read that book to follow. It follows the character Simon as he tries to become an artist and make it on his own as an adult. Only he doesn't know what's become of his friend Dr.Field. Sophie from the first book shows up as well. Soon he finds the people he lives with the Twites, who have been dishonest about Dr. Field, want to get rid of the Duke of Battersea. Soon Simon finds himself involved in a kidnapping and other complications happen. It was cute. I also liked the character Dido.

The Summer of the Swans

I remember liking this in grade school. This was a pretty good read. Sara doesn't realize how much she loves her handicapped brother until he gets lost. After showing him swans one day, he decides to venture out on his own to see them. Soon the whole town searches for him. Sara finds much to her surprise out that the school bully is one of the people who help the most in the search. She learns a lot about her self, family, and that people aren't always what they seem to be.

Egyptian Mythology for Kids

Sometimes it helps to read a kid's book on mythology or history. It dumbs it down. I enjoyed this quick read and it was free from Amazon. I haven't read about the Egyptians since the sixth grade. There were many things I didn't know like there are other cultures that have pyramids and that the Egyptians had problems with diabetes and obesity. I wish it had pictures. That would have made it a better children's book.

The Wolves of Willoughby Chase

This classic book influenced many children's books after it's publication including one I recently read Peppermints in the Parlor. It's the story of two orphans who have to live in a a home where a wicked governess rules. She dismisses the servants and soon the children think of a way to leave. I think this even influenced Lemony Snicket. It has style AND substance. I just wish that the wolves were used more. They are only brought up like twice and for being in the title I was hoping that they would be more in the plot.

The Exiles

This was an ok collection of Horacio Quiroga's short stories. The Decapitated Chicken and other Stories is one of my all time favorite books. This feels like the weaker song of a 45 record. This collection deals with desperate laborers more. There are moments that shine like Beasts in Collusion where a crazy boss finds two employees who simply are invincible. I'm keeping my copy but I won't be coming back to it as much as The Decapitated Chicken.

The Great Depression

I learned from this short history book that there was a lot about The Great Depression I didn't know about. Because of The Great Depression social security and disability payments were added. Also the United States was not the only country impacted by The Great Depression. I like Billy Wellman's books because they informative and they're pretty quick to read through.