Snoop (& More August Reads)
I finished reading six books in the month of August: Gordon Korman’s Snoop plus five others. Read on for my impressions of each title….
6 Books I Read in August
The Iron Ring by Lloyd Alexander
We’ve read Lloyd Alexander’s The Iron Ring as a family more times than we can count. And it’s back on our collective reading list again this year by popular vote. It remains a favorite for all of us.
When his sleep is interrupted by an unexpected midnight visitor, the young King of Sundari goes to great lengths to welcome and entertain his royal guest. Little did he suspect his adherence to strict rules of hospitality would have such far reaching consequences.
The guest challenges his host to a high stakes game of chance. Then, before dawn, the guest and his retinue completely disappear. Tamar would like to believe it was all a dream. But the strange new ring on his finger tells a different story and compels him to set off on a quest in search of the truth.
Snoop by Gordon Korman
I had fun reading Gordon Korman’s Snoop on our trip to Colorado (although I’d be hard pressed to think of a book by this author I didn’t enjoy).
This one follows the adventures of phone-addicted boy who breaks both legs in a Colorado ski accident. When double casts leave him completely immobilized, he uses the down time plus the live feed from local police cameras to watch with growing alarm the curious events going on in his small hometown — all from the comfort of his bedroom.
His concerned parents eventually take away all his technology, insisting he find healthier ways to spend his long hours of convalescence.The clever way Korman ends this suspenseful book is especially satisfying.
What Grows in Weary Lands by Tish Harrison Warren
My husband and I listened to Tish Harrison Warren’s What Grows in Weary Lands together after hearing the headmaster of a local Christian school highly recommend it as a book that had a great spiritual impact on his life.
To be honest, I didn’t expect to like it very much myself. I’m leery of the overemphasis Christian formation writers often place on feelings, works, and introspection. And this book definitely had its fair share of all those things, along with requisite quotes from the Desert Fathers and Mothers.
But it was also beautifully written with some interesting analogies. And, while I didn’t relate to many of the emotional struggles the author describes, I did appreciate hearing her perspective and agreed with much of what she had to say about weariness, anxiety, and discouragement.
The Overnight Student by Dr. Michael Jones
This short book details the method the author used to go from making straight Fs to straight As — literally.
His suggestions are simple, effective, and can be summed up in six words, which he provides at the end of the book as a re-cap: “Stand up and teach out loud.”
For the specifics on to how to put his method into practice, refer to The Overnight Student‘s first nine chapters. You’ll discover a great way to study which, when used consistently, will broaden and enhance your understanding of any topic in any class.
The Penderwicks on Gardam Street by Jeanne Birdsall
My youngest daughter and I finished reading Jeanne Birdsall’s The Penderwicks on Gardam Street aloud to one another in mid-August, just a couple of days before school started. What a sweet story!
Mr. P reluctantly starts dating again at the urging of his deceased wife via a handwritten letter she’d penned before her death and entrusted to his sister for safe keeping until the time was right. Rather than risk getting saddled with a potentially problematic stepmother, the four Penderwick daughters come up with a “Save Daddy” plan to thwart their aunt’s efforts to set him up.
Meanwhile, a young widow moves into the house next door and provides a sympathetic ear and motherly advice just when the girls need it the most.
Text Messages from God by Doris McKelvey
Text Messages from God is a short, sweet devotional written by a retired school teacher who was manning a booth at a small, local homeschool conference I spoke at recently.
Knowing what a chore it is to tote heavy boxes of resources back and forth for such events, I bought a copy, hoping to lighten her load a bit.
The book is full of clever observations and heartfelt words of encouragement. I was blessed by reading it.
For My Fellow Bookworms
Do you love to read as much as we do? I’ve gathered all my best resources for bibliophiles onto this page, or you can read more of my book reviews by following this link .
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