11 Little-Known Event Books

This is part of a series called 11 Lists of 11 Books. I have read all books unless otherwise noted.

Coal mines and the Lattimer Massacre - September 1897

A Coal Miner's Bride by Susan Campbell Bartoletti

Until reading this book, I had never heard of the Lattimer Massacre. On September 10, 1897, about 300-400 coal miners (mostly immigrants) protested against unfair wages and treatment. 19 miners died, and several other were injured.

This book, A Coal Miner's Bride, tells the story of the fictional Anetka, a young Polish teenager who moves to America after her father arranges a marriage to a widower with three girls. A Coal Miner's Bride is a great story about immigration, coal mines, strikes, and true love.

The Ireland Potato Famine - 1845-1852

Nory Ryan's Song by Patricia Reilly Giff

Approximately one million Irishmen died of starvation after a potato disease killed Ireland's large potato crop. Another million immigrated to America, and this is one of those stories.

The fictional Nory Ryan and her family have lived in Ireland for decades, but life is not easy. The story of this young girl's resilience is amazing!

To top it off, Patricia Reilly Giff is a very talent writer. Nory Ryan's Song's sequel is Maggie's Door. Both novels are great and an excellent look at historical fiction.

Anti-Semitism in America - 1862

The War Within by Carol Matas

In 1862, Ulysses Grant issued General Order #11, expelling all Jews from Kentucky, Mississippi, and Tennessee. The Jews in these areas had 24 hours to pack their stuff and move.
Growing up proper Southern in Mississippi, 13 year-old Hannah's life is changed from these events and more. As she moves up north with her family, her views began to slowly change as she matures over the course of the American Civil War.

The Newsie Strike - July-August 1899
The Journal of Finn Reardon: a Newsie by Susan Campbell Bartoletti

OK, you may have heard of the Newsie strike thanks to the Christian Bale movie. Ironically, a few of the characters in the Disney movie were real; except the main characters. Kid Blink (with the eyepatch) and Racetrack (who sang "King of New York" were two real people.
In 1898, during the Spanish-American War, newspaper costs increased. The newsies had to buy the papers for 60 cents instead of 50 cents. They would sell the newspapers for one cent each, originally making 50 cents. After the war, all the newspapers lowered their prices; except the New York World and the New York Morning Journal.
The REAL Newsie strike was from July 20th to August 2 and the leader was Kid Blink. Although the movie shows the strike as a huge success, it actually was a partial failure. The only thing that changed was both papers agreed to buy back any unsold papers the newsies had.
The Journal of Finn Reardon is part of the series My Name is America. My Name is America is the "boy" version of the "girl" series Dear America. Although Finn Reardon is fictional, many characters in the book are real.

Jewish persecution in Russia - late 1800s and early 1900s

Sworn Enemies by Carol Matas

I had heard of Jewish persecution in Russia, but I never really realized how bad it was until I read Sworn Enemies. The Russian government was kidnapping young Jewish boys (as young as age 8) for the Russian army. Ultimately, the goal was forced conversion to Christianity.

This book is told from the views of two Jewish teens who have both been spared from the czars army for different reasons; Zev who is spared from because of his job as a chapter (he is the one who actually does the kidnapping) and the scholarly Aaron, whose father is paying the government not to arrest him. 

In a twist of fate, both Zev and Aaron are both arrested and soon meet up with each other. Will they set their differences aside to work together? {A twist ending!}

SPOILER: I found this ending really incomplete, as Aaron and Zev still hate each other as the final pages close.

Armenian Genocide - 1915

Not Even My Name by Thea Halo

During and after WWI, 1.5 million Armenians and Greeks were senselessly murdered. In this memoir told by her daughter Thea, Sano describes life as a little girl growing up in Turkey and facing horrible persecution. At age fifteen, Sano is brought to America and continues her everyday struggles, including marrying a 40-something year-old man. I really enjoyed this memoir, but it was very heart-breaking to read at times. It was well-written and kept me intrigued.

Hello Girls - WWI

When Christmas Comes Again: The WWI Diary of Simone Spencer by Beth Seidel Levine (A Dear America Book)

In 1917, over 7,000 French-speaking American girls signed up for the job as a "hello girl" - a switchboard operator. Only 450 were chosen. General John Pershing "created" this job to improve communication on the Western Front.

Although this is a fictional story, like most books in the Dear America series, it stays close to real-life.

168 Allied airmen in Buchenwald - October 1944

Behind Enemy Lines by Carol Matas

This is probably the least-known event I'm featuring. The stories that came out of WWII never cease to amaze me. Some stories are bizarre beyond bizarre (like the cat who survived the sinking of three different ships) and some just show everyday men with an insane amount of courage (The Great Escape, Escape From Sobibor). This is one of those stories.

For two months, 168 Allied (82 Americans, 48 Brits, 26 Canadians, 9 Australians, 2 New Zealanders and a Jamaican) airmen were held prisoner in Buchenwald concentration camp after crashing in France.

This story, although fictional, is about a young Canadian pilot who goes through this.

If you are interested, there is an amazing documentary (I was one of the lucky few who watched it on the Military Channel in November!) called The Lost Airmen of Buchenwald.


The biggest medical relief in history - April 1945
Remembering Belsen by Ben Flanagan

The liberation of the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp is known as the biggest medical relief in history. Being said, all material on this subject is VERY graphic, but the liberation of Belsen is an AMAZING story. Out of all of the resources, I am featuring Remembering Belsen because it is written primarily through stories of survivors and liberators; the entire book is filled with testimonies, not words from the author.

Recommended for ages 13+. 
Other great books about the subject include: (I have read all)
Letters From Belsen 1945 by Muriel Knox Doherty
The Survivors: The Story of the Belsen Remnant by Leslie Hardman
After Daybreak by Ben Shepherd
Straight On by Robert Collis 

The Minnesota Starvation Experiment - WWII

The Great Starvation Experiment by Todd Tucker

I have not read this book, but it looks very interesting. During WWII, (all?) young men were drafted. This was a problem for young pacifists, who didn't want to fight but wanted to do something important for the war effort.
The pacifists had the bizarre jobs (like working in asylums - a whole other story) of the war that nobody really wanted. Voluntarily starving yourself to death for an experiment was one of those bizarre jobs.
This tells the bizarre/fascinating WWII story of 36 pacifist men who volunteered for a starvation experiment. The experiment tested refeeding, the effects of starvation, and rehabilitating starvation victims in war-torn Europe.

Anyone who's read this or knows more about it: Let me know what you think.

Cambodian Genocide - 1975

First They Killed My Father by Loung Ung

The Cambodian Genocide lasted from 1975-1979 and resulted in the death of two million Cambodian citizens. The genocide was after the Cambodia Civil War. The perpetrators were the Khmer Rouge, Cambodia's Communist party.

This is the story of a young girl who survives against all odds. Despite the majority of her family not surviving, Loung does survive. I haven't read this yet, but it has pretty great reviews. Due to the nature, I would imagine this is best for grades 9+.

What are some books that are part of the little-known and obscure events in history? I'd love to hear your thoughts and recommendations!I love learning about history!!

11 Christian Picture Books

This is part of a series called 11 Lists of 11 Books.

This is a guest post by my sister Hannah, from her blog A Cowgirl and A Dream, where she blogs about books, Les Mis, Phantom of the Opera, and more. Check her out and give her a thanks!

1. Veggietales Bible Storybook
Featuring 21 Veggietales stories, this kid-friendly storybook Bible covers classic Veggietale stories such as David, Jonah, Daniel, Joshua, and Esther. The stories aren't that long, and have large text. With vivid pictures, great Bible verses for kids, and fun text, this storybook is appealing for all little kids.

2. The Princess and the Three Nights by Karen Kingsbury
A good book for any little girls you may have. The story tells us about a princess and her father the King. The princess must marry, so the king sends for all eligible knights. He puts them through various tests about their bravery, strength, kindness, courage and most of all, their faith in God. It comes down to three knights. This book has a wonderful "happily ever after" for little girls. It teaches girls how men should treat them and how they should value them.

3. You Are Mine by Max Lucado
If you've read any of Max Lucado's children's books, then you've probably heard of these books about little wooden people called "Wemmicks", made by their maker Eli, the wood-carver. In this one, the small Punchinello has finally wormed his way into the "good Wemmick" crowd. But not all is at peace in the little village called Wemmicksville. Every has started to collects boxes and balls by the hundreds! They think that whoever has the most boxes and balls is a "good" Wemmick. Now, in his fight to be in the "in-crowd", Punchinello decides to start following the crowd. He starts to go overboard just to get the mine for more boxes and balls. But when he stumbles into his maker Eli's shop, he is reminded how unimportant all those boxes and balls are, and how important he is- even if he isn't called a "good Wemmick".
Note: this is a series!

4. A Parable About the King by Beth Moore
A princess who is the daughter of the King. What could be better? But when the King commands the princess to pick up her things, she is angry. She dresses in peasant clothes and decides that she is not a princess anymore. In the village, she learns how the village kids live. They play in the mud, they curse and they don't have to pick up after themselves. Her pleasure is short-lived, as she soon finds out that not everything is as wonderful as she thinks.

5. All You Ever Need by Max Lucado
Tobias the "Watermaster" and his son Julian are kind men who give water to everyone. When the Watermaster and Julian temporarily leave, they leave their precious well to the care of their servant Elzevir. All things are well, until Elzevir starts to give water only to the people who he thinks are fit and deserving of it. This is a wonderful book with a great lesson.

6. Just The Way You Are by Max Lucado
Just the Way You Are reassures children that no matter what - no matter if they can't sing, or can't dance, God will love them just the way they are. In this story, the king is coming, and everyone must prepare a gift. There is one little girl, however, with no special talent or gift. What will the king think of her?

7. God Gave Us You by Lisa Bergren
The questions always floats in a young childs head. "Where did I come from?" And that's exactly what a young polar bears asks her mother one night.

8. Because I Love You by Max Lucado
This is about a kind man named Shaddai, who loves and cares for all of the young children in the village. One day, he built a huge stone wall by hand. He explains to the children how on the other side of the wall, there is danger. Now, a young curious boy named Paladin spots a hole and quickly goes to Shaddai. Despite Shaddai's warnings about going through the hole, Paladin crawls through. This is a good book, a great example of God's love for us, His children.

9. With You All The Way by Max Lucado
Three knights. One princess. One song. A tale about three knights, all with different strengths, who are to journey to the King's castle to wed the princess. WARNING(s): On one page in the book, creatures called the "Hopenots" are illustrated. Kids may possibly get scared at the picture.

10. A Blessing From Above by Patti Henderson
Momma-Roo is a young kangaroo who wants a baby to hold and to have. She prays every night to God for one. She is imagining how it would be if she had a child of her own, when a baby blue bird falls into Momma-Roo's pouch from her nest. The mother bluebird knows that her nest is not big enough for all of her babies, so she lets the baby bluebird, in the book called "Little One", stay with Momma-Roo. A great book for little kids.

11. Hermie: A Common Caterpillar by Max Lucado
Hermie isn't special. He's just average. Why couldn't God have made him with spots, stripes, or just something not-average? This is a story that tells about God's love - and how God made each and everyone special.

What are some of your favorite Christian picture books?

11 Christian Memoirs

This is part of a series called 11 Lists of 11 Books.

Kisses From Katie by Katie Davis

Growing up in a decent family, Katie Davis had it better than most Americans, let alone in any other country. What caused her to move from her perfect family to Uganda and become the adopted mother of 14 kids? Jesus, of course! You can visit Katie on her blog: Kisses From Katie.

"I have learned that I will not change the world. Jesus will do that. I can, however, change the world for one person. So I keep stopping and loving one person at a time. Because this is my call as a Christian." -Katie Davis

Things We Couldn't Say by Diet Eman

You may know Diet from my first series, Ten WWII Heroes. Diet's story is somewhat similar to that of Corrie ten Boom. Diet was a young Dutch Christian when WWII broke out. She hated seeing her Jewish friends persecuted, and she and her fiancé were soon very active in the Dutch Resistance. Diet was arrested, and with God's help, she survived miraculously. Diet has been featured on Dr. Dobson, as well as Kathryn Atwood's book Women Heroes of World War II. Her story is unbelievably inspiring and shows what one person can do with God's help.

Through My Eyes by Tim Tebow

Alright, I haven't read this one yet but I know Tim Tebow is an amazing Christian man - and football player. He's won numerous awards, made headlines for sticking up for his faith, and inspired millions across the globe.

The Hiding Place by Corrie ten Boom

The Hiding Place is one book every Christian should read (or watch) at least once. Corrie ten Boom and her family courageously rescued many Jews during WWII. Although Corrie was later arrested and sent to a concentration camp, every Jew she saved survived the war.

Corrie and her entire family are worth remembering. They were all very courageous Christians who dedicated their life to serving others and worshipping Christ.

In the Presence of My Enemies by Gracia Burnham

Soon after 9/11, a young missionary couple was taken hostage by terrorists associated with Osama bin Laden. Throughout a whole year of torture and loss of her husband, Gracia remained strong and unmoved with her faith. I haven't read this book, but my sister did and she loved it.

God's Smuggler by Brother Andrew

Although I haven't read this book yet, I've heard nothing but good things about it. (It is also a Sonlight book, and I like their book selections) This is the true story of a Dutch factory worker who smuggled Bibles behind the Iron Curtain - to Communist countries.
After wounding his ankle in battle, Brother Andrew relentlessly read his Bible during rehab. In July 1955, he dedicated his life to telling others about Jesus and continued to do it until the fall of Communism in Europe. Still then, Brother Andrew began evangelizing to Islamic countries, specifically Lebanon.

The Heavenly Man by Brother Yun

This amazing autobiography is about one Christian's persecution in China. We as Christians should be aware that there are Christians today being persecuted for their faith.
I have only read part of this book, and it was about 4 years ago.

Life Without Limits by Nick Vujicic

Part autobiography part self-help, Life Without Limits talks about one man's faith - despite having no arms and no legs!

Soul Surfer by Bethany Hamilton

I haven't read this yet, but I have heard great feedback from this amazing woman of God. When she was just a young teenager, surfer Bethany Hamilton was attacked by a shark. The shark bit her entire
left arm off, but that didn't stop Bethany from pursuing her love and passion for surfing. Now Bethany has surfed professionally, won countless awards including Nationals, and appeared on numerous television shows and magazines - all with one arm.

Devil At My Heels by Louie Zamperini
After reading Laura Hillenbrand's amazing biography Unbroken, I knew I had to hear Louie's story from his own words. Louie Zamperini was a juvenile delinquent as a young child. His brother Pete urged him to try a sport, like running. Louie quickly picked up the sport, setting records and shaking hands with Hitler at the 5000 meters in the 1936 Berlin Olympics. Louie enlisted in the army, and while on a rescue mission, crashed in the Pacific Ocean. For 47 days, he and two friends were stranded in the Pacific Ocean with sharks - and Japanese bullets. Louie landed on Japanese territory, and for two years suffered at the hands of Japanese soldiers. After the war, Louie became an alcoholic, angry at everybody. On the brink of his divorce, his wife Cynthia went to a sermon of young Billy Graham - and got saved. After much persuasion, Louie went to one of Billy's lectures and accepted Christ into his heart. Louie went back and forgave all the Japanese. He is still alive and continues to lecture young people about his incredible faith journey.

Other memoirs I have not read but I know are Christian:

• Evidence Not Seen: A Woman's Miraculous Faith in the Jungles of WWII by Darlene Rose
• Through Gates of Splendor by Elisabeth Elliot
• Jumping Through Fires by David Nassar (Iranian story of a Muslim who turns to Christ)
• SEAL of God by Chad Williams
• Fearless by Eric Blehm (Navy SEAL story)
• And There Was Light: Blind Hero of the French Resistance by Jacques Lusseyran (WWII)

What are your favorite Christian memoirs?

Challenge 19 - String It Up

Welcome to the latest challenge, this time sponsored by Digital Delights.

Welcome to Digital Delights, a magical place filled with my little digi creations from all walks of life. We have a wide range of digital stamps which are delivered straight to your email 24/7!!http://digitaldelightsbyloubyloo.com/

To enter, we need to see your string or twine ideas and the winner gets a $5 gift certificate.

The design team have been working hard to provide the following inspiration:

Shirley

Casey goes Fishing - This is a old image now not availiable

CAZ 

Michelle

ALAN

Anne

Joshua the Vampire - no longer available

Pat K

Kate

Patricia

I'm sure you'll agree that we have a great design team and will be fully inspired and ready to join in.  Here are the rules:
1. Your card must be for a man or a boy.
2. Your card must be new for this challenge and follow the theme set.
3. Your post must mention Cards for Men and contain a link back to this challenge.
4. You may combine our challenge with others up to a maximum of 10.

The challenge will run from now until midnight BST (British Summer Time) on 29 September 2013.  Leave a link to your card (not just your blog) in the link list below.  If it's not there for some reason, leave a comment and I'll enter you in before the draw.  Good luck

Verse, Song, & Quote of the Week

This week's Bible verse is Psalm 23:4.

Even as I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me.

Your rod and staff, they comfort me.

SONG OF THE WEEK
You Never Let Go by Matt Redman.

Oh, no, You never let go

through the calm or through the storm

every high, every low

Lord, You never let go of me

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

"Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God." -Corrie ten Boom

Any ideas for future Verse/Song of the Week? 

Comment, and if you leave a URL I'll include your blog. :)

**The picture is mine. You are free to use it on your blog, whatever. Just please link back here. Thanks!**

11 WWII Fiction Novels

This is part of a series called 11 Lists of 11 Books. I have read all books unless otherwise noted.

Daniel's Story by Carol Matas - Holocaust
Part Elie Wiesel and part Anne Frank, Daniel's Story is the story of young teenager Daniel. The chapters are divided into 4 chapters: Pictures of Frankfurt, Pictures of Lodz, Pictures of Auschwitz, and Pictures From Buchenwald. The story opens with 14 year old Daniel in a train, headed to a place no an unknown destination. Their journey from the Lodz Ghetto to death camp Auschwitz to concentration camp Buchenwald is told in an unflinching but age-appropriate manner. I really enjoyed this memoir, and it has a few good life lessons I really appreciated.
The USHMM (United States Holocaust Memorial Museum) created an exhibit dedicated to the children of the Holocaust, and they named it Daniel's Story, after the book. Although this exhibit is no longer available, it can be seen here.

The Boy Who Dared by Susan Campbell Bartoletti - German Resistance

Helmuth Hübener is my political hero. I love him so much, I featured him in my Ten World War II Heroes series. This is his fictional biography. Teenager Helmuth and two friends secretly created an anti-Nazi pamphlet and spread it all over Germany. This book gives an accurate portrayal on  how he became involved in his own resistance, what he must have felt in prison, and the courage he had that so many other adults didn't.

Prisoner B-3087 by Alan Gratz and Jack Gruener - Holocaust
If I could meet any three living Holocaust survivors, Jack Gruener would be on this list. Jack (Yanek) Gruener survived a ghetto, two death marches - and ten concentration camps. (all before his 18th birthday)
What set this apart from every other Holocaust memoir/novel I've read was Jack's humanity. He never gives up despite overwhelming odds. He has multiple chances to steal from fellow inmates, but refuses to.
This book is a true story. To make it more interesting, Gratz added some fictional dialogue but the story as a whole is true. The parts I know are true include: Jack hiding in the barracks from Amon Göth, Jack surviving ten concentration camps, Jack asking the kapo for bread on a death march, and Jack surviving.

Willow Run by Patricia Reilly Giff - Home Front (America)

Willow Run was a real plant in Michigan during WWII that manufactured B-24 Liberator bombers. And it is the place 11 year-old Meggie has to live after her father gets a job there. Her brother is in the army and her uncle is German, making him a target for bullies. Meggie is a relatable, very real character with struggles, dreams, and fears.

Escape from Warsaw by Ian Serraillier - Poland
Originally titled "The Silver Sword"
Joseph is sent to a prison camp for being anti-Nazi and his wife is deported to Germany. Joseph escapes and heads to Switzerland and sends his three children - Ruth, Edek, and Bronia - to meet him in Switzerland. The book is loosely based on a true story.

The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas by John Boyne - Holocaust

I'll admit, this novel is unrealistic at times. I mean, the German son of a Nazi officer doesn't know who Hitler is, children use English words unrealistically, and two children would never be able to go near barbed wire in a concentration camp without getting shot. However, I believe it is the message Boyne conveys that makes this so powerful.
Eight year-old Bruno is enjoying his privileged life in Germany. When his family moves to Out-With, (Auschwitz, an infamous concentration camp) Bruno soon becomes bored and meets a young Jewish boy across the barbed-wire fence - Shmuel. Shmuel (Hebrew for "Samuel") is 8 as well, and the two become fast friends. Shmuel and Bruno are very similar, both are the exact same age, have the same birthday, both are sweet and innocent. Their only difference is they are of a different race.
Although not gory at all, this heartbreaking story's ending will shock you. The movie very closely matches to the book. I believe everyone should read this book or watch the movie. Never forget.

MAJOR SPOILER AND LESSON: In the end, young Bruno and Shmuel are both gassed as the two search for Shmuel's father. I strongly believe the message here is prejudice hurts everyone, not just the victim. The second message is hatred is taught. Children aren't born hating another person simply because of race.

Behind the Bedroom Wall by Laura E. Williams - Holocaust

It's 1942. Korinna is one of millions of German children caught in the fanatical Hitler Youth. However, Korinna's parents couldn't disagree more with Hitler and his fanatical ideas - they have a Jewish family hidden in Korinna's bedroom wall. From a young age, Hitler Youth were encouraged to turn in anyone anti-Nazi, including their own parents. Will Korinna turn her parents in, or will they get caught on their own? If they do, what happens to Korinna?

Number the Stars by Lois Lowry - Danish Resistance
This Newbery Winner tells the story of the Danish Resistance. In real life, the Danish Resistance rescued 99% of its Jewish population. This story is about the fictional Annemarie Johansen, who helps her Jewish friend and neighbor Ellen escape to the neutral Sweden. A great story of courage!

Lily's Crossing by Patricia Reilly Giff - America

Growing up on the home front, ten-year-old Lily has the perfect life. Until her father is drafted. Sent away to live with her grandmother, Lily meets young refugee, Albert, and the two become friends. Conflict centers on Lily's bad habit, lying. Patricia Reilly Giff is a very talented writer and how Lily's story unfolds is both interesting and unique.


Run, Boy, Run by Uri Orlev - Holocaust
Could your 8 year-old self live in a forest - alone - undercover - and with only one arm?
Srulik is a young Jew who goes undercover as a Pole. He faces many challenges - finding food, avoiding anti-Semitism, the Nazis, the harsh Polish winters. As if that wasn't hard enough, this courageous 8 year-old loses his arm in an accident. Genesis 17 was a major problem for all Jewish boys in hiding. Surlik, like every other Jewish male, is circumcised. This comes up quite a few times in the story, along with a few profanities. Taking this out, this is a fantastic novel. Oh, and did I mention it is based on a true story?


Farewell to Manzaner by Jeanne Houston - Japanese Internment Camps
The Journal of Ben Uchida, citizen #13559, Mirror Lake, California - a Dear America Book
Both of these books cover Japanese internment camps, and both of these are fiction. I haven't read either of these, but have heard nothing but positive feedback on both. If you've read these, let me know what you think!

Other WWII novels for the age range that I have read but weren't my top favorites include: 

- Once by Morris Gleitzman (I've read the sequels are better)

- Snow Treasure by McSwigan (great plot, okay writing style)

-When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit by Judith Kerr (slow, but good)

I happen to read more WWII nonfiction than WWII fiction.

What are your favorite WWII fiction novels for the designated age range?

A Special Announcement...

So, I have fallen WAY behind on the blogging the last couple of weeks--I hope you haven't forgotten about me--but, wanted to share my good news!  I am  expecting baby #2!!!  I will try to update more about our classroom adventures--but teaching all day, then coming home to clean up, cook, and chase after my 3 year old--I won't lie--I have been all kinds of stressed, and super tired!  {I miss my daily summer naps!} Anyway, we are all very excited about the baby--I *think* Emma understands, and keeps saying with confidence that she is having a sister.  {We don't know yet!} We keep saying..."Well, it could be a baby brother..."  And she just says, "No.  It's a sister."  If this baby does happen to be a boy (which I suspect) things could get interesting around here, people!  :)  My second pregnancy is so different from my first--for one, I look full-on pregnant and I'm only 15 weeks--I've looked this way for about the past 3 weeks.  At least 7 people have asked if I'm having twins--and when I reply "No!  Just one!"  They respond with, "...Are you SURE?"  {Um, yes--and thanks for letting me know how fat pregnant  I am.  HA!  Goodness.}

I will be back (sometime) THIS week to update you on our Melanie Watt author study!  She might just be my new favorite author.  We are having all kinds of fun with Scaredy Squirrel, and I can't wait to share pictures!