“I wondered how the alumbrados would fare under the watchful eye of that court of justice once it started operating in Mexico � not much better, I war“I wondered how the alumbrados would fare under the watchful eye of that court of justice once it started operating in Mexico � not much better, I warrant, than under the Spanish institution whose judgment they fled.�
A fascinating look at a very controversial time in history, 'What They Said About Luisa,' takes the life of a real woman, Luisa Abrego and gives a realistic take on what the people around her might have felt. Each chapter of this novel is told from a different perspective � one person who was affected by Luisa Abrego, the former slave who became a free woman and traveled to the new world.
Luisa first learned about the concept of bigamy after traveling to Mexico with her new husband, and began to fear that she was guilty of it, herself. See, Luisa had been proposed to by another young man shortly after she was granted her freedom at the death of her master. Although the two were not married in practice, the Catholic church's rules for marriage essentially said that they were married in spirit. Luisa gave herself over to the Spanish Inquisition for trial, essentially leaving her fate in the hands of God.
Obviously, I'm not going to spoil the ending of the book, but with a writer like Ericka Rummel, even a story that you may have heard before becomes something new and exciting!
I have read a few of Rummel's other works, 'Loneliness of the Time Traveler,' 'Evita and Me,' and Inquisitor's Niece,' and every one enthralled me. Rummel has such a talent for storytelling � particularly in historical fiction � that I find myself thrilled whenever I get the opportunity to read one of her novels! I can't wait to find out what she has in store for us next! ...more
It’s the 23rd century and the earth has changed. Thousands of years of political and religious differences finally ended in a nuclear war that lasted It’s the 23rd century and the earth has changed. Thousands of years of political and religious differences finally ended in a nuclear war that lasted a decade. The entire landscape of our planet has been altered. Now, what remains of humanity look to a new prophet. A prophecy has been revealed that the Messiah will appear on distant planets just before the end of days. A few years before ‘Fractured Prophecy� begins, a man who called himself ‘The Teacher� appeared and began performing miracles on a planet called Prosperine. Of course, many assume that this Teacher is the prophesied Messiah. But in a previous book in the series, the Teacher dies protecting his people from radiation that had been poisoning the planet.
How does a prophecy survive after the prophet is dead? This is a question that is both asked and answered in ‘Fractured Prophecy,� the fourth book in the ‘Prosperine� series by P.J. Mcdermott. A stunning space opera full of action, interplanetary politics, and real human emotions.
This novel brings a thought provoking element of Christianity into science fiction in a way that I’ve never seen before in any other book. The Teacher as a Christ like figure is a formidable allusion and one that didn’t come across as hokey or eyeroll-worthy as it might have in the hands of a less capable writer. The society that McDermott creates is varied and extensive. Many smaller details that sci-fi readers often leave out (such as pets, plants, clothing, etc.) were effectively used in this story and it really served to create a fuller picture and a more in-depth fictional universe. The characters all seemed like real people that you might meet in everyday life, only centuries in the future. A great read and one I suggest you pick up as soon as possible.
Merged review:
It’s the 23rd century and the earth has changed. Thousands of years of political and religious differences finally ended in a nuclear war that lasted a decade. The entire landscape of our planet has been altered. Now, what remains of humanity look to a new prophet. A prophecy has been revealed that the Messiah will appear on distant planets just before the end of days. A few years before ‘Fractured Prophecy� begins, a man who called himself ‘The Teacher� appeared and began performing miracles on a planet called Prosperine. Of course, many assume that this Teacher is the prophesied Messiah. But in a previous book in the series, the Teacher dies protecting his people from radiation that had been poisoning the planet.
How does a prophecy survive after the prophet is dead? This is a question that is both asked and answered in ‘Fractured Prophecy,� the fourth book in the ‘Prosperine� series by P.J. Mcdermott. A stunning space opera full of action, interplanetary politics, and real human emotions.
This novel brings a thought provoking element of Christianity into science fiction in a way that I’ve never seen before in any other book. The Teacher as a Christ like figure is a formidable allusion and one that didn’t come across as hokey or eyeroll-worthy as it might have in the hands of a less capable writer. The society that McDermott creates is varied and extensive. Many smaller details that sci-fi readers often leave out (such as pets, plants, clothing, etc.) were effectively used in this story and it really served to create a fuller picture and a more in-depth fictional universe. The characters all seemed like real people that you might meet in everyday life, only centuries in the future. A great read and one I suggest you pick up as soon as possible....more
‘HER: The Flame Tree� centers around the life of Phuong. She was adopted by a eunuch of the Imperial of Hu�, in Vietnam. Her name represents the flame‘HER: The Flame Tree� centers around the life of Phuong. She was adopted by a eunuch of the Imperial of Hu�, in Vietnam. Her name represents the flame tree’s flowers the are all around Hu�.
The eunuch had invested in a noodle shop for Phuong to run as a teenager. He tried to dissuade her, pointing that he could care for her until she marries but she had an independent spirit. It was while she was working in her noodle shop that she met Jonathan Edward. He was looking for the daughter of his deceased lover.
Thus begins the story of the eunuch of the last dynasty of Vietnam and his adopted daughter. It covers his young love of high-ranking concubine and how he eventually adopted his daughter, around the fall of the dynasty.
Decades later, Minh, an expat of Vietnam travels back to his home country to speak with Phuong, now an old woman. About her life and that of her father’s.
HER, brings us on a at times beautiful but at times painful journey as we follow Phuong’s and her father’s journey through time in Vietnam. Ha’s poetic prose captures the times and place with the force of the powerful flame tree. He captures the beauty and brutality of life. It is so atmospheric; it just takes your breath away! I have found all of his books to be both beautiful and brutal but this may just be his best one to date! I highly recommend that you read ‘‘HER: The Flame Tree� and if you haven’t already done so, all of his books. He just captures the human condition, unconditionally, warts and all in a beautiful, almost spiritual way. ...more
This novel was completely enthralling! Ken Czech has a way with words that I just find so compelling, and that makes me want to read everything that hThis novel was completely enthralling! Ken Czech has a way with words that I just find so compelling, and that makes me want to read everything that he writes! With every new novel he puts out, he creates a distinct, atmospheric world and characters that you can really root for.
In this book, the main characters are Umey and Alexey, two people from different worlds whose lives collide in an unforgettable way.
First, we are introduced to Umey, a wanderer who lives in the great forests of Sibera in the year 1581. Umey is nearly killed when she accidentally finds the remains of a Russian village that has been raided and burned to the ground. Barely escaping the musket fire of the soldiers that attacked the village, Umey recovers in a Vogul village where the people ask her to investigate the identity of the soldiers as payment for their care of her.
Meanwhile, in Moscow, Alexey Danilov wakes from a hangover into a nightmare. He is arrested for treason against the tsar, a charge that he is not guilty of. Unfortunately, his uncle is guilty, and the man’s whole family is being executed as a result. Alexey also barely manages to escape death and is, instead, drafted into the war against the Tatar rebels.
Having formerly achieved the rank of Lieutenant before his arrest, this seems like grunt work to Alexey, but his mood changes significantly when he meets Umey, who makes it to the Russian camp while hunting down the raiders. The two hit it off immediately, despite discouragement from Umey’s adopted uncle, who is Alexey’s superior. As the war begins to take shape around them, the pair of forbidden lovers must decide what is right for them and what is worth fighting for.
I heartily recommend this to historical fiction lovers!...more
“Somehow, word had leaked out regarding the venue for the coronation ceremony and crowds of thousands of curious people, anxious to witness a piece of“Somehow, word had leaked out regarding the venue for the coronation ceremony and crowds of thousands of curious people, anxious to witness a piece of history, started gathering at dawn in the main plaza—the Schlossplatz—in front of the Berlin Palace. � � ‘Iron Maiden,� by J.T. Maicke.
A compelling alternative history novel from the author J.T. Maicke where history shifts in one bloody act.
Early morning, Easter Sunday, 1910, the Kaiser of Germany and his young family are killed when a bomb is set off at the church where they are attending a service. At the same time, all over the country, all of the members of the royal family are systematically assassinated.
All but one. Christiana Von Preussen is a cousin to the Kaiser and an accomplished woman, herself. As one of the first women in the country to attend University and a talented fencer and horsewoman, Christa is beloved by her family, despite refusing to conform to their expectations about how a princess should act.
But Christa must very quickly go from being a princess, to being a queen when she ends up as the only living member of the royal family left alive. Determined to do her best for the country that she loves so much, Christa claims the throne with aplomb, and proves all of her detractors wrong along the way.
This is a must read that offers a fresh take on a historical novel and I savored every last morsel. ‘Iron Maiden� is an incredibly satisfying read and, while Maicke clearly did his research it never, at any point, felt like the narrative got bogged down by too many details.
If you are looking for a lush, enthralling read that sucks you in and makes you forget about the rest of the world, ‘Iron Maiden,� by J.T. Maicke is definitely the book for you!...more
Bertie Patchet has graduated college with her teaching certificate. It is 1936 so, not only will she not know if she will have a teaching job until riBertie Patchet has graduated college with her teaching certificate. It is 1936 so, not only will she not know if she will have a teaching job until right before the school season starts, in a few months but it is during the Great Depression.
She decides to go back home to her mother and step father, even though things have been bad in the past. Her mother is an acholic and her step father has abused Bertie at night. Perhaps things will be better.
Her first night back home and her step father enters her room. At least, this time she is prepared to strike back and prevents him from getting his way. However, now she knows, she can’t stay there. She had heard stories of men riding the rails to look for work. So, she decides to give it a try. However, she must first disguise herself as a boy.
Bertie has many adventures and meets some very interesting and sometimes, quirky and even dangerous characters. She is certainly a woman ahead of her time and she learns to protect and take care of herself. I could tell while reading that the authors put in a lot of time into researching the period. They really bring the Great Depression to life. Bertie is a strong female character. I loved her spunk, wit, and determination! The other characters were well thought out as well. Larry and Rosemary are excellent writers and breath life into this historical fiction! I felt like I was there, with Bertie. This would be excellent source material for a feature length film, I really think someone should buy the rights!! It could even follow Bertie on her adventures as a mini series.
This is my favorite book of 2023! I cannot recommend it enough!...more
Teenager, Drew hangs out with his friend snorting coke. His friend then pays a girl to take Drew’s virginity but Drew wonders if that is all there is Teenager, Drew hangs out with his friend snorting coke. His friend then pays a girl to take Drew’s virginity but Drew wonders if that is all there is to it. A quick 1, 2, 3 and it’s done. He struggles to understand the real meaning of life. It can’t just be sitting around doing drugs, having sex, and writing. He aims to become a professional writer.
Drew later meets his favorite author and it is through that relationship as well as after he experiences a seizure, he has a kind of spiritual awakening and is able to explore what life is really about. It is also after having sex with many women, that he realizes that he is bisexual.
Karuna Dos calls ‘Sex, Drugs, and Spiritual Enlightenment� a “fictionalized memoir�. He uses his experiences as a young man as a starting point and embellishes them. Mixing the two together make a heartbreaking yet, laugh out loud novel. His poetic prose is hypnotic and make the book near impossible to put down. I read it into the wee hours, only forcing myself to put it down at 3 am, However, I kept going over the book in my mind ad got very little sleep. The next night, I finished it, thinking I would get a better nights sleep. LOL! That didn’t happen. Drew is a very memorable character and will stay with me a long time to come. The book left me wondering how he is as a now middle aged man.
This book is a whirlwind and one that I highly recommend. I do think it only fair to warn you, that “Sex Drugs, and Spiritual Enlightenment is not appropriate for those who offend easily. As the title suggests, it is full of sex and profanity. However, I found it heartfelt, honest, and true to the human condition. ...more
The Campbell Sisters takes place in 1950’s New York City. All three sisters are in their 20s and still living with their parents in an apartment. TheyThe Campbell Sisters takes place in 1950’s New York City. All three sisters are in their 20s and still living with their parents in an apartment. They are Irish Americans.
The three sisters share a room so are always pretty aware of what each are up to. Helen, the oldest sister, is pretty much in charge, as her mother has always reminded her that she is the oldest. She is also considered a spinster and the age of 25 because she is not married.
Helen works at an orphanage and takes her class to the park. They are not allowed to bring any toys however, one of the boys sneaks a ball out and it goes sailing into the bicycle lane. He runs after it and is hit by a bike. The man riding the bike, Charlie, feels awful and wants to help. He insists on carrying the boy back to the orphanage with Helen and her charges. Then he asks Helen out and waits for her until she is done working for the day.
After that day, they went out frequently. Charlie is a boxer and one night, he takes her to see a fight. The fight did not bother her however, the other thing she saw across from their seats did. She saw her middle sister, Carolyn with her boss. Long after Helen comes home, her sister Carolyn appears climbing into their second floor, bedroom window. Helen confronts her.
Their parents heard and in the morning at breakfast, they confront Carolyn. Even though the girls are grown, they have a curfew and their dad is very strict about it. He told Carolyn that since is will not follow his rules, she will have to move out by the end of the month. For Carolyn, she digs herself a hole, deeper and deeper. Their youngest sister Peggy, is studying to become a doctor. While out celebrating with Helen and Charlie one nights, She meets Charlie’s best friend and manager, Joe. Sparks fly.
Some of what happens is predictable however, that does not detract from the novel. It is well written and 1950’s New York is brought back to life in all it’s grandeur and some of it’s underbelly as well. The characters are well written as well. I felt like I was there as part of the family. In fact, I think it would make an excellent movie!
‘The Campbell Sisters� is a gem of a book and I highly recommend it! I will be thinking of the characters for a long time to come! ...more
Afamefuna Onochie Nwaku left his homeland and family in Nigeria to attend Harvard medical school to become a doctor. It was always expected by his famAfamefuna Onochie Nwaku left his homeland and family in Nigeria to attend Harvard medical school to become a doctor. It was always expected by his family that he would return to his homeland one day to take over the running of his family lands. In the meantime, he built his career, married, and had children in Boston.
Now he is 60 years-old. He is offered the CEO position in Boston Medical Center and his wife wants him to accept the position. It was such an honor to be offered the top position! However, he is also yearning for Nigeria.
His father passed away 25 years ago and that was the last time he was in Nigeria. Then he receives a call from his sister. Their cousin is trying to claim his father’s lands. He goes against his wife’s wishes and takes a sabbatical from work and goes to Nigeria.
He finds it has changed and not for the better. At every turn he runs into corrupt police, just trying to make his way home to his sister. Then when he gets there, his cousins are there and demanding “they get what’s there’s�
You will have to read the book to find out what happens as I do not want to give away spoilers. Fidelis O. Mkparu’s writing is hypnotizing, making it hard to put the book down. He captures the Nigerian land and people with his poetic prose. His characters are well fleshed out and grabbed me through the pages and transported me. I will be thinking about this book and its characters for a very long time to come, they will not let go! I highly recommend you read ‘Soulful Return�! ...more
Lynne was a serving girl in an ale house, London in 1778. She was in love with Jack, a criminal. Of course, being in love with a criminal can be deadlLynne was a serving girl in an ale house, London in 1778. She was in love with Jack, a criminal. Of course, being in love with a criminal can be deadly. Lynne was murdered. However, that was not the end of her story. It was, in fact, just the beginning.
When Lynne died, she found out that she was part of a race of human beings called transmigrants. Transmigrants were able take possession of another persons body when they were weakened or dying. That is where Adele comes into the story.
Adele was a woman who was over come with fever and thought to be dying. However, she woke up after her fever only to find that there is someone else now sharing her body and tried to take control.
Adele fights Lynne at every turn. Eventually Lynne tires of Adele’s resistance and jumps into her next victim. She goes from one victim to the next and eventually is living in the 21st century. However, she misses Jack and thinks that she might be able to make it back to him. You see, Adele lived after Lynne left her body and she wrote a book about the experience. Of course, people did not believe her however, her original manuscript, in the 21st century was treasured. There are copies of the book but Lynne feels that if she can get her hands on Adele’s original writing, she can somehow transport herself back in time, to Jack.
This is a fresh take on time travel for me and I loved it. This is Erika Rummel’s first foray into science fiction but she is an expert in history and historical fiction. I became a fan with her historical fiction! She captures time and place so well that I feel like I am there. This is the case with ‘The Loneliness of the Time Traveller�! From the first page, she grabbed me by the hand and took me to 1778 London and then on to the other lives that Lynne inhabited. Her poetic prose and character development is mesmerising!
I highly recommend ‘The Loneliness of the Time Traveller.� However, I do advise you to set aside a weekend because it is so hard to put down! If you are a nail biter, you may want to put some thing bitter on your nails or you may chew them down to the quick!...more
Stuck between her mother's alcoholism and her father's depression, Amy's childhood was not easy. In 1957, Amy Turner's father tried to kill himself byStuck between her mother's alcoholism and her father's depression, Amy's childhood was not easy. In 1957, Amy Turner's father tried to kill himself by jumping off of the ledge attached to his hotel room window. He was on a business trip and ended up having to be talked down by a priest who just happened to be passing by.
Starting the memoir from this place—the first moment that her life changed forever—Amy goes on to explain how her father's subsequent hospital stay affected her entire family. From the time that she was four years old on, Amy's family had to sidestep her father's fragile moods and continually worry about his mental health. Although Amy makes it clear that she loved her father, the adapted ways that she learned to deal with him throughout her childhood took a toll on her.
Many years later, Amy's life is forever changed in another split second when she is hit by a car. Although she is soon deemed to have only sustained a concussion, Amy spends many terrifying hours after the accident and during the Life Flight to the hospital, wondering if she is going to die. Events like this can understandably change a person, and it is from this that Amy began to take a good, hard look at her life and her childhood.
'On the Ledge,' is a memoir that is well worth your time and worth adding to your TBR list! Turner's look at her inner child and all of the events that lead her to the place in her life that she is now, was refreshing and thought-provoking.
I couldn't put this book down throughout the entire time that I was reading, and finished it in one day. I deeply admire Turner's resilience and appreciate her sharing her story with readers everywhere....more
Khanh Ha has released a new collection of short stories. When Ha puts out a new novel or short story collection, it goes to the top of my list. He hasKhanh Ha has released a new collection of short stories. When Ha puts out a new novel or short story collection, it goes to the top of my list. He has never disappointed and so is the case with this short story collection, ‘All Rivers Flow Into the Sea�!
Not all authors can write a good short story, it is a true art form an Ha has it. I don’t give out 5-star reviews like candy however, every novel and short story collection of his had earned 5 stars, including this collection.
The stories are all about the people of Vietnam or the American soldiers who fought there. They are all heart felt stories. These are not stories that one ploughs through fast, they are to savor and contemplate. I like to read one, put the book down and think. Many of these stories left me with my heart pounding with anxiety, like the story about ‘The Woman-Child�. Cam live in a poor fishing village with her father. Besides cooking for him, she has many other responsibilities like repairing his fishing nets every night. This is pain staking work but also becomes dangerous when a neighborhood drunk man appears and tries to rape her. We learn this is not the first time.
She has a new friend, a young Vietnamese-American man who is there working on his thesis about the environmental impact of shrimp farming. This is a big problem in the country, much like Salmon farming is in North America. He witnesses the attempted rape and asks Cam if she has told her father about it. Her father basically shrugs it off and tells her to fight him off. Eventually the young man has to go back to the United States and hates leaving her.
I was delighted to hear the name Rossi again, that popped up in one of the stories about a U.S. man, Mr. Rossi, working as a diplomat towards the beginning of the Vietnam war. He was taking Vietnamese language lessons so he could better do his job. Ha wrote an entire novel about Mrs. Rossi searching for the remains of her son, whom was an American solder fighting in the war. I don’t want to giveaway to much from each story, you will have to read this collection for yourself. Be prepared for some sleepless nights contemplating some of these stories. Also have some tissues available. I am not trying to scare you off, ‘All Rivers Flow Into the Sea� is a must read for literary fans!
Ha’s writing is mesmerizing and captivating. I completely forget my surroundings when I read his poetic prose. I am transported to the places and people of whom he writes. It is the closest thing to time travel one can experience. Highly recommended! ...more
It is 1947 and 16-year-old Mona is living in Canada with her mother. She sees her mother as irresponsible, to say the least. One day her mother tells It is 1947 and 16-year-old Mona is living in Canada with her mother. She sees her mother as irresponsible, to say the least. One day her mother tells Mona that she is invited by a family friend, Liliana to visit her in Argentina. Mona very much doubts that she was invited and that her mother orchestrated the whole thing to get Mona way for a couple weeks. Mona doesn’t really want to go know that Liliana was most likely roped into it but agrees, if only to get away from her mother’s newest boyfriend.
When Mona arrives, a chauffeur picks her up and brings her to Liliana’s glamourous house. She is told that Liliana is at work but will see her at dinner. Mona soon discovers that her hunch is correct and she was not invited. Liliana seems less than thrilled to see her. However, she makes the best out of the situation.
The next day Liliana suggests that Mona go shopping and her chauffeur drops her off at a high-end shopping district. She will be meeting Liliana’s boss, Evita Peron at dinner that night. She has no money so she buys a dress and charges it to Liliana. Liliana later questions her about this but drops it knowing she cannot be a poor hostess.
To put this review in perspective, I need to mention that Mona herself, declares herself an unreliable narrator of her own story.
At dinner, that night, Mona falls in love with Evita. Luckily, Evita is fond of Mona as well and invites her over the next evening. The friendship blossoms from their and before long, Evita invites Mona to go to Europe with her, where she is going on business. Evita sends Mona an entire new wardrobe for the trip.
Of course, once the trip is coming to it’s conclusion, Evita asked Mona for a very special and very secret favor. She asks her to go to Zurich with Evita’s brother, Juan and most trusted security guy, Pierre to deposit her most prized jewels into a security box. Mona will keep one of only 3 keys and goes back to Canada.
Flash forward to 1952. Mona is in an unhappy marriage and learns that Evita has passed away. Now she is worried that Juan will come after her for her key. He needs all three to get the jewels. Action packed with beautiful historical detail and amazing writing, ‘Evita and Me� is not to be missed. This is the fourth book by Ericka Rummel that I have read and I have enjoyed them all. However, this novel is my favorite. Rummel has written over a dozen non-fiction books so she knows how to do her research. That is not enough for a novel like this though. She seamlessly writes with the use of the research, plot, characters, and places with precision.
‘Evita and Me� captured my full attention from page one and I could not put it down. I read all night and didn’t want it to end! Mona and Evita will stay in my mind for a very long time. I rarely read the same book twice since there are so many, I want to read but I am sure I will read ‘Evita and Me� again! ...more
A late-night escape from what was said to be one of the most inescapable prisons in the world, is the subject of this historical fiction novel by authA late-night escape from what was said to be one of the most inescapable prisons in the world, is the subject of this historical fiction novel by author David Kruh.
Kruh's novel, 'Inseparable: An Alcatraz Escape Adventure,' explores what may have happened to the prisoners during, and after, their daring escape. Initially, a fourth prisoner, a man named Allen West, was supposed to escape with the others, but he was unable to remove the vent cover in his cell that he was supposed to escape from. With his encouragement, the others left without him, but they soon figure out that their raft does not row the same without him.
The three men end up off course from where they intended to go, and when the raft begins leaking, they are thrown into the freezing waters of the bay. Struggling to swim for their lives, two of the men, Clarence and John Anglin, manage to make it to a beach in Sausalito where they are found by a young boy named Tommy O'Conner.
Tommy agrees to help the men get to somewhere safer and less visible, but after bringing them to a disused fort he soon begins facing questions from his mother and the local police chief. Meanwhile, the other prisoner, a man named Frank Morris, washes up on a jetty underneath the Golden Gate Bridge. On his own, he manages to find warmth and some old army rations inside of a lighthouse. But Frank has a long way to go if he intends to fully realize his plan of stealing a car and heading out of town altogether.
A fantastic look at what might have been on the night of one of history's greatest mysteries I could not put the book down and I did not want it to end! Kruh has an amazing talent for pulling the reader in. He captures the island and sea beautifully and he is an excellent character builder. He took from his research what was known as fact and wove a believable and captivating novel of what may have happened to the escapees. This should be optioned for a major motion picture! Bravo!...more
Barbara Kennard knew that she wanted to become a teacher from a young age, like her first-grade teacher. She did not want to be over bearing, like herBarbara Kennard knew that she wanted to become a teacher from a young age, like her first-grade teacher. She did not want to be over bearing, like her sixth-grade teacher.
Let me start from the beginning. Barbara had a learning disability, dyslexia. It is a very common problem but when she went to school, there was no such thing as special education. Luckily for her, her first-grade teacher would not give up on her and she learned to read. That teacher influenced her so much that she wanted to follow in her foot steps. Even though when she started sixth grade, she was discouraged by her over bearing teacher.
I completely understood how she felt. You see, I also had dyslexia and struggle to learn how to read, write and do basic math. By the time I went to school, in the 60’s, my school had a special education first grade class. My teacher, Mrs. Conden, had the patience of a saint and I learned. Once I caught on how to read, you could not get me to stop! However, I also had a terrible Kindergarten teacher who punished me for things like not being able to cut out a heart on Valentine’s day that actually looked like a heart. Of course, that was from the dyslexia as well. At least, I know that now, as an adult who had studied disabilities towards my Social work degree. I also had an over bearing fifth grade teacher.
I wanted to be in a helping profession, like Ms. Kennard but certainly not teaching, due to my negative experiences! That is where we differ. She wanted to be like her first-grade teacher and not her sixth-grade teacher. She succeeded in becoming a teacher. She loved teaching in a Montessori school but eventually ended up teaching in an all-boys school in Boston. That was more challenging for her. Between the administration and the parents, she started to feel burned out. A friend of hers, from the administration came to talk with her one day. He could tell that she was feeling burnt out. He told her about a program they had with a school in Oxford, England. Teachers would swap places for two years. He said that he did it and he gained an entirely new perspective from it. After discussing it with her husband, she decided to do it and moved to Oxford for 2 years. It was named the Dragon school.
She loved the experience and grew leaps and bounds from the experience. After the 2 years she was back in Boston with renewed energy. She had a new outlook. How so you ask? Sorry, I am not giving away any spoilers here, you will have to read the book. Yeah, I can hear you now, “but a book about teaching must be boring!� Well, I am here to tell you, not this book, not ‘Dragons In My Classroom�!
Ms. Kennard writes with poetic prose that is anything but boring. She writes lovingly about her students, about Boston, and Oxford. I felt like I was there, as her friend and assistant teacher. You don’t have to be a teacher, parent, or student to love this memoir! It has something to teach everyone while entertaining at the same time. She has achieved so much, especially for someone with dyslexia!
Kennard writes from the heart and I cannot recommend ‘Dragons In My Classroom� highly enough. If you do read it, please come back and share your thoughts. In fact, I think it would make for excellent book club discussion!...more
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