Dash by: Kirby Larson

Historical Fiction at is best is what School Library Journal said about Kirby Larson's book Dash and I agree 100%.

Mitsi Kashino has lived with her family in the United States her entire life along with her brother and parents.  Her grandparents had moved to the United States many years before her birth and her grandmother continues to live with her and her family.  As Mitsi returns to school, after Christmas break, in January 1942 not quite a month after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor she finds everything has changed.  Her friends ignore her and while her teacher treats her the same Mitsi can sense her worry about Mitsi and her family.  Mitsi is unable to make sense of all the changes

Mitsi and her family are forced to leave their home in Washington State and are taken to a Japanese incarceration camp.  Dash, is Mitsi's dog and is unable to go to the camp.  Fortunately, her neighbor, Mrs. Bowker agrees to take care of Dash while Mitsi and her family is gone.  They hope they will not be gone for long because they are American citizens but at this moment in time life is uncertain for anyone of Japanese descent.

Mitsi and her family try their best to adjust to life in camp.  Slowly Mitsi makes a friend and sees some good in their small home and she is happy that her family is together.  Many families were not so lucky.  Mitsi writes to the general that is in charge of the camps asking to have her dog there with her.  She isn't allowed to have Dash with her but Mrs. Bowker writes letters for Dash and collecting the mail is now one of Mitsi's camp highlights.  Mitsi and her family go through changes at the camp.  She worries that her brother is in the wrong crowd and she learns how to be more independent.

I loved reading this book and learning more about the experience of Japanese Americans during WWII.  I think that knowing more about this time in American history is important for us all and learning through historical fiction stories is my favorite way of learning about history.  I am sure many young readers will enjoy this story of Dash, Mitsi, and the rest of her friends and family.

After reading this book spend time with your pet.

Happy Daily Reading!
Deanna

Pax by: Sara Pennypacker

This book has been talked about and reviewed by many.  It sat on my "to be read" pile for awhile.  I just wasn't convinced that everyone loved it.  I was afraid I would be the one who just wouldn't get into a book about a boy and his pet.  Especially a pet fox?  Who has a pet fox??

Well, I finished this book last week and I enjoyed it.  Author Sara Pennypacker's PAX is a book you won't forget and you will want to share it with your friends.

Pax is found as a fox pup by a young boy named Peter.  They are together all the time.  After the death of Peter's mother his dad decides to sign up to go to war.  Peter is to live with his grandfather and Pax will be set free into the wild.  Peter is very upset when his dad makes him trick Pax just outside a forest on their way to Peter's grandfather's home.

Pax was never a fox who lived in the wild.  He anxiously waits for Peter to return but when Peter doesn't return Pax tries to find his way in the wild.  He needs to learn how to hunt, eat, etc...  He befriends other foxes that have a hard time trusting him since he likes humans.  Wild foxes do not trust humans.  Through Pax's eyes we learn what he is learning on how to be on his own as a fox.  When the war comes close to the foxes will they survive?

Peter runs away from his grandfather's home to try to find Pax.  When he injures his foot he finds a farm in the middle of nowhere with a quirky farm woman (Vola) living there.  Vola befriends Peter making him stay with her until his foot heals.  Peter is also learning how to live on his own.  He finds new interests and skills living with Vola.  As we watch Peter grow we also see changes in Vola and how she adapts to her new housemate.  When Peter finally leaves the farm and looks for Pax he is sad to see the war so close to the forest where Pax now lives.  Will they find each other?

Each chapter is told from either Peter's or Pax's viewpoint.  I found this such a great way to get to know both of these characters as well as Vola.  I feel as though I've made three new friends and as they each go their own way I know they are forever changed because they know each other.  This is how we all go through life.  Influencing and helping those we meet along the way.

After reading this book go and try something you've never tried before.

Happy Daily Reading
Deanna

Crenshaw by: Katherine Applegate

Author Katherine Applegate has written a book that we can all relate to, Crenshaw.

Crenshaw is a VERY tall cat that is the imaginary friend of Jackson.  Jackson has not seen Crenshaw in a number of years and is very surprised to find him taking a bubble bath in his bathroom.  Jackson is thinking that he is going crazy because who still has an imaginary friend at his age?!

We soon learn that Jackson's family has fallen on hard times and may become homeless, once again.  Jackson isn't happy that things are not working out for his family.  He likes his new school and doesn't want things to change.

Crenshaw is very outspoken and he is able to help Jackson put into words what he is thinking and feeling about all the changes in his family.  Crenshaw is a very good friend to Jackson and is able to help him and his entire family, even when life gets hard.

I really loved this book because of the value of friendship that is shown in this story.  Friends and family are important to each of us and I think readers ages 9 and up will enjoy this book.

After reading this book spend a little time writing a thank you note to a friend, drawing a picture of your imaginary friend or playing with your best friend.

Happy Daily Reading
Deanna

A Dog Called Homeless by: Sarah Lean

Author Sarah Lean has written a very sweet story in her book A Dog Called Homeless.  Cally Fisher's mother passed away one year ago and when Cally tells her family that she can see her mother they don't believe her.  She sees her mother in a variety of places and whenever she does a dog is nearby.  The dog comes to Cally whenever he sees her, the dog is chased away from her school and by her father.  Cally likes the dog and wonders why he shows up when she happens to see her mother.  Once, Cally sees the dog near a homeless man so Cally names the dog Homeless.

Her father, brother and herself are forced to move to a new apartment building where Cally makes friends with a blind boy named Sam.  Cally and Sam spend many afternoons together creating a strong bond of friendship.  Sam believes that Cally has seen her mom and helps her to try to find Homeless the dog.  Through these two children the wounds of losing a mother and wife begin to heal and Homeless finds a home in which he can stay, the home where he should have been all along.

I enjoyed this story it had me near tears a few times and also made me smile.  It is a great story of family and friendship.  Most of all it is a story of being kind at all times.

Happy Daily Reading
Deanna

The Most Magnificent Thing by: Ashley spires

The Most Magnificent Thing by Ashley Spires is a  magnificent read aloud story.

A young girl and her best friend, her pet dog, work together to create the most magnificent thing.  It is the thing that they young girl believes will be the most magnificent thing that she has ever made.   She has made many things in her young life but this time it is different this is the most magnificent thing that she has ever dreamed of making.

She creates many things trying her best to have it be just like what she has imagined.  No matter how hard she works it just isn't the most magnificent thing.  She makes more and more things and soon she is frustrated and quits.  When she looks at all the items she has made she decides that there are some good and bad with each item made, so she combines things, shares things, and soon she is using the most magnificent thing.  Finding joy in its use for her and her dog.

This story shows how we must never give up on our dreams.  If we think it we can make it as long as we work hard.  I liked how others found her items useful when she didn't think they were of any use to her.  This is a great book to share with your children to encourage them to keep on working, to never give up on their dreams.

After reading this book go and make something, be creative!

Happy Daily Reading
Deanna

Spirit's Key by: Edith Cohn

This was a book I really enjoyed. Thanks to author Edith Cohn