Elena's Book Review

Slave Girl 

Title:  Slave Girl
Author:  Jackie French
Number of pages:  279
Publisher:  Harper Collins
Date and Place of publication:  United States, 2005
Where I found the book:  In Coles, Brandon's local bookstore

Story Review

To Hekja and her mother, life in their village is difficult, but safe. Hekja's mother, and her young dog Snarf, are all she has left. Hekja's father died while collecting eggs on the cliff.  his fall was incredibly steep and his back shattered into pieces. Every one knows that it's dangerous, but gulls eggs are one of the village's  main food staples. Hekja's father was a singer, no one clapped after one of his song's for they had so much meaning and truth that it left the village speechless. And that's all that Hekja had in common with her father; they could both sing the night away. 

When Hekja is sent, along with all the other young girls,  up the mountain to mind the cattle, her only comfort is her weak little snarf. All he is good at though is rolling around in fresh cow patches, and howling along to Hekja's  songs. The girls up on the mountain have no respect for Hekja. She and her mother had always just barely made it through the winter. Slowly but surely they hear Hekja sing songs alone in the moonlit night and give Hekja more than just respect: they give her their trust. 

Snarf begins to grow more and more, and eventually learns to hunt not only for himself, but the girls as well.  In fact he no longer limps, and just barely reaches Hekja's lower thigh, instead he almost reaches  her shoulders; already larger then any of the village dogs. He was smarter than most people as well, and could smell danger days before any one could even see it. But Snarf only obeyed Hekja, and never dreamed of leaving her side. 

"Ships", cried Hekja, " come quickly". Snarf was barking ferociously. "We have to warn the village" Hekja gasped '"it could be danger" . "Probably just traders. Oh I do hope they have brought fabric, I mean just look at my dress", cried Reena one of the chiefs daughters. "Vikings"whispered Hekja," just look at the size of those boats". Snarf and Hekja were gone before any of the girl's could stop them. She had feet as fast as deer and as swift as the current, but she knew, once she reached the village, that it was too late. People lay motionless on the ground, white washed faces, and blood drenched clothing.
Hekja and Snarf ran quickly and quietly. If they were seen,  they would be caught, if they were caught, they would be killed. Hekja hesitated before entering her home. There was no blood upon the floor, but her mother was not to be found. "Run!", screamed Hekja's mother. Hekja twirled around. Every thing was a blur. Some one, at least twice her size, plunged there sword into her mother's heart. It was a man Hekja realized, and he had just killed her mother. Hekja ran, she ran faster than the wind, faster than she ever imagined she could run. And then she heard him. The man who killed her mother was after her. He was fast Hekja thought, but she could out run him. Snarf bounded at her heals. Then Hekja felt some thing slice into the back of her knee. " Finnbogi, your getting old" laughed a tall woman. Hekja realized that the female viking had stopped her with the edge of her sword. They had caught her she realized, but they had not killed her. "Freydis" gasped the man to the woman," that girl must have feet like ravens". But Freydis just laughed, "keep her, she would be a good messenger!"

Hekja's journey begins as a thrall (slave), and meets Freydis' brother, Lief Erickson. Freydis comes to trust Hekja, and rely on snarf to smell out ice bergs that could easily wipe out the ship. Lief's thrall Hikki is also a runner, and is the only one, other than Snarf, that she can talk to. He understands how much she misses her village even though they get ten times more to eat under the vikings authority. Hekja soon becomes very close to Freydis, and once they reach Greenland (the vikings current settlement), she begins her job as a messenger; running to deliver messages.
She meets Snorri, a Norseman who singing reminds her of her father. Hekja finds that Snorri is singing about her, not as a thrall, but a princess. Hekja is very fond of Snorri, but even though she is very admired by Freydis, her master, she is still just a thrall, and Hikki keeps reminding her that. Hikki begins to despise Snorri because he plans to marry Hekja. Although Hekja thinks of Hikki more as a brother.

One cold day in Greenland, Freydis launches an expedition. Freydis wants to follow in her father's foot steps. He was the man who founded Greenland. Lief decides to journey with his sister, but when Freydis' father dies, Lief is forced to take his place as chief. Leaving Freydis with less then half of the men who originally planned on coming because they just couldn't trust, let alone follow a woman.
So they begin their journey to Finland. When they arrive they are greeted by skraelings (the viking word for native strangers), and begin peacefully trading with them. The land is beautiful to Hekja, and every thing is so calm. But then the skraelings attack. The Vikings were prepared, but the skraelings have an advantage, they have bows. Swords and axes are all fine for battle, but not when you are a great distance away.Snorri is badly wounded, and Hikki is killed. All this is to much for Hekja. She and Freydis charge after the enemy, and scare them away. Hekja doesn't waste one precious second, she rushes to Snorri's side. her relationship with him becomes so strong, that she never leaves his side. He and Hekja marry and travel to Snorri's home land. After mourning the death of Hikki, she can no longer stay in Finland. And although she knows she with miss Freydis,she agrees to leave. Together they visit Hekja's village and find that the girls on the mountain lived as well as quite a few of the other villagers.
Hekja and Snorri sing together about Freedom and the gift of courage that Freydis gave.

My thoughts

I did enjoy reading this book and the story was well thought up, twisting the truth just a tiny bit. However the author's writing was hard to get used to. It was very choppy, although that may have been the authors intention. I do prefer to read books with more of a flow, but once you adapted it was definitely a 'page turner' type of book. The book's main theme was freedom. Hekja is captured as a thrall, but eventually Freydis adopts Hekja as her own daughter. The book was given its title based on the capture of Hekja, and the journey she must endure to gain her freedom. I recommend this book to any history readers, and also those of you who like a lot of action because, yes, there is quite a bit of violence in this story.

Christian Perspective

Although this book wasn't written from a Christian perspective, there were several things in it that made me feel closer to God's heart. Like, for instance, when Hekja is told to stay in the mountain where she's safe, but choose to run and warn the village. It's amazing how God can use something so ordinary (like a sentence in a book), and make it into something extraordinary.  This story taught me that no matter how much sorrow your eyes have seen, God will always strengthen you. Yes, it might seem scary at the time, but once you've gotten through whatever it is that's troubling you, all that time spent afraid will soon fade into nothing. And all you are left with is a heart full of gratitude. 

Elena's Book Review, April 18th

Title: No Safe Harbour

Author: Julie Lawson

Publisher: Scholastic Canada Ltd.

Date Published/Where: January 2006, Canada

Where I found the book: Library

Number of Pages: 249

Summary

This is the diary of Charlotte Blackburn. The story is sadly very true no matter how much I want to deny it. No Safe Harbour is given it's title to show how much impact the Halifax explosion had. And how nothing would really ever feel safe again for even the bravest survivors of the explosion. As I'm sure you've already guessed, the themes in this diary are one's of sorrow and grief. Something is seriously wrong with you if you do not shed a tear if you choose to read this story, but I guess you will have to read and find out for yourself.

Charlotte Blackburn is 12 years old and has lived a very normal life. She grew up in Halifax Nova Scotia, and although she had a big family, was closest to her twin brother Duncan, and her oldest brother Luke; he was, after all, the one who gave Charlotte this diary in the first place. With Luke off fighting in the war, things are not easy for the Blackburn's. Money was very rare, and time was even scarcer. But the family had such a strong love for one another, that no one seemed to care much.

Charlotte did however, have one sister, Ruth, whom she truly detested. She got along splendidly with Edith, the eldest of the sisters, but Ruth was another story. Duncan and Charlotte would spy on her, trying not to be heard laughing, as Ruth flirted with the sailors down by the bay. But Mrs. Blackburn was sure that some day the two girls would click.

"Were am I ?" All that Charlotte knew was that if she closed her eyes, some one would think she was dead, and take her away. A nurse came to cut off her hair, and Charlotte tried to protest, until she realized that it was matted with bits of glass, and dry blood. She was scared to sleep, and scared to stay awake.

A girl named Violet was sharing Charlotte's bed. Violet was a few years younger then Charlotte, and was missing an eye; they had to take it out since it had splinters of glass in it. The Nurses told Charlotte that she was lucky that her eyes were healthy. But after seeing people come in on stretchers with half a face, no head, and even on fire, she certainly wished that the explosion had taken her eyes.

Explosion: was that why she was here? No, she didn't want to think about it. She couldn't cry, not now. But a voice in her head was screaming for some one to hold her. Charlotte couldn't bear it any more. Why weren't they coming for her? Why did they... Then something clicked. They were dead. "Stop Charlotte, your just imagining things", she told herself, "Wake up Charlotte, you need to help Mom with the chores, and there is no time for silly nightmares. "

But she didn't wake up, she didn't dare believe what any one said until she was too tired to protest. "Charlotte, I need you to be brave", the nurse said gently, "Edith and your dad are gone, so is Ruth. But that's all we know. We are doing our best to find Duncan and your mom, but after the blizzard almost all the survivors that were still out there are dead from the frost. We will try Charlotte, there is hope." Charlotte couldn't cry. She wanted to let the tears roll down her cheek, but they wouldn't come all she felt was a stab of utter loss. She waited as the spear plunged through her body, killing the Charlotte she used to be. Until finally all that was left was a weak and helpless orphan.

‘Dad always said that God only gives us what we can handle’ Charlotte thought, ‘well then God certainly doesn’t know me!’ Charlotte's dad was a pastor and had always believed that God would get them trough hard times, but Charlotte couldn't believe that, in fact, if it hadn't been for the abrupt interruption, she might not have believed in God ever again. "Charlotte", the nurse came in out of breath,"we found Duncan!" And that was all she needed to carry on. She had her brother and God was going to protect them.

My Thoughts

I enjoyed this book very much and strongly recommend this book to absolutely any one. You will connect so well with Charlotte, and understand how her life was in 1917. You will grow so attached to her life that you, in fact, become one of the survivors of the terrible Halifax explosion. If you do choose this book however, you must know that it is not a happy book. But please take that chance. Having been in Halifax before and visiting the Maritime Museum, it was especially meaningful to me. Charlotte's story will make you forget everything but turning those pages.

Christian Perspective

I do believe that this book was written from a Christian perspective. Charlotte was most definitely a Christian, ( at least she came from a Christian family, and shared that influence with many people) And through out the book, you can see many, many Christ-like characteristics. I was very inspired by the love of the Blackburn family, and how even death did not stop that. Charlotte had so much hope. She started out hoping for ice cream on a scorching hot summer's day, to hoping that her brother was still out there, alive. Even when Charlotte had doubts she carried on. Through out her whole life, Charlotte remembered the words of her father, 'God only gives us what we can handle'. And Charlotte now truly believed it. When she grew up she married a Pastor and they had a beautiful family. Although Charlotte never forgot the horrible day when she lost sight of hope, she also never forgot how God got her through it.

My sisters Keeper

Title: My Sisters Keeper

Author: Jodi Picoult

Where I found the book: Value village

Publisher: Wayne and Schuster

Where it was published: New York

Date of publication: 2004

# of pages: 500

Summary

This story is about two sisters. Now I am sure all you out there with siblings have problems, small or big, but once you hear Anna's story you will surely be forever grateful. This book was titled my sisters keeper because Anna's body is basically a market for her sister. Any of you ever heard of cancer? Yeah, these six letters are what is killing not just her big sister Kate, but her whole family. Her whole life Anna Fitzgerald has been a donor for Kate . In fact, Anna was born because of Kate. She never had a say in any thing, whether she wanted her kidneys delivered or not. She loved her sister very much, but sometimes Anna wonders what would've happened if Kate hadn't been sick, would she even be alive? As for her brother, growing up was a little different. With Kate's chemotherapy, no one ever noticed Jessie's Dyslexia. Jessie wanted attention so badly, he went into drugs. Having a child dying made him almost invisible. So who cared about what he did to his body?

Finally, Anna has a chance to stand up for herself. So when Campbell Alexander agrees to be her lawyer she begins her long journey to sue her parents for the right to her own body. Kate undergoes many treatments for her leukemia. All the while Anna's big day is coming closer and closer. Anna's mom is furious when she finds out what has been going on behind her back, but her daughter insists on carrying through. When Anna is asked why she is doing all this to her sister she collapses in tears. She had simply done what her sister had asked her to . No one believed her that Kate wanted to die, but through tears Anna explains the many times Kate had tried to kill her self. Anna was forced not to tell her parents that Kate had asked her to stop being a donor and after this information was stated, Anna is granted rights to her own body . Anna already knows hat she will never stop being a donor to Kate, However she was glad Campbell Alexander believed she could do it. When driving home, something happens that no one ever thought could happen. Kate lives! However,when Kate returns home there is one chair missing at the table.

Christian Perspective

Whether this book was written from a Christian perspective or not depends on the reader . While this book only mentions the Lord once or twice, I do believe it was. This story talked about a life full of struggles and hardship. And also the loving bond sisters can have for each other. Anna shows some very Christ like attitudes in this story, she gave up so much for her sister ,and that is what God expects each of us to do for each other. He will heal the broken, but sometimes he heals through people. So many people around the world are dying from cancer. And sadly this is such a strong disease, that sometimes people we love loose the battle. But we must remember that this is not our home. This life we live now is so precious, and we must be thankful for that, but just imagine how much more precious our lives will be in heaven. We will live with the mighty creator, the one who gave us life. Who heard our first word and final breath. God knows how hard this world is, his son died the sinners death, his life was on the same earth we now live on. Kate and Anna share a bound that not many sisters do, even when Anna is far away Kate still breaths through all the organs her sister has sacrificed. And that is what the Lord has done for us. We live because he suffered.

Jesus is calling us to do the same.

Personal Thoughts

I really enjoyed this book, however, I never knew I could cry this much over a story. It took me a few days to regain my strength. Then I remembered to be thankful for my life. This story includes themes of hope, sisterhood, and human rights. If you decide to read this book, I hope you will love the characters as much as I did, and welcome them into your family for a few days. Do remember to have a box of Kleenex beside you. I recommend this book to a strong reader. This book does deal with a lot of medical terms and concepts, however, if you stay strong for a little while longer you will make you see how beautiful words can be when put together. It is a lovely story of sisterhood and kindness, and something you sure won't forget. Enjoy!

Survival Paragraph

Hope is the flame inside us, flickering brave and bright. Even when our whole world is utter darkness. It has been said that one can go four days without water, a week without food, but not one minute without hope. Without hope, there is no hunger to live, no want to be alive, no chance of survival.
I know that Brian was afraid living in the wilderness alone, but he still had hope that someone would find him, hope that he would live. When Brian heard that simple beautiful hum, he had more hope than ever before. He could see himself with his father, crunching on sweet juicy corn laughing together. That's when his heart stopped, only for a second, then pounded harder and faster, as if it were about to explode. The plane was gone, more inportantly, so was his hope. Hope is a gift from the Lord, but it is up to us to hold on to it. If someone is in a desert, with no water and no hope, he will die. Hoever, if someone is in a desert without water, but still has hope, they will look for water. They will live until their bodies die, but the hope never dies out. The flame still flickers bright.

The Candy makers

Title: The Candy Makers

Author: Wendy Mass

Number of Pages: 453 (but it went by quicker than you can imagine)

Where I found the book: At the book store

Publisher: Little, Brown and Company

Date Published: October 2010

Summery

Every thing a child could ever dream of lay just moments away, A mouth watering adventure lingered on the tip of their tongue. How were four children supposed to handle it ? For Logan Sweet, however, the candy factory was his home. Logan's father was ,in fact the candy maker, but since his father wasn't getting any younger it was time to put his son, along with three other children, to the test to see who could create the most creative and delectable candy. Now you mustn't get this story mixed up with Charly and the chocolate factory, for that it definitely is not. But once the day finally arrives and the candy factory opens their doors, Logan finds himself face to face with three complete strangers ; Daisy , Phillip, and Miles.

Then the journey begins, the four of them embark on an adventure that will change their lives forever. The four children grow in their friend ships and just when Logan thinks he has found some friends every thing changes.

Logan realizes that all his friends want is the candy makers secret ingredient. How could they? Logan doesn't understand, can he trust them any more?

After they all have gotten down to work creating their candy,Logan approaches Miles. Was he supposed to just ask him what he was after? Relieved that Miles was most certainly not interested in any secret ingredient, he moved on to Daisy.

This is where Logan got confused. The Daisy she appeared to be, was definitely not the Daisy she really was, in fact, her name wasn't even Daisy. She soon became one of Logan's suspects.

Next stop Philip, But I'll leave you to find out the rest.

This story gives each character a chance to write their own perspective. And the title,

"The Candy Makers" explains how each child must create their own candy, but in the end they must combined all their ideas, and work together.

Christian Perspective

I'm not exactly sure how I could write a christian perspective for this story, however one thing that I noticed was that God uses his people to work together. He is calling us to be united as a family of Christ, just like Logan and his three friends did. Another thing that I saw in this book was that even if someone has hurt you before, we need to forgive them, we must forgive them and try to forget.

My Thoughts

I really enjoyed reading this book. Even though it may look a bit longer, that is no reason to turn it down. You will find your self drooling over all the delicious creations and reading chapters over just for the joy of it I got so attached to the book I forgot what was happening in my life, and stepped into the candy factory. Where Logan, Miles,Daisy, and Philip become part of your family I didn't want it to be over. I recommend this book to all candy lovers, and guess what? It doesn't even matter how much you don't enjoy reading.

All for the Cause of Caffeine

Once upon a time there lived an old American colonel. Now you see,this colonel was very, "attracted" shall we say, to caffeine. Every morning at breakfast he felt very possessive of his coffee mug. And his wife said that he simply had no discipline when it came to obsessions. Any way the old colonel decided that he would go to parliament. The only obstacle was that there was no coffee allowed in the building. He did not want to interfere with the fiscal law, but he must have his coffee with him at all times, he was, after all the colonel. He anxiously sat in waiting room. Many members of the council looked at him a second longer than necessary, but he considered it a complement. He knew it was unnecessary to to feel nervous, however he did feel slightly nauseous. Finally the door to the Prime minister's office opened and out walked the Prime minister himself. "Sir" said the colonel, "it is a privilege to see you". " As of you Colonel Jack. And what brings you here on such a fine Monday morning?" " Well said the colonel, actually I would like to inaugurate the first coffee store in America." " Really" said the Prime minister, " I wonder why?"

Elena

Elena's Book Review October 27

Information

Title: Wendy

Author: Karen Wallace

Publisher: Simon and Schuster

When and where it was published: Great Britain in 2003

Number of pages: 287

Where you found it: In my older sisters book shelf

Story Review

Just like many other children, Wendy Darling, just can't seem to understand grownups. It's all too confusing for a nine year old to comprehend, but soon Wendy must learn to hold on to what she believes even when you get confused by what you see. One night, Wendy, and her younger brother John decide to sneak downstairs and peek through the banister. What they imagined to see, women dancing and music playing, was not close to what they saw. Wendy simply can't erase the images that she has of that night Questions flood into her mind: does my father love someone else? did my mother do something wrong? do I have another brother? Wendy and her two younger brothers Michael, and John, are dragged through a roller coaster of life changing events, and once they finally accept that their family will never have joy or laughter in it ever again, they realize that they had got it all wrong. Yes their parents had had some secrets, but they still loved their children and they still loved each other. Wendy now understands that somethings are too complicated for her to understand but the faith of a child is stronger than any measure of understanding.

Christian Perspective

I Know that this book was not written from a Christian perspective, but I do understand that what wendy goes through in this story is to much for her to handle by her self . That's why we need God in our life. Yes the world can be ugly, but we can't expect it to be perfect because we made it this way. This is not where we will be forever and if Earth was so beautiful, we wouldn't want to leave. This story also shows me that while children grow up they tend to loose that faith that they have for their parents and become more independent. Just like that child, we need to rely fully on Jesus our heavenly father, and trust that he will get us through our struggles.

My Thoughts

I really enjoyed this book and sadly all books must have an end. It was a little bit hard to get into it but once you start reading, you can't put it down. The characters become your family members and you simply forget what problems and struggles you have in your life. You become Wendy and you are far away in the busy, bustling city of London. I would recommend this book to any one ready to go through the struggles wendy has. Someone with a pocketful of imagination, Someone eager for adventure.

Elena Klippenstein