Last year I had the opportunity to review, Salem Ridge Press, a publisher that specializes in  quality reprints of books from the late nineteenth and early twentieth century.  Salem Ridge is also a homeschool family business so they understand the challenges many parent face in finding appropriate books for advanced readers.


I enjoyed one of their historical fiction (you can read the previous post) and noticed that they had several titles that seemed familiar.  I received one book for younger readers from the book series entitled Mary Jane, which involves a little girl named (I'm sure you have guessed this!) "Mary Jane".  

Here is my previous review of this title:

Mary Jane -- a little girl at home
There are titles for younger readers as well. One of these was also in my review package. Mary Jane: Her Book by Clara Judson was a delightful story about a little girl and her little girl adventures and misadventures. Young girls will find a good role model in this character as well as being entertained. Her life was simple and yet that simplicity is what we found so endearing.

One reviewer commented that these are likely the same books our grandmothers read! I have to agree with her that I feel a connection to my grandmother when I think of that. The lifestyle in Mary Jane reminds me of days spent with my grandmother. Mary Jane is five years old and she walks to the store with notes to pick up goods alone!! I remember doing that as a little girls (does that date me too much?). As I read this book, I felt drawn back in time to a simpler life and I wanted that life!!! I was encouraged by the interaction between the mother in the story and her little girl. The mother really took her little girl under her wing to work beside her -- home education at its best.

These are the types of books that populated my grandmother's shelves (she was a former teacher) over 40 years ago; I relished the hours I spent sitting on the stairs with her books. I believe your little daughter will enjoy this as a read aloud and your slightly older competent reader will enjoy it.

I'm not sure if I read that particular book when I was a little girl at my grandmother's house, but I remember reading many books like this one.  Simple and sweet!   Mothers, advanced reading first graders, and even older girls will enjoy this book and find it encouraging.   It reminds me somewhat of the Elsie Dinsmore series.  


So Here's the exciting news!

 

Salem Ridge Books is having a pre-Christmas sale and free shipping promotion.  The SALE ends TODAY, Friday the 6th, but free shipping lasts all month long.  If you buy three books, you get a fourth book free so long as you order by midnight Friday!

Salem Ridge offers downloads of first chapters for many of their books so you can test and see if they meet your needs.     

Going along with the sale, I'm giving away my copy of the Mary Jane book.  It is in perfect condition, still suitable for gift giving - or stocking stuffing.   

In order to be entered into the drawing for this book you must leave a comment and be sure that you include your email address so I can send you the annoucement if you win.   

To make this fun for everyone - in your comment, list the title of your favorite book when you were in early elementary school! I'll select a name radomly at the end of next week. 

I'll start off:   One of my favorite books as an early reader was  Little Black a Pony by Walter Farley.   


Walter Farley is the well-known author of the Black Stallion series which is written for upper elementary and junior high level children.  I certainly enjoyed reading those books later.  However, Little Black was the first real independent reading book I ever owned or read independantly.  

One day, when I was in first grade,  the mailman delivered a flat box to our door addressed to me from the Beginner Books Book Club; in it was a copy of Dr. Suess's Cat in the Hat and Little Black a Pony.  I can still remember the smell and the feel of that new book.   I sat right down and read it - to the surprise of my parents who thought it might be too hard for me.  And I reread it and then reread it again. I delighted in the color pictures.  I imagined myself riding my pony to town and being so independant and adventuresome (yes -- I had a pony, but had to stay in the pasture).   I sympathized with Little Black when he was replaced by a larger horse and (spoiler alert!) cheered for him when this spunky little pony saved the day!

(I didn't enjoy Cat in the Hat nearly so much -- I guess I'm more of a realist than a fantasy reader.  I did read Dr. Suess books to my children though for the rhyming language but that is another post!)



Several years ago a found a copy of my long lost favorite title in the book store and it now resides on my book shelf next to several other old friends.  

Now -- what is your favorite book from childhood?  We all want to know!

 

Writing Roadblocks.

Although I have always been a reasonably good writer, I found teaching the writing process to my students difficult. During the middle school years, our struggles became more pronounced -- to the point of bringing us to a stand still in writing instruction.

One program that has really worked for us is Write Shop. This program for grades 5 - 10 is structured and easy to use without being overwhelming to either the parent or the student.

For the past year I've enjoyed the blog, In Our Write Minds, written by Kim Kautzer and Debbie Oldar, the authors
of the Write Shop curriculum. The articles are like mini teacher workshops! I always find good tips and encouragement in the posts.

This morning, in my email, was an announcement of a new blog series for In Our Write Minds. I don't know when I've welcomed a series of articles so heartily! I know that my children have struggled with every single one of the 10 Stumbling Blocks to Writing.

I"ve struggled with the paralysis and fear their struggles produced! The comment about howling protests is spot on for my child -- have the Write Shop author's bugged our school room?

I have just read the first article of the series: Stumbling Block #1 - Lack of Confidence.
While the suggestions to overcome this road block naturally focus on the Write Shop program''s solution, the suggestions apply to any writing assignment and also to other programs. In fact, the wisdom of setting clear boundaries applies to many areas of homeschooling!

I think you'll enjoy following this series with me! Together we'll learn how to help struggling middle school students become accomplished writers.

Quilt for a Mission

Hi all -- I hope you will forgive the long lapse in posts. The Fall season is always busy isn't it?

I'm going to indulge myself a bit to promote a good thing.

The folks at Mt. Calvary Baptist Church in Banner Elk, NC are going to Kenya again this year to help build a seminary, encourage the local churches and also to witness in the rural schools. I thought I had some pictures on this computer to post of last year's trip -- but alas, they are somewhere in the files and I can't find them.

What I do have, however, is a photo of the quilt someones grandmother gave to boost the team's resources. You can win this quilt with a small donation to this raffle!

Isn't it a great quilt. (oops I just noticed the little dog in the lower corner -- she's NOT included with the quilt).

This quilt's size is 73 x 68 -- in case you are measurement challenged like I am, let me just say that it will cover the top of a queen size mattress!

I think this quilt will work on a twin bed quite nicely and could be a folded cover on the foot of a double or a queen.

Here is a close-up of the pattern and colors:


The fabrics are all replicas of fabrics from the 1930's era and the pattern is traditional for that time period as well. I guess that is why it is called the "'30's Quilt".

This is a hand cut and pieced quilt. [My mother corrected my quilter's lingo -- she pieced the quilt on her sewing machine -- not by sewing all those hundreds of little 1 inch squares by hand. Quilters do apparently do still sew these things with a single needle and thread the old fashioned way -- but not her. Nevertheless -- I'm impressed and I'm sure you will be -- there are hundreds of little squares all arranged in a lovely pattern no matter how they got sewn together!] It is machine quilted in a random spiral pattern and "signed" by the quilter who is an award winning member of an Eastern NC Guild. This piece is meant to be used and will last decades with proper care.


I think the colors will look great in a casual sun room -- or in a girl's room. Who wouldn't want to be tucked in with something this pretty!



Mt. Calvary's mission team is offering tickets to win this quilt for $2 each or three chances for $5. (you KNOW you want three tickets!!!) All the money will go to support mission team members with their expenses and/or help purchase materials for the trip.

Email me at dallen17@nc.rr.com and I'll tell you where to send your donation and how to make out the checks. (I am NOT doing this raffle myself, all checks must be made out to Mt. Calvary -- just want to make that very clear!!!! I can help you get your donation to the proper address to get your name in the pot).


The drawing will be in the first week of December and the winner will be notified by phone call no later than Dec. 11. That way you can have this for Christmas.

The team leaves on Dec. 31 for Kenya so time is important here. Email me today so you won't miss this great chance to win a one of a kind - handmade - piece of practical Americana artwork.

(In case you are wondering -- my 70 year old mother made this quilt for the mission raffle. My grown son attends Mt. Calvary and is one of their mission team members. This mission to Kenya is a real blessing to the students and teachers at the Emmanuel Bible School in Eldoret. They train local pastors to take the Gospel into the far flung communities. )