Joey: How a Blind Rescue Horse Helped Others Learn to See

Summary: The heartwarming true story of a blind horse named Joey.
At the height of his show career, this beautiful Appaloosa’s majestic stature, strength, and willingness to work made him the perfect partner. But when an injury cost Joey his show career, he moved from one owner to the next, ultimately experiencing severe abuse and neglect. A rescue group found Joey nearly dead from starvation—and blind.

Then he came to Hope Reins—a ranch dedicated to helping hurting kids who had been abused, emotionally wounded, or unwanted. By teaching these children to care for rescued animals, the Hope Reins staff were convinced they could reach kids with love and hope and show them that we are never forgotten by God.

But could the financially struggling ranch afford to take care of a blind horse that no one else wanted? Could Joey somehow learn to trust people even though the world had hurt him so badly? And what would happen—to Joey, the kids, and Hope Reins—if they failed?

A true story of friendship destined to become a classic, Joey will touch your heart and reveal the power of finding light in the darkness.

Thoughts: This is an amazing story. I had the privilege of working at Hope Reins for a short period while I lived in NC and I loved the work these people did for families from all walks of life. The story of Joey is the beginning of it all and it shows the heart and foundation of the wonderful people who founded Hope Reins. The book itself is a heart-rending and then heart-warming story of loss and love and I highly recommend it.

Content: There are some hard and mature themes in the book so, even though it is largely clean, I recommend it for teens and adults. 

Kisses From Katie

Summary: What would cause an eighteen-year-old old senior class president and homecoming queen from Nashville, Tennessee, to disobey and disappoint her parents by forgoing college, break her little brother’s heart, lose all but a handful of her friends (because the rest of them think she has gone off the deep end), and break up with the love of her life, all so she could move to Uganda, where she knew only one person but didn’t know any of the language? A passion to make a difference. Katie Davis left over Christmas break her senior year for a short mission trip to Uganda and her life was turned completely inside out. She found herself so moved, so broken by the people and the children of Uganda that she knew her calling was to return and care for them. Her story is like Mother Teresa’s in that she has given up everything—at such a young age—to care for the less fortunate of this world. Katie, a charismatic and articulate young woman, has gone on to adopt 14 children during her time in Uganda, and she completely trusts God for daily provision for her and her family, which includes children with special needs.

To further her reach into the needs of Ugandans, Katie established Amazima Ministries. The ministry matches orphaned children with sponors worldwide. Each sponsor's $300/year provides schooling, school supplies, three hot meals a day, minor medical care, and spiritual encouragement. Katie expected to have forty children in the program; she had signed up 150 by January 2008; today it sponsors over 400. Another aspect of the ministry is a feeding program created for the displaced Karamojong people—Uganda's poorest citizens. The program feeds lunch to over 1200 children Monday-Friday and sends them home with a plate for food; it also offers basic medical care, Bible study, and general health training.

Katie Davis, now 21, is more than fascinating, she's inspiring, as she has wholeheartedly answered the call to serve.

Thoughts: I loved this story so much! Katie paints a clear picture of a whole new world, the good and the bad. She refuses to discriminate between the cultures she calls home and she fills each image, whether of the States or of Africa, with love and beauty. The simplicity of this book and the lives it shares hold your heart till the very end. Highly recommended for everyone wanting to explore new lands and cultures!

Content: The book covers some hard topics like sickness, abuse, poverty, rape, and many other issues these people faced. While everything is handled with care, we still suggest it for teens and adults. 

So You want to be a Wizard

Summary: Nita Callahan is at the end of her rope because of the bullies who've been hounding her at school... until she discovers a mysterious library book that promises her the chance to become a wizard. But she has no idea of the difference that taking the Wizard's Oath is going to make in her life. Shortly, in company with fellow beginner-wizard Kit Rodriguez, Nita's catapulted into what will be the adventure of a lifetime—if she and Kit can both live through it. For every wizard's career starts with an Ordeal in which he or she must challenge the one power in the universe that hates wizardry more than anything else: the Lone Power that invented death and turned it loose in the worlds. Plunged into a dark and deadly alternate New York full of the Lone One's creatures, Kit and Nita must venture into the very heart of darkness to find the stolen, legendary Book of Night with Moon. Only with the dangerous power of the wizardly Book do they have a chance to save not just their own lives, but their world...

Thoughts: This was a wild ride of a book! It started out pretty slow and cliche but I had no idea what was going on by the end. Honestly, it was pretty enjoyable but weird at the same time. While this book won't be making my favorites, it definitely stays to remind me that it wasn't just a fevered dream. if you ever want a book that refuses to be normal, read this one!

Content: Magic, mild language, and mild violence. Fine middle-grade readers and older. 

The Shadow Thieves

Summary: See that girl, the one with the bright red hair, overstuffed backpack, and aura of grumpiness? That's Charlotte Mielswetzski. And something extra-ordinary is about to happen to her.

Oh, it's not the very cute kitten that appears out of nowhere and demands to go home with her. It's not the sudden arrival of her cousin Zee, who believes he's the cause of a mysterious sickness that has struck his friends back in England. It's not her creepy English teacher Mr. Metos, who takes his mythology lessons just a little too seriously. And it's not the white-faced, yellow-eyed men in tuxedoes, who follow Charlotte everywhere.

What's so extraordinary is not any one of these things....It's all of them. And when Charlotte's friends start to get sick one by one, Charlotte and Zee set out to find a cure. Their quest leads them to a not-so-mythical Underworld, where they face rhyme-loving Harpies, gods with personnel problems, and ghosts with a thirst for blood.

Charlotte and Zee learn that in a world overrun by Nightmares, Pain, and Death, the really dangerous character is a guy named Phil. And then they discover that the fate of every person -- living and dead -- is in their young hands.

Thoughts: This was a fun read following in the footsteps of Percy Jackson. Full of mythology and fun this was a good read for most fans of these tropes as well as anyone living in Minnesota where most of the author's books are set as well as where Ants happened to be living when she read it which made it all the more enjoyable!

Content: The mythology side of this book lends itself to some creepy, dark, and magical scenes but it's otherwise clean for all ages.

The Marvelous Misadventures of Sebastian

Summary: When fourth fiddler Sebastian loses his place in the Baron's orchestra, he has to leave the only home he knows--which turns out to be the least of his troubles. He rescues a stray cat from a group of tormentors, who then smash his precious violin; and the troubled young boy he tries to help turns out to be the Crown Princess, on the run from an arranged marriage. Sebastian, Princess Isabel, and Presto the cat soon find themselves fleeing stuffy officials, hired assassins, furious guardsmen and sentries--and, in their journey, find out what is truly important in life.

Thoughts: I (Ants) am an avid fan of Lloyd Alexander's works. From Prydain to Vesper Holly and everything in between. This book is no exception. Following closely after the end of his most famous work, The Prydain series, this book still has a pretty classical feel to the writing style while, story-wise, falls into the same category as his more lighthearted and humorous works. I really enjoyed this one as it had a bit more meat to it than his usual standalone works while still remaining a neat little story. 

Content: Aside from some mild danger, this is a clean read for all ages!

The Magic Tree House

Summary: When Jack and Annie discover a mysterious tree house filled with books, they never dream that it will take them on exciting adventures around the world and throughout history! The story begins with Dinosaurs Before Dark, when Jack and Annie are whisked back to the prehistoric past. With a total of twenty-eight adventures, kids will never get tired of traveling the world and completing missions with their new friends Jack and Annie.
 
Books in this set include: Dinosaurs Before Dark (#1), The Knight at Dawn (#2), Mummies in the Morning (#3), Pirates Past Noon (#4), Night of the Ninjas (#5), Afternoon on the Amazon (#6), Sunset of the Sabertooth (#7), Midnight on the Moon (#8), Dolphins at Daybreak (#9), Ghost Town at Sundown (#10), Lions at Lunchtime (#11), Polar Bears Past Bedtime (#12), Vacation Under the Volcano (#13), Day of the Dragon King (#14), Viking Ships at Sunrise (#15), Hour of the Olympics (#16), Tonight on the Titanic (#17), Buffalo Before Breakfast (#18), Tigers at Twilight (#19), Dingoes at Dinnertime (#20), Civil War on Sunday (#21), Revolutionary War on Wednesday (#22), Twister on Tuesday (#23), Earthquake in the Early Morning (#24), Stage Fright on a Summer Night (#25), Good Morning, Gorillas (#26), Thanksgiving on Thursday (#27), and High Tide in Hawaii (#28).

Thoughts: Unlike most people reading this review, I did not grow up reading the Magic Tree House stories. I did, however, get to read several of this first series to my students aged 3-10, and they adored them. We enjoyed going through the different ages and eras together as well as hunting down the next book at every store or library we went to. Each book prompted further study into dinosaurs, astronauts, how the body works, and plenty of other things. These are also great for early readers to start on by themselves. They offer fun and adventure while teaching and helping curiosity to grow. A great series for read-a-loud's, especially if you're willing to go the extra mile and help them research answers for all the great questions these books will prompt!

Content: Since they are geared towards little kids, they are perfectly clean. There is some magic seen in the function of the tree house itself and the myths it ties into but is otherwise good for all ages! 

The Kneebone Boy

Summary: Life in a small town can be pretty boring when everyone avoids you like the plague. But after their father unwittingly sends them to stay with an aunt who’s away on holiday, the Hardscrabble children take off on an adventure that begins in the seedy streets of London and ends in a peculiar sea village where legend has it a monstrous creature lives who is half boy and half animal. . . .

Thoughts: Despite the intentionally creepy vibe this book puts off, it follows more closely in the footsteps of E. Nesbit than A Series of Unfortunate Events. This gives it a comfortable sense of mystery and family that is perfect for a rainy day with a hot cup of something good. I really fell in love with the story and the characters. The plot develops well and certainly ends in a surprise I did not see coming. It's one of those books that should be reread after the first reading to better see the clues dropped. All in all, a really great feel-good kinda story!

Content: Some scenes feel a little creepy in the moment but are later revealed to not have been as dangerous or eery as they appeared. Otherwise, a clean read for all ages!