No name

Ivanhoe

Book cover: 'Ivanhoe'
Author(s): 
Sir Walter Scott
Number of pages: 
539 pages
Copyright: 
1819
Publisher: 
Lepanto Press
Binding: 
Sewn Hardcover
Sample Pages
Subject(s): 
Historical Fiction
Setting: 
12th century
Review: 
Set in 12th century England, Sir Walter Scott's Ivanhoe is the story of a disinherited knight upon his return from the Crusades. The knight encounters civil unrest, beautiful maidens, traitorous knights, miserly Jews, and intrigue.

The language is archaic, and is written in "Olde" English. The exciting plot more that compensates however, for the difficulties with the language. The glossary also helps explain some of the obscure references encountered in the novel.

Ivanhoe is a colourful novel, full of memorable characters- Wamba, the fool, Robin of Locksley, the enigmatic Black knight, Cedric the proud Saxon, beautiful Rowena, courageous Rebecca, Gurth, the faithful swineherd, treacherous Prince John and his Norman compatriots, and jovial Prior Aymer the not-so-holy cleric.

Ivanhoe is five hundred pages of excellent reading, filled with drama, suspence, and comedy. It's historical fiction at its finest. It's a great family read-aloud, best suited for children over ten years of age. Because of its length and style of writing, it is perhaps best suited as a family read-aloud. A highly recommended addition to your study of the Middle Ages.

P.S. The video, starring Joan Fontaine and Elizabeth Taylor, was terribly disappointing, especially after reading the novel. In this case, stick with the book alone!

Additional notes: 

Reviewer ages 10-14

Reviewed by: 
Hogan Kids
First reviewed: 
7-25-2000

J. R. R. Tolkien

Book Cover
Author(s): 
Alexandra Wallen
Illustrator(s): 
John Wallen
Number of pages: 
32 pages
Copyright: 
2011
Publisher: 
Holiday House
Binding: 
Sewn Hardcover
Grade / Age level: 
Elementary
Review: 
The author and illustrator pair have done many children's picture books together, including the nice "Picture Book of..." American history series. The interesting and wonderful thing about Tolkien's life isn't easy to tell in a book for kids, because they were the things living inside his heart: his intelligence and discipline, his hard work, his love and dedication to his wife and children, his faith. This picture book tells the life of the renowned author of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, and it was a life of sorrows, and very ordinary. I like their imaginative way to tell it, illustrated as a progressive board game and populated by his fictional characters. While I may not love the style of the illustrations, the overall effect was sweet. This book can tell a child that a very "regular" life can amount to great things, and that a good writer need not have an exciting and adventurous life.
Reviewed by: 
Ana Braga-Henebry
First reviewed: 
1-11-2012

J.R.R. Tolkien

The Man Who Created the Lord of the Rings
Book cover: 'J.R.R. Tolkien: The Man Who Created the Lord of the Rings'
Author(s): 
Michael Coren
Number of pages: 
82 pages
Copyright: 
2001
Publisher: 
Scholastic
Binding: 
Softcover
Subject(s): 
Biographies
Authors
Setting: 
20th century
Grade / Age level: 
High School
Adults
Review: 
This is a surprisingly good, very readable biography of one of the most popular authors of all time. J.R.R. Tolkien was born in South Africa, the son of an English banker. After her return to England and the death of her husband, Tolkien's mother, Mabel, converted to Catholicism. Shunned by relatives after this, she was assisted by a kind parish priest who took care of her two sons after she died at age 34.

Michael Coren skillfully recounts Tolkien's life - growing up as an orphan, his lasting interest in language and learning and his battle experience in World War I. All the way through he includes interesting and enlightening details - especially ones that we will recognize as relevant to Tolkien's stories. Despite the secular publisher, Tolkien's faith is discussed in some detail (and quite fairly) with Joseph Pearce's book, Tolkien: Man and Myth, (Ignatius Press) featured as a prominent source. Coren does include brief summaries of the Hobbit and the Lord of the Rings which include some real plot-spoilers for those who haven't yet read them (they also aren't the most accurate book summaries I've ever read). I would suggest reading this biography after already having read The Hobbit and the Lord of the Rings. Although intended for youth reading, the story is delightful and interesting for adults (as well as a nice quick read).

Reviewed by: 
Alicia Van Hecke
First reviewed: 
2-27-2002

Jane's Historic Military Aircraft: Recognition Guide

Book cover: 'Jane's Historic Military Aircraft: Recognition Guide'
Author(s): 
Tony Holmes
Number of pages: 
448 pages
Copyright: 
1998
Publisher: 
Harper Collins
Binding: 
Sewn Softcover
Subject(s): 
History
Setting: 
Miscellaneous
Grade / Age level: 
All ages
Resource Type: 
General Resource
Review: 
There are a wealth of good and interesting books about the two World Wars: The Winged Watchman by Hilda Van Stockum, Enemy Brothers by Constance Savery, Flying Aces of World War I by Gene Gurney and many others. After reading a number of these, I began to wish for a book with pictures of the various types of airplanes in order to understand and appreciate the stories better.

I searched for such a guide unsuccessfully for a year or more before I happened to visit the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum in Washington D.C. where I came upon this little gem in the gift shop.

This 5" x 7 1/2" guidebook has a friendly size and tough binding for little hands. (We've had ours for over two years and it has held up very nicely.) It organizes the aircraft into five categories: World War I, Inter-War, World War II, Postwar and Helicopters. The categories are easy to find with color bars alongside each left-hand page. The book was written in the U.K. and thus does not focus on various smaller wars since World War II, but the "Postwar" and "Helicopter" segments do include some information about the Korean and Vietnam Wars. Also keep in mind that this is a guidebook for "Historic" Aircraft and thus does not include aircraft that is in use by military today.

Each two page spread includes a fact page on the lefthand side and a full-color photo of a restored or replica airplane that is in flying condition. The fact page includes a paragraph explaining the aircraft's history and features along with detailed specifications: name, type, accomodation, dimensions, weight, speed, range, first flight date, etc.

The book is a little expensive (around $25) and not an absolutely essential ingredient in the study of history, but we've found it to be a really nice supplement. It might make a great Christmas or Birthday present for your young World War II buff.

Reviewed by: 
Alicia Van Hecke
First reviewed: 
10-13-03

Jerome Lejeune: Saintly Geneticist

Book cover: Jerome Lejeune, Saintly Geneticist
Author(s): 
Ana Braga-Henebry
Illustrator(s): 
Anita Barghigiani
Number of pages: 
48 pages
Copyright: 
2024
ISBN: 
9781685780975
Publisher: 
Word on Fire Votive
Binding: 
Hardcover
Subject(s): 
Biographical Stories
Scientists
Grade / Age level: 
Elementary
Resource Type: 
Picture Books
Review: 

A wonderful book that integrates faith and science!

Ana Braga-Henebry and Anita Barghigiani have created an engaging book about Venerable Dr. Jerome Lejeune, the father of modern genetics. This lovely book is instructive for all ages! The book includes a timeline of important events in the life of Dr. Lejeune with dates and photographs from pivotal moments in his life. The author shares the story of Dr. Lejeune's childhood, his marriage, and his work as a pediatrician.

As a researcher, Dr. Lejeune worked hard to discover the genetics underlying Down syndrome and other genetic conditions. This book is an inspiring story of faith and excellence in scientific research. The book seamlessly integrates the true story of a faithful Christian man who understood the importance of both faith and science.

Additional notes: 

Our own Ana Braga-Henebry is this lovely new book's author!

Also see our review of Life is a Blessing, a biography of Dr. Lejeune for high school students and adults.

Reviewed by: 
Nancy Gerdes
First reviewed: 
05/30/2024

Jesus and I

Book cover: 'Jesus and I'
Author(s): 
Father Aloysius J. Heeg, S.J.
Number of pages: 
138 pages
Copyright: 
1958
Publisher: 
Loyola Press
Binding: 
Softcover
Subject(s): 
First Communion
First Confession
Review: 
Jesus and I remains a delightful catechism used to prepare both older and younger children for their First Confession and First Holy Communion. In use for decades, the content is solid yet presented in a manner that is clear and usable with young students. Gentle black and white drawings appeal to more sensitive and/or younger children who shy away from more graphic pictures in modern texts.

Jesus and I is organized into very short lessons that lend themselves to direct, oral teaching and discussion. It is designed to be used BY the teacher WITH the student, not by handing the book to the student to read and fill in answers by himself. The book begins with several pages of prayers that we should know by heart. The lesson titles are phrases from these prayers, and the lesson content explains that particular phrase. For example, the lesson titled "Angel of God, my guardian dear" explains Catholic teachings on angels. The lesson titled "And blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus" explains the Incarnation. As the children memorize their prayers, they are also being taught what the prayers mean.

Each lesson begins with a narrative written in simple, short sentences. This is followed by the "How Many Can You Answer?" section of questions for the youngest students. Next are the "Can You Also Answer These?" questions for older students, which come from the First Communion Catechism in use when the book was originally written. The book ends with sections on "When I Go to Confession" and "When I Go to Holy Communion" followed by a summary of all of the First Communion Catechism questions.

Perspective: 
Catholic
Additional notes: 

1958 Imprimatur updated in 1978 with permission

Reviewed by: 
Susan Kalis
First reviewed: 
10-29-05

Jesus Feeds Everybody!

Book cover: Jesus Feeds Everybody
Author(s): 
Choi, Young-Jin
Kim, Jung-Cho
Copyright: 
2007
ISBN: 
0819839876
Publisher: 
Pauline Books & Media
Subject(s): 
The Life of Christ
Resource Type: 
Picture Books
Review: 

Jesus Feeds Everybody! by Young-Jin Choi and Jung-Cho Kim, is an English translation of a board book originally published in Korea. The multiplication of the loaves and fishes came to life for Ramona. She loved this brightly illustrated book and I think she especially loved that it comes with a built-in ribbon handle for convenient toting.

A very happy Jesus, cute bunnies and lambs and its own handle ... Ramona was pleased.

Perspective: 
Catholic
Additional notes: 

I recently received a couple of new books from Pauline Books and Media and Ramona was taken with both of them. The books are this one, Jesus Feeds Everybody!, and The Easter Swallows by Vicki Howie.

Reviewed by: 
Karen Edmisten
First reviewed: 
April 05, 2007

Jesus of Nazareth

The Story of His Life Simply Told
Book cover: 'Jesus of Nazareth: The Story of His Life Simply Told'
Author(s): 
Mother Mary Loyola
Number of pages: 
358 pages
Copyright: 
1906
Publisher: 
Little Flower Home Education
Binding: 
Softcover
Subject(s): 
Biographies
The Life of Christ
Review: 
"We did not see what the people of His own land saw every day, but we have the story of His life written by those who knew Him intimately, and it ought to be familiar to us all... It is of more importance to us by far than anything else we have to learn. It was written, not for mankind in general, but for each of us, one by one, that we might study it and copy its lessons into our own lives." p. 22

There is no substitute for reading the story of Christ's life in the Gospels themselves. First hand sources are always the best, but this book can assist in developing a more complete understanding and familiarity with the life of Jesus. The author is obviously well-acquainted with the geography, history and culture of Palestine and its people and gives us many of these sort of details which are not explained in the Bible. She is also well-versed in the Bible - particularly Our Lord's life and the foreshadowing and prophecies of the Old Testament related to it. I found the details of how Jesus fulfilled the Old Testament prophecies particularly fascinating.

The story is very beautifully written and the events are related in terms of what we know from the biblical accounbts, relevant prophecies and considerations and meditations on why Our Lord did certain things and what He and others may have been thinking about each event.

Some may dispute the "Simply Told" aspect of the title because of a certain amount of antiquated language. Be assured that definitions given in the footnotes (at the bottom of each page)are very helpful. Footnoted scriptural references allow for a more easy comparison of the relevant passages from the original text. The author shows some reluctance (as seems rather common with authors of that time period) to discuss certain events connected with the Annunciation and the Incarnation such as Saint Joseph's thought of divorcing Mary when he found that she was with child and his reassurance by an angel in a dream.

I think this book would make a rather nice family read-aloud during Lent. We found it very nice (even for our six year old) when we read a chapter or two at a time (the chapters are rather short) and spent some time discussing events as we went along.

Perspective: 
Catholic
Reviewed by: 
Alicia Van Hecke
First reviewed: 
2-8-2000

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