Playing Catch Up - Children's Lit

Some of what I’ve read over the last months has included middle grade chapter books and one lone young adult fiction.

I love kids’ books.

The Lightning Thief

By Rick Riordan

2005

 

This book is the first in the Percy Jackson & The Olympians series, and, what can I say? It was an interesting and exciting book. My nine year old loved it, after his initial surprise at the end of chapter one. 

This book is full of Greek mythology from Zeus to Medusa to Hades. Interesting stories for certain, but it also includes sacrifices to the gods, seeking help from the gods, giving the gods credit for creation... wind, water, sky... 

Fine and good as a story, but there were people who believed this and, consequently, miss out on the true Creator of it all.

A Proud Taste for Scarlet and Miniver

By E.L. Konigsburg

1973

I came upon this particular title on our recent holiday to California. It was tucked away in an aged children’s play area and I thought the cover looked intriguing. The library back home had it, and the rest is history (pun intended).

This book takes place way back in the 1100’s in England and France, telling the story of King Henry II, King Louis of France, Eleanor of Aquitaine and her two infamous sons, Richard the Lion Heart and Prince John.

All from the vantage point and retrospect of Heaven.

The story is interesting, especially for a history lover like me, though it makes Heaven sound fantastical.

I will definitely be looking up Eleanor of Aquitaine in my old history books.

Daughter of War

By Marsha Forchuk Skrypuch

2008

This book was my token young adult read, and out of all three books listed here, it was definitely my favourite.

And the most intense.

Daughter of War covers the massacre of Armenians in the Ottoman Empire during the early Twentieth Century. According to historical records, in April, 1909 more than 30,000 Armenians were slaughtered within a few very short days.

Thousands of Armenian homes were burned to the ground.

People were marched into the desert to die.

And this was only the beginning.

Fascinating.

Horribly sad.

Graphic and detailed in parts.

A great read for older kids. Thus, the young adult designation.

Reading on...