The Great and Only Barnum

The tremendous, stupendous Candace Fleming has written another thought-provoking biography about the greatest showman on earth. The Great and Only Barnum is full of fascinating facts, amazing anecdotes, sensational sidebars, and phenomenal photographs.

The Great and Only Barnum begins with P.T. Barnum’s birth and ends with his death. Barnum was born in a very poor family in 1810 and he died 81 years later. He was named after his grandfather, Phineas Taylor, but his family called him Tale. His grandfather enjoyed playing pranks on family members.

Onward – Photobiography of African-American Explorer Matthew Henson

Jason’s Review: Matthew Henson was born on August 8, 1866, in Charles County, Maryland. When Matthew was seven years old, his mother died. His father remarried. Six years later his father got killed in a farming accident, leaving Matthew all on his own.

Now let’s stop right there. He’s only 13 years old. He lost his mother AND father. He must have felt horrible. Think about it. Stick yourself in his shoes. I would feel horrible and miserable without my mom and dad.

Freedom Riders – Story of the Civil Rights Movement

Jason’s Review: Freedom Riders is a nonfiction book written by Ann Bausum with Forewords written by two of the Freedom Riders, John Lewis and Jim Zwerg. John Lewis is currently a congressman for the state of Georgia.

After reading this book, I was left with so many feelings for the Blacks. (Negros) They had their reasons, and they didn’t believe violence would help. They wanted their equal rights and they non-violently fought for them.

George vs George by Rosalyn Schanzer

Jason’s Review: George VS George is a comparison book about George Washington and King George III. It takes place during the American Revolutionary War. Washington lived on Mount Vernon, and in contrast, King George lived in a beautiful building in the city of London. Washington led the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War. It all started w/ the French-Indian War, which left the British with a huge debt.

Amelia Earhart: The Legend of the Lost Aviator

Jason’s Review: Amelia Earhart was born in 1897 in Iowa. She grew up to be one of the world’s greatest pilots. The first plane she flew in was the Canuck, and later, she bought her own plane that she called “The Canary.” In 1928, Amelia was the first woman to cross the Atlantic Ocean by plane.

Where oh where did my little blog go?

Once upon a time, a long, long time ago, in Cyberspace, USA, I created this blog. It was my initiation into the world of internet social networking. The beginning of building my author’s platform! My intent was to blog about the evolution and transformation of a stay-at-home mom to Ms. Published Author Extraordinaire.

Dwarf African Frog

In 2007, Santa Claus decided to reward my 7-year-old son’s good behavior by giving him a fish tank. But Santa forgot to leave him the “How to Care for Your Fish” user manual. All the fish died two days later. That was the year my son stopped believing in Santa Claus.

Dog of Discovery

Did you know that Meriwether Lewis brought a special companion on his adventure to the west coast? He took his Newfoundland dog named Seaman.

I’m Going to Chautauqua

I received a grant from Highlights to attend their summer conference. I’m so thrilled to have the opportunity to meet people from the publishing world. But July is coming fast and I have so many things to do before the conference. I’m looking forward to a good time.

Stampede

My 6-year-old son’s face turned beet red when I read the poem “Blush” from Laura Salas’s new book “Stampede” to him. Turns out he has a crush on a classmate.