Categories
Early Grade Book Videos Middle Grade Book Videos

Paddington Takes to TV Part 1

Paddington Takes to TV by Michael Bond Part 1. This video is just the first part of the first Chapter in the book. Part 2 is available. Click here to listen and watch. https://youtu.be/vKvKSLcZBuk

Categories
Middle Grade Book Videos

Dear Student by Elly Swartz

To hear a bit more about this Dear Student column and its writer please click on the following link. https://youtu.be/9jKzPiZp-Ns

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Early Grade Book Videos Middle Grade Book Videos Upper Grade Book Reading Videos

Mr. Bliss

Mr. Bliss by JRR Tolkien read by Andy M. Click on this link to hear the book read to you. https://youtu.be/jMVDSd4qT-4

Categories
Middle Grade Book Videos

Solimar

Solimar: The sword of the Monarchs by Pam Munifoz Ryan

To hear the first chapter go to https://youtu.be/yo0IY-s8Kss.

Categories
Book Blurbs - School New Books in School Library School Library News

New Books in School Library

The Smart Cookie, The Couch Potato and The Sour Grape by Jory John. These are all part of his “Food Group” books.
The Smart Cookie : This cookie has never felt like a smart cookie no matter how hard she tries, especially in comparison to all the clever cupcakes and brilliant rolls in the bakery. Will a dash of creativity and a sprinkle of confidence be enough to help her learn that perfect score.
The Couch Potato has everything within reach and doesn’t have to move from the sunken couch cushion. But when the electricity goes out, Couch Potato is forced to peel away from the comforts of the living room and venture outside. Could fresh air and sunshine possibly be better than the views on screens and having all the answers aren’t the only ingredients for intelligence?
The Sour Grape holds grudges for every reason under the sun. Lime never returned a scarf they borrowed? Grudge! Orange never called back? Grudge! But when a friend holds a grudge against the Sour Grape without listening to an explanation, the Sour Grape realizes how unfair grudges can be. Could a bunch of forgiveness and compassion be enough to turn a sour grape sweet?

The Big Cheese by Jory John is perfect for Wisconsin residents as it deals with our favorite food from the state.
The Big Cheese is the best at everything, and brags about it, too. When the annual Cheese-cathlon comes around, the Big Cheese is prepared to win, as always. But what happens when the quiet new kid, Wedge Wedgeman, comes out on top? Is a slice of humility all the Big Cheese needs to discover that some things are better than being the best? 
Tasty Finger Food Recipes for Kids was added because the cookbook section of the library is frequently used during the school year. I have not been able to determine whether the students check out a recipe book for themselves or to give to the adult cook in the home for suggestions. Either way it is fun to watch the kids go to that section and look for a book.
The Lion of Mars by Jennifer L. Holm
Blast off with New York Times bestselling and Newbery Honor-winning Jennifer L. Holm’s out-of-this-world new novel about a kid raised on Mars who learns that he can’t be held back by the fears of the grown-ups around him.

Bell has spent his whole life – all eleven years of it – on Mars. But he’s still just a regular kid – he loves cats, any kind of cake, and is curious about the secrets the adults in the US colony are keeping. Like, why don’t have contact with anyone on the other Mars colonies? Why are they so isolated? When a virus breaks out and the grown-ups all fall ill, Bell and the other children are the only ones who can help. It’s up to Bell – a regular kid in a very different world – to uncover the truth and save his family … and possibly unite an entire planet.

Amari and the Night Brothers by B.B. Alston.
“Amari Peters has never stopped believing her missing brother, Quinton, is alive. Not even when the police told her otherwise, or when she got in trouble for standing up to bullies who said he was gone for good. So when she finds a ticking briefcase in his closet, containing a nomination for a summer tryout at the Bureau of Supernatural Affairs, she’s certain the secretive organization holds the key to locating Quinton–if only she can wrap her head around the idea of magicians, fairies, aliens, and other supernatural creatures all being real.”
Clarice the Brave by Lisa McMann.
When they are separated at sea, mouse siblings Clarice and Charles Sebastian, who were taught to be careful, now need to be bold if they are to survive–and keep their promise to find one another again.
The Comeback by E. L. Shen Twelve-year-old Maxine Chen dreams of being a figure skating champion, but a remarkably talented new girl at the arena and a racist classmate at school test her resolve.
God Gives Us Heaven explains salvation to children based on Romans 6:3-11 and Revelation 21:1-6; 22:1-5. Death is hard to understand at any age. Through this story, children are comforted by the knowledge that death on Earth is only temporary thanks to the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
God invites His children to pray about everything, including their sins and temptations—and He promises to hear! This 24-book collection presents extra special prayers about common concerns young children encounter in their daily lives.

Being afraid of scary things or other bad things happening are normal struggles that many children face.

God, I Need to Talk to You about Being Afraid applies God’s invitation to His children to pray about everything and His promise to listen. Colorfully illustrated and written from a child’s point of view, this book describes everyday situations children encounter, along with the reassurance that even though life is full of scary things and moments, bad things do happen, and people get hurt, God is still with His children and loves and cares for them and sends people to help them stay safe. Comforted by God’s promises to always protect His children and listen to their prayers, children finish the story reminded of God’s love for them.

Balancing screen time is a normal struggle that many children face.

God, I Need to Talk to You about Screen Time applies God’s invitation to His children to pray about everything and His promise to listen. Colorfully illustrated and written from a child’s point of view, this book describes everyday situations children encounter, along with the message that screens can be harmful to the way bodies are designed, but that there are healthy ways to honor God with the bodies He has designed. Comforted by God’s promises to always forgive, help, and listen to prayers, children finish the story reminded of God’s love for them and His gift of their bodies!

Just Harriet by Elana K. Arnold
Harriet Wermer is unhappy about having to spend her summer with her grandmother on Marble Island until she discovers a mystery involving her dad from when he was a boy living on the island.
Categories
Book Blurbs - Church church books

New Books in Church Library 2023

The Baptismal River by Richard Davenport.
“There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God” (Psalm 46:4). Seeing that river and returning to its renewing waters is the aim of Rev. Richard Davenport’s Bible study, The Baptismal River. Using especially Old Testament events that foreshadow the baptismal flood in Christ, the study provides the participant with all the gifts that God promises through Baptism, which “assuredly means forgiveness, but it also means quite a bit more.” Through The Baptismal River, the reader will be submerged in all the wonders of our life-giving Trinity that the baptismal flood delivers.”
-Rev. Dr. Kent J. Burreson, professor of systematic theology, Concordia Seminary, St. Louis
Together We Believe by Emily Belvery
The Apostles’ Creed. You repeat it week after week in church, but have you stopped to contemplate the words you’re speaking? Better yet, have you considered how the Apostles’ Creed is used in the mission field to speak Christ’s love and God’s truth to the world? Embark on a cross-cultural journey of The Apostles’ Creed from the mission field in Asia all the way to your home. 
Knowing God and having a personal relationship with Him is crucial to developing your faith. That includes learning His Word in your native language. As author Emily Belvery worked in the mission field, it was pivotal for her to learn how to speak this foundational statement of faith in the heart language of the people she was reaching out to. As she studied, she renewed her appreciation and joy for the Apostles’ Creed.
Extra Nos -Discovering Grace Outside Myself by Flame
A deeply personal account of one man’s faith, Extra Nos recounts hip-hop Christian rapper FLAME’s journey from Calvinism to Lutheranism.
After a serious car accident when he was 16, FLAME dedicated his music to Christian doctrine. Follow his path of being discovered as an artist to attending Concordia Seminary. In Extra Nos, FLAME dissects the misguided lyrics he used to write and details the truth he found in Lutheranism. 
While FLAME’s faith journey and life may be unique, readers will recognize the forgiveness, kindness, and healing nature of Lutheranism. 
The Lutheran Reader’s Bible is designed to help develop a habit of devotion and meditation to slowly but intentionally grow in God’s Word. Guided reading plans, prayers, and historical information accompany this English Standard Version (ESV) text to help readers feel confident in their understanding of the Bible.
In this two-volume set, readers find new understanding for personal meditation or preaching in the expansive timeline of the Old and New Testament, as well as the Intertestamental Era. Fascinating insights on the Bible’s themes provide additional depth:
Theological topics and literary features found in each book of the Bible
Significant events, people, and places found in detailed outlines and maps
Biblical reflections from Martin Luther and Johann Gerhard
Color photography and art illustrating stories, daily life, and landscapes (600+)
Hardback. 2 volumes. 1,128 and 1,016 pages.
The font size is 11 point. 
God, I Need to Talk to You about Violence applies God’s invitation to His children to pray about everything and His promise to listen. Colorfully illustrated and written from a child’s point of view, this book describes everyday situations children encounter, along with the reassurance that while there are bad things in the world, God still loves and cares for His children. Comforted by God’s promises to always be with His children, children finish the story reminded of God’s love for them.

God, I Need to Talk to You about Worrying applies God’s invitation to His children to pray about everything and His promise to listen. Colorfully illustrated and written from a child’s point of view, this book describes everyday situations children encounter, along with the reassurance that even if something bad happens, God still is with His children and loves and cares for them. Comforted by God’s promises to always be with His children and listen to their prayers, children finish the story reminded of God’s love for them.

God, I Need to Talk to You about Being Patient applies God’s invitation to His children to pray about everything and His promise to listen. Colorfully illustrated and written from a child’s point of view, this book describes everyday situations children encounter, along with the reassurance that even though His children are not always patient, God will forgive them and help them to be patient. Comforted by God’s promises to always forgive, help, and listen to prayers, children finish the story reminded of God’s love for them.

God, I Need to Talk to You about Loving Others applies God’s invitation to His children to pray about everything and His promise to listen. Colorfully illustrated and written from a child’s point of view, this book describes everyday situations children encounter, along with the message that God made each of His children to be different and that He blesses them with friends. Comforted by God’s promise to always listen to prayers, children finish the story reminded of God’s love for them.

Reading and understanding the Bible can be difficult, even for lifelong Christians. Even more so, it is difficult to see how your personal life fits in with the family lineages, narratives, and parables from Christ’s teaching.
Author Rev. Dr. Adam T. Filipek gives you the key to understanding how your life story—yes, your story today—is interwoven with the life of Christ in the Bible. Piece together each of the narratives in the Old and New Testament to see how God has grafted your life onto the beautiful saving life of Christ.
Life in Christ will take you through the Bible chronologically, giving you an important overview of the historical retellings so you can understand the timeline of His Word. See how God is working in your day-to-day through each of the Gospel books. As you piece together how these narrative threads are woven into one big picture, you will also see that the faith and Church are not about the individuals, but rather, it’s forever pointing back to the story of God’s Son and His sacrifice for humanity.
The government tells fifteen-year-old Simon Clay everything he needs to know. Except what really happened to his mom. And why no one can go out at night. And why the Darkness is so dangerous.
In this three-book series, Simon and his friends and family face danger, challenges, and struggles. But despite the peril they find themselves in, they are willing to do anything it takes to protect the Message worth dying for.
This set includes all three books in the series: DiscoveredConcealed, and Revealed.
An easy-to-use resource for teaching the faith in a simple way. Colorful icons and illustrations guide children through each tenet of faith as encouraged in Luther’s Small Catechism. Older elementary-aged students will be able to read and study concepts from the 2017 Explanation of the catechism with terms and language they understand.

Luther’s Small Catechism for Kids is a resource on concepts from the 2017 Explanation of the catechism for elementary-aged students. They will learn tenets of faith through illustrations and easy-to-understand language.

This workbook is for use alongside the catechism for kids. Helping to explain the language, terminology, and contexts of the catechism, this student book allows for deeper understanding and engagement. Students will answer questions, practice memorization, learn definitions, and fill in the blanks.

The Messianic Message: by R. Reed Lessing and Andrew E. Steinmann People typically associate Jesus and look for Him in the New Testament. However, we do see instances of Jesus throughout the Old Testament. In The Messianic Message R. Reed Lessing and Andrew E. Steinmann go through each book of the Old Testament and explain each prediction, pattern, and presence of Jesus.
This book intended for lay people, helps readers understand Jesus’ role and how these instances were beginning to lay the groundwork for His birth and ministry in the New Testament. Study the Old Testament through a Christ-centered lens in The Messianic Message and continue building your faith foundation and strengthening your relationship with the Messiah.
Immanuel’s Veins by Ted Dekker This story is for everyone–but not everyone is for this story.
It is a dangerous tale of times past. A love story full of deep seduction. A story of terrible longing and bold sacrifice.
Then as now, evil begins its courtship cloaked in light. And the heart embraces what it should flee. Forgetting it once had a truer lover.
With a kiss, evil will ravage body, soul, and mind. Yet there remains hope, because the heart knows no bounds.
Love will prove greater than lust. Sacrifice will overcome seduction. And blood will flow.
Because the battle for the heart is always violently opposed. For those desperate to drink deep from this fountain of life, enter.
But remember, not everyone is for this story.
It has been ten years since Quentin helped Eskevar, the Dragon King, battle the monstrous sorcerer Nimrood.  Since that time, there has been peace in the land of Mensandor.  But everything is about to change.
An urgent message summons Quentin to Castle Askelon.  The king, who is dying, wishes to name the brave young man his successor.  But first, he sends him on an unfathomable mission.
What Quentin and his friend Toli, the Jher horseman, discover is not for the cowardly.  The brightening Wolf Star is an omen of impending evil that might herald the beginning of the end of mankind on earth.  It signifies Nin, a fearsome giant of a man who hopes to add Mensandor to his growing empire.  Along with his merciless warlords, they are the fulfillment of a nightmarish prophecy.
In The Warlords of Nin, the second book in The Dragon King Trilogy, Stephen R. Lawhead continues the mythical saga that began with In the Hall of the Dragon King.
Raven’s Ladder by Jeffrey Overstreet
Following the beacon of Auralia’s colors and the footsteps of a mysterious dream-creature, King Cal-raven has discovered a destination for his weary crowd of refugees. It’s a city only imagined in legendary tales. And it gives him hope to establish New Abascar.
 
But when Cal-raven is waylaid by fortune hunters, his people become vulnerable to a danger more powerful than the prowling beastmen––House Bel Amica. In this oceanside kingdom of wealth, enchantment, and beauty, deceitful Seers are all too eager to ensnare House Abascar’s wandering throng.
 
Even worse, the Bel Amicans have discovered Auralia’s colors, and are twisting a language of faith into a lie of corruption and control.
 
If there is any hope for the people of Abascar, it lies in the courage of Cyndere, daughter of Bel Amica’s queen; the strength of Jordam the beastman; and the fiery gifts of the ale boy, who is devising a rescue for prisoners of the savage Cent Regus beastmen.
 
As his faith suffers one devastating blow after another, Cal-raven’s journey is a perilous climb from despair to a faint gleam of hope––the vision he sees in Auralia’s colors.
Categories
School Library News

A gift for the Library

Thank you Mrs. Gottschalk for the gift of two books for our library. It was wonderful that you met the author, Jerry Craft and had him sign the books. Students, you may find these in the Graphic Novel section of our library. We have the first book of the series already on the shelf.
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2023-2024 Book Reviews

Welcome to School Year 2023-2024

Categories
Recommendations School Library News

Book Recommendations

Harper recommends Where the Mountain meets the Moon.
Brooklyn recommends Junko Tebei Masters the Mountains.
Farrah recommends Escape from Lucien.
Mafanta recommends Way to Make Sunshine.
Samairah recommends Ghost
Nailah recommends The Sandwich Swap
Marcus recommends I Will Take a Nap
Zurri recommends The Bad Guys
Malia recommends The Thank You Book
Alicia recommends Bad Kitty
Brooklyn recommends Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone

Zoe recommends The Summer I Turned Pretty
River Rose recommends Dog Man: Grime and Punishment
Harper recommends Winds in the Willows
Kristian recommends Goosebumps:
Most Wanted Nightmares on Clown Street
Daylin recommends Goosebumps : Slappy World
Sidiki recommends I Survived
Bella and Jamari recommend Scurvy Dogs
Chelsea B. recommends The Baby Sitters Club Jessie’s Secret Language.
Brooklyn recommends Henry’s Freedom Box
Michael and Jamari recommend Soup for One by Ethan Long.
RiverRose recommends Owl Diaries
Jamari recommends Bible Heros and Bad Guys
Maila and Nari recommend The Very True Legend of the Mongalian Death Worms
Aaron recommends Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed
Categories
Book Blurbs - School

A book you may enjoy

Bo At Battle Creek is not a new book in the library but one I just found and had to read. What a delightful story set in Alaska a few years ago. A little girl Bo is the star. Her mother gave her to a tall big man when she was still a baby and then the mother proceeded to get on a train and out of the baby‘s life. Bo’s life story is a heart string puller. She is loved by her papas and learns to love others in her little town. This story is a good look at what life was like in Alaska, so different than our life today. You may learn about survival in the woods, travel before cars, the ways of mining for gold, and communication processes before the internet.