Flat Stanley returns to the States

Flat Stanley returned to the States from his trip to England just in time to head out again with Katie's Daddy on a business trip.

This trip took him through Chicago's O'Hare airport and then onto Seattle, Washington.
He enjoyed many of the sites while in Seattle, of course visiting the Microsoft Corporate Headquarters was one of his favorites.
He even had time to come up with the idea for Windows 7 (the commercials are all wrong, it was really Flat's idea!)
Flat Stanley had a wonderful time on the trip, but he was excited to know that when he got home he'd be headed off on Spring Break with Katie and her family.

Fact or Fiction- Book 16

The latest book on my list was The Red Tent by Anita Diamant. This is the story of the life of Dinah, daughter of Leah and Jacob. Jacob is most often remembered as the Father of Joseph (aka Joseph and the Amazing Technicolored Dream Coat) In the Bible Jacob and Leah do have a daughter named Dinah. A daughter who is taken by a man of great wealth who after sleeping with her wishes to claim her as his wife. Her brothers, 2 in particular, are outraged that he would disgrace her is this way and request that her Father along with the dowry request that the men be circumcised. The man loves her so much that he agrees, and all the men of the city are commanded to do this as well. The Bible then goes on to tell us that her brothers take further action against the men and that Dinah leaves the city and lives the rest of her days with her brother Judah and his family. That is the Bible, the truth of the story.

This story is based on characters of the Bible, but then greatly deviates into a fictional world. It is important to realize this because unfortunately many people read fiction based on the Bible and then believe the Bible to be to also be fiction. It is not. It is God's Word, that has stood the test of time and will continue to do so. This story is a good story, it takes known characters and gives them a life outside of what is read in the Bible. It gives us a picture of life in biblical times, that revolve around the Red Tent or the tent where the women would go during their monthly cycle when they were considered unclean and needed to be set apart. It was an entertaining story, that for me made me go back and read the parts in the Bible discussing these people to see what is real and what is fictional. Even the author states that the book is NOT a translation but a work of fiction. It is a book about the relationships of the females during this time period, their relationship with the men in their lives, the complications of multiple wives and raising of the children. In the reading group guide at the end of the book the author states that she felt the story of Dinah needed an explanation so "I decided to imagine one"
If you want a captivating story, with names you may be well aware of from reading the Bible this is a good story to read. Just be aware that it is FICTION, God's truth and his word is real, and this book may be confusing for someone who is not fully aware of the actual account in the Bible.

Capturing Romance Book 15!

Pictures catch our attention and for me, that is what drew me to book 15 (and soon to follow book 16) of this year. The newest novel I just finished is Vision in White by Nora Roberts. In this book 4 friends who played wedding over and over again as children have found themselves working together as adults to run their business Vows, a wedding planning company. Book 1 of this 4 part series is about Mackensie, the photographer of the business who has the view that true love can not be found. That she can not afford to give her heart away because it won't last. The reason she is a photographer is even based on the fact that we need to capture those happy moments due to the fact that in her life she knows they never stay happy.
Her business leads her to Carter the brother of the latest bride to walk through the doors for their services. Carter and Mac went to high school briefly together, and he always dreamed back then of them being together. Now when they are on the verge of finding happiness together they discover that perhaps their worlds, that are so different, will not allow them to be together in the end. You'll have to read the book to find out if love wins out...just a hint, she does help run a wedding business!

Need a Whole Box of Kleenex for book 14

You'll need a WHOLE box of Kleenex if you decide to read The Last Song by Nicholas Sparks. This is the 14th novel I've read this year and is not just a tear jerker, it is a sob fest waiting to happen. So if you need a good cry...it is the book for you.
This story is about a young girl on the verge of turning 18, a girl who is rebelling against her parents as she tries to understand how her father could have left her family just 3 years earlier. Her mother is forcing her to go away for the summer with her 10 year old brother to stay with the father that she hasn't spoken too in those 3 years. From New York City to the small beachfront town of Wrightsville, where she finds life to move at a much different pace. She knows she will hate life there, it is after all so different from what she knows. After meeting potential friends her first night there she begins to find out who she really is, and who she wants to be. She finds love and acceptance from a father that she is trying to continue to rebel against, and she comes to find that being who she is is not who she wants to be.
When faced with multiple problems she is forced to make a decision to stand and fight or once again to run away. What will she choose? To find out you'll have to read the book, just be sure to have those kleenex handy. You might want to explain to anyone who will be in listening distance why you will be suddenly sobbing too!

Book Review- Though Waters Roar

Just finished book 13 for the year, this time it was Though Waters Roar by Lynn Austin. This book is historical fiction taking place in both the time period of the Civil War through Women winning the right to vote. The main character finds herself in jail, and then begins to recount stories of her Grandma Bebe and the trials and events that took place in her life. You instantly get wrapped up into the story of the Grandma when suddenly it switches back to the Granddaughter's time period, then just when you are absorbed into what is happening with her it switches back again. This back and forth storytelling captivates your attention and keeps you interested in both characters and the lives they are living.
I would recommend this story and plan on reading other books by Lynn Austin in the future. For more on Lynn Austins books go to.


http://www.lynnaustin.org/ME2/Sites/Default.asp

Book Review- Never Far From Home

To be Amish or not to be Amish, that really was the question. Falling in love sometimes leaves you with the desire to follow your heart even if it means forsaking everything else you've ever been taught. For Emma Miller the choice she was facing was difficult. An Englisher would never become Amish for you, but could she forsake what she had known, the family that loved her and the world that she was used to for him?
The book Never Far From Home by Mary Ellis leaves you in a world of wondering what if, could it work, what will happen? It winds the family characters together helping you to see what life is like in both worlds and wondering which world will win out.
It is an easy read, and very enjoyable. Of course you may end up walking around say jah instead of yes, but it is definitely worth that risk. This book and the previous selection A Widows Hope get 2 thumbs up!

Count since the start of 2010, by goal to reach 12 novels by 2011 has been reached! Now to see if I can double that.

Book Review of A Widow's Hope

Just finished reading A Widow's Hope by Mary Ellis last evening. It was a wonderful story. The characters were developed in a way that you felt like you honestly knew them and could feel there lives unfolding around you. The story involved several people, but the main characters Hannah and Seth and two people that find themselves living alone after they have lost their spouses. They have their share of difficulties and find themselves wondering if they are destined to be alone. The Amish traditions, and lifestyle are also a large part of the story. How the families work together through joyous and tragic times teaches a valuable lesson that we really should be paying attention to in our lives today.
I would definitely recommend this book. I'm about to pick up the second story in the Miller Series entitled Never Far From Home. The continuation of the first book. This time the story revolves around Emma, Hannah's niece.

Crossing the Atlantic

Flat Stanley having visited Washington DC has still been thinking about politics. He loved seeing the museums while in the DC area, so he decided that perhaps he should experience the Nation that many of our original settlers came from. Here is the email we received when he arrived on the other side of the Atlantic.

Dear Katelyn,

Flat Stanley here,

I've made it to England via the Royal Mail! After a brief stop at Buckingham Palace to visit the queen, where I received my new palace guard outfit, I took the Royal Mail Express and I reached my final destination, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, to visit with Mr. and Mrs. Stead. While there, I visited Mow Cop, which is the remains of an old castle that was built in 1754! I've also been to the Tunstall town square, and had the opportunity to taste the local dish, Oatcakes!

Mr. and Mrs. Stead are very active and took me to the gym to work out. Even though I'm flat, it's important to stay healthy and fit.

My visit here is coming to an end soon and I'll be on my way back to see you. Until then, take care!

Love,

Flat Stanley

Slacking on Book Reviews

Since my last book review post I've done quite a bit of reading.

First, I finished Night Fall the final book in the Vampire Diaries. It was interesting. It did not turn out how I expected, which is unusual as I am typically pretty good at picking the way a book will end about half way through. It was a decent book. Although, perhaps it is because I read it first, I still prefer the Twilight Series. Both books are very similar, but the Twilight series seems a bit more believable at times, if that is possible for such a fantasy type series.

Next I read the Percy Jackson and the Olympians Series. http://www.percyjacksonbooks.com/
This book series by Rick Riordan was wonderful. I started the series as my fourth grade son was reading it at school and I wanted to see what it was like. It was light hearted, adventurous and engaging. It was easier to read and understand then the Harry Potter series and definitely geared towards a younger generation. Each book builds the foundation for the next book so it would be best to read them in order. That order being Percy Jackson and the Lightening Thief, Sea of Monsters, The Titan's Curse, Battle of the Labyrinth and finally the Last Olympian. My favorite of the series was the final book. Which in all honesty has left me wanting there to be another book added to the series.

The only problem with the series is the recent movie that has come out. While it is wonderful movie on it's own, full of adventure and amazing computer graphics it has only 3 things in common with the book. First, the main character is Percy Jackson, second he is the son of Poseidon and finally he has to retrieve the Lightening Bolt. That is where the movie and the book stop being the same. I took my 4th grader to see the movie and he was so excited because he had read the book series based on a 6th grade boy. Hollywood of course had to make the movie based on a High School boy. Again, it is not that the movie is bad, we really enjoyed it. But it did make my son no longer interested in reading the books because it changed the way he visualized the characters. Thanks Hollywood!

The best advice is read all the books, enjoy them all and then see the Movie OR see the movie and think of it as just another film and not based on any book.

I believe my goal of 1 book a month is up to 10 books read so far in 2010, and I've just begun a new book called Widow's Hope by Mary Ellis. It is book one of the Miller Family series. I'm only on chapter 3, but already really enjoying the characters and especially the times where the characters speak in the actual language used by many Amish people. Come back soon to find out what I really think about the book.

Aspiring Politician or Tourist?

Flat Stanley dreamed of taking political office while he was visiting Iowa. He thought maybe he could change the world, so he headed to Washington D.C. where he was able to stay with friends Sean and Colette Burgess and their family in Maryland. Sean let him go into DC with him on the Metro. It was fascinating to figure out all the stops on the map and he even found time to read a book while riding into the Nation's Capital.
Once he arrived in D.C. though, he discovered that not only do the politicians gather here, but there are many museums.
In lieu of going into political office he decided to take the opportunity to check out the museums. He visited several in the Smithsonian area. He also got to see the Washington Monument.
Maybe someday he'll consider political office again, but for now he's headed back to the Burgess' home for a home cooked meal. Sean is a wonderful cook, so Flat Stanley is not sure he will ever leave!

Thank you Burgess Family for letting Flat Stanley come to visit! Wonder where he will show up next???

Injured Flat Stanley Considers Public Office

Flat Stanley is off enjoying quite a trip. Unfortunately, his last location started off with quite a bit of commotion. He was happily playing with two of the most amazing 5 year olds in the world in Johnston, Iowa (just outside of Des Moines). They were all laughing and having a good time, when he forgot to use his safety rules and let go of the swing.
He had take a ride in an ambulance and visit the Emergency room. Once he got to the hospital he rode in a wheel chair. Lucky for him the boys father is a Doctor and was able to take care of him. He and one of the nurses checked on Flat, and then had 2 other nurses check out his heart. Once he passed all the examinations he was allowed to return home.
The next day Flat Stanley visited with Keith and Luke's Aunt Susan at the Iowa Capitol. He was lucky enough to sit in the chair in the front of the Senate House and the House of Representatives. He is even considering running for public office someday. (It might be safer then playing on the swings!) He ended his day with a ride on a Green Tractor and lunch at the Machine Shed. No trip to Iowa would be complete with out doing that!Thank you Dr Fisher, Mrs. Fisher and Keith and Luke for letting Flat Stanley visit! He's glad he got experience so many neat things in Iowa!

Flat Stanley Showcases His Musical Talent

When Flat Stanley left for Austin, Texas we had no idea that he had musical ability. While visiting with Amanda he went to NXNW (North by Northwest) and listened to Sound of A.M. Apparently, a visit to Austin isn't complete without live music! While there he was asked to play and sing with the band!
After the gig he was presented with his very own guitar and microphone.
His adventure in Austin has come to an end and he will be returning to Cleveland soon, but since he is FLAT he has also taken a trip through the photocopier and will be heading somewhere else exciting too!
Thank you Amanda for letting him visit you and for sending him off on another adventure.

Flat has now been seen in Austin, Texas!!!!

Flat Stanley has amazing ability to get from one place to the next! Now he is visiting with Amanda and her family in Austin, Texas!



He even took a minute to write Katelyn a letter.

Hi Katelyn,
Flat Stanley here. Just sending you a quick email to let you know I arrived safely in Austin, Texas. The weather here is wonderful!
The first thing I did when I got here was to get decked out in some Texas clothes. As you can see from my attached pictures I got new cowboy boots, a Texas hat and a Longhorn belt buckle! I've made a new friend here, named Trent. This evening we are going to play together.
I've attached a picture of me at the Texas State Capitol building.
Hope you're having a fun day at school.

Your friend,
Flat Stanley

To read more about his visit in Austin, you can visit http://brianandmandie.blogspot.com/2010/03/flat-stanleys-visit-to-texas.html

Flat Stanley stops in Northwest Ohio

Flat Stanley (while having been spotted in Champaign, Illinois) apparently took time to visit Northwest Ohio and our good friend Dan Boyle. While staying in Whitehouse, he attended church with Dan. He was able to study the bulletin, read the Scripture lesson for the day as well as play the piano, organ and keyboard. Flat also hung out with the choir. Joey, Dan's son, taught him all about tractors on his Grandparents farm, and since they were visiting Joey's Grandparents for a haircut he took the opportunity to get a few hairs trimmed as well.Flat was thrilled to get the opportunity to work for FedEx for the day. He was listed as driver number 2 for his journey. He drove the truck, got to steer, talk on the CB and look out the window. Crazy Flat also climbed out onto the grill and the sideview mirror. He was so worn out from his adventure he had to come back in and take a nap in the bunk. He loved his visit with Dan and his family. Hope you enjoy following along with the pictures!