Beverly Cleary her first book - Henry Huggins

I was deeply sadened to hear about the passing of beloved children's book author Beverley Cleary this past weekend.  I first encountered her writing when reading out loud to my children when we first started Sonlight* and were reading Henry Huggins together which is a part of their  Intro to World History Year 1.

Henry Huggins by Beverly Cleary

• Format Paperback | 155 pages 
• Dimensions 127 x 190 x 15.24mm | 113g 
• Publisher HarperCollins Publishers Inc
• Language English Edition Statement 50th ed. 
• ISBN10 0380709120 
• ISBN13 9780380709120
  

 From Book Depository - "Just as Henry Huggins is complaining that nothing exciting ever happens, a friendly dog sits down beside him and looks pleadingly at his ice-cream cone. From that moment on, the two are inseparable. But when Ribsy's original owner appears, trying to reclaim his dog, Henry's faced with the possibility of losing his new best friend. Has Klickitat Street seen the last of rambunctious Ribsy?"

My Thoughts - From the first page we were hooked.  We loved every moment of being introduced to Henry and Ribsy.  We laughed at his antics we learned from his love of life and together they introduced us to the joys of homeschooling.

 

Henry and Ribsy by Beverly Cleary

• Format Paperback | 208 pages 
• Dimensions 127 x 188 x 15mm | 136g 
• Publisher HarperCollins Publishers Inc 
• anguage English Edition 
• ISBN10 0380709171 
• ISBN13 9780380709175
  

 From Book Depository - "In this humorous and heartfelt novel from Newbery Medal-winning author Beverly Cleary, the bond between a boy and his dog proves strong, as Henry vows to stick up for Ribsy...even if he is a trouble-maker!

From the first moment Henry found Ribsy, the curious mutt was poking his nose into things he shouldn't be. Whether terrorizing the garbage man, chasing cats, or gobbling Ramona Quimby's ice-cream cone, Henry's four-legged pal has walked himself into one problem too many. So when Henry asks his dad if he can go along on the big fishing trip, Mr. Huggins agrees, but on one condition: Ribsy must stay out of mischief for two whole months. Henry is confident in his loyal dog...until Ribsy goes overboard with his appetite for chaos...literally!"

My Thoughts -  This book had us laughing together and bonding as a family.  I loved being snuggled together with my children reading out loud about Ribsy's antics.  I couldn't wait to be reaquainted with the characters for the second round with Nathaniel.   

Here are a few other titles we enjoyed together by Beverley Cleary

• Encyclopedia Brown, Boy Detective
• The Henry and Ribsy Box Set : Henry Huggins, Henry and Ribsy, Ribsy
• Ralph S.Mouse
• Beezus and Romona - 
• Henry Huggins -
  

About the Author

Beverly Cleary died at age 104 on Sunday 25 March 2021. She shared her Oregon childhood memories through her colourful characters like Ramona and Beezus Quimby and Henry Huggins.

She was born in 1916. She served as a children's librarian. Her first book Henry Huggins was published in 1950 and was the first in a series of fictional chapter books about Henry , his dog Ribsy, his neighborhood friend Beezus and her little sister Ramona.  She based the characters on people living ordinary lives and her own childhood experiences and the neighborhood growing up. 

She has been awarded multiple awards for her writing, there is a statue of Ramona Quimby in Grant Park and the Beverly Cleary School.

She was named a Living Legened in 2000 by the Library of Congress.

"I believe in that 'missionary spirit' among children's librarians. Kids deserve books of literary quality, and librarians are so important in encouraging them to read and selecting books that are appropriate." Beverly Cleary

American writer Beverly Cleary circa 1955.

Supplied: Wikimedia common

 You can read more about her here

• Remembering beloved children's author Beverly Cleary on CNN Entertainment. 
• Children's book author Beverly Cleary, best known for Romona and Henry Huggins characters, dies aged 104 on ABC Net.
• Beverly Cleary author interview on YouTube by HarperCollins Publishers
  

 I'm so grateful for her books on my shelf.  These are books I have recommended time and again to any student or paretn who has spent time in my library looking for books.

 

Seizure by Robin Cook (Book 12/52 Books in 52 Weeks)

 This week in 52 Books in 52 Weeks I decided to pick a book by my favourite medical mystery-thriller author Robin Cook. I first encountered his writing in Namibia when I was in high school and read Coma a New York Times best seller and Brain. This week I read Seizure. 

Siezure by Robin Cook

• First published in 2003
• Number six on The New York Times Best Seller list.
  
• Format Paperback | 448 pages 
• Dimensions 106 x 172 x 30mm | 255g 
• Publisher Penguin Putnam Inc 
• Language English Edition 
• ISBN10 0425197948 
• ISBN13 9780425197943
  

From Book Depository - "In a novel as timely as it is terrifying, New York Times-bestselling author Robin Cook explores the controversial clash of politics and biotechnology. When Dr. Daniel Lowell and his partner, Dr. Stephanie D'Agostino, discover a new cloning procedure that utilizes stem cells to treat otherwise incurable and degenerative diseases, they know they've hit the medical jackpot. But with their cutting-edge method pending approval, they run into a roadblock by the name of Senator Ashley Butler, who views their technique as an attack on traditional American values. Then Butler is diagnosed with rapidly progressing Parkinson's disease, and he must make a Faustian pact with the very doctors whose groundbreaking technology he is trying to destroy: treatment in exchange for unwavering support. But the DNA transference procedure has never been tested before, and working under less than favorable conditions to keep the premature trial under wraps, the doctors place their careers--and their patient's life--at risk, all in the name of scientific progress. Once they hit the point of no return, they feel invincible, but when Butler starts experiencing violent, horrifying seizures, they realize their luck may have run out..."

My Thoughts - This novel explores concerns raised by advances in therapeutic cloning (The technique consists of taking an enucleated oocyte (egg cell) and implanting a donor nucleus from a somatic (body) cell.).  The book is written with sit on the edge of your seat keep you coming back for more.  The characters are rich and deep.  He takes you deep within their personal thoughts and feelings and helps you see the plot from both sides giving you ample to consider and broaden your understanding in this not so simple debate of bio ethics and engineering.

The three main characters are: 

1. Senator Ashley Butler a quintessential Southern politician.  He supports traditional American valuses which includes negative reactions against vertually all biotechnology.  He is called to chair a subcommittee introducing legislation to ban a new cloning technology (developed by Dr Daniel Lowell).
2. Dr. Daniel Lowell the scientist and inventor of the HTSR technology and is the main character and sees the committee as the roadblock to his biotech startup company and the development of his new technique.
3. Dr Stephanie D'agonstini is a scientist who works alongside Daniel and is his partner.
4. Carol Menning is Senator Butler's assistant and travels alongside him.

This medical thriller is where politics, religion and bioscience collide! At the subcommittee hearing on health policy these two major personalities clash as Senator Butler introduces legislation to ban the new cloning procedure that uses stem cell research.  Dr Lowell is frustrated that this is a blow that is targeting his new therapy which holds so much promise in targeting specific therapies for individuales. This therapy is customized and can help bring the cure to so many life altering diagnosis's.

However, little do the two men know that they share a common desire. Seneator Butler has been diagnosed with a progressive form of Parkinsons's disease and his hunger for continuing political power outstrips his concern for the unborn. Dr Lowell's pursuit of personal wealth and public acknoweledgement overrides his consideration for the patients well being. This in turn creates a perfect atmosphere driving the two into a faustian pact.

Dr Lowell and Dr D'agonstini work together to prematurely harness this new technology to bring about a cure for the senator, however the therapy leaves the senator with horrifying effect of temporal lobe epilepsy with seizures of the most bizarre order. 

One of the most fascinating aspects of the book was the information on the Shroud of Turin.

You can read/watch more about it here

• Shroud of Turin used to Create 3D copy of Jesus on YouTube.
  
• The New Evidence (Shroud of Turin) History Documentary
• History Collection - The Shroud of Turin 16 facts reveal whether the shroud belonged to Jesus.
  

My Completed Reading list for 2021

1. The Reading Life by C.S. Lewis
2. Joseph Dreamer of Dreams by E. Traylor
3. The Good Master by Kate Seredy
4. The Girl from the Train by Irma Joubert 
5. False Impression by Jeffrey Archer
6. To Ride Pegasus by Anne McCaffrey
7. Pegasus in Space by Anne McCaffrey
8. The Rowan by Anne McCaffrey
9. Damia by Anne McCaffrey
10. Damia's Children by Anne McCaffrey
11. Lyon's Pride & The Tower and the Hive  by Anne McCaffrey
12. Siezure by Robin Cook 

Do you have a favourite author in the medical mystery-thriller genre?

 

Number the Stars by Lois Lowry

Currently in our homeschooling we are covering the second World War from many different perspectives thanks to Sonlight Curriculum World History Year 2. 

Number the Stars

• Format Paperback | 137 pages 
• Dimensions 127 x 193.04 x 12.7mm | 113.4g 
• Publisher Cengage Learning, Inc 
• Language English Edition 
• ISBN10 0547577095 
• ISBN13 9780547577098  

From Book Depository -  "Ten-year-old Danish girl's bravery is tested when her best friend is threatened by Nazis in 1943. As the German troops begin their campaign to "relocate" all the Jews of Denmark, Annemarie Johansen's family takes in Annemarie's best friend, Ellen Rosen, and conceals her as part of the family.Through the eyes of ten-year-old Annemarie, we watch as the Danish Resistance smuggles almost the entire Jewish population of Denmark, nearly seven thousand people, across the sea to Sweden. The heroism of an entire nation reminds us that there was pride and human decency in the world even during a time of terror and war."

Buy the book - Book Depository (paperback, hardback or CD) and Sonlight 

My Thoughts - I enjoyed reading this to Nathaniel.  I was deeply touched by life in war torn Europe and life in Copenhagen, Denmark.  Food shortages, Nazi soldiers on every corner, the love of the people for their king and the courage of the Danish people and how they saved nearly 90% of the Jews.

About the Author -  LOIS LOWRY is the author of the popular Anastasia Krupnik books and was the recipient of the Newbery Medal for Number the Stars and for The Giver.

What is your favourite book for this historical time period?