The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson

I couldn't help but giggle when I read this book.  It is such an enjoyable read.  I picked this book up not really intending to read it right away.  My neighbor had given it to us for Christmas....THANK YOU NEIGHBOR!  I picked it up to see how hard it would be and ended up stuck to it.  I enjoyed it thoroughly!   This is a super fun story about some mean, not well cared for, troublemaking kids.  These kids are bullies.  It's interesting how they come to be in the Christmas Pageant at church.  It totally made me think about the Saviors birth and it also made me wonder and feel compassion for children that struggle.  I finished feeling uplifted after reading it.  I really LOVE this book.

The Christmas Journey by Donna VanLiere

This book would be great to have around if you know you are going to present the nativity story.  You could hold it in your hand as the narrarator and have the exact words of the scripture without scrambling to find where at in the scriptures the birth of Christ is mentioned in.

The first part was basically the scriptures about the nativity.  The second part is the story with some musings on what could have happened in the story.  The author read this originally at a Relief Society dinner. 

It does make you think.  It is an incredibly quick read.  It helped me remember some of my own personal experience of the birth process.  It was a good reminder that the nativity scene was real and not the sanitary picture that usually comes to our mind. 
This book went along with the First Presidency Christmas devotional this year.  I had many of the same thoughts through the book as I did when I listened to the devotional.  Here is a link:  2010 First Presidency Christmas Devotional

This year the 2010 First Presidency Christmas Devotional Spoke to my heart and soul.  As I listened I felt that I am often the Grinch.  I worry, worry, worry at Christmas time.  I found all the messages of the devotional to tell me what I needed to hear.

At our Stake Conference, Elder Elder Jay E. Jensen of the Seventy said something to the effect: "Some want to keep the Savior as a baby--powerless.  But He is NOT--he has power, he is real."  I have thought so much of his words long after we left stake conference. 

Both messages related well to this book.  This book brings me back to what Christmas is about.  It is a great way to make yourself think more of what it really could have been like in the manger.  I think it is a quick, thoughtful read.

Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan




The Lightning Thief

  This book is as good as everyone has said.  I really enjoyed reading it.   I was trying to finish it before I watched the movie.  Yay, I can now watch the movie.

Percy Jackson is the main character in the book.  Percy is a boy that trouble seems to follow.  There are reasons trouble follows him and this book is all about those reasons.

There are many Mythology legends that are talked about and many Percy finds are not just legends.  Quite the adventuresome book!

The Shadow Children Series by Margaret Peterson Haddix

All of these books are the continuing story from "Among the Hidden."  It is the series called "The Shadow Children" series.  "Among the Impostors" (Book 2)  is about Luke (Lee) as he is among other third children with his ID.

 "Among the Betrayed"  (Book 3) is Nina's story after she is betrayed.

"Among the Barons" (Book 4) is about Luke (Lee) again.  It's what happens when he lives with his baron family.

"Among the Brave"(Book 5)  is Trey's story.  He has to find courage within.

"Among the Enemy" (Book 6) is Matthias' story.  It is his adventure working behind enemy lines.

"Among the Free" (Book 7) is back to Luke (Lee).  They are free but ARE THEY?  New conflicts arise.

So this series about the Shadow Children and the "Hunger Games" series makes me think of a Dystopia society.  That is a good word and it describes this kind of book.  (Thanks Ryan for the word).

Why do I like this kind of book?  I will tell you...I love to see the strength in people from deep down when they get in desperate situations.  When it seems all is lost they reach deep down inside themselves for their inner strength and come up with a solution.  They are heroes even though they aren't seeking to be heroes.  They are seeking for right and for Human rights.  They also have to rely on a higher power.  It's great to see God intervene in their lives.  God can do miracles and these Dystopia societies are an environment where the hand of the Lord can be seen.  

This book makes me ponder what I would do if I were in this type of society.  Would I allow my "animal" instincts to take over.  Would I care more to be fed or any of my needs above what I do for those around me and for my society?  I can't help but hope I'd be of strong character and have a prayer deep inside that if that ever did happen that I'd think of others instead of myself. 

I LOVED these books.

Among the Hidden by Margaret Peterson Haddix

I am intrigued already and I'd say that I HAVE to read more because it is the first in about a 7 or 8 book series.  Wow.  I find this book thought provoking and full of questions.  It asks the big questions.

This is a story about a boy named Luke.  Luke is the third child in a world where the law is that no one can have more than two.  He has to hide and remain hidden.  It certainly makes me wonder what it would be like if I had to stay inside always to not be seen.  The pages seeemed to go so fast for me.  I was held quickly and lastingly...and I'm still thinking about it.

Jacob's Blood by Brad Mangum

I finished this book before the weekend but I haven't taken the time to write and it is almost another weekend, so I thought it was high time.

This is a very good book.   This book takes place after the Civil War in the South.  It is about a boy who is told that his father is bad blood because he fought with the Yankees even though he lives in the South.  This is a book about learning heritage and what the boy does after learning what his Dad's blood is all about.

I found myself carried away in another time and place and I enjoyed experiencing an era in history through books.  I realize it is fiction but it was fun to get caught up in another world.

Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

After reading the first books I gathered all my strength to read this one.  I had tried to read all three real quick.  I had finished Catching Fire the same day I finished Hunger Games.  I picked up Mockingjay and it wasn't going the way I had planned so I put it down for a week.  I picked it up today and read the book in a day.

I like this series and even though it didn't go where I wanted it to go, it was a great story one that provokes thought of death, war, life coping skills and love.

This is the third and final book in the Hunger Games.  We are still following Katniss through trying and surprising adventures.

I highly recommend this series.