Book Journey

The Carpet Boy’s Gift by Pegi Deitz Shea

Published on December 12, 2009December 12, 2009 by Sheila (Book Journey)9 Comments

If you share a compassion for children in need – you must read this book. ~ Sheila

Occasionally I will open a book and be startled by what I am reading. My main character is Nadeem. He works in a carpet factory in Pakistan. His parents sold him into child labor three years ago and he now works seven days a week from dawn to sundown seven days a week.

And that is just page one.

At this point I go back and read the inside flap of the book and for the life of me cant recall knowing that this is what this book was about. And now, I am ashamed I took so long to review it as obviously there is an important message within these beautifully illustrated pages and as I read I try to imagine this book being read to or by those who the book is meant for – grades 3 – 6. It is making me take in a deep breath… what would an 8 year old think?

As the book goes on page by page I am witness to Nadeem’s life, weaving rugs day in and day out with the occasional glimpse of the outdoors when he helps load the rugs onto the trucks.

While the story is fictional, it honors a real boy, Iqbal Masih who escaped from a child labor factory and through his work he was able to liberate thousands of child workers like Nadeem. Iqbah had been sold into child labor at the age of 4 where he wove carpet for 12 hours a day for six years until his escape. He learned about the laws against child slavery and began to work to help others. Iqbah’s work won him the Reebok Youth In Action Award and recognition at the International Labor Conference. Upon Iqbah’s return to Pakistan after these recognitions, he was fatally shot while riding his bicycle. He was only twelve at the time and he had already made an impact for children all over the world.

The book made me cry to think of all the injustice out there in this world. While my own children have been given choices all there lives, there are so many areas where this is not the case. I will treasure this book for years to come and every time I look at it on the shelf I will remember a boy I met within its pages called Iqbah.

The last three pages of this book has many resources of information you can link to on line about childrens rights, other child advocates like Iqbah, things you can do with your children and more. I highly recommend this book.

Child Labor In Depth

International Labor Organization If you are curious to know more of the facts about child labor, this kid-friendly site will help you learn more about how much child laborers earn, what work they do, and how much time they spend at their jobs. There are also links to many other useful sites on child labor, and some ideas of actions you can do to make a difference.
http://www.ilo.org/ilokidsnew/index.html

Time Magazine Discover the facts by reading articles on the issue of child labor online. See what other children’s news organizations write about child labor today.
http://www.timeforkids.com

Scholastic News Zone This news site has lots of information including a map of children in the labor force, country close-ups, voices from the field and ways to help.
http://www.scholastic.com

Morning Meanderings….

Published on December 12, 2009 by Sheila (Book Journey)5 Comments

I came home yesterday to not one, not two… no…. six (SIX!) packages on my doorstep from UPS. And yes, you dont even need to ask…. they were all books. 🙂

That was kind of exciting. There were a few audios I had been waiting for – a book I didnt know I was getting but was so excited to see I did… and one that caused a poorly imitated happy dance that I was glad I was the only one in the house so I had no witnesses to. 😉

I am not trying to be really secretive about what these treasures were, just that they will show in my In My Mailbox post late tonight and I want to wait until then to reveal what has arrived! On Twitter yesterday a friend asked me if I only posted review books for my Sunday post…. “Oh no”, I replied, any book that comes in to the home is on that list – either by mail, books I have purchases, or have borrowed from the library.

Today I am taking our kinship partner Chance to St Cloud for lunch at Mongo’s (OH YUM!), take a movie in what I hear is the covetted theater in the area with great comfy seating… and a stop at The Army Surplus store which is all for him because he loves that stuff and I thought that would be cool to let him pick out something for Christmas there. The treat for me will be a mandatory stop at Barnes and Noble as I think that is a written law whenever I go to St Cloud. I dont really need a book… but I do want to atleast step inside and breathe in all the words…. (who am I kidding, there will probably be a book leaving with me….)

My son Justin will be meeting us for lunch in St Cloud and then be with us all day as he is on his way home from College and will be staying at the house for the next month. I think that will be very helpful to me as on Sunday, we take our oldest son to Fargo where he will get on a plane and head out to bootcamp in the Navy, Truly a bittersweet weekend that I have described as putting myself through a paper shredder. I am happy for him, and scared, and proud, all rolled into one.

I have a review coming up in a little while today and everyone enjoy your Saturday!

Christmas Giveaway: The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows

Published on December 11, 2009December 29, 2009 by Sheila (Book Journey)39 Comments

Julie H was the winner of this giveaway!

I am in the mood for a giveaway and thanks to Random House Publishing, I get to do just that with this beautiful new copy of The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society.

This giveaway is going to have a twist though…. in celebration of Christmas – the winner will give me a name of who they want this book sent to (USA and Canada Addresses only please) and I will wrap it and mail it off to them from you. So with this being a Christmas present giveaway – we will only run this until December 17th so I can mail it out and hopefully they get it in time for Christmas! 🙂

Here is how to enter:

for one entry – let me know a Christmas tradition or Christmas memory of yours. (* Question must be answered to qualify for giveaway)

Extra Entries:

For two extra entries become an email subscriber of this blog (upper right sidebar) *If the winner of this giveaway is a confirmed email subscriber I will add chocolate to be sent with the book. Put this information in a separate comment please

If you blog about, tweet about, and/or follow this blog – receive one entry for each of these you do – let me know in separate comments please (*You may tweet about this giveaway up to 2 times a day and receive an entry for each Tweet is you let me know here with the link)

That’s it – have fun as always!

Giveaway will end December 17

Support Your Local Library Reading Challenge

Published on December 11, 2009January 2, 2011 by Sheila (Book Journey)19 Comments

Now here is a challenge for me. Why? Because as of right now I am not a card carrying Library user. I know…. shameful right? I just never get there….. easier for me to pick up a book I want to read through Amazon or a local book store and not worry about it being due back….

2010 is going to change that. With J Kaye introducing this challenge I have thought more and more about the importance of supporting our local libraries. SO this is the year!

There are four levels:

–The Mini – Check out and read 25 library books.

–Just My Size – Check out and read 50 library books.

–Stepping It Up – Check out and read 75 library books.

–Super Size Me – Check out and read 100 library books.

I am going for the Mini…. 25 library books this year. This is huge for me. I dont think I have checked out 25 library books in the past 20 years combined.

Join me by signing up at J Kayes Blog!

1. The Fruit Of My Lipstick by Shelley Adina

2. War Child by Emmanuel Jal

3. The Mercy Seller by Brenda Rickman Vantrease

4. Wounded by Claudia Mair Burney

5. I Hadn’t Meant to tell You This by Jacqueline Woodson

6. Forbidden Fruit by Pearce Carefoote

7. Born Under A Million Shadows by Andrea Busfield

8. Not Without Hope by Nick Schuyler

9. I am Nujood, 10 Years old and Divorced by Nujood Ali

10. The Face On The Milk Carton by Caroline B Cooney

11. The Guernsey Literary Potato Peel Pie Society

12. The Absolute True Diary Of A Part Time Indian by Sherman Alexie

13. The LORAX by Dr. Suess

14. Left To Tell by Immaculee Llibagiza

15. Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows by J K Rowling

16.

17.

18.

19.

20.

21.

22.

23.

24.

25.

Home For The Holidays by Rebecca Kelly (Bookies Review)

Published on December 11, 2009December 11, 2009 by Sheila (Book Journey)19 Comments

A book I thought was going to just be sweet and “Christmasy” – turned out to have a deeper purpose for our book club. ~ Sheila

Its a story of Christmas really. Set in a small town called Acorn Hill, where three sisters own a place called Grace Chapel Inn. When the sisters decide to take a break over the Christmas season and not take any guests so they can enjoy the holidays with each other, our story really begins…

First it starts when a group of tourists find themselves without a tour leader and the sisters decide they will help these people out by showing them around their town. They travel through the towns beautiful Victorian homes seeing traditional pieces and collections (see pictures below). Then it continues when a snowstorm leaves the group stranded and Chapel Inn becomes a place of refuge for those who can not continue on their way. The quiet Christmas the sisters were planning is soon evaporated into the cold winter air.

Reading this for book club, I found the book just incredibly sweet as seems to be the theme of Christmas reads. I was a bit dissapointed that the plot did not seem to be stronger and I never developed a real feel for the characters – which is always a plus to be in a book. I like to connect. I walked into book club having not finished the read and a little anxious on how we were going to pull a good discussion out of this book.

I should never doubt the power of The Bookies. 🙂

Like a Christmas miracle I watched my beloved group of fellow Bookies grab on to this book and found ourselves in the middle of a fantastic discussion of Christmas traditions. Just like what happened in the book, we found a common ground within the traditions and it was just enjoying to hear what things we hold on to year to year – either handed down from generations, or started anew with their own family. I found myself taking notes rapidly, and ended with a deeper appreciation and understanding of this group.

When Angie (my long term partner in crime who has been with the Bookies with me since Aug. 2001) brought out pictures of things discussed in the book so we could understand the Victorian culture more, it was truly the icing on the cake.

Overall, the Bookies rated this book an average to a slightly below average read. The review however – was top notch and for going in with no idea what we were going to discuss…. I left with a really good feeling and over the next two days – finished the book so I too could share in all that it had to offer.

Author Rebecca Kelly wrote her first book at age thirteen and hasn’t stopped writing since. When she’s not writing or being a mom, Rebecca volunteers weekly at an animal shelter, creates comfortable quilts that are distributed to children hospitalized for cance treatment and teaches creative writing to local public school students. Rebecca was recently honored by the United States Air Force for her efforts over the last six years in sending books and other reading material every month to soldiers serving in Iraq.

What I found interesting about this series, Tales From Grace Chapel Inn (this is book #6) is that each book, while focused around Acorn Hill and the Inn, each book is written by a different author. I think that is awesome as guests to the Inn would be of all different walks of life, and a unique voice to each book seems right.

Word Verification Balderdash: My Thursday Thing

Published on December 10, 2009December 11, 2009 by Sheila (Book Journey)20 Comments

This is my weekly meme of the great word verification we that make comments on blogs have the annoyance pleasure of typing again and again…. (I have missed this the last couple of weeks but now I am ready to roll again)!

I know it is a necessity… I get that. You leave a comment, chances are you going to be word verified. Yet being a comment junkie… it slows me down. So to make this a bit more enjoyable… I came up with a plan.

I love word games (not as much as commenting). To entertain myself and maybe some of you… I decided to share with you a little thing I do while I type in the verification. I play Balderdash in my head. Yup. As I am typing in the word, I think if it was a real word… what would it mean. Some come easy. Others…. I really have to stretch the imagination.

The definition of Balderdash: An oft used strategy to elect your own fake definition in an attempt to give it credibility in the minds of your fellow players. …

Cercula: Dracula’s half brother who has an inner ear infection which causes him to run in circles…. thus taking the fear factor away from potential victims as they can just…. well…… walk away.

Revent: When one becomes so upset about something they have to just get it out so they vent about it. Then…. hours later, something triggers this anger again and causes one to revent.

Promila: Godzilla’s sister who is obsessed with going to the prom. Always worried about her breath and working on shining up her scales.

Gaspr: Casper the Ghost’s annoying cousin. Due to Gaspr’s asma…. he is always trying to get in more air and creating breathy noises that really can ruin a good night of haunting. Since Casper is the friendly ghost, he often is the one chosen to hang out with Gaspr.

Yes…. I know that for the most part they kind of theme today and I have no idea why… LOL. Perhaps I watched too much tv as a child… 😉

Wanna play? I hope you do! Write your post, feel free to take the Balderdash meme and them comment here with your link to your post. I will add your link here so others may stop by and see your words!

Check out others in the Blogespere who are playing along!

Laurel at Embrace The Whirlwind

Alexia’s Books and Such

Ryan at Wordsmithonia

Melissa at My World

Say You’re One Of Them by Uwem Akpan

Published on December 10, 2009December 10, 2009 by Sheila (Book Journey)14 Comments

In a word…. breathtaking. In another word… heartbreaking. ~ Sheila

Ever since this book showed up in my email on a book list I have wanted to read it. While not a big fan of Oprah’s Book Club selections – this one caught my and my heart from that first look at the cover, to the details of what the book was about on the back…

Each story in this jubilantly acclaimed collection pays testament to the wisdom and resilience of children, even in the face of the most agonizing circumstances.

A family living in a makeshift shanty in urban Kenya scurries to find gifts of any kind for the impending Christmas holiday. A Rwandan girl relates her family’s struggles to maintain a facade of normalcy amid unspeakable acts. A young brother and sister cope with their uncle’s attempt to sell them into slavery. Aboard a bus filled with refugees—a microcosm of today’s Africa—a Muslim boy summons his faith to bear a treacherous ride across Nigeria. Through the eyes of childhood friends the emotional toll of religious conflict in Ethiopia becomes viscerally clear.

Uwem Akpan’s debut signals the arrival of a breathtakingly talented writer who gives a matter-of-fact reality to the most extreme circumstances in stories that are nothing short of transcendent.

Uwem Akpan talks about living together in the world:

When Hatchette Audio offered me aa chance to review the audio version of this book, I jumped at the chance. Three Cd’s long, I started listening to these stories in my car as I ran my errands around town – and from that very first story, being told in a thickly accented voice that only added to the read – my heart caught in my throat.

My friend Heidi, had just read the book for her book club and she passed it on to me and I did something I have never done before, I woudl listen to the audio in the car, and at home I would read the same stories through the book. Visual through sight and sound – both formats were so real, so intense with reality that I wept.

My time in Honduras had me witness to some of the things that were discussed throughout this read, but at the same time I found my eyes open to new things I had not thought about until they were brought up here…

While I had seen children on the streets of Honduras huff glue, and I knew it was to take away their hunger…. I had never thought about families huffing glue – or offering it to their children to help them ease the pains of lack of food. That amazes me that I had never thought of that before.

I had also seen prostitutes in Honduras…. but this audio (and book) explains a deeper purpose to the young women standing on the corners. When there are no jobs, when you have no means to survive and the only resource you have is yourself… you do what you have to do to survive. I’ll never look at them the same way again.

This book brought to me a new deeper level of compassion that I thought I had understood and now feel as though I had only grazed the surface. Ewem Akpah takes you for a walk in the shoes of children that should never know such pain, such forms of reality… and there is nothing left out as these stories rip through your mind, and seem so harsh they cant be real – but I know they are based on truth.

On the end of the CD and in the back of the book there is an interview with author Uwem Akpan that was a pleasure to listen to as he describes where the stories came from and how he chose to tell the ones that he did. Both formats were soaking in breathtaking reality.

Uwem Akpan was born in Ikot Akpan Eda in southern Nigeria. After studying philosophy and English at Creighton and Gonzaga universities, he studied theology for three years at the Catholic University of Eastern Africa. He was ordained as a Jesuit priest in 2003 and received his MFA in creative writing from the University of Michigan in 2006. “My Parents’ Bedroom,” a story from his short story collection, Say You’re One of Them, was one of five short stories by African writers chosen as finalists for The Caine Prize for African Writing 2007. Say You’re One of Them won the Commonwealth Writers’ Prize for Best First Book (Africa Region) 2009 and PEN/Beyond Margins Award 2009, and was a finalist for the Los Angeles Times Art Seidenbaum Award for First Fiction. In 2007, Akpan taught at a Jesuit college in Harare, Zimbabwe. Now he serves at Christ the King Church, Ilasamaja-Lagos, Nigeria.

Listen here to the song that was inspired by Say You’re One Of Them, written by Angelique Kidjo.

I have three copies of this audio book to give away – to sign up see the giveaway here

Thank you to Hachette Audio Book for the audio to review

Thank you to my friend Heidi, for the use of her book

Morning Meanderings…

Published on December 10, 2009 by Sheila (Book Journey)37 Comments

Coffee Cup and I are enjoying Kona Coconut Rum Latte coffee this morning.

Where did I get it from?

Yesterday afternoon Fed Ex delivered my secret Santa gift from….

HAWAII BOOK BLOG!!!

How much fun is this? They sent a wonderful 2010 Hawaii calendar, coconut Creme Latte Coffee (which is so in my cup this morning – uh…. YUM!) , turtle luggage tag (I never need an excuse to travel!), a book mark, post its, super cute foot notes and this book that themes with everything: Poisoned Palms byDorothea Buckingham.

AND…. did you check out the really sweet card they sent along? Thank you to Missy and Alex – you made my day! I now have a new blog to check out and HELLOOOOO – it’s in Hawaii!!!! 🙂 Stop by their blog and check them out!

Morning Meanderings…

Published on December 9, 2009December 10, 2009 by Sheila (Book Journey)32 Comments

Good morning! Just a little bit of time here before Coffee Cup and I make a mad dash for the office! 🙂 I had to share with you that last nights book club was so much fun! We had our annual Christmas meeting where we potlucked with delicious foods at Kaydi’s home and discussed our book, Home for The Holidays by Rebecca Kelly. I will post our review later but need to say that for this lovely light holiday read, we pulled a great discussion out of it!

This was also our 100th meeting so I had brought a cake for this celebration. We joked that it took up a little over 8 years to get to 100 meetings… to reach that 200 meeting goal we would be ….. well….. older.

Finally we wrapped up our night with our gift exchange. We each bring a gift averaging around $10 and we wrap it up. We roll dice and if you get a seven or doubles you get to choose a gift. Once everyone has chosen a gift, we go one more round with the dice and if you get a seven or doubles you can trade your package with someone else that may look more tempting. Then we all open them and show off what we got. I got two good looking reads, Santa is a Stetson and Sugar Cookie Murder along with some bath soak. Love it!

I am so thankful for this incredible group of women!

Gringos In Paradise by Malana Ashlie

Published on December 9, 2009December 10, 2009 by Sheila (Book Journey)17 Comments

Gringos in Paradise: Our Honduras Odyssey by Malana Ashlie is a delightfully amusing and lighthearted autobiography chronicling her move from Hawai’i to the Caribbean Coast of Honduras. When she and her husband decide to relocate to a more secluded paradise the fun begins. She shares the trials and triumphs of building a new life in Central America, in what can best be described as a spiritual journey of faith.

Of special appeal to the swelling ranks of expat retirees in Mexico and Central America (over one million strong, according to 2005 census estimates), Gringos in Paradise shares the adventures — and misadventures — two retirees face as they set off to the Caribbean coast of Honduras in search of financial freedom, personal fulfillment, and peace.

In My Opinion:

My initial draw to this book was the fact that it was set in Honduras. I have been to Honduras myself 7 times and when I seen this book come up for review I wanted to read about Americans who actually live there. As the book states, “Visiting a third world country is much different than seeing it as your home.”

I found the book a delightful look into an area I know, and found myself nodding as Malana describes what the driving is like I remember my first time there ( as a passenger in a van) I just closed my eyes I really couldn’t watch! As Malana talks about not taking water for granted that is really an eye opener as well to be where you dont always have it.

Chapter by chapter I laughed and felt as though Malana had literally brought my along with her. With a journal type flare, Malana shares the adventures and misadventures and I walked beside her page by page and am thankful for the journey.

I received my review copy from Pump Up Your Book Promotion