What's New

Otto of the Silver Hand

Author(s): 
Howard Pyle
Otto of the Silver Hand relates the story of a young boy caught between the malice of vengeful barons. After the untimely death of Otto’s mother, Otto was placed in the care of his uncle, the abbot of St. Michael’s monastery. Otto grew up in the monastery, happy and content until his tenth birthday. On his tenth birthday, Baron Conrad, his father, reclaimed his son and brought him back to his birthplace, the castle of Trutz-Drachen.

Foyle's War

This is a war series, set in England during WWII. The series centers around an aging detective, with a dry English wit, and an unassuming manner. Each episode (there are five sets in the Foyle’s War series and each set has four episodes in it) involves a murder mystery. There is an assortment of likable characters that appear throughout the series. Some of the British dialect is at times difficult to decipher. The movies would also have appeal for history students. There is much gentle humour in the series, not a little war-time pathos.

Old Sam, Dakota Trotter

Author(s): 
Don Alonzo Taylor
Illustrator(s): 
Lorence Bjorklund
Fresh and as exciting as the first time I read it, Old Sam, Dakota Trotter is one horse of a story! 10-year-old Johnny Scott and his inseparable younger brother, Lee, go on a series of adventures in the Dakota territory with their beloved horse, Old Sam. From collecting buffalo bones to catching thieves to the thrilling climax at the 4th of July trotting race, the reader experiences the joys of two boys discovering the wonders and excitement of prairie life in the Dakota territory in the 1880s.

Rosary Rummy

This is a lovely and inexpensive Rummy game that also teaches the mysteries of the rosary. It includes two colorful cards, illustrated with Old Masters paintings, for each 0f the twenty mysteries of the rosary. The Rummy game requires both matching and ordering the mysteries. Instructions are included. So far, we've been using it as a memory game - and even my five year old (who admittedly is a memory enthusiast) loves it.

Preparing your Child for Baptism

Author(s): 
Janet Schaeffler, OP
A concise, brief synopsis to aid parents regarding the Baptism of their children. The rite and symbols of this Sacrament are explained, and there is a page on the seven sacraments. In addition, there are scripture readings, prayers and some questions parents may have about he rite of Baptism as well as on Christian living. An interesting page offers "Suggestions of 8 ways to fulfill our Baptismal promises for year to come": I liked some of these, including the suggestion of celebrating baptismal anniversaries and talking to your children about their godparents.

Preparing your Child for Confirmation

Author(s): 
Janet Schaeffler, OP
This is a concise guide for parents of young people who are preparing to be confirmed. Questions and answers about confirmation names, sponsors and service projects are brought up, along with suggestions for family discussion and scripture readings. The seven gifts as well as the twelve Fruits of the Holy Spirit are highlighted with explanatory notes for the youth.

Teaching Writing: Structure and Style

Author(s): 
Andrew Pudewa
My daughter, Emily, announced, “The kids’ class [student writing workshop] is much funner than the teacher class.” Scratch that. I am “sure” she said “much more fun.” She was referring to the student writing workshop for Teaching Writing: Structure and Style available on DVD. Implemented by Andrew Pudewa, director of The Institute for Excellence in Writing, Teaching Writing: Structure and Style is a two day seminar where he demonstrates to the teacher/parent how to teach writing skills to school-age children through a step-by-step process.

Meat & Potatoes Catholicism

Author(s): 
Rev. Joseph F. Classen
Are you malnourished? Many Catholics feel that they don’t know the faith, they are spiritually malnourished. To satisfy your hunger for the faith, Fr. Classen wants to feed you the fundamentals of your faith in Meat & Potatoes Catholicism. Determined to write a book that makes sense to those who sit in the pews, Fr. Classen has set out to educate you in the essentials of the faith.

A Midsummer Night's Dream

Title page of the play, from the first quarto
Author(s): 
William Shakespeare
We studied this Shakespeare comedy in 9th grade using an "interleaved" edition featuring the original text on one side and notes to clarify the meanings of archaic terms on the facing pages. Looking at the text on the pages was a little daunting, but it is amazing what a difference reading it aloud in class made. Suddenly the words were not so strange or difficult to follow any more, and as it is a play -- not a novel -- reading aloud really helped bring it to life.

First Farm in the Valley: Anna's Story

Author(s): 
Anne Pellowski
Illustrator(s): 
Roseanne Sharpe
It’s back in print! One of my favorite series for young children, the Latsch Valley Farm series (formerly called Polish American Girls series), is being reprinted. The first in the series, First Farm in the Valley: Anna’s Story is now available from Bethlehem Books with lovely new illustrations. Enter into the world of six-year-old Anna and her large Polish family as she grows up in rural Wisconsin during the 1870s.