My Life in Pink & Green -Lisa Greenwald

I picked this book up at the library with my sixth-grader in mind. The main character is 12 year old Lucy Desberg who sets out to save the family drugstore. I loved Lucy's spunk and faith in her talents. I often find myself reading "junior fiction" because it is quick and gives me perspective on my own children. I loved the scene in the book where Lucy gets new sneakers and she says, "I know they're just sneakers, but a new beginning is a new beginning, even if it's just a new beginning for your feet." A very enjoyable book.

My daughter posing with the book!

The Book of Love -Kathleen McGowan

This book follows Kathleen McGowan's "The Expected One". It, like her previous work, is a treasure. I love it for it's "layered learning" concept. Yesterday, I checked out a book on the Chartres Cathedral in France as the book inspired me to learn more. The book jacket portrays a sacred labyrith at the Cathedral. The story moves back and forth between present day Maureen Pascal's search for an ancient document and Matilda of Tuscany from medieval Europe presumed to have been a caretaker of the document. It is a great read!

www.KathleenMcGowan.com

Jeremy Fink and the Meaning of Life -Wendy Mass

Wendy Mass is an author that inspires you to read more of her work. This story involves a boy who is about to turn thirteen and is left a box by his deceased father to open on his birthday. The box needs four keys, but the keys are lost. Jeremy and his friend Lizzy are on a mission to find the four keys and unlock the father's box to find the meaning of life. I liked the part where Jeremy and Lizzy are assigned community service and the mom calls it a job, but Jeremy argues with her because they won't get paid. "A job is where you are assigned a task to complete to the best of your ability. Money or no money."

Land of Lincoln -Andrew Ferguson

This book takes a look at the impact Abraham Lincoln still has in America. The author takes us through museums and park statues all dedicated to Abe. It also looks at Lincoln impersonators, Lincoln Style Management Companies and the historical Lincoln Trail through 3 midwestern states developed by the oil industry to promote automobile travel. I loved the journey the author takes back to sites from his own childhood with his wife and children in tow. They don't find the same sense of "Lincoln Awe" as the author! Any parent can relate to this chapter. Having just visited the great state of Illionois, I enjoyed learning more about Lincoln. It is a fun read with all kinds of interesting facts.