Sarah's Key - excellent book

Sarah's Key by Tatiana De Rosnay

This book takes place in Paris in July of 1942 when the French police aid the Germans by rounding up thousands upon thousands of Jews - men, women and children. It is called the Vel' d'Hiv' roundup. The adults are taken right to Auschwitz concentration camp. The adults with children are first taken to a holding camp and separated from their children - then taken to Auschwitz. While this book is fictional - all the characters are fictional the events are real. The shocking aspect is to realize that it really wasn't the Germans who did this but the French Police. It is really a shockingly upsetting event in French history. So often when we think of the French during WWII, we think of the French resistant movement - this was the opposite. Extreme opposite. The French police didn't just roundup the Jews but went out of their way to 'get them all', to roundup even more than requested by the Germans. It is a very sad event in French history. I think of the old saying that "evil can only exist when good men do nothing." Often Germans are painted as the problem during WWII but here is an example of not only good men (the French Police) doing nothing but actually being part of the evil. They fully participated.

The author uses an interesting technique - where she has the time being the present day - 60 years later - and a journalist, Julia Jarmond is doing research on the anniversary of the Vel' d'Hiv' roundup for the magazine she writes for. In the process she discovers that her own in-laws were connected to the event and it becomes a personal quest for her to find out what happened to Sarah. Sarah was 10 when arrested with her entire family. Sarah seeks to keep her brother save by hiding him in a cupboard in the wall - as she naively believes she will return to let him out. It is a very moving book.

One of the undercurrents themes of the book is how the characters bury the tragedies in their lives instead of airing them out and talking about them. In the end the inability to talk about them leads to problems in their lives. Julia is criticized for bring to light the family's involvement in Sarah's life. Some in the family refuse to examine it, talk about it - they want to just bury every thing - all emotions, all problems, all issues. They want to put a pretty face on things and move on. Yet it is like a sore that festers -- those in the family that finally examine their history and deal with the emotions of it are able to move on in a healthier way.

I really enjoyed the book jumping from past to present. It kept the story moving and added intrigue. A very good book and well written.

Book review - The American Patriot's Bible

The American Patriot's Bible The Word of God and the Shaping of America

Dr. Richard G. Lee General Editor

This bible is a King James version. I have to admit that I am more familiar with the NIV but have found I like the King James version, too. I also believe that it is in keeping with the whole concept - as it was most likely the King James version that our Founding Fathers read. The book begins with Seven Principles of the Judeo-Christian Ethic. The author states that "whether each of the Founding Fathers was a Christian is not the issue. Their writings, their statements, and their votes evidence the fact that a majority of them embraced these great principles as the basis for a civilized nation." With each principle listed scripture is quoted as a reference of where that principle was derived.

Sprinkled throughout the bible there are quotes from Presidents and Vice Presidents. Additional information is given that ties scripture and various events, happenings, and important historical people in our nation's history. Each of these are placed in the book along side the scripture that is related to the event, happening or important historical person. For example, Exodus 3:10 is quoted, 'Come now therefore, and I will send thee unto Pharaoh, that thou mayest bring forth my people the children of Israel out of Egypt.' George Washington is discussed on this page - saying he was the "American Moses", the Father of our Country. There are several colorful 4 page inserts that give specific detailed information on our nation - covering things like 'In God We Trust', the American Revolution, World War II, Christianity and Equal Rights, etc.

I was very impressed with the quality of the book. The print is very easy to read. There was a lot of research that went into adding all the historical information and the quotes from Presidents. I very highly recommend this bible to others. I can actually say that I have personally taken it to show some of my friends. I talked about it with one of my friends from bible study and she asked me to bring it next time we meet - as she wants to take a look at it. I have really enjoyed reading this book and have especially enjoyed the tidbits of historical information.

BookSneeze has provided me with a complimentary copy of this book for review. I received this book for free from the publisher through the Tyndale Blog Network book review (BookSneeze) bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

from Answers In Genesis

Book review - Katie's Way

By Marta Perry

This is book 5 in the series but I didn't realize that until after I had the book and was reading it. This book does stand alone and it is not necessary to have read the others prior to reading this one. The book was very well written. It focuses on forgiveness after someone has hurt you or someone you love. I think that is a wonderful lesson we could all use and work at doing better. You can check out the author's website here if you are interested.

art class

In celebration of Black History month, we incorporated study of Jazz music with our art class. The students then drew a musical instrument - then drew the colors that the instrument created - drew the texture of the sound. This became the background that the musical instrument was mounted upon. It was a very neat project and very different.

snow in WI

There is really nothing more beautiful than snow in Wisconsin. We recently got a very wet, sticks to everything type of snow. It made things just picture perfect.

The best part was this snow lasted only a day or two and then melted away. We have had an unusually warm winter with not much snow this year. It has been nice to not have to shovel as much as we did last winter. The snow is just beautiful though.

sprouting

I have been getting into sprouting as it is so healthy for you and a great way to get fresh 'greens' in the middle of winter. This was one that I was just fascinated to try. This is the Beanie's Awesome Mix - after sprouted and ready to be eaten. I tried them just eating them by themselves - very good; put them on a salad - really loved them that way; and tried this recipe -- click here --- with a few modifications (no soy sauce) - it was fabulous. My husband and I enjoyed it very much - my kids took one look and wanted nothing to do with it. Sprouts are just not for them - which I really don't understand - because I just loved them.

I took a bunch of pictures of the various sprouts I decided to get -- who knew there were so many types of sprouts - until I got into this - I have only eaten alfalfa sprouts. Love them but the variety of sprouts is just fascinating.

I have this one - the French Garden - in my sprouter now. It needs a few more days before it will be ready to munch on. It looks really good though.

I purchased the sprouter from here - and it came with the package of alfalfa sprouts. The rest of the sprouts came from here. Lots of recipes on the sprouting website also. I was just amazed to see the variety of sprouts and to see all the different ways sprouts can be used. Another interesting fact - most sprouts have a fairly long shelf life - you can find out more about that by clicking here.

Happy sprouting!