Editing TLC

GLADWOMAN by Marcia Freespirit

“A true story of a woman bound by pain, seeking hope and finding love.”

When teaching my third graders, I often hear the comment “This is hard,” meaning that the child is expressing a bit of frustration with the task to be completed.  Over the years, I’ve shown them that the desk they are writing at is “hard,” but the task is “challenging,” and “We’ll take the challenge.”  It seems in life that we are all faced with a number of challenges, and sometimes we just feel overwhelmed.  At times like these, it is often a good thing to read the story of another human being that has overcome adversity in his/her life. 

Marcia Freespirit is a very brave woman, in that she has opened up her life to the readers of GLADWOMAN.  She shares the difficulties, painful experiences, and challenges but leaves us with hope and a triumphant spirit.  She is now an author, publisher, and business leader.  What impresses me most about her is that she truly believes in and encourages many others to set their goals high.  The struggles that she has faced in life are proving to help her lead others on the road to success. True self-esteem comes from the effort that we put into life, and Marcia is a perfect example of someone who has accomplished a life of success after living through much adversity.

  CELLINI'S REVENGE: THE MYSTERY OF THE SILVER CUPS 

   by Wendy Bartlett

History has never been a topic that has been an interest for me, due in part to teachers in my schooling that did not bring a “love of the past” to their students.  I could never understand my husband’s love for the History Channel, and he can’t understand my love of fiction.  However, authors such as Wendy Bartlett are teaching me that I can learn a lot about history through the reading of well-written fiction based on a piece of history that piques my curiosity enough to do some research to find out more about the historical person, setting, and/or time period. 

The author’s parallel storyline takes the reader on two journeys.  One tells us the story of the four-hundred-year history of the twelve small silver astrological cups which were stolen from Cellini in 1527.  The second story is about an American named Catherine, who was accused of murdering her husband, and spent twelve years in prison in England.  At the age of sixty-five, she decides to go back to England to try to find the real murderer.  What is the tie-in?  The Cellini cups.  Here is where Ms. Bartlett takes a small piece of history and makes it her own within the context of her fiction.  Having lived in England herself, Ms. Bartlett is able to take us right into the setting with her vivid descriptions.  Her knowledge of England comes through beautifully.  Wendy Bartlett does a wonderful job of tying the two stories together.  I thoroughly enjoyed reading this mystery, and it kept me wondering to the very end of the book.  I also really appreciated the epilogue in which Ms. Bartlett shared a number of real life coincidences that happened to her related to the writing of this book. 

 

Court of Foxes is a great mystery read for adolescents and adults. The setting is in the Welsh village of Morredin and readers will feel as if they are visiting that country because author Brian Lux does a wonderful job of describing the area in Wales. Legend and magic are brought together to create a very exciting tale.

Mr. Lux tells the readers that Court of Foxes is “based on a true story of Dr. John Harries, a wizard, whose powers were legendary in a small village in Mid-Wales.” Visit the National Library of Wales for proof of the photograph that is part of this story. This book could make readers question their own beliefs in wizards and magical happenings.

As a teacher, I often see what happens to students who move in to a new school district.  The main character, Bryn, has this experience of moving with his mother from the city out to the village of Morredin to his grandfather’s home.  Being the “new kid” in town, leaving the city where “all the action is,” experiencing language barriers, and the like, are all issues facing this teenager.  Then on top of all of the “common” issues, he experiences nightmares, “sees things,” and discovers much about the “happenings” of Morredin.  People in this village are keeping secrets about many things and Bryn is led to seek out answers.  In the end, it is up to Bryn to make decisions that could change the world forever.  The theme of good versus evil is a strong part of this book, which is a part of everyone’s life in small or big ways.  We all can relate to this theme and learning to find courage within ourselves.

Author Brian Lux has created a wonderful book for middle school readers and beyond.  He takes U.S. readers on a trip “across the big pond” and even with the sprinkling of the Welsh language within the book, does a masterful job of teaching us within the text. After reading this book, it is obvious why Brian Lux received the Welsh regional winner of the 2006 Undiscovered Authors novel competition.  Here’s hoping for more novels from this gifted writer.

 

Loppylugs and the Dam by Brian Lux is a wonderful children’s book.  It received all thumbs-up from my class of third graders.  They absolutely loved the book and were thrilled to write to Mr. Lux and share their thoughts with him.  They made connections with all of the dogs in the story but more importantly they were able to take a great message away with them.  Loppylugs shares that many dog breeds are known for special jobs that they can do, which is similar to the fact that children are gifted with certain abilities.  In this story, Loppylugs, isn’t sure about anything that is special about him.  He is “just a bit of this, and a bit of that.”  Children can relate to the “I don’t feel special” feeling.  Loppylugs discovers that he was able to “save the day” for a whole village due to his special abilities.  Children often need the adults in their lives to help them find those special abilities within themselves.  Loppylugs and the Dam is a book that you will want to share with any and all children in your life. 

 

Author Scott M. Shafer has written a very thought-provoking book in What Every Dream Means.  Just how does God choose to speak to us?  I must admit that growing up in the Christian community, I can not remember any Bible study on this topic.  Having just visited my mother, who is now 85 years old, and a Bible scholar herself who leads Bible studies, she told me that she has never been part of a study about dreams.  She can remember discussions with friends about this topic, however. This is a book that I am now going to share with her because I very much want her opinion on Mr. Shafer’s study of dreams.

He shows us through Bible scriptures how God has used dreams in the lives of many Bible characters, so why wouldn’t God continue to choose to also speak to us through dreams?  This book has totally given me a new look into the Scripture.  More importantly, Mr. Shafer gives us the tools that we need to begin to take a deeper look into our dream life.  So whether this is a brand new concept for you, as it was for me, or something that you have wondered about, What Every Dream Means can help you on your journey through life.  Thank you, Mr. Shafer, for taking the time to enlighten others about this very important topic and life-changing concept. 

 

Calling All Boomers: Reflect Now Before the Memory Goes! by Randall D. Howard is a delightful read.  Being a baby boomer myself, it brought back so many events in history that I could remember and relate to, as well as now realize what an impact our generation has had on the world.  Sometimes as we walk our journey through life we cannot realize the big picture of all that is going on around us.

Many times I caught myself saying, “Yes, yes, yes!” to the memories that Mr. Howard was sharing with his readers.  He has a sense of humor that makes reading this book a real pleasure.  However, he also shares from his heart about personal issues that he has had to deal with on his life’s journey.  I appreciate his testimony and events in his life that brought him to his personal relationship with Jesus Christ. 

This quote from Mr. Howard puts Calling All Boomers into perspective: “We had the highest standard of living, saw the most advanced technological changes, lived through wars in foreign countries and in our cities’ streets, and set musical genres and fashion trends that some of us would like to forget.  We were invincible.”  I believe that boomers and their children would both appreciate reading this book.  Maybe, just maybe, the next generations will have a better understanding of the baby boomer generation by taking a look at all of the changes and struggles that baby boomers faced.  This definitely is a book for everyone to add to their personal library.

 

Recess is Over! By Dr. Sherry L. Meinberg is a must-read for all teachers, whether they are in the student teaching phase or serving as a master teacher.  It is a great reminder book for the veteran teacher.  It also reaffirms the enormous responsibility that falls to the teaching profession and should be taken very seriously by those beginning in the field to teachers that have been serving as long as this reviewer (thirty-five years). 

 This book will be the first resource that I give to future student teachers and will also be the book that I put in our staff lounge (and/or staff rest room) for folks to pick up when they have a few minutes to take a breath.  The great thing about putting this book out for staff is that each chapter (all 71 of them) concerns one topic for teachers to think about followed by examples.  The short anecdotes are both humorous and shocking.  Teachers will find themselves saying either, “Been there, done that,” or “Don’t want to go there!”  It is a fantastic “heads-up” book for beginning teachers and will help them when facing the many challenges of each teaching day.  Thank-you, Dr. Meinberg, for taking the time to write this needed resource for our profession.

These words from Dr. Meinberg’s “My Wish For You” page at the end of the book echo my sentiment for all teachers: “Focus on success, and find a way to keep the feelings of excitement and satisfaction all year, every year.  Proclaim it to be as you want it to be, and follow through.”

 

I May Frustrate You, But I’m a Keeper by Ray W. Lincoln could be a life-changing book for parents and teachers, and the children in their lives.  Having been a facilitator for parenting classes for over twenty years, I do believe that I have just found a resource that parents should not be without.  I also think that if I would have the parents of my students help to identify their child’s temperament style at the beginning of the school year, it could be very enlightening and helpful in teaching my third graders, and would help the parents as well.  I truly am looking forward to sharing this book with both parents and teachers.

 Mr. Lincoln takes us into the historical background of temperaments but puts his book into a reader-friendly format so that readers can learn about themselves and how they approach life.  The Adult Temperament Key as well as the Child Temperament Key are based on research and are quick and easy to figure out and just may change the reader’s whole approach to working with the children, either at home or in the classroom.  The bottom line is the assessments are evaluating how you are made on the inside.  They are strength-finding assessments, so very positive in nature. 

Mr. Lincoln states in I’m a Keeper that “This book is your basic manual for parenting with understanding and skill; and if you follow its suggestions you will become a Super Parent.”  I believe that combining your knowledge about temperament with a few other parenting strategies would prove Mr. Lincoln to be correct.  We all want to be “super parents,” do we not?  Purchasing this book is a small investment that will pay off in a big way if readers take the time to approach life via the strategies provided in this manual.

 

Karl Boyd shares quite a story in Signs of Our Times, but then we’ve come to expect that from Mr. Boyd.  The back cover of his book says that readers will be grabbed from the first paragraph, but I think it took me until paragraphs two and three to really begin to question, “Just what is this mystery?  Just what does Katie Atkins know about a terrorist plot to attack the president and hundreds of thousands of Americans?”  Readers will also appreciate the title of the book and the author’s humor when you find out the double-meaning.

If you have not read any of Mr. Boyd’s books you need to begin now.  I see him as one of the most creative mystery thriller writers.  It amazes me that he can keep coming up with these “out-of-the-box” plots.  I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again, I’m so thankful that Karl Boyd writes about these ideas and doesn’t act on them! 

The book keeps you turning pages and readers will be surprised where the good guys get help in solving the mystery.  The author does not hold back in descriptions and intensity.  As an editor, I also appreciate the fact that the book is well-written and there are no distractions in the writing.  One thing though, be sure to have a chunk of time carved out because you won’t want to put this book down.  Karl Boyd is a gifted writer and has accomplished another great book in Signs of Our Times.