Book Review of Persuasion by Jane Austen

In the start of the book Anne Elliot, the daughter of a regency-era baronet is twenty-seven. Her mother is dead, and her father is vain and self-important. Her sister had been managing the household but never considers Anne's wishes as of any importance. Her father is heavily in debt, so they decide to have their house rented and move to the English city of Bath. Anne stays behind with her married sister, 'because Anne will be of no use in Bath.'



It happens to be that the brother-in-law of the man renting the Elliots' property Anne had been engaged to eight years before. Frederick Wentworth was a sailor, and while vistiting near the Elliots had fallen in love with Anne. Anne loved him also and they were engaged. But Anne's father hardly approved of the match, since Frederick was not rich, and Anne's friend who had been like a mother to her, Lady Russell, persuaded her that it would be only fair to Frederick to break their engagement. Eight years had passed since that time, and time had softened Anne's love and sadness, but then Frederick Wentworth went to visit his sister in the Elliots' old home, and Anne met him again. He had grown wealthier, and Anne could see that all Lady Russell's arguments that it would be best for both of them not to marry each other had been unfounded. She could also see that he had not forgiven her for rejecting him and she watched him court her brother-in-law's sister Louisa Musgrove.



This is Jane Austen's last finished novel and also one of her least known stories. In addition to the romance of Anne and Frederick it has interesting subplots including Anne's father Sir Walter Elliot, her sister, her sister's friend Mrs. Clay, and William Elliot, heir presumtive of the lands and titles of Sir Walter. I would recommend this book for ages twelve and up.

Book Review of: An Old-Fashioned Girl. by: Louisa May Alcott

Polly's friendship with the wealthy Shaw's of Boston helps them to build a new life and teaches her the truth about the relationship between happiness and riches.Polly never questioned the way she was until she went to visit her city cousins. Fanny looks too glamorous to be Polly's age and wouldn't be caught dead sledding down a hill. Only Tom, Fanny's brother, supports Polly as she tries to see where she fits in.

My Review:I just got through reading this book and loved it!! every girl should read it!! I love the way Polly is pro-trade: a sweet, sensible girl willing to help anyone she meets! yet she is just like anyone else and gets tempers, gets heartaches and all that stuff that is in any romance book:) I didn't like Tom or Fanny at first but they both grew on me and by the 3rd chapter I couldn't put it down!! by the end of the book you will feel as if you know the people (I personally like this type) I think that Louisa May Alcott could have made the story longer 'cause at one time skips 6 years:( anyhow a all together good book.

I don't remember anything bad or bad words used! I recommend for 12 and up!!

Book Review of the Bronze Bow by Elizabeth George Speare

Set in the time of Jesus in Palestine, this is a wonderful story of hope, revenge, forgiveness, and love. Daniel bar Jamin's father and uncle had been killed by the Romans. His mother had died of sorrow and his sister Leah was so scared that many thought she was possessed by demons. After his parents death his grandmother sells him to a cruel blacksmith, but he escapes and joins a band of fighters in the mountain, struggling for freedom from the Romans. Freedom from the Romans! That was all Daniel cared about, all he lived for. The Romans had killed his family and he would revenge them. He thought of nothing else.

But one day that changed. He met on the mountain Joel, the studious and quiet, but patriotic son of a rich Pharisee, and his sister, graceful, beautiful Malthace. They brought the thoughts of his village back into his mind. They even convinced him to go see his grandmother and sister Leah. But he did not stay there for long. He went back to the band of freedom fighters on the mountain. Once he went to the house of Joel's father, to see if Joel would help them in their fight for freedom. But he always went back to the mountain.

Except for once. His grandmother died and he moved back to the village to take care of Leah. He even got full use of the blacksmith shop belonging to his friend Simon. Simon had left the shop in his care, for he was following this rabbi Jesus. Daniel had heard Jesus preach once. At first he though that maybe He would be the one to lead them against the Romans. But he gave up on that idea, this new Rabbi said nothing about fighting the Romans. And yet.....

This is an amazing book. I've read it three times and every time I seem to like it more. Elizabeth George Speare was a wonderful writer. There is nothing really inappropriate in The Bronze Bow. It has a little fighting and Daniel mentions how his parents died but it isn't in great detail. I'd recommend this book for ages 12 and up.

Book Review Of "Wings Like A Dove" By Christine Farenhorst

Wings Like A Dove by Christine Farenhorst is the tale of Queen Jeannne D' Albert of Navarre, a queen who became a protestant during the Reformation. The story begins when she is five, "almost six" years old, and goes all the way to her public proclomation of being a protestant at age 32. It tells of the times when those who refused to pray to Mary were killed.

My Review: The book itself is different. Instead of speaking of gowns and frills of roayl life, it depicts the hardships of those who stood up for GOD in their faith, and went against the Catholic Church. There is one bad word in the story, the other word for donkey, but Jeanne is referring to a donkey. There is also one bad word, a name that I do not want to repeat, that is used in the epilouge. This however, since I guess the epilogue was historical fact, was a name one of the king's from one of the surrounding countries called her for her not following the Roman Catholic Faith. Instead she followed the true Faith. Other then that, the language level is good.
This story, having taken place in the reformation mentions the deaths of huguenots by burning at the stake, and heads being chopped. However, these things did happen. The description for these are not gory, and so you do not have to worry about in depth details of the murders of the victims.
Also, there is a part in the book where Jeanne's Father, King Henri, slaps her mother after she prays with the protestants. Mentionings of Jeanne being hit from her father from the same incident are in the book, along with her beating's for refusing to marry a man, take place. These are also not entirely detailed.
To sum this up, this story tells of the life of the real Queen of Navarre(a small country between France and Spain). It may give you somewhat the feel of the times when those whose worshiped GOD as the Bible says to, and not the way the Catholic church says to. Jeanne was a brave woman in the end, and her faith in GOD was strong enough for her to stand up and defend the huguenots, and most importantly GOD's Word.
I recommend for ages 12 and up.

Book Review Of "The Wind Blows Free" By Loula Grace Erdman

The Wind Blows Free is the first book in the three book series called The Texas Panhandle Series.
The story is about Melinda Pierce, a fourteen year old town girl who goes to live in the country after a fire destroys her father's store. Melinda has always wanted to go to school in the town she grew up in, but how can she when she lives so far away? This book is the tale of how a young girl learns to love the simple life.

My Review: Though this was probally my least favorite of the three books, it was still nice. There is nothing that I remember in it that was very objectional. There is one part where some men force their way into the Pierce's home, which could be frightening. Other then that, it is just a sweet story for girls. I recommend for ages 12 and up.

(I realize there was no more then one post posted, and remained posted, last week. The good LORD willing, this week should have the full three.)