5 Things to Be Thankful For

During the Thanksgiving season, we traditionally gather together and count our blessings: home family, prosperity. Many posts will focus on gratitude. Some will encourage readers to find things about which to be thankful even amid the trying circumstances of their lives. But I would like to submit to you this year, while those are good and noble ideas, there are 5 things we have probably neglected.


Thankful for family, by Joanne Roberts

Be grateful for hardship.
"Count it all joy when ye fall into diverse temptations." James 1:2

When was the last time you said thank-you when you were struggling against a rash reaction? A hateful response? An addiction?
Difficult things in our lives give us chances to be an example to others and make us better people. I absolutely look forward to the day when I won't have to think twice about saying and doing the right thing. Until then, I'm counting my difficulties as blessings. (James 1:12)


Be grateful for suffering.
"But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings..." I Peter 4:13

This particular admonishment is speaking of persecution, but I think it can be equally applied to suffering wrongfully, condescension, or physical suffering. (I Peter 2:18,19)
Those who hold an opinion differing from the mainstream are continually blasted for their beliefs. Religious and moral freedoms are challenged on every side. The current political climate engenders strife, and while there is a general appeal for tolerance, those who speak the loudest deepen the divides rather than healing them. Complaining certainly isn't the answer. How would a thankful spirit transform our communication?


Be grateful for everyone in government.
"I exhort therefore, that,...giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority;" I Timothy 2:1,2

 No matter your country or political leanings, this is a very clear call to specific, purposeful thankfulness for specific, generally objectionable, people.
I've had cause to meditate on this thought for the last eight years, and see the need to discipline ourselves to it in the next four.


Be grateful for those in opposition to us.
"Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you." Luke 6:28

This one's especially hard for me. I get so tired of people who feel entitled. Self-righteousness fosters the opposite of gratefulness.
What would happen if we followed the rest of the commands in Luke 6?
"And unto him that smiteth thee on the cheek offer the other also; and to him that taketh away thy cloak forbid not to take thy coat also. Give to every man that asketh of thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again...But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again;"


Be grateful for everything.
"In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you."
I Thessalonians 5:18

Everything. Fill in the blank.


This is only possible with supernatural intervention.
But if you want to do the impossible, then you need Someone who is capable of that. That's God.

I've lost some readers here. Sorry to hear that. I hope they'll be back.

For those of you still reading, here's where I'm coming from. I'm a born-again follower of Christ.*

I was recently reminded that God never asks us to do the impossible. He does that part. (Romans 8:28, Mark 10:27, Luke 1:37, Philippians 4:13, Isaiah 43:2,7)


*Email me with any questions. I'll do my best to give you the truth. Or you can look at this clear explanation of my beliefs.

Straightforward Writing

“Anyone who wishes to become a good writer should endeavour, before he allows himself to be tempted by the more showy qualities, to be direct, simple, brief, vigorous, and lucid.”
~ H.W. Fowler*

Raven bookplate available from Florentine Collections

*Via Rosi Hollinbeck on The Write Stuff

MMGM: Mighty Jack

Today's Marvelous Middle Grade Monday pick



Mighty Jack, book 1,
a graphic novel by Ben Hatke

Mighty Jack

Written by Ben Hatke
Color by Alex Campbell and Hilary Sycamore of Sky Blue Ink

First Second Books, 2016
Grades 4-7, 208 pages


Themes:
Magical Realism, Coming-of-age, Siblings, Special Needs


Thoughts:
Mighty Jack is part one of a fantasy adventure graphic novel. Jack's single mom is trying her best to raise him and his mute little sister, Maddie. When a mysterious stranger at a flea market convinces Jack to buy a box of seed packets for Maddie, the two embark on a strange journey that begins with a patch of dirt in the backyard and ends somewhere beyond the beanstalk.

The seeds grow bizarre, magical plants which have a life of their own. When the garden becomes dangerous, Jack's neighbor Lilly lends her special brand of talent to train Jack, to protect Maddie, and to investigate the creatures growing in the back yard.

I love Ben Hatke's art and was blown away by the breathtaking colors of the artists of Sky Blue Ink. Also, Hatke's grasp on graphic storytelling is refreshing. Lots of illustrators have jumped on the graphic novel bandwagon, but few have yet learned the special skills for composing a page, wordless panels, and storytelling in comic format. In Mighty Jack, the story flows seamlessly from page to page. There are plenty of wordless spreads, but Hatke manages to convey emotion and suspense. His creatures are by turns frightening and adorable, but always cleverly designed. Yes, the story ends on a complete cliffhanger, but comic fans are used to the episodic nature of the medium. Unfortunately, we'll have to wait a whole year for the next issue. Luckily, there's plenty to read in the meantime. I predict a strong fanart following for this series. And if you still can't get enough, hop over to Etsy and purchase some of Ben's original art. 

 

Opening:
In lieu of the actual opening pages (which you can see on Amazon) I've included two pages of the inciting event.


Bonus: 
 1. If you enjoyed Mighty Jack, there's more to come. Look for book 2 around September 2017. In the mean time, enjoy the comic capers on Ben's blog, picture books like Julia's House for Lost Creatures or Nobody Likes a Goblin, or more graphic novel work like those below.



Ben Hatke's other middle grade series,
Zita the Space Girl

Little Robot, a graphic novel for grades 2-4

 

2. Don't take my word for it, read what other MMGM reviewers have to say about Ben's work:

Zita the Space Girl
Faith, at Life's An Art!
Alyson, of Kidlit Frenzy

Legends of Zita the Space Girl
Heidi, the Geo Librarian

The Return of Zita the Spacegirl
Beth, at Beth Fish Reads

Mighty Jack, book 1
Karen on Ms. Yingling Reads

 

3. If you love comics and graphic novels, check out these Marvelous Middle Grade Monday recommendations.



Storm in the Barn, by Matt Phelan,
 reviewed by My Brain on Books

Alamo All-Stars, by Nathan Hale,
reviewed on Word Spelunking

 

Anya's Ghost, by Vera Brosgol
Reviewed on Tales From the Raven

Ghosts, by Reina Telgemeier
Reviewed on Bookish Ambition

 

Check out all the Marvelous Middle Grade Monday recommendations for November 21, 2016.

Have you reviewed a Marvelous Middle Grade Book along this theme? Please leave the link in the comments below. Thanks!

MMGM started way back in 2010 by Shannon Messenger, author of Keeper of Lost Cities. Each week, participating bloggers review our favorite books for ages 8-12. Why not join us?

International Games Day 2016

Stop by your library to share in the gaming fun, meet new people, and maybe learn a thing about yourself. Participating branches may have game times organized by age, life-sized gaming, or simply open free time with games available.

Thanks to the American Library Association!

Support your local library. Join in the fun. Celebrate International Games Day.

Last year I made some suggestions for those of you new to the gaming world. This year, I thought I'd introduce you to some unsung illustrators, those who create the art for board games and cards. Along the way, you might find a new game worth trying.



Dixit, by Asmodee Games

Don't tell me you haven't played yet! Great for all ages, Dixit is a party game, sort of like Apples to Apples or Balderdash with pictures.

And what pictures!

Each of the cards has a bizarre, surreal illustration, so half the fun is staring at the artwork. Even better, there are a dozen expansion packs with, you guessed it, more cards. For more info, there's a good description on Thirsty Meeples.

My favorite artist may be Xavier Collette, but I love Maria Cardouat's original cards too. Other illustrators include Franck Dion, Pierô, Carine Hinder, and Jérôme Pélissier.

A sample of Dixit card art.

DragonMaster, by E. S. Lowe

OK. It's not fair for me to show you this game, because it's pretty rare, but we love Dragonmaster for its adaptability and its art.


Basically a standard pitch-type trick-taking game, this fantasy version offers four new suits (Nomads, Warriors, Dragonlords, and Druids), new characters (from the fool through the king), and plastic gems to keep score. (Just like the ones used in Lazer Attack. Remember that one?)

Our kooky family has invented almost a dozen variations of this game at last count. You can find them explained on Whatsits Galore.
I'm convinced this game's appeal comes from the fabulous artwork by Bob Pepper, Mid-Century psychedelic paperback book cover legend.



A sampling of Dragonmaster cards
Courtesy 2 Warps to Neptune

And a random sampling of other greats



Guillotine action cards illustrated by Quinton Hoover

Escape From the Aliens in Outer Space,Art by Giulia Ghigini

Tokaido, art by Xavier Durin AKA Naiiade



Mission Red Planet, 1st ed.
art by Christophe Madura



Mission Red Planet, 2nd ed.
Art by Andrew Bosley

Game cafes are popping up all over the country. You can stop by to play  or sample anything in their vast collections, usually for an hourly fee. These are great places to meet and relax, eat and laugh. Experiment to find your favorite games, then buy them at your local games store.
My current favorite is The Games Keep [561 E Gay St, West Chester, PA 19380, Phone:(484) 905-5533]

Local game stores, like local book stores need your support.

Can't find one? Try the Steve Jackson Games store finder or this one from Fireside Games, or Rio Grande's locator for a retailer near you. Online, I like Funagain Games. What are you waiting for?

Happy International Games Day!

Please leave your family's favorite past time in the comments. 

We love to try new games.

PPBF: Mira Forecasts the Future

Today's Perfect Picture Book Friday pick 

Mira Forecasts the Future, by Kell Andrews and Lissy Martin

Mira Forecasts the Future

Written by Kell Andrews
Illustrated by Lissy Marlin

Sterling Children's Books, 2016
Grades K-3, 40 pp, Lexile 550


Themes:
Science, Weather, Careers 

Opening:
Mira couldn't tell the future. That wouldn't bother most people in town, who lived their lives front-ways forwards with few surprises along the way. But Mira wasn't most people

She was the daughter of Famous Madame Mirabella, the Miracle by the Sea. Folks came from all over to hear their futures.


Synopsis:
"For some, telling the future is a gift. For Mira, it's a science."
Mira and her mom live in a boardwalk beach community. Mira's mom tells fortunes with her crystal ball. But Mira has no such talent. She becomes increasingly frustrated trying to imitate her mother. Finally Mira's inventions and unique interests allow her to set up her own booth predicting the weather. When a local competition hinges on Mira's expertise, she finds her hard work pays off and learns to trust her instincts.


What I Love:
Impossible not to love, this book is fresh and funny and utterly adorable. Perfect for twenty-first century girls and boys, too. This book is fiction, but sprinkles in nonfiction elements about predicting the weather. Readers are introduced to windsocks and barometers and such, but all within the framework of the story. The author doesn't stop with the obvious, Mira realizing her talent. She includes stakes which involve the community and a climax in which the main character must choose and act on her choices.
The art has a lively animated quality. The setting is slightly vintage, but the color choices and style are perfectly modern-day. STEAM-worthy and just plain fun.


Bonus: 
1. Author Kell Andrews has a host of printable downloads for predicting the weather as well as other resources for this book.

2. Did you know the National Weather Service has a spot Just For Kids? Or check out Weather Wiz Kids posts on how meteorologists forecast the weather and other resources. Ducksters has more detailed information on meteorology for a slightly older audience.

3. Education.com has a blank downloadable 7 day forecast you can use in conjunction with the weather-related activities available on iGameMom. Or make your own barometer with instructions from Deceptively Educational.

4. Homeschoolers will find useful free lessons on Homeschool Scientist and Free Homeschool Lessons, plus an extensive list of free worksheets and experiments on Homeschool Giveaways.

5. I also recommend these books: Bel the Weather Girl series, Weather Clues in the Sky, by Belinda Jensen and Renee Kurilla; What is a Forecast, by Jennifer Boothroyd; The Weather Wizard's Cloud Book, by Jim Duncan and Louis Rubin; and The Kids' Book of Weather Forecasting, by Breen and Friestad.

6. Check out these and more Perfect Picture Books at your local library.




Reviewed by Grade Onederful

Reviewed by Sue



Reviewed by Keila

Reviewed by Joanne

Reviewed by Andrea

Reviewed by Susanna

Have you reviewed a Perfect Picture Book along this theme? Please leave the link in the comments below. Thanks!

Check out all the recommended titles for Perfect Picture Book Friday
for Friday, November 18, 2016 available on Susanna Leonard Hill's blog.

Bookish Foundation

"Books give us the gift to imagine and the foundation to leap into a life we conceive, believe and achieve for ourselves."
-Johnette Downing*


Hanns Bastanier bookplate courtesy Ex Libris Argentina

*Via Picture Book Month

MMGM: The Human Body

Today's Marvelous Middle Grade Monday pick



First in a new Smithsonian series from Viking,
The Human Body, by H. P. Newquist
The Story of How We Protect, Repair, and Make Ourselves Stronger

The Human Body
The Story of How We Protect, Repair, and Make Ourselves Stronger

Written by H. P. Newquist
Smithsonian: Invention & Impact (Book 1)

Viking Books for Young Readers, 2015
Ages 8 and up
112 pages, Lexile 1130


Themes:
Non-fiction, Science


Overview:
“We’re going to see how flesh and bone have given way to wood and metal, glass and gold, carbon fiber and computers,” says the introduction to this overview of medical innovations. The first section, “Body Parts,” which takes up more than half of the book, focuses on the history of prosthetics and replacements, from glass eyes to dental implants to artificial hearts; the middle section, “The Medicine Cabinet,” focuses on soap, aspirin, and antibiotics; a final section, “Tools and Treatments,”  talks about the development of surgery, ways to peek inside the body and its processes from stethoscopes to MRIs, and vaccines. ... Reproductions of period and contemporary images, sometimes adding a gross and/or a cool factor, enliven the pages; a list of web and print resources and an index are included.

Overview courtesy Project Muse


Thoughts:
This book focuses on what humans do to repair and improve body parts and functions. I find that a fascinating approach and a great way to organize the material so kids will want to read it. The material is never dry, but enthusiastic and optimistic. Middle schoolers are bound to oh and ah over the history of prosthetics, the torture-like tools of early medicine, and the technological advances presented in this collection.

Did you know eyes were made from more than just glass or porcelain? False eye balls have been manufactured from rubber, cork, bone, wax, wool, and even gold. Did you know where the inventor of contact lenses got his inspiration? He realized there was no infection around the glass shards imbedded in fighter pilots eyes. Gross!

Did you know the Egyptians were some of the first to use false teeth, but they were for mummified bodies, not the living! Early false teeth in other civilizations were carved from sea shells or collected from dead people.

Did you know how early doctors scraped the pus from cow pustules, inserting it into cuts on their patients' arms to prevent further infection? How many were ridiculed and arrested?

Find out about mummification. See the progression from peg legs to modern running blades. Learn how aspirin finds the headache and what happened to Marie Curie's notebooks.

The author relates a smattering of cutting-edge examples as well, from the scientist who has implanted a communication device in both his and his wife's arms which they can feel anywhere in the world, to the mid-western dad who was able to download and print a prosthetic hand for his middle-schooler—for under $20!

As a creationist, I did find a few misleading "facts" and I shuddered at the philosophy that science should be used to "improve" the body's design. But the author presents even these viewpoints without moral comment. He never tackles the consequences of past or present methods. I see that as an opportunity for discussion rather than a disappointing lack of ethics. I enjoyed the author's passion for the subject and his presentation, allowing readers to form their own judgments.

This is the ultimate coffee table book. Browse. Marvel. Repeat.

Have you reviewed a Marvelous Middle Grade Book along this theme? Please leave the link in the comments below. Thanks!

Check out all the Marvelous Middle Grade Monday recommendations for November 14, 2016.

MMGM started way back in 2010 by Shannon Messenger, author of Keeper of Lost Cities. Each week, participating bloggers review our favorite books for ages 8-12. Why not join us?