Karen Carpenter: The Biography
Karen Carpenter was one of the most listened to vocalists of the 1970s. What happened to shorten this talented singers life at the age of 32?
Song for a Whale
It’s surprising so many deaf people have families who never learn American Sign Language (ASL). Since most deafness isn’t hereditary, about 90% of Deaf children are born to hearing parents. Unsurprisingly, twelve-year-old Iris was born deaf to hearing parents. Her mom and brother sign, but her father can’t seem to grasp his daughter’s language. And,…
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Before Camelot
Guinevere is facing her 13 Birth Day and the responsibilities it will entail. “Guinevere: The Eve of the Legend” is a great introduction for young readers about medieval times.
fantasy | Historical Fiction | History | MG books | MG novels | middle grade | Pre-Teen Boys | science fiction | series | series books | Time Travel
Pandora’s Box
When we first met Becky Mellor and her little brother Joe, they were sent away for summer vacation to Uncle Percy’s home. What they originally thought would be a boring summer turned into an adventure of a lifetime as the siblings experienced unbelievable time travel adventures as they hunted with Percy for the mythic Golden…
When was Jesus Really Born?
We’ve grown up believing Jesus Christ’s birthday is December 25, but the Gospel of Matthew and the Gospel of Luke, the only accounts of Jesus’ birth, don’t give dates. Early Christians celebrated March 25 as the day Mary was told she would give birth to a very special baby. This is the date the angel…
Discussing Death With a Child
Dear Pop, My mother recently passed away. My little boy was very close to her. How does one explain to a four-year-old about death? Grieving Mom Dear Grieving Mom, Here’s what I suggest you do. Be honest with your toddler and encourage questions. This is a learning experience for him which he’ll never forget. Children’s…
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The Merry-Go-Round Man: A Metaphor on Life
In 1954, while still in elementary school, best friends Lee Esner, Jimmy Wiggins, and Johnny Roth create a game: “Whoever gets there [top of the merry-go-round] first is the real King of the Mountain. Whoever wins is Champ for life. For the rest of his life he’s on Easy Street!” Lee was the handsome one,…
American Sign Language | Deaf | Disabilities | education | History | Hunger | Judaism
Deaf Jews and the Holocaust
On November 9, 2019 Valley Beth Shalom, in Encino, California hosted a program in commemoration of the 81stAnniversary of Kristallnacht entitled “Rescuing History: Kristallnacht and ‘The Holocaust Through the Eyes of Deaf Jews’.” (Kristallnacht was two nights of violence perpetrated against the Jewish communities of Germany and Austria on November 9-10, 1938.) It was a…
6 Thanksgiving celebrations around the globe
In the United States, we observe Thanksgiving the last Thursday in November. It’s a cornucopia-filled holiday with traditions unique to America. It is celebrated to give thanks for the fall harvest with historical references to native Indians and Pilgrim settlers. Americans are not the only country that ritualizes a feast of thanks. Many other countries…
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Deadly Planet
The Sons of Neptune by Rod Little (click on link for reviews of that series) is a four book series about the Earth’s invasion by alien humans from a moon of Neptune. After the war, Earth is in need of new resources, so three of the characters, Sam, Bohai, and Teak, take the Starship…