​At its heart this is a story of love lost and love found. Isabel has long-searched for and finally located her sister Ruth. The loss has been more than a physical separation. The bond between the two siblings was seriously breached and requires considerable effort on the part of Isabel to understand her sister's pain and patiently work to regain her love and trust. It is a brilliant study in the power of love to heal deep wounds within a family.
The book concludes with a fitting resolution to a defining battle in the conflict of American colonies seeking independence from Great Britain.  Of equal importance is Isabel‘s struggle to be a free and independent woman in a society that labels her as property. "Freedom would not be handed to us as a gift. Freedom had to be fought for and taken."
This is historical fiction at its finest. A worthy conclusion to a stellar series.

​We were having one of those "take me away from  the world"  days.  
​Too much stress.  Too much drama. It was all too much.

Preface

The Inquisitor's Tale: Or, The Three Magical Children and Their Holy Dog loosely follows the construct of Chaucer's Canterbury Tales. It's 1242 and a group of wayfarers find themselves at the Holy Cross-Roads Inn. The ale is flowing and rounds of storytelling commence. The group begins discussing the rumors circulating about three children: William, a Saracen of enormous size and son of a Crusader; Jeanne, a young peasant whose 'fits" often prove to be remarkably prophetic; and Jacob, a Jew searching for his parentage. And then there is the dog, the remarkable Gwenforte. This unlikely trio of companions has attracted the attention of King Louis. Individuals at the Inn are anxious to elaborate on the saga of these remarkable children.

Like Chaucer, some of the tales are earthy. Gidwitz adds this own signature "go for the gruesome" scenes with downright disgusting incidents that young readers will relish. (How many times will kids reread the gross-out description of the dragon that gets sick while gorging on sheep? My guess is an infinite number of times.)

There is religion, a lot of religion in the book. There are saints and martyrs, Jews and monks, Talmuds, and Bibles. There are questions. Big questions such as the question of Evil.
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Gidwitz's storytelling skills are considerable and shine gloriously ​in this magnificent tale. The well- researched historical details are neatly embedded but never overshadow the story. Tension builds as events unfold, and an important secret is revealed. I kept caressing the cover over and over again when I reached the denouement.
Read this book for the medieval history. Read it for the humor. Read it for a consideration of thought-provoking questions on racism, religion, and the value of books. Read it for the wild and wonderful narrative that it is. Whatever your reason for reading The Inquisitor's Tale, you will be richly rewarded.

I currently reside in a city whose residents include a large population of families serving in the military. This past weekend I listened to a heartfelt, tear-filled longing from a young girl.  She desperately missed her father, currently serving far from home.  
Shortly after listening to her share her yearning for her absent father, I discovered this excellent little photo journal for young children, coping with separation due to deployment of a parent.
Readers are introduced to individuals throughout the world who face this challenge. Photos capture the longing for an absent family member. In most photos the children are smiling and in close proximity to nurturing adults. The emphasis is on warm and comforting family relationships.
Large-sized font highlights key words on each page. These bolded words include such concepts as: far away, careful, proud of me, take care of me, friends, pets, and home.
Helpful back matter includes an annotated world map, connecting each image in the book with an individual or family. Back matter also includes information on dealing with separation, children's thoughts on bravery, descriptions of the various overseas assignments, a note for caregivers, additional resources, and suggestions for parents. 
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A reassuring book for young readers coping with separation from a parent and a welcome addition to home, school, and public libraries.

This handsome volume by award-winning author Tonya Bolden is jointly published by Penguin Random House and the Smithsonian Institution. The story of the creation of the National Museum of African American History and Culture unfolds from its early beginnings at the September 1915 Grand Army of the Republic's Forty-ninth National Encampment in Washington D.C. to the realization of the dream over one hundred years later.  This unique national landmark is built upon the last available acreage on the national mall and provides a fitting addition to the Smithsonian Institution's nineteen museums and galleries. 

The book's organization focuses on the museum's over-arching vision, the collecting and curation of artifacts, as well as the building's architecture and construction. Concluding sections highlight aspects of the eleven permanent exhibitions. The trim size is well suited to the subject matter and is best experienced with pages spread out on a flat viewing surface. Excellent page layout with a unifying graphic design element echoes the museum's intricate bronze-colored panels.  
History comes to life with inclusion of details such as the design of the museum's distinctive corona. The effort required to include in the exhibit a 155,000 pound Southern Railway car is fascinating. The passanger coach retains the original segregated sections which were in keeping with the prevailing Jim Crow laws.
Excellent photographs from the collection's treasure trove of historical artifacts are liberally and thoughtfully placed throughout the entire book.

More extensive back matter including a timeline, short biographies of key players involved in the creation of the museum, and a bibliography highlighting related reference materials would have been helpful additions.

An outstanding addition to library collections for young people.