American Heroes on the Homefront by Oliver North

Many years ago I taught elementary school.  During that time period I was often looking for themes to develop curriculum.  One of the themes that I thought about was "heroes".  I remember thinking that there were no longer any heroes that kids could look up to and emulate.  In my childhood there were heroes like Superman or Spiderman among others but there didn't seem to be any current literature written about heroes.

The fact of the matter is this--there are indeed heroes all around us.  They are not famous and they don't leap over tall buildings in a single bound.  They are policemen, firemen and the men and women in our military who serve our country every hour of every day.  They do what they do because they believe in justice and freedom and they are willing to do whatever it takes to ensure that we can live in a free society.

If I were to create a curriculum today featuring heroes I would not have to look far and wide.  I'd just have to go to a local veterans association and find a list of people who serve our country or visit the local police department or check out who our firefighters are.  I would also go to my local library and look up books written by Oliver North.  It would not be difficult to present lesson plans that would provide inspiration to our young people.  You might just find a hero living next door or down the block or in your own family.

If you have never been directly affected by the sacrifices veterans make every single day, you should take out this book.  Read it, you will appreciate all that they do for us and if you're a teacher, you'll have a great start to developing a heroes curriculum.

Ladybookbug!

A Redbird Christmas & The All-Girl Filling Stations Last Reunion by Fannie Flagg

Well never let me say that I won't read a book a second time--A Redbird Christmas--was even better the second time around.  A gentle story about a man whose name is Oswald.  He has just been given some terrible news by his doctor and it is the doctors suggestion that he get out of town for a while.  So he moseys on down to a small town in Alabama for some rest.  While there he makes friends with the locals, in particular, a store clerk named Roy.  Roy discovers an injured baby bird one day and wraps it up, fully expecting it will be dead by morning.  Much to Roy's chagrin, the bird lives and becomes Roy's mascot.

Jack, is a redbird.  Those of us up north call it a Cardinal.  Jack is the life of the small store that Roy owns and he makes friends with Oswald and a small girl named Patsy, among others.

A miracle occurs on the day after Christmas that affects everyone in the town, especially Patsy.  It is the sort of miracle that you have to recognize to see.  I believe there are miracles happening every day.  We just have to look for them and see them for what they are.

This is a short book of 207 pages and there are some great recipes in the back.  Add this gentle story to your Christmas books to read list.

Ladybookbug!

The All-Girl Filling Stations Last Reunion is also by Fannie Flagg.  If you are of a certain age, you'll remember her from her appearances on Candid Camera.  If you're not--you might know of her through another book she wrote that was made into a movie called Fried Green Tomatoes.   This story takes place during WWII and about 2005.

Sookie is a southern gal who has just finished marrying her daughters.  She is taking a breather from all the hustle and bustle that comes along with having a wedding.   One day she receives a certified letter which is addressed to her mother care of Sookie.  What is revealed in the letter changes Sookie's life forever.

This is a well-written tale about the strength of women.  It's the kind of story you might have heard from your mother at the kitchen table over a cup of tea.  While not exactly fast-paced, it will keep your interest until the very end.

Two good titles from a seasoned author.

Ladybookbug!

The First Phone Call from Heaven by Mitch Albom

The story is set in a small town in America.  It is very much like most small towns where everybody seems to know everybody else; where almost everyone goes to church on Sunday and almost everyone believes.

The main character is Scully, a former pilot, who currently sells ads for the local newspaper.  He receives a phone call from his dead wife.  He, along with a few other residents of the small town, are asked by their dead relatives to tell everyone about the phone calls.

I usually don't like to read about things that can't really happen.  I tend to think of myself as a realist.  But every now and again, I come across a story that is enjoyable even if everything points to the fact that it could not possibly be true.  This is that kind of story.

In the end, the reader is left with a big question that only each individual can answer.  In the end it is all about faith.  -The belief in things unseen.

A thought-provoking and inspiring book.  It is obvious to me that God blessed this writer.

Ladybookbug!