Dolores Johnson (1949–2010)

The first book in the Mandy Dyer cozy mystery series gets the dry cleaner involved with a local bag lady brings in one of the cleaner’s signature laundry bags, inside of which is a bloody suit.

This has all the hallmarks of a successful cozy series. A wide array of possible suspects, an amateur sleuth whose “day job” brings her in contact with lots of people, a hunky detective who just may have a personal interest in our heroine, and a cast of colorful supporting characters. She also show more has an irascible cat, who seems to hate everyone. The setting is Denver and this episode is set in December, so you know there will be cold and snow to contend with.

I figured out the killer long before either Mandy or the police, but it still held my attention. (Though I admit to yelling at the book several times with an “What are you thinking?! It’s obviously XXX!”) There were also a number of loose threads, but the culprit was ultimately apprehended and that’s what really counts.

This was first published in 1997 and it shows … limited computer use, no cell phones. Still, I’d be willing to try another in the series. show less

After several failed attempts with his partner Robert Peary, African-American explorer Matthew Henson was one of the first men to set foot on the North Pole. Although Henson's warm relationship with the Inuit people (he learned their language and taught other men on the expeditions about their culture) and his skill with dog sledging were integral to their success, Henson was not recognized for his achievements until some time later. Henson was posthumously awarded the National Geographic show more Society's Hubbard Medal (their highest honor) nearly 100 years after Peary was given the same award for the same expedition.

This biography is detailed enough to be useful for school work and its awesome photographs and exciting story will appeal as recreational reading for young explorers. show less

The story, Papa's Stories, a young girl has her papa read stories to her as a young girl. As she grows older and her Papa tells her the same stories, she notices that they are never actually the same. She questions this and asks her mom. Her mother explains that her father cannot read but didn't tell her that because he loves her and didn't want her to look down on him. The young girl confronts her father, and he is apologetic, he just didn't want to disappoint her. She forgives him and he show more learns how to read.
I like this book. I give it a four star rating because I think it is a great life lesson for young readers. Children will learn to love unconditionally no matter how or what another persons abilities may be. show less

Summary: A young girl named Gina found her mother reading a diary in the attic of their house. Her mom told her it was handed down from one of their African American ancestors and read it to her. It was written by an African American girl about hardships her father and younger sister went through. They were slaves who decided to run away from their slave owners. They ran into a tribe of Seminole Indians who took them in as their slaves, yet they protected them and treated them like brothers. show more The two sisters gradually grew apart because a woman of the tribe took in the younger sister as her own. The tribe, including the two sisters, eventually split up as some went to Oklahoma and some went to Florida. The book concludes with the mother telling Gina a few more historical facts about the African American slaves and Seminole tribe.

Personal Reaction: I enjoyed this book. I didn't think I was going to be a big fan of historical fiction, but as I read more of these books, I've discovered I really like this genre.

Classroom Extension: I could have the class 1) write a story relating to this book from the point-of-view of what a child of the Seminole tribe might have experienced or 2) have the children research more information about the Seminole tribe. show less