Quote:

I'm reading a book from my study list called "My Father's Daughter" originally titled "Father's Arcane Daughter." On the very first page, it has profound words that could grab any reader young or old. Written for the young audience, this book will certainly relay little quotes that stick with the reader.

E.L. Konigsburg writes these lines,

-"Life's like that. A little knowing. A lot of not knowing."

-"My telling will be a string of incidents. Like the separate frames of a comic strip. Besides, I'm bound to give myself all the good lines."

and my favorite of these is.....- "Moods are colors."

Keep in mind these are on the very first page of the book. Very few books start with great impact. Sometimes it takes many chapters to have a real attention grabber. So.... as I turn the page, will this book start with a bang and end with a pop?

For the young reader

"On My Honor" by Marion Dane Bauer

Age: 4th Grade + (AR 2pt)
Topic: Moral dilema/death/consequences
Pages: 98
Newbery Honor 1987

Overview:
When his best friend drowns while they are both swimming in a treacherous river that they had promised never to go near, Joel is devastated and terrified of having to tell both sets of parents the terrible consequences of their disobedience.

This book is on my list of books to study. I found it to be an easy read with big impact. I would recommend this to youth 9+.

Story takes place at Starved Rock State Park. Two best friends head out to have a fun day, when a small dare turns into catastrophe, Joel is faced with emotions he couldn't handle. He is caught in a lie he can't hide from and the truth will find him. Parents play a big part in this story as well. Joel made a promise to his Father not to go to the river, "On my honor" he says. How can he possibly tell his parents he broke his word and witnessed the death of his best friend?

The subject matter is a good topic for kids. There's a message- there are certain consequences to our actions whether big or small, truth is the only option. As a parent I can relate to the emotion in this story. It's real and could certainly happen. The ending was a dead point for me, I wanted another chapter or so but that's the "adult reader" in me. The ending need not be elaborated further for the age group.

Reprints have been made for this book. Rent it at your local library today.

Poem: Hold Fast Your Dreams

Hold Fast Your Dreams

Hold fast your dreams!
Within your heart
Keep one, still, secret spot
Where dreams may go,
And sheltered so,
May thrive and grow-
Where doubt and fear are not.
O, keep a place apart,
Within your heart,
For little dreams to go!

Think still of lovely things that are not true,
Let wish and magic work at will in you.
Be sometimes blind to sorrow. Make believe!
Forget the calm that lies
In disillusioned eyes.
Though we all know that we must die,
Yet you and I
May walk like gods and be
Even now at home in immortality!

We see so many ugly things-
Deceits and wrongs and quarrelings;
We know, alas! we know
How quickly fade
The color in the west,
The bloom upon the flower,
The bloom upon the breast
And youth's blind hour.
Yet, keep within your heart
A place apart
Where little dreams may go,
May thrive and grow.
Hold fast- hold fast your dreams!
                                      -Louise Driscoll

This is a beautiful poem by Louise Driscoll. I enjoy reading it over and over again. The book "A Child's Anthology of Poetry" is one of my best purchases to date. Every time I read a poem from this book, whether it be the first time or 5th, I reflect on it differently. Poems are supposed to have an emotional effect on you. They surely do. Many of the poems in the book are for children, but as you read this poem, I think you'd agree that it's aimed for adults as well. Much like the other poems, adults will interpret them differently and find deeper meaning within each one. I hope this poem finds your heart as it did mine.