52 books :: Book 8 :: Catching Fire

Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins is the second book in the Hunger Games trilogy. This is a young adult science fiction novel. I finished that one fast...I honestly can't say which one I liked the best, the first book or this second one! Great story, great pace, same awesome characters all made a very enjoyable read. My older daughter is also reading this series, she is just starting this title. It's been fun talking about the story!

"Against all odds, Katniss Everdeen has won the annual Hunger Games with fellow district tribute Peeta Mellark. But it was a victory won by defiance of the Capitol and their harsh rules. Katniss and Peeta should be happy. After all, they have just won for themselves and their families a life of safety and plenty. But there are rumors of rebellion among the subjects, and Katniss and Peeta, to their horror, are the faces of that rebellion. The Capitol is angry. The Capitol wants revenge. Suzanne Collins continues the amazing story of Katniss Everdeen in Catching Fire, the second novel of the phenomenal Hunger Games trilogy." from the scholastic website.

12!

It's my boy's 12th birthday today! I have some better/cuter photos of him from today, but this represents the two of them much better! Happy Birthday Andre!!

52 books :: Book 7 :: The Homeschool Liberation League

The Homeschool Liberation League by Lucy Frank is the story of Katya, a grade 8 girl, who decided that she wants to be homeschooled after she spends a life changing summer at Wilderness Camp. The story takes us from the first day of school in September when she decides that it isn't for her to the winter concert. In those few months, life is filled with discovery for her.

I was really looking forward to this book. I thought that it was so nice to have a fictional novel about homeschooling, written for young people. I hate to say that I was disapointed and really pushed myself to finish the novel. I enjoy reading juvenile fiction, so it wasn't that it was too "young" for me. I guess I was expecting more about homeschooling. The parts I did enjoy reading where when Katya was discovering her passion for science, especially plants and more hands-on science. I also appreciated the message that the author was trying to pass on, that there are many learning possibilities available today.

cowboy boots ~ 46:365 of living positively

We spent most of today away from home.

A nice change after being stuck at home most of last week!

Our dog was getting pampered (for free!) and while we waited for him to get done,

we decided to go kill some time at the local thrift store.

My girls love shoes, we didn't come home with any, but we had fun and

that's all that matters.

46:365 of living positively.

XOXO

Another Week of Living Positively

I am a little behind in sharing my photos here for the living positively challenge. The first photo in this set is from February 8, the last one from the 1st. I am finding it difficult lately to remember to grab the camera and also to see the positive everyday. My attitude hasn't been the best and I am very ready for spring to arrive!

52 books :: Book 6 :: Expressive Photography

I finished reading this book last month and completely forgot to post about it!

Expressive Photography: The Shutter Sisters' Guide to Shooting from the Heart is on my wish-to-buy list. It is a wonderful book about photography, filled with inspiring photographs and even though it isn't a true how-to, I walked away with many "shoot it!" assignments to try out later. I really appreciated the explanations on how certain photographs were taken.

The Shutter Sisters site is also a wonderful place to look at inspiring pictures. You can visit it here.

52 books :: Book 5 :: The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate

The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate is Jacqueline Kelly's debut novel. I have to be honest, I was first attracted to this book because of the cover. Isn't it beautiful? The yellow and the black, I love!
Anyway, after finding out what the story was about, I decided to give it a try.

It is the story of Calpurnia, a young girl living with her family in the South in 1899. She discovers nature and science with the help of her grandfather and through that experience discovers herself. Being a girl during that time period means that she is expected to have a certain future, and that might not be the one she is hoping for.

I really enjoyed this novel and would recommend for any young girl (probably 10 and up) that enjoys nature and a bit of history.

A Week of Living Positively