https://plumfieldandpaideia.com/drovers-road-trilogy/

“The dazzling mythology of ancient India has always delighted and fascinated me… India’s national epics, the Mahabharata and the Ramayana, are profound, powerful masterpieces that rival the Iliadand the Arthurian legend. Admittedly, this mythology may seem alien, strange, even forbiddingly complex. As in any encounter with a different culture, what appears difficult or incomprehensible quickly grows familiar. The farther we journey through its rich landscape, the more we understand that what lies beneath the brilliant, exotic surface is, in essence, a world we recognize. The warrior’s code of honor, for example, is nearly identical with the knightly code of chivalry. Earth-shaking clashes between good and evil, courageous heroines and gallant heroes, steadfast love, daring rescues, loss and recovery, these are elements in our universal heritage of story” – from Lloyd Alexander’s Author’s Note in The Iron Ring

Perhaps because it is historical fiction (one of my favorite genres), this modern book doesn’t feel quite like a modern book. It does have a certain pacing and dialogue style that is more typical of some modern books, but I enjoyed it and felt that it had a timelessness to it. In fact, as I was reading, it reminded me of Alta Halverson Seymour’s Tangled Skein or maybe a little bit of Hilda van Stockum’s Borrowed House. Both authors told powerful stories about teens in wartime that edified while they entertained. This story is also a good one for our teens to chew on. I suspect that we will do this one as a book club. And I look forward to reading more of her wartime novels.

"I suppose I was born to be a reader and a librarian. After I learned to read in first grade, I was insatiable when it came to books. And the public library, Tom Green County Library in San Angelo, Texas, was my source . . . The Children’s Librarians there, Ms. Karen, and later Ms. Lynn, helped me find the best books and inspired me to want to do the same for others someday."

he Mitchell Series ( 3 books) set in Canada

The Bantry Bay Series (3 books) set in Ireland

Stand-alone books:

The Winged Watchman (set in the Netherlands during WWII)

Note: Edna St. Vincent Millay, an aunt to Hilda van Stockum by marriage

The Borrowed House (set in the Netherlands during WWII)

John is writing a book about the Dutch resistance

Order of books on WWII: Winged Watchman for younger children, then Borrowed House for intermediate level and then John’s book when published

Joseph Conrad The Heart of Darkness - another book about the evil in men’s hearts (for adults)

Mogo’s Flute  set in Kenya

Penengro (gypsy Roma book)

Day on Skates (set in the Netherlands) 

Little Old Bear especially good for very young children

Patsy and the Pup another good one for young children

Plumfield and Paideia Facebook Page

Sarah Kim’s References

Tanya’s References

Sara Masarik’s References 

Diane’s References 

Tanya's Teaser

Anna Hibiscus’ Song by Atinuke

In this interesting and compelling new story, author Jon Tilton invites middle-grade readers into a modern fairy tale about a girl who embarks on a hero’s journey in order to right a wrong. 

Discount Code: PLUMFIELD

Over the next six weeks, one thing after another drew my attention to the possibility of opening a lending library in my home. I scoffed. I have kids at home. The podcast and homeschooling keep me plenty busy. I only have 3,500 books. I am an introvert. I live in the woods 20-45 minutes away from any patron base. I have unpredictable health. But, the dream continued to settle into my heart. 

https://plumfieldandpaideia.com/sara-masarik-of-plumfield-living-books-library-in-wisconsin/