Maria

Maria, by Michelle Moran

6/60 | Started 01.21.24 • Finished 01.30.25 | 4 stars

Aside from the weird love story that our book club assumed was forcefully inserted by the publisher, this is a really great book. I loved learning about the real story behind The Sound of Music and though it wasn't knock-your-socks-off writing, it was well told and enjoyable to read. The true story is quite different from the one portrayed in the movie, and we spent a lot of time discussing Maria's motives as well as how the way she handled the family's needs affected the children as they aged. I've already recommended it to my mom and I would think any reader would like it quite a bit. Might have to watch the movie again as it's been a long time!

The Secret Valley

The Secret Valley, by Clyde Robert Bulla

5/60 | Started 01.09.25 • Finished 01.27.25 | 5 stars

"The book is about a boy and a girl named Frank and Ellen. They go to California but don’t find any gold! Then they go to the secret valley that a man named Father John told them about. They didn’t find any gold in the river, so they were about to go back to the tent city but they found something in the box that Nugget the cat was sent back in. It was a little leather pouch with a note attached. The note said that Polly was giving them something to show how thankful she was. They opened the pouch and found good! There was enough gold to buy the land in the secret valley! My favorite part was when Miss Polly sent them gold."

Carolyn, age 7

A Place on Earth

A Place on Earth, by Wendell Berry

4/60 | Started 12.28.24 • Finished 01.19.25 | 4 stars

This is my second Wendell Berry novel, as I attempt to read through his Port William books in order. I enjoyed it more than the first one - more characters and intertwined plot lines.

He feels himself beyond the reach of all that might lift him back. All the force of his life seems to have withdrawn into his own body, to survive or perish there beyond the help of anyone but himself.

This portion takes place during the decline of World War II. We meet several inhabitants of Port William, including Jayber Crow, Burley, and Mat Feltner. Berry has a real knack for bringing a character to life, what with his flaws and triumphs and quirks. This is a sad story of love and loss, so you'd need to be in the right frame of mind to read it.

“Mat, when we’ve lost it all, we’ve had what we’ve lost.” “But to lose it. Isn’t there anything in you that rebels against that?”