The Penderwicks

The Penderwicks, by Jeanne Birdsall

23/60 | Started 03.27.26 • Finished 05.08.26 | 5 stars

"This is the best book ever!!!!

This book is about four sisters: Rosalind, Skye, Jane, and Batty. For summer vacation they went Arundel cottage where they met a boy named Jeffrey, in an unexpected way. They become friends and go on many adventures together. There’s also Churchie, Mr. Penderwick, Mrs. Tifton, Dexter, Cagney, two rabbits named Yaz and Carla, and a dog named Hound. My favorite part of the book was when Jeffrey showed up as the Penderwicks were leaving and told them he didn’t have to go to Pencey."

Carolyn, age 9

Colossians & Philemon

Colossians & Philemon, by Kathleen Buswell Nielson

22/60 | Started 08.10.25 • Finished 05.05.26 | 4 stars

This one was a long time coming... We did a study of Colossians and Philemon by Colleen Searcy last fall, but I never finished the chapter on Philemon in this book I was using to help me as I co-led a small group. So I finally picked it up and read the last chapter. Nielson's particular method of teaching through the book is to lead you to other passages in the Bible itself to answer questions that might arise from studying your particular passage. She doesn't provide the answers to questions like many other studies do. However, after being guided through the book of Colossians, she drops you in the deep end for Philemon, and it felt like a little too much of a switch. I would have liked to see the Philemon chapter remain a bit more guided.

The Boys in the Light

The Boys in the Light, by Nina Willner

21/60 | Started 04.13.26 • Finished 04.19.26 | 4 stars

This true story set in World War II came across my radar thanks to Tim Challies. It's the story of two sets of boys, one from the U.S. and one from the concentration camps of Nazi Germany. The U.S. boys grow up very different from one another, but are assigned to the same company of tankers. The concentration camp boys develop a deep friendship despite their immense suffering. The collision of these two sets of boys changes their life's trajectory. The book is complete with wartime and reunion photos. A great though sobering read worth devoting your time to.