A Dog Named Slugger by Leigh Brill

Most of us are familiar with Seeing Eye Dogs because they have been used for many years to provide independence to the Blind; but we aren’t as familiar with Service Dogs who provide a wide range of services to the elderly or to people who experience physical or mental challenges.  Skills that Service Dogs learn include picking up dropped articles, carrying belongs, fetching telephones, opening heavy doors and providing stability for those who walk on unsteady legs.  Slugger is one of these amazing companions. 

In October of 1992, Leigh Brill is a young woman pursuing a Masters’ Degree in Community Agency Counseling at James Madison University.  Hurrying to class one morning, she decides to take a shortcut through the grass.  Leigh falls on the uneven surface spilling the contents of her backpack across the lawn.  Instead of coming to her aid, a fellow student riding a bike zooms past her with sarcastic remarks.  In a flashback, we get a glimpse of her as a child.  It’s a life filled with multiple surgeries, dozens of doctors, loss of modesty and privacy for personal hygiene, and constant physical pain – all resulting from being born with Cerebral Palsy.  Her prayer is to find an answer to her need for help that doesn’t include wheelchairs, canes or walkers - things that would make her feel like even more of a freak.  She wants a solution that is right for her.

Weeks later, Leigh is introduced to a new student and her canine companion, Caesar.  Once she sees Caesar in action, she begins a quest to have a Service Dog of her own.  Following an interview process with Caring Canine Companions, it is determined that a Service Dog would meet Leigh’s needs for assistance and the search begins to find the perfect companion for her.  That search leads to a Golden Retriever named Slugger.

As this autobiographical account continues, we follow Leigh and Slugger through twelve years of companionship.  Their story is both heartwarming and poignant.  It’s a partnership which allows Leigh to do things she would have never been brave enough to attempt on her own.  But you’ll need to read the book to see where the wings of independence allow her to soar. 

Dancing In The Lowcountry by James Villas

Family secrets and regrets, memories and inevitable tragedies of life are the subject of this book from Kensington Press. 

I have to add a disclaimer here because Kensington is usually a "safe" choice for books - meaning that one doesn't normally find questionable language or situations in their books.  This book has a little of both and I'd rather you know that before reading the book.  Although not vulgar or explicit, it isn't something I would usually read if forewarned.  It is, however, descriptive of real life issues that all of us deal with in one way or another.  I'll also say that I've read much worse as assignments for English and American Literature courses in both high school and college.  Overall, the book was both funny and poignant. 

Mrs. Ella Dubose is an eccentric old gal who loves the genteel life of the South.  Mrs. Ella packs a pistol in her pocketbook that she's liable to wave threateningly when she believes she has just cause.  She has a marijuana plant growing on her porch which is used from time to time to combat glaucoma. One of her sons has a Companion which has caused some rifts in the family - most especially with her deceased husband, Earl.  Goldie, her Native American companion, (a.k.a. cook, maid and errand runner),  keeps her mostly out of mischief.  But there are some things even Goldie can't predict or prevent. 

When two of Mrs. Ella's children, Little Earl and Olivia, suggest that her mind is going and that she needs a complete physical , she's had enough!  Mrs. Ella takes Goldie and escapes to a favorite hotel from summers past, The Priscilla, in Myrtle Beach.  While so much of Myrtle Beach has changed through the years, The Priscilla remains the same, old-fashioned hotel lost in time.

With strict instructions to the Staff that they are staying "incognito", Mrs. Ella holds a secret she believes she must share with her writer son who lives "up north."  She persuades Tyler to take time away from promoting his new novel and join her.  He is very different from her other children and Mrs. Ella's secret may hold the key as to why. Tyler has his own secret to share with his mom regarding his health. Meanwhile, back home, Mrs. Ella's other two children have called out the police in two states to track "that crazy woman" down via her license plate. 

Readers will catch a glimpse of life during WWII, when boys went off to war and so many didn't return.  It was the era of Big Bands, "proper" behavior, and heartbreak.  You'll laugh at Mrs. Ella's downright outrageousness, and the lifestories of Ella and the characters in her life will tug at your heart. 

If you are part of a book club, there are questions for discussion at the end of the book.  (Claire, if you are reading this, Mrs. Ella reminds me so much of your Mom.)  And yes, I would definitely read it again. 

Motorcycles, Sushi, and One Strange Book by Nancy Rue

Book One of Nancy Rue's [REAL LIFE] series from Zondervan Press is written about a teenager for teenagers; however, it is enjoyable for adults as well.

Jessie Hatcher grew up thinking that her father was dead, because that's the lie that her mother has perpetuated all her life.  Now she's fifteen and a father she's never known calls out of the blue.  When her Mom has to be hospitalized for a significant time due to Depression and Bi-Polar Disorder, Jessie is sent to live with this stranger - not her idea of an ideal summer.  She's used to the disfunction of her life with her mother.

Jessie has her own struggles with ADHD and she'd rather stay home alone taking care of herself like always, rather than go to a strange city with this weird guy who claims to be her father.  As their flight is announced, Jessie starts to follow her Dad to the gate; but she is stopped by a stranger who hands her a book saying it was left in her chair when she stood up.  Jessie doesn't recognize the book, but she doesn't have time to argue about it.  So she stuffs the book in her backpack and hurries to catch her flight.

In a moment of frustration over being torn away from all she's ever known, Jessie picks up the book.  Odd, because she hates to read.  In fact, she struggles to read.  Amazingly, she can read this book without any difficulty.  What she finds in the pages amazes her.  It's like the book knows how she feels and what she's thinking.  The book points her toward a Relationship with Jesus, with her Dad, and with new friends.  For the first time in her life, she realizes she's not a "screw-up" and that she is worthy of being loved.

This is a very powerful story, and one that I would definitely recommend to teens and adults. 


Stay tuned for Book 2 in Nancy Rue's [REAL LIFE] Series - Boyfriends, Burritos & an Ocean of Trouble.  I can't wait.

Saint Training by Elizabeth Fixmer

In the Spring of 1967, Mary Clare O'Brian, a sixth grader at the Saint Maria Goretti School, thought she wanted to be a nun.  Actually, she wants to be Mother Superior of the Good Shepherd Nuns.  So she begins to correspond with Mother Superior of the Saint Mary Magdalene Convent to find out what qualifications she needs and how to apply for the job.

Mary Clare is from a very large family - Mom has a new baby every year.  Mom is pregnant again, but Dad isn't happy because there are already so many mouths to feed - and a good Catholic education is very expensive.  Mary Clare, as the oldest girl, has to help out at home a lot.  There's always laundry, diapers, bottles and babies to keep her busy.

The late '60s are turbulent times.  There's a war in Vietnam, a host of Civil Rights issues, and The Feminist Mystique.  Even the Vatican II is changing everything.  One brother wants to go to war; another would rather go to Canada. Mom wants to be more than "just a housewife."

This book is like a window back in time to 1967.  I'm not Catholic so I don't share Mary Clare's experiences with nuns and the Catholic school.  But I was in the 7th grade in 1967, so I can most definitely relate to the times and the angst Mary Clare feels as she begins to grow up. 

I can also relate to the large family in a way because my Mom is one of twelve kids.  I've grown up hearing Mom and all my aunts and uncles talk about what it was like to grow up in the depression era with so many mouths to feed, the hand-me-down clothes and never-ending chores.

No matter what your background, you'll find Saint Training to be a very enjoyable, quick read and it is currently on the Kindle Best Sellers "Free" list. 

A Girl Named Mister by Nikki Grimes

Today's book is from Zondervan Press and is written for Teens; however, is also very appropriate for parents of teens.  Teen Pregnancy can be a very difficult subject for parents and teens to discuss; yet, Teen Pregnancy is becoming a national epidemic.  Even "good, church-going girls" are facing this dilemna in ever-increasing numbers. 

Mary Rudine has never been called by her name.  First she was called plain Mary, then that was shortened to M. R. But for a long time now, it's simply been Mister.  Mister and her best friend, Sethany, are active participants in their church youth group and they sing in the choir.  Both wear Promise Rings - they vowed to remain sexually pure until marriage.

But Mister didn't realize how difficult it would be to resist Trey.  He said he loved her; he meant that didn't he?  One night, she allowed her emotions to carry her away from those vows.  One night; one time; and now there is a baby on the way.  Mister can't tell her mother, or her best friend, or anyone.  She feels totally alone - separated from everyone, including God.

She remembers her Mother's favorite book - one that she has repeatedly urged Mister to read.  The book of poetry, Mary, Mary, is written from the perspective of Jesus' mother as she suddenly finds herself with child. Mister believes Mary just might understand what it is like to be pregnant before there is a groom.

Entirely written in poetic form, this is a book within a book.  Sometimes Mister speaks; sometimes Mary speaks.  Very tastefully written, this book shares a beautifully unique perspective - one that can be used as a starting point for family discussions.

The book isn't very long - I read the entire book in just a couple of hours.  It can currently be found on the Kindle Best Sellers "Free" List at Amazon.  If you do not have a Kindle, you can still take advantage of the free books Amazon offers by downloading the free Kindle for PC  App.  There are also free Kindle Apps available for iPhone and other brands of cell phones.  Check at www.amazon.com/kindle to download the Apps or to see if there is one for your phone.

For those of you who have a different brand of eReader, such as the Nook from Barnes and Noble, you might be able to find this book formatted for your eReader.

I started to stop here and publish this post, but I felt that I needed to personalize this issue with our family's experience.

In the spring of 1999, my nineteen-year-old son introduced me to his new girlfriend.  He was rebounding from a disasterous relationship with the previous girlfriend and I had hoped for some time for him to reassess what was important in his life.  What I could not know that day was that in just a few short weeks time, my first grandchild would be on the way.

They chose to tell me first, fearing how her mother would react.  I told them both that we would find our way through this together.  Her mother demanded abortion.  The entire story is one more appropriately shared via Sparrow's Song.  Here, I will simply say that it wasn't easy for any of us, but we did work through everything together as a family. Today, in 2010, my son and daughter-in-love are still married and they have three beautiful children, ages 10, 9, and 8. 

The appropriate time to discuss this issue with your teens is now - before circumstances force it.  Most of all, let your children know that they can come to you without fear and that you will be there to help them through, no matter what the situation.

From Dust and Ashes: A Story of Liberation by Tricia Goyer

From Dust and Ashes: A Story of Liberation is published by Moody Press.  It depicts the true physical and emotional hardships endured at Mauthausen and Gusen concentration camps.  According to the flyleaf's endorsement by LeRoy Woychick, U. S. Army veteran, 11th Armored Division, "The book mirrors my memoirs."

Another endorsement on the flyleaf comes from Thomas C. Nicolla, U. S. Army veteran 11th Armored Division and one of the first GIs on the scene at Mauthausen and Gusen and who witnessed the camps still in action.  He says the book, "relates the feelings and anxieties of the victims of the German concentration camps, as well as the German non-Nazi civilian experiences after the war." 

If you are looking for a "fluffy, easy" book to read - this isn't it.  However; this is a MUST read.  Goyer does such an incredible job of describing the smell, the horror, the ash that flutters down like snow, and the utter helplessness of both the prisoners and the German non-Nazi's that I find myself having to put the book down for a time to process all that I've just read. 

Helene, the pregnant wife of an SS officer and the mother of little Anika.  Helene is furious with Friedrich abandons his family in an attempt to escape the American Troops.  She believes him to be a murderer who allowed evil to become part of himself instead of standing up to it.   Helene decides to go home to her father's house and hopes that he will take them in.

Sergeant Peter Scott leads a platoon of U.S. soldiers whose mission it is to secure a bridge near St. Georgen, Austria.  He had heard of these death camps, but never expected to come upon one.  The mission changes to be one of liberation instead. 

Michaela and Lelia, prisoners at Gusen, are startled one morning by sirens and a loud commotion which signaled liberation for their camp.  Michaela's father, a pastor, hid Lelia's family in the basement but they were discovered.  Michaela and Lelia are the only survivors of the two families - and both are near death from starvation and harsh treatment.

Most of the information I've read or heard about the death camps ends at the point of liberation.  Goyer's book is the first account I've experienced that talked about how the German townspeople  were forced to help bury the dead in mass graves as punishment for "doing nothing" to stop the horrors.  Or how the townspeople pitched in from their own meager supplies to help feed and nurse the prisoners back to health. 

This book needs to be read and shared so that we never forget what happened, and so that it never happens again.  There are factions today who wish the truth of the Turk's genocide of the Armenian People and Hitler's genocide of the Jewish People to be eradicated from our history and textbooks.  They argue that such atrocities never happened.  In 2010, so many of the survivors of these camps and their liberators have died and there are fewer and fewer who can share first-hand accounts of what truly did happen.  We must keep their stories alive.