Anne with an E...not my cup of tea (possible spoilers)

Anne of Green Gables Novels #1: Anne of Green Gables

By Lucy Maud Montgomery

Matthew and Marilla Cuthbert have decided to adopt an orphan. They want a nice sturdy boy to help Matthew with the farm chores.  The orphanage sends a girl instead - a mischievous, talkative redhead who the Cuthberts are sure will be no use at all.  But as soon as Anne arrives at the snug white farmhouse called Green Gables, she knows she wants to stay forever.  And the longer Anne stays, the harder it is for anyone to imagine Green Gables without her.

That is what Anne of Green Gables is about. An adorable orphaned girl. Yes, we learn she has had a miserable childhood prior to coming to Green Gables, but we also learn that she has an indomitable, creative spirit. As a result, the difficulties in her past are barely blips in the scope of her future.

This is not the Anne in the new Anne with an E series on Netflix. Here's a trailer for it if you haven't watched it yet. 



What we generally assume from the book as Anne's quirky, imaginative, lively characteristics are turned into post-traumatic, survival mechanisms.

While entertaining, it is not the Anne of Lucy Maud Montgomery. It is a gritty, realistic view written by Moira Walley-Beckett, a writer known for her work on “Breaking Bad." The saying "consider the source" applies well in this situation. 

This Anne is more violent.
She is more worldly (not by her own fault, but she still is.)
Yes, there was feminism in the book but it was first wave feminism. Think suffragists. But Anne with an E presents more of the third wave feminism we face today. 
Attempts to flesh out other characters brings additional topics not mentioned in Montgomery's like attempted suicide and lesbianism. 
It shows victimization without victors.

As Annie Holmquist noted in her commentary, 

What Anne Shirley Teaches about Dealing with Victimhood:

The main, praiseworthy characters, such as Anne, Leslie, and others, were those who had endured genuine suffering – including sexual harassment, bullying, and poverty - but rose above those tragedies and determined not to fixate on them. They moved on with life and seemed happier and better adjusted than those who had minor problems, but chose to continually air them to everyone who would listen. In other words, Montgomery gives the subtle message that dwelling on one’s victimhood – no matter how big or small – only makes things worse.

So, while we have watched it, I don't fully recommend it. One benefit of watching, however, is that my daughter wants to read the book now to meet the "real" Anne!

If you want to view Anne of Green Gables, check out or purchase the Megan Follows versions click the picture! 

Anne of Green Gables, DVD

Yes, I've included some affiliate links. 

Money Math Review Games

We have been teaching a lot of cool classes in our co-op which I've been meaning to share but haven't.

But today, I am listing all the things I am using for my money math class as I plan it! 

In the elementary group, we've been running a little over a dozen kids who are Kindergarten through third grade. A wide range to cover, but I try to use things that would be appropriate for different abilities and arrange for the older ones (and parents) to assist the youngers when needed.

The first activity I'll do is skip counting 1s, 5s, 10s, and 25s which of course are the amounts for our coins. I'm going to make it fun by having us do tiny steps for 1s all the way to leaps for 25s. It will get squirms out, give practice counting coins, and provide some cloaked multiplication review, too. 

I'm then going to have the group divided into three to five smaller groups depending on how many are there. I think a group of 3-4 kiddos with an adult would make a perfect size for the money games I'm planning. I will rotate groups to the different games.

Take a look at my selections:

One is going to be Money Kaboom. You select sticks with different coin amounts. If you count correctly, you keep the stick. If you grab a Kaboom stick, you have to put all your sticks back. 

The second game is Money Dice. You roll large dice with various coin amounts on each side. There is a variety ways to play the actual game. I think we are going to play it to see which person in the group can total up the amount first. Here's the pin for it.

Now I am going to be honest. I am not going to get wooden blocks and paint them. I am just going to make a cube using a printable cube cutout on cardstock. I'm going to use coin clip art for the money.
A third game I am going to use is Coin Grab Graph. I really like that it includes graphing skills. 



The last game I am bringing is a free, printable one from Teachers Pay Teachers. I am printing the cards up on cardstock. It is the "I Have Who Has" Money Game.




Do you have any money games you can share?

Review--How to Teach Your Children Shakespeare

To read or not to read, that is the question.

The answer is yes. Read How to Teach Your Children Shakespeare by Ken Ludwig.

Ken Ludwig is an award winning playwright who happens to love Shakespeare. This fun, informative book provides an easy way to teach passages from many of Shakespeare's plays which he used with his own children.

Ken Ludwig

In the book, Ludwig not only teaches how to memorize the passages but also what they mean! That is right.  It is note just rote memory but meaningful memory! As if that were not enough, he also explains the whole play.

He starts with shorter passages, breaks them down into large font and short phrases, and offers paraphrases and explanation about them which all adds in the memorization. He offers the quotation pages and audio clips on his website Howtoteachyourchildrenshakespeare.com

Ludwig discusses Shakespeare's life and what theater was like during that time. He also offers a list of additional passages to memorize, epigrams, and a detailed bibliography of books, movies and recordings for all ages.

It is easy to read and has great photos of Shakespeare productions on stage and screen. I recommend this book as a resource for teaching your children Shakespeare passages, but also has a good and informative book. 

I received this book for free from Blogging for Books for this review.
This post also contains an affiliate link to Amazon in case you want to purchase the book.

Review--Callie's Contest of Courage

According to mija, if you want your tweenish girl to read something that "keeps her on the edge if her seat," then she suggest Callie's Contest of Courage by Jan May.

Unlike many books on the market for this age group, this book had a spiritual depth and a moral high. Jan May shared, "Our company, New Millennium Girl Books, was birthed from a desire to write fun and engaging books for girls that would encourage vibrant faith and build Christian character," and I think they succeed. 

I was very happy to mija read this book because it shows a girl struggling and maturing through real-life issues. I appreciated seeing an eleven year old girl is still a girl and yet shows hits of growing into a godly young woman instead if just turning into a teenager. This book also offers a strong patriotic theme which is refreshing.

Here is a little about the author, Jan May, from the site.
Jan May is homeschool publisher, author and. freelance writer and contributor to The Old Schoolhouse , Thriving Family and Clubhouse Jr. Magazines. She is also veteran homeschool mother of two. With over 20 years of teaching experience, her love for creative writing and her passion for well-educated children with godly character have formed the content of these books. 

Callie is the second book in the series. New Millennium Girls Books also offers a writing curriculum based on the first book. It is a twelve week writing curriculum that has a main instruction book and an accompanying paper doll and craft book, where the student creates the character they are writing about and designs her clothing.

Back to Callie's Contest of Courage, one last thing I really like about the book is the use of Scripture throughout. It was not just obligatory Bible verses because it is supposed to be a Christian but the characters actually apply the scriptures in real-life circumstances. The one thing I would add to the book is a list in the back of the book listing of all the Bible verses used in addition to all the other additional resources already provided.

Visit the New Millennium Girls Books website for more information. 

Review: The Perfect Score Project: Uncovering the Secrets of the SAT

Back when I went to high school things like the SAT and the ACT where not a big deal. I think I took the ACT and no, I don't remember my score.

Apparently things have changed dramatically. The SAT is very important. So much so, in fact, Debbie Stier, the author of The Perfect Score Project, took the test SEVEN times to prepare herself to help her son with the SAT.

In this book, Debbie Stier, who works in the publishing industry, writes of her family journey and her research into and practice for the SAT. Throughout the narrative she includes practical notes on taking the SAT.

My daughter is a year off from middle school age, so I will definitely keep this on my shelf for later. Even so, there were a few points from the book I find useful even now:

• Tricks on a test cannot make up for a poor foundation in a subject.
• Deliberate practice makes a difference and is not what most of us do when we practice. We need to practice those things we do not know not what we do know.
• Do not delegate the authority of your teens over to their peers. Parents/family need to stay the center of your teen's life.

If you want to have a resource of ideas about preparing for the SAT, this is a really good, practical book. If you would like an interesting, non-fiction read, this is a good choice especially since it is written as a narrative. If you want a parenting book, this is not it.

Find out more about the SAT and The Perfect Score Project on the website or Facebook page.

I received this book for free from Blogging for Books for this review. The review also has affiliate links.

Times Tales Review

I was stuck with a fourth grader who did not know her upper multiplication facts. I do not know exactly how it happened. She could skip count to her heart’s delight, but could not remember the facts by rote. I asked for some advice. Someone recommended Times Tales and at this point I was willing to try anything.

I am glad I did.

What is Times Tales?

Times Tales is mnemonic-based DVD that uses short stories to learn the upper multiplication facts. (Click to tweet.) At first, the thought of not learning the facts through understanding multiplication was heresy! However, I had already explained multiplication, and it was just the facts she needed help with. I realized how well she learns things within a narrative context like we do with history.

With Times Tales, first you learn simple stories. In fact, the program encourages you not to think of the multiplication facts but instead to just focus on learning the stories. Through additional sections on the DVD, it reviews the stories and slowly transposes the stories into the actual facts. The facts are no longer abstract but have a story basis!

Times Tales is:

- Read the rest of my review at: http://hedua.com/reviews/times-tales/#sthash.eyBurhNz.dpuf

If you'd like to try out Times Tales for yourself, just click here!

In the spirit of full disclosure, this post has an affiliate link, which means I may get a commission if you purchase from Amazon. I only recommend things that I love, so I know you'll be in good hands.

K5 Learning---watch for my review

K5 Learning has an online reading and 

math program for kindergarten 

to grade 5 students.  I've been given a 6 

week free trial to test and write a review 

of their program.  If you are a blogger, 

you may want to check out their  open 

invitation to write an online learning 

review of their program. 

What Once Was Lost--Book Review

Through Blogging for Books, I had the opportunity to read What Once Was Lost by Kim Vogel Sawyer. It was just released Sept. 17!

I think I've established before that I do enjoy historical fiction. Now 1890 is not as far back in time as I usually like to go, but since the story occurs in my home state of Kansas (Go Wildcats and Jayhawks!), I thought I'd give it a try.

I was really please by the story line. There were twists and turns. There were disappointments and challenges. There was growth in the characters.

Poor farms. Fires. Unplanned pregnancy. A blind boy. A reclusive miller. A mission board. Counterfeit money. These things and more work together to grow Christina Willems on greater dependency on God, heal Levi Johnson's past hurt, and eventually grow them together in marriage and ministry. Thankfully like real life, it takes take a hard journey to get to that point.

I appreciate the fairly accurate sample the story gives of the culture and mores of this time AND how they agree or disagree with living true Christianity.

Click HERE if you would like to download and read chapter 1 of the book.

And go HERE if you would like to purchase you copy!

I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.

In the spirit of full disclosure, this is an affiliate link, which means that I may get a commissions if you decide to purchase anything from Christianbook.com. I only recommend products & systems that I use and love myself, so I know you’ll be in good hands.

A+ Interactive Math gets an A

This year our curriculum choices are very eclectic because God's been providing things here and there. Who am I to argue with God that what He provides isn't what I had planned. 

One of those unplanned blessings is A+ Interactive Math.

A+ is a full curriculum that can be used online, downloaded to print up, or purchased as a CD. 

We have the fourth grade curriculum. Each lesson is not too long, offers interactive Q&As, and a work sheet. You can do them online or access the same lesson and worksheets to print up. 

The program even keeps track of performance and grades. If you do the worksheets and exams online, it is recorded automatically. You enter the results if you do if offline. 

You can find a demo of the program HERE. They even offer free math placement tests.

I  like the size of the lessons. I really like that we can make the program and use it however we like. For instance, we have found we like to do the online lessons and Q&As, but do the printed worksheets. A few times we've switched it up and I've read the lesson from the textbook and then used the online worksheet. There is also a lesson plan which tells you what to cover each week. I like that because it allows me to plan our week instead of the curriculum.

A couple of minor things I wish they would tweak is that the progress for online and manual lessons would all be recorded together instead of separately. Another thing I wish would be that the lessons and worksheets would have the same numbering. For instance, lesson 2-1 has worksheet number 8. I just think it would be easier (especially for the student) to match the lesson and the worksheet.

Considering I only have two minor tweaks out of the whole program should show I think this is quality.

There are big things going on at A+. They are upgrading their website and having a big Facebook party.

You can even try the program out for FREE for 30 days by going HERE.
They are even going to offering a way of using the program a month at a time or pay quarterly. You can find out more it at the Facebook party.

Thankfully through this review, I received my daughter's math curriculum for this school year!


I received the A+ Interactive Math for free in exchange for my honest opinion through the Gabby Moms program.

You Can't Make Me...Strategies for your Strong-Willed Child

Cynthia Ulrich Tobias

I have heard great things about Cynthia Tobias when it comes to her books on learning styles. While I have not read one of them, I knew I had to jump at the chance to read one of her books when I had it.

The first thing I learned from reading You Can't Make Me (But I Can Be Persuaded): Strategies for Bringing Out the Best in Your Strong-Willed Child is that my child is not as strong-willed as she could be! (Whew!)

The second thing I learned is that the strategies she 
suggests in dealing with a SWC (strong-willed child), are things that can be helpful in dealing with any child.

I think the one that has encouraged me the most is "Ask more questions; issue fewer orders." It does not mean not to have expectations or requirements. It does mean think about how you phrase them.

There's a big difference between:
"You still haven't emptied the dishwasher!" 
and
"Have you emptied the dishwasher yet?"

Tobias mentions that it is an attitude that assumes the best which, of course, makes me think of I Corinthians 13 and the characteristics of love.

She delves not only into dealing with a SWC now but also how to help them in school, as they grow into a teen and young adult, how to nurture your relationship with them, and how to attempt to restore a relationship if already lost.

I really appreciate the focus at the end of the book on God and His role in the family and parenting. She's also honestly states that strategies have an expiration date. Certain ones may work for a while but then you have to change things up. 

Cynthia Tobias' book is a help, but as she point out, the final answer is in Him.

You can read a sneak peak HERE to see what I mean!

I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.

The Brinkman Adventures--review

We love listening to dramatized stories. We will even stay in the car to finish listening to an episode or chapter, so we were excited to have the opportunity to listen to The Brinkman Adventures. 

What's really cool about these stories are they are based on a real family, and while names are changed, the family voices the characters. Many of the episodes also have missionaries or missionary stories that are based on real people as well.

We were so impressed with the acting and the quality of programming. The stories were so realistic. In fact, they sometimes give a warning about how intense the story might be. On the other hand, there are also great moments of humor. 

Totally recommend these.

You can actually listen to the stories on their website for free or purchase the CDs or downloads. We really like the CDs because we can listen to them in the car while traveling. 

In the meantime, there is a giveaway going over at Lorrie Flem's blog this week. You could win the season one CDs that we have! The winner will be announced July 7th. 

I was given the copies of The Brinkman Adventures Season One for free through the Gabby Moms program in exchange for my honest review.

Ripple Along the Shore---Review for Summer Reading!

I just read Ripples Along the Shore: The Quilted Heart Novella Three.


So, yes, I read the last book first. 

Now, onto my review.

First, it is a e-novella which means short. It was a very quick, easy read available on Kindle.

Second, the story line occurs after the Civil War in the city of Saint Charles, MO which now is basically a suburb of Saint Louis but when the story takes place, it was a day trip up the Missouri River. This book focuses on Caroline Milburn and the others in the quilting circle. The city and the individuals are in the process of rebuilding and restarting their lives after the war.

As a standalone story...well, I figured things out but it would have been better to read the others first. I figured out who was who and the back story but it would have been easier to know because while the story features Caroline the others play major roles. 

The story itself was nice but not deep. The Bible and God were mentioned occasionally but not enough for me to consider this book of any spiritual benefit or interest. I would consider it mostly just a romance novel without s*x. 

It was pretty obvious where the story was going, but it still just ended kind of abruptly and unresolved in my opinion. The characters where stereotypical and not very deep.

Nothing terribly bad about the story but nothing terribly good either.


This book was given to me through Waterbook Multnomah's Blogging for Books for free in exchange for my honest opinion.

Reading Kingdom Review

Everyone knows that I am the queen of all I survey, so it was a natural step for mija and me to spend some time in the Reading Kingdom.


Reading Kingdom is an online reading program designed by Dr. Marion Blank who is considered an expert on reading. She developed this program after perceiving deficits in phonics and whole language. The program is based on the patented program Dr. Blank has developed.

The program is designed for preschool-third grade or ages 4-10. The program starts with a skills survey that is supposed to assess reading skill and keyboarding skill. In fact, if keyboarding skills are lacking, the program will start addressing that issue first. The major part of the program consists of five levels. 

You can find out more about the program by watching this video

The program has some cute animation and graphics. It needs very little parental control because the program is in charge. 

That is the first feature I dislike.
One of the benefits I derive from homeschooling is controlling or leading my daughter's learning. This is not possible with Reading Kingdom. The extensive [read long] skills test places the student in whatever level the program determines. To adjust levels, you must contact Reading Kingdom. They are speedy in response, however.

I had to contact them twice to raise mija's level. Mija just finished third grade  but can read at a 5.6 to 6.0 level. The program put her on level 1 initially because of typos. Eventually we moved to level 5 which would be considered third grade according to the program. It was better, but still below her.

Another feature I personally did not like was the reading program itself. I learned to read in the "Dick and Jane" era of the early 70s. It was all sight words. We did not sound out words; phonics was taboo at this point. This program reminds me of that. Words are learned/memorized and then a book is read. 

Page from a book on level 3

I am not a world-renown reading specialist. I do not claim to be. Both mija and I, however, found the drill work extremely tedious and redundant. The same format of introduction and review is used for each lesson and each type of lesson is repeated several times for each word. Maybe if it had been more her reading level, it would have been more entertaining and challenging.

The program also claims to teach writing and grammar. I did not see that. I definitely see how it teaches keyboarding but not writing. The grammar aspects are never addressed but again drilled. For instance, if you do not type a capital at the beginning of the sentence you will be marked wrong, and so you figure out that you have to type a capital there. Same thing with punctuation. From what we experienced, the reason for it was never explained. To me, failing to explain the how and why is not teaching grammar.

The little aliens were cute.

I could go on, but I think I have shared enough for you to get the idea that I did not like the program on the whole.

BUT THAT IS JUST ME.

Model Cindy Crawford and other really like the program!

You know your child. If learning or reviewing reading this way sounds helpful, go for it. It is a quality product and you can tell a lot of thought has gone into it.

It offers a free 30 day trial. Try it out and see what you think! 

Or try it even longer. Lorrie Flem is having a giveaway on her blog this week (June 24-28) for a 6 month subscription. It might be just what you need to keep reading fresh during the summer or even as a curriculum come fall. So check out Randy's Rib to enter!

You can find out more about Dr. Blank's philosophy on teaching reading by checking out the Reading Kingdom  site  or by reading her book The Reading Remedy: Six Essential Skills That Will Turn Your Child Into a Reader. 

I received a free subscription to Reading Kingdom through the Gabby Mom program in exchange for my honest review.

For Women Only--review and GIVEAWAY!!!

Thankfully, sometimes it easy to tell when God is trying to teach you something...

Like when the book in review for Gabby Moms is the same book in review for Blogging with Books.

It is obviously God's way of gently saying...PAY ATTENTION WOMAN!!

I actually read the earlier edition of For Women Only
and it was very informative and convicting. I did not think I would need to read it again. 

I was wrong.

Reading For Women Only, Revised and Updated Edition was very informative and convicting AGAIN. It dusted off some things I learned previously and reinforced some thing I was doing correctly. It also convicted me again on somethings on which I need to continue to work.  

It also showed me what a blessing my husband is because he gives me credit for doing better than what I know I am doing, and he shows me more about himself than some men mentioned in the book.

Shaunti Feldhahn

For those you do not know about the book, Shaunti Feldhahn shares her findings about the inner-workings of men. Things men assume we know that we do not. Things that are part of how God made them.

She found all this out by doing a lot of research with thousands of men.

Do not let the word "research" scare you off. It is not a dull read at all. Shaunti does a great job of not only explaining her findings and what they mean but also of  helping us find applications. What good is knowledge without the wisdom to use it?

I also appreciate that while there is a lot of research put into this book, it does not come off as psychobabble. It is practical and Biblical.

Remember that husband I am blessed with having? He actually read For Men Only, Revised and Updated Edition to help me with my review.

He found a few surprises out about me like listening does not mean fixing and security means different things to women than it does men. He personally was blessed by realizing that when the Bible says somethings are common to man that it really means somethings are common to man. He was not the only man to have certain issues or ideas.

Oh, and get this. For Men Only, Revised and Updated Edition actually has a quick start guide! Is that book for men or what? 

We both totally recommend these books. It would be great for premarital counseling and for those of us married folks who want to continue to grow our relationship with our spouse.

Not only have they come out with the new editions, but also a DVD study which includes a men's study, a women's study, and a couple's study along with a leader's guide and a copy of each of the books. My husband is excited at the thought of the DVDs...men are visual you know!

In fact, here is a sample clip from one of the DVDs.


Now, here is the great news about the giveaways!
First, Lorrie Flem of Eternal Encouragement is giving away the whole DVD study set on her blog. 
Go HERE to enter that giveaway. (You bet your sweet bippy I entered.) Oh, Lorrie's giveaway ends Saturday, June 22, so hurry fast.
While there, make sure to sign up for the free online magazine at Eternal Encouragement.

Now, on to my giveaway!

There will be two prizes. 

• First place will win a copy of both For Women Only and For Men Only.
• Second place will win a only copy of For Women Only.
• Drawing is for US residents only.
• Drawing will end Sunday, June 30 at midnight.
• Winner will need to return my email within 48 hours of me contacting them or will forfeit the prize to another.

Okay, got it? Here's the Rafflecopter!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I received free copies of the books for me review from both the Gabby Moms and Blogging for Books.

The Fourth Fisherman--a book review & giveaway

This was not a book I would pick up as a first choice. In fact, I did not. I tried to avoid it several times when choosing a book to read, but it still kept coming up.


I decided to read it because of the Mexican fishermen. I have a deep appreciation for the home of my ancestors. Viva la raza!

It was a good read.

Joe Kissack spins two tales which seem worlds apart and unites them in The Fourth Fisherman: How Three Mexican Fishermen Who Came Back from the Dead Changed My Life and Saved My Marriage. 

I will let this video of Joe Kissack explain:


I got into both individual stories, but it was not until later in the book that I understood why he told the story the way he did. A doctrinal student had told Mr. Kissack, "The fishermen looked lost...You, Joe...didn't look lost...But, Joe, in God's economy you were lost, whereas the fishermen were not lost at all. They had God."  Even with the explanation, however, I still think it would have been better as separate stories.

The book was honest with what it took for the fishermen to stay alive without glorifying the gore. The author was also honest about how far he had to sink and the work God had to do through him and his marriage. While God did a miraculous healing when it came to his addictions, recovering his marriage continued to be a big issue. 

A couple of reservations deal with fishermen's faith and Kissack's faith. I wonder about the fishermen's faith. Was it saving faith that continued after their rescue or merely a hopeful focus which helped them through the ordeal. I wish that had been further developed. My other concern was Kissack's faith. I can see how God saved, healed, and led him. My concern is how much feelings and emotions play in what he does. You see his focus on emotions vs. Biblical teaching in the way he continues to treat his wife after his salvation.

The Fourth Fisherman ended up being an interesting, inspiring, and fast read. The fishermen's ordeal is tremendous. It would be perfect for some recreational summer reading. 

Would you like to win your own copy? How about a giveaway?!?!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

If you would like more information, the website is The Fourth Fisherman or follow Joe on Twitter. 


I received this book for free from WalterBrook Multnomah for this review.

BzzAgent in Action: Choco Zucarita review & GIVEAWAY

I've mentioned before about being a BzzAgent. You get great things to review for free. You don't have to be a blogger; you just have to share about the product. One-on-one. Facebook. Twitter. You get the idea!

This time, I received...

Photo credit: BzzAgent

That's right. Choco Zucaritas. They've been around Latin America for quite awhile, but these chocolate, frosted-flakes are just now hitting our shores.

Well, I'm not a big chocolate cereal eater, so I asked the experts in my home what they thought.

Okay, our regular bowls were in the dishwasher. A glimpse of real life in this house.

He liked it! Hey, Mikey! (and mija!)
Both were impressed with the chocolate-y taste and the fact it stayed crisp. These are two very important qualities for this two connoisseurs. 

While mija had a few bowls over a few days, hubby devoured and enjoyed the remainder of the box dry as a snack.

Now for the fun part for you! I was given two boxes, and much to my hubby and mija's chagrin, I'm giving the second one away for you to try!

a Rafflecopter giveaway