The Spiritual Poems of Rumi by Rumi

MY RATING: 4 of 5 stars

I've read a lot of good feedbacks about this, hence I immediately ask for the ARC of this book. Readers will reflect and will have self-realization while reading the verses in this brilliant book. There are a lot of beautiful and remarkable poems that were compiled in this anthology. Reading these classic poems from the world-renown Persian poet Rumi will amaze anyone on how stunning they were written.

If ever I see the actual copy of this in local bookstores here in my country, I would definitely buy one because this kind of poems are timeless, classic and are definitely collector’s item.

Beyond the Green by Sharlee Mullins Glenn

MY RATING: 5 of 5 stars

The author, Sharlee Glenn, of Beyond the Green based the story from her personal experience when their family temporarily adopted, Gina, a five-month-old American Indian. As stated in the author’s note, before 1978, the government took away neglected or abused children from the Native Indians; they were cared for and even adopted by non-Indian families. This caused a lot of problems because the tradition and language were soon forgotten once they were raised by those who are not American Indians; hence the Congress passed the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) of 1978 to be able to protect and maintain the culture of the tribe/s.

Similar to the author’s real-life story, this fiction novel narrates the story of the Twitchell family from Uintah Basin, Utah who adopted a five-month-old American Indian baby named Chipeta in 1975. Irene Uncarrow, the biological mother of the baby was seen drunk in a bar while the baby was left inside the car in Beaumont. The social worker reached out to the Twitchells to care for the innocent baby. After four years and because of the ratification of ICWA, the social worker got in touch with them to inform that the real mother, Irene, wants to get her child again.

The possibility of Chipeta, or was later named Dorinda or Dori by their family, being taken away wasn’t easy for the Twitchells especially to Britta, the storyteller and one of the closes to Dori. She and Cally attempted several ways to avoid what they were dreading, but whatever happened, they can’t avoid the inevitable.

Beyond the Green is a poignant novel that will make one think of the power of love; on how much one will do anything just to prove it; the enormity of forgiveness and acceptance, and that proximity is not a factor to show one’s love and care.

Manga Classics: The Stories of Edgar Allen Poe by Stacy King

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The only story of Edgar Allan Poe that I've read was "The Cask of Amontillado," which was a required must-read by our high school teacher over a decade ago. It was both bizarre and gruesome, and reading it again in this graphic novel brought up how I was really horrified back then.


Aside from the aforementioned story, there are other four tales in this book: ? The Tell-Tale Heart; The Raven; The Masque of the Red Death; and The Fall of the House of Usher. This manga adaptation of some of the well-known stories of Poe is, I believe, a good way to make any readers to enjoy them more. I highly recommend this graphic novel and other manga classics published by Udon Entertainment to students — so they can vividly imagine and better understand these classic tales.

About Death by Sini

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is one of the webcomics that I've read so far that really moved me to tears because of how all the stories are quite poignant. Several of the stories are about friendship and love for family that I'm sure will touch the readers. Some of these will also make them ponder on how they treat their family and friends.


A great read that will make you think about the value of life and on how we spent it.

The Orphan Band of Springdale by Anne Nesbet

MY RATING: 4 of 5 stars

The Orphan Band of Springdale is a middle-grade fiction novel that was narrated through the lead protagonist, Augusta “Gusta” Neubronner, an eleven-year-old from New York who was sent by her parents to her grandmother in Elm Street, Springdale, Maine. Her father was supposed to accompany her on the journey, but he suddenly vanished when they were on a bus in Portland. Gusta’s father is a labor organizer, thus the authorities were trying to capture him. Aside from this, his father is from a German descent and the story was set in the year 1941 when the Second World War was happening at that time.

While Gusta’s father was trying to avoid being arrested, her mother was left in New York because of work. Hence, there was no choice for her parents but to send Gusta to her grandmother who has an orphanage in Maine. While in town, she got acquainted with her mother’s siblings Aunt Marion and Uncle Charlie Goodman, and his daughter Bess. She also became friends with Josie, the first orphan who arrived in the orphanage. Her friendship with Josie and Bess has led for the coming up with the idea of forming a band because they want to join the county fair contest for Blue-Ribbon Band that summer.

Aside from Gusta’s fun experiences while she’s in her grandmother’s hometown, she also got herself into distressing situations. She and Bess also accidentally discovered their family’s secret while trying to resolve their problem with Bess’ father, Uncle Charlie. Her nationality was also being questioned due to her surname, and because of who is the father is.

The novel is intended for middle graders; however, I reckon that it will be more appealing to young adults and even older readers. The Orphan Band of Springdale is a really captivating fiction that will be appreciated by anyone; so if you have time to check out this book, don’t miss the chance to read it and you will not be disappointed.

When We Were Shadows by Janet Wees

When We Were Shadows by Janet Wees
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

When We Were Shadows is middle grade and a young adult novel that is based on the real-life experience of Walter and his family during the Holocaust period. This book recounts what happened to them and the constant fear the Jews have to deal with while trying to stay alive. Walter’s Oma, the grandmother, was able to keep the letters he has written to her throughout the time they were hiding; these written messages were included in this book as they were clearly describing their suffering.

Walter and his family left their home in Zwickau, Germany in 1937 when he and her sister, Hannah, were only five and nine years old. His family rode the train to Den Haag; their peaceful life in the Netherlands was cut short after three years because the country has succumbed to the hands of the Nazis. His father entrusted their home and his business to a butcher who had a shop beside his father’s.

Their family left Den Haag and stayed in a summer home in Nunspeet; however, their lives were still not safe hence their parents had followed the Underground’s advice to hide his sister in a hospital because of her osteomyelitis. Her illness will be a hindrance once they need to flee their home immediately because of the constant raids by the Nazi soldiers in towns. His Oma was the first member of their family that the Underground has taken in 1940 when they arrived in Den Haag and was kept until the country was free again. Walter and his parents were the only left in their family that was not safe so they have to continue on the move into some new hidden shelter.

The Underground is a group of people who helped the Jews by hiding them; providing them with food, clothing, and information; they also transported them from one place to their new hideaway, and they also helped them build their huts in the hidden village in the forest on 1943. Even though these people put their lives on a stake, they tried to do everything that they can so they can save these Jews from the Nazis.

When We Were Shadows is another novel that will intensely illustrate how it was to live during the Shoah. The story of Walter and his family show us courage, the willingness to live and hope amidst their situation. Also, even though there were times that they were indistinctly persuaded to change their religion from being a Jew to be a Christian, they didn’t falter and keep to their faith.

Under Dogs by Andrius Burba

MY RATING: 5 of 5 stars

Under Dogs is sort of a coffee-table book or art book that shows some canine breeds in a different perspective, which is showing them how they look like under. Few shots are a bit weird because several of the dogs just look like a mass of fur, while others have cute poses that will capture anyone's attention. Some of the photos that I love in this collection is the shots of the Chihuahua, Basenji, Bichon Frise, Basset Hound, both of the pictures of the two Miniature Schnauzer, and especially the shot of the Mutt.

If you are a dog lover, just like me, you will definitely adore this book. Perhaps, even those who are not dog person will enjoy checking the adorable photos of our canine friends.

Nine's Legacy by Pittacus Lore

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A lot of readers would hate Nine because of him being obnoxious. But I don't know why I didn't have the slightest disapproval of his character. Or maybe I already guessed that there's something behind that pretense.