Book Review - Callie’s Contest of Courage

My daughters and I were recently blessed with the opportunity to preview Jan May’s latest book, Callie’s Contest of Courage.  Both avid readers, my girls had high expectations for a story about a Christian girl’s life.

Annie’s Opinion (13 years old)

This was a touching story that I could easily relate to.  I liked how Ms. May incorporated scripture throughout the book.  I also appreciated that she showed a real picture of kids going through a rough time in their lives and showing good character though the experience.  As an oldest sister in a family with a military dad, I could sympathize with how Callie was feeling.  I would recommend this book to any girl, whether she’s going through a rough time or not. 

Cece’s Opinion (10 years old)

Twelve chapters was just the right amount to pack in a great story with a lot of information.  I loved that Callie was so much like me.  We both like nature and creatures.  We also both missed our dads while they was gone and our moms took us on road trips.  Even though I liked the story, my favorite part of the book was everything that came after it – the recipe and activities for me to do with my family.  It’s like I got to live the story even after it ended.  The town where Callie’s grandparents live reminds me of the little town that we moved to when my dad was in Iraq.  I’m looking forward to reading more books from Ms. May.

Mom’s Opinion

This is a story that most girls can relate to in some way.  Whether it’s having to give something up, missing someone they love, or just making the right choice in a difficult situation, we all face those circumstances throughout life.  The last thing I expected from Ms. May’s story was to cry, but it happened often (I also laughed and smiled in case you wondered).  This was our story a few years ago when my husband served in Iraq.  During that time, my girls and I packed up and moved from California to Missouri.  Ms. May perfectly captured our anxiety, fears, loneliness and joys during that experience.  She also gave us a great example of a family’s faith in God through a difficult time.

I also loved that Callie was a very real girl with a strong foundation.  Those don’t often come hand in hand, but it happens with this character.  Like my girls, she is passionate about the world around her and loves her family.  She also struggles with her faith and feelings and experiences a positive outcome that girls need to see.

The activities at the end of the book were a great bonus.  As a homeschooling mom, I’m always looking for ways to extend the story.  Ms. May gave us a wonderful variety of hands-on activities with something to please everyone in my family (the pie is super-yummy).

Book Description (from http://www.newmillenniumgirlbooks.com/)

Eleven-year-old Callie Fleming is a passionate animal lover! She’s been waiting all year to enter photos in the I Love Nature Photo Contest. Her dad, who is the coolest dad in the world, is an award winning photographer and Marine Corps Reserves Sergeant. She is leaning on his help to win. But when her father is untimely deployed overseas and becomes strangely silent to her emails, she finds her whole world crashing down on her. Can she muster up the courage to step out on a journey that whisks her away from all the things she loves? Join Callie on a journey of hope, trust and the power of prayer.

Get Your Own Copy!

One reader will win a copy just for commenting below.  Winner will be announced June 1st here.  If you just can't wait, order your copy at http://www.newmillenniumgirlbooks.com/.

Disclaimer

I received a free copy of Callie's Contest of Courage in exchange for an honest, unbiased review on my blog.  All opinions expressed are our own.  We received no compensation other than a free copy of the book.

Memorial Day Is More Than A Three Day Weekend

Memorial Day, which was first called Decoration Day, is a day to remember those that have gave their lives in the service of our nation. There are many tales as to how it actually began. Memorial Day was officially recognized on 5 May 1868 by General John Logan, national commander of the Grand Army of the Republic, in his General Order No. 11, and was first observed on 30 May 1868, when flowers were placed on the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery. The first state to officially recognize the holiday was New York in 1873. But, it is not important who was the first to observe the day, what is important is that Memorial Day was recognized.

President Lyndon Johnson officially declared that Waterloo N.Y. was the birthplace of Memorial in May 1966. However the origins have be debated by many people. Most likely it had many individual beginnings; each state and town had their own celebrations where people would gather to honor those that were killed while serving out nation.

General John A. Logan Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division, [LC-B8172- 6403 DLC (b&w film neg.)]

In 1915, in Monica Michael was inspired by the poem "In Flanders Fields,"  and wrote her own poem: We cherish too, the Poppy red That grows on fields where valor led, It seems to signal to the skies That blood of heroes never dies.

Monica came up with the idea for people to wear red poppies on Memorial Day to honor those who died serving the nation. In 1922, right before Memorial Day, the VFW became the first veterans' organization to nationally sell poppies. Within two years the VFW’s "Buddy" Poppy program was selling artificial poppies made by disabled veterans.

Since the late 50's on the Thursday before Memorial Day, the 1,200 soldiers of the 3d U.S. Infantry positioned American flags at each of the over 260,000 gravestones at Arlington National Cemetery. They also guard the cemetery 24 hours a day during Memorial Day weekend to guarantee that each flag remains in place.

Sadly the time-honored ritual of Memorial Day has faded over the years. Many now consider it a three day weekend that marks the beginning of summer and have forgotten the significance of Memorial Day. To remind the public of the true importance of Memorial Day, the "National Moment of Remembrance" resolution was passed on Dec 2000 which asks that at 3 p.m. local time, for all Americans "To voluntarily and informally observe in their own way a Moment of remembrance and respect, pausing from whatever they are doing for a moment of silence or listening to 'Taps."

For those that have lost a loved one that was serving our county, putting aside one day to observe and honor their sacrifice is a small gesture of gratitude. Sure it is fun to go away with your friends and family and enjoy a long weekend. But remember it was those that fought to protect our freedoms that made it possible for the rest of us to live without fear. Take a minute and buy a few gift cards, make some cookies or be original. But stop by any cemetery on Memorial Day and you will find parents, wives, husbands, siblings, children and friends spending the day visiting the grave of a person that gave their life on your behalf. Go up to them and say thank you as you hand them your gift. It will bring you more joy than anything else you did over those three days off work. More important, it will show the loved ones that were left behind that you are appreciate their sacrifice.