The Tail of Emily Windsnap by Liz Kessler

 Junior Fantasy Fiction. Emily lives on a boat and has many questions about her life. She has never known her father, in fact her mother can't even speak about him. Her mother also refuses to let her take swimming lessons or even get into the water and there is this slightly creepy man who has coffee with her mother every Sunday. She finally convinces her mom to let her take swimming lessons and gets the shock of her life when she gets into the water, and yep you probably guessed it, turns into a mermaid!  

This is the first in a long series of adventures that Emily has. It's a pretty simple story with simple characters, but a nice mermaid read for younger kids. 

Recommend: If under 14 yes. 

The Fairy Rebel by Lynne Reid Banks

 Junior Fantasy Fiction. Lynne Reid Banks wrote the popular children's book, The Indian in the Cupboard. I saw this title by her as I was browsing what to read on my Kindle. In this story a young couple cannot have a child until a fairy makes it possible. However, the child possesses some fairy qualities and the Queen of the Fairies is none too pleased to find out a fairy helped a human. 

It's a quick simple story, but the characters are well developed and I enjoyed reading it. 

Recommend: Yes.

The Magician's Nephew by C.S. Lewis

 Junior Fantasy Fiction. I received the box set of The Chronicles of Narnia when I was in elementary school. I instantly loved them and reread them multiple times. I even had a "wardrobe" of my own to read them in. Okay, it was a sleeping bag in my closet, but still I lost myself in wonder in that closet as I read of the adventures in Narnia. 

I listened to this one as I was driving home and thoroughly enjoyed it. This one takes place chronologically before The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe, but it was published after it. I think you should read it after reading The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe as that is how Lewis wrote them. As an adult I see the symbolism behind Lewis' writings, but the fantasy element of his books still appeals to the child like wonder in me. 

Recommend: Yes!

The Sugar Queen by Sarah Addison Allen

 Fiction. Josey, Della Lee, Chloe, Margaret. Four women, trapped in their circumstances, all unknowingly connected to each other. This book is a good mix of fantasy and romance and chick lit with some mystery thrown in there for good measure. Each woman comes to understand who they are and who they want to be and thankfully make changes to become their better selves which happens because of their connections to each other. 

Recommend: Yes. 

Punished by David Lubar

 Junior Fiction. Quick short book, but very pleasant. Logan runs into a librarian as he is chasing his friend through the library and gets cursed. His curse is "punny"!  Every time he opens his mouth a pun pops out! He finds the librarian and he gives him three word tasks to break the curse. This is a great book that makes wordplay fun and teaches about oxymorons, palendromes, and anagrams. It reminded me of the books by Andrew Clements, another great author. 

Recommend: Yes

Elder Edholm -- week 100

 Andrew didn't write a letter for me to post today, but we did have some great conversations with him. He had a bit of an accident with his bike last week, it looks worse than it is!  He forgot to duck as he road underneath some branches!  

We are getting excited to see him in a few weeks!  He will be speaking about his experiences in church on July 11th at 10:30am. If you are in town he'd love to see you!  

In the Land of Second Chances by George Shaffner

 Fiction. Ebb, Nebraska is a fictional small town with people who have a history of tragic happenings in their lives. They are a close knit community, but also as is the case with many a small town, have their noses in everyone's business. Along comes a man, Mr. Moore, an old fashioned traveling salesman. He seems to be selling games of chance, but what he's really selling is hope. 

This was an interesting read for me. Mr. Moore "sells hope" in an afterlife without using religion as a context. He's a philosopher of sorts. His arguments for life after death are compelling. More significant than his philosophical discussions with the towns folk is the way they change their lives as they buy into what he is saying. They are kinder, they help each other out of a desire to help rather than a desire to change people. The overall theme of the book seems to be that relationships are the most important thing in this life, it's what makes this life valuable and precious. I agree. 

Recommend: yes. 

Elder Edholm -- week 99

 This last week went really well, it looks like Victoria and Nefi will be able to get baptized this upcoming weekend. They found a scripture from their own studies that talked about baptism and they shared it with us, we were able to discuss not only the promises of baptism but also the blessings. Jackeline is also very excited to get baptized on the 26 of this month, the last time we visited we taught her and her little brother Michael the ten commandments with hand signals to help them remember.

I have exactly one month left, I don't know what I can say that already hasn't been said by other missionaries. I have greatly enjoyed these last 23 months and I hope that the last one doesn't fly by too fast. I hope everyone is able to see the improvement that I know I have made. I think I have seen for myself this scripture in my life.

2 Nephi 28:30

For behold, thus saith the Lord God: I will give unto the children of men line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little and there a little; and blessed are those who hearken unto my precepts, and lend an ear unto my counsel, for they shall learn wisdom; for unto him that receiveth I will give more;

-Elder Edholm

Nefi and his son Angel

Cristina, Michael, and Jacqueline