Silence by Deborah Lytton {Deseret Book Review}

STELLA was born to sing. Someday Broadway. But everything changed when a tragic accident renders her deaf; she cannot hear, much less sing. Trapped in a strange new world of total silence, she must face not only the loss of her friends, her hopes, and her voice but also the loss of her identity and her life's purpose. Who is she is she's not a singer?

HAYDEN is a quiet loner, an outcast, and the only person Stella can communicate with; his profound stutter makes him speak so slowly, she is able to easily read his lips. As they find new ways to communicate despite their disabilities, their friendship grows into an unexpected—but welcome—romance. But is it a romance that can last if Stella regains her hearing and resumes her former life?

Sophomore, Stella Layne has been a quiet, shy presence her whole life.  She has always known she could sing but it was a talent that she hadn't shared much, until this year when she auditions for the school play and shocks everyone with her amazing voice.  Cast as Maria in West Side Story she goes from a virtual unknown to a most popular girl overnight.  It is during rehearsals that she meets a Hayden.  Hayden is an amazing piano player, he's handsome, and he stutters.  While others make fun of Hayden, Stella finds something in his eyes that make her want to get to know him better.

The night before the opening of West Side Story, Stella falls into a pool and hits her head during a cast party.  The next morning she discovers that her world has become silent.  Afraid and anxious Stella tries to slip into a depression but Hayden refuses to let her.  He takes her on a journey, showing Stella that a "new normal" is ok.   And that deaf or hearing, she too will be ok.  

This book was a great, clean read.  I needed a tissue by page 62!  You will cry with sadness and triumph.   Hayden is just so sweet and wonderful with Stella and I really appreciated Stella's maturity in handling this change in circumstances   She is brave and doesn't blame others or lash out.  I think you will enjoy this lovely read by Deborah Lytton!  It would be a very sweet romance for teens!  (and those are hard to find!)

Silence retails at Deseret Book as a hardcover and Deseret Bookshelf eBook!  

Disclaimer:  I received Silence free of charge in exchange for an honest review.  All opinions expressed here are my own.  Thank you!

A Quick Take On Our Week...

The last week has been interesting.  We had snow, it melted, we had a LOT more snow and now it's melting.  The girls have had a great time just playing and playing in the snow.  I enjoy winter.  A lot.  I haven't enjoyed getting out and driving in it, but I think snow is so pretty...and I don't like being hot.  Cold suits me so much more. 

Our neighbor has a tractor and he comes through and plows our circle drive for us.  We convinced him to push all the snow to the same spot and make the girls a hill that they could sled down.  It worked like a charm!

We cuddled up and watched movies.  In fact, we introduced the kids to Star Wars!  They loved it!

 

Several weeks ago in homeschool we started studying about countries and cultures.  This week we studied about Mexico.  It has been fun.  We've done some art projects, read several books, learned about Cinco de Mayo and Dias de los Muertos.  We watched the movie The Book of the Dead (which was a pretty cute).  And ate Taco Bell.  (hahaha- We have promised some more authentic Mexican food this weekend).

We have also really enjoyed our science program by Jay Wile called Science in the Beginning.  It is so hands-on that you can't help but learn something new every time.  

Kayley has become quite a helper and she wants to cook.  

Here she is browning some ground beef.  

Oh, I almost forgot.  The girls won some incentive coupons for getting all their chores done.  Kayley choose "be a teacher for the day."  As teacher she opted for a day of "online learning."  

Maggie chose "Pajama Day."  So, it worked out great that both girls basically lazed around in their PJ's and played on electronics all day.  Thank goodness they only earn those incentives once in a while or we'd never get anything done!  ;)

Did I mention that they are good helpers?  

Here they are unloading and reloading the dishwasher!

Oh!  How cool is this?  Peace Hill Press (the publisher of Susan Wise Bauers curriculum) had a quick contest on FB asking for people to run outside and show something that had to do with anything from Story of the World.  If you were one of the first 3 to reply you won a free book!  Yeah!  We are very competitive like that.  We rushed out, dressed up Kayleys snowman as Cleopatra, hurried to submit and won a free copy of First Language Lessons Vol 4!!

Anyway, thats our week in review!  Thanks for stopping by!

Celebrating a Christ-Centered Easter {Deseret Book Review}

I'm so excited to share another amazing devotional-style book from Emily Belle Freeman called Celebrating a Christ-Centered Easter!  You may recall, back in November, I had a chance to review a book called "Celebrating a Christ-Centered Christmas."  At the time I was frustrated and overwhelmed with the sensationalism and commercialism that surrounded one of our favorite holidays...  The Christ-Centered Christmas was just the ticket to help us focus on what mattered most:  Christ!  Author Emily Belle Freeman has taken this same approach and created another wonderful study of the Savior, this time with a focus on Easter!

One of the few titles for adults on the Easter holiday, this beautiful gift book tells the story of Jesus from Crucifixion to Resurrection in short chapters, illustrated with line art, told in the first-person narrative of seven disciples. Each section offers the author's commentary on the lessons learned from each disciple and suggests simple traditions to follow to remember how implementing the teachings of the Easter holiday can vastly enrich your life today.

Personal stories include:

Lazarus

Simon

Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus

Mary Magdalene, Mary, and Salome

Thomas

The disciples on the road to Emmaus

Jesus Christ

In this small book Emily Belle Freeman demonstrates for us seven traditions that will lead us closer to christ while not compromising the childhood joy of the Easter season.  Starting with those who were closest to Christ she weaves the story of those who walked with him, each story bearing testimony of our Savior.  Just like the Christmas book, at the end of each chapter she offers the reader a tradition to consider, a hymn to sing, a story to tell, a lesson to share and scriptures for further study.

This is such a great way to study leading up to Easter!  Read a chapter each week or read one each day leading up Easter.  This tiny book will be a wonderful devotion for the whole family.  I plan to use this book in the week leading up to Easter as our nightly scripture study!  I'm so excited!

Celebrating a Christ-Centered Easter is available in paperback or as a Bookshelf eBook at DeseretBook.com!  

Disclaimer:  I received this book free of charge in exchange for an honest review.  All opinions here are my very own.

The Berenstain Bears' Please & Thank You Book {Flyby Giveaway!}

We LOVE the Berenstain Bears!  My kids have always loved the books and then recently the TV show!  Mama & Papa always have important character lessons to teach their cubs and we always get to learn along with them.    In this new little board book by Ideals Children's Books we enjoy peeking in on the bear family once again.  This time we are learning the importance of manners.  Specifically remembering to say, Please, Thank You and You're Welcome!

In The Berenstain Bears’ Please & Thank You Book, little readers are introduced to the importance of manners, through gentle reminders given to Brother, Sister, and Honey as they await their milk and cookies. The short story and well-loved characters provide toddlers a perfect introduction to valuable life lessons and routines.

Board books are a welcome addition to the Berenstain Bears collection.  I sure wish we had had these when my girls were younger.  They are so sturdy and perfect for toddlers hands!  This book is short, sweet and gently introduces children to the importance of manners.  The pictures are the same as your children will remember from previous books but these newer books are all written by Stan & Jan's son, Mike.  Mike carries on the tradition of Bear Country perfectly!

Thanks to FlyBy I get to give away a copy of this board book to a Swinging On Small Hinges reader!  Yay!  Giveaway ends midnight, March 6th.  Enter using the Giveaway Tools below...  Please?  And Thank You!

Entry-Form

Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”): Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway. Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post.

 Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway. If you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification.

Snowy Days...

We are LOVING the Snowy Days!