Summer of the Monkeys

 

How would you try to catch those sneaky monkeys? 

Michael (8): "I would put a banana on the ground, and then put a trap on a tree above the banana. Then when the monkey comes, the trap falls down." 

Daniel (8): "I would make a trail of crumbs. I'd be hiding in the bushes somewhere watching the monkeys go in a line, one by one, eating the crumbs. Once the last monkey was by me, I'd grab a long net fishing pole and launch it where Jimbo is, at the front of the line. A net would go over all of them, and there would be a net at the end. I'd catch all of them." 

Evy (10): "Well, I'd definitely do something like bananas in a trap." 

Mom's Notes: We (re)read this book in anticipation of hopefully encountering some monkeys on our upcoming trip to Costa Rica. It was a riot to read about Jay Berry's dealings with the mischievous monkeys. (The buddies laughed out loud throughout the book!) We also loved the doggy behavior of Rowdy, since we can now relate with Clay, who was snuggled up with us during readings. We were touched, grateful, and relieved when Jay Berry was finally inspired to help his sister. Learning of both of their wishes in the fairy ring was beautiful, especially when read among siblings. We finished the last three chapters in Costa Rica, reading about the beloved pony the night before we went horseback riding through the hills of lovely Monteverde. We DID have several monkey encounters - the first one during breakfast at Stella's when several Capuchin monkeys visited the outdoor dining area to snatch some leftovers. It was highly entertaining and unforgettable! Just like this story. 

Rilla of Ingleside

When you think of this book, what image or event first comes to your mind? 

Michael: "When Rilla goes to her first dance at the lighthouse." 

Daniel: "When she comes with the soup tureen and puts the baby in it."

Evy: "When she comes home with the soup tureen. And when Kenneth Ford comes back from the war." 

Gabe: "The lighthouse dance."

Julia: "The ball place."

Mom's Notes: What a finish! Truly, I can't pick a second favorite in this series. This story is so rich with history, sweet romance, and surprising events. (Like the baby in the soup tureen and the interesting old lady who bequeaths her fortune to Jims!) It was a pleasure and honor to watch Rilla grow and learn to sacrifice during the long years of the war. I especially loved seeing Anne as a mother of older children. We all cried at the saddest news and rejoiced with the victories. We learned so much about WWI; it was so interesting to follow the whole thing through the eyes of those at home. Jonny finished this one only days after we did, so dinner conversations very often touched this story. 

We're all sad to leave this series! Surely we will return. As a token of our affection for these books and the characters, we're proud to say Clay has an official middle name, thanks to the ever-loyal Dog Monday. Clarence Monday sounds just right. 

Rainbow Valley

Which Blithe or Meredith child would you like to make friends with? 

Evy: "Walter, Faith, Una, Nan, and Di."

Daniel: "Jem... because he's Jem! And Walter, so we could write poems." 

Michael: "My favorite is Walter because he's a poet. And his name is cool. I would want to be friend with Carl, because he could teach you that you don't have to be afraid of bugs." 

Mom's Notes: This book gave us a lot to laugh about, a lot to discuss concerning harmful gossip, and definitely some tears to shed. We love the Blithe and Meredith children! We did miss Anne, though. It's hard to move on with the new focus on the youngins. But it was sweet to see glimpses of Anne in her delightful children. Oh, to play in Rainbow Valley! 

Anne's House of Dreams

Which Four Winds resident was most interesting to you? 

Evy (10): "I liked Captain Jim best because he's nice and he seems like a good guy. But Miss Cornelia was the most interesting." 

Michael (8): "That girl who got married to Owen Ford. We got to know about her a lot. Her life seemed sad, but then it was her cousin!" 

Gabe (13): "Probably Captain Jim, though they're all pretty interesting. He had a lot of stories to tell."

Daniel (8): "Miss Cornelia, she's just... interesting. She says, 'Just like a man!'" 

Mom's Notes: Each book has a distinct feel. This one is sweet and sad, with some difficult life events for several of the characters. It was interesting to see Anne grow as a wife, friend, and eventually a new mother. My longing to visit P.E.I. has only increased. I want to see a lighthouse like Captain Jim's! 

Anne of the Island

 

Mom's Notes: We had no big field trip plans today and the kids have been wanting to read so many more chapters than we've been able to this week. So we settled ourselves comfortably on the downstairs sectional couch and read to our communal heart's content! (We've been reading down there because Clay is much calmer where there are no front windows with an endless stream of things to bark at! We're working on that...) We just kept reading and reading. Even the buddies never lost interest. Almost three hours later, Anne and Gilbert were finally betrothed! We were a little impatient and had to wade through some side stories to get there, but no one wanted to give up until what we knew Anne would eventually realize truly materialized. With Montgomery's poetic sensory descriptions, we were right there in the parlor of Patty's Place with Anne and her school chums, then easily home at Green Gables for the summers and holidays. I wished to be in all the beautiful places in nature she spends her time dreaming. Maybe someday we'll make it there! Just maybe... (With each book, my P.E.I. travel dreams grow.)  

P.S. Unfortunately, Mary Sarah doesn't narrate any more books in the series. So I purchased a box set and have taken up my job again. I have borrowed some of Sarah's inflection and way of saying certain phrases that we've grown to love. (One of those is Davy's "I want to know," which Daniel has adopted as well. And Mrs. Lynde's "That's what" is another common phrase in our home.) 

Anne of Avonlea

Mom's Notes: We started listening to this sequel (which I have never read!) during our big midwest road trip. We didn't get through a whole lot, and I figured maybe there wasn't as much interest and we'd just pick back up on another road trip in the future. But when we sat down to begin a new book on the first week of school, they all wanted to know why were weren't finishing Anne of Avonlea! I was actually really excited about the fun book I had chosen to start out the year with, but the requests persisted. And who am I to deny them Anne!? We were all in as Mary Sarah read the story so delightfully. The laughed at the antics of Davy - the same age as the buddies. Miss Lavender's sweetness and charm had us celebrating her wedding with along with dear Paul Irving. 

And so we finished the book and I was ready to pull out Homer Price. BUT they are ALL begging for more Anne! Again, can I possibly ignore their pleas? After all, who better is there to help usher in our year of "Wonder" and "Standing in Awe?" I do believe we'll continue right on through the series... 

 

If you had a window friend that you communicated with through writing, what would you want yourself to be called? 

Michael (8): "Michael the Great"

Daniel (8): "Daniel the Nathaniel"