Search Results for: blog historical fiction of the modern time period

“Give Me German Shepherds or Give Me Death” – A Chat with Historical Fiction Author Sandra Worth

If you’re not familiar with her work, this author’s name may be familiar to you because of an interview she honored me with over in Marriage. As part of our exchanges I found out she was the proud momma of a new puppy. Until that point I hadn’t realized she was also a dog lover. (I’d only known her as author extraordinaire.) “I must have another interview,” I said. “Sure,” she agreed. So, here it is. Sandra Worth generously sharing some more about her life. Enjoy! Courtney Mroch: What kind of things do you write about? (Genre, subject matter, themes, … Continue reading →

Historical Fiction of the Ancient Time Period

Yesterday I mentioned that my children are currently studying the modern time period and listed books that we are reading, or plan to read. Next year, we are going back to the Ancient Times, another period that does not have many historical fiction books, (unlike the Medieval/ Renaissance, Baroque, Classical, and Romantic time periods). I figure I had better start building my library now. Here are some historical fiction books that will make good reads for the ancient time period. The Growing up in Ancient (insert country here) series includes all the important topics: customs, schooling, family life, food, clothing, … Continue reading →

Historical Fiction of the Modern Time Period

Whether you use the Charlotte Mason Method of Homeschooling, or a more relaxed approach of reading your way through history, historical fiction books are wonderful tools. By reading historical fiction, children more closely associate with children or people of the time period they are studying. This will help them to remember facts and dates long after the books are put down. My children are currently studying the modern time period in their history class, and it has been a struggle for me to find age appropriate historical fiction books for them to read. There is just a whole lot more … Continue reading →

Author Interview – Janet Kay Jensen

Today we are joined by Janet Kay Jensen, author of “The Booklover’s Cookbook” and “Don’t You Marry the Mormon Boys.” Janet, your new book “Don’t You Marry the Mormon Boys” came out at a time that was very significant in our current affairs. Warren Jeffs was on the front of every newspaper. Did his story inspire you to write the book at that time, or was the book already in the works and came out coincidentally at the same time the Jeffs story broke? I actually started the book in 2000, when Warren Jeffs was not on the FBI’s Most … Continue reading →

Author Interview – Tracy Winegar on Writing

Yesterday, we spoke with new author Tracy Winegar about her new book, “Keeping Keller.” It’s the story of a young boy who has autism and the struggles his parents face as they try to care for him without fully understanding his situation. If you missed our conversation and Tracy’s insights into autism, you can click here to get caught up. Tracy joins us again today to talk about the writing process. Thanks for being here, Tracy. When did you first have the idea to write “Keeping Keller?” The idea came to me as I was trying to sleep one night. … Continue reading →

Author Interview – Sandra Worth, on Writing and Lecturing

Thank you for joining us for part two of our conversation with author Sandra Worth, who wrote “Lady of the Roses.” If you missed part one, click here to catch up. Sandra, may I compliment you on your writing — your tone is smooth, your descriptions are beautiful. Yet I notice your education is in economics and political science. You’ve obviously developed both the right and left sides of your brain. Do they ever war with each other? First, thank you for the compliment! I’m delighted you feel this way. I think my right-side has atrophied over the years from … Continue reading →

Hidden in a Whisper – Tracie Peterson

In my attempt to ever increase the breadth of my reading and to provide a greater variety of books in this blog, I read a historical romance novel called “Hidden in a Whisper” by Tracie Peterson, an award-winning Christian author. I have to admit, I don’t generally read novels that are driven by romance. I usually pick suspense or historical fiction that has elements of romance in it, but not as the main story. So this was definitely a departure for me. We begin the story with Rachel, a girl of twenty-one who does not think she’s pretty. When Braeden … Continue reading →

Author Interview — James Rada Jr (part three) A Few of His Favorite Things

Thanks for joining us for our third and final installment in our interview with award-winning journalist and author, James Rada. If you missed parts one or two, click here to catch up. Jim, when we left off yesterday, you were telling us about how you became interested in writing historical fiction. What’s your favorite thing about it? I like learning something new. At this point in time, I’m writing about American history so with each book or article I write, I learn something new about my country. I like seeing how things that happened in the past have impacted the … Continue reading →

Top Ten Reasons to Homeschool

#10. No mad morning dash, trying to have everyone ready to head out the door while it’s still dark, no 7 a.m. lunch prep, and no racing through the house at 7:23, frantically searching for a shoe while shrieking, “The bus will be here in two minutes!” #9. Girls like to do math in their pajamas. There’s something regal about it. Especially if you add dangly earrings. Feather boas are nice, too. #8. Mix and match curriculum. No grade levels. No letter grades. Just mastery. On their timetable, not someone else’s. #7. Family togetherness. Family togetherness. Family togetherness. #6. No … Continue reading →

Homeschooling Week in Review: January 27 – February 2, 2007

We covered a wide variety of topics on the Homeschool blog this week, from dust bunnies to the Titanic. Here’s an overview: Saturday, January 27 Andrea Hermitt took a look at where we homeschoolers spend most of our time: Homeschooling or Housekeeping? Sunday, January 28 A great science resource was reviewed in Andrea’s Website for Homeschoolers: Science News for Kids. Monday, January 29 Andrea did some Digging for Historic Truth on the History Channel. And, in her post What Grade are They In?, she discussed how homeschoolers assign (or don’t assign) their kids to specific grade levels. I finished a … Continue reading →