An Acceptable Time by Madeleine L'Engle
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

In the final book in the series, the main character is the daughter of the original main character. I like her better! Once again L'Engle comes up with a unique story. Not perfect, but interesting. Throughout the 5 book series, there is social commentary on war, pollution, poverty, etc., but I'm glad she left it as more of a concerned observation than a political judgment. Interestingly, each book in the series focuses more heavily on one or more members of the family, but none of the books really gave much life to the father. He was there, but distant and not well-developed, which I think was an unnecessary loss.

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Girl with a Pearl Earring by Tracy Chevalier
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I wonder why it's so hard to find a book that is uplifting? No doubt the world is full of depressing facts, and humanity has proven to be disappointing far too often. But there is also beauty and goodness in the world. I would really like to see more writers use their talents to uplift us, not in a Pollyanna sort of way, but in a deeply hopeful kind of way, despite the evil and ugly that we all know exists. Why look for it and point it out, even creating it in a fictional way when it didn't exist before?

So onto the actual book. The author used scant knowledge of the Dutch artist, Vermeer, to create a fictional account of part of his life, and how it may have involved a young woman whom she writes in as a maid. My main reaction as I read the book was feeling that I was being emotionally manipulated for nothing, because it was not a true account. There was some satisfaction in the strength of character of the young woman. The writing was good, not great. The "voice" seemed a little dead or flat to me. I wouldn't have wanted to invest a lot of time, but because it was a quick read it was worthwhile enough.

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A Swiftly Tilting Planet by Madeleine L'Engle
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Another interesting story in the series. I appreciate that each story is really unique and could probably stand alone, but it's also nice to have the overall picture of the family and siblings.

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Many Waters by Madeleine L'Engle
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Four stars is a little generous, but it was a good story. This one took some pretty creative liberties with the story of Noah from the Old Testament.

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A Wind in the Door by Madeleine L'Engle
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Not a bad story, but as I read it I kept thinking that maybe this was the inspiration for the "Magic School Bus" series. It felt a little too much like a science field trip to me. Still worthwhile.

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A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Reading level 5.8. I have always wondered if this series was any good. I think younger readers who enjoy fantasy/science fiction/adventure would enjoy the series. I was surprised to come across the religious themes, only because I had heard of the series many times, but never that it had such obvious Christian references. I appreciated the writer's assumption that science and Christianity are not incompatible, even if we don't have all the answers yet. The story doesn't come across as "Christian" fiction, thank goodness.

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Freak the Mighty by Rodman Philbrick
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is a book recommended for reading level 5 (11 & up). Very good story which I believe would be enjoyed by both boys and girls, but the main characters are two young men who become close friends. They find that their sum equals more than their parts. It's great to read a story that inspires and uplifts like this one. And there's plenty of page-turning adventure.

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Hateship, Friendship, Courtship, Loveship, Marriage: Stories by Alice Munro
My rating: 1 of 5 stars

I didn't enjoy this book. I had recently read one of her short stories and thought it was interesting, so I decided to give this collection a try, and found it depressing. I'm not sure if it has good reviews because others appreciate or agree with her perspective, or simply because she is a skilled writer. I strongly dislike the cynical view of humanity and the assumption that we are all "that way." Obviously we are all imperfect humans, but we can strive for the good and higher path. We also have great reasons to hope, which is certainly not reflected in these stories. Would love to see Ms. Munro apply her talent to a more uplifting cause.

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