historical fiction

Bessie’s Pillow {Crew Review}

March 23, 2017 by Dana

What We Reviewed:

For this review, Strong Learning, Inc. sent us a copy of Linda Bress Silbert’s first novel, Bessie’s Pillow. Bessie’s Pillow is the story of Linda’s Grandmother who came over to America as an Immigrant in the early 1900’s. Bessie’s Pillow shows us how life was in that era, what life was like for Bessie and her friends and family, and the challenges of life as an immigrant woman living in a New World.

What We Received:

Strong Learning, Inc. sent us a full copy of the Bessie’s Pillow book. It’s a paperback book with 280 pages of both story, and historical information and pictures. The front of the book features a picture of Bessie and a ship similar to the one Bessie came to America on. There are many more pictures within the book for your enjoyment as well.

Bessie’s Story and What We Thought:

This book came up on the vendor list right after the new president was sworn into office and talk was exceptionally heavy about immigration, including discussion of his beautiful, immigrant wife. My first thought was what perfect timing to discuss these things with my children by reading this story of one woman’s journey to America in the midst of so many questions in the very country she came to live in out of both necessity and love.

My second reason for choosing this story to review is that I, too, come from ancestors who immigrated to America much like Bessie did. My family were not Jewish but they were German, coming to a New World to start a better life for their families and themselves. I was interested in reading Bessie’s story to have insight on what my Great Grandfather and Great Great Grandparents must have felt when they headed on their journey to this country and when they first stepped on to Ellis Island to be brought into the United States.

Let me begin by saying, Bessie’s Pillow is a beautifully written book. The story flows and keeps the reader interested which was something I was worried about as sometimes novels written based on true stories can be a little dry and boring. But Bessie’s story was completely the opposite. Her life was amazing. The experiences she had were both amazing and astonishing. The description of those who were not as lucky in life as she was were equally shocking. There was no overly written description of anything but just enough to let you know of the true tragedy and triumph of being an immigrant, of being an immigrant in America and of overcoming the stigma of being an immigrant to have a beautiful life in a new country. And overall from what I’ve read in Bessie’s Pillow, Bessie or Boshka, as was her given name by her parents, lived a beautiful life with her friends and her husband, children and family.

I must make mention of this one particular part that stood out to me and it wasn’t actually in the story of Bessie but it was written in the back of the book where extra information on Bessie’s life is shared. Beautiful Bessie with her sweet soul went on her final journey exactly one day after my own mother was born. My Mother was born on February 11, 1951 and Bessie passed away on February 12, 1951. Because of the date that truly stood out to me. Bessie was 63, 3 years younger than my Mother is at this very minute.

Extra Extra:

Bessie’s Pillow is filled with historically accurate information on immigration in the 1900’s. It’s a wonderful book to read with your family both for reading and as an extra for your curriculum. There are lots of book extra’s included in the book: pictures, information, and the story itself. But there’s also lots of extra information available on the Bessie’s Pillow website at Strong Learning’s website.

There’s a gallery of photographs for you to view with your family to see actual pictures of the time period depicting what life was like at the time. There’s also a selection of General Topics to help you expand this book further. Topics like Famous People, the Presidency, Radio and more. Each of these topics are full of information for you to share with your students or help you build more knowledge of the time period for yourself.

How Can You Get Bessie’s Pillow For Yourself:

Bessie’s Pillow written by Linda Bress Silbert and published by Strong Learning, Inc. is available to purchase on their website for $15. It is also offered as an Kindle eBook on Amazon.

Other Places to Find This Vendor:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BessiesPillow

Twitter: https://twitter.com/BessiesPillow @BessiesPillow

Read More Reviews of Bessie’s Pillow:

Bessie's Pillow {Strong Learning, Inc. Reviews}

Disclaimer:

This Scarlett Cord {BookSneeze Review}

April 25, 2013 by Dana

Joan Wolf is a 30 year veteran of Romance writing. She has provided great reading material in the genre’s of Historical Romance, Regency Romance, Historical Novels and more. Her series of biblical based fictions is unlike anything I’ve ever read.

The Scarlet Cord tells the love story of Rahab. Rahab is a Canaanite woman from the times of battle in Jericho. Rahab aided the Israelite people by hanging a scarlet cord from her window to give warning. Though this was a dangerous thing to do, this brave and beautiful young woman took much risk to help a cause she believed in and follow her faith in the meantime.

While preforming this brave action, Rahab also finds her one true love, Sala. Sala is an Israelite boy who saves her in more than one way. Her love of Sala and her strength to do what is write leads her to find her greatest love of all: The Love of God. Both were everlasting and unconditional loves that she never thought she’d find.

Though this book is fictional, it does have a biblical story line. The story of Rahab has been created from the events of the time period from biblical accounts. I found the story intriguing and easy to follow. It was very much enjoyable and it has led me to want to read more Historical Fiction from Joan Wolf.

This wonderful book, The Scarlet Cord, from Joan Wolf can be found online for $15.99. Joan Wolf is also the writer of A Reluctant Queen and the recently released novel, Daughter of Jerusalem.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com <https://BookSneeze®.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <https://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Salem Ridge Press: Sowing Beside All Waters {Crew Review}

April 12, 2013 by Dana

Salem Ridge Press is a publishing company that strives to bring quality historical literature into reproduction for future generations to use. Daniel Mills and his family strive to be a blessing to others by providing literature that fits Biblical qualifications. They do this through their work at Salem Ridge Press.

Salem Ridge Press provides reproductions of various works from past authors on many topics. You can find historical fictions in World History, Church History and American History. Adventures like George Alfred Henty: The Story of an Active Life and Yussef the Guide. There are also several young readers available from Salem Ridge Press.

You can search the website alphabetically, by time period and location, author or age range. Books are available covering from 1500 B.C. to 1793 A.D. sharing life stories from several countries and authors around the world. Each book is sure to bring History to life.

For this review, we were offered one of several books to choose from. I chose Sowing Beside All Waters: A Tale of the World in the Church by Emma Leslie. Emma Leslie is also known as Emma Dixon and is a well known author of Victorian children’s literature. She lived in Lewisham, Kent from 1837- 1909. Emma provided a strong Christian influence on her writing that is still profoundly relevant today. Her works covered many prevalent periods in church history.

Sowing Beside All Waters is set in the Roman Empire during 313 through 363 A.D. It covers the periods of Constantine, Athanasius, Augustine, and the Council of Nicea. Many other historical figures were also covered throughout the book such as Diocletian, Arius, Julian, and Saint Anthony the Great. This book begins with a brief synopsis of each of these plus many more in the section titled Historical Notes. A list of important dates as well as a map of the area at the time is also provided in the first pages of the book before beginning the actual story.

As you read through the book, the reader will find vocabulary provided complete with definitions at the bottom of each page. This allows the reader to learn the meaning of differing terms while reading through each chapter. Biblical verse reference is also provided as they are mentioned throughout the book at the bottom of the referenced page. Several images can be found throughout to help bring this story to life for the reader.

Sowing Beside All Waters tell the story of Quadratus and his family as they struggle to adjust to the changes brought forth after Emperor Constantine proclaims Christianity to be the official religion of the Roman Empire. Each one chooses a differing path to follow but somehow they all prevail in remaining faithful to Christianity even through all the trials and challenges of the times.

I used this book personally as reading material for myself due to time constraints with my book not being shipped on time. I will use this as a read aloud for our future school year. The story is well written and easily understood, providing a great deal of knowledge throughout the book. I personally enjoy historical fictions and this one will top my list for future suggestions.

Sowing Beside All Waters was originally published in 1875. It was written for ages 12 through adult. It is available from Salem Ridge Press for $14.95 in softcover or $24.95 as a hardcover book.

For more reviews of Salem Ridge Press books, please visit the Schoolhouse Review Crew blog!