The Hobbit

The Hobbit, by J.R.R. Tolkien

Started 06.13.21 • Finished 07.05.21

"Bilbo is a hobbit. He also has a friend named Gandalf who happens to be a wizard. They argue about what good morning means, then Bilbo goes into his house in frustration. A bunch of dwarves come to discuss a mission. They tell Bilbo that they need him. He refuses, but the next morning he changes his mind. He runs to catch up. Bravo, say the dwarves. They must defeat Azog the Defiler and the Orcs. The journey is hard and the Orcs are disgusting. Bilbo has an encounter with Gollum. He was knocked unconscious, and finds Gollum's ring. He has no idea where he's going except forward. He falls into a lake. They play a game of riddles. Bilbo wins. Gollum leads Bilbo out of the cave. With the magic ring on, Bilbo sneaks into his friends' camp. Balin looked at him but didn't see anything. He does tell them about the ring. They escape from goblins to nearly be caught by wolves. There are hundreds of wolves. They fly on Eagles. They head to a skin-changer's house. The skin-changer has a bee pasture. The dwarves leave Beorn. Gandalf leaves them. They encounter big spiders. They float down the river. They are getting close. The dwarves must get their vast wealth back. They meet the elves. Bilbo is sick. They are on the doorstep. They go into the Lonely Mountain! Bilbo talks to Smaug. Bilbo gets rewarded for coming. They cope it out. The roof opens. The floor is very smooth. There are rumors that Smaug is dead. The rumors are true. They sing the song they sang in Bilbo's hobbit hole. They sneak to a friend of the Elvenking named Bard. Gandalf returns. The Battle of the Five Armes happens. Bolg son of Azog joins the fight. Bilbo is knocked out. He goes home. He arrives to find an auction on his house just ending."

Neph, age 10

Carry On, Mr. Bowditch

Carry On, Mr. Bowditch, by Jean Lee Latham

Started 06.23.21 • Finished 07.02.21

"The book is a story of Nat Bowditch, an amazing mathematician, who created a new way to learn lunars while sailing. It starts when he is a boy in school. Small for his age he knew more math than others. He was then indentured for nine years. He then began sailing and learning languages. As he gets older he writes a book that will save ships from sinking. He also corrects errors made in Moore's. He also discovered a new way at working lunars. In his best moment as captain, he sails straight into Salem Harbor in a very thick fog. His knowledge of math helped him."

Timothy, age 12

The Water Dancer

The Water Dancer, by Ta-Nehisi Coates

21/25 | Started 06.03.21 • Finished 06.30.21 | 3.5 stars

This story follows the life of a slave named Hiram Walker, born as the son of his enslaved mother and his white master. Early on in his life, his mother was sold off, and he lost all memory of her even though he's been blessed with a photographic memory. As he grows up, he develops a unique relationship with water. He eventually yearns to escape from his bondage along with a young woman named Sophia.

I think now that this is how the running so often begins, that it is settled upon in that moment you understand the great depth of your peril. For it is not simply by slavery that you are captured, but by a kind of fraud, which paints its executors as guardians at the gate, staving off African savagery, when it is they themselves who are savages, who are Mordred, who are the Dragon, in Camelot’s clothes. And at that moment of revelation, of understanding, running is not a thought, not even as a dream, but a need, no different than the need to flee a burning house.

Without giving away too much of the story, Hiram becomes part of the Underground, as he tries to harness his connection to water and how it can benefit the organization. This involvement includes meeting the famed Harriet Tubman, with whom he develops a special friendship. Hiram is sent back to his "home" at Lockless, where he serves as his father's caretaker, while waiting for the time to escape again with Sophia and another slave named Thena.

So many of us who went, went with dignity and respect. And it occurred to me how absurd it was to cling to morality when surrounded by people who had none.

Although it is the thrust of the story, I felt that the inclusion of the "magic" of water brought down the true bravery and courage of those involved with the Underground. Hence the docking of some stars. However, it was well written, and I came to enjoy many of the characters.