Johanna Spyri.

Johanna Spyri is the author of the well known book Heidi. She was born in 1827 on the 12th of June in Hirzel, Switzerland. She married Bernhard Spyri in 1852 and had a son named Bernard. Johanna died aged 74 the 7 July 1901.

Other works by Johanna Spyri include Cornelli, Erick and Sally, Gritli's Children, Maezli. A Story of the Swiss Valleys, Moni the Goat-Boy, Rico and Wiseli, Toni, the Little Woodcarver, Uncle Titus and His Visit to the Country, Veronica And Other Friends. Two Stories For Children, What Sami Sings with the Birds.

However her best known book is Heidi. I loved Heidi as a child and still do. I have read many abridged and beginner readers of Heidi but none of them can compare to the full book. I have read Heidi many times and also the next two books in the series Heidi Grows Up and Heidi's Children. I was surprised to learn that Heidi Grows up and Heidi's Children were not actually written by Johanna Spyri but by Charles Tritten, the English translator of Heidi.

Halt's Peril!

Halt's Peril comes out today!!! I'm so excited I can't wait to read it.




We're going to buy it when we go into town this morning, I'll do up a review when I've read it.

The Bellmaker by Brian Jacques

In The Bellmaker, Mariel and Dandin from Mariel of Redwall are again the prominent characters. They are travelers, roving this way and that, seeking adventure. Gael Squirrelking and Serena his Squirrelqueen together with their son are held prisoner in their own castle by two vicious foxes. Mariel and Dandin in helping them escape are captured in their turn. Mariel's father Joseph the Bellmaker becoming worried by her continued abstinence, and being visited by Martin the Warrior in a dream, sets off after her.

I didn't enjoy this book as much as I do Brian Jacques other books. But I definitely recommend it. Upon thinking it over, the main reason that it wasn't as enjoyable for me was that Joseph figured so much in it, I don't like my main characters to be old.

Mariel Of Redwall by Brian Jacques

Mariel a young mousemaid, figures as the heroine in this gripping story. She has courage, determination, and wonderful friends. She is washed up on the fringes of Mossflower country, with no memory. She makes her way to Redwall Abbey where she is taken in. As her memory returns so does her desire for revenge.

With her friends she travels to Terramort Isle. Using only a poem written by a long gone traveler to guide them, the friends have many adventures on the way, battling herons, pikes, snakes,and even a tribe of Flitchayes to name a few of them.

As with all of Brian Jacques books it is superb! The plot is interesting, the characters are lifelike and the writing of the best. I definitely recommend this book.

Outcast of Redwall by Brian Jacques

Outcast of Redwall has as its main caricature a badger, Sunflash the Mace. He is capture when very young by a six clawed ferret. With the help of a Kestrel he makes his escape but not before he paralyses Swartt Sixclaw's paw. Sunflash, with Scarlath the kestrel wages war on all injustice.

Swartt Sixclaw's son was picked up when a baby from a ditch, where he was abandoned when Swartt tried to attack Redwall and suffered a retreat. The baby was bought up by Bryony a young Redwaller. The ferret was banished from Redwall when he was discovered to have poisoned a Redwaller. Bryony rebelling against the decree followed him. With her went her friend Togget.

This is an interesting story that will keep you wondering what will happen next. Sunflash is one of my favorite caricatures.

The Legend of Luke by Brian Jacques

The Legend of Luke is about Martins father. Martin barely remembers his father and in an effort to find out what he was like. He journeys to his birthplace. There he finds some of his fathers companions, they had written a book and in reading it Martin, and you with him, will fully realize the true meaning of a warrior.

When Martins mother, Luke's wife, is killed in a raid of corsairs, Luke searches for the vermin stoat responsible for her death, Vilu Daskar.
This dramatic book will keep you turning the pages in suspense.

Mossflower by Brian Jacques

Mossflower is a courageous story of the defenseless fighting against evil. Verdauga Greeneyes a wildcat, and his son and daughter have taken over Mossflower creating a reign of terror. The creatures of Mossflower are farmers not warriors and they have no way to fight the evil that has come to their peaceful Wood.

Bella, a badger, comes from a line of Warriors and although she is no warrior her father is. But he is far away, at Salamandastron. She asks Martin the Warrior to find him and bring him back to help them. Gonff the Mousethief, and Young Dinny the Mole travel with him on his search for the Mountain of Fire, Salamandastron.

Martin the Warrior by Brian Jacques

Martin is a young mouse captured and enslaved by Lord Badrang a vermin stoat. Taken from his home he is forced to build a fortress for the tyrant, until he is rescued by Rose of Noonvale and her friend Grumm. With the help of a band of traveling players they fight to free the other slaves.

Although Martin the Warrior isn't my favorite Redwall book it is definitely worth reading.

Brian Jacques

Brian Jacques is the author of the Redwall and Flying Dutchman Series. I have read all his series books except Doomwyte which hasn't yet come out.

The Redwall Series in

Chronological Order

Martin the Warrior (1993)

Mossflower (1988)

The Legend of Luke(1999)

Outcast of Redwall (1995)

Mariel of Redwall (1991)

The Bellmaker (1994)

Salamandastron (1992)

Redwall (1986)

Mattimeo (1989)

The Pearls of Lutra (1996)

The Long Patrol (1997)

Marlfox (1998)

Lord Brocktree (2000)

Taggerung (2001)

Triss (2002)

Loamhedge (2003)

Rakkety Tam (2004)

High Rhulain (2005)

Eulalia! (2007)

Doomwyte (not yet out) (2008)

The Flying Dutchman Series in

Chronological Order

Castaways of the Flying Dutchman(2001)

The Angel’s Command (2003)

Voyage of Slaves (2006)

Brian Jacques' books are masterpieces! They are truly amazing!

A Gathering of Memories

The second on my list of favourite books is A Gathering of Memories by Lori Wick this romance pictures as its heroine a beautiful eighteen year old American girl who has just lost her mother, with her four younger siblings she is taken in by a young couple while the sheriff looks for her father.
Amy and Silas the couple who took them in are two lovely people and their family take the children to their hearts.

A City of Bells

I've decided that since I've so many favourite books (they really are all my favourites,) it's only fair to write about them. I'm going to start with "A City of Bells." (because its the first on my list,) and continue until all my favourite books are honored with book reports. (By that time I'll probably have more favourites.)

A City of Bells by Elizabeth Goudge has a man named Jocelyn as the main character, he is a soldier trying to find out what he should do as his career. His family have plenty of jobs for him but none of them are suited to himself. He runs to his Grandparents to rest, in a quiet gossipy town. The town gossips then decide for themselves his career, Jocelyn takes it on.

Felicity Summers a young actress, helps him. When Jocelyn uncovers a man's ghost, they all pull together to publish its life story. Henrietta a nine year-old granddaughter adopted by Grandfather plays a main part in this romance, along with question loving Hugh, an orphaned grandchild, Grandfather a man renowned for his saintliness and Grandmother who is a little sharp but shows her love all the same.