GREEN PROMISES: GIRLS WHO LOVED THE EARTH by JEANNINE ATKINS—A REVIEW BY VERONICA JORGE
April 22, 2025 by Veronica Jorge in category Write From the Heart by Veronica Jorge tagged as Green Promises, Jeannine Atkins, new release, review, Veronica Jorge
GREEN PROMISES: GIRLS WHO LOVED THE EARTH
JEANNINE ATKINS
Atheneum Books For Young Readers
2025
ISBN 978-1-6659-50572
I can’t think of a better way to welcome Spring and celebrate Earth Day than with a new book, especially one about nature and the earth, and following after Women’s History Month.
In Green Promises: Girls Who Loved the Earth, Jeannine Atkins delves into the lives and achievements of two extraordinary women who made significant discoveries and important contributions to our knowledge of nature and the Earth.
Like many young people of her time, (Mary) Agnes Chase, (1869-1963), left school in eighth grade to help support her family. But it was her skill at drawing plants that distinguished her and earned her a position at the Smithsonian Institution. Agnes published more than seventy scientific works, and went on to become the first woman president of the Botanical Society Of America.
Marguerite Thomas Williams (1895-1991), focused on the way rivers shape the land and the ways that people shape the rivers. She discovered that floods happen when rivers try to be where they belong but their space has been taken. Yet we can change the course of a river by planting more trees and grasses with roots that hold the earth. Those same tree roots serve to filter the water and hold the riverbanks in place. “Like memory, the river moves forward while trying to hold where it came from.” Marguerite became the first African-American to earn a PhD in geology.
The book, written in verse, with informative and lyrical language invites us to take a closer look at the natural world around us.
Pick up a rock and examine it. Rocks hold clues to changes in climate and have stories to tell.
Take a walk and feel the earth beneath your feet, accepting that “land matters because everyone needs a place to stand.”
“History is like a river. No one can see it all at once.” Though you might not feel it, the Earth is turning while no one is watching. So, every day, every moment, keep looking. You don’t want to miss the wonder!
While you may not like math or science, this book may persuade you to interact with them and give them a chance to tell their stories. Let math show you the beauty of building connections that take you beyond numbers. And science, as Marguerite says, “is a quiet way to love the world.”
Jeannine Atkins is the author of numerous critically acclaimed books for young readers, though adults will enjoy them as well. Some of her other titles include: Girls Who Looked Under Rocks: The Lives of Six Pioneering Naturalists; Finding Wonders: Three Girls Who Changed Science; Grasping Mysteries: Girls Who Loved Math; Stone Mirrors: The Sculpture and Silence of Edmonia Lewis.
Inspiring books to read and to give as gifts, I hope you will pick a few. You won’t be disappointed.
See you next time on May 22nd!
Veronica Jorge
In the Time of the Myrtle Trees
March 22, 2025 by Veronica Jorge in category Write From the Heart by Veronica Jorge tagged as achievement, Dedication, Queen Hester, vision, Women's History Month
For centuries and throughout the entire world women have made valuable contributions in the arts, sciences, culture, academics, politics, the armed forces, etc. Too many women and too many areas to name without slighting any one person, field or region. Every March during Women’s History Month we commemorate their achievements.
This year I couldn’t help notice that March also heralded the festival of Purim and the Persian Queen Esther’s victory. Her Jewish name was Hadassah which in Hebrew means myrtle tree.
An evergreen with aromatic blossoms, the myrtle tree is versatile, adaptable, and tolerates dry spells. In addition, the myrtle tree prospers in a wide variety of soil types. And it not only withstands diverse environmental conditions, the myrtle tree actually flourishes in them.
Just like the women we celebrate!
Against all odds and obstacles, they pursued seemingly unattainable goals and championed life-changing causes. By stepping out in courage, despite every impediment, they succeeded and excelled, making the world a better place for all of us.
Which brings me back to Queen Esther. The Biblical story recounts that when a plot to destroy her people was discovered, Esther was faced with the choice to remain silent and probably safe in her position as queen, or go before the king and appeal to him for the lives of the people. Yet, to go before the king unsummoned meant certain death. Mordecai, the cousin who raised her because she had lost her parents, was asking her to risk her life; to consider that perhaps she had been made queen for just “such a time as this.”
I consider my own life in the mirror of all of these women who have gone before me, who by their vision, dedication, and hard work paved the way for so many. I can let their sacrifices fall by the wayside as just a memory. Or I can forge ahead to lengthen and widen the path that they began.
I ask myself. What will my achievement and contribution be? For what purpose was I planted in this time and place?
To be, I hope, like these formidable women; versatile, withstanding challenges, thriving in all circumstances. To be, in this world, one more flourishing myrtle tree.
Veronica Jorge
See you next time on April 22nd!
Books Reviewed by Veronica Jorge
WITH OUR BELLIES FULL AND THE FIRE DYING: A REVIEW BY VERONICA JORGE
February 22, 2025 by Veronica Jorge in category Writing tagged as Debra H Goldstein, new release, Reviewed by Veronica Jorge, Short story collection, With Our Bellies Full and the Fire Dying
WITH OUR BELLIES FULL AND THE FIRE DYING: TALES OF SINNING AND REDEMPTION
DEBRA H. GOLDSTEIN
White City Press, 2025
ISBN 978-1-963479-68-3
Don’t be fooled by the title. This is not a book about morality or religion. Far from it. It’s all about….MURDER.
In this collection of eighteen award-winning short mysteries, everyday people find themselves caught up in events and circumstances that challenge and test them, and reveal the thoughts and intentions of their hearts.
If you’ve read any of Debra H. Goldstein’s other works, and I hope you have, such as, One Taste Too Many, the first in her Sarah Blair Mystery novels, (all of which have been reviewed by me on this blog and which I highly recommend), you will know that Goldstein is masterful at creating interest and intrigue, building suspense, and adding her signature twist at the end of each tale.
As an added treat, her stories also often include delicious recipes you are encouraged to try and add to your own collections.
Debra’s years as a judge and litigator, combined with her skills as a storyteller, make for a perfect combination that, in these mysteries, introduce us to a diverse group of characters with a variety of motives for murder. Yet, where no one is above the law…unless you don’t get caught, or the law covers up for you.
Nothing is ever as it seems.
The murderer is never who you think it is.
And sometimes it might even be the kind little old lady.
A word of caution. While you’re reading, be leery of friends bearing gifts of food.
Happy Reading and eating!
Veronica Jorge
See you next time on March 22, 2025!
More of Debra H. Goldstein’s Books
Agents from Heaven
January 22, 2025 by Veronica Jorge in category Write From the Heart by Veronica Jorge tagged as Agents, agents from heaven, dream agents
AGENTS FROM HEAVEN
BY
VERONICA JORGE
Back on January 22, 2018, I wrote the following post for this blog.
Manuscript…completed.
Filed in pending like a treasure in a hope chest.
Praying I don’t end up an old maid: no agent, no publisher.
Living on standby.
Waiting for transport to book deal heaven or please…no, not the dreaded
Depths of Sheol: REJECTION.
I’m watching the news for what’s flooding, raging or burning. Hopefully not my manuscript.
Nervous like a wind-up toy falling off the edge.
Feel like a balloon losing air: out of control, and all over the place.
Waiting for Spring. Signs of sprigs.
Hoping for agents, not pennies, from heaven.
Want to be a Weather Girl singing, “Hallelujah, it’s Raining Agents!”
Raining men: second choice.
Today, I ask you to rejoice with me because this year, 2025, I found my dream agent!
Hopefully, I’ll have good news to share in the near future.
See you next time on February 22nd.
Veronica Jorge
P.S. (Still waiting for the raining men portion).
Books Reviewed by Veronica Jorge
NISHA’S JUST-RIGHT CHRISTMAS TREE—A REVIEW BY VERONICA JORGE
December 22, 2024 by Veronica Jorge in category Write From the Heart by Veronica Jorge tagged as Jaya Mehta, Nisha's Just Right Christmas Tree, Parvati Pillai, Susan Lynn Meyer
NISHA’S JUST-RIGHT CHRISTMAS TREE
SUSAN LYNN MEYER
AND
JAYA MEHTA
ILLUSTRATED by PARVATI PILLAI
Beaming Books
2024
ISBN 978-1-5064-9646-7
BIG. That’s all Nisha can think about. After all, in her mind, she’s not little anymore. She’s big. So, when it’s time to buy the family Christmas tree, Nisha wants to help her father pick out the right one.
Nisha wants a big tree. “As tall as a camel! As wide as an elephant!” One that can fit all of their ornaments, many of which came all the way from Baba’s home country of India.
But her Baba wants a small tree. One that he can easily carry up the stairs and that will fit in their small Brooklyn apartment.
Nisha and her father shop around, but they cannot seem to agree on a tree.
“Too big,” says Baba.
“Too small,” says Nisha.
Yet somehow they must find a tree that’s just right for each of them and that will make their Christmas special.
Nisha’s Just-Right Christmas Tree celebrates the childhood excitement of growing “big enough” to participate in holiday preparations, and is a heart-warming story of a little girl on a mission to help her father find the perfect Christmas tree.
Parvati Pillai’s illustrations in deep rich green, red, and gold colors draw the reader into the magical season and the warm tender family moments.
Nisha’s Just-Right Christmas Tree is a meaningful story of the ways in which cultures often mix and blend traditions from their home countries with those of their new country in order to create the just-right life for their families.
This is one to add to your holiday collection.
Veronica Jorge
Happy Holidays!
See you next year, January 22, 2025!
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