The Boy Who Wanted to Fly

Written by Farial English

Illustrated by Max Rambaldi

We need more books like this one. Max is a curious and intelligent young boy who is disabled and confined to a wheelchair. His sister Maya encourages and supports him.

When the siblings find out that they will be spending spring vacation at the beach. Max decides that he will act on his dream to fly. Max writes out a list of the things he needs to construct a kite. At first he is frustrated, but his sister encourages him not to give up. Will the kite soar? Can Max achieve his dream with the help of his imagination?

The illustrations enhance the mood and reinforce the theme. Every child deserves a chance to achieve a dream.

This is a book that children of all ages (including adults) will enjoy reading.

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Stories Around the Kitchen Table: A Collection of Women’s Memoirs

Edited by Anne Randolph

The editor based this collection on her creation of the kitchen table writers’ concept, which encourages women to find their creative author’s voice. A small group of women gather around a kitchen table and begin writing their thoughts with pen in hand. No need to worry about grammar, spelling or second guessing. Weekly sessions begin and end with the inspiration of a poem. Each author writes about her thoughts and dreams. Following the time allotted for writing, each of the participants listens and shares taking turns to read aloud. At the end of this nearly one hundred page collection of stories, Randolph includes short biographies of each participating author.

Topics are diverse; emotions and writing reflect the natural setting and willingness of each participant to immerse herself in the writing process, and more importantly to lend a willing ear to each other’s work. In “Belly Flops” the reader is treated to a young girl’s first experience diving into a swimming pool. “When I was Ten” propels its readers back in time to a child’s visit to Manhattan during World War II. “Learning to Fly” transports us to an airfield for a first flying lesson. “A Slow Leaving” reflects the emotional roller coaster the writer experiences as her husband is about to leave the house because their divorce has become final.

This book is a good tool to preview many styles of writing and a good conversation starter for a woman’s group on many topics up for discussion on women’s issues in the modern world. Recommended for young adult and adult readers.

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