Alice Flagg, The Ghost of the Hermitage
by Nancy Rhyne
The BAM challenge for February dealt appropriately with the heart. My choice for the challenge was the novel, Alice Flagg. Alice Flagg is based on a ghost story of South Carolina. In essence, Alice Flagg was a young lady from a wealthy planter’s family, who fell in love with a lumberman. Separated from her lover, the fifteen year old girl died from a broken heart. On her body was discovered the gold ring her lover had given her. Enraged Alice’s brother threw the ring into the marsh to be washed away with the tide.
The story is rich with details that reflect the Southern society of the early 1800’s. Fascinating encounters with the Alice ghost - whether in her beloved home, the Hermitage, or in the cemetery – are described in the prologue and epilogue.
I chose this book out of curiosity. Ever seen I had seen Alice’s sad grave I had wanted to know more of her story. The sad burial plot is separated from the rest of the family and marked with a small stone plaque that simply says ‘Alice’. Worn by generations of visitors, there is a path around the grave as people seek to conjure the ghost who is said to be searching for her gold ring.
My Life in Dog Years
Gary Paulsen
This book was a wonderful read-aloud book! Consisting of 8 stories of 8 dogs that author has encountered or owned in his life. It might be more appropriate to say that the dogs chose Mr. Paulsen! The children and I laughed and cried throughout this book.
As usual Gary Paulsen does not disappoint. His stories are rich in details. The reader feels as if he/she is actually witnessing the interaction between the dogs and the man.
I had to include this book in the BAM challenge. What else is close to many of our hearts than our beloved pets?
2 comments:
I think your choice is one of the neatest biographies ever written and I have recommended it as a read-aloud to several teachers. In fact, the last one must have really liked it because he never did return it to the library. I, too, am a Gary Paulsen fan. His books are quite varied and are always a good read. Thanks for including it!
I am planning to retire this year. I am determine to share the books I love and the joy of reading with this last class.
I am thoroughly enjoying myself, as is the class, based on their comments and grades. Currently, we are reading The Watsons go to Birmingham. Also, the librarian has ordered Tracker for me. So I will be using that as my next read aloud.
I am really enjoying this challenge! It has put the pep back in my reading life.
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