December 2025 Book Bracket
It's December...so that means that the end of year bracket is coming soon! But first, a look at the books from this month. Only four of the twelve titles I finished were physical books, but there were some pretty good ones in the mix this month.
Fish in a Tree, by Lynda Mullaly Hunt, narrated by Kathleen McInerney**
Ally, a middle schooler who can't read fluently, has fooled most of the adults and other kids in her world into thinking she's just a troublemaker, but a caring substitute teacher takes the time to investigate and learn what the behaviors are masking - a learning disability.
Why I picked it up: I heard this book was really good, and the premise sounded good - a trouble-making kid who's smart enough to keep her teachers from realizing she can't read? This one was available as an audiobook through the local public library.
My impressions: There were a lot of things I appreciated about this book, amongst which were a good story and a realistic feel of a middle school class dynamic. The characters, although they may have leaned into stereotypes at times, were distinct and experienced growth, and it was cool to listen to a story about a girl with dyslexia since I work in an environment where kids are tested for learning disabilities all the time. Maybe one of the best aspects of the book was that is showed how big of a toll dyslexia can take on a character, both socially and emotionally. On the flip side, the main character in the book, with her passion for drawing and the social struggles she endures, felt very reminiscent of Catherine and her trials in Rules, by Cynthia Lord (listened to earlier this year). The teacher seemed to make TOO big of a deal of the benefits of the creative brain that goes along with dyslexia. He literally has a class session in which he points out all the famous historical people suspected of having dyslexia. In reality, there would most likely be several other students in Ally's classroom who also had dyslexia or some other kind of learning disability or academic struggle. When the teacher discussed his suspicions of dyslexia with Ally, I felt like he was making it sound like a big diagnosis, a big label that explains all of Ally's struggles, and that moment just felt off to me - maybe it felt a little overdramatic. I'm not sure the class bully had as much of a chance at redemption as I would have liked, but at least the reader is given enough to consider what sort of formation could have led to her cruel behavior. There's one line where a student asks for a color wheel Ally has made so he can give it to his bus driver, who likes rainbow colored things. Nothing inherently bad with that, but with the world we live in, I can see some meaning being read into it. This would be a good book for upper elementary and middle school students, especially as it is a window into struggles that some students might not have - or maybe do experience.
The Nerviest Girl in the World, by Melissa Wiley
Pearl, ostrich-tender and ranch hand in 1920's California, and follows her older brothers into the world of doing stunts in silent films.
Why I picked it up: I had looked up the Read Aloud Revival website within the last few months, and this one struck my fancy. It also happened to be at the library when I went and grabbed about five books I didn't need last month.
My impressions: This was a fun book, and a unique and delightful romp in which you secretly learn a lot about a very particular aspect of history - however, there was one flaw that really bummed me. How often do we think of silent movies, or early film development? I learned so much without even realizing I was getting a history lesson. I loved how spunky the main character is, as well as the strange but historically accurate details that might have populated the life of a girl like her. Apparently, ostrich farming really was a thing back in the day. Who knew. It was really cool to see Pearl's growing experience in the world of acting, especially when her foolhardy stunts and inability to stay in character at times was juxtaposed with her peer's natural talent for the trade. Pearl isn't perfect, but she's smart and I was rooting for her the entire time. That one big flaw in the book is that a member of Pearl's Catholic family swears by the names of the Holy Family early in the book. I was really bummed about this because it felt like it was a quick attempt to establish that, "Hey, this is a Catholic family", but in the worst way possible. I was saddened to see these names used in vain, especially since the author showed she could talk about the family's faith in completely acceptable ways later in the book, such as Pearl thinking about how the stucco on the church they attend kept services cool in the summer, or a mention of the parish priest. That one episode is enough to make me question if I want to recommend this book to a young family member, one who I think would really enjoy this book. This book is a lot of fun, and I think readers young and old - starting with upper elementary - could find much to revel in in this book, minus that one instance mentioned earlier.
Habits for a Sacred Home, by Jennifer Pepito**
A Christian mother and homeschool curriculum creator reflects on the Rule of St. Benedict as she aspires to incorporate aspects of it into her life and the lives of her family and community, as well as inspiring Christian woman models who tie in with those reflections.
Why I picked it up: I'm not sure where I came across this title, but I was happy to learn it was available as an audiobook through my local library. I just had to wait about 4-6 months to get a hold of it.
My impressions: I think the author brings a lot of good intentions and reflections to the table, but this book felt disjointed to me, being really thought-provoking in parts, but lacking a real internal consistency. The first part of the book was probably the most impactful for me, because it spoke to the need for diligence and putting in the work for make one's house a beautiful and welcoming place, and this is the duty of a housemaker. I don't work from home, but I definitely feel like I'm the homemaker, and I often slack on my duties so I can spend more time doing things that I enjoy (like blogging). I thought that Pepito's consideration of the Rule of St. Benedict was an interesting move, but I don't think it necessarily connected well with the female role models she presents. Pepito seemed to draw some point of reflection from the Rule, shared about her experiences in her own life, and then shared how a Christian woman from the last century exemplified that virtue or reflection point - there wasn't a direct connection from the Rule of St. Benedict to these non-Benedictine women. However, the aspect that struck me most strongly as being disjointed was the consideration of a rule written by a very Catholic Christian saint in a book that provides many female Christian role models, but none of them being Benedictines, or even Catholic. I understand that these women are meaningful to the author, and they truly are inspiring, and it wouldn't make sense for Pepito to include Catholic saints if she isn't very familiar with them. I also don't want to come across as territorial - I know that early saints and Church Fathers are beloved of my Protestant brothers and sisters as well. However, it just seemed strange to me that this blending of theology was going on. On that note, there were theological ideas the author mentions that I don't agree with, but I understand she comes from a different Christian background. I think there are some good practical points, but this book wasn't as impactful for me as a similar book by a Catholic author might be (isn't there something out there called A Mother's Rule of Life? I might need to try that sometime soon to compare). This could be a great book for Christian woman, including mature Catholics, but it's not a work that I found a lot of connection with.
Chasing Vermeer, by Blue Balliett, read by Ellen Reiley**
Two middle school students become friends as they try to locate a Vermeer painting that was stolen in a crime that involves neighbors and local teachers.
Why I picked it up: I think this book was maybe referenced as a mystery for middle grade readers, like The Sherlock Society. I'd enjoyed listening to that book, so I was interested to pick up this one. This was available through the Kansas Library audiobook selections.
My impressions: This is another good take on the "mystery for middle grade readers" genre, but it had some flaws that prevented it from being a "great" take. It was interesting to learn a lot about Vermeer (rather, how little we have learned about him) and the questions surrounding his works. I liked that, while reading the book, it felt like the author was describing a place that was real to her - as, I'm sure, the buildings of the University of Chicago certainly would be. I haven't researched the author, but I suspect Balliett has high familiarity with the places described in the book. There was the stereotypical mean girl class bully, which feels cliche to me. I enjoyed seeing two imaginative kids - who are creative in different ways - overcome initial awkward interactions to form a solid friendship. The main flaws of this book are the ways in which focusing on "coincidence" ends up providing key clues to solving the mystery, and that the lady depicted in the stolen Vermeer painting apparently "speaks" to several individuals and can make her presence known - a handy happenstance for when the junior sleuths get stuck, although it doesn't play quite so obviously as an easy way out of a dilemma. I think the painting "speaking to someone" is perhaps supposed to be symbolic of what art does in reality, but it was a rather fantastical element in a book that is otherwise pretty grounded in a realistic, modern world. I think this book is mostly find for upper elementary and middle school readers, but I would note there are several mentions of naked statues and dresses that are described as "too small in the upper part" in museum artwork.
Christmas Around the Fire: Stories, Essays, & Poems for the Season of Christ's Birth, ed. by Ryan N. S. Topping
A Catholic compilation of short stories, poems, and essays that delve to the heart of Christmas: Christ's birth.
Why I picked it up: This book ended up on my to-read list when I saw it in my favorite local bookstore a few years ago. It was the book club title for this month.
My impressions: Of all the Christmas stories I've ever read, I don't think I've ever come across any that I thought, wow, these authors really understand that salvation and Christ really are the focus of Christmas - and I thought that over and over while reading this work. I think the short stories are what really shine in this book, although the poems and essays were also very good. This book is a refreshing, but also comforting, change from the home-for-the-holidays, family-focused, save-the-orphan stories that I usually find are peddled as "Christmas stories." I don't think every short story is excellent, but there were several that I really liked that I would recommend to other people. Works by Willa Cather, Catherine Dougherty, and Oscar Wilde? Yes please! And, to keep expectations realistic, I skimmed some descriptive passages here and there, and had more trouble being engaged with the essays that focused more on the theology of Christmas. I also wondered why there was a short excerpt from A Christmas Carol by Dickens - to be honest, I think it would have been better to leave out the excerpt and include something else (so long as there was a good replacement) because Dickens' work is so good on it's own, it makes sense to have the work in its entirety. Like my book club associates, I wondered why the editor provided a fictional frame for what I assume is his family's Advent and Christmas traditions - he could have just included the description and left out the frame, which doesn't really add anything to what he communicates in his essay. However, it wasn't a hindrance to my reading - just a bit more to skim over, perhaps. It's not a book that is a must-read every year - or even a must-read - but it has a lot of strong elements that make it worthwhile for any Catholic high schooler and older to pick up and try.
Everything is Tuberculosis: The History and Persistence of Our Deadliest Infection, by John Green**
The guy who wrote The Fault in Our Stars presents the history and facts about the bacterial infection tuberculosis, as well as the incredible story of Henry, a patient who battles an antibiotic-resistant strain of the disease.
Why I picked it up: I saw the cover in a bookstore and thought it sounded interesting. I was pleasantly surprised to find this title available immediately through my state's online selection of audiobooks available for checkout.
My impressions: This is a good book for learning about a disease that still wreaks havoc today, and reflecting on the importance of supporting efforts to eliminate diseases that can be cured with the right treatment. I found some of the author's views differ from my own, but he has a lot of food for thought. The way he describes tuberculosis as a disease of injustice does track with me, as he did a good job showing how weak medical systems in developing countries or nations facing huge strains impedes the ability of patients to keep with the lengthy, inconvenient regimen that could cure them. My favorite part of the book was an early chapter that gave interesting intersections of tuberculosis with history, such as the invention of the Stetson hat. However, Green spent a decent amount of time outlining how tuberculosis shaped European ideals of beauty, and that honestly felt like a stretch to me. Maybe I'm just being skeptical in the presence of good evidence that is actually there, but it felt like lumping fair complexions, rosy cheeks, thin figures, and dilated pupils together as ideals that resulted from the weird romanticizing of tuberculosis doesn't track with me. Following the story of Henry, the tuberculosis patient from Sierra Leone, was fascinating and a great narrative hook that really helped make Green's points about how current systems are failing modern tuberculosis patients - which is a shame, because tuberculosis is very curable, and yet claims over a million human lives every year. This is a good book about a disease with global impact; it's very readable (listenable?) interesting, and thought-provoking.
15 Secrets to Survival, by Natalie D. Richards
Baxter and the kids on his trivia team get in big trouble when they use hurtful language against each other in a competition, he must endure a "teambuilding experience" with them in the wilderness of Montana under the instruction of his great Uncle Hornsby.
Why I picked it up: I learned about this book at the same time that I learned about The Sherlock Society when I was looking up a book fair website's offerings. This book was available to check out through my public library system.
My impressions: I think this book is a good middle-grade read, but its use of language and too-candid commentary brings down its quality. As always, I'm up for a good survival story, and it's a fun take on the genre: in this book, the protagonists' parents knowingly put the kids in a situation where they can safely take on wilderness survival activities. At least, that's the idea. I was encouraged by how caring the parents are in this book, and I thought it was neat that an elderly uncle is the survival buff who takes them under his wing. It's part scavenger hunt, part survival experience, and part learning-a-lesson-without-being-preachy. It's cool to see how the kids change from a group of kind-of-unlikable middle schoolers to a group of friends who look out for each other. On the downside, I was disappointed at the narrator's use of the words "crap" and "crappy". That may be how many middle schoolers talk, but I don't think it's necessary to use it in the story, especially since the reader definitely knows how inappropriately the characters have used language already. This element alone is enough to prevent me from recommending an otherwise pretty solid book to a younger family member. I also didn't love that the main character regards his great uncle's wrinkles as a "wrinkle disorder" - while I think it's meant to be funny and descriptive of the uncle's age, it's not respectful and not the sort of language I'd like to find presented to young readers. A few parts seemed a little unrealistic, such as the scope of a final project, the location of a lost emergency phone (why was it well beyond where the carrier fell down?), and having pretty much every winter peril go down in the space of three days, but for the most part, it seemed like a believable tale that could really happen. As long as readers are okay with some less-than-respectful comments about elders and the use of words like "crap" and "crappy", this could be a great book for upper elementary and middles school readers who like adventure and survival stories.
Tiger, Tiger, by Lynne Reid Banks, read by Jan Francis**
Two captured tiger brothers face different fates in ancient Rome - one, a brutal life in the arena, and the other, a pampered life as the pet of the Roman emperor's daughter - until a prank results in its escape from captivity.
Why I picked it up: I came across this title at some point and was pleasantly surprised to find it on disc at my library. I was worried about being able to access it when it initially skipped on my cheap CD-playing boombox, but it worked fine on my laptop.
My impressions: This book was pretty interesting to listen to, but the gore described in the gladiatorial arena might be a turn-off to some readers or listeners. The story starts out with following the tiger cubs, but most of the book is about a small set of humans who interact with the tamed tiger, "Boots". The story felt like it was accurate to what life would have been like in ancient Rome, so I think the research was pretty good. The main tension in the plot happens after a tiger escapes maybe two-thirds of the way into the book, and it is pretty compelling to finish at that point. The ending was alright, but it hints at children with "defects" maybe being murdered in infancy - at the very least, they die in mysterious circumstances. That was actually the worst part of the book for me, especially since the main character talks seriously about becoming a Christian earlier in the book and indicates she practices secretly as an adult. That put a big damper on the story for me. I'm glad that a romantic interest doesn't play out in an unrealistic way, adding to the feel of believability in the story. The depiction of the absolute power the emperor wields, as well as his ability to mow down any opposition, also helps establish the feel of the setting. This could be a book middle grade readers could check out, especially if they're interested in ancient Rome, but it would be good to know about some of the issues mentioned about before handing it to an unsuspecting, sensitive reader.
The Christmas Hirelings, by Mary Elizabeth Braddon, narrated by Jennifer Saunders**
A baron who disowned his younger daughter due to her eloping with a poor minister finds himself lonely each Christmas - until his itinerant friend Danby cooks up a scheme to hire well-mannered children to liven things up as guests at the family estate.
Why I picked it up: I finally investigated one aspect of Audible more deeply and found out that they really do offer a number of classics or public-domain works for free, even without any membership. This one sounded interesting and it is Advent, so I figured I'd give it a try.
My impressions: If you want a lighthearted read (or listen) about semi-orphaned children receiving the beneficence of a lonely rich man at Christmas time, this is the book for you. It's predictable and one of the children is maybe a tad twee (you can tell she's supposed to be the favorite), but still a nice, simple, feel-good sort of story for the wintery Christmas season. It doesn't at all have the depth of some of the short stories from the Christmas Around the Fire book, but it's good for what it is. Teens and adults could enjoy this one if they're looking for this type of book.
Encountering Emmanuel: A Guided Advent Journal for Prayer and Meditation, by Heather Khym
A Catholic guide to the season of Advent, including short daily meditations, reflection questions, and spaces to journal.
Why I picked it up: I ended up choosing to participate in my parish's book study - a new activity - as a co-leader with a family member. I ended up being superfluous, but it was good to participate.
My impressions: If you're willing to take the time to give the reflection questions their due, this is a good Advent reflection book. The reflections are quick, but they can bear good fruit. My appreciation may be partially influenced by some familiarity with different strategies used in therapy that I think this book might be tapping into, but you don't have to have that prior knowledge to benefit from reading this book. I will say that a downside to this book is that, if you use the journaling portions as intended, you're mainly going to get one journaling use out of this book. Considering the nature of some of the questions, you might be hesitant to loan the book to someone else - it gets into some pretty deep stuff. If you're a Catholic looking for an Advent devotional, this could be a good one if this is the sort of devotional you go in for.
The Last Unicorn, by Peter S. Beagle, narrated by Orlagh Cassidy**
A fantasy tale about a unicorn who embarks on a quest with a few other folks to discover if she is, indeed, the last of her kind.
Why I picked it up: This book had been on my to-read list for a while, but I was hesitant to pick it up. I am wary of fantasy unless it's something I've read already, since those stories might get whackadoodle or not have the level of excellence shared by Tolkien or Lewis. Anyway, a galpal of mine has brought it up a few times over the last several months, so when I discovered it was on the state's e-library, I decided it was time to check out.
My impressions: The story was refreshingly good, even with the presence of some flaws. It had the feel of an old-fashioned fairy tale, but completely original in its plot. I enjoyed some of the allusions, like those to Robin Hood and mythological creatures, but I didn't like an episode in which a wizard is handed a skin of water and asked to turn it into wine - "It's been done before," they said in the tale. Also, there were several instances of using the Lord's name in vain, if I remember correctly, and multiple uses of a damning phrase. One character is a witch, and although depicted as clearly evil, there are a few lines here and there that mention covens or knowing what a real witch would do. Also, one character thinks he's realized that all types of magic - black, white, and the gray in-between - are all just the same, it's how you use them, or become a vessel for the magic to work through. These are all short tidbits, but it's something I would like to know before handing it out to children. A character changes form, and when turned into a human, is naked...this is mentioned several times before they get some real clothes on. Awkward. A few anachronisms stick out, but they are rare. On the good side, there's a lovely bittersweetness to the ending, and it felt like a fitting one. This is a good work of fantasy, and probably alright for high schoolers and older to read on their own, as long as they can handle coming across some of the things mentioned above, but the reading level and story might be of interest to younger folks, so this might be a good read-aloud.
A Series of Unfortunate Events: The Bad Beginning, by Lemony Snicket, narrated by Tim Curry and Cast**
The three Baudelaire children, suddenly orphaned, find themselves in unfortunate circumstances when the executor of their parents' will says they must live with an unsavory distant relation who is determined to gain their inheritance for himself.
Why I picked it up: I remember thinking sometime earlier in the year about how I'd never read these books as a kid, and figured I'd pick one up and see what all the middle grade hype was about.
My impressions: In spite of the title and the narrator's determination that you understand the children had unfortunate mishaps, not happy endings, this was a pretty fun book to listen to. Though a bit sad in the beginning, I wasn't feeling bad soon after the children initially learn of their parents' deaths. The children are likeable and resourceful, and the villain is a melodramatic (fitting word) count with nefarious ideas for separating the children from their inheritance. There's one instance of a child wishing they could put poison into the villain's meal, but nothing I recall being objectionable besides that. Yes, lots of things go wrong for the children, but it wasn't nearly as bad as it could have been - honestly, listening to A Place to Hang the Moon was much more difficult, emotionally, for me to read. There were also some anachronisms in this book - I was originally thinking it was set in Victorian England, but then there's walkie talkies and other things mentioned that don't belong in that era. Though not a series that I'm planning on reading my way through, at least for now (12 books to go), I can see myself picking up the second one someday and seeing what it's like. The children are in peril at times and the villain really is villainous, but I still think upper elementary and middle-grade readers could enjoy this first book.
Bracket Play
This is another one of those months where I feel guilty for picking a fantasy fiction work as the winner over a solid religious work, especially since there were some elements in the book that I didn't like - but the parts that were good were really good.
In a round with 12 contestants, I placed weaker titles with the stronger ones so it was easier to determine which one would move on. However, most of the books that didn't make it past round one were still very enjoyable reads.
In the second round, The Nerviest Girl in the World fell to The Last Unicorn. I decided Everything is Tuberculosis won over Fish in a Tree because the former had a lot of food for thought and told a captivating true story. The match between the two Catholic Christmas books was tricky - I almost went with Christmas Around the Fire because of the elements that I enjoyed, but the work as a whole wasn't as strong as Heather Khym's Advent reflection book. This book had a bye in the next round, where Beagle's fantasy work went up against the tuberculosis book - and won.
In the final round, I felt like The Last Unicorn needed to be the winner. I know there are some parts of it that were bad or just didn't work for me, but it was a good story and had lots of elements that I enjoyed, and I can see myself wanting to read it again. On another day, Encountering Emmanuel might have won, especially since it was all good content. It might not have won today because seasonal devotionals aren't quite my favorite, but it's certainly the more wholesome book. It's a very close second place for that book.
Books Put Down
Shepherds Abiding, by Jan Karon
This installment of the Mitford series follows Mitford residents as they prepare for Christmas.
Why I picked it up: Sometime in the summer or fall, I felt it was time to try another Mitford book.
Why I put it down: It wasn't for me right now - weird to say, since I've loved the previous books, but I think it's just the season I'm in right now.
Kildee House, by Rutherford Montgomery
Retired monument-maker Jerome builds a quaint house at the base of a redwood tree and befriends several children and myriad animals who live in the forest.
Why I picked it up: I learned this book was illustrated by Barbara Cooney and I wanted to give it a try. It should have been in my public library system, but when they checked, their copy was gone. This one reached me through interlibrary loan.
Why I put it down: This seemed like a chill, fun situation - animals taking up residence with a laidback Jerome Kildee, but it was too boring for me. There might have been a problem about to raise its head in the next chapters, but I was already two slow chapters in and not excited to read more. I think it would have some of the appeal of My Side of the Mountain, specifically the parts about having a unique house and befriending animals, but my hunger for adventure needed a lot more action a lot faster. I feel bad about using the library's interlibrary loan resources to get this book to me when I'm not even going to finish reading it, but I suppose that's a risk libraries take with this sort of thing.
