Showing posts with label Wednesday Elf. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Wednesday Elf. Show all posts

Saturday, January 21, 2023

Figge Art Museum of Davenport, Iowa – A Travel Review

Figge Art Museum, Davenport, Iowa


The Figge Art Museum in Davenport, Iowa serves as the  major art museum for eastern Iowa and western Illinois. It opened in 2006 and is the renamed successor to the Davenport Museum of Art which dates back to 1928. The museum has its roots in The Davenport Art Association which was founded in 1878. Thus, it is one of the oldest art institutions in the United States. 


Figge Art Collection


Figge Museum in Davenport, IA

*Image By NateWoolsey - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0


There are over 4,000 works of art in the Figge art collection. The works range from the 16th century to the present time. Figge has an extensive collection of Haitian, Colonial Mexican and Midwestern art, for which it is best known.

It also has a substantial collection of American art and European art, plus an important collection of pieces by the Midwest American architect and designer Frank Lloyd Wright. 

Additionally, the Figge Art Museum currently houses the  University of Iowa  Museum of Art collection, after the University of Iowa's gallery was flooded in 2008.

And, this museum offers a Master of Arts degree in various aspects of museum management through the Western Illinois University's graduate program in Museum Studies.


Our Visit to the Figge Art Museum


Family tour of Figge Art Museum

A couple years ago my Kansas City family visited me in Iowa and we spent an interesting afternoon touring The Figge (as it is known to locals). 


In addition to the numerous rooms dedicated to particular collections, such as The Stanley Collection, the American West paintings and various exhibition galleries, the museum has several studios, an auditorium, a café, and a museum store where souvenirs can be purchased.  


Grandsons at Figge Art Museum

Since we had my two young grandsons with us, we were especially excited about the Family Activity Center on the second level.  The boys (and mom, dad & grandma) spent an enjoyable hour creating our own 'art works'!


Family enjoying the Family Activity Center at the Figge Museum

Figge Museum Family Activity Center


 Summary


Location and Visitor Information of the Figge Art Museum


The Figge is located just a block from the Mississippi River in downtown Davenport, Iowa.


Address:  225 W 2nd St, Davenport, IA 52801

Phone: 563) 326-7804

Hours:

  • Monday  Closed
  • Tuesday  10AM–5PM
  • Wednesday 10AM–5PM
  • Thursday  10AM–8PM
  • Friday  10AM–5PM
  • Saturday  10AM–5PM
  • Sunday  12–5PM

 


*Travel Review of the Figge Art Museum in Davenport, Iowa written by Wednesday Elf.


 


Book cover of story about the Figge Art Museum


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Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN) and/or Esty (Awin) Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”


Saturday, January 14, 2023

Murder Out of Character by Olivia Matthews – A Book Review

 This is Book 2 in the Peach Coast Library Mystery Series.


Image of library book shelves

Murder Out of Character is a cozy mystery with a librarian as the main character. The story locale is a small town near the coast of Georgia. Book #1 ~ Murder by Page One ~ began this mystery series and apparently the author uses book terms (Page One and Character) in her titles, completely in keeping with the 'library' theme. 


The series is published by Hallmark Publishing and they state on the back cover that “If you love Hallmark mystery movies, you'll love this cozy mystery with humor, intrigue, and a hint of romance.”


Plot of Murder Out of Character


Murder Out of Character Book Cover


Our main character, Marvey Harris, is a small-town librarian, a New York native who recently moved to Georgia with her rescue tabby, Phoenix, to take the job of fundraiser/event coordinator of the Peach Coast Library. 


While cleaning up after the library's first fundraising event, Marvey comes across a scrap of paper with a list of four names. 


  • Hank Figg – the high school basketball coach who recently died. 
  • Nellie Kenton – CFO of the local bank.
  • Brittany Wilson – owner of Coastal Cycles, a bike shop.
  • Spencer Holt – Editor/publisher of the Peach Coast newspaper and Marvey's new best friend. 


Marvey finds the list puzzling, but finally tosses it into the recycling bin. The next morning she reads in the paper that Nellie Kenton has been found dead. Two people on the list of four and both have died. Marvey quickly goes to the library to retrieve the list, then takes it to her friend, Spencer because she is now worried about the fact that his is one of the names on the list. At first, Spencer dismisses the list, but soon admits he may be in danger.

With the help of Spencer and her friends on the library staff, an investigation is launched to determine who wrote the list and the reason why. The four people appear to have nothing in common other than living in Peach Coast. But it is obvious that the other two people left on the list are in danger. 

The police are not thrilled with civilians doing a murder investigation, but Marvey is determined. Even while busy with her job and preparing for a visit from her parents, it soon becomes obvious that Marvey, Spencer and their librarian friends need to find and stop a killer who may just possibly be bent on a long overdue revenge.


Summary


Our heroine wants to keep her friends safe and the readers look forward to a happily-ever-after ending. 


Lovers of small-town cozies can while away a pleasant afternoon with this one." -Publishers Weekly


Peach Coast Library Mystery Series Author


Olivia Matthews is actually the cozy mystery pseudonym for Patricia Sargeant, a national best-selling, award-winning author. She writes romance as Patricia Sargeant and mysteries as Olivia Matthews. 

Author Olivia Matthews

Patricia writes romance because she believes that the Power of Love is the greatest motivation. She writes mysteries so ordinary people put in extraordinary situations find the 'Hero Inside'


*Book Review of Murder Out of Character, Book 2 of 2 in the Peach Coast Library Mystery Series written by Wednesday Elf


These first two books in the Peach Coast Library Mystery Series can be found on Amazon at the links below:


Murder By Page One (Book 1 of 2)

Murder Out of Character (Book 2 of 2)



For More Book Reviews, check out

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Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN) and/or Esty (Awin) Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”


Saturday, January 7, 2023

Bubble Bath Day – A January Holiday

 Reviewing a bubbly holiday observed every year on January 8th.


Yellow Ducky in the bath


Bubble Bath Day


No one knows who originally decided that January 8th should be a day to celebrate the 'Bubble Bath'. It was probably created by someone who needed to relax after a tough day.


If you are wondering how to celebrate this 'bubbly' day, it depends on how old you are.


  • Kids find it simple - fill the tub with bubbles and some water toys - then hop in and play! 
  • For the ladies, a bubble bath is a time to relax! Fill the tub with your favorite bubbles and just enjoy the soothing waters.  You can also set the mood with candles, some soft music and perhaps a glass of wine. 
  • Guys don't need to feel left out on Bubble Bath day either.  It's a good way to get in touch with your feminine side, as well as relaxing sore muscles! 


*Interesting side note: Bubble Bath Day takes place within the same month (January) that is designated as Bath Safety Month


A Few Bubbly Products


Mr Bubble Bubble Bath
Most kids today know about and have used the original bubble bath for kids. Bath time is more fun with these biggest, longest-lasting bubbles with the original bubblegum scent. Bring back memories of your childhood and create new  memories with your own family.  

 Mr. Bubble was invented in 1961 and has been popular ever since. In fact, it celebrated it's 50th anniversary in 2011.


Bath Bombs for Men

For guys who need to soak in a tub of hot water and use Epson Salts to try and relax their muscles and relieve pain and discomfort, these bath bombs for men are marvelous and so much nicer than just Epson Salts alone. 

Handmade by Natalia and Irina in Florida, these bath bombs for men are made with all natural ingredients using Relaxing Epsom Salt, Moisturizing Apricot Kernel Oil, and Scents for Aromatherapy! Check them out at the Relaxcation Etsy Shop on Etsy.


Cocoa Buttermilk Bubble Bath Powder

And as a self-care gift for HER, this Cocoa Butter Milk Bubble Bath Powder foams, fizzes and bubbles while releasing the benefits of cocoa butter into the water and fragrance into the air. Handmade by Valerie in Kentucky and available in her Etsy Shop SwankOnYa.


Benefits of a Bubble Bath


Most of us never take the time for this relaxing way of pampering ourselves. A quick shower in the morning – and it's off to work or school. Showers may be convenient and quick, but you can't relax standing up! 

There are benefits to taking a bubble bath – or even a long soak in hot water. It relaxes your muscles and refreshes your skin. It can even help with any congestion you might have. 

So allow yourself the luxury of a sudsy soak because everybody deserves a little me-time now and then. 

Oh, and don’t forget your rubber duckie!


rubber duckie


For more Holiday Reviews, Click on ReviewThisReviews: Holidays


*Bubble Bath Day review written by Wednesday Elf






Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN) and/or Esty (Awin) Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”


Saturday, December 31, 2022

Goal Setting Guides: Reviewing Ways to Get Organized

As the year ends and the New Year approaches, one's thoughts turn to items needed for a new beginning. The setting of goals becomes a priority and, in aid of that, certain items lend themselves to the task. 

Image of Calendar

These include calendars and planners. While sounding mundane and ordinary, today's planner products are anything but. So many choices are available that there will always be that certain style that will appeal to you. And if you are pleased with the calendar/planners you are working with, you will be more apt to follow through with 'getting organized' and 'tackling life ambitions'. 


Here are a few suggestions for a calendar or planner for a truly organized life!


Calendars


Calendars come in many sizes and in a large variety of styles.  


Large wall calendar

There are large desk calendars with ample space to write your schedule in ruled daily blocks. Some also have spaces for notes and to-do lists.


There are wall calendars which come in a very large style containing all 12 months at a glance (excellent for a board room or a home office). And wall calendars with large writing blocks to keep your schedule current.


There are medium size ones with wire binding and hanger so that you can hang it up in your office, bedroom, or kitchen. They come in cute patterns and designs that pair well with your home décor.  


Day-at-a-glance desk calendar
Then there are the popular daily desk calendars in designs that fit every personality, whether it's your favorite hobby, pet, places, sport, etc. There are motivational ones, inspirational ones, jokes and funny calendars, plus trivia or fun facts. They are called Daily Desk Calendars, Page-a-Day, or Year-in-a-Box Calendars. 







Planners


Planner calendars

In addition to regular calendars, to become truly organized, one needs a planner. The one I get each year has to be a Weekly/Monthly Planner with the year's dates on the pages and tabs for each month. I've tried blank ones, but never seem to remember to fill in the correct dates! :) But there are Planners that suit anyone's style and way of keeping track of tasks, holidays, birthdays, appointments, errands and chores. Anything and everything fits well into a Planner. 


I also prefer the 8-1/2” x 11” Planners that fit well next to my computer. I can quickly see what I have scheduled or planned on any given week/month and easy to add things as they come up. But Planners also come in a variety of sizes (from pocket or purse size to large desk size) to suit your way of doing things. 


Summary


Calendar date

So, whatever you need in a calendar or planner, the size, style and designs are endless. It's such fun to choose the ones you like best, which makes getting organized for the New Year easier than ever. 


 Happy (Organized) New Year! 


*Calendars and Planners for your New Year goal setting - review written by Wednesday Elf


Click Here for Amazon Links to Calendars and Planners such as these featured in this Review:






Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN) and/or Esty (Awin) Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”


Saturday, December 24, 2022

One Shot at Forever by Chris Ballard

 A baseball book review. 


Baseball player at bat

This is the story of a magical baseball season with an unlikely coach in a small town in Illinois.  


Synopsis


One Shot at Forever Book Cover
The year is 1971. The town is Macon, Illinois, a very small rural farm community in central Illinois. The team is a rag-tag high school baseball team in a school population that is so small that the boys have to play every sport in order to have enough players to make a team (football, basketball, baseball). The unlikely coach of the baseball team is the school's English teacher with no coaching expertise. 


This is a charming true story of a small-town baseball team, playing in hand-me-down uniforms, who emerged from a field of 370 teams to make an improbable run to the State Final.  


The boys of Macon renew our understanding of why baseball matters.


Lynn Sweet arrives in Macon in 1966.  He's a long-haired hippie, a dreamer and an intellectual who brings progressive ideas to a town stuck in the 1950s. The son of a hard-driving Army Sergeant, Sweet is the opposite; fond of bucking convention and convinced the world is full of good people who occasionally have bad ideas. The students love him; the administration not so much! 


Call me 'Sweet' he tells his students on the first day of school. This in a school who wants and expects proper behavior, such as calling their teachers by Mr. & Ms/Mrs. His classroom has four round tables instead of desks. There are posters on the walls and rows of bookshelves. The bookshelves have novels and short stories unlike any before seen in Macon. There are also magazines and comic books.  But there are no grammar textbooks. Sweet teaches with unconventional assignments and tells the students “Have fun with it.”


Summary


Image of a baseball team

When Sweet takes over the baseball team (because no one else wants the job) he becomes intent on teaching the boys as much about life as baseball. Inspired by coach's unconventional methods, the undersized Macon Ironmen embark on a postseason run that amazed everyone, infuriated rival coaches, and buoyed a little town that was suffering from a damaging drought and the shadow of the Vietnam War ~ a town in desperate need of something to celebrate. They became the smallest school in Illinois history to appear in the championship game, and that distinction still stands. The experience would change the lives of this high school baseball team forever. 


Author Chris Ballard


Chris Ballard is a senior writer at Sports Illustrated where he specializes in the narrative. One Shot at Forever is delightfully written in a gripping narrative as it tells the story of the members of that special 1971 team, and its coach. A true story well worth reading. 


One Shot at Forever book cover


For more Book Reviews, Check out ReviewThisBooks.Com


For more Baseball Stories, click on ReviewThisReviews: Baseball


*One Shot at Forever Book Review written by 

~Wednesday Elf, the Baseball Contributor on Review This Reviews


Book available on Amazon


*Image sources: Pixabay















Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN) and/or Esty (Awin) Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”


Saturday, December 17, 2022

Fabian Nicieza and His Novels – Author and Book Reviews

If you are a comic book fan or enjoy Marvel comic books or Marvel's Deadpool, then you probably already know Fabian Nicieza, the Argentine-born comic book writer and editor. He's known for creating such characters as Deadpool, Domino, Shatterstar, and Silhouette. He's also well known for his work on X-Files, X-Force, and other Marvel Titles. 


What you may not have known is that he is now also a novel writer.  This is a review of Fabian and his first two novels. 


Novels by Fabian Nicieza


Fabian Nicieza has written two mystery novels to date, published in 2021 and 2022. The novels have continuing characters, who are very interesting. The locale for these stories is New Jersey. As Nicieza states in his Author's Note in Book 1:


“West Windsor and Plainsboro are real towns in New Jersey. Unlike the snarky description in the book, it's a pretty good area to live in... I mean, as far as New Jersey goes....”


But, he states, all the characters are pure fiction. Fiction means it is not real! 


Nichieza's descriptions of places and people are often 'tongue-in-cheek' or, as he says, “snarky”. This makes for a very enjoyable read. The books are Suburban Dicks and The Self-Made Widow.


The Two Main Characters


Andrea Stern: She solved a missing person murder in high school and helped catch a serial killer while in college. She planned to become an FBI profiler, but an unexpected pregnancy changed her plans. She has always wanted to answer her calling: finding redemption for the dead and justice for the living.


Journalist Kenny Lee, Andrea's childhood friend, broke a story for his college paper that brought down the crooked governor of New Jersey. The story earned him a Pulitzer Prize at the young age of 22. But his journalism career has since stalled and, 10 years down the road, he is now relegated to working for a weekly local paper.  Kenny's calling: to become rich and famous!


Synopses


Suburban Dicks 


Suburban Dicks Book Cover
Available on Amazon

When the series begins,  Andrea has four children under 10 and a fifth one due soon. When she accidentally stumbles upon a murder scene, Andrea becomes obsessed with the case. She's back on the trail of a killer, this time with kids in tow. Needing help, Andrea enlists the aid of her friend, Kenny Lee, who naturally is interested in writing another award-winning story to redeem himself and his career. 


Unusual occurrences – and body parts in for form of old bones – surface around this affluent suburb. As Andrea and Kenny continue investigating, they uncover simmering racial tensions and a decades-old conspiracy. But, as we find out, the crimes of the past are only the beginning. 




The Self-Made Widow


The Self-Made Widow Book Cover
Available on Amazon

After solving a murder in Suburban Dicks (Dicks, as in private investigators – LOL), both the police and Andrea's husband hoped she would set aside her 'crime fighter' tendencies and go back to changing diapers, carpools, and lunches with her 'mom' friends. But when the husband of one of her friends, the 'Queen Bee' of the group, dies, supposedly of natural causes, Andrea suspects that there is more. She digs into the case and risks more than she bargained for. 


Meanwhile, Kenny Lee, who is enjoying a new surge of popularity with his coverage of the story of the murder and conspiracy in Book 1, is busy with a Netflix series based on that story. Then he receives an anonymous phone call tipping him off that Molly Goode killed her husband.


Once again, Andrea and Kenny team up to solve another 'suburban scandal'. 


Summary


Having now read both Suburban Dicks and The Self-Made Widow, I am a big fan of Fabian Nicieza and his outstanding and humorous writing. Two mysteries, two murders, two fantastically interesting main characters make for a very enjoyable new series by a comic book writer turned novelist! I highly recommend these books. 


Amazon Links to Books



For more Book Reviews, check out ReviewThisBooks.com



*A new mystery series of novels by Fabian Nicieza. Review written by Wednesday Elf. 





Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN) and/or Esty (Awin) Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”


Saturday, December 10, 2022

ICED by Felix Francis – Book Review

ICED is the latest horseracing mystery by Felix Francis, son of the British crime writer Dick Francis.


Image of Icicles

Synopsis


Iced book cover
Miles Pussett grew up wanting more than anything to be a championship steeplechase jockey like his father. He loved riding horses and dreamed of following in his father's footsteps.


When his dad is killed in an automobile accident when Miles is 12, he devotes himself to learning to ride like his famous father. He is given his first opportunity while still in his teens to compete in a point-to-point event, his first horse race, albeit as an amateur. When his mother dies, he becomes a jockey for a training stable.


Although Miles tries his best, he endures many setbacks as he pursues his dream. He is treated badly by fellow jockeys as they all think he is only given rides in horse races because of who is father was. Therefore he has no friends. He wins a few races, but 'being the best' eludes him as there are more losses than wins and his confidence level gets lower and lower.


Miles ends up drinking as a way to 'forget' his failures and eventually he hits rock-bottom. With the help of the trainer's wife, who sees the problem and wants to help Miles, he ends up seeing a psychiatrist. Turns out that Miles has been suffering from PTSD going back to his childhood. He always thought that PTSD was only a veteran's condition. Not so. Anyone can suffer from it given enough trauma that has gone unrecognized. 


Until the psychiatrist explains it to him, Miles had no idea that his dad's death had affected him so strongly (because 12-year-old Miles was in the car with his dad the day of the accident). And his mother's death when he was only 17 was due to suicide and Miles blamed himself. All this trauma before he ever grew up with no one helping him understand it led to his PTSD. 


Now it is 7 years later and Miles has left the horse racing world and is doing fine. Instead, he enjoys riding headfirst down the Cresta Run, a three-quarter-mile Swiss ice chute, reaching speeds of up to eighty miles per hour. 


Horses racing at Cresta Run in St. Moritz Switzerland
While at St. Moritz for the Cresta Run, Miles discovers it is the same weekend as the White Turf – an event featuring high-class horseracing taking place on a frozen lake.  Against his better judgment, he gets talked into helping out with the horses. But then he discovers something suspicious going on at the races.


Miles begins to search for answers, because the 'something suspicious' many have a profound impact on his future. But someone is adamant about stopping him – and they will go to any lengths to do it.


Summary


The horseracing mystery involved in ICED is, as always, an interesting read for fans of the Dick Frances and Felix Francis stories. But it is also a look into how Post-traumatic Stress Syndrome (PTSD) can affect not only those who have fought in wars, but anyone who has had to endure a series of traumas in their life.  


Book cover of the horseracing mystery Iced by Felix Francis
Available on Amazon


Related Links:


*Iced, a horseracing mystery by Felix Francis reviewed by Wednesday Elf






Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN) and/or Esty (Awin) Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”


Saturday, December 3, 2022

Gifts for Festive Affairs - Gift Review

If your holiday plans include an invitation to a holiday dinner or as a house guest at a relative's home, than a gift specific to the home and the host is perfect. 


Festive scene of family at Christmastime


Cutting Board Gifts 


Since almost all invitations to a holiday gathering involves food, a special cutting board makes a thoughtful and useful gift.


There is a wide range of cutting board sizes and styles, many even in animal shapes, or personalized, to choose from. My favorites are the handmade boards I found on Etsy. 


Personalized handmade cutting board

Handmade in Walnut, Cherry or Maple wood, in a variety of sizes, the personalized cutting boards at WallThingsCo on Etsy have just the one you want to match the person you are gifting. 

If you are going to 'grandma's house' for the holidays, this Nana's Kitchen board is a popular choice. But this Etsy Shop offers a wide variety of choices, or you can choose your own name, saying or design. A  lovely choice for your favorite cook.


Coffee Mugs


In town for an overnight or several days visit over the holidays? Then you will be having coffee in the morning with your hostess. Therefore a coffee (or Tea) mug makes the perfect hostess gift. With so many designs and 'sayings' available, it is easy to match one to the person it is for.


Vintage Christmas Mugs


To get into, or stay, in the Christmas spirit, consider a coffee mug from this group of vintage Waechtersbach cups made in West Germany.

Six such pretty designs to choose from ~ a Christmas tree, white terrier dogs, a white cat, a 2000 Christmas tree, white snowman, and a shorter Christmas tree mug. They can be found in the Etsy Shop of TheRustyJewels. 

Coffee Mug with Yoda Design


Or choose the cutest hostess mug I have ever seen. The ever-popular Yoda on an adorable coffee mug.

Found in the Etsy Shop of Expression Prints, a shop filled with a large variety of mugs with sayings which help you express your thoughts to those you love.


Special Glassware  


Glassware makes a lovely gift for your host or hostess. With so many choices, such as a beer steins for HIM or pretty glassware for HER, the choices are endless. 


bird design glasses

These hand-painted vintage songbird glasses would be a lovely hostess gift to someone who enjoys birdwatching or who enjoys the bird feeders in their back yard.

Available in the Etsy Shop of 'Shop the Leo Collective'. 


Handmade frosted glass beer mug with Christmas theme.


And as a dandy gift for HIM, choose this handmade frosted glass Christmas beer mug from the North Pole Brewing Company. 

It's available in the Etsy Shop of Hippie Radio Boutique.


Summary


Hopefully, this gift guide will allow you to be prepared for that host/hostess gift for those holiday invitations.


Happy Holidays


For more Gift Reviews, check out ReviewThisGifts.com



*Festive Gifts review by Wednesday Elf








Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN) and/or Esty (Awin) Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”


Saturday, November 26, 2022

What the Fireflies Knew – Book Review

 by Kai Harris


Girl in a field looking at fireflies in the night sky

My usual reading genre is mystery/suspense books. But I recently came across this 'coming-of-age' story that I found totally compelling. 


What the Fireflies Knew is well worth reading. It is an ode to Black girlhood.


Synopsis


The story is told by almost-eleven-year-old Kenyata Bernice (KB).  In the wake of her father's death from an overdose and the loss of their Detroit home due to the debts incurred by his addiction, her mother takes KB and her 14-year-old sister, Nia, to the home of their estranged grandfather in Lansing, Michigan. Then the mother disappears without a word of explanation.


Grandfather is grumpy and silent. With her father dead, her mother gone, and her sister, once her best friend, now ignoring her and acting like a stranger, KB is lonely, sad, resentful and feeling abandoned. The white kids across the street at first act friendly; and then not. It seems as though everyone is keeping secrets.


KB finds herself forced to carve out a different identity for herself and find her own voice. As the summer weeks go by, she finds the almost country setting of her grandfather's street quiet and peaceful compared to the nearly constant noise and strife of her old Detroit neighborhood. She enjoys sitting in the old tree in the backyard, reading her beloved books and listening to the quiet. 


One evening while grandfather, KB and Nia are sitting on the back porch reading, granddaddy suddenly whispers “Look”. When KB asks “What is it” Granddaddy says “Fireflies – I ain't never seen so many all at once.”


KB runs and runs, trying to catch them, but the light goes out and it disappears, and then appears somewhere else. She wonders what the trick is to catch one and learn the secret of their light. Granddaddy comes and tells her to slow down and teaches her how to catch a firefly.  


“Sometimes, when you wanna speed up, you gotta slow down first.”


Eventually, granddaddy and KB begin to talk and learn about each other. Nia is still ignoring her most of the time, busy with a Detroit friend who is visiting an Aunt in Lansing this summer and with an interest in teenage things and boys beyond KB's understanding. KB also learns that 'momma' is in a treatment center for acute depression. 


Summary


This is a very moving novel about family, identity, and race. What the Fireflies Knew teaches KB a valuable lesson of 'growing up'  - the realization that loved ones can be flawed and that the perfect family we all dream about looks different close up. 


I highly recommend this dazzling and fascinating first novel by a gifted storyteller (author Kai Harris). It is a well crafted tale of life, loss and survival told through the voice of an unforgettable 10-year-old narrator. 


What the Fireflies Knew novel

*This coming-of-age novel is available on Amazon


*What the Fireflies Knew book review by Wednesday Elf.













Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN) and/or Esty (Awin) Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”


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