Musings of a Bookish Kitty: August 2017

Thursday, August 31, 2017

Where Is Your Bookmark? (Gin and Panic & Bloggiesta Talk)

I recently started reading Gin and Panic by Maia Chance, a cozy mystery set in New York City, 1923. Although this is the third book in the Discreet Retrieval Agency series, it is my first book by the author. It looks to be a witty and charming book at first glance. Lola, a former socialite turned private detective, and her friend Berta seem to find more trouble than they expect wherever they go.

A weekly meme where readers share the first sentence of the book they are reading and say what they think. Hosted by the wonderful Gillion Dumas of Rose City Reader.

I cannot believe that I, Lola Woodby, am saying this, but there is only so much ornamental ham, puff pastry, and pink fondant icing one can stomach. At least in any given day.

One has to wonder just how much she's eaten!

A weekly meme in which readers share a random sentence or two from page 56 or 56% of the book they are reading. Hosted by the wonderful Freda of Freda's Voice.

I swallowed. "no need to do that, Mr.--?"

"My name is Irrelevant."

"All right, Mr. Irrelevant. Well, you see, the thing is, this dog is actually a sort of a bloodhound--by trade, I mean to say--and he's come to sniff out two laundry carts that were stolen from the launderette's delivery truck a few weeks ago. And as you can see, he tracked them down."

On cue, the laundry cart racers rumbled past. [28% ]

I haven't quite reached this scene in the book yet, but something tells me the protagonist and her partner are up to something more than they are saying.

Does this sound like something you would like to read?

Every Friday Coffee Addicted Writer from Coffee Addicted Writer poses a question which participants respond on their own blogs within the week (Friday through Thursday). They then share their links at the main site and visit other participants blogs.

Do you participate in The Bloggiesta?

For those unfamiliar with Bloggiesta, it is a marathon like event in which bloggers work on improving and/or updating their blogs. It's a great opportunity to get caught up on reviews, prep upcoming posts, update links and what not, and whatever other maintenance a blogger hasn't had time to do on their blog. To make it more fun, there are mini-challenges and Twitter parties so that participants can cheer each other one and bounce ideas for their blog off of each other.

I have not participated in Bloggiesta, although it does sound like fun. I know quite a few bloggers who have taken part in the past. I used to be one of those bloggers who could post off the cuff the day before a post needed to go up, but since becoming a parent, I have better luck when I prep posts well in advance and schedule to post the ahead of time. There are days when I dedicate most of my time to just blogging to make sure I have posts ready to go or at least skeletons of posts done so that I can finish them on the spot as needed. And, of course, time for the needed maintenance. Unfortunately, my schedule and Bloggiesta's often do not often fall on the same dates.

What about you? Have you participated in Bloggiesta? Do you plan to?

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend! Be sure and tell me what you are reading and are up to!

© 2017, Wendy Runyon of Musings of a Bookish Kitty. All Rights Reserved. If you're reading this on a site other than Musings of a Bookish Kitty or Wendy's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.

Wednesday, August 30, 2017

Bookish Thoughts: The Pinks by Chris Enss

When Allan Pinkerton founded the Pinkerton Detective Agency in 1850, he not only became the world's first "private eye," he also established an organization that would set the global standard for investigative and security excellence for generations to come. ~ Opening of The Pinks

The Pinks: The First Women Detectives, Operatives, and Spies with the Pinkerton National Detective Agency by Chris Enss

Rowman & Littlefield/Twodot, 2017

Nonfiction; 208 pgs

Goodreads Summary:

The true story of Kate Warne and the other women who served as Pinkertons, fulfilling the adage, "Well-behaved Women Seldom Make History." Most students of the Old West and American law enforcement history know the story of the notorious and ruthless Pinkerton Detective Agency and the legends behind their role in establishing the Secret Service and tangling with Old West Outlaws. But the true story of Kate Warne, an operative of the Pinkerton Agency and the first woman detective in America--and the stories of the other women who served their country as part of the storied crew of crime fighters--are not well known. For the first time, the stories of these intrepid women are collected here and richly illustrated throughout with numerous historical photographs. From Kate Warne's probable affair with Allan Pinkerton, and her part in saving the life of Abraham Lincoln in 1861 to the lives and careers of the other women who broke out of the Cult of True Womanhood in pursuit of justice, these true stories add another dimension to our understanding of American history.

After listening to Greer Macallister's Girl in Disguise, a fictionalized account of Kate Warne's life as a Pinkerton operative, I eagerly dove into The Pinks by Chris Enss. History fascinates me, especially when it is about women who stand out from the norm during their time. Kate Warne is one such woman. Just the name Pinkerton itself tends to pique my interest.

The Pinks: The First Women Detectives, Operatives, and Spies with the Pinkerton National Detective Agency offers a look into some of the cases Kate Warne and her associates were involved in early in the agency's life. Allan Pinkerton raised a few eyebrows when he decided to hire Kate Warne in 1856, his first female operative. She became the first female detective in the U.S. as a matter of fact. Not much is known about Kate Warne, unfortunately, even today, as Chris Enss points out in her book. Many of the records about her exploits are believed to have been destroyed in a fire. What is known, however, is enough to show that she was very capable and gifted in her craft. She seemed to have a way about her that encouraged people to open up to her--and she used to it well to take down criminals, learn of plots against the president or country, and solve whatever mystery was presented to her.

While Kate Warne is the main focus on The Pinks given the amount of page space devoted to her exploits, other talented operatives are mentioned, and their stories shared. I was happy to see mention of Hattie Lewis Lawton, who also appears in Macallister's novel. Another name that caught my immediate interest was Union spy Elizabeth van Lew.

The Pinks is well researched, and, while a bit dry, was an engrossing read. I wouldn't have minded more cohesiveness between each chapter, each chapter reading more like like individual stories or vignettes. Nor were they in any sort of chronological order. That could be just a personal preference on my part, however. Overall, I liked The Pinks and found it to be informative. At a time when women were expected to play a more traditional part in society, the women featured in the book were among the pioneers for the roles that would open up to women in law enforcement type agencies in the years to come.

To learn more about Chris Enss and her work, please visit the author's website.

Tuesday, August 29, 2017

Wishing For Wednesday: A Little Bit of This, and a Little Bit of That

Can't-Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme, hosted by Tressa at Wishful Endings to spotlight and discuss the books we're excited about that we have yet to read. Generally they're books that have yet to be released. (Based on Waiting on Wednesday, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine.)

These three titles featured here all appeal to me for different reasons. The road trip promising a charming and funny story; the historical cozy set in Paris; and an urban fantasy with a bit of family drama and a mystery thrown in. I haven't actually read any of the previous books in either the Amory Ames series or the October Daye series yet, and so will have to decide if these are two I can jump right into or if I'll need to start from the beginning. (If you've read either series, let me know what you think!)

The Future She Left Behind by Marin Thomas (352 pgs)

Release Date: September 5, 2017 by Berkley

One woman's journey home gets derailed by her soon-to-be ex-mother-in-law in a novel filled with humor, small-town charm, rekindled love, and the resilient ties of family.

Cast aside by her cheating husband, Katelyn Chandler is ready to pack it all in and drive home to Little Springs, Texas. She wants a chance to regroup, reconnect with her mother, and get back to her art.

But Shirley Pratt--master manipulator, elitist snob, and Katelyn's terror of a live-in monster-in-law--has other ideas. Shirley insists on joining Katelyn's trip after her son tries to pack her off to a retirement community. Katelyn has no choice but to play peacekeeper between the ornery old woman and the proud matrons of Little Springs. Yet the small town seems to be changing Shirley. And as Katelyn weighs the wisdom of picking up where she left off with Jackson Mendoza, the town bad boy and her high school sweetheart, she must find a way to believe in the strength of her dreams. [Goodreads Summary]

The Essence of Malice by Ashley Weaver (320 pgs)

Release Date: September 5, 2017 by Minotaur Books

The fourth installment in the Edgar-nominated mystery series set in 1930s England.

When Milo Ames receives a troubling letter from his childhood nanny, Madame Nanette, he and Amory travel to Paris where they are soon embroiled in a mystery surrounding the death of a famous parfumier. Helios Belanger died suddenly, shortly before the release of his newest, highly-anticipated perfume, and Madame Nanette, who works for the family, is convinced that her employer’s death was not due to natural causes.

The more Amory and Milo look into the motives of industry rivals and the Belanger heirs who are vying for control of his perfume empire, the more they are convinced that Nanette may be right. When secrets unfold and things take a dangerous turn, Amory and Milo must work quickly to uncover the essence of the matter and catch a killer before the scent goes cold. [Goodreads Summary]

The Brightest Fell by Seanan McGuire (368 pgs)

Release Date: September 5, 2017 by DAW

For once, everything in October “Toby” Daye’s life seems to be going right. There have been no murders or declarations of war for her to deal with, and apart from the looming specter of her Fetch planning her bachelorette party, she’s had no real problems for days. Maybe things are getting better.

Maybe not.

Because suddenly Toby’s mother, Amandine the Liar, appears on her doorstep and demands that Toby find her missing sister, August. But August has been missing for over a hundred years and there are no leads to follow. And Toby really doesn’t owe her mother any favors.

Then Amandine starts taking hostages, and refusal ceases to be an option. [Goodreads Summary]

Do any of these sound like something you would like to read too?

Monday, August 28, 2017

Tuesday Favorites: Best Blogging Time & Ten Hidden Gem Books On My Goodreads List

Each week Maureen from Maureen's Books asks participants to share a favorite on the weekly designated topic.

This week's topic is my favorite time to blog.

My favorite time to blog is more for the sake of convenience than anything else: Friday mornings during the school year (which started yesterday). After my husband leaves for work and my daughter heads off to school, I can sit at my computer and blog the day away if I want. At least until pick-up time. Although, there are quite a number of other things that make even that impossible. Otherwise, I blog when I can. Finding time to blog Monday through Thursday is difficult because of my work schedule and the weekends are devoted to my family.

Do you have a favorite time you like to blog?

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by the lovely ladies at Broke and Bookish.

This week's Top Ten Tuesday is Ten Hidden Gem Books On My Goodreads List. Each of the books on this list earned a 4.5 or the coveted 5 star rating from me, but have been rated less than 2,150 times on the site. It seems a shame to me that more people are not reading these books!

1. Sweeping up Glass by Carolyn Wall ~ "Sweeping Up Glass is a love story, a mystery, and historical novel that touches on social issues that still reverberate today." [Excerpt from my review]

2. Venetia Kelly's Traveling Show by Frank Delaney ~ "... is a story full of intrigue, drama, comedy and family loyalty and strength. It is also rich in history with a dash of Irish lore. I laughed. I cried. I held my breath in anticipation of and fear." [Excerpt from my my review]

3. The Story of Brief Marriage by Anuk Arudpragasam ~ "The Story of a Brief Marriage is a reminder of how fragile we all are, and yet how resilient we can be. It is also the story of how war can rip us bear and leave us raw. We keep going, surviving in the worst of circumstances because we have to." [Excerpt from my my review]

4. Tales from a Child of the Enemy by Ursula Duba ~ "Although simple in its presentation, Ms. Duba’s book is thought provoking and conscience raising. This is a book I think would serve a good purpose as required reading in school. It not only reminds us of the horror of the Holocaust, how a civilized society can become barbaric, but also, that the Germans are struggling to overcome their dark history as well." [Excerpt from my my review]

5. Behind Closed Doors by Elizabeth Haynes ~ "While the intensity in this novel was high, I admit there were moments I had to set it down for awhile, the darkness of it was too heavy, the reality of it too frightening. It's books like these that scare me more than any horror novel ever could because of how true to life it is. Elizabeth Haynes has officially become one of my all time favorite crime fiction writers. I hope you will give her books a try." [Excerpt from my my review]

6. June by Miranda Beverly-Whittemore ~ "June has a bit of everything from a family saga, to romance to mystery and dual narratives, taking readers from the present back to 1955. There is drama and heartache. Hope and family. I was entranced as I read. I didn't want the story to end. And yet, what a great ending it was. I honestly didn't expect to be as taken with June as I was. I thoroughly enjoyed it." [Excerpt from my my review]

7. As Always, Jack by Emma Sweeney ~ "This book is a love story, one that deeply touched my heart. John Sweeney, aka Jack, was a gifted and humorous writer. His letters carried me back to 1946, made me feel the growing love he felt for Beebe, his future wife, and reminded me of my own love story." [Excerpt from my my review]

8. The Hummingbird by Stephen P. Kiernan ~ "Healing and forgiveness are at the center of this novel as it deals with the difficult topics of war and dying. Stephan P. Kiernan expertly takes three seemingly different stories, one from the past and two from the present, and weaves them together." [Excerpt from my my review]

9. The Perfectly Proper Paranormal Museum by Kirsten Weiss ~ "The novel is packed with eccentric characters, including ghost hunters, a taxidermist, a detective with a chip on her shoulder (thank goodness her partner has some sense!), a cat who sees ghosts, and a sexy neighbor. I thought the pacing was perfect, Maddie's skepticism realistic, and the story-telling superb." [Excerpt from my my review]

10. The Night Parade by Kathryn Tanquary ~ "The mythical beings and spirits are part of what make this novel such a great book, in my mind. I do not know much about Japanese mythology, but this book made me curious enough to do some research. I quite enjoyed getting a glimpse into this part of Japanese culture, finding it both fascinating and humbling." [Excerpt from my my review]

Have you read any of these books? Are there any books out there you think are not getting enough attention? Please share!

Sunday, August 27, 2017

Bookish Thoughts: Girl in Disguise by Greer Macallister

Like any Chicago tavern in deep summer, Joe Mulligan's stank. ~ Opening of Girl in Disguise

Girl in Disguise by Greer Macallister, narrated by Stephanie Cozart
Sourcebooks Landmark. 2017
Fiction (Historical); 308 pgs

Goodreads Summary:

For the first female Pinkerton detective, respect is hard to come by. Danger, however, is not.

In the tumultuous years of the Civil War, the streets of Chicago offer a woman mostly danger and ruin-unless that woman is Kate Warne, the first female Pinkerton detective and a desperate widow with a knack for manipulation.

Descending into undercover operations, Kate is able to infiltrate the seedy side of the city in ways her fellow detectives can't. She's a seductress, an exotic foreign medium, or a rich train passenger, all depending on the day and the robber, thief, or murderer she's been assigned to nab.

Inspired by the real story of Kate Warne, this spirited novel follows the detective's rise during one of the nation's greatest times of crisis, bringing to life a fiercely independent woman whose forgotten triumphs helped sway the fate of the country.

My knowledge of the Pinkerton Agency is very limited. My interest in history tends to lead me outside the U.S. all too often, I confess, something I have been working at changing. Just mentioning the words "first woman" and my ears perk up. Add in "operative" or "detective" to the end of that phrase, and I am sold. As it was, I loved Greer Macallister's The Magician's Lie, which I read a couple years ago. And so it was with eagerness that I pounced on Girl in Disguise as soon as it came out. I bought an e-copy of the book without remembering I had purchased the audio version too. With a long list of books stacked on my TBR pile already, I couldn't wait to dive in and opted to listen to it.

The novel jumps right in: Kate Warne on her first case, hoping to win an official spot on Allan Pinkerton's team. All she has to do is find out where the money is hidden. Kate proves to be more than capable. Not only is she charming, she is also smart and resourceful.

I really appreciated that Kate was not only tough and quick-witted, but also that she was humble and thoughtful. It is clear throughout the novel that her boss, Allan Pinkerton, admired and respected her. I know I did.

I am tempted to say my favorite part of the book were the pre-Civil War days, reading about Kate's various exploits and adventures and seeing her in action because her entire life was fascinating. What she lacked in skills initially, she was willing to learn and perfect. The ease with which Kate donned disguises and learned to use a weapon came with practice, but her charm was surely natural.

Kate's involvement in saving President-Elect Lincoln before his inauguration was tension-filled, and had me hanging on to every word. I had not realized the role the Pinkerton Detective Agency had played during the Civil War, nor it's being the foundation for the start of the Secret Service. The game certainly changed for Kate and her fellow operatives during the war--their main purpose to ferret out spies and to gather information as spies themselves. It was dangerous and deadly. Kate had to make compromises and hard choices.

Macallister captures the historical time period well; including the reception Kate Warne was likely to have received being a woman in a man's role. Not everyone welcomed her with open arms. She had to prove herself time after time.

Little is known about the real Kate Warne, including about her background and relationships. Macallister takes many liberties in both, and definitely uses it to her advantage adding depth and life to the characters in her book. I enjoyed listening to Girl in Disguise, and look forward to Greer Macallister's next book.

To learn more about Greer Macallister and her work, please visit the author's website.

Thursday, August 24, 2017

Where Is Your Bookmark? (Sworn Virgin/Long & Short Books/Friday Fun)

I polished off two books this week while on vacation and am about to start another one. I am leaning strongly towards the historical fiction novel set in the early 1900's, The Sworn Virgin by Kristopher Dukes, about a young woman who avoids being sold into marriage by calling on an old tradition to remain a virgin for the rest of her life so that she can live independently with many of the rights of a man.

A weekly meme where readers share the first sentence of the book they are reading and say what they think. Hosted by the wonderful Gillion Dumas of Rose City Reader.

The body lay motionless. His once bright, brown eyes now as dull as the sucking mud beneath him, much like the sopping footpath they had traveled to reach this strange town. Thick blood flooded his white shirt from the deep, black hole in his chest. Eleanora flinched as a tall, craggy-faced man touched her arm, telling her this was not something a young woman should see.

The author jumps right into the action of the novel with the first sentence in the novel. The rest of the paragraph only lays bare what we already know. Someone is dead. I was immediately pulled in with this opening, and cannot wait to read more.

A weekly meme in which readers share a random sentence or two from page 56 or 56% of the book they are reading. Hosted by the wonderful Freda of Freda's Voice.

"I want to speak with the elders--no, the chief of the town," she said. She would find this shooter and make him pay for what he had done. When the elders found out who had been shot . . . Her tone was hard, but not brittle. She would not be a stupid hysterical woman. She would be calm as Baba had taught her to be. She wiped her eyes and took a deep breath, squaring her shoulders. "Now, please. Take me now." [pg 57]

Eleanora is clearly upset about the death, but I like that she is trying to be strong and take action. She isn't one to sit back and let things happen to and around her from the sounds of it.

What do you think so far? Would you keep reading?

Everyone has a favorite and then we also have something we dislike. Like a coin, there are two sides to every question. Each week, Carrie at The Butterfly Reads and Laura from Blue Eye Books ask participants to list what they like and don't like about that week's topic.

This week's topic is Book you've enjoyed with the most/least pages.

Coming in at 1,439 pages, The Stand by Stephen King, was a surprisingly fast book to read, and I enjoyed it. On the other end of the spectrum, (excluding children's books and graphic novels) is Wet Silence: Poems about Hindu Widows by Sweta Srivastava Vikram which was only 82 pages long. It's a beautiful and emotional collection of poems.

What is a book you enjoyed with the most pages? The least pages?

Have you ever read a book written in a foreign language you might be fluent in, and then read the same book in English?

I enjoy reading books that have been translated into English, especially crime fiction. I wish I was so gifted as to know more than one language. Alas, I am only fluent in English.

What about you?

Every Friday Ellen from 15andmeowing.com and Ann from McGuffy’s Reader get together to host the Friendly Fill-Ins. You can be serious or funny--the idea is just to have fun.

1. Over-worrying is a waste of time, and yet I do it all the time.

2. My favorite app is the Inoreader app, which I use to track most of the book blogs I follow.

3. My first car was a Neon Dodge. I named it Danica, but eventually switched its name to Betty.

4. The best car I ever owned is my current car because it is still running.

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend! Be sure and tell me what you are reading and are up to!

Wednesday, August 23, 2017

Bookish Thoughts: The Lost Girls of Rome by Donato Carrisi

The corpse opened his eyes. ~ The Lost Girls of Rome

The Lost Girls of Rome by Donato Carrisi translated by Howard Curtis

Moholland Books, 2013

Crime Fiction; 432 pgs

Thank you to all who voted for this one in my June TBR List Poll! Like many of you, I was drawn to this one just from the description. The setting helped too.

Sandra Vega is a forensic photographer whose husband, a journalist, dies unexpectedly while on assignment in Rome. For all intents and purposes, it appears to have been an accident, but Sandra has her doubts. Doubts that only grow when she travels to Rome to search for the truth.

At the same time, a possible serial killer is found near dead in his home and his latest victim is missing. Marcus, a priest with no recollection of his past, is tasked with finding the missing young woman. Marcus is used to hiding in the shadows. He is a penitenzieri, a part of a secret group of priests who profile the worst criminals, archiving sins.

The novel alternates between the two characters, as well as an unknown third character whose identity and role in the novel isn't initially clear. Usually I find myself favoring one story line over another, but I liked both Sandra and Marcus's stories equally.

The Lost Girls of Rome is a complex, well-written, and thoroughly engaging mystery. It was next to impossible to put down. I never quite knew where Carrisi was taking me as I immersed myself in his characters' lives. I look forward to reading more by Carrisi in the future.

You can learn more about Donato Carrisi and his books on the author's website.

Tuesday, August 22, 2017

Wishing For Wednesday: Mask of Shadows by Linsey Miller

The word "assassins" is what first caught my attention when I read the synopsis of this one. And the fact that our hero is a thief bent on revenge. The reviews coming in seem to be mixed, and I have seen comparisons made to the Hunger Games. I am really curious about Mask of Shadows though and can't wait to read it.

Mask of Shadows by Linsey Miller (Book #1; 384 pgs)

Release Date: August 29, 2017 by Sourecebooks Fire

Sallot Leon is a thief, and a good one at that. But gender fluid Sal wants nothing more than to escape the drudgery of life as a highway robber and get closer to the upper-class and the nobles who destroyed their home.

When Sal Leon steals a poster announcing open auditions for the Left Hand, a powerful collection of the Queen's personal assassins named for the rings she wears -- Ruby, Emeral, Amethyst, and Opal -- their world changes. They know it's a chance for a new life.

Except the audition is a fight to the death filled with clever circus acrobats, lethal apothecaries, and vicious ex-soldiers. A childhood as a common criminal hardly prepared Sal for the trials. But Sal must survive to put their real reason for auditioning into play: revenge. [Goodreads Summary]

Does this sound like something you would like to read too?

Monday, August 21, 2017

Tuesday Favorites: My Favorite Drink While Reading & My Top Ten Books I Had to Read in School

Each week Maureen from Maureen's Books asks participants to share a favorite on the weekly designated topic.

This week's topic is my favorite drink to read with.

My favorite drink all around is water. I mean it. I am not just saying that because it's the most healthy choice. It is my preferred drinking option more often than not. Occasionally I enjoy hot chocolate or maybe a lemonade, Sprite or Root Beer (only the Caffeine free kind), but more often than not, you will find me drinking water. And so it goes without saying that my favorite thing to drink while reading is water.

Do you have a favorite drink to read with?

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by the lovely ladies at Broke and Bookish.

Believe it or not, I did not care for Pride and Prejudice when I had to read it for school. I thought it was on the boring side. It didn't make my favorites list until I was an adult, reading it on my own. Now I adore Jane Austen's writing. Oh, how I hated Shakespeare! I am still not a fan of his plays. But what books did I like, you ask? I liked most of the required reading I was assigned in school, surprisingly. Here is My Top Ten Books I Had to Read in School for this week's Top Ten Tuesday. (Books are in no particular order)

1. Farewell to Manzanar by Jeanne Wakatsuki Houston, James D. Houston

2. The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank

3. Uncle Tom's Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe

4. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

5. Madame Bovary by Gustave Flaubert

6. The Odyssey by Homer

7. Their Eyes Were Watching God by Nora Neale Hurston

8. Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoyevsky

9. The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros

10. Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë (Still one of my all-time favorites)

What books were you required to read in school that you really liked?

Sunday, August 20, 2017

Mouse's Corner: Four Feet, Two Sandals by Karen Lynn Williams, Khadra Mohammed & Doug Chayka

Four Feet, Two Sandals by Karen Lynn Williams, Khadra Mohammed & illustrated by Doug Chayka

Eerdmans Books for Young Readers, 2007

Fiction (Children's); 32 pgs

Mouse picked out Four Feet, Two Sandals as one of her Library Summer Reading Program books. She had quite a few questions as we read about the refugee life. Although we had read another refugee-related book several months ago, this one touched more on the camp-life experience whereas the other one was more about the journey to find a new home.

In Four Feet, Two Sandals, clothes are being delivered to the refugees at the camp and ten year old Lina finds a sandal. She notices another girl, Feroza, has the other sandal. The girls decide to share the sandals, one wearing the pair one day and switching off the other. One day, Lina finds out she and her family have been approved to move to America. As she and her friend were saying goodbye, Mouse began crying. She was sad the two friends were separating and was afraid they might never see each other again.

This made a great book for discussing both having to say goodbye and also the refugee experience. We both really liked Four Feet, Two Sandals. Mouse because it was a story about friendship and sharing, and me because it introduced Mouse to another culture and life she is not familiar with in a way that she would be able to relate to and understand.