• Bending Towards the Sun by Leslie Gilbert-Lurie
• Hardcover: 368 pages
• Publisher: Harper; 1 edition (September 1, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0061734764
• ISBN-13: 978-0061734762

Bending Towards the Sun is a great three generation biography. I absolutely loved this book. The history geek, oops I meant teacher, in me loved the true life holocaust story. The story starts out by telling the story of the Mother Rita and her time during the Holocaust in Poland. It is a amazing tale of her time spent in hiding and her life being a displaced person after the war. Sort of like the story of what if Anne Frank had lived. The story then goes on to tell the tale of Rita coming to America and the hardships she faced both with her past and present emotional issues. Add to this the sprinkling of her daughter Leslie biography on top. The book ends by discussing the enmeshed life that these two women and their granddaughter/Daughter lives.

What I loved most about this book was the in depth look into what life was life for holocaust survivors after the war. As a history teacher I have often become privy to accounts of what life was like for someone when they were in hiding or in a concentration camp, but not a lot is written about what life was like for this group of people after the war. What I also found fascinating was the look into how someones haunted past can not only affect their lives but also the lives of all the generations to follow.

I would highly recommend this book to any who loves biographies, psychology, or WWII historical writing. This was a great and emotional read. I would give the book a 4/5 the only reason it is not a 5/5 is I realize that not everyone would like the subject matter.

**Giveaway Details

To be entered into the giveaway post your email below. Extra entry for following my blog

Awakening Consciousness: A Boy's Guide and A Girl's Guide
Paperback: 114 pagesPublisher: Marvelous Spirit Press (June 10, 2009)Language: EnglishISBN-10: 1932690913
I was recently sent two books by Loving Healing Press. These books are guide books to help children awaken their consciousness. Now I know that not everyone is into this whole thing, but if you are these are great little books. Each book is geared towards the set genders and contains easy to understand definitions and activities for each topic. For example, each book talks about Chakras and how do you use them. There is also several activities for each gender regarding how to use your Chakras. I loved that each book had activities that were age appropriate and gender specific. I also enjoyed the Native American stories that were included in the boys book and almost wished that were some in the girls books. I know that a lot of people might feel that these books are a bit "crunchy granola" for their tastes. I personally felt that these workbooks would be a great thing for children to use. If nothing else these books focus a lot on positive self image and positive interaction with all people. I would recommend these to anyone who is interested in the topic.

Giveaway details: Please post below to be entered into the drawing for both of these guidebooks. You will be entered twice if you are a follower of my blog. Please indicate if you are a follower in your post. Please leave your email for contact. Giveaway ends on 9/12