Two Books I've Enjoyed Recently

Emma recommended A Place to Hang the Moon by Kate Albus after she read it to the kids as part of their school. I wrote down the recommendation, but thought I would read it on vacation this spring. Then, I noticed that my little ones listened to it three straight times after my wife finished it for school. I thought something must be up that they love it so much and decided to read it.
It is a sweet, beautifully told, meaningful story set in World War II England about three orphans trying to gain a family in the evacuation of children from London.
I thought about it for days. It even inspired some conversation around the dinner table tonight. I can't believe it didn't win the Newbury Award in its year. 
It would be a great book for bed time, family read-aloud, or vacation.

How to Learn Any Language by Barry Farber describes a system and several methods to learn a language. It's not about one language but about the skills involved in any language. I sounds too good to be true, but I learned several things that help me with strengthening my Hebrew and Greek.
His method is kind of material-agnostic. He says you can pick up any grammar book at the book store, any phrase book, and any vocabulary cassette tapes. His method works with any of them.
I read an edition from 2002 where cassette tapes are new and the greatest invention ever. I use the recorder app on my phone like he suggests using cassette tapes. I do enjoy his enthusiasm for tapes.
I also use his suggestions for memorizing vocabulary and lists. That is a profound help. I have struggled with all the lists in Hebrew for years, but he suggests turning each list into a story so that you can remember it more easily. It takes a little more upfront work, but is so much better than brute force memorization. I'm working on a list of construct noun endings--both masculine and feminine--and so I've turned it into a story about construction workers. I've studied the list just twice for less than 5 minutes per time and almost have it. I need to sharpen the stories and then I'll have it.
Farber's method/skills have helped me get over some major barriers in my Hebrew. I felt stuck before, but now I have hope and am making good progress. If you are interested in learning a language for fun or for school, I highly recommend his book.

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