Listening for Lions by Gloria Whelan

Listening for Lions by Gloria Whelan was published in 2005. I like Whelan's books because her female protagonists are strong and brave. They face hard and scary things and find ways to solve their problems.

Rachel Sheridan's parents are missionaries in Africa and it is the only home she's ever known, but influenza strikes, killing many people in her village including her parents. She has wicked, greedy neighbors who take her in, but they convince her to join in their criminal scheme telling her someone may die if she doesn't help. Rachel is sent to England where she wants to tell the truth, but she is afraid the truth will cost someone his life.

All she wants to do is return to Africa and reopen her father's hospital. Will she find the patience, courage, and strength to return home? Will she be able to break free from the Pritchards' schemes?

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Cayli, from nightchayde, brought six board books for the NICU book project.

I love board books for the babies, and all of these are Spanish, which is wonderful for our parents who speak Spanish. The more proficient a child is in their home language, the easier it is for them to learn English when they start school. Thank you Cayli. Check out her blog if you need fashion help. She knows how to put together classy, modest, and stylish outfits.

If you'd like to contribute to our book drive for NICU babies, here is how you can help:

1. You can order books for your own children from our online Usborne book party and the proceeds will go to purchase books for the NICU. I've received over $350.00 in free books for the NICU from people buying books for their own families through this web link. Usborne is really good to their hostesses, and they have great board books for babies. Click on the link: Usborne book sale to benefit NICU The books you order will be shipped directly to your home. You can then give them to your children, grandchildren, nieces, or nephews. The free books from the hostess benefits go to the NICU. Remember to get some summer reading books for your family. 

2. We have set up a baby registry at Amazon.com with many books listed for the NICU babies. Some of these books only cost $2.50. Many of these are classics that all children should have. Click on this link if you'd like to help provide books for the NICU: Catherine Crosby Building Lifelong Readers Book Registry. If you order books for us, they will be shipped to me, and I will package and send them to the NICU. 

Read to a child today even if that child is you.