Update. Yes, I am on collage #20. My collage-a-day has been going steady. In fact, I have done some extra and will have them framed by a professional. I am quite proud of myself! I have been using magazine paper, but last night I used some handmade paper- very thick. It seemed to be a hit. I take my collage to school each day and show my 5th graders. It has put some pressure on me to keep going. So far, I'm having fun, so I don't intend to quit. Well, off to work on today's collage. No, this isn't my creation.

Book # 1 Under This Unbroken Sky by Shandi Mitchell. Yup, back at it again. I don't think my goal will be 100 books for 2010, but I still love to read and I will still read ALOT.

This story is about immigrants from the Ukraine who settle in Canada. It is much like the settling of the US prairie, but with a Canadian setting. The story is about the family's escape, the heartbreak of being in a new country without the language and with all of the injustices. The father, mother, and five children try to make a life on homestead land, but, it seems every step is backward. The father may be free, but he ends up going to jail for keeping grain and has a dispute with his sister who holds the land. Hard times! Steadfast women hold the families together. A view of life comes from each of the children. The story is about the trauma that comes from being pushed from ones home, homeland, customs, language, and support system. This author can really tell a story with hints and colorful descriptions.

Warning- it doesn't have a happy ending.