Yesterday someone ordered 10 copies of Leora’s Letters from Amazon. Another books club? They might find some of Elaine Briggs’s ideas useful!
Not only has Elaine been an encourager and beta reader for several Leora stories, this retired teacher also came up with classroom topics and activities for Leora’s Letters: The Story of Love and Loss for an Iowa Family During World War II. Here is her list:
- Have students choose a brother and complete maps of their various locations stationed during the war.
- Have students choose a brother and complete a timeline for him, including what training he received and where he was sent for combat.
- How do the letters let you know farming was very important to the war effort?
- What was the attitude of the brothers for serving in the war? Give examples.
- Explain how important letters were to both those who served and those at home.
- Why do you think censoring of the mail was important?
- Food was rationed during WW II. Why do you suppose the Wilsons didn’t mention it much?
- How was life during WW II complicated by having no electricity?
Elaine Briggs is also the author of Joe Dew: A Glorious Life, about her father (whose life was amazing), and also Yes! All Can!: Increase Reading Levels in Weeks, Resolve Conflicts and Build Character, Develop Leadership. Elaine enjoys writing things close to her heart, delights in family activities, and lives a on the farm near Milan, Michigan. She volunteers one-on-one tutoring with EBLI and loves that light-bulb moment when a student “gets” reading.
Your books bring history alive in a very engaging way, Joy. Engaging the younger generation is not only important for them, but for all.
Elaine, you are such a blessing!
Elaine is one of those rare educators, not just a teacher.
She sure is, GP!
Maybe a book club, but your cousin, Bob, also just ordered 10 more copies. Trying to get home from a Marine Corps reunion in Ohio to Asheville, NC, we “holed up” in NE Tennessee. All roads home were closed due to damage from Hurricane Helene. During 6 days in TN we talked with many and often mentioned “Leora’s Letters”. 7 copies will be sent there, others to have on hand. No power for 16 days, no tap water for 29, and still not potable. I’m busy cutting up a few downed huge trees to later be hauled away. I will take this opportunity to “plug” Franklin Graham’s Samaritan.’s Purse” as an honest and effective charity.
Aha! What an encourager you are, Bob! Still praying for all of you in the Asheville area! We’ve been supporters of Samaritan’s Purse for several years, so thanks for mentioning them.
Good news all around! 🥰
Thanks, Vicki!
You’re blessed to have such an encourager! And groups buying and discussing multiple copies!
Turns out to be Cousin Bob, who lives in Asheville, NC, and is still recovering from Hurricane Helene!
What a gift from Elaine!
Yes, she’s been such an encouragement!
It’s wonderful to have someone like Elaine and Cousin Bob encouraging you, Joy! Count your blessings!
Yes, every day! Thank you, Tim.
Hooray for Elaine!! I do hope Leora’s Letters is being used in schools. It needs to be.
I haven’t had any feedback about schools having any of them. Bummer, huh!
Major bummer!
Elaine Briggs must have been an awesome teacher. Her list of questions is a wonderful contribution to encourage more groups to read and discuss Leora’s Letters. Kudos to Elaine! 🙂
She sure was, Nancy! She still gets letters from them, and some have become teachers and are using techniques from her Yes! All Can! book.
That’s not surprising!