Books to Inspire, Thrill and Engage Children
When studying World War II, too often the difficulties of living in Nazi-occupied countries is overshadowed by the horrors of the Holocaust. Books like Winter in Wartime and The Winged Watchman, help children get an understanding of the average person living in such a place. The place, and time, of both stories happens to be... Continue Reading →
Benjamin's historic seaside school is about to be torn down to make way for a huge amusement park. Benjamin is kind of excited about it, until an unusual encounter with the school janitor right before he dies. The janitor entrusts Benjamin with a heavy gold coin with a long history, and directions to 'save the... Continue Reading →
As a sports star, Jimmy is confident in himself and his abilities. That all changes one day, when his friend messes around with a firecracker, accidentally setting it off. The resulting explosion blinds Jimmy, and now he has to relearn everything he used to do without thinking - getting dressed, finding his way around his... Continue Reading →
I am not a fan of poetry. I admit it, loud and clear! In fact, I probably would never read my children poetry, except that it's scheduled into Sonlight, the home school curriculum we use. And thankfully it is. A Child's Introduction to Poetry by Michael Driscoll is a relatively new offering by Sonlight. I... Continue Reading →
Margo Bandini has always felt secure. She had Papa, Mama, and her little brother Charlie - although he had given the family quite a scare several years earlier. But it is now 1933, and Margo's world seems to be falling apart. The sheriff sale sign in on the front door of her home. Her best... Continue Reading →
"This is the best book EVER!" cried my 10-year-old, lifting Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry by Mildred D. Taylor high in the air. We had just finished listening to the audio version of the book, read by Lynne Thigpen. I had tried reading it aloud to my children, but being a white woman from... Continue Reading →
Japan in the 1800's was a mystery to the rest of the world. The country was truly isolationists - no Japanese person who left its shores was allowed to return. Not for any reason. Japanese rulers told their people the world outside Japan was dangerous - full of demons, barbarians and monsters. And soon, fourteen-year-old... Continue Reading →
Where the Mountain Meets the Moon by Grace Lin may seem an intimidating book to some readers. It's quite thick, with 278 pages. However, the words are large, the chapters are short and the illustrations are beautiful. Lin tells the story of Minli, a girl growing up in the shadow of the Fruitless Mountain. Life... Continue Reading →
Oh my goodness. Our family just finished listening to The Willoughbys by Lois Lowry - and we LOVED it! Lowry writes a parody of old-fashioned stories like Anne of Green Gables and James and the Giant Peach - except the children decide they want to be orphans and plot to get rid of their parents. ... Continue Reading →
After several of the librarians at my local library asked me if I had read Surviving the Applewhites by Stephanie Tolan, I decided I had better read it. They know I teach my children at home, and wanted me to read this hilarious book about a homeschooling family. The Applewhites are like few homeschooling families... Continue Reading →
Cultivating Readers 