Books to Inspire, Thrill and Engage Children
Lizzie Kennedy wants to be a doctor, like her dad. But this is San Fransisco in 1900, and girls go to finishing schools, not high schools. And definitely not colleges. Lizzie, her older brother and her father live in a house on her aunt and uncle’s property on Nobb Hill. They’re not wealthy, but her... Continue Reading →
I stayed up entirely too late to finish Echo Mountain another excellent story by Lauren Wolk, author of Wolf Hollow. Ellie has decided to make Echo Mountain home since her family lost everything in town during the Depression and had to learn how to make it in the wilderness. Her mother and older sister remember... Continue Reading →
You might think that a story about pioneering families in Alaska would be the most unusual part of Sweet Home Alaska, by Carole Estby Dagg. You’d be wrong. The most unusual part, at least in my opinion, are the names of her main characters - three sisters named after Greek muses. The twins are lucky... Continue Reading →
Jack Baker has lost his mother and his home all at once. He also gained a father he's not seen since before World War II began. They don't know how to be together without Jack's mom. And now Jack is at a strange boarding school in Maine - a continent away from his home in... Continue Reading →
When Turtle’s mom gets a maid position with a woman who doesn’t like children, her mom sends her to her aunt’s house in Key West. In the middle of the Great Depression, you do what you have to do to get by. Turtle’s aunt and cousins aren’t thrilled to see her. And she isn’t thrilled... Continue Reading →
If your child is like mine, and an unashamed Civil War buff, he will enjoy reading Tillie Pierce by Tanya Anderson. Tillie grew up in Gettysburg and was there during the entire battle. Her home was downtown, but her parents wanted her to escape the worse of the fighting, so she went to a friend's... Continue Reading →
Annabelle enjoys her life in rural Pennsylvania, even if it's a little boring. Just as she is wishing for something exciting to happen, Betty Glengarry walks into her classroom. And Annabelle's life changes. Betty is a problem child, who was kicked out of her city school and sent to live with her grandparents. She threatens... Continue Reading →
Georgie knows that her sister is not dead. She believes it with all her heart - even after the sheriff brings back a body with long auburn hair wearing her sister's ballgown. Even after her mother identifies the body as Agatha, Georgie's sister. Even after the whole town turns out for Agatha's funeral. Georgie refuses... Continue Reading →
Can a kite really bridge two nations? Homan Walsh wonders the same thing. But Homan loves to fly kites, so when he finds out about a contest for kite flyers, he is ready to compete. The winner will receive $10 and the honor of determining the place to build a bridge between the U.S. and... Continue Reading →
All children have dreams, hopes and wishes. One little girl's wish feels unrealistic - she cannot find a star to wish upon in the bright night sky of New York City. But her mother finds a way to nurture her daughter's dream - reminding her that hope is hard work, and demonstrating that fact by... Continue Reading →
Cultivating Readers 