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 →
Chicken Sunday
I mentioned Chicken Sunday by Patricia Polacco in an earlier post about Polacco's books. But I enjoy this book so much, it deserves it's own recognition. Chicken Sunday is a personal story from Polacco's childhood in southern California. She and two brothers from her neighborhood are siblings, "by a solemn ceremony [they] had performed in... Continue Reading →
Rechenka’s Eggs
Every day in winter, Babushka would prepare for the Easter Festival in Moskva by painting an egg shell from her basket. Until one day, when the goose she rescued was startled and broke all of Babushka's eggs. Babushka was so sad - she would not be going to the Easter Festival that year. But her... Continue Reading →
Follow My Leader
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 →
A Letter to Mrs. Roosevelt
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 →
Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry
"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 →
Kindred Souls
If the child in your life has lost a beloved grandparent or other loved one, Kindred Souls by Patricia MacLachlan will help them process that loss. MacLachlan has a gift for expressing emotion in strong simple words, and actions of her characters. Sarah, Plain and Tall is an award-winning example of her gift. I think... Continue Reading →
Heart of a Samurai
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 →
The Willoughbys
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 →
Hattie Big Sky
Hattie Big Sky by Kirby Larson is a coming-of-age story set in Montana during World War I. Hattie is an orphan, shuffled from one unwilling relative to another for most of her life. Then a letter arrives in the mail. Hattie's uncle has died, leaving her his homestead claim in Montana. Although she is only... Continue Reading →
Cultivating Readers 