Both boys and girls will enjoy this short story set in Medieval times, shortly after the Crusades. Roger and Alice's father left them when Roger was very young to fight in the Crusade. Their mother keeps hoping that he will return, but it's been many years, and Roger is sure he won't see his father... Continue Reading →
The Master Puppeteer
Katherine Paterson is the author of the well-known book Bridge to Terabithia, which has also been made into a movie. In The Master Puppeteer, Paterson takes readers to ancient Japan in days when chaos reigned. Jiro is the only son of a puppet-maker, but longs to be a puppeteer for the great Yoshida. He feels... Continue Reading →
White Stallion of Lipizza
Marguerite Henry is best known as the author of Misty of Chincoteague, and she's written many other books centered around horses. I imagine Henry has done quite a bit of research before she writes her books, because although they are fiction, they are historically accurate. White Stallion of Lipizza is no exception. The story centers... Continue Reading →
From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler
My oldest daughter and I read this book for our mother-daughter book club at our local library. I remember reading it in junior high, but couldn't remember the story. I asked my husband if he had read it, and he said, "We only read classics in school." "This is a classic!" I told him. From... Continue Reading →
The House of Sixty Fathers
Meindert Dejong is probably one of the best children's literature authors you may have never heard of. I had never heard of him before I started using Sonlight's homeschooling curriculum. Over the past few years, we have read Wheel on the School, Shadrach, and Along Came a Dog in school, so when I saw this... Continue Reading →
Stormbreaker
My oldest son brought me Stormbreaker by Anthony Horowitz after a recent library trip. "Mom," he said. "Would you please read this book and let me know if it's OK for me to read?" I greatly appreciated his asking. And honestly, I enjoyed the book. Basically, Stormbreaker is James Bond for preteen and teenage boys...... Continue Reading →
Cultivating Readers 