Books to Inspire, Thrill and Engage Children
Daniel witnessed the crucifixion of his father, and ever since he has passionately pursued driving the Roman legions from his homeland of Israel. He joins a band of outlaws, living in caves and robbing caravans. His grandmother's death forces him to leave the outlaws to care for his sister, but does not quench his desire... Continue Reading →
Trad is an orphan living with his grandfather, who ignores him most of the time. One day, Trad is out on the moors, and finds a wounded knight. Somehow, Trad realizes he needs to hide the knight from his grandfather, which he manages to do. But as the knight recovers, he feels compelled to complete... Continue Reading →
Nicholas Young was tired of his life in England. He hated school (for good reason - made me shudder!) & when he ran away, his father apprenticed him to a butcher. Even worse than school, if you could believe it. So Nick stowed away on a ship. But not just any ship - the HMS... Continue Reading →
Adam and his father traveled the roads of England in the 1200's as wandering minstrels - and Adam loved every minute of it. At least until the day he was separated from his father. Then his beloved spaniel, Nick, disappears too. Now Adam wanders the roads of England looking for his father and his dog,... 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 →
It seems like a crazy title - how on earth can a war save someone's life? But the title is true to the book. In The War that Saved My Life by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley, Ada tells her story first-hand. It's a difficult story of abuse and neglect. Ada is crippled, and her mother refuses... Continue Reading →
E.L. Konigsburg is best known for her wonderful book From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler. She also wrote one of our family's favorite books, A View from Saturday. Now, I have to tell you about another of her books, A Proud Taste for Scarlet and Miniver. This book focuses on the historical... Continue Reading →
Marcia Williams has created a fun companion to Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice in Lizzy Bennet's Diary. Williams follows the storyline of Pride and Prejudice closely, including illustrations and small details of life not included in the book - like the fancy buttonholes Elizabeth is embroidering on a new waistcoat for her father. She also includes the "letters"... Continue Reading →
