Several years ago, I was looking for a book that the children and I could listen to in the car as we drove around town. I picked up Ballet Shoes by Noel Streatfeild a couple of times, and put it down a couple of times. My girls were taking ballet lessons then, and loved them,... Continue Reading →
Mara: Daughter of the Nile
This historical adventure, set in (can you guess?) ancient Egypt, has enough action to satisfy the boys, and enough romance to keep the girls' attention. Mara: Daughter of the Nile by Eloise Jarvis McGraw tells the story of Mara, a slave girl who ends up acting as a double spy in the court of the... Continue Reading →
The Story of the World
One of the great benefits of teaching my children at home is that I get an education as well. I'm learning so much more about history and science that I just didn't get in school - either because the curriculum didn't include the information, or because I didn't understand it. I've always enjoyed history, but... Continue Reading →
The Sign of the Beaver
The Sign of the Beaver by Elizabeth George Speare is one of those books I don't think I'll ever tire of reading. The lessons about growing up, independence and the importance of family resonate loudly throughout the book - and the story keeps me turning the pages and my kids begging for "One more chapter!... Continue Reading →
Egermeier’s Bible Story Book
I've said before everyone needs to be familiar with the Bible because so much of Western literature alludes to it. A great place to start is The Jesus Storybook Bible, which I've already reviewed. The strength of The Jesus Storybook Bible is also it's weakness. It gives a wonderful overview of the Bible, so that... Continue Reading →
The God King
As my children grow older, I admit I am more and more frequently reading ahead in our school books. It's hard to resist - the books are so great! My new favorite author is Joanne Williamson. She writes historical fiction that's just superb. The God King is one of those books. The main character is... Continue Reading →
The Boy Who Dared
I haven't read The Boy Who Dared: A Novel Based on the True Story of a Hitler Youth to my children. They aren't ready for it yet. I will keep this title in mind, though, when my older two study World War II again. By then, they will be old enough for this book. And... Continue Reading →
Walk the World’s Rim
My younger two children and I just finished reading Walk the World's Rim by Betty Baker this morning. This is my second time through the book, their first. We really enjoy this book, which is a fictional account of a real-life event. A Spanish expedition sailed from Cuba to explore Florida in 1527. Of the... Continue Reading →
Dolphin Adventure
If you have a child in your life who loves animals, especially dolphins, she will love this book! I read Dolphin Adventure aloud to my children several times, and they have read it on their own many more times. Wayne Grover, a deep-sea diver based in Florida, tells the story of how he met a... Continue Reading →
The Mysterious Howling
When I picked up this book at the library, a part of me wondered what I was doing. In fact, the first time I picked it up, I put it back down again and didn't check it out. Several weeks later, I spotted it again and couldn't help picking it up again. That time I... Continue Reading →
Cultivating Readers 