Rascal is the name Sterling North gives his tiny new pet raccoon he found one afternoon when out in the woods with his friend. The book, Rascal, is North's recollection of a few years of his childhood when Rascal was his constant companion. North is a delightful author, remembering funny stories of how Rascal would... Continue Reading →
Good Queen Bess
There are few very good history story books for children, and Good Queen Bess is one of them. This is the story of Queen Elizabeth's life - from her father (notorious King Henry VIII who divorced or killed so many wives), her birth, her rise to queen and her amazing ability to navigate the political... Continue Reading →
The Minstrel in the Tower
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 →
Strawberry Girl
I enjoyed Strawberry Girl by Lois Lenski as a girl, but I love Strawberry Girl as an adult. Perhaps it is because we lived in Florida for about eight years, and reading this book as an adult helped me to understand my neighbors. Perhaps it is because as an adult I can appreciate the humor,... 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 →
Percy Jackson & the Olympians
My nephew is obsessed with the "Percy Jackson & the Olympians" series. He has read them all, and has sparked my son's interest in reading these books. I like to know what my kids are reading, so when The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan came in at the library, I grabbed it to read it... Continue Reading →
Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes
This year, my older two children and I are studying the Eastern Hemisphere in school. I was very excited to finally start this year's curriculum - I'd been looking forward to studying the Eastern Hemisphere since I first decided on using Sonight curriculum in our homeschool six years ago. We've already studied Australia, Antarctica, New... Continue Reading →
Princess Academy
My seven-year-old daughter brought me the audio book of Princess Academy by Shannon Hale this week when we were in the library. I'd never heard of it, but she told me her friend had told her that it was a really good book. Her friend is in junior high, so I thought I'd better read... Continue Reading →
Cultivating Readers 