An orphan boy and a crippled man live together under the bridge of a small Korean village in the twelfth-century. Crane-man and Tree-ear scrounge for food in the village's rubbish heaps by day. In the evenings, they discuss philosophies encountered throughout their day. For as Crane-man says, Scholars read the great words of the world. ... Continue Reading →
A Grain of Rice
This short, little story will delight both you and your children. In A Grain of Rice by Helena Clare Pittman, the peasant Pong Lo asks the Emporer of China for his daughter's hand in marriage. The Emperor, along with all his court, is scandalized by his request. How on earth could a poor farmer ask... Continue Reading →
The Skippack School
The Skippack School by Marguerite de Angeli takes awhile to get into, but it is worth it. As my nine-year-old put it, "It starts out boring, but then it gets interesting." The main character is Eli, recently arrived in Pennsylvania from Germany with his parents and two younger sisters. His story starts on Pennsylvania soil,... Continue Reading →
The Ides of April
My children read The Ides of April by Mary Ray for school a couple of weeks ago. This week, we started reading Beyond the Desert Gate aloud. After I read the first couple of chapters, I noticed on the cover that it was the sequel to The Ides of April, so I thought I'd better... Continue Reading →
The Thanksgiving Story
Most children who've been to preschool can probably tell you the first Thanksgiving involved Indians and Pilgrims, and perhaps even have a paper Pilgrim collar and hat or Indian headband to prove it. The Thanksgiving Story by Alice Dalgliesh will help children understand who the Pilgrims were and why they celebrated Thanksgiving with the Indians.... Continue Reading →
Betsy-Tacy
I am surprised I did not find the Betsy-Tacy books as a child. My children and I have discovered them recently, and have enjoyed them. Maud Hart Lovelace wrote Betsy-Tacy based upon her childhood growing up in Mankato, Minnesota. Betsy hopes a family with children will move in across the street from her, especially a... Continue Reading →
The Courage of Sarah Noble
This year, my younger children and I are exploring American History, and enjoying some wonderful books on our journey. One of those is The Courage of Sarah Noble by Alice Dalgliesh. I remember my older two children enjoying this book when they read it two years ago, but this was the first time I had... Continue Reading →
Ballet Shoes
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 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 →
Cultivating Readers 