Extreme Animals Fantastic Fish by Isabel Thomas*

My ten year old read this book to himself.  As he was reading, he was sharing astounding facts.
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.

Nature's Monsters Weird and Wonderful Fish by Gerrie McCall*

A wonderful nonfiction book that will fascinate children who love odd, scary creatures.
My ten year old read this book to himself.
A perfect book for modeling how to read nonfiction and utilize text features (tons of text features).
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.

Return to Gone-Away by Elizabeth Enright illustrated by Beth and Joe Krush*

I enjoyed the beauty of Gone-Away Lake and its quirky characters so much earlier this summer that I too needed to return!
Portia's parents purchase Villa Caprice, a grand house that has been abandoned near Gone Away Lake, and spend the summer attempting to coax it back to beauty.  The children fill the summer exploring with their cousin and new friends, and also unearthing treasures in the cluttered house.  Julian, Portia's cousin, is determined to find the house's safe.
I love the word choice and the apt description of God's creation-people and nature. This is a book in which I enjoy the writing as much as the story line.
*Highly recommend.
-I own this book.
Guided Reading Level: V (5th grade)
Point to discuss: The girls consult a book which contains advice based on the Zodiac signs.  The author causes the reader to realize it is faulty when a big event proves the prediction/warning incorrect.  The characters say "heck" sometimes and other slangs.

Wandmaker's Apprentice by Ed Masessa*

My ten year old had been waiting for this sequel to be published many months now and eagerly read it in a couple of days.
Henry and his sister Brianna convince the wandmaker, Master Coralis to accept them as apprentices.  As Henry and his sister learn the secrets, they and the other apprentices realize that that evil is lurking and it may be someone who is trusted.
My son said this book was exciting and almost too scary to read right before falling asleep!!
Guided reading level: W (6th grade)
*Highly recommend.
-We own this book.

Ten Boys Who Used Their Talents by Irene Howat*

Short biographies about Paul Brand, Ghillean Prance, C. S. Lewis, C. T. Studd, Wilfred Grenfell, J.S. Bach, James Clerk Maxwell, Samuel Morse, George Washington Carver and John Bunyan.
-We own this book.
*Highly recommend.

The Cat of Bubastes by G. A. Henty*

Amuba, a Rebu, is captured by Egyptians and lives in Egypt with Ameres, a high priest.  Ameres' son, Chebron, soon becomes close friends with Amuba.  One day Chebron accidentally kills his sister's cat that is sacred to the Egyptians.  The boys hide the evidence but confess to Ameres.  Unfortunately, Ameres is killed by a jealous priest and the children find themselves fleeing for their lives.
Very exciting yet the reader learns a lot about Ancient Egypt while enjoying the story.
I especially appreciated how he integrated Christianity and Biblical history but it was so smoothly incorporated that it was not preachy or in your face.
We listened to this book on CD.
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.

Sea of Dreams by Dennis Nolan*

A wordless picture book
A girl builds a sand castle, and when she leaves the beach for the night, a light blinks on in the top window.  Who is in there?  What will the individuals do when high tide arrives?
Beautiful illustrations! I loved the sea foam especially.
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.
Strategies:  inferring; cause/effect
Pair with Flotsam.