Bearskin by Howard Pyle illustrated by Trina Schart Hyman*

When the king stops by a miller's home for the night, his wise man foretells that someday the king's daughter would marry the miller's son.  The king buys the baby from the miller to prevent this from occurring but his efforts are thwarted.
My boys loved listening to this story which includes cleverness, dragons, and magic.
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.
Ms. Hyman's illustrations are beautiful.  I like how her characters are from different races.

Mr. Putter and Tabby Hit the Slope by Cynthia Rylant illustrated by Arthur Howard*

The latest Mr. Putter and Tabby book!
Ms. Rylant continues to amaze me with her ability to create and write books for beginning readers that are funny and clever!
To make winter a bit more exciting, Mr. Putter decides to go sledding with his cat, Tabby and his neighbor Mrs. Teaberry and her dog Zeke.
The afternoon is not exactly how Mr. Putter imagines it would be!
My seven year old read this book aloud to me.
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.

Little Pear Tree by Rachel Williams illustrated by Jenny Bowers

The reader can observe a pear seed develop into a seedling to a full grown tree through the seasons.   Twenty-five flaps to lift make this book even more appealing.  When I read this to my seven year old I had him read the words labeling the pictures under the flap.  A fun way to practice reading!
-Borrowed from the library.

You're Smarter Than You Think by Thomas Armstrong, Ph.D.

A Kid's Guide to Multiple Intelligences
This book offers a short quiz for each intelligence and then presents suggestions how to develop the intelligence and possible career options.
A plethora of resources for each intelligence.
Fun!
-Borrowed from the library.

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling illustrated by Mary GrandPre

I read this aloud to my boys.  They loved it and wanted me to read it to them all the time until we finished it!
My husband and I enjoyed this series before we had children!
Harry discovers on his eleventh birthday that he is actually a wizard.  Once at Hogwarts, he and his friends stumble upon a secret.  Using their gifts and wits, they overcome the evil trying to invade Hogwarts.
Exciting!  Very creative writing.
Warning/points to discuss: lying, witchcraft, murder (Harry's parents), talk of killing, use of the phrase "shut up"
-We own this book.
Guided Reading: V (5th/6th)
Grade Level Equivalent: 6th

Anatole and the Piano by Eve Titus illustrated by Paul Galdone*

Both my nine year old and seven year old enjoy the Anatole stories.
Anatole, the amazing mouse, loves music and conducts the Mouse Symphony Orchestra.  As much as he likes conducting, he longs to own a piano.  The only piano his size is on display in the Musee de la Musique. Some unusual circumstances pave the way for Anatole to own this piano.
Delightful!
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.

Grandpa's Teeth by Rod Clement

Grandpa awakes one morning to discover his false teeth (made in Switzerland) are missing.  The family and the whole town attempts to find the thief.
The thief is not revealed until the last page!
-Borrowed from the library.

Anatole in Italy by Eve Titus illustrated by Paul Galdone*

My first grade son loves Anatole stories!
Anatole and his family travel to Italy to discover why a cheese factory's cheese is all of a sudden disliked by its customers.  Anatole, of course, problem solves quickly and even helps another man who operates a beloved carousel.
A delightful read!
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.

Bring Me Some Apples and I'll Make You a Pie by Robin Gourley*

A Story About Edna Lewis
Edna Lewis eventually became a well-known chef who insisted on utilizing fresh ingredients.
This book relates how her mother and extended family influenced her adult philosophies about cooking and food.
The reader witnesses Edna and her family for entire year as they gather fruit and vegetables and nuts in season.  Edna and her family call out different dishes they plan to make for dinner as they harvest.  Don't read this book when you are hungry!!
Ms. Gourley includes delightful garden lore and rhymes throughout the book which were from either her childhood or American folk tradition.
Several recipes from Edna Lewis are included in the back.
-Borrowed from the library.
*Highly recommend.

Solving the Puzzle Under the Sea by Robert Burleigh illustrated by Raul Colon*

Marie Tharp Maps the Ocean Floor
As a child Marie Tharp traveled around the United States with her father as he mapped fields for farmers.  As a college student, she pursued science even though not many women were scientists in the 1940's.  Despite unfair treatment from men at her job, Marie persevered and proved that she was as competent as any man.  She eventually mapped the ocean floors, beginning with the Atlantic Ocean.  Her work allowed her to realize that there was a rift running along the Atlantic Ocean floor, confirming the theory of the continental drift.
Told in first person.
Mr. Burleigh provides more information about Marie Tharp in the back plus includes a glossary and thought-provoking questions to stimulate more learning about maps.
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.
Pair with The Tree Lady by H. Joseph Hopkins.

My First Little House Books County Fair adapted from the Little House Books illustrated by Jody Wheeler*

This adaption was excellent.   Almanzo's  love for horses and food was a focal point in the story!
Almanzo and his family enter items from their farm in the county fair.  Almanzo waits impatiently as the judges examine the different pumpkins, hoping that his pumpkin entry will win.
A perfect book to read before exploring a rural fair (or after the fair to make connections and reminisce.).
I had read Farmer Boy to my boys last year so they enjoyed revisiting Almanzo.
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.

Treasure Hunters by James Patterson and Chris Grabenstein with Mark Shulman illustrated by Juliana Neufeld

Bick, Beck, Tommy and Storm have been home-schooled all of their lives as they travel the world with their treasure-hunting parents.
Recently their mother disappeared in Cyprus and then in the beginning of this book, their father goes overboard during a storm.  Now the siblings are orphans at sea.
As they finish up their father's current assignment, they encounter very interesting, nefarious individuals.   Whom can they trust?
 Together, with their talents, they overcome major obstacles.
Very exciting and entertaining!
I also really liked how the siblings treated each other (expect for Bick and Beck's famous twin tirades which always end with them being fine with each other/no resentment).
I won't recommend this series to my fourth grade son (see below).
Perfect series for middle school boys who are reluctant readers.
Guided Reading Level: T (fourth grade)
Grade Level Equivalent: 4.6 
"A hi-low book-will appeal to older readers but who are reading at a lower grade reading level".
Warnings/points to discuss: Tommy, the oldest brother age seventeen, is into girls and frequently checks them out.  He especially likes art with naked women. Violence with gun pointing.

Rain Makes Applesauce by Jullian Scheer illustrated by Marvin Bileck

Award winner-Caldecott Honor book
This book was not what I was expecting!
Very silly phrases are used throughout ("my house goes walking every day"), always ending with "and rain makes applesauce."
The illustrations are fanciful.  The reader will have fun observing two children (or fairies?!) monitoring the progress of an apple seed.
-Borrowed from the library.

The Quickest Kid in Clarksville by Pat Zietlow Miller illustrated by Frank Morrisono

Alta is the "fastest kid in Clarksville" but then Charmaine moves into town and gives Alta some competition.  When Wilma Rudolph returns to Clarksville, her home town, for a parade to honor her, the girls put aside their differences.
Told in first person narrative.
The author shares a few facts about Wilma Rudolph at the end.
-Borrowed from the library.

Freedom Over Me by Ashley Bryan**

"Eleven slaves, their lives and dreams brought to life . . ."
This book is stunning.
From his collection of slave-related documents, Mr. Bryan choose the Fairchilds Appraisement of the Estate from July 5, 1828 to base this book.
He took the list of slaves to be sold on this appraisement and gives them a voice.  On the first page the slave describes his/her occupation and how he/she contributes to the success of the Fairchild plantation.  Then the second page, the same slave shares his/her dreams.
The artwork is incredible.
A necessary book to read and share during any Civil War unit or history unit during this time.
**Highly, highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.