Encyclopedia Brown Gets His Man #4 by Donald J. Sobol illustrated by Leonard Shortall*

My boys and I thoroughly enjoyed solving cases with Encyclopedia again!
A couple of warnings: One boy smokes (coffee grounds) and a teenager in the same story smokes real cigerettes.  In another story, Encyclopedia helps another boy write a mystery play and the play involves murder.
Guided Reading Level:  P
Grade Level Equivalent: 3.9
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.

The Kingdom of Fantasy #8-The Hour of Magic by Geronimo Stilton*

My fourth grader read this book to himself in one day!
Geronimo returns to the Kingdom of Fantasy to figure out why the Timepiece was spinning faster and faster and causing Blossom, the Queen of Fairies,  to age.  
-Borrowed from the library.
*Highly recommended by my fourth grader.
Guided Reading Level: S (4th grade)
Grade Level Equivalent: 4

The Broken Way by Ann Voskamp*

A Daring Path into the Abundant Life
Mrs. Voskamp desires an abundant life in the God and shares  how when one is broken-vulnerable, sharing one's weaknesses and struggles, new life in Him can begin.
Through stories from her own life, she bears her soul, her struggles, her fears.  
**Her writing is poetic and dramatic so individuals who are more practical in personality may not enjoy this type of writing.
The copy I read was the library's but so often I wished it was my own copy so I could highlight profound sentences!  Within a paragraph, there would be one sentence so penetrating that I wanted to hold onto it and preserve it.  This book requires careful, meditative reading as the depth and lasting impact may be lost in less contemplative reading.
*Highly recommend for lovers of poetry and philosophy.
-Borrowed from the library.
Warning: (if read by teens-Mrs. Voskamp use to cut her self as a teenager and shares some details about this destructive behavior throughout the book.)

Ishtar's Odyssey by Arnold Ytreeide*

Ishtar only knows the comforts of the palace and the boring day-to-day lessons.
When he discovers a star in the sky, he finds himself traveling with his father, two uncles, servants, guards and many camels to a far away land to meet the new baby, a Hebrew King.
Beginning on the first Sunday of Advent, families can read daily snippets of Ishtar's journey and observe how he grows from a spoiled, insecure ten year old to a thoughtful, courageous young man.  He meets other characters from this Advent series (Jotham, Bartholomew, and Tabitha).
Each day ends with a spiritual application and verse.
*Highly recommend.
-We own this book.
The boys and I like Jotham's Journey by this author the best.

Hap-Pea All Year by Keith Baker*

The newest addition to the Pea books!
Beginning in January, Mr. Baker and the Peas celebrate each month and what it brings.
Look for the month number and a ladybug hiding in each spread.
Delightful illustrations!
Perfect for preschool teachers and K teachers while teaching the months of the year.
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.

Motor Miles by John Burningham

Miles is a naughty dog but his owners love him despite his many faults.   The one thing Miles likes to do is ride in the car. Much to his delight,  next door neighbor kindly builds Miles his own car to drive.
The last two sentences were especially humorous.
-Borrowed from the library.

The Undoing of Saint Silvanus by Beth Moore*

I have enjoyed (and benefited) from Beth Moore's Bible Studies in the past so I was curious to read her first fictional novel.  Its length (460 pages) was a bit intimidating but once I began reading it,  I wanted to dedicate any time I had available to reading it!
Jillian has been raised by her mom who has reiterated over the years what a bum her father was.  Then he dies, in a drunken stupor on the streets of New Orleans (or so the police first believe).  A mysterious call from Jillian's grandmother's housekeeper draws her from San Francois to New Orleans.  In the heart of New Orleans she encounters  unusual, sometime exasperating individuals in Saint Sans (a former church turned apartment building owned by her grandmother).  These individuals help Jillian sort out a past she never knew and endure some terrifying events incited by one bent on revenge.
Suspense, a bit of romance, and eccentric characters make this book a great read.
Although this book does not mention God often, His working and presence is very clear as His sovereign hand is constantly working each event out for His glory.
One word to summarize this book: redemption
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.

Encyclopedia Brown, Boy Detective by Donald J. Sobol*

The former children's librarian at our local library reminded me of this beloved series the other day.  Immediately I checked out this book and eagerly anticipated sharing Encyclopedia Brown and his cleverness with my boys.
They loved solving the cases with me!
The book is divided up into cases.  The reader is invited to solve the case with Encyclopedia with the solutions available in the back.  Enough clues are given within the story that make it possible to solve, if one thinks!  We were unable to solve two cases . . . one case we should have solved if we would have thought about it more but the other one required some schema we did not have.
*Highly recommend!  So much fun!
-Borrowed from the library.
Guided Reading Level: P (3rd grade)
Grade Level Equivalent: 3.9

The Christmas Fox by Anik McGrory

Different creatures encourage the fox to come and offer something to the new born baby.  Fox thinks he has nothing to offer the newborn so continues with his frolicking.  The donkey, however, encourages him to come by saying, "Just come.  It is enough."
So simple yet so true and profound.
All we have to do is come to Him . . . that is enough.

Adele and Simon by Barbara McClintock*

Adele picks up her younger brother Simon from school.  On their way home, they enjoy the many sights, sounds and tastes of Paris.  At each location, Simon loses one of his items.  The reader can try to find the item.
In the back Ms. McClintock explains the significance of each location/stop the children make.  The time and thought Ms. McClintock took to research and write this book are reinforced with these little notes.
Perfect book to read when studying Paris.
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.

My Grandfather's Coat retold by Jim Aylesworth illustrated by Barbara McClintock*

A mother tells her son about her grandfather's immigration to America and how he transformed his beautiful coat into many different types of apparel as the previous one becomes frayed and worn.
Lovely, fun story based on the Yiddish folk song "I Had a Little Overcoat".
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.

Lost and Found-Adele and Simon in China by Barbara McClintock*

Adele and her brother Simon visit their uncle Sidney in China.  He takes them all over the country.  The reader experiences their adventure via postcards/letters sent to their mother plus the beautiful illustrations.
Before the trip, Uncle Sidney gives Simon many items for the trip.  At each location, Simon loses one item.  The reader is then challenged to find the item.
A very fun book (and series!)!
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.
I love Mrs. McClintock's illustration style.

A Poem for Peter by Andrea Davis Pinkney illustrated by Lou Fancher and Steve Johnson*

The Story of Ezra Jack Keats and the Creation of THE SNOWY DAY
Ms. Pinkney writes this poem to Peter, the main character in The Snowy Day to share how Ezra Jack Keats came to write and illustrate books featuring African American children and other cultures.
A very creative biography that utilizes figurative language to make its point.
The illustrations also use Keats' style with collage.
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.
I read this aloud to my first grader and he lost interest in it towards the end (the figurative language made it a bit challenging for him to understand).

The Magnolia Story by Chip and Joanna Gaines with Mark Dagostino*

I love, love the show Fixer-Upper so I was excited to read the Gaines' biography.
Just like the show, this book showcases their distinct personalities with genuineness and warmth.
When Joanna is "speaking/writing" she has a different font than Chip's font.  Their stories and points of view are interwoven to make a beautiful book.
This biography shares a bit about their separate upbringings, how they met and their journey in the business world.
Photographs are included.
*Highly recommend!
-Borrowed from the library.

Ugly by Robert Hoge*

A Memoir
Mr. Hoge shares his painful childhood journey of having two mangled legs and a distorted face.  He handles his disabilities with humor and candidness.  Then he must make the biggest decision of his life and his conclusion will surprise the reader.
A must read!  This book will facilitate discussion about judging others by appearance and ability.
Pair with Wonder by. R. J. Palacio or Out of My Mind by Sharon Draper.
-Borrowed from the library.
*Highly recommend.

Because of Bethlehem by Max Lucado*

Simply but effectively, Mr. Lucado offers reasons to celebrate Christ and the Hope He brings.  This book contains twelve short chapters.  Christine Anderson created an advent study guide for each chapter.  The study guide contains Scripture reading, questions, advent prayer, advent practice, advent hymn and additional verses plus quotes about the topic.
-Borrowed from the library.
*Highly recommend.

The Lost Gift by Kallie George illustrated by Stephanie Graegin

By accident, Santa drops a gift off his sleigh into a snow covered forest.  Four woodland animals create a sleigh and deliver it to its rightful owner.
-Borrowed from the library.

The Sound of Music-DVD*

After teaching my boys "Do a deer" song, I decided to share The Sound of Music movie with them.
My first grader was quite wiggling through the movie but said he enjoyed it.  My fourth grader really liked it.
Maria, a novice nun, comes to the Von Trapp family as a governess and brings joy, love, fun and music back into the family home.
How delightful to hear my boys singing some of the songs after I tucked them in for the night!
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.