Looking For Me by Betsy R. Rosenthal

Edith is the fourth child in a family of twelve.  Through poetry and verse she describes her sixth grade year as she attempts to find her identity and significance in this huge family.
The Jewish culture and the 1930s/Depression are woven into this novel packed with raw emotions and honest exploration of who one is.
All events and the story is based on the author's mom's childhood.
The stories in this book remind me of some of the stories my mom tells about living as one of ten children.  Images of her and her childhood kept popping up as I read.
*Highly recommend for junior high girls.
-Borrowed from the library.
Points to discuss: One verse contains information about the mom needing to have one of her ovaries removed and how they are "baby-making equipment".  A boy screams at her about how she killed Jesus Christ.  Her favorite brother died at a young age and the family goes through a grief process and questioning God.

Lincoln and His Boys by Rosemary Wells illustrated by P.J. Lynch*

Rosemary Wells shares about Lincoln's life through  his boys' point of view from 1859-1865 (1st person narrative).
Very well researched.
This book, however, made me and my oldest son quite sad as it does have a section about Willie's death and its affects on his parents and brother Tad.
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.
93 pages long

God's Smuggler by Brother Andrew with John and Elizabeth Sherrill*

Expanded Edition 
"Brother Andrew" shares his childhood adventures and how he longs for adventure within his Holland town.  When he enlists to help the Holland military in colonies in Indonesia, he is soon horrified with the price of war.  So he numbs himself with alcohol and wild living.  While in the hospital after being shot, he reevaluates his life and eventually surrenders himself to Christ.  Little does he know the real adventure is only beginning with that commitment!  God takes this ordinary man (6th grade education) and leads him to smuggle Bibles behind the Iron Curtain.
Amazing story!  I enjoyed reading this immensely!!
Warning: I intended to read this aloud to my boys but may need to edit the beginning parts. His choices during his youth are "wild" plus when he works in a factory one woman is quite raunchy (sodomy).  
*Highly recommend.
-I own this book.

The Wilderking Trilogy #3 The Way of the Wilderking by Jonathan Rogers*

We loved this series!!  My fourth grader says he wishes there were more books in the series.
In this final book, Aiden emerges from the swamp where he has lived for three years with the Feechie Folk.  King Darrow has made it his mission to find and destroy Aiden.  Aiden joins his father and brothers in the Sinking Canyons to train an army . . .not to fight King Darrow but to defend Corenwald against the Pyrthen Empire.
Exciting and full of adventure.
Our favorite character is Dobro, a Feechie Folk.


 

Abraham Lincoln by Amy L. Cohn and Suzy Schmidt illustrated by David A. Johnson*

First of all, I loved the creativity behind the design of the book-it is tall and narrow-like Abraham Lincoln!! At points the author is talking directly to the reader, like she and the reader are observing Abraham Lincoln when he was alive.  This book covers his life from his birth until his death and also ends with a focus on the Lincoln Memorial.
The illustrations zoom in on his facial expressions.
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.

Take the Lead, George Washington by Judith St. George illustrated by Daniel Powers*

Divided into illustrated chapters, this book focuses on George Washington's childhood through his teens.  The author focuses on his relationships with his father and step-brother Lawrence (who later wills George Washington Mount Vernon!), his love for mathematics, surveying and the horse back riding.  The last chapter details a long surveying trip he experienced as a sixteen year old which fostered respect and confidence in himself (basically turned him into a confident man).
Apparently Ms. George has written a few more picture books about some other presidents and calls them "turning point books".  Other presidents she has written about are: Abraham Lincoln, Teddy Roosevelt, Franklin Roosevelt.
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.

Legends of the Guardians -The Owls of Ga'Hoole DVD

After listening to book #1 (The Capture) from the Guardians of Ga'Hoole series, we watched this DVD.
Wow was it different!  Although this movie covers most of the books in the series, the beginning parts from the first book were extremely different.
We enjoyed the movie but liked the depth of the book a lot more!
Warnings: Word "hell" said one time; violence/owls fighting; brother vs. brother
Rated PG for "some sequences of scary action".
-Borrowed from the library.

Guardians of Ga'Hoole -Capture by Kathryn Lasky*(audio) Read by Pamela Garelick

Soren, a barn owl, finds himself falling out of his beloved fir tree in the forest of Tyto.  Not having his flight feathers yet, he begins to believe he will die on the forest floor.  Then an owl snatches him and carries him off to an evil place where owls are moon blinked and trained for nefarious deeds.  He befriends Gylfie, an elf owl, and together they make plans to escape.  Along the way they encounter heroic owls willing to die for other owls.
*Highly recommend for upper elementary/junior high.
-Borrowed from the library.
My sons and I listened to this audio book to and from our school commute.
Guided Reading Level: V (5th-6th grade)
Warnings: Some of the fights between owls are descriptive and bloody.  A couple of owls die.  The owls swear in "owl language" (not human curse words-like "rat drops").  The word "hell" is uttered in a rhyme during a battle scene.

Magic Tree House Fact Tracker Dragons and Mythical Creatures by Mary Pope Osborne and Natalie Pope Boyce*

My fourth grader loves dragons and mythical stories.  He read this book to himself.
He even read the "more research" section and asked me to request recommended books from the list!
Ms. Osborne and Ms. Boyce discuss the legends about dragons, sea creatures, unicorns, mermaids, griffins, creatures from creation myths and mythical creatures today.  They also dedicate a chapter to reflecting on how and why people may have created stories about these creatures.
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.

Blast Back! Ancient Greece by Nancy Ohlin illustrated by Adam Larkum*

A Peek into the Past
Ms. Ohlin reveals how people lived in communities in the ancient world and what areas comprised of Greece.  She shows how this culture contributed to their ancient world and also the modern world.
A great overview of this culture that will not overwhelm elementary students.
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.

A Cold Winter's Good Knight by Shelley Moore Thomas illustrated by Jennifer Plecas*

The Good Knight takes his three dragons to a ball on a cold winter's night.  He reminds them to "mind their manners".  They, however, soon realize that they do not really understand what this phrase means as they cause disaster after disaster!
My first grader read this book to himself.
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.

Blast Back! The Civil War by Nancy Ohlin illustrated by Adam Larkum*

Ms. Ohlin offers a great overview on why the Civil War began, the major battles, famous people, and the different cultures/societies in the North and the South.  She even explains the aftermath of the Civil War.
She takes a complicated and information loaded time period and makes it understandable for the elementary student.
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.
**Part of a series (other titles-Ancient Egypt, Ancient Greece, The American Revolution, The Titanic and World War II)

America's Tea Parties Not One But Four! by Marissa Moss*

Ms. Moss shares about the four different tea/tax protests in the Colonies in 1773.  Boston was joined by Philadelphia, Charleston and New York in refusing to allow the tea to come on land and to pay the tax.
Ms. Moss includes a lot of interesting historical insights and background surrounding the tea parties.
Engravings, paintings and copies of pamphlets from the time period add to the authenticity of the book.
Text features: maps, labels, picture captions, photographs/paintings, fact insert pages/boxes, time line, index.
Author's Note includes more in-depth facts about these events.
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.
A relative of mine (Dr. Benjamin Rush), a Son of Liberty in Philadelphia, is mentioned in this book!

Love Kindness by Barry H. Corey*

Discover the Power of a Forgotten Christian Virtue
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed an inter-library loan.
This book challenged my concept of kindness and left me with lots to ponder!
Dr. Corey grew up with a father who bestowed kindness to anyone and to everyone,  to the extent Dr. Corey would blush from embarrassment.  As an adult, Dr. Corey realizes the power and necessity of kindness.
The foundation for many of his points is Matthew 10:40 "He who receives you receives me, and he who receives me receives the one who sent me."  A truly kind person is receivable; meaning that they are winsome and draw people to them by their authenticity, humility, willingness to listen, being present, and their willingness to mentor.
The point of being kind is to be receivable, not to be received.
Dr. Corey encourages Christians to engage with the culture (like Daniel as an exile in Babylon) and to be the leaders  in articulating ideas, being creative and being innovative, not retreating into our safe circles.
He also defines eudaemonism (pgs. 183-184) as the act of doing something virtuous in order for those who notice to think more highly of you.  One is not being kind if one stops doing the "kind" act if one is not being appreciated or acknowledged.  Sometimes the person being kind will be rejected.  If one is offended when kindness is met with ingratitude or has to anonymous or is rejected, then that is pride, not kindness.
Some phrases/sentences I want to remember from this book:
pg. 92 "Multitasking is the curse of presence."
pg. 151-152  "Inviting others to tell their story and caring enough to engage in that story is one of the powerful dimensions of kindness.  Everyone's ordinary is extraordinary if we give them a chance to tell about their journey."
pg. 163 "Hospitality is a Christian imperative, not an option."
pg. 182 "The way of kindness is a way of life.  . .lifestyle of loving our neighbor."
**pg. 192 "Pride more than anything else gets in the way of kindness, and it shows up in our aversion to being scorned.  If we dole out kindness in order to be received and thanked, we will dole out kindness only in safe places, places we know we will be accepted."
pg. 212 "Niceness lacks convictions.  Kindness has a soul, and it has fire.  Kindness doesn't cave in. . .calls us to stand strong. . ." pg. 218 "spirit of kindness does not mean a pliable core."
He repeats this theme throughout the book, "Live receivable lives with firm centers and soft edges . . .".
*1 Peter 3:15 supports the need to have firm convictions (centers) and soft edges (approaching people with gentleness and respect).

Awesome Lego Creations With Bricks You Already Have by Sarah Dees

I have followed Mrs. Dees' blog since my oldest son was a toddler and was thrilled to see that she published a book!
In this book she shows various lego creations her boys have created over the years.
She encourages the reader to be creative and not think they have to use exactly what they suggest.
She even offers tips where to purchase specific bricks.
Check out Mrs. Dee's blog: http://frugalfun4boys.com/
(*She has lego storage ideas, craft ideas and STEM activities listed on the blog.)
My boys were not into this book as I had thought they would be.  My oldest likes having the exact pieces he needs in a bag while this book requires the builder to hunt for specific bricks.  Our bricks are all mixed up so I think he was overwhelmed!  My youngest actually made a few creations and was very proud of himself!
A must-have book for lego-lovers and builders who are a bit more creative and free-spirit.

Cuckoo/ Cucu by Lois Ehlert translated into Spanish by Gloria de Aragon Andujar

Beautiful cuckoo was a bit vain and a very lazy.  Her egocentric behavior caused the other birds to despise her.  Each year the birds worked together to gather seeds to grow another season.  Cuckoo, of course, never helped.  The birds' view of Cuckoo soon changed when they fall asleep and a fire broke out.  Cuckoo saved the seed from the fire and as a result, turned black, no longer beautiful.
Beautiful artwork based on Mexican crafts and folk art.
-Borrowed from the library.

The Boy Who Wouldn't Obey: A Mayan Legend by Anne Rockwell

Chac, one of the gods of the sky who controls the rain, wind, thunder and lightning, grabs a boy from earth to be his servant.  The boy, however, is disobedient on Earth and gives the tough god a challenging time!   The boy longs to be home with his family and does something desperate to return.
-Borrowed from the library.

The Bravest Flute by Ann Grifalconi

A Story of Courage in the Mayan Tradition
A boy has the honor to lead the villagers into the center of town to welcome the new year.  He leads the procession by playing his flute and wearing a drum on his back.   He is weak from little food over the winter. If he leads well, the elders will reward him with pesos with which he can buy food for his family and more seed corn.  Will he survive the long trek or collapse?
-Borrowed from the library.

Nate the Great Goes Undercover by Marjorie Weinman Sharmat illustrated by Marc Simont*

My first grader read this book to himself.
Someone is raiding Oliver's garbage can each night.  So Nate is hired to investigate and find the culprit in action . . . at night!
Guided Reading Level: K (end of 1st grade/beginning of 2nd grade)
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum read by Brooke Shields*

An Unabridged Production
On a recent "road trip" our family listened to this audio book.  We all enjoyed the magical story of Dorothy and her companions.
My boys have seen this movie several times and commented how different the book is from the movie!
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.
*Sometimes Brooke Shields' voice was quieter, depending on the character she was portraying, which made it difficult to hear at times.

Nate the Great and the Mushy Valentine by Marjorie Weinman Sharmat illustrated by Marc Simont*

My first grader read this book to himself.
Someone leaves Sludge, his dog, a valentine.  His poor dog (Nate hates mushy stuff!)!  Nate is determined to find out who would dare leave Sludge a mushy Valentine!
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.
Guided Reading Level: K (end of 1st grade/beginning of 2nd grade)

Nate the Great Saves the King of Sweden by Marjorie Weinman Sharmat illustrated by Marc Simont*

My first grader read this book to himself.  He loves this series.
While Rosamond is touring Sweden, she loses her troll.  She sends Nate a letter to find what she has lost (but she does not tell him what it is, when she lost it or where she lost it) or else she will hire the King of Sweden.
Can Nate solve a mystery even when he is not in the same country?!!
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.
Guided Reading Level: K (end of 1st grade/beginning of 2nd grade)

Every Body Matters by Gary Thomas*

Strengthening Your Body to Strengthen Your Soul
Mr. Thomas' emphasizes throughout his book the importance of maintaining a fit body to better serve the Lord.  According to Apostle Paul we are all called to be instruments for special purposes, made holy, useful for the Master and prepared to do any good work.
Our bodies are instruments for the Lord.  If we are overweight and out of shape, we cannot serve to the fullest capacity.
Being physical fit and tough will also help us be endure trials and  persecution.
pg. 45 "Protecting your health is the same thing as protecting the vehicle through which God wants to change the world."
pg. 49 Dr. Yphantides says "Being unhealthy is being selfish.  Being healthy is being loving."
 pg. 101 "Laziness is the great spiritual assassin of our time. . . an attitude that undercuts our sense of duty to God and our obligation to our neighbor, and an attitude that wastes our lives."
pg.106 "Laziness is like pride-we can't turn it on and off.  It becomes part of who we are."
-Borrowed from the library.
*Highly recommend.

Under Drake's Flag by G.A. Henty Executive Producer: Bill Heid Written and Produced by John Fornof*

This was an audio theater production.
I thought this was a book on CD but was pleasantly surprised to discover it was an actual performance with sound effects!  This production was top-notch.  We were mesmerized the entire time and did not want to leave our van when we reached our destination!

I have been reading positive comments about books written by G. A. Henty.  He died over a hundred years ago but during his life he wrote 122 books, mostly historical adventures which appeal to boys and make history come alive.

Under Drakes Flag takes the reader on an adventure with Sir Francis Drake.  Ned and Gerald are young lads when they join his crew, but under his leadership grow up to be good, Christian men.  Adventures abound in this story (storms at sea, shark attacks, sea rescues, lots of battles and escapes from prisons).
Recommended ages: 6-adult (lots of battles so at times violent; The Inquisition is part of the story where the torture was freely used to combat heresy.) 

Included are a prayer by Sir Francis Drake and a study guide (discussion questions for each section, expanding vocabulary lists!, and three different Bible studies).  WOW!!  This production and CD showcases Christians striving for excellence and using their gifts for Him.
**Highly, highly recommend.
Now I want to read an actual book to see if they are as exciting as the theater production!

One Hundred Names by Cecelia Ahern

Ms. Ahern writes creative, unique books which I have enjoyed immensely.  Sadly, I stopped reading this book about a third into it.  Although the story line was excellent and intriguing, my conscience prompted me to stop because of the swearing. the main character slept with a  guy (nothing explicit was described-the reader just knows without a doubt it happened), a reference to a morning-after pill . . .

Summary of the book:
Kitty Logan, a journalist, mistakenly broadcasts a false story about a teacher which ends her career on television.  Her mentor, Constance,  is dying from cancer and offers her a lead to a story she always had wanted to write.  After Constance dies, Kitty finds the file folder.  The folder contains  a single list of 100 names of people.  It is up to Kitty to find each person, make the connection between each individual and write a story (which could save her career).

-Borrowed from the library.