The Wheel on the School by Meindert DeJong illustrated by Maurice Sendak*

*Award winner- The Newbery Medal
One morning at school, Lina, the only school age girl resident in the Holland village Shora, reads aloud a story in which she ponders why storks do not build nests in their village.  Her teacher utilizes her curiosity by orchestrating an problem solving quest.  He gives the students the rest of the day off and  encourages them to wonder why storks do not come to build nests in their village.
This refreshing story,  which centers on the children and their determination to problem solve, gives the reader a glimpse in a Dutch fishing village and also reveals how one little wonderment can unify an entire village.
I liked how various individuals who were ostracized because of age, gender, appearance and disabilities found their place and value once again. This book reinforces the fact that  friendships and relationships are awaiting us if we change our perspective.
A wonderful story full of excitement!
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.

Zomo the Rabbit by Gerald McDermott*

A Trickster Tale from West Africa
Rabbit visits the Sky God, asking him for wisdom.  The Sky God sends him on a mission to complete three impossible tasks in order to obtain wisdom.
Funny and memorable!
My eight year old read this book to himself as part of our study of Ancient Africa.
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.

The Ugly Duckling by Hans Christian Andersen translated by R. P. Keigwin illustrated by Johannes Larsen*

We are learning about Hans Christian Andersen in writing class so we are reading some of his stories to broaden our knowledge.
With descriptive language of the countryside, Mr. Andersen makes the reader able to visualize the setting well.  The turmoil of the "ugly duckling" is portrayed in depth. 
Knowing about Mr. Andersen's upbringing and childhood experiences will allow the reader to appreciate this work.
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.
The copy we borrowed was donated by an exchange Librarian from Denmark.  This edition was issued in commemoration of Mr. Andersen's 150th birthday.  The illustrations are in water color by a Danish painter. 
I found that the illustrations did not always reflect the story line with the opposite written page.

Earth Psalms by Francine Rivers with Karin Stock Buursma*

Reflections on how God speaks through nature.
52 devotions that incorporate God's creation will have an indelible impact.  The photographs are stunning and the prose is succinct yet beautiful.
*Highly recommend.
-I own this book.

These Small Stones Poems selected by Norma Farber and Myra Cohn Livingston*

I bought this used copy at our library's book sale and am so glad that I own this gem!  These ladies, Ms Farber and Ms. Livingston, selected a wonderful collection of unique poems by a variety of poets.  Although these poems were collected with children in mind, they included "adult" sophisticated poets too (e.e. cummings, Emily Dickinson, Christina Rossetti, Lord Alfred Tennyson).  The poems also span many countries and time periods (Japanese, Armenian, Spanish).
I love the variety this anthology offers. 
All the poems share the same theme- small items.
*Highly recommend.
-I own this book.

Anansi the Spider by Gerald McDermott*

Award winner- Caldecott Honor Book

The people of Ghana love sharing the story about Kwaku Anansi the spider and his six sons.  Each son has a special gift and utilizes his gift to save his father when he is in danger.

A very fun, creative story!

Both of my boys read this book to themselves during our study of Ancient Africa.

It reminds me of The Five Chinese Brothers by Claire Huchet Bishop (text to text connections)-we own this book plus The Seven Chinese Brothers.

*Highly recommend.

-Borrowed from the library.

I Am Phoenix by Paul Fleischmann illustrated by Ken Nutt*

Poems for Two Voices
These poems feature different types of birds.  The poem order is clever as the first poem is about  dawn and the last one is about owls.
To perform these poems, the readers would need to practice often.  I read these aloud with my sons in the mornings.  They were reluctant to read them aloud with me as the lines could be confusing when read at the same time (different words at the same time). 
But, I loved the cleverness and thoughtfulness Mr. Fleischmann utilized to create these poems and think when practiced, they would sound incredible.
*Highly recommend.
-I own this book.

Pretty Salma by Niki Daly

A Little Red Riding Hood Story from Africa
Salma, who lives in Ghana, goes to market for Granny.  Granny warns her not to talk to strangers, but the advice goes unheeded when a flattering dog offers to help her carry her purchases.
My eight year old read this to himself during our study of Africa.
Strategies: connections (text to text)/comparing contrasting
-Borrowed from the library.

An Interactive History Adventure-Ancient China by Terry Collins*

You Choose Books
My ten year old read this book during our brief study of Ancient China.
He enjoyed choosing which "story path" to read.  He also learned a lot about Ancient China!
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.

Life in Ancient Civilizations The Chinese by Matt Doeden illustrated by Samuel Hiti

My ten year old read selected sections from this book during our brief study of Ancient China.
The book covers the years from 618-907, during the Tang dynasty and Zhou dynasty.  Besides the main text, inserts offer a lot of additional information.
-Borrowed from the library.

When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead**

**Newbery Medal Winner
Sarah Mackenzie from Read Aloud Revival hosted a podcast with Sarita Holzmann the founder of Sonlight Curriculum the other week.  Mrs. Holzmann discussed the seven attributes she looks for in a book before she recommends it for Sonlight.  She mentioned some books that epitomize those attributes and one of them was When You Reach Me. 
I highly, highly recommend this book.  It has been years since a book has captivated me like this one did!
Miranda, a sixth grader, receives a note saying that she must write a letter to the note sender and that her friend's life is in danger.  Notes keep appearing and contain information that has not even occurred yet!
A whole host of characters and events are presented that seem separate but are intricately and cleverly woven together by the end of the story.
I am still thinking about this book!
**Highly, highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.
Points to discuss/warnings: Marcus beats up Sal, Miranda's best friend, until he bleeds and is sick; some boys cat call to Miranda; "hell" is used a couple of times as a curse word; a boy kisses Miranda and she kisses him back; someone dies; Miranda's mom "swipes" office supplies from the law firm where she works (stealing).

The Case for Christ -DVD*

The True Story-Based on the worldwide best-selling book
When Lee Strobel's, an investigative reporter, wife accepts Christ as her Savior, Mr. Strobel begins to investigate the history of Christ to prove that those who follow Christ are following a hoax.
Every aspect of the movie was superb.
*Highly recommend.
Rated PG- In the beginning of the movie, his daughter is choking on a gumball and almost dies (a bit scary); some characters smoke (that is how it was in the 1970's); Mr. Strobel drinks excessively a few times in the movie and comes home drunk a couple of times; He and his wife fight,  and he throws down a plant in a drunken rage.  A family member dies.
-Borrowed from the library.

Adorned by Nancy Lee Wolgemuth*

Living Out the Beauty of the Gospel Together
Mrs. Wolgemuth delves deeply into Titus 2 and how women need to invest deeply into each others' lives.
A practical and transforming book.
*Highly recommend.
-I own this book.

Windows by Julia Denos illustrated E. B. Goodale

A boy takes his dog for an evening stroll, at dusk, and observes various families and individuals through windows.
Beautiful language and illustrations.
A book that celebrates the comfort and stability of home.
Strategies: figurative language; asking questions; inferring
-Borrowed from the library.

A Boy, a Mouse and a Spider by Barbara Herkert illustrated by Lauren Castillo

The Story of E. B. White
Ms. Herkert reveals E. B. White's inspiration for his stories and how his childhood affected his choices as an adult.
The illustrations are lovely.
-Borrowed from the library.

Goody O'Grumpity by Carol Ryrie Brink illustrated by Ashley Wolff

Ms. Wolff chose to illustrate Ms. Brink's poem after she passed away with linoleum block prints. 
I love the illustrations.

Whenever Goody O'Grumpity bakes a cake, the entire village is overwhelmed with pleasure as the smell wafts outside.
A recipe for spice bread is included in the back.
-Borrowed from the library.