I Took a Walk by Henry Cole*

A fun, interactive book where children are asked to find various types of animals and insects in a different habits.
It encourages parent and child to go outside, observe and listen.
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.

A Stone for Sascha by Aaron Becker*

The main character, a girl, is mourning over the death of her dog.  Her family leaves for vacation and she finds an unique stone that offers her comfort.
This wordless book gives the reader the opportunity to ponder the history of a beautifully polished stone.  What ancient civilizations have utilized it, worshiped it?  A map on the end pages reveals the stone's journey through history (dates included).
Points to discuss: death of a pet, evolutionary worldview
Strategies: asking questions, inferring
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.
My boys like Mr. Becker's other wordless books better.

Drive Thru History -Turkey DVD

With Dave Stotts
Turkish Delight
Entertaining and humorous Dave Stotts takes viewers to various ancient sites around Turkey.
Viewers learn more about the churches mentioned in Revelation, about Ancient Colossae and Ephesus. 
*Highly recommend.
Our entire family enjoys watching videos in this series.

The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place #4 The Interrupted Tale by Maryrose Wood**

An Audio Book read aloud by Katherine Kellgren
Penelope is asked to speak at the annual Celebrate Alumnae Knowledge Exposition (CAKE) at the Swanburne Academy.  She brings along the Incorrigible Children.  To their dismay, the school is  in disrepair and Judge Quincy, who is on the board, is making horrible changes to the routine and education.
With the help of the children, her beloved teachers, her former head mistress Miss Mortimer, and the perfect Simon Harley-Dickinson, she uncovers clues to her past and the school's history. 
Once again, the rabbit trails are entertaining and educational.  My boys and I loved listening to this book read aloud by Ms. Kellgren.
Unfortunately,  Ms. Kellgren passed away this year on Jan. 10th and was not able to narrate the last book in this series.  She is our favorite book narrator.
**Highly, highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.

Colonial Voices Hear Them Speak by Kay Winters illustrated by Larry Day*

Readers follow Ethan, the printer's errand boy, through the streets of Boston as he delivers a message about the Patriot's meeting.  Each poem features a different person who receives Ethan's message and their diverse reactions.
The glossary and the further information about each trade/occupation were especially helpful and interesting.
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.
This author-illustrator team has also published similar books about the Oregon Trail and the Underground Railroad.

The Wednesday Wars by Gary D. Schmidt*

Award winner-Newbery Honor
In the year 1967, on Wednesday afternoons,  Holling Hoodhood's classmates are dismissed from school to  either go to Catechism or Hebrew school, but Holling, being a Presbyterian,  must stay behind with his seventh grade English teacher, Mrs. Baker.  It seems like Mrs. Baker hates him.  Her hatred toward him is confirmed as she has him clap all the teachers' erasers, clean out the rats' cage (which escape into the school's walls!) and then ultimately, read Shakespeare assignments on Wednesday afternoons.
As he endures junior high teasing and a selfish, cold father, Holling begins to realize that a person comprises more than just what one sees initially. 
Readers will laugh out at the situations Holling finds himself in and also admire how he develops into a considerate and confident young man.
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.
Topics to discuss: Vietnam War, prejudice, Jew and Catholicism, the 1960's, Shakespeare's writings/plays, his sister runs away with an older boy for a bit, the father is distant and selfish.
Library categorizes this book as "young adult".
**Pair with Okay for Now by Gary. D. Schmidt.

When Riddles Come Rumbling by Rebecca Kai Dotlich illustrated by Karen Dugan*

Poems to Ponder
A great book to model inferring!
Riddles in the form of poems will require readers/listeners to think and infer.
The illustrations and scrambling letters around it hint at the riddle's answer.
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed via inter-library loan (my county library system does not own a copy.)

Warbler Wave by April Pulley Sayre with Jeff Sayre*

My youngest son loves birds and tries to photograph them.  This spring we enjoyed seeing warblers migrate through our area so this book was extra fun to read together!
This over-sized book displays the beautiful warblers well.  Ms. Sayre and her husband photographed the warblers for this book.  The text is simple but poetic.  Four pages in the back offer a ton of information about these amazing birds and their migrating habits.
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.

Rodent Rascals by Roxie Munro*

From Tiny to Tremendous-21 Clever Creatures at their Actual Size
I despise rodents but this book did give me a new appreciation for them!
A paragraph is assigned to each rodent.  Readers will learn fascinating facts about each one.  At the end are more facts if the reader's curiosity has been stimulated.
Pair with Emmy and the Incredible Shrinking Rat by Lynne Jonell, a fictional chapter book.
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.

Barbarians! by Steven Kroll illustrated by Robert Byrd*

Readers learn about the Goths, Huns, Vikings and Mongols in this fascinating picture book.
I read this aloud to my boys when we finished up our study of Ancient Rome.  My eleven year old especially seem to enjoy it.
*Highly recommend.
-We own this book.

Roman Numerals I to MM by Arthur Geisert

Readers count farm pigs while learning about Roman Numerals.  Other math concepts utilizing Roman Numerals are integrated.
My eleven year old read this book to himself (voluntarily).
Latin is incorporated too!
-Borrowed from the library.

Emmy and the Incredible Shrinking Rat by Lynne Jonell illustrated by Jonathan Bean*

No matter how good Emmy tries to be, her parents seem not care nor pay any attention to her.  In fact, ever since they became rich (a distance relative left his estate and his assets to them), they seem not to care about her.  They take long vacations and seem to care only about frivolous, selfish matters.  Not only does it seem like she is invisible to her parents, her teacher and classmates seem to disregard her and not even realize she exists at times!  The only comfort she has is the pet rat in the classroom.  One day she discovers she can converse with him!  When she helps him escape from his cage, a whole new world opens up to her and she discovers a sinister plot that is threatening her parents' lives.

We honestly initially purchased his book because Jonathan Bean illustrated it.  He and I grew up in the same area so whenever he returns to his home county, we try to attend his book signings.  When my oldest finally read it, he recommended it to me and said it was excellent.  I enthusiastically agree!
--Part of a series-trilogy.
*Highly recommend.

The Ranger's Apprentice #12 The Royal Ranger by John Flanagan*

My eleven year old read this book to himself.
The series began with Will Treaty as a small boy and follows him as he develops into the finest Ranger in the kingdom.  After tragedy strikes his life, he finds himself alone and not wanting to enter the next phrase of his life . . . taking an apprentice of his own. 
*Highly recommend.
-We own this book.

A River of Words The Story of William Carlos Williams by Jen Bryant illustrated by Melissa Sweet*

*Award winner-Caldecott Honor
My sons and I read a few of William Carlos Williams' poems this year so it was interesting to read about his life from the time he was young through his adult life.
Ms. Bryant keeps the text interesting and engaging.  Ms. Sweet's collage illustrations are intriguing. 
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.

Forever or a Day by Sarah Jacoby

A beautiful book that explores the concept of time.  Time with loved ones is not to be taken for granted.
-Borrowed from the library.

Paddle Perch Climb Bird Feet Are Neat by Laurie Ellen Angus

Beautiful collage illustrations
With simple text that will appeal to toddlers and preschoolers, the author shares various unique feet and how they help the featured birds survive.  The birds' predators are also included.
A wide variety of birds and habitats are included.
-Borrowed from the library.

Who Am I? An Animal Guessing Game by Steve Jenkins and Robin Page

On a two page spread, the author and illustrator offer clues about the animal's important body parts and  its typical habits.  The next page displays the animal with the sentence "I'm a ________!"
A fun book for toddlers and preschoolers.
-Borrowed from the library.

Daylight Starlight Wildlife by Wendell Minor

Mr. Minor focuses on what animals roam or soar during the day or night.  Often the two contrasting animals share something in common.
Lots of alliteration!
Fun Facts pages illuminate additional facts about each creature that is featured.
Bold illustrations.
-Borrowed from the library.

The Road Home by Katie Cotton illustrated by Sarah Jacoby

Various baby animals learn from their mothers/fathers about life in the wild, but most importantly they learn about the importance of home.  A  refrain from the book says it all, "This road is hard, this road is long, this road that leads us home.".
A comforting book with whimsical illustrations.
-Borrowed from the library.

The Ranger's Apprentice -The Lost Stories by John Flanagan*

My eleven year old read this book to himself.
The book begins with professors and students at a dig in The Republic of Aralan States (formerly the medieval kingdom of Araluen) in July 1896.  Audrey, a young student volunteer, finds an outline of an ancient cabin.  Within the cabin, she and Professor MacFarlane discover the Lost Stories of Araluen.  The rest of the book contains 9 of those stories with an afterword circling back to MacFarlane and Audrey.
*Highy recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.
The library categorizes as "young adult".

Sam the Man and the Chicken Plan by Frances O'Roark Dowell illustrated by Amy June Bates*

My eight year old read this book to himself and then gave it to me to read.
Second grader, Sam, wants to earn $20 a pop like his older sister Annabelle does when she mows the neighborhood's lawns.  When she is too busy to take care of Mrs. Kerner's chickens, Sam volunteers.  When his classmates share special objects for show -n -tell, Sam realizes he is not an expert on anything like they are.  He decides he wants to be a chicken expert.  Now he just needs a chicken!
Perfect series for transitional readers.
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.

The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place #3 The Unseen Guest by Maryrose Wood illustrated by Jon Klassen*

Audio book read by Katherine Kellgren (*We absolutely love her narration.  It is superb!)
Penelope and the children have survived London and have return to Ashton Place.  Lord Frederick's mother comes for a visit, bringing along Admiral Faucet who wishes to marry her.  Mother Ashton, however, is still mourning her husband's death.  Then the Admiral's prize racing ostrich escapes and he asks the "wolf" children to track her.  To add to the excitement, someone who is thought dead reveals himself as alive or is it just a scheme?  Miss Penelope Lumley once again proves resourceful and intelligent as she deals with the latest mystery concerning the Ashton family tree.
We love, love this series.

*Highly recommend.
Warning: They have a seance to see if Lord Ashton would approve of Mother Ashton marrying the Admiral.

The Ranger's Apprentice #10 The Emperor of Nihon-Ja by John Flanagan*

My eleven year old read this book to himself.  He loves this series.
This book focuses on Horace and how he assists Will and other Araluen warriors to place Nihon-Ja back on his throne.
*Highly recommend.-
-Borrowed from the library.

Side Tracked by Diana Harmon Asher*

Joseph has ADD and finds solace in the resource room with his teacher Mrs. T.  For all of his life his peers have made fun of him.  As far as friends, he has none.  Little does he know how pivotal his decision to join the cross country team is.  Not only does he toughen up physically, but also mentally and emotionally.  He also finds his first friend.  Heather.
A beautiful story about friendship and perseverance.
Ms. Asher has developed a very likable character.  She permits us to perceive life from a person with ADD.  Humor abounds too!  I also loved how Ms. Asher integrates the grandfather and how he helps Joseph.  The grandfather has more of a role than Joseph's parents.
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.

Grumbles from the Forest Fairy-Tale Voices with a Twist by Jane Yolen and Rebecca Kai Dotlich illustrated by Matt Mahurin

Different poem structures revisit familiar fairy tales.  The speakers of the poems reveal new perspectives on these old tales. 
I read these poems aloud to my boys in the mornings. 
-We own this book.

The Ranger's Apprentice #9 Halt's Peril by John Flanagan*

My eleven year old read this book to himself.
Will and Halt are pursuing a cult called the Outsiders.  The cult's assassins ambush Will and Halt, and Halt is near death from a poison arrow.  Will travels through Grimsdell Wood in search of the person with the antidote, Malkallam the Sorcerer. 
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.

The Book of Boy by Catherine Gilbert Murdock

Boy, a goat herder, has spent his life being ridiculed for his hunchback.  When the Bubonic plague sweeps Europe during the 1300's , people are desperate for hope.  As a result many pilgrims travel to Rome to Saint Peter's tomb and Paul's grave to be healed or have prayers answered.  Boy, who can communicate with animals, joins Secundus, a pilgrim, in his journey to collect relics so he can enter heaven before he dies.  Adventure and mysteries abound as they make their journey together.
A fascinating story set in the Middle Ages.  Ms. Murdock really reveals the tone and attitude of this time period.  Well researched.
I was going to have my eleven year old read this book this coming school year, but after reading it, have decided against it.
Points to discuss/warnings: the power of relics; salvation via making pilgrimages; vulgarity-piss; Boy has no genitals and hopes that Saint Peter will heal him and make him a boy; thievery; the place hell is mentioned quite a few times (Secundus is from hell but escaped). 

Drive Thru History With Dave Stotts -Rome If You Want To . . .DVD**

Episodes 1-3
Our entire family enjoys this DVD series.  Mr. Stotts takes us to Rome where we see the actual Colosseum, Palatine Hill, Tiber River, Circus Maximus, Pantheon and Arch of Titus.  The history and architecture are very interesting.  Mr. Stotts weaves together secular history and Biblical history well.
**Highly, highly recommend.
  -Borrowed from the library.