Thursday, November 29, 2018

Hunting Hope by Nika Maples**

While reading Max Lucado's book Anxious for Nothing, I was intrigued about a story he shared about a woman named Nika Maples.  I requested one of her books.  I would say this book is one of the best books I have read this year!
Ms. Maples offers advice and inspiration to individuals who are experiencing a dark time, which she calls "winter".  The first section of the book focuses on who God is and the second part points out traits a "hope hunter" should have.
The chapters are short, often filled with humorous stories.  She also incorporates a lot Scripture.
 
Ms. Maples is not a stranger to suffering and dark times as she has Lupus, and has suffered from side effects of brain stem stroke.
-Borrowed via Inter-Library Loan (but I may buy it!).
**Highly, highly recommend.


Wednesday, November 28, 2018

The Minstrel in the Tower by Gloria Skurzynski

My nine year old read this chapter book to himself to support our study of the Medieval period.
Siblings, Alice and Roger, leave their ill mother in search of their Uncle Raimond, whom they never met.  Along the way, two men kidnap them and keep them in an abandoned tower. 
The children's gifts help them overcome the kidnappers and find their uncle Raimond.  They also discover new information about their mother and her family.
Perfect for transitional readers and reluctant readers.
-We own this book.

Monday, November 26, 2018

Alphabears by Kathleen Hague illustrated by Michael Hague

An ABC Book
Sarah Clarkson recommended this book in her book Book Girl.
With rhyming couplets, Ms. Hague introduces a bear with a name for each letter of the alphabet.
The illustrations are intricate and invite the reader to look carefully.
-Borrowed from the library.


Image result for alphabears by kathleen hague

Maria Had a Little Llama by Angela Dominguez

A creative fractured nursery rhyme for Mary Had a Little Lamb.
The rhyme is written in English and Spanish.
Cute!
-Borrowed from the library.

Silent Night The Song and Its Story by Margaret Hodges illustrated by Tiim Ladwig*

In a story format, how the song Silent Night was written and composed is explained. 
-Borrowed from the library.
*Highly recommend.

The Boy Who Held Back the Sea retelling by Lenny Hort paintings by Thomas Locker*

Sarah Clarkson recommended this picture book in her book Book Girl.
The paintings are stunning.
A naughty in Holland discovers a leak in the dike.  Because of his sordid reputation, no one believes him so he remains all night at the dike, plugging up the hole.
This story provides the opportunity to discuss reputation, integrity, forgiveness and repentance.
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.

The Light of Christmas by Richard Paul Evans illustrated by Daniel Craig

In the village of Noel, each Christmas Eve the Keeper of the Flame lights the Christmas tree.  This year the Keeper of the Flame will choose a person to light the flame.  To be chosen, the person must bring the truest gift of Christmas.
Alexander, who lives in the countryside, makes the long trek to the village.  Before he reaches the gates, however, he spies an elderly man lying in the snow.  He stops and takes care of the gentleman and sacrifices the opportunity to light the flame.
Beautiful illustrations.
-Borrowed from the library.

Saturday, November 24, 2018

Brotherband #7 The Caldera by John Flanagan*

My eleven year old is reading this series to himself. 
As Stig is contesting in the annual Maktig competition, someone arrives with a request and the opportunity to be part of an incredible rescue mission.  The empress's son has been kidnapped by pirates and is being held in an impenetrable fortress surrounded by a caldera.
My son loves this series and author!
The library has this categorized as "young adult" aka teens.
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.

The Giant Pumpkin Suite by Melanie Heuiser Hill

Rose, a twelve year old gifted mathematician and musician, practices her cello diligently in hopes of winning the Bach Cello Suites Competition.  Her twin brother (who is a lot shorter than she is and in a few grades behind her) has different goals for the summer-helping Rose loosen up and have fun and to grow a pumpkin with their neighbor Mr. Pickering.  A couple of serious accidents occur which change the course of the summer.

A touching story of community and how being mended can make one even more beautiful.  We are all broken people.  In the broken places we can grow the best. 
I really liked the diverse array of cultures represented in this book (Japanese, Spanish). 

Warnings/points to consider and discuss: Two men,  Jeff and Simon, are a couple and have a baby boy. Although they are not major characters compared to the other neighbors, they are part of the story and show up a few times.  Mrs. Lukashenko is big chested and her big "bazooms" are mentioned a few times-even her heaving them onto the desk to rest! The Jacobi's father is a con man and resides mostly in jail. The prominent characters in the story do not have any fathers. The mothers need to work two jobs to make ends meet.  There are many great characters who are men but no fathers (except  Jeff and Simon). 

Wednesday, November 21, 2018

The Popcorn Astronauts and Other Biteable Rhymes by Deborah Ruddell illustrated by Joan Rankin*

Ms. Ruddell divides the poems into the four seasons.
I especially liked the poem 21 Things to Do with an Apple.  It is a list poem and has a great rhythm.  It would also be a great mentor poem.
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.

Never Take a Pig to Lunch selected and illustrated by Nadine Bernardo Westcott*

And Other Poems About the Fun of Eating
Humorous, fun poems!
Ms. Westcott divided the poems into these categories: Silly Things, Food We Like, Eating Too Much, Manners at the Table.
-Borrowed from the library.
*Highly recommend.

Hot Potato: Mealtime Rhymes selected by Neil Philip illustrated by Claire Henley

A wide variety of food poems that elementary students will enjoy.
-Borrowed from the library.

It's Disgusting and We Ate It! by James Solheim illustrated by Eric Brace*

True Facts from Around the World and Throughout History
Creative poems are included.
Very interesting, gross and fun!
-Borrowed from the library.
*Highly recommend.

Thanksgiving Day at Our House by Nancy White Carlstrom illustrated by R. W. Alley

Thanksgiving Poems for the Very Young
Great poems for toddlers, preschoolers.
-Borrowed from the library.

Merlin's Immortals #1 The Orphan King by Sigmund Brouwer*

A friend of mine told me how much she loved Sigmund Brouwer's Winds of Light series as a teenager.  Unfortunately, this series is no longer available in the library or to buy new.  Mr. Brouwer, however, twenty years later, republished this series and called it Merlin's Immortals.
Since we are learning about the Medieval period in history, I was excited to read book #1 to my sons.  They absolutely loved it (especially my eleven year old)!
Thomas has been raised in monastery.  When his nurse Sarah dies, he endures abuse from the gluttonous monks.  Little do they know how Sarah has taught him to read and trained him in other arts.  On a specific night, Thomas escapes the monastery and begins an exciting adventure to find Magnus.  Along the way he meets interesting people, all with mysterious pasts.  Whom can he trust?
This book's plot was so compelling that we would read many chapters at a time.
Very suspenseful!
Points to discuss/warnings: Thomas does not care for God and he makes that known.  By the end of the book, however, he is beginning to understand God differently.  He is attracted to Isabelle, a lady traveling with them, imagines kissing her and her being near him.  Violence/fighting.
The library has this book categorized as "Young Adult".
This book gives the opportunity to discuss many topics-outward appearance, deception, relationship with God.

**Highly, highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library, but I am buying this book and books #2-3 in this series.  Unfortunately, the fourth book (and final one) was only published electronically.


Monday, November 19, 2018

Unshakable Hope by Max Lucado*

Building Our Lives on the Promises of God
Max Lucado highlights his favorite promises and elaborates on them.  His stories and analogies make the God's truth stick. 
Very encouraging!
Disclaimer-I did disagree on some of his points about prayer.  He made it sound like we could manipulate God with them.  Prayer is about a relationship with Him.  It changes us.
*Highly recommend.
I own this book.

Sunday, November 18, 2018

The Dragon and the Raven by G. A. Henty-Audio Theater**

The Extraordinary Adventures of G. A. Henty
by Heirloom Audio Productions
The Danes are invading Britain.  Can King Alfred of Wessex, a young king who never dreamed of being in leadership, save his country from their pillage?  Edmund, a teen, who has witnessed first hand their brutality, vows his allegiance to King Alfred.  King Alfred teaches this young warrior to not to be just strong in combat, but also in spiritual and moral matters.
We loved listening to this superb performance. 
Well known actors and actresses performed - John Ryhs-Davies (Lord of the Rings/Indiana Jones), Helen George (Call the Midwife), Brian Blessed (Star Wars, Tarzan, King Lear), Sylvester McCoy (Doctor Who VII, The Hobbit), John Bell (The Hobbit) and our favorite-Katherine Kellgren (Award-winning narrator who is now deceased). 
**Highly, highly recommend.  Brings this time period and these historical figures alive!
-Borrowed from the library.


Brotherband-The Ghostfaces #6 by John Flanagan*

My eleven year old is reading this series to himself. 
The Brotherband crew is stranded on an unknown land where they meet the natives and befriend them.  Then they receive news that the Ghostfaces, a warring tribe, are coming.
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.

Friday, November 16, 2018

Famous Battles of the Medieval Period by Chris McNab

Classic Warfare
This book,  recommended for young adults,  has detailed diagrams of each of the battles plus a insert map of where it was in the world.  Some of the battles even have famous paintings paired with them. 
I showed a couple of the diagrams and paintings to my boys when we studied the specific battles.
Well organized!
-Borrowed from the library.

Wednesday, November 14, 2018

The Cuckoo's Haiku and Other Birding Poems by Michael J. Rosen illustrated by Stan Fellows*

What a delightful book!
A necessary poem for bird lovers!
The watercolor illustrations match the whimsical nature of the poems.
The book is divided into the different seasons.
The poems educate and delight.
I especially like how Mr. Rosen provides additional information about the bird subjects in the back.
I read this aloud to my boys in the mornings over a couple of weeks.
*Highly recommend.

Book Girl by Sarah Clarkson*

I loved this book, discovering new treasures to read!
Each chapter Sarah shares her love of reading, books and also how books have helped her through life's journey so far. 
Her lists include books that will require a bit more time to process and enjoy than what I have time for in my current life stage, but they will are being stored in the back of my mind!
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.

The Book of God by Ben Avery and Javier Saltares*

How We Got the Bible
A narrator takes the reader on a tour on how the Bible came to be what it is today, starting with the writings of the Old Testament.
This comic-style book is divided into four parts: production of the Bible, the process of the Bible, the preservation of the Bible and the proof of the Bible.
I read this aloud to my boys over a few months.  I encouraged them to read it to themselves because I think it will make more of an impact if they read at their own pace (time to process the information etc.). 
The graphic novel format will appeal to many readers, especially reluctant readers.
*Highly recommend.
-I own this book.


Wednesday, November 7, 2018

The Trumpet of the Swan by E.B. White illustrated by Edward Frascino*

I read this book aloud to my two sons, ages 11 and 8.
All three of us thoroughly enjoyed the plot and the character development. 
Different events made us laugh.
My eleven year old and I were entertained by the cob's prideful speeches!
Louis, the trumpeter swan, is born mute.  As a result, the chance of him attracting a mate is very slim.  When he finds a female, Serena, his parents realize they must help him.  His father takes extreme action and steals a trumpet from a music store. 
Louis is not pleased that his muteness has caused his father to become a thief so he sets out to learn to read and to earn money to pay the debt. 

*Highly recommend.
-We own this book.

Viking Quest #1 Raiders from the Sea by Lois Walfrid Johnson

Bree and her brother Devin are captured by Vikings from their beloved Irish village.  Mikkel, the leader, separates the siblings.  Bree finds herself on a ship sailing to Norway while Devin is deposited in Northern Ireland to fend for himself.
Each one must trust in God and His help.
My eleven year old read this book to himself to support our study about Vikings.
The viewpoint is mostly Bree's.
Five books in the Viking Quest series.
-Borrowed from the library.

Monday, November 5, 2018

Explore Norse Myths! by Anita Yasuda illustrated by Bryan Stone

With 25 Great Projects
An excellent resource when studying about the Norsemen/Vikings.
We made the flat bread recipe and enjoyed the Norse Mad Libs!
Guided Reading Level: W
-Borrowed from the library.

Sunday, November 4, 2018

Got to Get to Bear's! by Brian Lies**

Izzy, the chipmunk, receives an urgent note from Bear, requesting her to come to her house immediately.  Izzy sets out to make the journey, but a snow storm impedes her progress.  Numerous animal friends help along the way. 
A book that celebrates friendship.
A sweet, surprising ending.
I love the bold, detailed illustrations. 
**Highly, highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.


This is one of my favorite illustrations in the book:
Image result for got to get to bear's by brian lies

The Snowy Nap by Jan Brett*

All the animals on the farm proclaim the wonderful sights of winter to Hedgie, knowing that he will not be able to witness them since he hibernates.  Hedgie is determined to stay awake so he too can experience the beauty of winter.  Thankfully, Lisa notices him and provides him the opportunity to observe the winter wonderland.
Typical Jan Brett format-borders tell additional stories and provide the chance for young readers to predict.
The characters are from her previous book, The Hat.
The illustrations are detailed and wonderful as usual, but they do not seem as crisp.
The Author's Note was interesting as she relates how the idea of this book germinated.
Strategy: predicting
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.


Winter Is Here by Kevin Henkes illustrated by Laura Dronzek*

With poetic prose, Mr. Henkes describes winter in a way everyone can relate.  I love how the illustrator Ms. Dronzek incorporates a pair of cardinals throughout the pages (They are not in every illustration but in most.  Young children will have fun trying to find them!).  The contrasting end page illustrations are delightful too.
Strategy: figurative language (metaphor, personification)
*Highly recommend.