Traveling Man by James Rumford*

The Journey of Ibn Battuta, 1325-1354
I love the design, layout, and illustrations in this book.  Originally I borrowed this book for my nine year old to read to support our study of Medieval Africa, but I liked it so much that I had my twelve year old read it too!
Mr. Rumford shares the adventures and sights of Ibn Battuta as he travels from Morocco to China.  Ancient Arab maps and exquisite illustrations only enhance this book.
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.
Comprehension idea: (Both my sons did this.) With a Venn diagram, compare/contrast Ibn Battuta's travels/adventures to Marco Polo's. 

Pay Attention, Carter Jones by Gary D. Schmidt*

On his first day of sixth grade, Carter's house is in chaos.  The Jeep won't start.  Each sibling has an major issue.  Their father is deployed.  Then a butler appears on their stoop.  Apparently their grandfather (they had never met him) had passed away and left a generous endowment where the butler could continue his services to the family.  Mr. Bowles-Fitzpatrick, who is the butler,  is British and a passionate cricketer.  He enters Carters' life when he especially needs a male role model to help him process a sibling's death and an absent father.  Mr. Bowles-Fitzpatrick not only teaches Carter how to play cricket, but also how to be noble to his family members and to be a gentleman.
My favorite character was Mr. Bowles-Fitzpatrick. 
Under each chapter number, an aspect of cricket is explained. The chapter's events correspond to the cricket terminology.  Very creative and clever!
To be honest, I sort of blanked out during the cricket descriptions and games while I read this book.  I have no schema for it so my brain was struggling to connect!
*Highly recommend (for junior high and older).
-Borrowed from the library.
Points to discuss: sibling death, absentee father, adultery/unfaithfulness

The Brave Learner by Julie Bogart*

Finding Everyday Magic in Homeschool, Learning and Life
When I was researching writing curriculum, I discovered Julie and her Brave Writer curriculum.  Although I decided not to purchase/implement her curriculum, I listen to her podcasts, I regularly plan Poetry Teas, and occasionally we have a Friday Free Write.  Because I have such a Type A personality, sometimes I do not agree with her suggestions . . . .which is so good because  her views stretch me and take me out of "my comfort zone!".  Julie Bogart is a delightful person on her podcasts and her vibrant, warm personality radiates from her writing too.
I loved reading this book!  Julie analyzes the core of homeschooling and presents philosophies and techniques which will foster relationships and connections. 
Her Superpowers of Brave Learning are:
Four Forces of Enchantment-surprise, mystery, risk, and adventure
Four Capacities of Learning-curiosity, collaboration, contemplation, and celebration
Four Ports of Entry-mind, body, heart, spirit

Julie has kindly allowed readers to download a PDF file with note taking pages that correspond with each chapter for FREE! 
*Highly recommend (I did not agree with all of her philosophies/suggestions, but again I enjoy that as it stretches me and causes me to reevaluate and sometimes change my views!!).
-Borrowed from the library.
Link to Brave Writer (the curriculum)-https://bravewriter.com/

The Samurai's Tale by Erik Christian Haugaard*

My twelve year old read this to himself to support our study of Medieval Asia.
He willingly read it in his free time so then I know it is an exciting, well written book!
Taro's life is spared by Lord Takeda's soldiers.  As a servant in Lord Akiyama's house, he is miserable.  Then he meets Togan, the cook, who makes life bearable.  When Togan is murdered, Taro becomes a samurai and begins a new life.
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.
Library has it labeled "young adult".
Warning: My son mentioned that the practice of seppuku/harakiri was mentioned and described a few times (suicide by self disembowelment).
A well researched story.  The author spent a year in Japan, studying the Takeda family.  He also consult a Japanese professor and his colleagues for input.

Who Was Marco Polo? by Joan Holub illustrated by John O'Brien*

I love how this series makes many historical figures and their story accessible to young readers.
My nine year old read this biography to himself to support our study of Marco Polo.
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.

The King's Equal by Katherine Paterson illustrated by Curtis Woodbridge*

A dying king wisely states that the only way his arrogant son can take the throne is if he finds a woman to be queen who is his equal.  Of course, no woman in the land is as beautiful as he is handsome, as intelligent or as wealthy (his opinion!). 
In the countryside is a poor young lady whose kindness wins her favor with a magical wolf. 
The unlikely pair, the arrogant prince and poor woman, meet and their lives are transformed forever!
A wonderful tale!  I read it aloud to my sons in one sitting.
Although it is a picture book, it is divided into chapters.
Exquisite illustrations
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.

Crispin The End of Time #3 by Avi

My twelve year old read this book to himself.  We listened to book #1 in this series so my oldest wanted to read the entire trilogy. 
Avi and Troth are alone in the French countryside, trying to remember what their beloved mentor Bear taught them.  Their goal?  Reach Iceland.
My son said the ending was ok . . .the reader has to infer what happened and he wanted to know more!!  He really liked the story, though.
-Borrowed from the library.

A Single Shard by Linda Sue Park -Audio CD *

Read by Graeme Malcolm (He read it well, but is not our favorite performer.)
*John Newbery Medal
My nine year old read this book to himself to support our study of Medieval Asia.  I wanted my twelve year old to experience the story also so we listened to it as a family.  Even though he had read it already, my nine year old enjoyed listening to it.  I had read it a couple years ago and enjoyed the story just as much the second time.  One knows a book is quality and well written if one can reread it and appreciate it even more the second time!
Tree-Ear has lived under the bridge with Crane-Man as long as he can remember.  He secretly watches Min, a village potter, create perfect pottery and dreams of becoming a potter.  An accident causes him to begin working for Min and eventually he is sent on a journey that changes the course of his life forever.
A quieter book that magnifies the culture, the twelfth-century and character development
Warning: An ancient story is shared how some women jumped off a cliff rather than surrender to the enemy.  At a low point, Tree-ear contemplates taking this exact action.  A death of a dear character may upset some readers.
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library (but we own the actual book).

The Kite Rider by Geraldine McCaughrean*

My twelve year old read this book to himself to support our study of Medieval China.
The story begins with Haoyou's father dying.  Soon he becomes part of the Jade Circus as a kite rider.  Does he dare leave his widowed mother to fend for herself?
My son grudgingly admitted that he really enjoyed this assigned reading!  He even read it during his free time.
Lots of excitement and adventure. 
He was able to make connections to what he already had learned in history.
*Highly recommend.
Warning: beliefs in communicating with the dead/mediums, cruelty to younger people
-Borrowed from the library.

Marco Polo DVD

Actors: Ian Somerhalder, Bd Wong and Brian Dennehy
Not rated.
Viewers can experience the travels of Marco Polo and his stay in China with Kublai Khan, the Mongol leader who ruled China.
A wonderful opportunity to view this culture during the medieval time period.
My twelve year was able to make connections with this movie, a book he had read and our history lessons.
Be ready to fast forward/have children close eyes--Warning: a few bedroom scenes, Chinese women dancers, Chinese women reserved for the Khan's pleasure, several times characters mention how the Khan has a new woman in his bed every night, women are only used for lust/pleasure (which is an accurate depiction of how women were treated at the time-so an opportunity to discuss how God wants us to treat women and all mankind).
-Borrowed from the library.

The Sign of the Chrysanthemum by Katherine Paterson

My aunt gave this book to me when I was twelve years old and I still own it!
I read this book aloud to my boys to support our study of medieval Japan.
When Muna's mother dies, he leaves his serf life and enters the capital of Japan to find his father.  Along the way he meets a questionable ronin and a renown swordsmith.  As he searches for his father, he discovers what kind of boy/man he is. 
Although he makes mistakes, he discovers forgiveness and a second chance.
A compelling story.  My twelve year old would beg me to keep reading it each night. We finished it one afternoon when I could read for an  hour.
A story of hope even though not everything ends perfectly.  Some profound statements are included.
Warning: word bastard is used to describe Muna (which is accurate but may not be a term parents want their children to hear/know yet), prostitutes are part of the city culture but the term is not mentioned in the book-one would have to infer, a girl Muna likes and befriends is taken into a brothel once her father dies.  Muna enters this brothel to rescue her but is beaten and thrown out.  Again, nothing explicit is written but if the reader is familiar with this kind occupation, they will be able to infer what is occurring. 
-I own this book.

Snowflake Bentley by Jacqueline Briggs Martin illustrated by Mary Azarian*

*Award winner-Caldecott Winner
When she retired, the principal who hired me, gave me several of her personal picture books.  This book is one she graciously bestowed to me and is a favorite.
Ms. Martin relays a simple yet informative story of the tenacious Wilson Bentley who desired to capture the beauty of the snowflake in photographs. 
Side bars offer additional facts about him and his life.  The side bars relate to the main story text on the page.
*Highly recommend.
-I own this book.

H is for Haiku by Sydell Rosenberg illustrated by Sawsan Chalabi

A Treasury of Haiku from A to Z
The late Sydell Rosenberg was a public school teacher in NYC.  She wrote these haiku about what she saw in her beloved city. 
An alphabet poem book
-Borrowed from the library.

Twelve Kinds of Ice by Ellen Bryan Obed illustrated by Barbara McClintock*

A lovely, lovely little book!
A family anticipates the weather turning cold enough so they can flood an area in their backyard for an ice skating rink. 
Each mini chapter describes either a different kind of ice or an important aspect of the ice skating/hockey experience.
The writing is beautiful and captivating.  I read this aloud to my nine year old in almost one sitting.
*Highly recommend (especially during winter!).
-Borrowed from the library (but I want to buy this one since it is so well written and evokes such pictures/feelings).

Good Rosie! by Kate DiCamillo illustrated by Harry Bliss*

We love Mercy Watson books by Kate DiCamillo so we were delighted to read a new book written by her.
Rosie's owner George notices that she is lonely for dog friends so he takes her to a dog park.  Initially, it seems like a bad idea, but after a few awkward interactions, Rosie discovers friendships with some unique dogs.
I think this book offers the opportunity to discuss how finding friends and beginning new friendships can be awkward and uncomfortable.  It demonstrates the importance of persevering and being nonjudgmental. 
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.

Katje The Windmill Cat by Gretchen Woelfle illustrated by Nicola Bayley

Nico the miller treats Katje like a queen.  She rules the mill and Nico's house.  Then Nico marries and Katje feels displaced (especially when the baby arrives!).  When the dike breaks in the Dutch village, Katje earns her place again in the home because of her bravery.
Inspired by a true story.
Lovely illustrations.
-Borrowed from the library.

In the Eyes of the Cat selected and illustrated by Demi Translated by Tze-si Huang

Haiku organized by season and subject by actual Japanese poets.
Each morning I read a few haiku from this book to my boys.
-Borrowed from the library.

Come Look With Me: Asian Art by Kimberly Lane*

Each day while we study Asian Medieval History we have been looking at a piece of art from this book.  On the opposite side of the featured art piece, are questions to stimulate discussion and thought about the art plus a few paragraphs about how the piece was made and the history surrounding it and the time period. 
I love the range of art -from medieval to modern times!
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.

K is for Kabuki by Gloria Whelan and Jenny Nolan illustrated by Oki S. Han*

I read parts of this book aloud to my boys while we learned about medieval Japan. 
A wide variety of topics about Japan are covered.
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.

Adventures on the Ancient Silk Road by Priscilla Galloway with Dawn Hunter*

My twelve year old read this book to himself to support our study of Medieval Asia.
Told from three different points of view, the book reveals life on the Silk Road.  The three men featured are: Xuanzang (a Buddhist monk), Genghis Khan and Marco Polo.
The narrative is in story format.  Tons of facts and information are provided via the narrative plus the extra text boxes.
A perfect resource when learning about Medieval Asia.
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.

God's Names by Sally Michael *

My friend suggested this book to share with my boys when our Ladies' Bible Study was about to study a few names of God.  With tangible examples and Scripture, children will learn more about their great God.  After each main narrative, there are additional Scripture studies and one activity. An activity suggested in the beginning was to create a poster gluing on God's names as they are studied in the book.  We now have a collage poster in our kitchen, which I look at daily and utilize when I am worshiping Him. A friend of mine has continuous trials and one day the trial was extremely intense.  The only thing that I could focus on was that poster and praying His names as I lifted up her situation.
*Highly recommend.
-We own this book.