William Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream retold by Bruce Coville illustrated by Dennis Nolan*

My sons and I are memorizing some lines from A Midsummer Night's Dream so I read aloud this picture book to my nine year old. 
We thoroughly enjoyed it!
This humorous story features four humans who are experiencing the complications with love.  The fairies and hobgoblins decide to assist and make a bigger mess . . . for awhile.
The illustrations are magnificent!  The expressions on the characters' faces are perfectly depicted.  We love Puck because of how Mr. Nolan drew his facial expressions. 
Couple of well known phrases are from this play- "The course of true love never did run smooth."  -Lysander and  "What fools these mortals be!"-Puck
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.
Warning: Word "ass" is used throughout the book-referring to a donkey.  But then Bottom says, "Well, I'll not let them make an ass of me!". 

Sir Francis Drake His Daring Deeds by Roy Gerrard

The faces in this book made my nine year old and I laugh.

In poem format the reader can learn about Sir Francis Drake's entire life and his accomplishments.  The illustrations are lush and full of detail (well researched).

Warning: Some of the men are naked when drying their clothes over a fire in South America.
-Borrowed from the library.

The Important Thing about Margaret Wise Brown by Mac Barnett and Sarah Jacoby

Well, this book revealed some information about Margaret Wise Brown that I never knew!!  Some of the facts piqued my curiosity so I investigated for more details.  After reading more about her online, my opinion of her has changed quite a bit (not in a positive way).

This book reinforces how children's literature is featuring more and more alternative lifestyles as normal.  Apparently Margaret Wise Brown loved another woman and this fact was included in this biography ( pg. 5 -"Did she ever fall in love?"   "Yes, with a woman called Michael and a man called Pebble.").
Despite this inclusion, I still admire  Mr. Barnett's writing and his apparent thorough research.  Individuals who have read Ms. Brown's books will immediately recognize her style and tone in Mr. Barnett's writing.

Very clever and well researched.

Warnings: Brown's romantic relationship with a woman mentioned, She swam naked (An illustration shows her doing this -nothing inappropriate is showing), and her death/death in general are mentioned throughout the book.
-Borrowed from the library.

The Whipping Boy by Sid Fleischman illustrated by Peter Sis**

John Newbery Winner
My college professor would read chapters from this book at the beginning of our Children's Literature class each time we met.
My sons and I formed a "book club" to enjoy this book together.
It was so fun to be reading our own copy to ourself, to hear each other chuckle over words/characters and then to be able to share our amusements.
We loved this book!
Jemmy use to be a successful rat catcher.  Then he was snatched to be Prince Horace's (aka Prince Brat) whipping boy.  Whenever Prince Horace has done something deeming punishment, the king calls for Jemmy to be spanked instead!
Then Prince Horace runs away, demanding that Jemmy comes with him to be his manservant.
An comical, suspenseful adventure ensues.
The word choice, the plot pace and the character development are brilliant.
More books like this one need to be written and published!
**Highly, highly recommend.
-I own two copies of this book (thanks to my mother in law!).

The Tudors by Marcia Williams*

Via comic style illustrations and writing, Ms. Williams enlightens readers about the start of the Tudor Dynasty, its quirky rulers and its fall to the Stuarts.
A ferret, who is a scribe, records the events and adds his comical comments on the sidebars. 
Ms. Williams is amazing in her depiction of complicated events in history on a just one to two pages!
*Highly recommend.
-Thankfully, we own this book!

Good Queen Bess by Diane Stanley and Peter Vennema illustrated by Diane Stanley

A beautifully illustrated book about Queen Elizabeth the First of England.
I read this aloud to my sons over a few days when we studied the Elizabethan Era.
The book covers Elizabeth's life from the time she was born until her death.
-Borrowed from the library.

Crossing on Time -Steam Engines, Fast Ships and A Journey to the New World by David Macaulay

What a masterpiece!
Mr. Macaulay's newest book is incredible.  His attention to detail and his understanding "how things work" are paramount.
He explains in detail the building of the SS United States, the fastest steamship.  Diagrams, cross sections, a six page fold out spread of the ship make this book a feast for kids who enjoy understanding the details of how things are built and work.  He also weaves in the story of his family traveling on the SS United States.
To be honest, the technical details were a bit over my head and not of interest to me . . .but I was still impressed with Mr. Macaulay's research and his ability to communicate complicated concepts concisely and clearly.  I really enjoyed learning about his family journey to the United States.
-Borrowed from the library.

Mr. Lemoncello's All-Star Breakout Game by Chris Grabenstein*

The fourth book in the series
I read aloud the latest Mr. Lemoncello book to my nine year old.  We loved it! 
Mr. Lemoncello is hosting his latest competition on the Kidzapalooza TV network.  Each team enters different genre rooms to solve puzzles.  Holograms and interesting puzzles abound.
Charles Chiltington is back and determined to win.  Kyle and his friends begin to understand why Charles acts the way he does and begin to empathize. 
*Highly recommend.

Eliza's Cherry Trees: Japan's Gift to America by Andrea Zimmerman illustrated by Ju-Hong Chen

My friend recently shared this book on her blog.  Reading her blog entry about this book made me realize that I did not know the story behind the cherry trees that draw crowds of people each spring to Washington D.C.
Ms. Zimmerman reveals Eliza's upbringing, her education and her love for travel.  Her perseverance and determination was admirable as she pursued an education and careers that many women at that time would never consider.  These traits served her well when she continually proposed her idea about planting cherry trees in Washington D.C.  to the parks department for more than twenty years!
-Borrowed from the library.

Mom Set Free by Jeannie Cunnion

I heard Jeannie speak on Focus on the Family recently.
Her book overflows with warmth, honesty and practicality. 
She specifically addresses moms' tendencies to want to parent perfectly so our children turn out right.
For most of the book, she discusses pressures we place on our selves and then the struggles that follow.  I found the third section, "Parenting with Grace", the most helpful in my current situation.
-Borrowed Inter-Lib. Loan (my county does not own the book).

Thelonius Monster's Sky-High Fly Pie by Judy Sierra illustrated by Edward Koren

Thelonius Monster decides to make a huge fly pie to share.  After consulting a spider for advice, he concocts a sugary mixture to entice them.   He then forms a huge pie and invites all of his monster family and friends to partake in the delicious creation.  One problem . . . he forgot to bake it.  A  fun ending!
Great word choice that will help expand vocabulary.
The entire poem is in rhyme. 
Great to use when studying long i with young readers (ie, y).
-Borrowed from the library.

Harold and Hog Pretend for Real by Mo Willems and Dan Santat*

In Mo Willems' series, Elephant and Piggie Like Reading!, Harold the elephant and Hog the pig decide to pretend to be like Elephant and Piggie. . . .except it is really difficult to pretend to be like someone else.  Friendship, however, does not require pretending!
A fun book for beginning or transitional readers (especially reluctant readers). 
Perfect book for building stamina and practicing fluency.
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.

Keeper of the Lost Cities #2 Exile and #3 Everblaze by Shannon Messenger*

My twelve year old is loving this series!
Summary of Book #3:
Sophie continues to search for her kidnappers before they find her again.  Lost Cities is on the verge of war and many there question Sophie and her ability to make good decisions.  She also reveals more about the conspiracy and her most deadly enemy.
*Highly recommend.
-Book #2 borrowed from his cousin.
-Book #3 borrowed from the library.

Introverted Mom by Jamie C. Martin

Your Guide to More Calm, Less Guilt, and Quiet Joy
Mrs. Martin delves into what it means to be introverted, the assets of being introverted and how to process and deal with various life situations as an introvert. 
I loved how she focused on well known authors who were introverted, analyzed their lives and pointed out valuable lessons how they handled life (L.M. Montgomery, Jane Austen, Laura Ingalls Wilder, Louisa May Alcott). 
I also liked the quotes she utilized at the beginning of each chapter. 
A warm, encouraging book.
I did not, however, appreciate when she quoted Jen Hatmaker, a Progressive Christian,  from Ms. Hatmaker's book Of Mess and Moxie.  I did not disagree with the quote itself. 
-Borrowed from the library.

Boys of Blur by N.D. Wilson

I read this book aloud to my twelve year old.  My nine year old thought it was too creepy.
The residents of Taper, Florida are surrounded by sugar cane, water and muck.  Football is a way of life.  When  Coach Wilson, the beloved high school football coach dies, Mack returns with his wife, stepson Charlie and daughter Molly for funeral.  Charlie is intrigued by the unusual town and smoking sugarcane fields.  His cousin Cotton is odd, but endearing.  When Mack is offered a temporary job as the football coach, Charlie knows he would rather live in this small town than in the fast pace northeast suburbia.  Cotton entices him into the cane fields where they find true evil lurking that threats to possess the town.  Can two teen boys prevent this evil from invading everyone's hearts?
Quite unique and exciting.  Sometimes I was not sure if I was "getting all that there was to get", but it may be because we read this book over a long period of time, with weeks in between readings (We had to return it and then request it again.).
This book reveals the power of envy and storing up angry.  But love and forgiveness prevail.
-Borrowed via inter-library loan (My local county system does not own it).
Warning: Charlie's first father was abusive, one swear word, evil, violence, violent riots, death

Otis and Will Discover the Deep: The Record-Setting Dive of the Bathysphere by Barb Rosenstock illustrated by Katherine Roy*

Another Read Aloud Revival family read aloud for this summer.
This book is stunning: a four page fold, the placement of words, captivating illustrations, well thought out end pages and beautiful narration.  All of these components depict two men who resolved to explore the deep ocean.
I especially enjoyed reading the author and illustrator's notes in the back, explaining in detail how they created their part of the book.   Their explanations deepened my appreciation for their craft.
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.

Goldfish on Vacation by Sally Lloyd-Jones illustrated by Leo Espinosa

This book is one of Read Aloud Revival summer family read alouds.  Three siblings have the opportunity to give their goldfish a vacation in a abandoned water fountain.  A gentleman comes along to clean it up and revive its beauty.  Not only do the city's goldfish have a delightful summer, but their owners (and a sweet grandfather) experience joyful yet simple activities around the fountain.
This story is based on true events which took place in New York City over the summers of 1992-2005.
A perfect summer story!
-Borrowed from the library.

The Disappearing Bike Shop by Elvira Woodruff

My nine year old read this book to himself to support our study of Leonardo da Vinci.
He really enjoyed it.
Tyler and his friend Freckles see an entire building rise up and disappear.  When it reappears, they decide to enter and investigate.  The sign above says Quigley's Bike Shop.  They meet the eccentric Mr. Quentin Quigley.  Does he do more than repair bikes?
-Borrowed from the library.

John Calvin by Simonetta Carr

Christian Biographies for Young Readers
I read aloud this beautiful book to my boys to support our study of the Reformation and specifically, the Reformed Church.  This book explains the beginnings of Calvin's faith, his trials and his contributions to establishing the church.
Full page illustrations or photographs are always opposite the text page.
-Borrowed from the library.

Leonardo's Shadow by Christopher Grey

I assigned this book to my twelve year old to support our study of the Renaissance. 
The story takes place in 1497 in Milan when Leonardo has been working on The Last Supper fresco.  Giacomo, his servant, feels the pressure to make sure Leonardo finishes it before the Pope comes to Milan at Easter.  Giacomo is also trying to solve the mystery of his origins.

Unfortunately, I had my son stop reading this book halfway through when he showed me a couple of pages that hinted at Leonardo having relationships with another man.  No details were given  . . .just an accusation-not proven-"complaint against Leonardo for indecency . . .with another man".  Giacomo remembers seeing a sketch of this man, who was really a youth, in Leonardo sketchbook.  The sketch was labeled "my most beloved friend".  The youth looked similar to Giacomo. 

The library has it categorized as "young adult".

Warning: swearing "dn", the above paragraph   My son also mentioned that Giacomo was attracted to a married woman (but nothing happened between them).

-Borrowed from the library.

Keeper of the Lost Cities by Shannon Messenger*

My two nieces love this series!  They even traveled a distance to  meet Ms. Messenger!  Since they have voiced such positive comments about this series, my twelve year old son decided to begin this series.  After reading this first book in the series, he informed me it is now one of his favorite series. 
Sophie Foster can hear the thoughts of everyone around her.  When she meets Fritz who can also read minds, she realizes that there is a place where she belongs.  For her own safety she leaves her family and starts a new life in a new "home".
*Highly recommend by my twelve year old.
-Borrowed from the library.

National Parks of the U.S.A. by Kate Siber illustrated by Chris Turnham*

Divided by regions, this book shares an overview paragraph of each national park and then a two page spread of the various flora and fauna that can be sighted there.
Over-sized book
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.

Floret Farm's Cut Flower Garden by Erin Benzakein with Julie Chai photographs by Michele M. Waite*

A stunning "how-to grow" one's own cut flower garden.
The author (and expert) lives in Washington State so the reader will have to consider her climate vs. their own when reading her suggestions.
Ms. Benzakein shares what to do in each season and offers a list of recommended flowers that work well for cutting.
My sister in law recommended this book. 
I loved the photographs!

The Creativity Project Edited by Colby Sharp*

What a well, uh. . .creative idea!!
Mr. Sharp asked well know writers to create prompts. He then sent the prompts within that same group so they could respond.  The prompts and their responses are included in this book.  The same authors created prompts for the reader to respond to.  Some are questions; some are illustrations; some are paragraphs; some are comics. 
A wide variety of ideas!
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.

A few creative writing "how to" books

Below are a few books in which authors share advice how to write stories well.  I am tempted to select one of the titles and read a section per writing class with my boys next year.  Not sure if it would be effective?
All books are borrowed from the library.

Spilling Ink by Anne Mazer and Ellen Potter illustrated by Matt Phelan (classified as "young adult" in library)


Writing Magic-Creating Stories That Fly by Gail Carson Levine (classified as young adult in the library)


Writing Radar by Jack Gantos (journal writing that leads to writing great stories)
This one would probably interest my boys the most.

If You Had Your Birthday on the Moon by Joyce Lapin illustrated by Simona Ceccarelli*

What a clever book!
Ms. Lapin takes a topic to which almost everyone can relate (a birthday party) and shares what a birthday celebration would be like on the moon.  She weaves in facts about space and the moon as she relates the main story line. 
Additional fact boxes on are included on half of the pages.
I liked the inclusion of different ethnicities. 
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.

Galileo and the Stargazers Created and told by Jim Weiss*

Audio CD
Jim Weiss does such a wonderful job presenting history in an interesting manner.  He also includes tiny tidbits that regular history sources may not share.  These tidbits reinforce that these individuals were regular people without immunity from life's hardship and mundane routines.
Archimedes, Tycho, Copernicus and Newton were included in these presentations.
*Highly recommend
-Borrowed from the library.

Galileo On the Shoulders of Giants DVD*

A wonderful dramatization of the life of Galileo.
We enjoyed Galileo's quick wit.
Running time: 95 minutes
Rated G.
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.

Glass Slipper, Gold Sandal by Paul Fleischman illustrated by Julie Paschkis*

Out of the three this team has created, I like this one the best.  They seamlessly fuse together the various  Cinderella versions into one story.
Beautiful illustrations.
Pair with Fearsome Giant, Fearless Child (although I do not recommend this one-extremely confusing!) & First Light, First Life (not as confusing as Fearsome Giant, but still a bit confusing).
I especially appreciated the author's note about the oldest version of Cinderella.
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.

First Light, First Life by Paul Fleischman illustrated by Julie Paschkis

Mr. Fleischman takes many creation stories from around the world and fusing them together for one story. 
Some of the parts he fused together seemed a bit awkward and confusing.
I love the illustrations which depicted the different cultures.
Pair with Glass Slipper, Gold Sandal & Fearsome Giant, Fearless Child (by the same author/illustrator team).
-Borrowed from the library.

Voices by David Elliott

The Final Hours of Joan of Arc
This novel in verse includes Joan of Arc's point of view as she is about to be burned to death.  She revisits her life before she heard the voices telling her to fight for France, and then she reveals her progression from farm girl to soldier.  Others offer their viewpoints.  Even inanimate objects have the opportunity to voice their opinion about the girl (the fire that is lapping at her feet, the crossbow that shot her, the road to Vaucouleurs etc).
Interspersed are actual quotations from her Trial of Condemnation and Trial of Nullification.
Mr. Elliott did a superb job of researching and then taking that information and presenting in poetry.  He even utilized poetry forms from that time period.
Amazing writing and admirable how Mr. Elliott was willing to tackle a challenging and creative project like this!
He also wrote Bull about Theseus and the Minotaur in this format.
Recommend for high school readers--warning-poems about:  virginity, lust  Also words like slut and being a woman of ill repute are used. 
-Borrowed from the library.

Leonardo's Horse by Jean Fritz illustrated by Hudson Talbott*

I read this book aloud to my boys to support our study of Leonardo da Vinci.
Not only does this book tell the reader about Leonardo da Vinci and his efforts to construct a horse for the duke of Milan, it also shares how an American, Charles Dent, attempted to reconstruct it for a gift to the Italians.  Unfortunately, Charles died before his version was completed.  A sculptor Nina Akamu finally was able to bless Italy with the twenty-four -foot horse.
Steps are included how the horse transformed from a clay figure to a bronze figure.
Amazing illustrations.  The book is shaped like a dome (The one from the library was shaped this way.). 
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.

Starry Messenger by Peter Sis*

Award winner- Caldecott Honor Medal
Beautifully illustrated.
A biography of Galileo Galilei from his birth and beyond his life span.
I like how the illustrations and cursive sentences offer more information and insight about Galileo and the time period.  His actually notes and opinions are included throughout the book.
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.