Finding Langston by Lesa Cline-Ransome*

Awards: A Coretta Scott King Author Honor Book  & Winner of the Scott O'Dell Award for Historical Fiction

After his mother's death, Langston and his father depart beloved Alabama for Chicago where job opportunities abound. Quietly grieving his mother's death, he finds solace in the library and in Langston Hughes's poetry.

I loved this short novel. Ms. Cline-Ransome writes poetically and beautifully. Her character development and word choice are superb.  

Mentor text for "show, not tell".

A lot of topics to discuss: deaths (mother & grandmother),  Great Migration, Langston Hughes, bullies, discrepancy of the treatment of blacks in south vs north, some lying

*Highly recommend. 

**Read also the companion books: Leaving Lymon & Finding Clem.

-Borrowed from the library

The Watsons Go to Birmingham -DVD

 PG-thematic elements, some violent images and mild language

After reading alout The Watsons Go to Birmingham-1963 to my twelve-year-old, I found the movie based on the book.  We agreed that the movie followed the book's basic outline extremely well.  The movie included more Civil Rights scenes. The Civil Rights Movement seemed the main theme of the movie, whereas, the book focused more on the family and their relationships.  The movie was actually more appropriate for a twelve-year-old than the book!

We were disappointed that Kenny's favorite song in the movie was not the same one in the book ("Yakety-Yak").  We wanted to hear that song played in the movie!

The movie portrayed the disparity how the blacks were treated in the south vs the north.

Points to discuss: violence vs blacks, Civil Rights Movement

*Highly recommend.

The Dragon of Cripple Creek by Troy Howell

While Katlin, her brother and her father tour an old mine in Colorado, Kat decides to explore a tunnel not included in the tour.  She falls, encounters a dragon and discovers gold . . . lots of gold.  When the dragon, called Ye, leads her out (through an outhouse seat!!), she manages to slip a gold nugget into her pocket.  Unfortuantely, the media captures the image of the nugget falling to the ground, causing a gold rush.  Kat, her brother and her father must navigate tricky circumstances among greedy people. 

Exciting plot! Some of the characters annoyed me. 

Points to discuss: Kat's mother is in a vegetative state after a fall. She is not better by the end of the story. H*** is mentioned a few times . Homelessness, corrupt media, greed, gambling

-Borrowed from the library.

Mark Twain text set

 Picture book: American Boy  The Adventures of Mark Twain by Don Brown

An entertaining, concise overview of Samuel Clemens's childhood with a few pages exploring his adulthood. I enjoyed making connections between Clemens's childhood and his stories/characters in his books.  

Pair with: Who Was Mark Twain? by April Jones Prince (My fourteen-year-old read this one to help him write an author profile for English). 

-Borrowed from the library.

The Watsons Go to Birmingham-1963 by Christopher Paul Curtis

 Award-winner- Newbery Honor Book, Coretta Scott King Award

I read this book aloud to my twelve-year old.  He enjoyed it immensely (he loved the humor). 

Kenny and his family reside in Flint, MI.  Byron, his older brother, creates "excitement" for the whole family as he searches out and embraces trouble.  Joetta, "Joey", the youngest and only sister, attempts to rescue Byron from trouble.  Kenny relishes Byron's punishments.  When Byron pushes it too far, his parents decide he needs real help-from his maternal grandmother in Alabama.  Mrs. Watson creates a schedule (down to each minute!) in a notebook for their trip to Alabama. Little do they know that this trip will not only transform Byron but the rest of the family as well.  

Humor and familial relationships/interactions dominate the story. The writing and the character and plot development are superb (Mr. Curtis is an excellent writer).

Read Aloud Revival recommends this book for high school. The "warnings" below will explain why they recommend it for this age group. My only question concerning this age group recommendation is "will high schoolers want to read it or listen to it since narrator is a ten-year-old"? Mostly middle-grade readers will be drawn to this book but it is not appropriate for them to read independently. Since I read it aloud, I could skip the inappropriate parts. 

Warnings/points to discuss: treatment of blacks in the 1960s-especially in the south, the Sixteenth Avenue Baptist Church bombing in Alabama on Sept. 15, 1963 (details are given-girls lying around, shoes sticking out in the debris etc), swearing (quite often), stealing, Mr. Watson sneaks a feel at Mrs. Waston's chest (the kids see it; it is described), poor grammar (on purpose, of course!), Kenny almost drowns-described in detail, bullies, characters are proud that they have looked at magazines with naked ladies

-I own this book.

Bronze and Sunflower by Cao Wenxuan

Translated from Chinese by Helen Wang

During the Cultural Revolution, Sunflower's father is sent to a cadre school in the countryside to do hard labor and to attend political classes at night.  Sunflower entertains herself all day, lonely and missing her talented sculptor father.  One day he drowns.  The other attendees of the cadre school cannot care for Sunflower. Across the river is a farming village.  The attendees ask if any family would adopt Sunflower.  Although Bronze's family is poor, they volunteer to care for Sunflower and to welcome her as a family member. Bronze, who is mute, his parents, and grandmother love Sunflower as their own. Even when disaster and misfortune come to their home, they persevere and draw closer together. 

A sweet story of sacrifice, loyalty, love, unselfishness during difficult circumstances

I loved the imagery and figurative language utilized.

Points to discuss/warnings: Sunflower's dad drowns, sometimes parents beat their children when they have disobeyed, the grandmother dies, natural disasters, poverty, Chinese culture, the "cultural revolution"

-Borrowed from the library.

Jonkonnu by Amy Littlesugar illustrated by Ian Schoenherr

 A young girl narrates about the summer Mr. Homer Winslow, a Yankee artist, stays at her mother's hotel.  He "shakes the southern's town world" as he paints and interacts with the African-American community down the road.  

I read aloud this picture book to my twelve-year old to support our study of Winslow Homer. 

The word choice and figurative language are superb.  I also liked the artwork.  Clearly, the placement on the page is making a statement.  I had never heard of "jonkonnu". 

-Borrowed from the library.

Sweet Home Alaska by Carole Estby Dagg

Terpsichore and her family move to Alaska during the Great Depression through a plan of FDR.  As she and her family adjust to the meager resources and delayed building projects, Terpsichore discovers ways she can utilize her gifts and interests (like starting a library and growing massive pumpkins).  

This novel is brimming with interesting details based on a real-life colony called Palmer.  Ms. Dagg thoroughly researched this time period and provides numerous opportunities to bolt down "rabbit trails".  

At first I was not sure if I was going to enjoy this story but when Terpsichore and her family arrived at the Alaska village, the plot became more interesting.  Another reason I did not fully embrace this novel was I am not a fan of FDR and his New Deal.  I sided with Terpsichore's father! Also, I do not know if I had a favorite character and am leaning to the opinion that the character development was lacking. 

*I can highly recommend this book for its solid historical information, descriptive setting,  and excellent writing style.  

-Borrowed from the library.

The Wisdom of Trees by Lita Judge

 How Trees Work Together to Form a Natural Kingdom

Through poems and side explanations, Ms. Judge celebrates the incredible tree and its impact on our world. She honors trees above the Creator, almost making it seem like they have souls, the ability to make choices. Definitely an environmental bent. 

More explanations in the back. 

-Borrowed from the library.

The Beatryce Prophecy by Kate DiCamillo illustrated by Sophie Blackall

 Ms. DiCamillo stuns me with her beautiful prose time and time again.  Her word choice and phrases are concise and memorable. As I read this newest book, I marveled at her ability to spin a beautiful, unique story.

The prophecy says a girl will unseat the king.  When Brother Edik discovers a girl in the pen with their moody goat, Answelica, he is unprepared for the disruption the girl will bring to his life and the kingdom. Numerous stories and well-developed characters are woven seamlessly into one incredible narrative.

Points to discuss: cruelty, killing, females treated unequally  Some readers/parents may find this book is a gentle nod to feminism. 

-Borrowed from the library.

The World's Greatest Detective by Caroline Carlson*

 For the past three years trouble keeps finding Toby Montrose.  Ever since his parents' death, he has been foisted onto his relatives. His Uncle Gabriel, a detective who lives on Detectives' Row, is the last relative, the last resort.  To earn much needed money, Toby secretly enters famous Hugh Abernathy's crime solving contest (who is Uncle Gabriel's nemesis).  Can Toby and his new friend, Ivy, solve the murder case to earn the title "The World's Greatest Detective" (and ten thousand dollars!)?

I loved this mystery.  The characters are well-developed, the plot is enticing and the ending is satisfying.  It was a "breath of fresh air" to read a well-written novel for the sake of just a good story, no hidden agenda or subtle indoctrination.

*Highly recommend for fourth graders and older. (topic -murder, I think there was one swear word.)

-Borrowed from the library.

The Overground Railroad by Lesa Cline-Ransome illustrated by James Ransome*

 This wife-husband team depicts a family's move from the south to the north during the Great Migration.  

The illustrations, the text layout, and lyrical narration will encourage discussion.  I like how the story is not linear and mixes in the story of Frederick Douglass. 

To prepare for a WOW class (Writers on Writing),  I read aloud this book and discussed it with my twelve-year-old son.  

*Highly recommend.

-Borrowed from the library.

Lena, the Sea, and Me by Maria Parr illustrated by Lara Paulussen Translated from Norwegian by Guy Puzey

 A sequel to Adventures with Waffles

In this novel, Trille and Lena navigate growing up and the topsy-turvey emotions of the preteen stage.  Trille develops a crush on a girl from the Netherlands, Lena is forced off the local soccer team, and Trille's mother seems to be going through menopause (she is only forty-five years old . . .hmm?!).  Trille suddenly finds a lot of reasons to trek up the hill to the farm (where his crush just happens to be living), practice the piano and to neglect his relationship with fiesty Lena and also his beloved grandfather.  Even though the main characters are experiencing  tumultuous feelings, they manage to find adventure around the cove and in the sea.  

Opportunities to discuss the importance of family and friendship and how feelings can distort our thoughts, attitudes and actions.

I did not like the sequel as much as Adventures with Waffles, but it was mostly because of the stage Trille and Lena were "enduring".  Ms. Parr portrayed the feelings of a crush (the mindlessness and the selfishness) and how middle school kids act well.

Warning: When Trille asks his Birgit, his crush, whom she likes best out of the boys, she replies, "Well, probably Keisha." (Keisha is her best friend, a girl, whom she met in Africa).  One reviewer took this sentence as a homosexual reference.  I am not sure. 

The 4-Hour School Day by Durenda Wilson

 How You and Your Kids Can THRIVE in the Homeschool Life

In short chapters with an engaging and encouraging tone, Mrs. Wilson shares tidbits, stories and strategies how a parent and family can implement  homeschooling. At the end of each chapter questions  help the reader think deeply about the chapter contents and to apply the themes.  Although she does not offer  explicit instructions how to complete school in four hours, she alludes to how she was able to keep school to the morning hours.  A better title would be the subtitle.  

My career as a public school teacher and some other situations in my life hinder me from mimicking a homeschool like she suggests. In my mind how she homeschooled is how I want to homeschool!

Overall, this book encouraged me to continue to homeschool and caused me to evaluate some aspects and pray over my ideals and roadblocks.  Mrs. Wilson's faith is the foundation of all she does.  Her love for God and His Word infused the pages.