The Crayon Man by Natascha Biebow illustrated by Steven Salerno*

This biography is moving to the top of my favorites list!
The illustrations are bold and expressive.  Words are inadequate to describe how they give the story such life and vibrancy!
Ms. Biebow engages the reader immediately with her well chosen words and sentence structure.  She shares about Edwin Binney and his occupation and how it evolved into making a crayon that children could use safely and easily. 
In the back the author includes photographs from the actual Crayola Factory in Easton, PA and how crayons are currently made.  A must read before touring this factory (or afterwards!).
A great book when discussing inventors, experimenting and persevering!
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.

Z is for Moose by Kelly Bingham illustrated by Paul O. Zelinksy*

Sarah Mackenzie (Read Aloud Revival) recently posted this picture book as her "book of the week". 
I am glad I read it aloud to my nine year (just for fun) because one page made him belly laugh!!
Zebra is directing an alphabet play, and Moose cannot wait for his turn so he continuously pops up in other creature/object's spotlight.
My son and I were impressed with Mr. Zelinksy's ability to illustrate some of the crazy pages, especially the lettering.
A sweet ending!
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.

Plant the Tiny Seed by Christie Matheson*

Perfect book for spring and for seed units.
I think this is my favorite one by Ms. Matheson.
Once again Ms. Matheson involves the reader by telling them to press, count, wiggle fingers etc.  Before their eyes, a zinnia garden grows and reseeds itself!
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.

Touch the Brightest Star by Christie Matheson*

This author/illustrator creates such sweet interactive books.
She tells the readers to tap, blow, pat etc to bring the natural world alive at night.  In the back she provides additional information about the creatures and creation she included, simple enough for toddlers/preschoolers to understand.
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.

Mr. Mistoffelees The Conjuring Cat by T.S. Eliot illustrated by Arthur Robins*

Mr. Robins has illustrated several of T.S. Eliot's poems and made them into individual picture books.
The song about Mr. Mistoffelees is my favorite from the Cat's musical so it was fun to read the poem in a picture book!
These picture books enable younger readers to appreciate T.S. Eliot's work or allow older readers to understand the poem better.  I would even have these books available to junior high or high school readers when studying T. S. Eliot!
*Highly  recommend.
-Borrowed via Inter-library (my county library system does not own it).
Others I read from this series- Skimbleshanks-The Railway Cat and Jellicle Cats.

Eddie Red Undercover- Myster in Mayan Mexico by Marcia Wells

I read this book aloud to my boys since we had just studied the Mayas.  This book, however, did not include too much about the Mayas (just their gods!).  It was full of action, adventure and humor!
When Eddie's mom travels to Mexico for work, she brings him, his father and Eddie's friend Jonah along.  Their vacation soon turns to an investigation when Eddie's father is accused of taking a Mayan mask from the hotel. 
Eddie and Jonah find themselves involved in a local gang, Las Plumas, and a sweet local girl, Julia.
Points to discuss: Jonah likes Julia -she gives him a kiss on the cheek before he returns to the U.S., gangs, Jonah gives a lot of credibility to the Mayan gods

Good Pictures, Bad Pictures by Kristen A. Jenson, MA and Gail Poyner, PhD illustrated by Debbie Fox*

I first heard about this book via Focus on the Family.
Although this book is divided up into chapters (topical), there is an ongoing dialogue between a boy and his mother about pornography.  The mother discusses with her son what pornography is, the parts and functions of the brain, what an addiction is and how it affects the brain.  She also shares some steps what to do if one sees an pornographic image.
I found this book extremely helpful to provide an avenue to talk to my boys about pornography.  I really appreciated how it incorporated the science behind an addiction.
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from a friend.

Columbus by Ingri and Edgar Parin D'Aulaire

Full page detailed illustrations in an over-sized picture book
My nine year old read this book to himself to support our study of Christopher Columbus.
The authors share about his boyhood all the way to his life after sailing the oceans.  They handle his faults well yet do not malign him.
-Borrowed from the library.

Charlotte the Scientist is Squished by Camille Andros illustrated by Brianne Farley*

Charlotte loves science.  She seizes any opportunity she has to apply the scientific method.  Her main problem, however, is her large family!  She has no space  to perform her experiments.  So she applies the scientific method to this personal problem and soon realizes she needs a new conclusion!
Perfect for introducing the scientific method to younger students.
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.

Heidi by Johanna Spyri*

Audio CD narrated by Flo Gibson
Eight hours and Forty-Three minutes long

After reading aloud Astrid the Unstoppable, I knew I wanted to expose my boys to the classic Heidi story.
I wasn't sure how they would react to this story, but they enjoyed it!
When Heidi is five years old, her aunt drops her off at her grouchy grandfather's house to live with him in the mountains.  Most people from the village do not think the child will survive.  To their surprise,  Heidi thrives and even begins to transform her grandfather.  Heidi loves her grandfather's hut and trekking up the mountain with Peter,  the goat herder.  Unfortunately, after a couple of years, her aunt returns to the mountains to take Heidi to Frankfort where she can be a companion to a sickly girl.  Heidi withers away in the city as she is trapped in the house. 
The story is captivating and causes contemplation.
The boys and I discussed the different characters and the impact they had in their circle of influence.
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.

Who in the World was the Forgotten Explorer? The Story of Amerigo Vespucci by Lorene Lambert

Audio CD read by Jim Weiss
Thirty minutes long
A very concise and entertaining account of the life of Amerigo Vespucci.
-Borrowed from the library.

Morning Star of the Reformation by Andy Thomson

My twelve year old read this to himself as we learned about Wycliffe in history. 
Through story format, readers can learn about his beliefs and the impact he had the church during the Medieval time period and the modern church.
-Borrowed via Inter-library loan (my county does not own this book).

The Revenge of the Forty-Seven Samurai by Erik C. Hauggard

My twelve year old read this book to himself to support our study of medieval history.
Jiro, a servant to a samurai, is chosen to be a spy.  Two hundred samurai have been insulted. . . .their master suffered an unjust death.  Forty-seven of them seek to avenge him.  Although Jiro has a seemingly insignificant role, he experiences the adventure and matures.
-Borrowed from the library.

The Player King by Avi

My twelve year old read this book to himself.
Lambert, a penniless kitchen boy, is taken by a friar.  The friar claims that he, Lambert, is actually the missing Prince Edward of England.  The friar and Earl of Lincoln work together to teach the boy how to be a king.
Is Lambert really Prince Edward?
-Borrowed from the library.

Magnificent Voyage of Christopher Columbus -DVD

A modern day crew sails replicas of Columbus' ships, following his course.  Viewers can see the cities and countries where he sailed.  Historians comment on the significance of everything shared.
We watched this DVD to support our study of Columbus. 
-Borrowed from the library.

Somebody on this Bus Is Going to Be Famous by J. B. Cheaney*

I am considering utilizing Mrs. Cheaney's writing curriculum next year so I wanted to read something she wrote (I already have read reviews and articles by her on The Redeemed Reader blog and World News magazine.). 
This book was very well developed and the plot urged me to keep reading outside of my normal reading time!! 
What do nine individuals have in common?  They ride the bus together each day.  Slowly the characters share about their home lives, secrets and struggles.  Some of them ponder the strangeness of their bus driver stopping at a bus stop where no one waits each morning; others disregard the unusual routine.  Throughout the year a few of the students begin to piece various clues together to discover a decades old secret that involves quite a few of their families.  Then an accident occurs requiring them to bond on a whole different level.
This story is about discovery of one's self and being confident in who you are.  I liked how I gradually became acquainted with the characters and how my opinions about them evolved as I gained more information.  One character really annoyed me and I never grew to like her.  Other characters I liked the more I learned about their life stories and struggles.  Some characters I grew to respect.  My opinions and feelings toward the characters reveal how well Mrs. Cheaney developed authentic characters. 
*Highly recommend (for 5th grade and up).
-Borrowed from the library.

You Wouldn't Want to Sail with Christopher Columbus by Fiona MacDonald illustrated by David Antram*

My nine year old read this to himself to support our history focus on explorers.
These engaging picture books are loaded with tons of information about the person and time period.
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.

The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind by William Kamkwamba and Bryan Mealer illustrated by Elizabeth Zunon*

I have been wanting to read the juvenile chapter book about William Kamkwamba for years now.  Seeing that Netflix has a movie about him and his determination to bring electricity to his village, motivated me to check out the books, including this picture book.
A drought in William's village causes the people to endure a famine.  Since there is no money, William has to drop out of school.  To fill his days and to take his mind off hunger, he visits the library built by Americans where he reads science books.  The book about windmills that can produce electricity and even help pump water captures his attention.  He gathers pieces of junk to create a windmill that produces electricity! 
This picture book simplifies his process and the years it took, but it gives a good overview.  After the story, William shares more about his life.
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.

Charlotte the Scientist Finds a Cure by Camille Andros illustrated by Brianne Farley*

Sarah Mackenzie interviewed Ms. Andros last week her Read Aloud podcast.  Immediately, I requested all of her books!
This book is a must read for individuals who love science (and who want to promote it)!  Charlotte, a rabbit,  is a serious scientist.  Her grandfather tells her that she will make a difference in the world.  One day her grandfather becomes seriously ill, and soon other animals in the forest are infected by a strange malady.  Charlotte sets out to determine the cause and to find the cure.
Lots of alliteration!
Lots of science/medical words (glossary included in the back).
I read this aloud to my boys, and my nine year old immediately said, "Read it again!".  This book has been written for younger readers, but my boys seemed to like it too!
-Borrowed from the library.
*Highly recommend.
--We will soon be reading the second book, Charlotte the Scientist Is Squished. 

Pedro's Journal by Pam Conrad*

My nine year old read this book to himself and loved it!  He said that Ms. Conrad wrote in such a way that made him like he was there, experiencing all the problems and adventures Pedro had.
Set in journal format, Ms. Conrad writes from Pedro's point of view.  He is a ship's boy abroad Christopher Columbus' Santa Maria.
-Borrowed from the library.

1,000 Books to Read Before You Die by James Mustich

I had seen this book around in reviews/advertisements but when I listened to Anne Bogel's  interview with Mr. Mustich on her podcast What Should I Read Next?, I was compelled to borrow it from the library! 
The book is organized by author's last name.  He suggests a wonderful array of classics, best sellers, antiquities, children's literature, nonfiction, poetry.  To some authors he dedicates an entire section.  Lots of information about the authors and the back story to the actual stories are included. 
If the 1,000 book list is not enough, Mr. Mustich includes more titles by the specific author plus a few books similar to it!
In the back he includes A Miscellany of Special Lists.  The books in these lists do not include summaries.  Examples from these "special lists" are Read in a Sitting, 12 Books to Read Before You're 12, LOL, Family Read-Alouds, Mysterious Matters etc.
I, of course, did not sit down and read this book from cover to cover, but leisurely paged through it, smiling when a favorite was included and finding titles to read.
-Borrowed from the library.

The Beggar's Bible by Louise A. Vernon

I read this aloud to my boys as we studied Wycliffe in history.
Through the eyes of Arthur Hutton, readers learn about the life of John Wycliffe and the controversy he caused at Oxford and around England.
Mysteries surface, and Arthur and his friend Timothy work together to find the spies trying to bring Wycliffe to trial/excommunication. 
This book depicts what the times were like and what Wycliffe willingly endured to have the Bible translated into English and to bring God's Word to the common person.
My nine year old was not into this book, but my twelve year old willing listen to it. 
-We own this book.

The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin

I heard about this book on Anne Bogel's podcast What Should I Read Next?
It was well written, well developed and I thoroughly enjoyed reading it.
After his wife dies in a car accident, bookseller A.J. Fikry spends his evenings getting drunk.  Then one evening someone steals his rare copy of Eager Allen Poe's Tamerlane. From that point on his life gradually begins a transformation . . .he resumes running, a two year old girl is abandoned in his bookseller, he adopts her, he meets a woman he loves. 
Before each chapter Ms. Zevin creates actual book summaries on which A.J. recommends to his adopted daughter Maya.  This addition is charming.
A great read for those who love books, bookstores and relationships.

What I did not like: some swearing, a husband (not A.J.!) repeatedly cheats on his wife, intimacy before marriage (no details are given or the "act" described in any way).
-Borrowed from the library.

Bird Watch by Christie Matheson*

This book invites the reader to participate by searching and counting birds and other creatures.
The illustrations are stunning! They reveal that Ms. Matheson spends a lot of time outside, observing and savoring.   They gently beckon the reader to step outside and enjoy the beauty!!
Ms. Matheson shares more facts about birding and birds in the back. 
The end pages in this book are beautiful. 
I love the quote she includes on the dedication page:
"Always be on the lookout
for the  presence of wonder."
-E.B. White
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.

The Dress and the Girl by Camille Andros illustrated by Julie Morstad*

A young girl wears a beloved dress her mother made her while she lives out an ordinary life in Greece.  When she and her family immigrate to America, she loses the beautiful dress.  Life goes on.  She matures and marries.  Then one day as she walks down the street, she finds a wonderful surprise in a shop window.
This is a beautiful book, both in illustrations and in words (almost poetry).
I love, love the end pages!
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.
Sarah Mackenzie interviewed Ms. Andros last week on her podcast Read Aloud Revival.  The story has its roots in her husband's Greek family.

Sir Cumference and the First Round Table A Math Adventure by Cindy Neuschwander illustrated by Wayne Geehan*

We read this book in honor of National Pi Day.
My twelve year old groaned at the word play, but still enjoyed it!
I think the definitions and concepts were cemented in my nine year old's mind after reading this fun story.
King Arthur and his knights gather to plan how defeat an impending enemy attack.  The shape of the table, however, impedes their ability to discuss and plan.  Sir Cumference and his wife Lady Di and his son Radius offer a solution that pleases everyone.
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.

The Seven Wonders of the Medieval World by Reg Cox and Neil Morris illustrated by James Field

Since we recently studied Tenochtitlan and Alhambra, we enjoyed learning more about these structures by reading this book.  We skimmed the other places featured (The Cave of Ten Thousands Buddhas, Great Zimbabwe, Angkor Wat, Krak des Chevaliers, Salisbury Cathedral) to build some schema.
Other sources have different places/structures as the "seven wonders of the medieval world" so I am not sure what to think!
-Borrowed from the library.

Wingfeather Tales edited by Andrew Peterson

My twelve year old read this anthology of tales based on the Wingfeather novels to himself.  He enjoyed being transported to this land with its fantastic characters.
Each tale is written by a different author-Andrew Peterson, Jonathan Rogers, N.D. Wilson, Jennifer Trafton, Douglas McKelvey, and A.S. Peterson.
-Borrowed from the library.

Snow Crystals by W. A. Bentley and W. J. Humphreys*

I love the picture book Snowflake Bentley.  
After reading it aloud to my sons (for the umpteenth time!!), I shared this book with them.  It contains about two hundred plates of photos he took of snowflakes and frost.  The photographs are beautiful and remind one of God's careful design in even the tiniest of objects!
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.