Nine by Rachelle Dekker*

 I read this book in two days.  The plot is fast-paced and riveting.

Zoe keeps to herself.  She doesn't trust anyone.  Then a confused teenager enters the diner where Zoe waitresses.  She is compelled to help her even if it means risking her life.  As they flee the government, Zoe is forced to confront her past and expose the lies she has been believing.  

This book is labeled "Christian".  God, however, is not mentioned as the answer or even in a positive light (Zoe grew up in a cult).  A Christian believer can pick up overtones of God's redemption, the power of love and a transformed life in Christ (new creation).  

*Highly recommend for readers who like suspense and a plot-driven book.

Warnings: lots of violence/killing/humans being tortured, cult influences, one time the characters drink whiskey & beer, Seely's wife has an affair with a pastor and leaves him because the affair was "the calling of God" and abandons their daugther (the affair is only mentioned-no details included)

-Borrowed from the library.

This book is loosely connected to the book Rachelle Dekker wrote with her dad, Ted Dekker The Girl Behind the Red Rope.

Cold Comfort Farm by Stella Gibbons

 After the deaths of her parents, well-educated but jobless Flora Poste writes letters to various relatives, asking for a place to reside.  Cold Comfort Farm in Sussex holds the most intrigue.  Upon arrival, Flora ascertains that the myriad of relatives working and living there are under control of Aunt Ada Doom, who throws herself into mad fits if anyone disobeys her or leaves the farm.  Relative by relative Flora latches onto their dreams and tenaciously offers them the opportunities to fulfill them.  Soon they are experiencing happiness and hope for the first time in their lives.  Can Flora even transform the dreaded Aunt Ada Doom?

An entertaining, fun book!  First published in 1932, Ms. Gibbons wroteit as a parody of regional and rural fiction that was popular at that time (like Mary Webb and D.H. Lawrence).  

Warnings/points to consider: Amos is a fire & brimstone preacher and his occupation is not highly regarded.  Mr. Mybug is into sex and talks about it excessively, making innuendos about it as he looks at nature.  Details are not graphic.  Homosexuals and lesbians are mentioned (just once).  Seth has relations (no details included) with the house maid.  She has four children from him.  One family member calls her a slut.

To be honest, I was not expecting to encounter any of the items listed under "warnings" since it was published in the 1930s.  Nothing is new under the sun.  

A movie has been made based on the book.  I am looking forward to watching it.

Crabby books by Jonathan Fenske*

 1. Hello, Crabby!

Plankton tries to almost no avail to hoist Crabby out of his crabbiness.  

2. Let's Play, Crabby!  

Persistent Plankton suggests numerous games for Crabby to play.  Crabby's wit outsmarts Plankton each time.

These books are perfect for beginnning readers (or reluctant) to build stamina and fluency.  The adult could read one creature's dialogue while the reader could read the other creature's dialogue.  If your child likes Elephant and Piggie books by Mo Willems, these series would be a perfect match.

These books will definitely send a reader on the path to find delight in reading.

Each book has step-by-step instructions how to draw one of the characters and also questions to discuss about the book.

*Highly recommend (but see below).

Points to consider: crabbiness, sarcasm, Crabby isn't the nicest friends and is what I call "difficult/mean". 

-Borrowed from a friend.

How I Became a Spy by Deborah Hopkinson*

 A Mystery of World War II

When Bertie finds a woman lying in an alley, he lays his coat over her and dashes off for help.  He returns with police and members of the civil defense command post,  and she is gone!  This encounter plus a run-in (literally) with an American girl commences friendships and a study of ciphers.  Bertie also learns to forgive himself and courageously step forward with life.  

Each chapter has a quote from Sherlock Holmes or from SOE (Special Operations Executive).  An interesting read about how ordinary citizens became spies to thwart the Nazi reign.  Ms. Hopkinson includes actual historical figures.  The fictional characters are believable and likable.  

*Highly recommend for those who love historical fiction and reading about World War II.

-Borrowed from the library.

Independence Cake by Deborah Hopkinson illustrated by Giselle Potter

 Amelia Simmons was the first American to write an American cookbook, American Cookery published in 1796,  that utilized ingredients found in America.  She identified herself as "an American orphan".  Nothing else is known about her.

Ms. Hopkinson imagines what her life may have been like and what prompted her to write the cookbook.

-Borrowed from the library.

American Born Chinese by Gene Luen Yang

 Award winner-Michael L. Printz Award 2007

Three plots-1. Jin Wang, the only Chinese-American student at his school who desparately wants to fit in

                   2.  The Monkey King-an old Chinese fable

                   3.  Danny, dreads his cousin Chin-Kee's visit each year.  After each visit, Danny has to transfer

                        schools because he is humilated by Chin-Kee's behavoir.

Mr. Yang deftly ties these three plots together.  A book about idenity and accepting who you were created to be.  It was interesting how the author included Psalm 139 in the storyline and a picture of Christ's birth.  Tze-Yo-Tzuh was depicted as the Christian God (but only the references I mention overlap with the Christian faith).  

Warning/points to discuss: a game he would play with his only friend when in elementary would require him to wear a bra on his head, swearing, guys staring at girls' breasts, by accident Jin Wang said "rake the breast", "American bosom", bullies, prejudice

-Borrowed from the library.

Really Truly by Heather Vogel Frederick

 Truly is savoring the last few days with her extended family from Texas as they gather for a reunion at Pumpkin Falls, NH.  Then her cousin Mackenzie spies a brochure for mermaid camp at Cape Cod and somehow convinces her parents and Truly's parents to allow them to attend.  Even though she will have an extra week with her cousin, who is also her best friend, Truly dreads mermaid camp.  Despite her initial repulsion of the camp, she adjusts and learns new aquatic skills.  She also discovers when they attend an author book signing at the Cape that her relative who founded the town, Pumpkin Falls, may have been a pirate who hid a treasure at a nearby lake.  When the girls return to Pumpkin Falls, Truly enlists the Pumpkin Falls Private Eyes to search for the treasure.  

While Truly was at mermaid camp, I was not drawn to read this book.  Once she returns to Pumpkin Falls, however, I felt like the plot was more appealing and more exciting.  The mystery of who stole the 4K pumpkin trophy was anticlimatic.  I did not like this one as much as the other two books in the series.

I love the setting of Pumpkin Falls, the family bookstore, Truly's family, Truly's Aunt True. It is refreshing to have a realistic novel that promotes marriage (quite a few marriage proposals occur in this book) in the traditional sense.  

On her website, Ms. Frederick stated that she is working on a fourth Pumpkin Falls Mystery and is not sure if she will write a fifth one.  I  hope she does and keeps the setting exclusively at Pumpkin Falls.

Points to discuss/warnings: Truly is going into eighth grade and wants her love interest to kiss her.  The two of them are not officially dating nor have proclaimed devotion to each other, but try to kiss.  They are not successful.  Truly lies to her parents and sneaks out.  She is caught and punished and is a bit remorseful.

Christmas Remembered by Tomie DePaola*

 About three days a week I would read aloud a chapter from this autobiography centered on Tomie's Christmas memories.  The stories were related chronologically. My boys, ages thirteen  and eleven, enjoyed hearing the recollections.  We marveled at how many interesting experiences Tomie had.  

Tomie warns readers that he shares his memories honestly which requires him to include alcohol.  His family indulged in drinking "spirits" often in these stories.  

Pair with other Tomie dePaola stories: Joy to the World (anthology of three Christmas stories), Tony's Bread (Christmas is mentioned at the end of the book.  During the holiday is when one can purchase panettone bread.). 

*Highly recommend (see warnings).  I actually like this one more than Joy to the World .

-Borrowed from the library.

Warning: A lot of the stories mention alcoholic beverages; smoking mentioned; Tony kisses his girlfriend when he was in junior high

Joy to the World by Tomie DePaola*

 A delightful anthology of three Christmas stories by Tomie  De Paola and Christmas carols.  The stories included  are: The Night of Las Posadas, The Story of the Three Wise Kings, & The Legend of the Poinsettia.  The Chrismas carols are "O Little Town of Bethlehem", "Silent Night", "The First Noel", "Away ina Manger", & "Joy to the World".  The music and words are included for each of the songs.

Read Aloud Revial chose this book for their Family Book Club for the month of December.  

Pair with Christmas Remembered by Tomie DePaola.

*Highly recommend.

-I own this book.

A Long Road on a Short Day by Gary D. Schmidt & Elizabeth Stickney illustrated by Eugene Yelchin*

 Mr. Schmidt wrote this story with his late wife, Anne Schmidt (Elizabeth Stickney is her pen name).  

Mama wants a milk cow to help feed the baby.  Papa and Samuel venture into the blustery winter day to trade objects until they can fulfill her wishes.  Beginning with a Barlow knife and ending with a milk cow (plus something for Samuel), they meet a variety of interesting people who own intriguing objects/creatures.  

Short chapters and full page illustrations make this a perfect book for readers trying to build stamina.   It would also be a great book to read aloud to toddlers/preschoolers who are building listening-stamina.  

Strategies: inferring, asking questions

Recommendation: This book is brimming with secondary characters.  It would be helpful if the parent/teacher would make a list of each secondary character and what they gave for the trade/what they received for the trade.   

*Highly recommend.  A wholesome, sweet book.

Update: I reread this book as my thirteen-year-old read it for RAR family book club. Even he, an advanced reader and a teenager, found it delightful. 

-Borrowed from the library.

On the Horizon by Lois Lowry illustrated by Kenard Pak*

 After watching her father's old home movies from her childhood, Ms. Lowry realized that as she played on the beach in Hawaii,  the ship sailing on the horizon was the Arizona, which was bombed during Pearl Harbor.  This realization prompted her to write this book.

Through verse form, she shares the tragic events of Pearl Harbor and of Hiroshima and then pieces of her life when she lived in Tokyo.  

Simple but powerful.  

Strategies: inferences, asking questions

*Highly recommend.

-Borrowed from the library.

Frontier Follies by Ree Drummond**

 I own all PW's cookbooks and have read her novel, The Pioneer Woman: Black Heels to Tractor Wheels. When I saw she was publishing a biography, I immediately placed it in my queue from the library.

This book will provide lots of smiles and laughs.  Ree shares stories about herself, various family members and country life story in an engaging voice.  From the first sentence she draws you in, and before you know it, you are settled in a chair, having read several chapters.  I equate this book to Garfield comics.  You glance down at an open Garfield book, telling yourself you will read just one . . .five minutes later you have read several pages and have no intention of stopping!

The book is not chronologically organized and the chapters are self-contained.  She divides the book into topics: marriage, motherhood, family, country life, new territory.  Throughout the book she also includes fun lists, charts and a quiz.  She, of course, inserts a couple of recipes. 

I would use this book as mentor text for writing personal narratives and essays.

**Highly, highly recommend (for those who like autobiographical pieces, narratives/essays and humor).

Heads up: some swearing; an essay is about a bull's private part freezing to the ground but Nan, her mother-in-law,  uses a more vulgar word describe it;  I did not like the essay called Cheatin' Movies.)

-Borrowed from the library.

A Red Herring Without Mustard by Alan Bradley*

 When Flavia de Luce allows the Gypsy woman to park her caravan and horse on her family's massive property, little does she know that an attempted murder, a murder and a digging up a dead body will ensue.  On her trusty bike, Gladys, she tours around the countryside and villages connecting people and their histories to find the murderer.  Of course, she uses her love and knowledge of chemistry to problem solve.  She also discovers a bit more information about her deceased mother that she never knew.

Flavia is clever and persistent.  . . a fun companion!  I do not like her sisters and how they treat her.  Her father is removed and not a leader.

*Highly recommend. (some swearing-d**n; view of God-don't agree with it)

-Borrowed from the library.

The Willoughbys by Lois Lowry

 I started to read this book aloud to my eleven-year old son, but he did not like the characters' behavior (adulst and children).  As a result, I read it to myself.  I found the story clever and amusing.  Ms. Lowry is a superb writer.

Mr. and Mrs. Willoughby have no interest in their children.  To free them from the burdern of children, they plan a trip from which they would never return.  The children also scheme and find themselves in a pleasant situation.  

I love Ms. Lowry's vocabulary incorporation and her references to quality classic stories. She defines the words and summaries her references.

Warnings/points to discuss: divorce, abandonment, Commander Melanoff wants to pinch Nanny's behind (he thinks his wife is dead, but she isn't.)

Sequel just published-The Willoughbys Return

Fannie in the Kitchen by Deborah Hopkinson illustrated by Nancy Carpenter*

 I loved the clever layout of this book-first course , second course etc.

Readers learn how Fannie Merritt Farmer realized the importance of writing exact instructions for cooking and baking while she was a mother's helper in Mr. and Mrs. Charles Shaw's home.  While she was employed there, she taught young Marcia Shaw cooking and baking techniques.  The story is told from Marcia's point of view.

Interesting illustrations.

*Highly recommend.

-Borrowed from the library.

Beatrix Potter & the Unfortunate Tale of a Borrowed Guinea Pig by Deborah Hopkinson illustrated by Charlotte Voake*

 In a letter format, (apt since Beatrix Potter wrote numerous letters) Ms. Hopkinson shares about Beatrix and Bertram's menagerie and the mishaps that befell upon many of them.  Of course, Beatrix loved to draw those animals.  When she decides she wants to draw a guinea pig, she asks her neighbor to borrow her guinea pig named Queen Elizabeth,  promising that she will keep her safe.  The guinea pig dies.  To console her neighbor, she gives her the drawing of her!

Deborah Hopkinson based this book on Beatrix Potter's letters and journals.  The death of the neighbor's guinea pig actually occurred.  Beatrix, however, was twenty-six years old when the misfortune happened.  

*Highly recommend.

-Borrowed from the library.

Warning/point to discuss: The guinea pig and other pets die.

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn-DVD*

 After we listened to the audio version of Huckleberry Finn, we watched the DVD of it starring Elijah Wood.  Although the book had a lot more detail and events, we still enjoyed the movie.  It was interesting to notice which parts they did not include and think/dicuss why they choose to do so.

Rated: PG (some swearing, Pap is drunk, violence)

*Highly recommend.

-We own this DVD.

The Light at Tern Rock by Julia L. Sauer illustrated by Georges Schreiber

*Award winner-Newbery Honor 1952 

Bryon Flagg, the lighthouse keeper on Tern Rock, asks Ronnie and his aunt Martha Morse to take care of it while he is gone for two weeks.  When Mr. Flagg promises that he will return before Christmas, Ronnie and Martha agree to help him.  Martha, who lived fourteen years at Tern Rock, quickly acclimates to the lonesome world and makes it enjoyable for Ronnie.  After two weeks, however, Mr. Flagg does not return.  Soon it is Christmas Eve, and Ronnie and Aunt Martha are still stranded at the lighthouse.  Why would Mr. Flagg break his promise?  How can they enjoy Christmas away from everyone and their traditions?

I read this book aloud to my eleven-year old in one evening!  He thought it was "okay".  I probably enjoyed it more than him.  The writing and description are excellent.  Although the plot was not robust (which is probably what made him not love it), I have been thinking about Ronnie, Aunt Martha, and their situation and how they handled it more than other books I have read lately.

Topics to discuss: disappointment, forgiveness, keeping one's word, lying/deceiving, selfishness

-Borrowed from the library.

Dear America Like the Willow Tree by Lois Lowry*

    The Diary of Lydia Amelia Pierce- Portland, Maine, 1918

After her parents and her baby sister die from the influenza, her uncle takes her and her brother to live at the Shaker community at Sabbathday Lake, Maine.  At first she finds their way of living strange, but gradually she adjusts.  Her brother, Daniel, however, struggles and eventually escapes from the community.  Lydia shares her thoughts in a diary format.

Ms. Lowry brings this time period and the Shaker community to life through Lydia's credible, engaging voice.

Photographs of the effects of the influenza and Chosen Land (Shaker Community at Sabbathday Lake) are included in the back.

*Highly recommend.

-Borrowed from the library.

An Enola Holmes Mystery The Case of the Missing Marquess by Nancy Springer

 I love the BBC television series Sherlock. When I spied a new movie about Sherlock's little sister Enola, I immediately added it to our list.  Then I discovered that the movie was based on a middle grade series.  

When Enola Holmes's mother disappears on the morning of her fourteenth birthday, she feels abandoned but also compelled to search for her.  Through ciphers, her mother gives her clues and lots of cash!  Unfortunately, Enola's brothers, Mycroft and Sherlock, view her as incompetent and unintelligent because she is female.  Mycroft decides she needs to attend a finishing school.  To escape this awful fate, she schemes and flees in the middle of the night.  With clever disguises and intellect, she eludes her brothers, the Scotland Yard and criminals.  Along the way she encounters a young Marquess from Basilwether who is presumed kidnapped.  She finds him, but not her mother.  Her search for her mother continues in other books in the series.

I think I like the movie better than the book.  The actress, Millie Bobby Brown, who portrays Enola, is a fabulous actress.  

Warning: Prostitutes and "ladies of the night" are mentioned and sprinkled throughout.  I realize that they were part of the setting and culture in London, but not necessary to include in a middle grade novel.

-Borrowed from the library.

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain**

 My sons and I listened to this audio version of this timeless book produced by Blackstone Audiobooks .  Tom Parker read the unabridged audiobook.  He depicted the characters well through his various tones/inflections and voices.  His talent certainly made listening a pleasure.

Having read this book in college, I thoroughly enjoyed listening to it again with my sons and hearing/seeing their reactions.  We reveled in the humor, the adventures and the characters.

Huckleberry Finn runs away from the widow because he doesn't want to be civilized.  He also knows his alcoholic Pap will return once he hears Huck is a wealthy boy (read Tom Sawyer how that happens).  He escapes down the Mississippi River.  Shortly after his escape he encounters Jim, Miss Watson's slave, who has escaped.  Jim and Huck join forces to survive and stumble upon many interesting characters on the journey.

Mr. Clemens is an amazing writer.  His incorporation of diagloge reveals how effective it is when done well.  

**Highly, highly recommend.

Warnings/points to discuss: slavery and the treatment of African-Americans, use of the word "nigger", lying, charlatans, the characters' views of God, Pap is an alcoholic and abuse., violence (Huck fakes his own murder; family feud)

The Unexpected Mrs. Pollifax by Dorothy Gilman*

Originally published in 1966 

Mrs. Pollifax, a retired widow with grown children, is bored with her life.  She decides to follow up with a dream she had when she was a young adult-to be a spy.  When she enters the CIA building, she does not realize she will be sent on a case immediately.  To her delight she is sent to Mexico for a few weeks and only has to pick up book at a book store.  The pick up is thwarted.  Mrs. Pollifax is brutally treated and eventually flown to Communist Albania with another captive who is badly injured.  Just by being her regular self, Mrs. Pollifax manages to subdue and trick even the steeliest "bad guy".  

So refreshing to read a book that advocates democracy and reveals the pitfalls of communism/socialism.  

I am so glad to have discovered this series!  The plot is well-structured and fast-paced, the characters are well-developed (I love Mrs. Pollifax), and the writing is superb.  

*Highly recommend.

-Borrowed from the library.

Warning: some swearing

America's White Table by Margot Theis Raven illustrated by Mike Benny

 A ten-year-old girl shares the significance of the white table that dining halls of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps and Air Force set up on Veterans Day.  As she and her sisters wait her Uncle John, a Vietnam Veteran, to come visit, her mother explains the sacrifice he made for the country and for her.  

This Veterans Day I had set up a white table and had discussed the meaning behind each of the items displayed on the table.  

Small table-one soldier's lonely battle, white cloth-soldier's pure heart as answers call to duty, lemon slice-soldier's bitter fate, grains of salt-tears of family members waiting for their return, empty chair-missing soldiers not here, black napkin-sorrow of captivity, turned over glass-meal that won't be eaten, white candle-peace, red rose in vase with red ribbon-hope that missing soldiers return someday.

-Borrowed from the library.

Looking Back by Lois Lowry *

A Book of Memories 

Many readers have asked Ms. Lowry where she gets her ideas.  This book is her response.  

I really like how the book is organized.  Each section begins with a few sentences from one of her books.  The chapters within the section reveal parts of her life and how her life directly influenced a specific idea or just a phrase.  The book is loosely organized chronologically.  

When I was in sixth grade, one of my favorite series was Anastasia Krupnik. As I read this book, I was delighted to discover how many of Anastasia's quirks, ideas and statements were based on Lois Lowry's life. 

*Highly recommend (I basically read this book in two sittings.  Very easy to read yet a literary delight!)

-Borrowed from the library.

-The library has it categorized as "young adult". 

Imogene Comes Back! by David Small*

When Imogene wakes up each morning, she wonders what creature she will be.  In the sequel to Imogene's Antlers, Imogene continues to amuse (or horrify) her family members with her odd animal features.  Once again the ending is amusing and surprising!

*Highly recommend.

-Borrowed from the library.

Mailing May by Michael O. Tunnell illustrated by Ted Rand*

 May desparately wants to visit her grandmother, but her parents do not have the money to buy a train ticket.  Then her parents devise a clever plan. . .they will mail her as a domestic parcel!  She is weighed, is classified as a baby chick, and is stamped (fifty-three cents!).  A family member who works on the postal car watches over her and delivers her to her grandmother!

Excellent word choice.  Illustrations will take the reader to 1914 and give her view into what homes, stores, trains and mail cars looked like in that time period.  

Author's Note is interesting about the back matter.

Strategy: inferring

*Highly recommend.

-Borrowed from the library.

Ten Ways to Hear Snow by Cathy Camper illustrated by Kenard Pak

 When Lina wakes up, she discovers that her town is covered with snow after the night's blizzard.  Not even a blizzard will thwart Lina from "grape leaf day" when she and her grandmother make warak enab together.  As she trudges through the snow, she realizes she is hearing unique sounds in the blanketed world.  She keeps count of the different sounds and then shares them with her grandmother as they make warak enab.  

A sweet story that celebrates ethnicity, grandmothers and snow.

*figurative language 

-Borrowed from the library.

In Flanders Fields by Linda Granfield illustrated by Janet Wilson*

 The Story of the Poem by John McCrae

After reading and discussing In Flanders Field by John McCrae, my boys and I read through this picture book where we discovered more about John McCrae and also warfare during WW I.  

*Highly recommend.

-Borrowed from the library.

The Story of a Bad Boy by Thomas Bailey Aldrich*

 A close friend suggested this book to me.  It is semi-autographical.

Tom spends a few years living with his grandfather in a New England town Rivermouth in the mid-1800s.  Each chapter he shares his escapades.  The writing was delightful and entertaining.  

Apparently this book was the first one to have a protagonist as a being a bit "naughty" departing from traditional literature inwhich the main character is good and one to emulate.  Samuel Clemens was acquainted with Mr. Aldrich and was influenced by this book to create Tom Sawyer!  

*Highly recommend.

-Borrowed from a friend.

 

Before She Was Harriet by Lesa Cline-Ransome illustrated by James E. Ransome*

 The narrative begins with Harriet Tubman as an elderly woman.  It then reviews her life via her various names.  At the end the reader rejoins Harriet when she is elderly sitting on a train enjoying her freedom. 

Bold, beautiful illustrations.

A good overview of Harriet's life and the impact she made.

*Highly recommend.

-Borrowed from the library.  

 

Imogene's Antlers by David Small*

 When Imogene awakens on Thursday, she discovers that she has grown antlers.  The rest of the story details how she handles various situations and how people respond to her condition.  The ending is a surprise and is funny!

Simple text,  delightful illustrations.

Idea-Use book as a writing prompt-the child can select something he has grown overnight and then can write how the addition brings difficulty and humor to his day.

*Highly recommend.

-Borrowed from the library.

The Fabled Stables #1- Willa the Wisp by Jonathan Auxier illustrated by Olga Demidova*

 As Mr. Auxier read aloud to his three daughters each night, he noticed that there was deficiency in books that appealed to a wide-range of ages -short enough to read in one sitting, but long enough to satisfy more mature listeners.  So he decided to be the solution!

Auggie lives on an island on top of the world.  His job is to care for the unusual creatures in the Fabled Stables.  One day the stables prepare a stall for a new arrival.  First, Auggie must find and bring her to safety for nefarious people are pursuing her.  

Humor, excitement and advenutre will draw readers into the story.

*Highly recommend (especially for transitional readers or reluctant readers).

---Part of a forthcoming series-#2 Trouble with Tattle-Tails will be published May 18, 2021.  

-Borrowed from the library.

The Money Tree by Sarah Stewart illustrated by David Small

 Husband-wife team!

I own and love two of this team's books- The Gardener and The Library.

This book was Ms. Stewart's first book.  To be honest, I was not overly impressed with the story.  Children may miss the author's message and will need to utilize inferencing skills.  The vagueness will stimulate discussion, though!

One winter Miss McGillicuddy notices a strange shape growing in her yard.  Over the next few months it grows into tree.  The tree is extraordinary.  Its leaves are actually paper money.  Greedy people flood her yard and stuff  their sacks.  Growing tired of  humanity's relentless greed, Miss McGillicuddy and the neighbor boys cut it down.  

I absolutely loved the illustrations.  I would buy the book just for the illustrations.  Mr. Small adds exquiste details that are pure fun and ones that also extend the story.  I would love to live in Miss McGillicuddy's home and on her property!

Strategies: asking questions, inferring

The Tale of the Tiger Slippers by Jan Brett

 Ms. Brett retells a Persian tale about slippers.  She chooses to uses the Bengal tiger as the main character.  

The father of this story shares why he honors a pair of raggedy slippers his mother made him when he was a cub.

Once again Ms. Brett's illustrations and borders are stunning. 

-Borrowed from the library.

Bread books

 Two books about bread-

1. Hooray for Bread by Allan Ahlberg illustrated by Bruce Ingman

Readers witness the "life" of a loaf of bread and the many lives it feeds throughout one day.  Rhyming text

-Borrowed from the library.

2. Bread, Bread, Bread by Ann Morris photographs by Ken Heyman*

I loved this book!  Very simple text, but the photographs are expressive.   Everyone in the world enjoys some form of bread!   I read this aloud to my preschoolers at church.  The index reveals where the people in the photographs are from in the world and a sentence about that type of bread.

*Highly recommend.

-Borrowed from the library.

Hudson Taylor-An Adventure Begins by Catherine Mackenzie

 Trail Blazers series
The life of Hudson Taylor is shared, beginning when he was a young boy through his later years with his second wife.  His heart for the Chinese and his desire to share Christ and His salvation was inspiring.

Most of the story is told through letters Hudson exchanged with his mother and one sister. This format irritated me.  I felt distant from Hudson Taylor.  The story was more from the perspective of his mother and his sister.  It would have been more effective if it was told from Hudson Taylor's point of view. 

-Borrowed from my church's library.

100 Extraordinary Stories for Courageous Girls by Jean Fischer

 Unforgettable Tales of Women of Faith

One page stories about women from the Bible to Saints to more modern-day women.  A Bible verse at the bottom reflects the theme of the biography.  A question at the end offers the opportunity for the reader to reflect and apply the truth to her life.  

Some women featured-Bessie Adams, Clara Barton, Fanny Crosby, Ruth Bell Graham, Rosa Parks, Susanna Wesley

-Borrowed from the library.

The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse by Charlie Mackesy

 A boy encounters a mole, a fox and a horse.  They ramble together, asking each other thought-provoking questions and develop an enduring friendship.  The answers and sentences are oh-so simple yet so profound.  Each page could be framed and displayed to offer encouragement to live more kindly and courageously.  

Some of the maxims did not sit well with me because of their focus on self. 

-Borrowed from the library.

The Old Fasnacht by Barbara Mitchell illustrated by Patricia Kiedrowski

 Jacob, a PA Dutch boy, takes his time as he completes any tasks.  The rest of his family represent the typical Dutch culture-"A Dutchman who is not on time is no Dutchman at all". Unfortunately, Jacob has made his father late too many times and is banished from his walks with Grossdawdi (grandfather).  On Fasnacht Day, Jacob is the last one down to the kitchen and as tradition "requires", he is the Old Fasnacht for the day and must do all of the chores.  Thankfully, his Grossdawdi is perceptive and is able celebrate Jacob's unique personality and gifts. 

The relationship between the grandfather and Jacob is sweet and reinforces the necessity for grandparents!

The author includes PA Dutch words and also places words in the sentences like the Dutch (like adverbs at the end of sentences.

Author's Note in the beginning gives background on Fasnacht Day, hex signs and the different kinds of PA Dutch.  

"An early reader" book.

-Borrowed from the library.

Cozy by Jan Brett

 Cozy, an Alaskan musk ox, is separated from his family during a storm.  Various creatures arrive to huddle under his comforting fur.  Can the different animals (which are sometimes enemies) be kind to each other in the close quarters all winter?

This book reminded me of Ms. Brett's The Mitten book.  To teach the concept of compare/contrast, compare this book to The Mitten.  

Once again her borders extend the story and also allow for the reader to predict the events on the next page. I especially liked the end pages which I think were depicting various types of lichen. 

Strategies: compare/contrast-venn diagram, predicting

-Borrowed from the library.

Digging for Words by Angela Burke Kunkel illustrated by Paola Escobar

 Jose Alberto Gutierrez and the Library He Built

As Jose picks up trash in the wealthy neighborhoods in Columbia, he saves discarded books.  With those discarded books, he builds a library in his home for his neighborhood.  The author includes a parallel story about a boy also named Jose who anticipates Saturdays so he may select a book from Jose Gutierrez's library.

Sweet and inspiring!  The author's note includes photos of Jose and his library and more information about his "accomplishment".  

-Borrowed from the library.

Animals Brag About Their Bottoms by Maki Saito

 Various animals extol the positive attributes of their bottoms! 

Interesting and creative . . . I don't know if kids need encouragement to focus on butts, though! 😉

-Borrowed from the library.

Girl Running by Annette Bay Pimentel illustrated by Micha Archer

 Bobbi loves to run.  When she arrives home from school, she sheds her dress, dons pants and sneakers and runs!  The Boston Marathon runs through a nearby town.  As she watches the runners, she decides to train for it.  One problem.  Females are not permitted to run it because at the time people believed women were not "physiologically" able to do so!  Bobbi knows this is incorrect and sets out to prove this theory wrong.

The collages and art in the illustrations is impressive. 

-Borrowed from the library.

Hostage Lands by Douglas Bond*

 When Neil Perkins discovers a spearhead and writing tablets on his property, he develops a deeper appreciation for his family's land.  With the help of his Latin teacher, he translates the tablets. He enters the world of Rusticus, a Roman centurion and Calum, a Celt who loves Christus.  The story takes place near Hadrian's Wall during the third century.

An exciting book to read while studying this time in history.

*Highly recommend for supplemental history reading and for those who love adventure and history.

-Borrowed from a friend.

A History of US -Reconstruction and Reform by Joy Hakim*

 Sarah Mackenzie from Read Aloud Revival mentioned that she had used this curriculum for her high school children's history.  

A total of ten textbooks cover all of US history, from the First Americans to All the People.  The writing will engage the reader.  The content is interesting and includes information that "typical" textbooks may not have.

Since we already have a history curriculum, I selected different tidbits to supplement our learning.  

*Highly recommend.

-Borrowed from the library.

Here Comes the Boom DVD*

 Starring Kevin James, Henry Winkler

Rated: PG 

Burnout teacher Scott Voss spontateoulsy vows in front of his principal and colleagues to save the school's music program.  Realizing that teaching a night class to individuals who are studying for their citizenship test is not going earn the money quickly enough, Scott decides to fight in mixed martial arts matches.  Even if he loses,  he earns a lot of money!

Funny, unique characters and a great plot!  All the problems work out perfectly -"a feel good movie".  

It was an uplifting, fun movie to watch as a family.  Wish they produced more movies like this one.

*Highly recommend (for ages 10 and older)

Warnings: One swear word, violence-bloody, intense fight scenes 

-Borrowed from a friend.

Down Cut Shin Creek -The Pack Horse Librarians of Kentucy by Kathi Appelt & Jeanne Cannella Schmitzer*

 After reading The Giver of the Stars by Jojo Moyes, I was intrigued about the pack horse librarians  in Kentucy.  I am so glad that Ms. Appelt & Ms. Schmitzer were fascinated by them too and wrote this book!!

I read this book in one sitting.  Although it is categorized as a "juvenile nonfiction" book, adults can learn a lot of information about the pack horse librarians in a short amount of time . . .. and retain the information!  Photographs enhance and support the text.  

My admiration for Jojo Moyes's research and ability to weave in fact with a novel deepened as I read this book.  Most of what I read in this nonfiction book was integrated adroitly into her novel.  

*Highly recommend.  

-Borrowed from the library.