The Best Christmas Pageant Ever-DVD**

 My sister-in-law recommended this movie to me (the 2024 one).

When my boys were younger, I would read aloud this short book to them at Christmas. This movie production adheres to the story and even enhances and illuminates the theme. 

The acting, the music, and scenery is superb.

I loved how the producers share what each Herdman is "currently doing" during the credits. Very creative! Lauren Graham, from Gilmore Girls, is the adult Beth narrating as she remembers this specific pageant.

Considerations: If you have read the story, you know that the Herdmans are awful-fight, cuss, smoke cigars. No swear words are uttered. Taking God's name in vain is audible. 

**Highly, highly recommend. It caused me to focus on Christ and how He came for us all-while we were yet sinners. 

-Borrowed from the library.

Saucy by Cynthia Kadohata illustrated by Marianna Raskin

 Ms. Raskin's illustrations throughout the book are adorable!  She draws pigs well!!

Becca, one of quadruplets, feels like she is the only one in her family who isn't good at something.  When she discovers a piglet in the bushes while on a walk with her family, she realizes that raising a pig could be "her thing".  She names HER pig Saucy and dedicates every part of herself to Saucy's care.  Unfortunately, Saucy destroys many items, expensive items, in their house and . . . she will eventually be six-hundred-pounds.  A local pig sanctuary may be the answer . . .

Their grandmother lives with them and is quite grouchy.  She adds an intersesting dimension to the story. Becca's one brother, Bailey, has cerebral palsey.  Ms. Kadohata integrates his reality so well.  She isn't preachy or didactic about having a special needs child.  

I did not like the conclusions she may leave readers with about farms.  True, her focus is on factory-farms, but my concern is that since most people are not familiar with farms, they may jump to the conclusion that all large farms are run this way.  Most farmers' spend more money and time on their animals' needs, food and housing than their own!  In the notes the author expresses her gratitude an online group of pig owners and PETA.  I wonder, however, if she visited a farm and talked with farmers.  

Points to consider/discuss: In the first chapter Becca is trying to teach herself to meditate.  Meditation was going to be "her thing".  Her one brother, K.C., believes that they are living in a simulation run by aliens.  He questions the meaning of life and whether humans have a free will.  Becca's best friend's  mom is arrested (we never find out why . . .just that she spent five months in jail).  Becca buckles under peer pressue and treats Mackenzie (her best friend) meanly.  Throughout the book Becca is processing her character and how "bad" of a person she is because of how she treated Mackenzie.  At the end it seems like Mackenzie and Jammer, one of Becca's brothers, are beginning a romance (as much as eleven-year-olds can!).   Farms vs factory-run farms.

-Borrowed from the library.

Three Terrible Trins by Dick King-Smith illustrated by Mark Teague

When Mrs. Gray loses a third husband in one year, she vows to train her three bucks how to outsmart the cat for revenge.  Two cats reside inside Orchard Farm; four roam the grounds outside.  The trins, Thomas, Richard and Henry, soon earn a reputation of being brave.  The three befriend a Cellarmouse, named Kevin, which is stirs up the gossips since the Trins are "Atticmice"-upper class.  Kevin and the trins soon transform Orchard Farm into a pleasant place for every creature (expect the cats!).

-Humorous!

Mentor text-opening line

-Borrowed from the library.

Warnings/points to discuss: Mr. Budge, the farmer of Orchard Farm, indulges in hard cider at least three times a day.  He is basically a mean alcoholic.  The Cellarmice love sloppy Mr. Budge who regularly slops drops of cider on the floor.  The Cellarmice are known as "drunks". Mr. Budge also has a glass eye which he removes at each meal.  Sensitive readers may be freaked out by that!   Mrs. Gray and Kevin cause quite a commotion when he boards with Mrs. Gray.  

Time Sight by Lynne Jonell illustrations by Vivien Mildenberger

I wished I had known about this book when we were studying Medieval History this year!

Will's mother, a doctor, joins a medical team to help children in a war-ridden country for a few weeks.  He is resentful of her decision to leave him and his brother Jamie.  Soon his father is sending Jamie and him off to Scotland to stay with relatives.  Their mother has been kidnapped.  His father travels to the country to negotiate with the government. 
In Scotland, with their cousin Nan, the children discover they can travel back in time through Jamie's Magic Eye book.  They meet relatives and realize the importance of history. 
Very exciting! This book makes history come alive. 
The author includes very interesting facts that were woven into the story.  She researched extensively and visited the setting.  The characters and castle are based on her family. 

In my opinion, the adults were a bit naive about the kids disappearing and then reappearing wearing period style clothing. 
-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.

The Wise Fool by Shahrukh Husain and Micha Archer

Fables from the Islamic World
My nine year old son read these stories during reading to support our study of Islam.
Mulla Nasruddin, a teacher (what mulla means), reveals life lessons through his clever reactions and actions.
 Many humorous stories that require thinking to fully appreciate the cleverness. 
-Borrowed from the library.

Happy Endings by Robin Pulver illustrated by Lynne Rowe Reed*

A Story About Suffixes
My eight year old and I enjoyed this book together as we revisited Mr. Wright and his students to review suffixes.
It is at the end of the school year and the students are finished learning.  Mr. Wright, however, wants to fit in one more lesson about suffixes.
All the suffixes in the book are highlighted.  This book that will appeal to visual learners.
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.

Show; Don't Tell! Secrets of Writing by Josephine Nobisso illustrated by Eva Montanari

Through the dialogue interactions of various animal characters, the author shares the importance of using exact words and revealing the ideas in one's imagination. 
I read this aloud to my boys so we could discuss further how vital it is to show and not just tell when they write.  I, however, found the book too wordy.
-Borrowed from the library.

Feet and Puppies, Thieves and Guppies: What Are Irregular Plurals? by Brian P. Cleary illustrated by Brian Gable*

Rhyming and humor introduce the different irregular plurals.
My eight year old and I read through this to discuss irregular plurals.
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.

History Hunters Ancient Rome by Nancy Dickmann*

Dig Up the Secrets of the Dead
Thirteen chapters reveal the history and culture of ancient Rome.  Each chapter is only two pages long with lots of photographs/diagrams/drawings. 
A text boxes provide more interesting facts.
My eleven year old read this to himself during reading to support our study of Ancient Rome.
Strategy: main idea/detail
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.

Ali Baba Fooling the Forty Thieves An Arabian Tale by Marie P. Croall illustrated by Clint Hilinski*

A graphic novel
My eight year old and I read this aloud together (he read the male parts; I read the narrator and female parts).
Although we are studying Persia in the 500s BC and this story was written in the 1500 AD, it was fun to read a story that takes place in Persia.
Very exciting!
Warning: murder (2 times) No blood is shown.  Stealing (I discussed with my son how Ali Baba was actually stealing too.)
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.

The Guardians of Ga'Hoole The Shattering #5 by Kathryn Lasky*

My ten year old is reading this series to himself and enjoying it.
Soren realizes his sister, Eglantine, has been influenced by the evil that abounds and sets out to rescue her.  An intense battle occurs.
Full of excitement and adventure!
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.

Words by Christoph Niemann

A very interesting little, thick book!
Each page has a simple word on the bottom with an illustration depicting it.  Some of the words on the pages side by side go together to make a phrase; others are opposites. Some pairings display how the same spelling of a word can be a different part of speech (like lean (adj) vs. lean (verb)).  I especially liked the illustrations for woebegone and effervescent.
 Most of the words are simple but a few will expand older readers vocabulary-collywobbles, scintilla and Brobdingnagian.  Their meanings can be inferred via the pictures.

Manjiro by Emily Arnold McCully*

The Boy Who Risked His Life for Two Countries
My ten year old read a chapter book biography about Manjiro this past year so it was interesting for him to compare this picture book to what he knew and had read.
Manjiro and fellow fishermen are stranded on an island after a terrible storm off of Japan.  An American whaler ship rescues them.  The Captain Whitfield sort of adopts Manjiro, teaches him English, how to read and provides a home and schooling for him in America.  Eventually Manjiro saves enough money to return to his mother and Japan.  But will Japan execute him?  Since the 1600's the law stated anyone who left the country and who returned would be put to death.
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.

Ancient Civilizations for Children- Ancient Egypt DVD

A twenty three minute DVD about ancient Egypt with kid-friendly presentations.
We learned a lot from this brief video.  A great addition to Egypt unit.
-Borrowed from the library.

Extreme Animals Fantastic Fish by Isabel Thomas*

My ten year old read this book to himself.  As he was reading, he was sharing astounding facts.
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.

Milo Speck Accidental Agent by Linda Urban

Milo is dutifully matching socks for Grandmother when he sees a gigantic yellow sock in his laundry basket.  All of his dad's socks are polka dotted (required by Tuckerman Fencing where he works).  So he reaches into the dryer to find the missing sock but it is not within reach.  So petite Milo crawls in the dryer to search thoroughly.  Only he tumbles into Ogregon, a land of Ogres.  As he runs for life (Ogres love boy!), he discovers a dastardly plan that threatens the children population his world, befriends his father's boss, communicates with turkeys, and ascertains that his father's job was not exactly what he was led to believe.
A very exciting book.
-Borrowed from the library.
Warnings/points to discuss: A lot of "shut ups".  The reader can infer that an Ogre couple may be "enjoying" each other in the female's office.  One phrase that indicates the character said a swear word but the word is not printed.

Run with Me, Nike! by Cassandra Case illustrated by Dan Brown

The Olympics in 420 B.C.
Tomas and his classmates are visiting the National Museum of Natural History at the Smithsonian Institute.  When Tomas peers closely at a pottery scene he is transported back in time to Greece where he trains for the Olympiad.
Nike is the goddess of Victory.
-Borrowed from the library.
A great book to utilize when studying Greek culture, ancient history and Olympic history.

Amelia's Road by Linda Jacobs Altman illustrated by Enrique O. Sanchez

Amelia despises when her father takes out the map.  It means that she and her family are moving . . .again.  Amelia longs for a permanent home where the teacher will remember her name and where she can form friendships.  Her family, however, are migrant farm workers and must live where the crops are ready to harvest.
Strategy: asking questions
*Borrowed from the library.
*Highly recommend.

Beasts of Olympus -Steeds of the Gods #3 by Lucy Coats illustrated by Brett Bean

Pandemonius, the son of Pan, cares for the animals at Mount Olympus' stable.  Then Poseidon asks him to care for his Hippocamps who are ill.  During his visit in the ocean, Pandemonius meets a new friend, Eunice who longs to care for the Hippocamps instead of brushing Amphitrite's hair.  Impressed with Pandemonius' care, Poseidon demands that he train his Hippocamps for a race versus Helios' horses.
Then Helios approaches Pandemonius for help too.  How can he please both gods at the same time?
Warning: The author refers to Pandemonius as "Demon" throughout the entire book.  It really bothered me as I read it.  He was not a demon working for Hades but just reading the name "Demon" left me unsettled.  Pandemonius also uses a special mixture to help the horses run faster- a bit of cheating?  Words like "stupid" and "brat" are utilized throughout the story.
*Borrowed from a teacher.
This is the 3rd book in the series.
Guided Reading Level: Q (beginning 4th grade)
Grade Level Equivalent: 5.5