The Incredible yet True Adventures of Alexander von Humboldt by Volker Mehnert illustrated by Claudia Lieb

 This illustrated, over-sized biography reveals Alexander von Humboldt's life-long curiosity and love for nature and science. Because of an inheritance, he was able to travel the world, mostly in South America. His energy and enthusiasm are contagious and admriable. 

I love the endpages. Beautiful two-page illustration spreads   I like the art as much as the words!

Considerations: evolution/old earth view; Aime, his traveling companion, likes wine and women; throughout the book the author inserted information about white oppressors

-Borrowed from the library. 

End of the Spear DVD*

Based on the book End of the Spear 

Rated: PG-13 (violence-spearing-graphic, a Waodani woman looks down young Steve Saint's shorts to confirm he is a boy, see a preteen girl's developing breast-split second, Waodani men wear g-strings)

Viewers will witness the violent, hateful worldview the Waodani tribe in Ecuador and how it affects their reactions to the five missionary men who try to reach them for Christ. The narrator, Steve Saint, Nate Saint's son, shares how it impacted him and also how the tribe (especially his father's killer) is transformed.

The book focuses mostly on Steve and his return to the tribe as an adult to help them in the technology advancing world. The movie spends a few minutes on this aspect of the book. How Steve discovers that Mincaye had killed his father and his reaction to this knowledge is not accurate and dramatized. 

*Highly recommend (It is worth watching, but reading the book provides a much richer experience.)

-Borrowed from the library.

End of the Spear by Steve Saint**

 I read aloud this book to my son over our lunch for the past few months. We laughed numerous times. I cried one time. Mr. Saint is an excellent story teller and writer. His story was a delight to read aloud.

He explains the backstory of his dad, Nate, and fellow missionary men being speared to death by the Waodani and the aftermath. He then takes the reader to the time when he and his family lived again with the Waodani and the impact the time had on him and the Waodani. 

A movie was created based on this book. We will be watching it soon.

**Highly, highly recommend.

I own this book.

Through Gates of Splendor by Elisabeth Elliot*

 Mrs. Elliot utilizes journal entries and letters to relay the story of the five gentlemen who surrendered their "all" to minister to the Acuans in Ecuador. In the first section she informs the readers of their back stories and how they concluded that God wanted them to minister in Ecuador.  A lot of photographs enhance the biography. I wanted to know more how the women reacted and endured the murder of their husbands. Mrs. Elliot does share how they handled it (which was incredible-what faith and love for God they have/had!), but I wanted more details! 😉

An easy and quick read

*Highly recommend.

-Borrowed from my church library.

Little People, Big Dreams Leo Messi by Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara illustrated by Florencia Gavilan

 An accessible biography about Messi

The author focuses on his medical issue, not producing the growth hormone, and how he persevered and experienced great success despite this challenge.

Very simplistic but a great introduction for younger readers/kids.

-Borrowed from the library.

9 Kilometers by Claudio Aguilera illustrated by Gabriela Lyon translated by Lawrence Schimel*

 Readers travel with a Chilean boy as walks nine kilometers to school. First person narration creates an intimacy with the reader as the boy shares his thoughts while he walks. Readers will be astounded about how early he arises to go to school and the variety of terrain he traverses. After the story the author includes extra information about how far other children travel to school in different countries and also includes about details about the birds featured throughout the book.  

I liked the design and layout of the book. This book would be a great "first day of school" read aloud.

*Highly recommend.

-Borrowed from the library.

Ada's Violin by Susan Hood illustrated by Sally Wern Comport*

 The wide-world is an amazing place! Ms. Hood relates how Ada Rios learns to play a violin made out of trash! In the town of Cateura, its residents have a backyard full of Paraguay's capital city, Asuncion's trash. When Favio Chavez travels there as an environmental engineer, he notices the children who do not have productive activities. Mr. Chavez, also a musician, decides to provide music lessons for the children. But first, where could one find instruments, which would cost more than their homes? He comes up with a feasible solution. Make them from the abundant trash. An orchestra was born!

*Highly recommend.

-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.

Llama and the Great Flood by Ellen Alexander

A Folktale from Peru
Llama cannot eat.  In a dream he saw the sea overflow and flood the entire earth.  He is able to warn his master and other animals so they can seek refuge on top of Willka Qutu.
Idea: Compare/contrast with Noah's Ark.
-Borrowed from the library.

The Amazing Potato Book by Paulette Bourgeois illustrated by Linda Hendry

Tons of activities and interesting facts about the humble potato!
We utilized this book when learning about the Incas.
-Borrowed from the library.

Lost City The Discovery of Machu Picchu by Ted Lewin*

Beautiful paintings bring this story alive.
Mr. Lewin carefully researched Hiram Bingham's journey  and adventure as he tried to discover a lost Inca city.  Mr. Lewin even visited the locations Mr. Bingham traveled.
Told in story format, young readers and listeners will be spellbound and feel like they are crossing the jungle and mountains with Hiram Bingham.
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.

DK Find Out! Maya, Incas, and Aztecs by Brian Williams Historical consultant-Dr. Caroline Dodds Pennock*

If there was one book to purchase or borrow when studying these three empires, I would recommend this one!
Organized by topic, the pages/sections compare the empires if the topic pertains to any of them.
Tons of information shared in a appealing manner.
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.

Maya, Aztecs and Incas by Oldrich Ruzicka illustrated by Pavla Kleinova

First of all, this book's design is so fun! Its pages are shaped in a pyramid and layer by layer one can read it.
Lots of information about each empire.
This book intrigued my twelve year old.
Pair with DKFind Out!-Maya, Incas and Aztecs by Brian Williams
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.

The Coming of the Sun Retold by Ellen M. Dolan

An Inca Indian Legend
Since we are learning about the three great Empires in Central/South American before the Spanish arrived, I read this Inca legend to my boys.
The Sun, who was lord of the world, sent his two favorite children, Manco and Oella, to earth to teach people how to live.  He entrusted them with a sun stone which would sink into the ground, indicating where the children should settle.  The two children roam the earth until they discover the place where their father wants them to rule.
-Borrowed from the library.

Maria Had a Little Llama by Angela Dominguez

A creative fractured nursery rhyme for Mary Had a Little Lamb.
The rhyme is written in English and Spanish.
Cute!
-Borrowed from the library.

The Girl Who Drew Butterflies by Joyce Sidman**

As soon as I saw the beautiful end pages, I was excited to read this biography about Maria Merian.
She pursued the study of insects in the 1600's when erroneous conclusions had been made about them and also when women were discouraged from participating in any activities other than housekeeping and raising a family.
Her talent in art and making paints enabled her to draw her observations and earn a living.
Her careful observations and drawings still assist scientists today!

The book proclaims how much research and time Ms. Sidman placed in creating this book.  She inserts pages about the time period so the reader can understand the mindset and the culture at that time.  She also includes a photograph of a caterpillar slowly transforming into a butterfly at the heading of each chapter.  Its stage directly correlates to the stage Maria is experiencing in life.  Very clever!
Beautiful art is included by Maria and other painters at that time.
Points to discuss: divorce (Maria leaves her husband), slavery in Suriname, witch hangings; suicide and abortion (the slaves would try to end their lives to escape their horrible situations and also try to end their children's lives so they would not have to born into slavery).
Pair with Summer Birds: The Butterflies of Maria Merian by Margarita Engle (a picture book)

**Highly, highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.