A Lady's Guide to Marvels and Misadventure by Angela Bell*

 Clara loves her eccentric family.  However, when her former fiancee threatens to utilize their pecularities and past for his gain, Clara immerses her days in trying to keep them out of the public eye. They do not need another family member instutizalized! Life becomes more complicated when a stranger arrives at her grandfather's clock shop looking for work. Can he be trusted? Clara is forced to form a relationship with him when her grandfather flies off into the London skies on his flying owl machine. He leaves clues for her  to engage in a scavenger hunt all over Europe. A villian pursues them. Can Clara save her family's reputation?

A whimisical, fun, adventurous book   A book that celebrates family, redeemption, and a trust in God  I loved it! 

*Highly recommend. I would feel comfortable recommending this book to a teen girl.

-Borrowed from the library.

Mockingbird by Allan Ahlberg illustrated by Paul Howard*

 Mr. Ahlberg (author of the The Jolly Postman series) rewrites the American folksong to depict a story about a baby's birthday. The detailed, engaging illustrations really make this book wonderful. They actually more add a lot more to the storyline than the words! I loved looking at the Victorian era depictions from houses to clothing to toys. The character's facial expressions are priceless.

*Highly recommend.

-Borrowed from the library

The Scandalous Sisterhood of Prickwillow Place by Julie Berry*

 Seven girls live at Prickwillow Place with Mrs. Plackett as their headmistress.  When she and her brother die during their weekly Sunday dinner, the girls decide to cover up their deaths and live life without adult supervision.  Their plans quickly disintegrate  . . . trying to bury the siblings in the backyard without being seen, the killer is still on the lose, and it seems like an influx of people are suddenly interested in Prickwillow Place.  

Lots of humor and quirky characters.  The plot is well-developed and is suspenseful.  This book amused and entertained me immensely!  I, however, would not recommend it for elementary age students.  It is labeled "young adult". 

Heads up-death, morbid, one girl is a flirt and likes the attention of men

*Highly recommend for teens and older.

-Borrowed from the library.

The Victorian Home by Bobbie Kalman illustrated by Barbara Bedell

 Historic Communities

Since we are studying history during the Victorian era, I shared this book with my boys to give them an understanding of the Victorian style.  Not only do readers learn about typical Victorian homes, they gain of understanding of the roles of men, women and children during this time.

Lots of illustrations and photographs.

-Borrowed from the library.