Wild + Free Book Club by Ainsley Arment*

 If you want to host a book club with friends or just have a special celebration with your children, this book is all you need! I have already shared most of these books with my sons so I won't be able to utilize many ideas. Wish it had been published years ago! I will be incorporating ideas from this book after I read aloud Tom Sawyer to my sons in the near future.

Beautiful photographs and whimsical illustrations. A nice mix of classics and modern novel

Most of the discussion questions were basic/quiz-like. I like Sarah Mackenzie open-ended questions because they create opportunities for discussion and also require critical thinking.

Books it features: The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, Anne of Green Gables, Around the World in Eighty Days, Black Beauty, Charlotte's Web, The Crossover, Esperanza Rising, The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate, Farmer Boy, From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler, The Green Ember, Heidi, The Hobbit, Island of the Blue Dolphins, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, Little House in the Big Woods, A Little Princess, Little Women, Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH, My Side of the Mountain, Peter Pan, Pippi Longstocking, Robin Hood, Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry, The Secret Garden, The Swiss Family Robinson, Treasure Island, The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street

*Highly recommend.

-Borrowed from the library.

Henry David Thoreau text set

 My tenth-grader recently read Walden by Henry David Thoreau. Unfortunately, I found and read these books after he had started it. If my younger son reads Walden in high school, I may incorporate these books into his learning.

1. The Trouble with Henry-A Tale of Walden Pond by Deborah O'Neal & Angela Westengard illustrated by S.D. Schlinder -a fictitious tale about the Concord townsfolk who almost despise Henry and his unique ideas and how they try to construct a toothpick factory next to his beloved Walden pond.  --Borrowed from the library.

2. I Begin with Spring by Julie Dunlap illustrated by Megan Elizabeth Baratta-A beautiful book that explores the seasons via Thoreau's insights and recordings with his chronological life woven into the sublime observations.  In the author's additional information, she focuses on climate change. ---Borrowed from the library (best for grades 4th and older)

3. Henry David Thoreau for Kids   His Life and Ideas With 21 Activities by Corinne Hosfeld Smith -a perfect book to immerse kids into Thoreau's world and philosophy.  -Borrowed from the library.

Interactive 3-D Maps: American History by Donald M. Silver and Patricia J. Wynne

Interesting map creations that cover a wide span of American History-1st Americans (Native Americans)-Journey to the Moon!
-Borrowed via Inter-Lib. Loan.

History Pockets- Explorers of North America

Tons of hands on activities about explorers from 1492-1869.
-Borrowed from the library.

Explore Norse Myths! by Anita Yasuda illustrated by Bryan Stone

With 25 Great Projects
An excellent resource when studying about the Norsemen/Vikings.
We made the flat bread recipe and enjoyed the Norse Mad Libs!
Guided Reading Level: W
-Borrowed from the library.

Spend the Day in Ancient Rome by Linda Honan illustrated by Ellen Kosmer*

The author introduces the reader to two siblings, Julia and Marcus, who reside in Ancient Rome during the reign of Emperor Hadrian. The reader experiences Roman cultural and life style through these siblings' experiences.
Lots of activities/crafts are  included.  I used this book mostly for its ideas about Roman food/feasts.
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.

Pyramids 50 Hands-On Activities to Experience Ancient Egypt by Avery Hart and Paul Mantell*

Tons of fun activities and interesting facts/tidbits about Ancient Egypt!
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.

Inside the Brain by Karin Halvorson, M.D.*

Different parts of the brain are discussed and their importance to our functioning.
Great activities follow almost each section of the brain to reinforce what that specific part does.
Text features: diagrams, photographs, activities, headings, labels, picture captions, cross section, table of contents, glossary
*highly recommend when studying the brain.
More in series:
Inside the . . .
Ears
Eyes,
Heart
Lungs
Stomach

What Makes a Magnet? by Franklyn M. Branley illustrated by True Kelley*

Let's Read and Find Out Science Level 2
The perfect book to use during an unit study of magnets.  The book shares facts about magnets but explains how to perform experiments and do activities while reading it.
*Highly recommend.

Janice' VanCleave's Play and Find Out About Math *

Easy step-by-step instructions of hands on activities to make discoveries about math and mathematical concepts.  Categories include: Counting, Numbers (adding/subtracting, fractions), Time (clock and months), Shapes (forms and symmetry), Patterns, Measurement (length, circumference, weight) and Quantities (area, volume).
Included in the back are section summaries (explaining more about the concepts), glossary and index.
Highly recommend all her books in the series "Play and Find Out" (science, nature, human body and bugs).  She also has written science experiments for school age children.