The Legend of the Poinsettia retold and illustrated by Tomie dePaola*

Lucida is excited to help her mother make a blanket for the Christ child.  Her mother, however, becomes ill, and Lucida only tangles the unfinished blanket resting in the loom.  What gift can she bring to the Christ child that is worthy enough?
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.

Good Trick, Walking Stick! by Sheri Mabry Bestor illustrated by Jonny Lambert*

This book share amazing facts about the walking stick, from how its eggs incubate over winter (thanks to ants) to how they survive predators as they mature to their reproduction.

After reading this book aloud to my boys, I have a whole new appreciation for this insect.

*Highly recommend.  **A must read during any insect unit!

*Onomatopoeia words!

-Multi age book (younger children can learn a lot from the main text while older readers may read more details about the different topics each page features.).

-Borrowed from the library.

Exploring Countries Lebanon by Lisa Owings

We are studying Ancient Phoenicians right now.  I utilized this book to share what the modern day area looks like and what the culture is like.  A small section discusses the Ancient Phoenicians.
Lots of photographs and well organized.
-Borrowed from the library.

Horrible Harry and the Dead Letters by Suzy Kline illustrated by Amy Wummer

My eight year old read this book to himself.  This is his review.
"If you want an interesting book and very good mystery, read this one.  The students receive  rainbow bookmarks and Mary loses her bookmark."
Guided Reading Level: M (end of 2nd grade)
-Borrowed from the library.

Echo by Pam Munoz Ryan*

Award winner-Newbery Honor Book
This book is amazing.  It combines fantasy/magic and historical fiction and causes the reader to think deeply about prejudice.
The story begins with Otto in Germany who is lost in the woods.  Three sisters rescue him by giving him a harmonica.  This harmonica is the thread that weaves together the stories of Friedrich in Germany enduring Hitler's regulations, Mike in Philadelphia, PA who bears the burden of making sure he and his younger brother are not separated in the foster care system and lastly, Ivy in California, who faces ridicule and segregation because of her Mexican heritage and is horrified at the presumptions about the  American-Japanese during World War II.
Music plays a key role in the story.
Very well orchestrated and beautifully told and developed.
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.

Ashanti to Zulu African Traditions by Margaret Musgrove illustrated by Leo and Diane Dillon*

Award Winner- The Caldecott Medal
Various African tribes are represent each letter of the alphabet.  The facts are fascinating and reinforce how unique this continent is!
We liked finding where the tribes are located in Africa by looking at the map in the back and then on a globe.
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.
Warning: One illustration depicts a woman's chest-not real detailed but my ten year old picked up on it while it went over my eight year old's head.

Carthage and the Phoenicians-Legacy of Ancient Civilizations

We watched this DVD to build some schema before we study the Phoenicians.
A good overall of this people group-not a stellar production, but informative and kept our interest.
-Borrowed from the library.